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Rudimentary form of cellular "vision"

G Albrecht-Buehler1

  • 1Department of Cell, Molecular and Structural Biology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|September 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

This study shows that BHK cells can sense the orientation of neighboring cells through electromagnetic radiation. This cellular "vision" is blocked by metal but not silicone coatings, suggesting infrared light is involved.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Bio-optics

Background:

  • Cell-to-cell communication is crucial for tissue organization.
  • The mechanisms by which cells perceive external cues are not fully understood.
  • Previous research has explored various signaling pathways in cell orientation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if BHK cells can detect the orientation of neighboring cells.
  • To identify the nature of signals mediating this orientation detection.
  • To explore the potential for a rudimentary form of cellular "vision".

Main Methods:

  • BHK cells were cultured on opposite faces of a thin glass film.
  • Cellular orientation was observed after incubation in the absence of visible light.
  • Glass films were coated with metal or silicone to test signal penetration.
  • Cellular response to different coatings was analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Cells on the sparse face aligned with the orientation of cells on the confluent face.
  • This alignment was inhibited by a thin metal coating on the glass.
  • The effect was not influenced by a silicone coating, suggesting specific radiation wavelengths.
  • Results indicate cells detect orientation via signals penetrating glass but not metal.

Conclusions:

  • BHK cells can detect the orientation of other cells through electromagnetic signals.
  • The signals appear to be in the red to infrared range.
  • This phenomenon suggests a basic form of cellular "vision" enabling directional sensing.

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