Alteration in the behavior of a colon carcinoma cell line by extracellular matrix components

It was previously demonstrated that substrata derived from well differentiated colon carcinoma cell lines induced a more benign program in a separate malignant colon cell line, MOSERsf. This study attempts to define a role for extracellular matrix components in the biological events of MOSERsf cells. Alterations in morphology, secreted carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and urokinase brought about by individual components were determined. Laminin induced similar changes to colon-derived substrata in that there was increased cell attachment and spreading, a 4-fold elevation in CEA and a 45% reduction in urokinase. Fibronectin stimulated cell attachment without altered morphology and reduced the amount of plasminogen activator. CEA values, however, remained unchanged. Growth of MOSERsf cells on all types of collagen failed to elicit any change in cell shape or CEA. However, type I/III collagen raised urokinase levels by 40%. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) induces cellular laminin and fibronectin, promotes cell attachment, and spreading, elevates CEA and diminishes urokinase. These data argue for a role for laminin and possibly fibronectin in the governing of biological events culminating in a more mature colon cell.