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, MOSER_af. This study attempts to define a role for extracellular matrix components in the biological events of MOSER_af 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 MOSER_af 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 β (TGF-β) 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.