Attachment and spreading of baby hamster kidney cells to collagen substrata: effects of cold-insoluble globulin

Studies have been carried out to determine the effects of cold-insoluble globulin (CIG) on the attachment and spreading of baby hamster kidney cells on various collagen substrata. Cell attachment to native collagen substrata occurred in the absence of CIG just as fast as attachment to dried collagen or gelatin substrata occurred in the presence of CIG. On the other hand, cell attachment to dried collagen or gelatin was markedly reduced in the absence of CIG. Cell spreading also occurred on native collagen in the absence of CIG; however, CIG was absolutely required for cell spreading to occur on dried collagen or gelatin. Finally, anti-CIG antiserum or lactoperoxidase treatment inhibited cell spreading on CIG-coated substrata but not on native collagen substrata. The data are discussed in terms of the interaction of fibroblasts with collagen in situ.