Visualizing cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions
Improved function in response to laminin modified MPs, further strengthened our hypothesis that effects exerted on cells by various ECM ligands can be differently sensed and translated by cells. To investigate ECM activation events, we used immunofluorescence staining to probe for vinculin and cadherin expression in spheroids. Vinculin is a common component of activated focal adhesion complex when cells are actively engaging ECM with integrin receptors. Cadherins are essential constituents of adherens junctions, important in the formation and maintenance of cell-cell contacts.[47]