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]