Study on the overlapping growth of hepatoma cells in vitro / 生物医学工程学杂志

ABSTRACT

This study inquired into the formation of the "overlapping growth" of hepatoma cells through quantitative characterization on the growth of hepatoma cells in situ by means of morphological observation, Image Tool computer analytic system, statistical analysis as well as the experimental methods of cell mechanics and biochemistry. The results were as follows (1) The ability of hepatoma cells to regulate cell morphological deformation was better than that of hepatic cells; (2) While we were using micropipette aspiration technique to suck the "overlapping growth plaque" of hepatoma cells, the "overlapping growth plaque" fell off from the substrate, leaving a blank area; (3) Integrin expression of hepatoma cells was more obvious than that of hepatic cells; (4) Fibronectin (Fn) down-regulated the integrin expression in the hepatoma cells cultured on the Fn coated surface, enhanced the cells' adhesion ability and morphological stability, but reduced the formation and aggregation of the round cells. These results indicated (1) The so-called overlapping growing area was actually formed by many closely arrayed and piled round cells; (2) The production of round cells may be caused by integrin abnormal expression and the effect on the hepatoma cells adhesion stability; (3) The formation of "overlapping growth plaque" in hepatoma cells is related to the round cells' congregation induced by the high frequency morphological transformation.