Effect of tenascin and fibronectin on the migration of human corneal fibroblasts

Abstract

Purpose To investigate the effect of fibronectin and tenascin on the migration of corneal fibroblasts. Setting Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, Medical School, Vienna, Austria. Methods Using human corneal fibroblasts, a monolayer migration assay was performed to measure corneal fibroblast movement. The migration on collagen I, fibronectin, and tenascin with and without transforming growth factor (TGF)-α/fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 stimulation and the effect of soluble tenascin and fibronectin on corneal fibroblast migration on collagen-I-coated wells were investigated. Results The cytokines TGF-α and FGF-2 stimulated migrational activity of corneal stromal cells in a dose-dependent manner, reaching the maximum effect at 100 ng/mL and 10 ng/mL, respectively. The migration of corneal fibroblasts on fibronectin was significantly higher ( P < .05) than the migration on collagen I. Transforming growth factor-α and FGF-2 increased radial cell displacement independent of the provided matrix composition. Tenascin had a negative effect on corneal fibroblast adhesion/migration in this in vitro model. Conclusion Fibronectin and tenascin influenced corneal fibroblast migration and adhesion, respectively, and may play a role in stromal cell movement during wound healing. The cytokines TGF-α and FGF-2 had an additive effect on corneal fibroblast migration on a fibronectin matrix.