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Studies on fibroblasts cultured within 3D collagen matrices offer new opportunities to understand regulation of cell structure and function in a tissue-like environment. In 3D matrices, cells experience adhesive interactions that are limited to the fibrillar structures of the matrix but are symmetrical around the entire cell surface. These cultures exhibit behavioral reciprocity in that cell spreading, migration, and contraction also cause matrix remodeling. Finally, cells adapt to mechanical signals from the remodeled matrix, which modulate cellular phenotype and force generation in an iterative fashion.

The cover image shows the unique dendritic appearance of fibroblasts in highly compliant 3D collagen matrices (Grinnell et al. [2003], Mol. Biol. Cell 14, 384-395, Figure 2C). These extensions contain microtubule cores (green) and actin (red) concentrated at the tips resembling growth cones. Under dual regulation of the small G-proteins, Rac and Rho, the dendritic extensions increase in size and complexity upon cell stimulation with platelet derived growth factor and retract upon stimulation by lysophosphatidic acid.

-Fred Grinnell

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Copyright © 2004 by The American Society for Cell Biology.