Cell behaviour in tubes

Abstract

The motile behaviour, growth and reactions of osteoblasts, chondrocytes, epitenal cells and endothelia to culture on extended concave surfaces inside tubes is reported. Time-lapse video observations show that these cells can be successfully grown in quartz tubes for up to 21days. The cells would attach to the concave surfaces even when the radius of curvature was as low as 25 μm. The cells attached to the walls were not oriented. As culturing progressed the chondrocytes, osteoblasts and epitenon cells tended to detach from the walls of the tubes, forming long cords of cells attached to the walls at a few points only. Endothelial cells did not detach. These cords showed extensive lamellipodial activity at their points of attachment to the tube wall. The cells in these cords do not show contact inhibition of movement.