Figure 1.

HSPGs impact actin organization and fibrin-FN matrix contraction. (A) NIH3T3 fibroblasts were incubated in suspension for 30 min, either with or without 100 μg/ml soluble heparin, before they were allowed to spread for 1 h on fibrin-FN matrix. Cells were washed, fixed, permeabilized, and stained with rhodamine-phalloidin to visualize filamentous actin. Representative cells are shown. Scale bar, 10 μm. (B) Fibroblasts were preincubated with the indicated concentrations of heparinase I/III or chondroitinase ABC for 4 h before polymerization together with fibrin-FN matrices. The matrix was detached from the dish and % contraction was measured after 4 h. The data are expressed as the mean ± SEM of triplicate experiments. (C) CHO wild-type and mutant cell lines were included during polymerization of fibrin-FN matrix and assayed for their ability to contract a fibrin-FN matrix. These data are expressed as the mean ± SEM of triplicate experiments.