Loss of cell-matrix cohesiveness after phagocytosis by trabecular meshwork cells.

PURPOSE To investigate the response of trabecular meshwork cells to phagocytic events. METHODS Cultured bovine trabecular meshwork cells were established and exposed to latex microspheres for 40 to 44 hours. After phagocytosis, the cohesiveness of cells to their underlying matrix was measured by the susceptibility to trypsin, as indicated by the time needed to be liberated from culture plates. The amounts of two cell attachment proteins, fibronectin and laminin, in both the phagocytically challenged and the control cultures were measured at various postphagocytosis time points with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The fibronectin and laminin network was visualized with immunostaining. The mRNA levels were analyzed by Northern blot. Zymography using gelatin-containing gels was also performed to examine the gelatinase activities. RESULTS Compared with controls, cells in phagocytically challenged cultures were more sensitive to trypsin. At the 4- and 8-hour postphagocytosis time points, the trypsinization time needed to suspend cells from tissue culture plates was significantly shorter for phagocytically challenged cells. Also, at these two time points, reduced amounts of fibronectin and laminin, as well as disruption of the fibronectin-laminin network, were observed in the phagocytically challenged trabecular meshwork cultures. The mRNA level for fibronectin was reduced, and a slightly increased gelatinase activity was noted. The fibronectin and laminin levels returned to normal by 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that after phagocytosis, trabecular meshwork cells exhibit a short-term loss in cell-matrix cohesiveness. Such a loss may be related to diminished levels of cell attachment proteins.