transformed,and metastaticcells to collagenand plasticsub

We have studied the attachment of mouse fibroblasts, trans formed nonmetastatic fibroblasts, and metastatic fibrosarcoma cells to various substrates. The metastatic cells attach prefer entially to type IV (basement membrane) collagen in the ab sence of serum, compared to type I collagen and plastic. In the presence of fibronectin, these cells attach well to both type I and type IV collagens. The normal and transformed fibroblasts attach to all these substrates, although the transformed fibro blasts attach more slowly. The ability to attach to type I collagen and plastic is correlated with the levels of fibronectin and collagen produced by these cells. The data indicate that the transformedand metastaticcells differ from normal cells in their attachment properties and ability to synthesize matrix proteins. The metastatic cells possess a unique system for binding to type IV collagen that could be important in enabling these cells to penetrate tissues bounded by basement mem branes.