Is human renal fibroblast contraction of collagen I lattices an integrin-mediated process?
We postulate that collagen I fibril rearrangement by human renal fibroblasts in vitro appears to be an integrin-mediated process involving the alpha2beta1 integrin.
Cell-ECM interactions increase survival of PDL cells exposed to CSE. It is suggested that the increased survival is attributable to PDL cells altering their ECM, potentially by depositing collagen and fibronectin. This may imply that cells embedded in an ECM would be more resistant to the toxic effects of cigarette smoke, leading to increased cell death near the exposed edges of a wound.