Keratocyte phenotype is enhanced in the absence of attachment to the substratum

PURPOSE: Keratocytes, mesenchymal cells populating the corneal stroma, secrete the unique transparent connective tissue of the cornea as well as opaque scar tissue after injury. Previous studies identified factors mediating keratocyte phenotype in vitro, particularly the expression of the keratan sulfate proteoglycans, which are essential for vision. Whereas earlier work emphasized effects of cytokines, the current study examines the effects of substratum attachment on keratocyte phenotype. METHODS: Primary keratocytes from collagenase digestion of bovine corneas were cultured on tissue-culture plastic or on poly (2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate)(polyHEMA)-coated, non-adhesive surfaces. Secreted proteoglycans from culture media and cell-associated proteins were characterized using western blotting or isotopic labeling. Gene expression was characterized with quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT–PCR). Secreted matrix was examined with immunostaining. RESULTS: We observed that virtually all primary keratocytes participate in the formation of spheroidal aggregates, remaining viable for at least four weeks in vitro. Spheroid keratocytes secrete more keratan sulfate and keratocan than attached cells in the same culture medium. In spheroids, keratocytes accumulate substantial matrix in intercellular spaces, including keratan sulfate, lumican, keratocan, and collagens V and VI. The unattached cells undergo limited cell division and do not differentiate into myofibroblasts in response to transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), which is based on the expression of extra domain A (EDA) fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin. Similarly, the platelet derived growth factor, a cytokine initiating the fibroblastic phenotype in attached keratocytes, had a limited effect on the spheroid-associated keratocytes. Ascorbate-2-phosphate was the only agent stimulating keratan sulfate secretion in the spheroid keratocytes. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide a new paradigm for understanding signals that regulate extracellular matrix secretion. For primary keratocytes, the alteration of the cellular environment in terms of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions mediates and can override signals from soluble cytokines in influencing matrix expression and also in adopting other aspects of the fibroblastic and myofibroblastic phenotypes found in healing wounds.