Cytotoxicity testing through cell adhesion to a pattern of collagen matrix Original Research Article

A pattern of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled collagen (FITC-collagen) can be fabricated on a substrate; it is clearly observable by fluorescence microscopy. Human venous endothelial cells separately adhere only to the collagen islands. The stained cells and the collagen islands can be discriminately viewed by fluorescence microscopy with two filter sets. Zinc sulfate in the cell medium produces effects on the cell adhesion; it decreases the number of the cells anchored to the collagen islands, suggesting a new methodology of testing chemical cytotoxicity. The method could also be useful to understand cells’ growth, morphogenesis, differentiation, and death.