Intracellular signaling for process elongation in cultured hepatic stellate cells on type I collagen gel

Intracellular signaling, including protein kinase, PI 3-kinase, and small GTPases, following integrin-binding to extracellular matrix components, regulates F-actin and microtubule assembly in cultured HSCs, and has a crucial role in the induction and sustenance of the cellular processes. The difference in the responsiveness to signaling inhibitors of HSCs cultured on polystyrene surface and on type I collagen gel suggests that cell spreading and process elongation are mediated by the distinct signaling pathway(s), respectively.