Bone marrow interface: Preferential attachment of an osteoblastic marrow stromal cell line

In this study, we report on the cell adhesion properties of marrow stromal cells to extracellular matrix components such as collagen and noncollagenous proteins. The osteoblastic cells and their non-osteoblastic counter-parts (MBA series) from the marrow stroma differentially recognized a spectrum of extracellular matrix proteins. The osteoblastic cells, MBA-15, preferentially attached to bone matrix proteins, whereas fibroendothelial MBA-2.1 and adipocytic 14F1.1 cells did not. The MBA-15 cells demonstrated a preference in their attachment to fibronectin > mixture of collagens > bone matrix extracts > collagen type I > noncollagenous proteins. Clonal subpopulations derived from the MBA-15 cell line representing various stages along the osteogenic lineage expressed differential attachment preference. MBA-15.4, a less differentiated clonal line, was compared to MBA-15.6, a mature cell line.