In vitro adhesiveness of mouse primordial germ cells to cellular and extracellular matrix component substrata

Adhesive interactions with the surrounding cells and extracellular matrix components are crucial for migration and development of primordial germ cells. The possibility of isolating and culturing such cells from the mouse embryo has allowed the initial characterization of their adhesion properties, and the identification of some adhesion molecules. Furthermore, it has permitted us to obtain indications of the role that signals from adhesion receptors present on primordial germ cell surface play in regulating their migration, growth, and possibly differentiation. In the present review, we summarize this progress with particular emphasis on the contribution provided by microscopic studies performed on isolated mouse primordial germ cells cultured on various substrata.