Attachment of cells to extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in the regulation of cell growth and differentiated function. We hypothesized that bronchial epithelial cells preferentially attach to ECM proteins and utilize specific receptors for ECM proteins. Bronchial epithelial cells were obtained from bovine lung by protease digestion. Both freshly isolated and cultured bronchial epithelial cells were plated onto plastic petri dishes coated with bovine serum albumin, type I collagen, type IV collagen, fibronectin, laminin, ECM synthesized by cultured bronchial epithelial cells, or uncoated. Freshly isolated cells demonstrated significant attachment to ECM but weak attachment to other matrix proteins. Cultured bronchial epithelial cells attached well to ECM; however, they had relatively increased attachment to type I collagen, type IV collagen, fibronectin, and laminin compared to freshly isolated cells. To determine whether the attachment of bronchial epithelial cells is arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD)-mediated, an RGD-containing peptide known to block attachment mediated by many integrin receptors was added to the media (400 micrograms/ml). There was no inhibition of attachment of freshly isolated cells; however, there was significant but not complete inhibition of the attachment of the cultured cells to type IV collagen, laminin, and fibronectin, but not to type I collagen or ECM. Thus, freshly isolated bronchial epithelial cells readily adhere to ECM, and the attachment does not appear to be mediated by RGD-dependent receptors. Cultured bronchial epithelial cells demonstrate increased attachment to component proteins of ECM, and this attachment is, in part, to RGD-dependent receptors.