Stick and grip: measurement systems and quantitative analyses of integrin-mediated cell adhesion strength

Cell adhesion to extracellular matrix components involves integrin receptor-ligand binding and adhesion strengthening, comprising receptor clustering, cytoskeletal interactions, and cell spreading. Although elucidation of the biochemical events in adhesive interactions is rapidly advancing, the mechanical processes and mechanisms of adhesion strengthening remain poorly understood. Because the biochemical and biophysical processes in adhesive interactions are tightly coupled, mechanical analyses of adhesion strength provide critical information on structure-function relationships. This review focuses on (a) measurement systems for cell adhesion strength and (b) quantitative analyses of integrin-mediated strengthening to extracellular matrix components.