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Related Experiment Videos

Reversible and repeatable linear local cell force response under large stretches.

Shengyuan Yang1, Taher Saif

  • 1Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 West Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.

Experimental Cell Research
|March 22, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Fibroblast cells exhibit a linear and repeatable force response to stretching, with actin filaments bearing most of the internal stress. This reveals key insights into cellular mechanical behavior and biomaterials.

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Area of Science:

  • Cellular mechanics
  • Biomaterials science
  • Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)

Background:

  • Understanding the mechanical properties of cells is crucial for fields like tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
  • Fibroblasts play a significant role in wound healing and tissue remodeling, making their mechanical behavior a key area of study.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the force response of adherent fibroblasts during large stretching and un-stretching.
  • To investigate the role of cellular structures, particularly actin filaments, in resisting mechanical deformation.
  • To explore the potential for developing novel biomaterials based on cellular mechanical properties.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized micromachined mechanical force sensors fabricated from single crystal silicon using the SCREAM process.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Functionalized a probe with fibronectin to ensure cell adhesion and contact.
  • Applied controlled stretching (up to 50 microm) and un-stretching cycles to single fibroblasts with a 75-second delay.
  • Measured the force response of cells before and after treatment with cytochalasin D.

    • Main Results:

    • Observed a strongly linear, reversible, and repeatable force response in fibroblasts.
    • Identified a minor stiffening effect at the initial stage of deformation.
    • Cytochalasin D treatment indicated that actin filaments are the primary contributors to internal forces during cell stretching.

    Conclusions:

    • Fibroblast mechanical behavior under stretching is largely predictable and dominated by the actin cytoskeleton.
    • These findings enhance our understanding of cell mechanics and offer insights for designing advanced biomaterials with unique properties.