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Related Concept Videos

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue. 
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Cell Motility through Blebbing

Blebs are a type of membrane protrusion formed by the internal hydrostatic pressure of the cytoplasm. Blebs are observed in several cell types, including fibroblasts, immune cells, and single-celled organisms like the amoeba. The primary function of blebs is cell locomotion and apoptosis, but they are also found during necrosis and cell division. The life cycle of a bleb comprises an initiation phase followed by the expansion and retraction phases.
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The Role of Actin and Myosin in Non-muscle Cells01:10

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Actin and myosin or actomyosin filaments also play a significant role in cells other than those involved in muscle contraction (which occurs within the sarcomere of muscle cells). The mechanism of non-muscle cell contractile bundles was first observed in Dictyostelium and Acanthamoeba. In non-muscle cells, two bundles are commonly found: stress fibers and actomyosin adherence belts. These contractile bundles are smaller and less organized than the ones found in muscle cells. They  are held...
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Excitation-contraction coupling is a series of events that occur between generating an action potential and initiating a muscle contraction. It occurs at the triad, a structure found in skeletal muscle fibers that comprise a T-tubule and terminal cisternae of the sarcoplasmic reticulum on each side. These triads are visible in longitudinally sectioned muscle fibers. They are typically located at the A-I junction — the junction between the A and I bands of the sarcomere.
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Smooth Muscle Contraction01:25

Smooth Muscle Contraction

Smooth muscle contraction is a complex process vital for various bodily functions, from maintaining blood vessel tension to facilitating the movement of food through the digestive tract. Unlike striated muscles, smooth muscle contraction begins more slowly and lasts longer.
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Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

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Fibroblast Derived Human Engineered Connective Tissue for Screening Applications
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Myofibroblast communication is controlled by intercellular mechanical coupling.

Lysianne Follonier1, Sébastien Schaub, Jean-Jacques Meister

  • 1Laboratory of Cell Biophysics, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Bâtiment SG-AA-B143, Station 15, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.

Journal of Cell Science
|October 2, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Adherens junctions mechanically coordinate myofibroblast activity by transmitting cell contraction signals, influencing calcium oscillations and tissue remodeling during wound healing and fibrosis.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Tissue Engineering

Background:

  • Fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts involves new adherens junctions.
  • Adherens junctions mechanically couple stress fibers, enhancing myofibroblast collagen gel contraction.
  • Understanding myofibroblast coordination is crucial for fibrosis and wound healing research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if adherens junctions mechanically coordinate myofibroblast activities.
  • To determine the role of intercellular mechanical coupling in synchronizing cellular functions.

Main Methods:

  • Assessment of spontaneous intracellular Ca2+ oscillations in contacting myofibroblasts.
  • Disruption of adherens junctions using function-blocking peptides.
  • Inhibition of myofibroblast contraction with myosin inhibitors.
  • Blocking mechanosensitive ion channels with Gd3+ and GSMTx4.

Main Results:

  • Periodic Ca2+ oscillations were synchronized between contacting myofibroblasts.
  • Adherens junction dissociation desynchronized Ca2+ oscillations.
  • Myosin inhibition and mechanosensitive channel blockers also desynchronized oscillations.
  • Gap junction uncouplers did not affect myofibroblast coordination.

Conclusions:

  • Adherens junctions mechanically coordinate myofibroblast activity through a signaling pathway involving mechanosensitive ion channels and Ca2+ influx.
  • This coordination mechanism enhances tissue remodeling in cell-dense environments.
  • The findings propose a model where cell contraction via adherens junctions influences adjacent cell activity, potentially improving wound healing and fibrosis outcomes.