Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Examining the Dynamics of Cellular Adhesion and Spreading of Epithelial Cells on Fibronectin During Oxidative Stress
Published on: October 13, 2019
Effects of mechanical stress on cell adhesion: a possible mechanism for morphological changes
F Boccafoschi1, M Bosetti, P M Sandra
1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Human Anatomy, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy. francesca.boccafoschi@med.unipmn.it
Abstract:
The transmission of mechanical forces to cells is followed among all by biological signals related to changes in the assembly or disassembly of integrins associated linker proteins, such as vinculin. We applied for 3 hours 2% cyclic mechanical strain at the frequency of 1 Hz to human fibroblasts cultured on a deformable substrate; substrate deformation resulted to modify the number, length and area of vinculin positive focal adhesion contacts when compared to not stretched cells. The mechanism behind these morphological changes is related to Akt and RhoA roles in focal adhesion assembly. In the case of Akt and Rho inhibition, focal contacts disassembled only in presence of stretching mechanical stress, highlighting the role of mechanical stress on focal adhesion maturation in terms of multimolecolar assembly which from focal complexes leads to fibrillar adhesion.
More Related Videos
09:11Using Cell-substrate Impedance and Live Cell Imaging to Measure Real-time Changes in Cellular Adhesion and De-adhesion Induced by Matrix Modification
Published on: February 19, 2015
07:55Analyzing Cell Surface Adhesion Remodeling in Response to Mechanical Tension Using Magnetic Beads
Published on: March 8, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
Tension Response at Adherens Junctions
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin homology) domains...
Cell Migration
Cell Migration
Adherens Junctions
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
The endothelial cells...
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...