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Published on: October 4, 2019
Cell-ECM traction force modulates endogenous tension at cell-cell contacts.
Venkat Maruthamuthu1, Benedikt Sabass, Ulrich S Schwarz
1Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
Summary
Epithelial cells exert ~100 nN forces at cell-cell contacts, which are directly proportional to their traction forces on the extracellular matrix (ECM). This mechanical coupling influences tissue integrity and mechanotransduction.
Area of Science:
- Cellular mechanics
- Biophysics
- Tissue engineering
Background:
- Cells are mechanically linked to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and neighboring cells.
- The interplay between cell-ECM and cell-cell adhesion forces is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify endogenous forces at cell-cell adhesions in epithelial cells.
- To investigate the relationship between cell-cell forces and cell-ECM traction forces.
- To explore the implications for tissue mechanics.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of endogenous forces at epithelial cell-cell contacts.
- Analysis of the relationship between cell-cell tension and cellular traction forces on the ECM.
- Modeling of force distribution in a minimal tissue construct.
Main Results:
- Epithelial cells sustain approximately 100 nN forces perpendicular to cell-cell interfaces, concentrated at contact edges.
- Cell-cell tension is a constant fraction of cell-ECM traction force.
- Modulating ECM properties alters cell-cell tension.
- Cells in a minimal tissue model experience uniform microenvironmental forces despite varying adhesions.
Conclusions:
- A direct interdependence exists between cell-cell and cell-ECM forces.
- This mechanical coupling is crucial for maintaining tissue integrity.
- Findings have implications for mechanotransduction and tumor mechanobiology.
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