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Hypergravity affects cell traction forces of fibroblasts.

Julia Eckert1, Jack J W A van Loon2, Lukas M Eng3

  • 1Physics of Life Processes, Leiden Institute of Physics, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands; School of Science, Department of Physics, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Life & Physical Science, Instrumentation and Life Support Laboratory, ESA/ESTEC, Noordwijk, the Netherlands.

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Cellular traction forces initially decrease under increased gravity (hypergravity) up to 5.4 g, then increase significantly at higher forces, independent of orientation. This response is linked to cytoskeleton changes.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Biophysics
  • Gravitational biology

Background:

  • Cells respond to mechanical stimuli and environmental changes.
  • Previous studies show microgravity and hypergravity affect cell shape, elasticity, and motility.
  • The impact of hypergravity on cellular traction forces remains under-investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how hypergravity affects cellular traction forces in 3T3 fibroblast cells.
  • To determine if cell orientation relative to the gravity vector influences traction force response.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a large-diameter centrifuge at the European Space Agency for hypergravity experiments.
  • Exposed 3T3 fibroblast cells to hypergravity up to 19.5 g for 16 hours.
  • Tested cells in both upright and inverted orientations relative to the g-force vector.

Main Results:

  • Cellular traction forces decreased as gravity increased up to 5.4 g.
  • Traction forces then increased at higher gravity levels (up to 19.5 g).
  • This biphasic response was observed regardless of cell orientation.

Conclusions:

  • Hypergravity modulates cellular traction forces in a complex, non-linear manner.
  • The observed switch in response is attributed to shear thinning at lower g-forces and cytoskeleton rearrangement at higher g-forces.
  • Findings highlight the significant influence of gravity on cellular mechanical interactions.