Construction and simulation-experimental characterization of a fluorescence image-based finite element model for cell...

Area of Science:

• Cellular mechanics
• Biophysics
• Computational biology

Background:

• Cell mechanical properties are crucial for cellular functions.
• Cytoskeleton remodeling influences cell behavior and mechanical responses.
• Understanding intracellular stress transmission is key to cell mechanics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a finite element (FE) model for characterizing 3D cell structures.
• To analyze the influence of cytoskeleton remodeling on cell mechanical properties.
• To investigate intracellular stress transmission mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells treated with cytochalasin D (Cyto-D).
• 3D cell structures reconstructed from confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) images using MATLAB.
• Nanoindentation experiments using atomic force microscopy (AFM) to measure mechanical parameters.
• Multi-body contact FE model developed on the ANSYS platform for simulation.

Main Results:

• Increased Cyto-D concentration decreased cell height but increased Young's modulus and adhesion force.
• FE simulations showed structural dependence and asymmetric stress transmission.
• The nucleus participated in force transmission with a smooth transition at the nucleus-cytoskeleton interface.
• Cytoskeleton disassembly was identified as the primary driver of altered cell mechanical behavior.

Conclusions:

• The integrated framework of fluorescence imaging and FE analysis is effective for cell mechanics research.
• The study provides a methodological reference for investigating cytoskeletal organization and cellular mechanical behavior.
• Findings highlight the critical role of the cytoskeleton in determining cell mechanical properties.