Fibronectin anchoring to viscoelastic poly(dimethylsiloxane) elastomers controls fibroblast mechanosensing and directional motility

The established link between deregulated tissue mechanics and various pathological states calls for the elucidation of the processes through which cells interrogate and interpret the mechanical properties of their microenvironment. In this work, we demonstrate that changes in the presentation of the...

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Main Authors: Missirlis, Dimitris (Author) , Heckmann, Lara (Author) , Haraszti, Tamás (Author) , Spatz, Joachim P. (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 27 June 2022
In: Biomaterials
Year: 2022, Volume: 287, Pages: 1-11
ISSN:1878-5905
DOI:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121646
Online Access:Verlag, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121646
Verlag, Volltext: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0142961222002861
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Author Notes:Dimitris Missirlis, Lara Heckmann, Tamás Haraszti, Joachim P. Spatz
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Summary:The established link between deregulated tissue mechanics and various pathological states calls for the elucidation of the processes through which cells interrogate and interpret the mechanical properties of their microenvironment. In this work, we demonstrate that changes in the presentation of the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin on the surface of viscoelastic silicone elastomers have an overarching effect on cell mechanosensing, that is independent of bulk mechanics. Reduction of surface hydrophilicity resulted in altered fibronectin adsorption strength as monitored using atomic force microscopy imaging and pulling experiments. Consequently, primary human fibroblasts were able to remodel the fibronectin coating, adopt a polarized phenotype and migrate directionally even on soft elastomers, that otherwise were not able to resist the applied traction forces. The findings presented here provide valuable insight on how cellular forces are regulated by ligand presentation and used by cells to probe their mechanical environment, and have implications on biomaterial design for cell guidance.
Item Description:Gesehen am 07.09.2022
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1878-5905
DOI:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121646