Mechanical cues guide the formation and patterning of 3D spheroids in fibrous environments.

ABSTRACT: Multicellular spheroids have shown great promise in 3D biology. Many techniques exist to form spheroids, but how cells take mechanical advantage of native fibrous extracellular matrix (ECM) to form spheroids remains unknown. Here, we identify the role of fiber diameter, architecture, and cell contractility on spheroids' spontaneous formation and growth in ECM-mimicking fiber networks. We show that matrix deformability revealed through force measurements on aligned fiber networks promotes spheroid formation independent of fiber diameter. At the same time, larger-diameter crosshatched networks of low deformability abrogate spheroid formation. Thus, designing fiber networks of varying diameters and architectures allows spatial patterning of spheroids and monolayers simultaneously. Forces quan

SUBMITTER: Sharma S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12448454 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature