Contact stiffness governs cell mechanosensing through molecular clutches.

ABSTRACT: In cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions, cells apply traction forces to the local ECM through adhesions, in which the local ECM deformation depends on both local and non-local adhesions. Here, we established a nonlocal model based on a contact mechanics-derived parameter-contact stiffness (CS)-to quantify cell-ECM reciprocity. The CS defines the relationship between the local ECM deformation and the total force applied by a cell, integrating the effects of ECM elastic modulus, thickness, cell spreading area, etc. We found that both Yes-associated Protein (YAP) activity and the extent of differentiation in human mesenchymal stem cells scaled with CS in power law relation. To investigate the mechanism underlying the mechanosensing by cells, we proposed a CS-based motor clutch model;

SUBMITTER: Zhao P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12647905 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature