Matrix microarchitecture and myosin II determine adhesion in 3D matrices.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Reports of adhesions in cells growing in 3D vary widely-from nonexistent to very large and elongated-and are often in apparent conflict, due largely to our minimal understanding of the underlying mechanisms that determine 3D cell phenotype. We address this problem directly by systematically identifying mechanisms that determine adhesion in 3D matrices and, from our observations, develop principles widely applicable across 2D and 3D substrates.

Results

We demonstrate that nonmuscle myosin II activity guides adhesion phenotype in 3D as it does in 2D; however, in contrast to 2D, decreasing bulk matrix stiffness does not necessarily inhibit the formation of elongated adhesions. Even in soft 3D matrices, cells can form large adhesions in areas with appropriate local ma

SUBMITTER: Kubow KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3773288 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature