Heterogeneity and nonaffinity of cell-induced matrix displacements.

ABSTRACT: Cell contractile forces deform and reorganize the surrounding matrix, but the relationship between the forces and the resulting displacements is complicated by the fact that the fibrous structure brings about a complex set of mechanical properties. Many studies have quantified nonlinear and time-dependent properties at macroscopic scales, but it is unclear whether macroscopic properties apply to the scale of a cell, where the matrix is composed of a heterogeneous network of fibers. To address this question, we mimicked the contraction of a cell embedded within a fibrous collagen matrix and quantified the resulting displacements. The data revealed displacements that were heterogeneous and nonaffine. The heterogeneity was reproducible during cyclic loading, and it decreased with decreasing f

SUBMITTER: Burkel B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6319873 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature