The emergence of extracellular matrix mechanics an

Authors: Sara Checa Manuel K Rausch Ansgar Petersen Ellen Kuhl Georg N Duda

Publish Date: 2014/04/10

Volume: 14, Issue: 1, Pages: 1-13

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Abstract

Physical cues play a fundamental role in a wide range of biological processes such as embryogenesis wound healing tumour invasion and connective tissue morphogenesis Although it is well known that during these processes cells continuously interact with the local extracellular matrix ECM through cell traction forces the role of these mechanical interactions on large scale cellular and matrix organization remains largely unknown In this study we use a simple theoretical model to investigate cellular and matrix organization as a result of mechanical feedback signals between cells and the surrounding ECM The model includes bidirectional coupling through cellular traction forces to deform the ECM and through matrix deformation to trigger cellular migration In addition we incorporate the mechanical contribution of matrix fibres and their reorganization by the cells We show that a group of contractile cells will selfpolarize at a large scale even in homogeneous environments In addition our simulations mimic the experimentally observed alignment of cells in the direction of maximum stiffness and the building up of tension as a consequence of cell and fibre reorganization Moreover we demonstrate that cellular organization is tightly linked to the mechanical feedback loop between cells and matrix Cells with a preference for stiff environments have a tendency to form chains while cells with a tendency for soft environments tend to form clusters The model presented here illustrates the potential of simple physical cues and their impact on cellular selforganization It can be used in applications where cellmatrix interactions play a key role such as in the design of tissue engineering scaffolds and to gain a basic understanding of pattern formation in organogenesis or tissue regeneration

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