Force Localization in Contracting Cell Layers
Force Localization in Contracting Cell Layers
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DOI：
10.1103/physrevlett.107.128101
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发表时间：
2011-09-15
影响因子：
8.6
通讯作者：
Schwarz, Ulrich S.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Edwards, Carina M.;Schwarz, Ulrich S.
软弹性基底或支柱阵列上的上皮细胞层通常用作研究力在组织生长、维持和修复中的作用的模型系统。在这里，我们分析表明，实验观察到的本地化的牵引力的细胞层的外围并不一定意味着增加局部细胞的活动，但自然遵循从一个有限大小的收缩层耦合到一个弹性基础的弹性问题。对于均匀的收缩性，力的局部化是由一个无量纲的参数之间的线性和指数的力的配置文件非常软和非常硬的基板，分别插值的极端情况下。如果收缩性在外周充分增加，则在中间位置可发生向外定向的移位。我们还表明，各向异性的细胞外刚度可以导致在更硬的方向上的力本地化，如实验所观察到的。
Epithelial cell layers on soft elastic substrates or pillar arrays are commonly used as model systems for investigating the role of force in tissue growth, maintenance, and repair. Here we show analytically that the experimentally observed localization of traction forces to the periphery of the cell layers does not necessarily imply increased local cell activity, but follows naturally from the elastic problem of a finite-sized contractile layer coupled to an elastic foundation. For homogeneous contractility, the force localization is determined by one dimensionless parameter interpolating between linear and exponential force profiles for the extreme cases of very soft and very stiff substrates, respectively. If contractility is sufficiently increased at the periphery, outward directed displacements can occur at intermediate positions. We also show that anisotropic extracellular stiffness can lead to force localization in the stiffer direction, as observed experimentally.