Effects of mechanical strain to the Tetraspanin dependent adhesion.

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Mechanical strain, such as stretching, is recognized as an important extracellular stimulus that promotes cellular growth and survival, influences metabolic processes (including gene expression) and governs tissue architecture in various cell types. Cyclic stretching of vascular smooth muscle cells has been reported to activate the cells, increase collagen synthesis and stimulate a growth response. Meanwhile, Chun-Min Lo proposed the "durotaxis" concept, which suggests that fibroblasts prefer stable and stiff substrates. To date, little information has been reported regarding the role of cell stretching in terms of anti-fibrotic effects on skin. To analyze the rolls of tetraspanin web molecules on response of skin fibroblasts by mechanical stress, we investigated whether tetraspanin web molecules are involved in the morphology, cell-survival and mobility.After knock down of tetraspanins or EWI-F, morphology of the cell was changed to spindle form. Moreover, ratios of survived cells were reduced after knockdown, comparing from mock treated cells. Our results demonstrated an important role for tetraspanins and their associate molecules.