Dresden 2006 – scientific programme
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AKB: Biologische Physik
AKB 25: Cell Mechanics I
AKB 25.10: Talk
Thursday, March 30, 2006, 17:15–17:30, ZEU 260
Micromechanics of the pericellular matrix — •Jennifer Curtis1,2, Heike Boehm1,2, Christian Schmitz1,2, Ralf Richter1,2, and Joachim Spatz1,2 — 1University of Heidelberg, Department of Biophysical Chemistry, INF 253, D-69120 Heidelberg — 2Max-Planck-Institute for Metals Research, Department New Materials & Biosystems, Heisenbergstr. 3, D-70569 Stuttgart
In recent years, much attention has been directed towards the properties and activities of the cell surface. In particular, the coupling of the membrane to the underlying protein polymer network called the actin cortex, plays an important role in many events. The other side of the cell surface is less studied, although it too often has a bound polymer network comprised of gigantic cross-linked polysaccharides (sugars). Called the pericellular matrix (PCM), it is associated with many cells including fibroblasts, chondrocytes, endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Its thickness can vary from 10’s of nanometers to 10 microns and it is associated with adhesion dependent events like migration and mitosis. Biologists often hypothesize that its viscoelastic properties are responsible for modulating adhesion activities. To investigate this idea, we measure the PCM’s viscoelasticity using microrheology and probe the sharpness of its edge and its mesh size. The elastic modulus of the PCM under different condition is determined, and we characterize the long, elastic cables that can be pulled from the PCM. These results are compared with an externally reconstituted model PCM on the cell surface.