Dresden 2014 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 7: Posters: Cell adhesion, mechanics and migration

BP 7.40: Poster

Monday, March 31, 2014, 17:30–19:30, P3

Cell adhesion under lateral confinement — •Andreas Müller and Tilo Pompe — Universität Leipzig, Institute of Biochemistry, Johannisallee 21-23, 04109 Leipzig, Germany

The process of structuring of multicellular organisms into tissues and organs relies on the collective organization of cells into compartments. In this context, geometry plays a fundamental role in guiding cell adhesion and cellular behavior, in close relation to biochemical and biophysical characteristics of the extracellular matrix.

In order to better understand the impact of geometry on individual cells, we micropattern hydrogel substrates with adhesion ligands arranged in stripes. Cells grown on these micropatterns show distinct cytoskeletal morphologies, i.e. a bimodal distribution of actin stress fiber spacing depending on stripe width. As underlying regulating cues we hypothesize changes in interfacial energies of cells or intracellular forces. We use traction force microscopy and immunofluorescence staining to identify mechanical, biochemical and structural parameters relevant for cell adhesion under geometrical confinement. Biophysical and biochemical perturbations are used to distinguish regulating elements of intracellular signaling. Substrate stiffness, ligand affinity as well as intracellular force activation were modulated to test a broad range of possible mechanisms.

Next to stripe width, substrate stiffness could be shown to be an important parameter for actin fiber assembly and force generation on micropatterned substrates. With these studies we aim to demonstrate the relevance of geometry for cellular mechanical homeostasis.