最近,各种微环境生物物理刺激已被证明在调节细胞功能中起着至关重要的作用。其中,形态物理线索,像曲率,正在成为细胞行为的关键监管者。基板曲率的变化已被证明会影响焦点粘附(FA)的排列,影响细胞骨架的方向和强度会产生力,并导致细胞机械特性的整体改变。在他们的原生环境中,细胞遇到不同程度的基底曲率,在特定的器官中,由于周期性组织变形,它们暴露于曲率的动态变化。然而,细胞感知基底曲率的机制仍然知之甚少。为了这个目标,设计并实现了一种微气动装置。该装置能够控制基板曲率的应用,静态和动态。采用实验和模拟相结合的方法,人脂肪干细胞暴露于受控的曲率强度和频率.在这次曝光期间,对FA的延伸和取向进行了测量,细胞骨架组织和细胞/核排列。数据清楚地表明基底曲率对细胞粘附过程的显着影响。这些发现有助于更好地理解细胞感知和响应底物曲率信号的机制。重要声明:这项工作是我们对理解基底曲率功能的贡献,在粘着斑和细胞机械特性的尺度上,它是细胞粘附的关键调节剂。近年来,大量的知识正在不断增长,提供对各种微环境生物物理刺激在调节细胞功能中的作用的理解。然而,对基底曲率的作用知之甚少,特别是,当细胞以动态方式暴露于这种刺激时。为了解决基底曲率对细胞行为的作用,设计并实现了一种微气动装置。该装置能够控制基板曲率的应用,静态和动态。实验数据充分表明,底物曲率对细胞粘附的机制有重大影响。
Recently, a variety of microenvironmental biophysical stimuli have been proved to play a crucial role in regulating cell functions. Among them, morpho-physical cues, like
curvature, are emerging as key regulators of cellular behavior. Changes in substrate curvature have been shown to impact the arrangement of Focal Adhesions (FAs), influencing the direction and intensity of cytoskeleton generated forces and resulting in an overall alteration of cell mechanical identity. In their native environment, cells encounter varying degrees of substrate
curvature, and in specific organs, they are exposed to dynamic changes of
curvature due to periodic tissue deformation. However, the mechanism by which cells perceive substrate
curvature remains poorly understood. To this aim, a micro-pneumatic device was designed and implemented. This device enables the controlled application of substrate
curvature, both statically and dynamically. Employing a combined experimental and simulative approach, human adipose-derived stem cells were exposed to controlled curvature intensity and frequency. During this exposure, measurements were taken on FAs extension and orientation, cytoskeleton organization and cellular/nuclear alignment. The data clearly indicated a significant influence of the substrate curvature on cell adhesion processes. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms through which cells perceive and respond to substrate curvature signals. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This work is our contribution to the comprehension of substrate curvature\'s function as a crucial regulator of cell adhesion at the scale of focal adhesions and cell mechanical identity. In recent years, a large body of knowledge is continuously growing providing comprehension of the role of various microenvironmental biophysical stimuli in regulating cell functions. Nevertheless, little is known about the role of substrate curvature, in particular, when cells are exposed to this stimulus in a dynamic manner. To address the role of substrate curvature on cellular behavior, a micro-pneumatic device was designed and implemented. This device enables the controlled application of substrate
curvature, both statically and dynamically. The experiment data made it abundantly evident that the substrate curvature had a major impact on the mechanisms involved in cell adhesion.