Rigidity-driven growth and migration of epithelial cells on microstructured anisotropic substrates

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0702259104
• Publication Date: 2007-05-09T02:38:41Z
• Authors: Alexandre Saez; Marion Ghibaudo; Axel Buguin; Pascal Silberzan; Benoît Ladoux
• Keywords: Rigidity (electromagnetism)

The physical properties of the cellular environment are involved in regulating formation and maintenance tissues. In particular, substrate rigidity appears to be a key factor dictating cell response on culture surfaces. Here we study behavior epithelial cells cultured microfabricated substrates engineered exhibit an anisotropic stiffness. consists dense array micropillars oval cross-section, so that one direction is made stiffer than other. We demonstrate how such can induce directional growth guide migration along greatest rigidity. Regions high tractional stress large deformations within sheets concentrated at edges, particular two poles islands their long axis, correlation with orientation actin fibers focal adhesions. By inducing scattering activity cells, show isolated also migrate Taken together, these findings mechanical interactions microenvironment tuned engineer tissue properties.