A Bio-chemo-mechanical Model for Cell Contractility, Adhesion, Signaling, and Stress-Fiber Remodeling

Robert M. McMeeking* (Corresponding Author), Vikram S. Deshpande

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A bio-chemo-mechanical model is described that targets contractility, adhesion, signaling, and cytoskeleton formation and remodeling, where the effort in the case of the last phenomena is focused on actomyosin stress-fibers. The contractility of the cell is driven by the stress-fibers, which also determine much of the active and passive mechanics that characterize the cell’s mechanical behavior. The stress-fibers attach to adhesion proteins that connect the cell to an extracellular matrix or to a substrate, and apply contractile force through them. This in turn generates signals that can trigger cytoskeleton formation and remodeling. The signals can also arise from external sources such as nervous impulses and biochemical changes to the cell’s surroundings. The model is installed as a user element in a finite element code and used to simulate cell behavior in vitro, such as contraction on a compliant, smooth, flat substrate, or on a bed of compliant posts. Interactions with patterned substrates are also modeled, such as where cells have a limited area to which they can adhere, or where the cells interact with grooves. The results of these simulations are very encouraging as they are largely consistent with observed cell behavior.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBiomechanics
Subtitle of host publicationTrends in Modeling and Simulation
EditorsG Holzapfel, R Ogden
Place of PublicationCham
PublisherSpringer
Pages53-81
Number of pages29
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-319-41475-1
ISBN (Print)978-3-319-41473-7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2017

Publication series

NameStudies in Mechanobiology, Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials
Volume20
ISSN (Print)1868-2006
ISSN (Electronic)1868-2014

Keywords

  • Compliant Substrate
  • Cyclic Stretch
  • Focal Adhesion
  • Representative Volume Element
  • Stiff Substrate

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