We introduce a simple mechanical model for adherent cells that quantitatively relates cell shape, internal cell stresses and cell forces as generated by an anisotropic cytoskeleton. We perform experiments on the shape and traction forces of different types of cells with anisotropic morphologies, cultured on microfabricated elastomeric pillar arrays. We demonstrate that , irrespectively of the cell type, the shape of the cell edge between focal adhesions is accurately described by elliptical arcs, whose eccentricity expresses the ratio between directed and isotropic stresses. Our work paves the way toward the reconstruction of cellular forces from geometrical data available via optical microscopy .
We investigate the geometrical and mechanical properties of adherent cells characterized by a highly anisotropic actin cytoskeleton. Using a combination of theoretical work and experiments on micropillar arrays, we demonstrate that the shape of the cell edge is accurately described by elliptical arcs, whose eccentricity expresses the degree of anisotropy of the internal cell stresses. This results in a spatially varying tension along the cell edge, that significantly affects the traction forces exerted by the cell on the substrate. Our work highlights the strong interplay between cell mechanics and geometry and paves the way towards the reconstruction of cellular forces from geometrical data .
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introduce a simple mechanical model for adherent cells that quantitatively relates cell shape, internal cell stresses and cell forces as generated by an anisotropic cytoskeleton. We perform experiments on the shape and traction forces of different types of cells with anisotropic morphologies, cultured on microfabricated elastomeric pillar arrays. We demonstrate that , irrespectively of the cell type, the
investigate the geometrical and mechanical properties of adherent cells characterized by a highly anisotropic actin cytoskeleton. Using a combination of theoretical work and experiments on micropillar arrays, we demonstrate that the
D
between focal adhesions
R
ratio between directed and isotropic stresses. Our work
degree of anisotropy of the internal cell stresses. This results in a spatially varying tension along the cell edge, that significantly affects the traction forces exerted by the cell on the substrate. Our work highlights the strong interplay between cell mechanics and geometry and
R
toward
towards
D
available via optical microscopy