Mechanical consequences of cellular force generation

Assaf Zemel*, Rumi De, Samuel A. Safran

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

The discovery that adherent tissue cells actively sustain internal tension and exert mechanical forces on their surroundings has opened new vistas in the field of cell and tissue mechanics. Cellular forces, generated by acto-myosin contractility, play a central role in numerous aspects of cell behavior and function. Apart from the various specific functions that cells perform by applying forces (e.g., wound healing, remodeling of the extracellular matrix and muscle contraction), cells also apply stresses as a generic means for sensing and responding to the mechanical nature of their environment. In addition, the internal tension plays a role in actively controlling the elastic moduli and shape stability of the cell. In this review, we survey recent theoretical and experimental studies of the physical consequences of cell mechanical activity including its role in cell morphology, adhesion strength, stress-fiber polarization, and the elastic properties of cells. We also discuss the role of cell mechanics in orienting cellular assemblies and in the response of cells to external loads.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)169-176
Number of pages8
JournalCurrent Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science
Volume15
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2011

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
A.Z. and S.A.S. are grateful for the support of the Israel Science Foundation. S.A.S. acknowledges the support of the Schmidt Minerva Center and the historic generosity of the Perlman Family Foundation.

Keywords

  • Cell mechanics
  • Cell shape
  • Cell-cell interactions
  • Cell-matrix interactions
  • Cytoskeleton
  • Focal adhesions
  • Stress-fibers

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