Cell nanomechanics and focal adhesions are regulated by retinol and conjugated linoleicacid in a dose-dependent manner

Abstract

Retinol and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) have previously been shown to have animportant role in gene expression and various cellular processes, including differentiation,proliferation and cell death. In this study we have investigated the effect of retinol andCLA, both individually and in combination, on the intracellular cytoskeleton,focal adhesions (FAs) and the nanomechanical properties of 3T3 fibroblasts. Weobserved a dose-dependent decrease in the formation of FAs following treatment witheither compound, which was directly correlated to an increase in cell height (>30%) and a decrease in the measured Young’s modulus (∼28%).Furthermore, treatments with both compounds demonstrated an increased effect and led to a reductionof>70% in the average number of FAs per cell and a decrease of>50% in average cell stiffness. These data reveal that retinol and CLA disrupt FA formation,leading to an increase in cell height and a significant decrease in stiffness. These resultsmay broaden our understanding of the interplay between cell nanomechanics and cellularcontact with the external microenvironment, and help to shed light on the important roleof retinoids and CLA in health and disease.