Influence of Substrate Thickness and Stiffness on Cell Behavior

Abstract

It is known that various cell types can sense and respond to the mechanical properties of their microenvironment. Specifically, cells have been known to spread more when cultured on stiff substrates and are able to match their internal stiffness to that of the substrate. It has also been recently reported that even some cells are cultured on soft but thin coatings attached to stiff supports, they can perceive an effective stiffness that is much larger than that of the bulk coating. Building on earlier models [1,2], we present a model and invoke arguments based on energetics that explain why stiff and thin substrates encourage some cells to spread more easily and why these cells can match their internal stiffness to external stiffness more efficiently than others.Figure : Traction energy as a function of coating thickness for different cell stiffnessesReference:1. U. S. Schwarz et al, Biosystems, 83, 225 (2006).2. J. M. Maloney et al, Phys. Rev. E, 78, 041923 (2008).View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide