Mechanical consequences of cellular force generation

Assaf Zemel; Rumi De; Samuel Safran

doi:10.1016/j.cossms.2011.04.001

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Mechanical consequences of cellular force generation

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Mechanical consequences of cellular force generation

Assaf Zemel, Rumi De and Samuel Safran

Current Opinion In Solid State & Materials Science, Vol.15(5), pp.169-176

Oct/2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cossms.2011.04.001

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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. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Details

Title: Mechanical consequences of cellular force generation
Creators: Assaf Zemel (null)
Rumi De (null)
Samuel Safran (null) - The Weizmann Institute of Science
Resource Type: Journal article; Review
Publication Details: Current Opinion In Solid State & Materials Science, Vol.15(5), pp.169-176; Oct/2011
Number of pages: 8
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cossms.2011.04.001
Grant note: Israel Science Foundation; Schmidt Minerva CenterA.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._ALMAME_DELIMITER_
Record Identifier: 993262344503596

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