Overview Cell Structures Cell Migration Cell Division  

Regulation of Artificial Tissue Formation by Substrate Rigidity

Guo et al., Biophys. J. 90:2213-2220 (2006)

Adherent cells from tissue explants typically migrate away from each other when plated on culture dishes, suggesting that some properties of the dish cause them to undergo "taxis" away from the native environment. To test the hypothesis that rigidity plays a major role in this process, 3T3 fibroblasts were plated on collagen-coated polyacrylamide substrates of identical chemical surfaces but different rigidity.

Cell Dispersal from Aggregates When Plated on Stiff Surfaces

Aggregates were formed by gental centrifugation of a suspension of 3T3 cells. Cells migrate away from an aggregate when plated on stiff polyacrylamide surfaces. Recording time, 180 min.

Congregation of Scattered Cells into Tissue-Like Aggregates When Plated on Soft Surfaces

3T3 cells in suspension were plated on soft polyacrylamide surfaces. The cells form aggregates upon making contact with each other. Recording time, 180 min.

Involvement of Cell Migration and Contractions in Artificial Tissue Formation on Soft Substrates

Scattered 3T3 cells on soft polyacrylamide surfaces migrate randomly. Upon contact with each other through filopodia-like protrusions, the cells merge and form aggregates. Small aggregates further merge into large aggregates, causing exponential growth in size. Recording time, 180 min.

Requirement of Myosin II-Dependent Contractility for Artificial Tissue Formation

Scattered 3T3 cells plated on stiff polyacrylamide surface were allowed to initiate artificial tissue formation. The cells were then treated with blebbistatin, a potent inhibitor of myosin II. The treatment causes cells to scatter away from the preformed aggregates. Recording time, 180 min.