Repository logo
 

Cortical cell stiffness is independent of substrate mechanics.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Change log

Authors

Rheinlaender, Johannes  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1976-9245
Dimitracopoulos, Andrea 
Wallmeyer, Bernhard 
Chalut, Kevin J 

Abstract

Cortical stiffness is an important cellular property that changes during migration, adhesion and growth. Previous atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation measurements of cells cultured on deformable substrates have suggested that cells adapt their stiffness to that of their surroundings. Here we show that the force applied by AFM to a cell results in a significant deformation of the underlying substrate if this substrate is softer than the cell. This 'soft substrate effect' leads to an underestimation of a cell's elastic modulus when analysing data using a standard Hertz model, as confirmed by finite element modelling and AFM measurements of calibrated polyacrylamide beads, microglial cells and fibroblasts. To account for this substrate deformation, we developed a 'composite cell-substrate model'. Correcting for the substrate indentation revealed that cortical cell stiffness is largely independent of substrate mechanics, which has major implications for our interpretation of many physiological and pathological processes.

Description

Keywords

Cell Differentiation, Cerebral Cortex, Elastic Modulus, Microscopy, Atomic Force, Substrate Specificity

Journal Title

Nat Mater

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1476-1122
1476-4660

Volume Title

19

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Sponsorship
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/N006402/1)
European Research Council (772426)
European Research Council (772798)
Medical Research Council (MC_PC_12009)
Medical Research Council (MC_PC_17230)
Relationships
Is derived from: