A discrete approach for modeling cell-matrix adhesions

Escribano, J. ; Sánchez, M.T. ; García-Aznar, J.M. (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: During recent years the interaction between the extracellular matrix and the cytoskeleton of the cell has been object of numerous studies due to its importance in cell migration processes. These interactions are performed through protein clutches, known as focal adhesions. For migratory cells these focal adhesions along with force gener- ating processes in the cytoskeleton are responsible for the for- mation of protrusion structures like lamellipodia or filopodia. Much is known about these structures: the different proteins that conform them, the players involved in their formation or their role in cell migration. Concretely, growth-cone filopo- dia structures have attracted significant attention because of their role as cell sensors of their surrounding environment and its complex behavior. On this matter, a vast myriad of math- ematical models has been presented to explain its mechan- ical behavior. In this work, we aim to study the mechani- cal behavior of these structures through a discrete approach. This numerical model provides an individual analysis of the proteins involved including spatial distribution, interaction between them, and study of different phenomena, such as clutches unbinding or protein unfolding.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1007/s40571-014-0006-7

Año: 2014

Publicado en: Computational Particle Mechanics 1, 2 (2014), 117 - 130
ISSN: 2196-4378

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EUR/FP7/ERC2012-StG-306751
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO/DPI2012-38090-C03-01

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Mec.Med.Cont. y Teor.Est. (Dpto. Ingeniería Mecánica)