Cyclic AMP-dependent cell shape changes induced by mechanical forces.
Biomaterials used in some biomedical devices are exposed to flow of physiological fluids. The flow-induced forces may influence the morphological and the biochemical responses of adhering cells. The objective of this work is to examine the capacity of a mechanical stress to cause changes in cell/substratum and cell/cell interactions via the second messenger cAMP pathway (cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate). Cyclic AMP is known to modulate cell shape, cell adhesion and intercellular communication in static conditions. A specially designed flow chamber was used to analyze the responses of mouse 3T3 fibroblasts spread on biocompatible substrata and submitted to controlled shear stresses. A 1.1-Pa shear stress induced: cell rounding, disruption of vitronectin receptors clusters and clustering of connexins 43 at cell-cell apposition points. These cell responses were cAMP-dependent. These investigations should help provide a better understanding of the early biochemical events triggered by mechanical forces.
Chotard-Ghodsnia
R
R
UMR 6600 CNRS, Biomécanique et Génie Biomédical, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, BP 20529, 60205 Compiègne cedex, France. roxana.ghodsnia@utc.fr
Drochon
A
A
Faucheux
N
N
Nagel
M-D
MD
Grebe
R
R
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002460:Cell Line; D048429:Cell Size / Q000502:physiology; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000378:metabolism; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000502:physiology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D012212:Rheology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018031:Connexin 43; D000242:Cyclic AMP