title: Stick and grip: measurement systems and quantitative analyses of integrin-mediated cell adhesion strength.
abstract: Cell adhesion to extracellular matrix components involves integrin receptor-ligand binding and adhesion strengthening, comprising receptor clustering, cytoskeletal interactions, and cell spreading. Although elucidation of the biochemical events in adhesive interactions is rapidly advancing, the mechanical processes and mechanisms of adhesion strengthening remain poorly understood. Because the biochemical and biophysical processes in adhesive interactions are tightly coupled, mechanical analyses of adhesion strength provide critical information on structure-function relationships. This review focuses on (a) measurement systems for cell adhesion strength and (b) quantitative analyses of integrin-mediated strengthening to extracellular matrix components.
authors.affiliation: Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0363, USA. andres.garcia@me.gatech.edu
authors.forename: Andrés J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Nathan D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Gallant
mesh_terms: D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002498:Centrifugation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D016023:Integrins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008846:Micromanipulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011485:Protein Binding; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014159:Transducers
chemical_list: D016023:Integrins