title: Mechanical regulation of cell function with geometrically modulated elastomeric substrates.
abstract: We report the establishment of a library of micromolded elastomeric micropost arrays to modulate substrate rigidity independently of effects on adhesive and other material surface properties. We demonstrated that micropost rigidity impacts cell morphology, focal adhesions, cytoskeletal contractility and stem cell differentiation. Furthermore, early changes in cytoskeletal contractility predicted later stem cell fate decisions in single cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Jianping
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Yang-Kao
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ravi A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Zhijun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry; D020724:Elastomers; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000295:instrumentation; D010316:Particle Size; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D020724:Elastomers; D011108:Polymers; C036925:elastomeric polymer; C013830:baysilon; D012825:Silicon