title: How cells sense extracellular matrix stiffness: a material's perspective.
abstract: The mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in which cells reside have emerged as an important regulator of cell fate. While materials based on natural ECM have been used to implicate the role of substrate stiffness for cell fate decisions, it is difficult in these matrices to isolate mechanics from other structural parameters. In contrast, fully synthetic hydrogels offer independent control over physical and adhesive properties. New synthetic materials that also recreate the fibrous structural hierarchy of natural matrices are now being designed to study substrate mechanics in more complex ECMs. This perspective examines the ways in which new materials are being used to advance our understanding of how ECM stiffness impacts cell function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Britta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Trappmann
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000187:drug effects; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D018583:Pliability; D011506:Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate