title: A computational study of stress fiber-focal adhesion dynamics governing cell contractility.
abstract: We apply a recently developed model of cytoskeletal force generation to study a cell's intrinsic contractility, as well as its response to external loading. The model is based on a nonequilibrium thermodynamic treatment of the mechanochemistry governing force in the stress fiber-focal adhesion system. Our computational study suggests that the mechanical coupling between the stress fibers and focal adhesions leads to a complex, dynamic, mechanochemical response. We collect the results in response maps whose regimes are distinguished by the initial geometry of the stress fiber-focal adhesion system, and by the external load on the cell. The results from our model connect qualitatively with recent studies on the force response of smooth muscle cells on arrays of polymeric microposts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maraldi
authors.affiliation: Aragón Institute of Engineering Research, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Valero
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Mathematics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Electronic address: krishna@umich.edu.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Garikipati
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D022001:Focal Adhesions / Q000378:metabolism*; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D008954:Models, Biological; D022502:Stress Fibers / Q000378:metabolism*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013816:Thermodynamics; D013997:Time Factors