The nanoscale geometrical maturation of focal adhesions controls stem cell differentiation and mechanotransduction.
We show that the nanoscale adhesion geometry controls the spreading and differentiation of epidermal stem cells. We find that cells respond to such hard nanopatterns similarly to their behavior on soft hydrogels. Cellular responses were seen to stem from local changes in diffusion dynamics of the adapter protein vinculin and associated impaired mechanotransduction rather than impaired recruitment of proteins involved in focal adhesion formation.
Institute of Bioengineering and ‡School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary, University of London , Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom.
Julien E
JE
Gautrot
Jenny
J
Malmström
Maria
M
Sundh
Coert
C
Margadant
Arnoud
A
Sonnenberg
Duncan S
DS
Sutherland
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D022001:Focal Adhesions / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016596:Vinculin / Q000378:metabolism*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D016596:Vinculin