title: Image analysis for the quantitative comparison of stress fibers and focal adhesions.
abstract: Actin stress fibers (SFs) detect and transmit forces to the extracellular matrix through focal adhesions (FAs), and molecules in this pathway determine cellular behavior. Here, we designed two different computational tools to quantify actin SFs and the distribution of actin cytoskeletal proteins within a normalized cellular morphology. Moreover, a systematic cell response comparison between the control cells and those with impaired actin cytoskeleton polymerization was performed to demonstrate the reliability of the tools. Indeed, a variety of proteins that were present within the string beginning at the focal adhesions (vinculin) up to the actin SFs contraction (non-muscle myosin II (NMMII)) were analyzed. Finally, the software used allows for the quantification of the SFs based on the relative positions of FAs. Therefore, it provides a better insight into the cell mechanics and broadens the knowledge of the nature of SFs.
authors.affiliation: Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials Unit, Centro de Estudios e Investigaciones Técnicas and Tecnun, University of Navarra, San Sebastian, Spain.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elosegui-Artola
authors.affiliation: Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials Unit, Centro de Estudios e Investigaciones Técnicas and Tecnun, University of Navarra, San Sebastian, Spain.
authors.forename: Alvaro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jorge-Peñas
authors.affiliation: Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragón Institute of Engineering Research, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
authors.forename: Oihana
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Moreno-Arotzena
authors.affiliation: Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials Unit, Centro de Estudios e Investigaciones Técnicas and Tecnun, University of Navarra, San Sebastian, Spain.
authors.forename: Amaia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oregi
authors.affiliation: Gene Therapy and Hepatology Area, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lasa
authors.affiliation: Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragón Institute of Engineering Research, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
authors.forename: José Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: García-Aznar
authors.affiliation: Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials Unit, Centro de Estudios e Investigaciones Técnicas and Tecnun, University of Navarra, San Sebastian, Spain.
authors.forename: Elena M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: De Juan-Pardo
authors.affiliation: Gene Therapy and Hepatology Area, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aldabe
mesh_terms: D048430:Cell Shape; D022001:Focal Adhesions / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D021381:Protein Transport; D022502:Stress Fibers / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*