title: Modeling the formation of cell-matrix adhesions on a single 3D matrix fiber.
abstract: Cell-matrix adhesions are crucial in different biological processes like tissue morphogenesis, cell motility, and extracellular matrix remodeling. These interactions that link cell cytoskeleton and matrix fibers are built through protein clutches, generally known as adhesion complexes. The adhesion formation process has been deeply studied in two-dimensional (2D) cases; however, the knowledge is limited for three-dimensional (3D) cases. In this work, we simulate different local extracellular matrix properties in order to unravel the fundamental mechanisms that regulate the formation of cell-matrix adhesions in 3D. We aim to study the mechanical interaction of these biological structures through a three dimensional discrete approach, reproducing the transmission pattern force between the cytoskeleton and a single extracellular matrix fiber. This numerical model provides a discrete analysis of the proteins involved including spatial distribution, interaction between them, and study of the different phenomena, such as protein clutches unbinding or protein unfolding.
authors.affiliation: Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering (M2BE), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Escribano
authors.affiliation: Centro Universitario de la Defensa Zaragoza Academia General Militar, Zaragoza, Spain.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering (M2BE), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain. Electronic address: jmgaraz@unizar.es.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: García-Aznar
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D021982:Cell-Matrix Junctions / Q000502:physiology*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000502:physiology*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009218:Myosins / Q000502:physiology; D058849:Protein Refolding; D058767:Protein Unfolding
chemical_list: D009218:Myosins
keywords: 3D discrete model; Actin; Extracellular matrix reorganization; Focal adhesion; Myosin