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Cyclic stretching of soft substrates induces spreading and growth

Author

Listed:
  • Yidan Cui

    (Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore)

  • Feroz M. Hameed

    (Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore)

  • Bo Yang

    (Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore)

  • Kyunghee Lee

    (Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore)

  • Catherine Qiurong Pan

    (Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore)

  • Sungsu Park

    (Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore
    Sungkyunkwan University)

  • Michael Sheetz

    (Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore
    Columbia University)

Abstract

In the body, soft tissues often undergo cycles of stretching and relaxation that may affect cell behaviour without changing matrix rigidity. To determine whether transient forces can substitute for a rigid matrix, we stretched soft pillar arrays. Surprisingly, 1–5% cyclic stretching over a frequency range of 0.01–10 Hz caused spreading and stress fibre formation (optimum 0.1 Hz) that persisted after 4 h of stretching. Similarly, stretching increased cell growth rates on soft pillars comparative to rigid substrates. Of possible factors linked to fibroblast growth, MRTF-A (myocardin-related transcription factor-A) moved to the nucleus in 2 h of cyclic stretching and reversed on cessation; but YAP (Yes-associated protein) moved much later. Knockdown of either MRTF-A or YAP blocked stretch-dependent growth. Thus, we suggest that the repeated pulling from a soft matrix can substitute for a stiff matrix in stimulating spreading, stress fibre formation and growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Yidan Cui & Feroz M. Hameed & Bo Yang & Kyunghee Lee & Catherine Qiurong Pan & Sungsu Park & Michael Sheetz, 2015. "Cyclic stretching of soft substrates induces spreading and growth," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-8, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms7333
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7333
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    Cited by:

    1. Yan Lu & Cheng Chen & Hangyu Li & Peng Zhao & Yuanfeng Zhao & Bohan Li & Wei Zhou & Gaofeng Fan & Dongshi Guan & Yijun Zheng, 2025. "Visible light-responsive hydrogels for cellular dynamics and spatiotemporal viscoelastic regulation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.

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