Fiber alignment in 3D collagen networks as a biophysical marker for cell contractility

Böhringer D, Bauer A, Moravec I, Bischof L, Kah DTE, Mark C, Grundy TJ, Görlach E, O'Neill GM, Budday S, Strissel P, Strick R, Malandrino A, Gerum R, Mak M, Rausch M, Fabry B (2023)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

Matrix Biology Elsevier

Book Volume: 124

Pages Range: 39-48

DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2023.11.004

Abstract

Cells cultured in 3D fibrous biopolymer matrices exert traction forces on their environment that induce deformations and remodeling of the fiber network. By measuring these deformations, the traction forces can be reconstructed if the mechanical properties of the matrix and the force-free matrix configuration are known. These requirements limit the applicability of traction force reconstruction in practice. In this study, we test whether force-induced matrix remodeling can instead be used as a proxy for cellular traction forces. We measure the traction forces of hepatic stellate cells and different glioblastoma cell lines and quantify matrix remodeling by measuring the fiber orientation and fiber density around these cells. In agreement with simulated fiber networks, we demonstrate that changes in local fiber orientation and density are directly related to cell forces. By resolving Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibitor-induced changes of traction forces, fiber alignment, and fiber density in hepatic stellate cells, we show that the method is suitable for drug screening assays. We conclude that differences in local fiber orientation and density, which are easily measurable, can be used as a qualitative proxy for changes in traction forces. The method is available as an open-source Python package with a graphical user interface.

Authors with CRIS profile

David Böhringer Lehrstuhl für Biophysik Andreas Bauer Lehrstuhl für Biophysik Lars Bischof Lehrstuhl für Biophysik Delf-Thorge Eric Kah Lehrstuhl für Biophysik Christoph Mark Lehrstuhl für Biophysik Silvia Budday Lehrstuhl für Kontinuumsmechanik (Schwerpunkt Biomechanik) Pamela Strissel Medizinische Fakultät Richard Gerum Lehrstuhl für Biophysik Ben Fabry Lehrstuhl für Biophysik

Involved external institutions

Novartis AG CH Switzerland (CH) University of Sydney (USYD) AU Australia (AU) Yale University US United States (USA) (US) Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech (UPC) ES Spain (ES)

How to cite

APA:

Böhringer, D., Bauer, A., Moravec, I., Bischof, L., Kah, D.-T.E., Mark, C.,... Fabry, B. (2023). Fiber alignment in 3D collagen networks as a biophysical marker for cell contractility. Matrix Biology, 124, 39-48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matbio.2023.11.004

MLA:

Böhringer, David, et al. "Fiber alignment in 3D collagen networks as a biophysical marker for cell contractility." Matrix Biology 124 (2023): 39-48.

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