Adhesion-regulated dynamics of cells.

Abstract

A wide variety of dynamic behaviors of cells are closely associated with the active contraction of the cytoskeleton and the cell-substrate adhesion. By inhibiting cell-substrate adhesion, here we experimentally show that an isolated cell exhibits diverse morphological geometries and dynamic behaviors on different adhesion-inhibiting substrates. A biochemomechanical tensegrity model of cytoskeletons is adopted to elucidate the biophysical mechanisms underlying the spontaneous dynamic behaviors of isolated cells. Theoretical analysis shows that the dynamic behaviors of cells depend on the intrinsic active contraction of cytoskeletons and the adherent condition. Combining living cell experiments and numerical simulations, we find that cells may transform from oscillation mode to protrusion mode and then to spreading mode due to the increase of the adhesion force threshold. Furthermore, for oscillating cells, two characteristic patterns, including global oscillation and traveling wave, are captured. These findings highlight the role of environmental adherent properties in mediating cellular spatiotemporal dynamics.