Hydrogel Micropillars with Integrin Selective Peptidomimetic Functionalized Nanopatterned Tops: A New Tool for the Measurement of Cell Traction Forces Transmitted through α_vβ₃‐ or α₅β₁‐Integrins

Abstract

Poly(ethylene glycol) micropillars with gold nanopatterns on top are functionalized with two integrin selective ligands. This platform is a powerful new tool to determine the specific contribution of traction forces involved in cell adhesion mediated by α5 β1‐ and αvβ3‐ integrins. Cells adherent via α5 β1‐integrins have a tendency to exert higher maximum forces than cells adhering via αvβ3‐integrins.

Integrin-independent Cell Adhesion Substrates: Possibility of Applications for Mechanobiology Research

“…36 Additionally, the substrates possessing micropillars on the surface have been also used to measure the force exerted by the cells. 37 These substrates allow the cells to interact and adhere through integrin-dependent mechanism. The substrates that allow integrin-independent cell adhesion have been hardly used.…”

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“…Using pillar displacement as a metric, the researchers observed higher forces exerted with α 5 β 1 mediated adhesion versus α v β 3 and a higher zyxin to actin ratio [49]. This study holds great implications regarding protein recruitment at focal adhesion sites [49]. These studies that illustrate and further uncover the importance of integrins in cell attachment to the ECM contribute greatly to future scaffold engineering designs.…”

“…A recent study highlights the use of gold nanoparticle structured polyethylene glycol diacrylate micropillars (GPPP) as force sensors to elucidate the role of α v β 3 and α5β 1 -integrins in cell traction [49]. Using pillar displacement as a metric, the researchers observed higher forces exerted with α 5 β 1 mediated adhesion versus α v β 3 and a higher zyxin to actin ratio [49]. This study holds great implications regarding protein recruitment at focal adhesion sites [49].…”

“…On the cellular side of the fibronectin mechanism, it is known that α v β 3 and α 5 β 1 -integrins specifically play a role in cell adhesion [49]. A recent study highlights the use of gold nanoparticle structured polyethylene glycol diacrylate micropillars (GPPP) as force sensors to elucidate the role of α v β 3 and α5β 1 -integrins in cell traction [49]. Using pillar displacement as a metric, the researchers observed higher forces exerted with α 5 β 1 mediated adhesion versus α v β 3 and a higher zyxin to actin ratio [49].…”

“…The SIA method uses thermal microprinting to exploit this fibronectin-integrin mechanism and create ECM nanofibers in the laboratory [48]. On the cellular side of the fibronectin mechanism, it is known that α v β 3 and α 5 β 1 -integrins specifically play a role in cell adhesion [49]. A recent study highlights the use of gold nanoparticle structured polyethylene glycol diacrylate micropillars (GPPP) as force sensors to elucidate the role of α v β 3 and α5β 1 -integrins in cell traction [49].…”