Integrins Cooperate during Mechanosensing

It is unclear how integrins that bind to the same extracellular matrix protein mediate specific functions. To address this question we analysed β1‐ and αv‐class integrins expressed in pan‐integrin‐null fibroblasts seeded on fibronectin. Our experiments revealed that αv‐class integrins induce low myosin‐II activity and the formation of large focal adhesions, β1‐class integrins induce intermediate myosin‐II activity, formation of small peripheral adhesions and cell protrusions, and co‐expression of both integrin classes leads to highest myosin‐II activation and highest traction force development on stiff FN‐coated substrates. Using quantitative proteomics we identified signalling pathways enabling α5β1 integrins to generate force and αv‐class integrins to establish the structural requirements to transmit force. The findings will be discussed at the meeting.