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Directional control of lamellipodia extension by constraining cell shape and orienting cell tractional forces
Author(s) -
Parker Kevin Kit,
Brock Amy Lepre,
Brangwynne Cliff,
Mannix Robert J.,
Wang Ning,
Ostuni Emanuele,
Geisse Nicholas A.,
Adams Josephine C.,
Whitesides George M.,
Ingber Donald E.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fj.02-0038com
Subject(s) - lamellipodium , filopodia , motility , morphogenesis , extracellular matrix , cytoskeleton , cell migration , focal adhesion , pseudopodia , microbiology and biotechnology , cell , actin , elongation , chemistry , biophysics , biology , materials science , biochemistry , gene , ultimate tensile strength , metallurgy
Directed cell migration is critical for tissue morphogenesis and wound healing, but the mechanism of directional control is poorly understood. Here we show that the direction in which cells extend their leading edge can be controlled by constraining cell shape using micrometer‐sized extracellular matrix (ECM) islands. When cultured on square ECM islands in the presence of motility factors, cells preferentially extended lamellipodia, filopodia, and microspikes from their corners. Square cells reoriented their stress fibers and focal adhesions so that tractional forces were concentrated in these corner regions. When cell tension was dissipated, lamellipodia extension ceased. Mechanical interactions between cells and ECM that modulate cytoskeletal tension may therefore play a key role in the control of directional cell motility.—Parker, K. K., Brock, A. L., Brangwynne, C., Mannix, R. J., Wang, N., Ostuni, E., Geisse, N. A., Adams, J. C., Whitesides, G. M., Ingber, D. E. Directional control of lamellipodia extension by constraining cell shape and orienting cell tractional forces. FASEB J . 16, 1195–1204 (2002)