A Dynamic Stochastic Model of Frequency-Dependent Stress Fiber Alignment Induced by Cyclic Stretch Conference Paper uri icon

abstract

  • Actin stress fibers (SFs) are bundles of actin filaments anchored at each end via focal adhesions. Myosin-generated contraction leads to the development of tension, which extends SFs beyond their unloaded lengths. In human aortic ECs, the level of SF extension is maintained at a set-point level of 1.10 (1). SFs are also dynamic structures and their continuous assembly and disassembly is critical to cellular functions involving changes in cell shape. Further, deformation of the extracellular matrix perturbs SF extension, leading to compensatory responses such as the gradual alignment of SFs perpendicular to the principal direction of cyclic stretch. The extent of cell alignment has been shown to depend on the pattern of matrix stretch; however, it is unclear how cells distinguish between different patterns of stretch to determine their unique responses.

name of conference

  • ASME 2009 Summer Bioengineering Conference, Parts A and B

published proceedings

  • ASME 2009 Summer Bioengineering Conference, Parts A and B

author list (cited authors)

  • Hsu, H., Lee, C., & Kaunas, R.

citation count

  • 0

complete list of authors

  • Hsu, Hui-Ju||Lee, Chin-Fu||Kaunas, Roland

publication date

  • January 2009