Biophysical Society Thematic Meeting| Aussois 2019

Biology and Physics Confront Cell-Cell Adhesion

Poster Abstracts

8-POS Board 8 SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY MODULATES CELL MECHANOSENSING OF EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX Bianxiao Cui 1 ; 1 Stanford University, Department of Chemistry, Palo Alto, CA, USA The interaction between the cell membrane and the extracellular matrix is crucial for many cellular functions by modulating mechanosensitive signaling pathways. Physical properties of the extracellular matrix such as stiffness and topography affect such interactions. Our recent work reveals that surface topography of tens to hundreds of nanometer scale modulates cell adhesion and cell signaling by activating intracellular curvature-sensitive proteins. We use vertical nanostructures protruding from a flat surface as a platform to induce precise curvatures on the cell membrane and to probe biological processes in live cells. Vertical nanopillars deform the plasma membrane inwards and induce membrane curvature when the cell engulfs them, leading to a reduction of the membrane-substrate gap distance. We found that the high membrane curvature induced by vertical nanopillars significantly affects the distribution of curvature-sensitive proteins and modules cell adhesion. Our studies show a strong interplay between biological cells and nano-featured surfaces, which is an essential consideration for future development of interfacing devices.

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