Experimental studies where cells are seeded on micropost arrays in order to quantify their contractile behavior are becoming increasingly common. Interpretation of the data generated by this experimental technique is difficult, due to the complexity of the processes underlying cellular contractility and mechanotransduction. In the current study, a coupled framework that considers strain rate dependent contractility and remodeling of the cytoskeleton is used in tandem with a thermodynamic model of tension dependent focal adhesion formation to investigate the biomechanical response of cells adhered to micropost arrays. Computational investigations of the following experimental studies are presented: cell behavior on different sized arrays with a range of post stiffness; stress fiber and focal adhesion formation in irregularly shaped cells; the response of cells to deformations applied locally to individual posts; and the response of cells to equibiaxial stretching of micropost arrays. The predicted stress fiber and focal adhesion distributions; in addition to the predicted post tractions are quantitatively and qualitatively supported by previously published experimental data. The computational models presented in this study thus provide a framework for the design and interpretation of experimental micropost studies.
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Biomedical Engineering,
National University of Ireland Galway,
University Road,
University of California,
Santa Barbara,
University of Cambridge,
Trumpington Street,
Cambridge CB2 1PZ,
University of California,
Santa Barbara,
School of Engineering,
University of Aberdeen King's College,
Aberdeen AB24 3UE, Scotland
Biomedical Engineering,
National University of Ireland Galway,
University Road,
e-mail: patrick.mcgarry@nuigalway.ie
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October 2013
Research-Article
Simulation of the Mechanical Response of Cells on Micropost Substrates
William Ronan,
Biomedical Engineering,
National University of Ireland Galway,
University Road,
William Ronan
Department of Mechanical and
Biomedical Engineering,
National University of Ireland Galway,
University Road,
Galway 78746
, Ireland
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Amit Pathak,
University of California,
Santa Barbara,
Amit Pathak
Department of Mechanical Engineering
,University of California,
Santa Barbara,
CA 93106-5070
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Vikram S. Deshpande,
University of Cambridge,
Trumpington Street,
Cambridge CB2 1PZ,
Vikram S. Deshpande
Department of Engineering
,University of Cambridge,
Trumpington Street,
Cambridge CB2 1PZ,
UK
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Robert M. McMeeking,
University of California,
Santa Barbara,
School of Engineering,
University of Aberdeen King's College,
Aberdeen AB24 3UE, Scotland
Robert M. McMeeking
Department of Mechanical Engineering
,University of California,
Santa Barbara,
CA 93106-5070
School of Engineering,
University of Aberdeen King's College,
Aberdeen AB24 3UE, Scotland
Search for other works by this author on:
J. Patrick McGarry
Biomedical Engineering,
National University of Ireland Galway,
University Road,
e-mail: patrick.mcgarry@nuigalway.ie
J. Patrick McGarry
1
Department of Mechanical and
Biomedical Engineering,
National University of Ireland Galway,
University Road,
Galway 78746
, Ireland
e-mail: patrick.mcgarry@nuigalway.ie
1Corresponding author.
Search for other works by this author on:
William Ronan
Department of Mechanical and
Biomedical Engineering,
National University of Ireland Galway,
University Road,
Galway 78746
, Ireland
Amit Pathak
Department of Mechanical Engineering
,University of California,
Santa Barbara,
CA 93106-5070
Vikram S. Deshpande
Department of Engineering
,University of Cambridge,
Trumpington Street,
Cambridge CB2 1PZ,
UK
Robert M. McMeeking
Department of Mechanical Engineering
,University of California,
Santa Barbara,
CA 93106-5070
School of Engineering,
University of Aberdeen King's College,
Aberdeen AB24 3UE, Scotland
J. Patrick McGarry
Department of Mechanical and
Biomedical Engineering,
National University of Ireland Galway,
University Road,
Galway 78746
, Ireland
e-mail: patrick.mcgarry@nuigalway.ie
1Corresponding author.
Contributed by the Bioengineering Division of ASME for publication in the Journal of Biomechanical Engineering. Manuscript received April 16, 2013; final manuscript received July 4, 2013; accepted manuscript posted July 29, 2013; published online September 20, 2013. Assoc. Editor: Guy M. Genin.
J Biomech Eng. Oct 2013, 135(10): 101012 (10 pages)
Published Online: September 20, 2013
Article history
Received:
April 16, 2013
Revision Received:
July 4, 2013
Accepted:
July 29, 2013
Citation
Ronan, W., Pathak, A., Deshpande, V. S., McMeeking, R. M., and McGarry, J. P. (September 20, 2013). "Simulation of the Mechanical Response of Cells on Micropost Substrates." ASME. J Biomech Eng. October 2013; 135(10): 101012. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4025114
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