3D Micropatterned Traction Force Microscopy: A Technique to Control 3D Cell Shape While Measuring Cell‐Substrate Force Transmission
Cell shape and function are intimately linked, in a way that is mediated by the forces exerted between cells and their environment. The relationship between cell shape and forces has been extensively studied for cells seeded on flat 2D substrates, but not for cells in more physiological 3D settings. Here, a technique called 3D micropatterned traction force microscopy (3D-µTFM) to confine cells in 3D wells of defined shape, while simultaneously measuring the forces transmitted between cells and their microenvironment is demonstrated. This technique is based on the 3D micropatterning of polyacrylamide wells and on the calculation of 3D traction force from their deformation. With 3D-µTFM, it is shown that MCF10A breast epithelial cells exert defined, reproducible patterns of forces on their microenvironment, which can be both contractile and extensile. Cells switch from a global contractile to extensile behavior as their volume is reduced are further shown. The technique enables the quantitative study of cell mechanobiology with full access to 3D cellular forces while having accurate control over cell morphology and the mechanical conditions of the microenvironment.
Authors
- Manuel Gómez‐González (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5091-0411)
- Elena Martínez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4839-5286)
- Xavier Trepat (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7621-5214)
- Laura M. Faure (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0862-0792)
- Pere Roca‐Cusachs (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6947-961X)
- Marino Arroyo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1647-940X)
- Jordi Comelles (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9297-830X)
- Ona Baguer
Institutions
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ES)
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (ES)
- International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering (ES)
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (ES)
- Universitat de Barcelona (ES)
- Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (ES)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Science
- Published
- 2024-10-23
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202406932
- Citations
- 11
- Primary Topic
- Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 3.59
Funders
- Fundació la Marató de TV3
- European Commission
- Generalitat de Catalunya
- EMBO
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats
- Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
- Fundación Bancaria Caixa d'Estalvis i Pensions de Barcelona
- Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
- European Research Council
- Horizon 2020
- European Regional Development Fund
- Agencia Estatal de Investigación
- H2020 European Research Council