Cellular Mechanics and Interactions

Septins promote breast cancer cell invasion in 3D collagen gels by influencing actin-based protrusion formation

This study shows that SEPT7 depletion reduces breast cancer cell invasion in 3D collagen gels by affecting actin-based protrusions and cell shape.

PAK4 promotes vertex remodeling to maintain epithelial integrity and barrier function

This study shows PAK4 and Afadin cooperate to maintain epithelial integrity by promoting vertex remodeling, with PAK4 inhibition disrupting junctional continuity and barrier function.

Mechanobiology-guided drug repurposing identifies budesonide as an inhibitor of stiffness-induced PDAC aggressiveness

This study identifies budesonide as a drug that inhibits stiffness-induced aggressiveness in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by targeting mechanical cues.

SGEF coordinates epithelial morphogenesis by regulating junction stability, collective migration, and extracellular matrix remodeling

This study shows SGEF regulates epithelial morphogenesis by maintaining junction stability, actomyosin organization, and extracellular matrix remodeling during 3D cyst development.

N-cadherin orientational order decreases with mechanical load at cardiomyocyte adherens junctions

The paper shows N-cadherin is orientationally ordered at low mechanical load cardiomyocyte junctions but disordered at high load, indicating adaptation to local force conditions.

Plant actin networks are rapid mechano-adaptive scaffolds

This study shows plant actin networks rapidly respond to mechanical cues, similar to animal cells, and function as mechano-adaptive scaffolds.

Viscoelastic recovery time of chondrocytes from monolayer and alginate cultures

This study compares viscoelastic recovery time of chondrocytes from monolayer and alginate cultures, finding significant differences linked to pericellular matrix properties.

A multiscale cytoskeletal network model for shear rheological property and its evolutionary mechanism

This study develops a multiscale cytoskeletal network model to simulate shear rheological properties and their evolutionary mechanisms, revealing how chemo-mechanical coupling and actin filament dynamics influence cellular mechanical responses.

Deformability screening identifies NUDT5 as a mediator of cellular mechanobiology

The paper screens compounds to identify mechanical mediators by measuring cell deformability, finding NUDT5 as a key mediator in ovarian cancer.

Apical spectrin organizes cortical actin filament bundles to pattern C. elegans cuticle ridges

The paper shows that apical spectrin organizes actin filament bundles in C. elegans to pattern cuticle ridges, and its loss disrupts ridge formation and matrix delamination.

α5β1 and αvβ3 integrins employ two distinct adhesion strengthening modes to respond to fibronectin stiffness within seconds of initiating adhesion

This study shows fibroblasts use two distinct adhesion strengthening modes, slow and fast, in response to fibronectin stiffness, with fast mode dependent on myosin II and signaling hub components.

Dachsous-Fat Signaling Shapes the Drosophila Wing through Mechanical Forces

This study shows that Dachsous-Fat signaling regulates wing shape in Drosophila by modulating tissue tension during larval development, leading to elongated wings.

Sol-gel Transition Drives Hyper-fast Mixing in a Giant Cell

This study identifies a novel mixing mechanism in giant amoebae using a sol-gel transition strategy, achieving rapid cytoplasmic mixing.

Development and Characterization of a FRET-based Formin Tension Sensor in Living Cells

This paper develops a FRET-based tension sensor (mDia1TS) to measure mechanical tension in formin-elongated actin filaments in live cells and quantifies changes in tension under different conditions.

Coupling between Notch signalling and junctional mechanics during asymmetric division of sensory organ precursors

This study shows that Notch signaling and junctional mechanics are coupled during asymmetric division of sensory organ precursors in Drosophila, with Notch shaping junctional tension and vice versa.

Fibroblast alignment is governed by stiffness interfaces in hydrogels.

This study shows fibroblasts align differently at soft/soft vs. soft/stiff hydrogel interfaces, with increased myofibroblast differentiation at stiff interfaces due to mechanical cues alone.

Moderately Reduced Contractility Decreases Epithelial Cell-Cell Contact Rupture Under Large External Stretch

This study shows that moderate reduction of actomyosin contractility protects epithelial cell-cell contacts from rupture under large external stretch by reducing both active and passive mechanical forces.

Mechanical strain of the intestinal epithelium directs absorptive lineage maturation

This study shows that mechanical strain on intestinal organoids reduces the maturity of absorptive lineage cells by expanding early-stage enterocytes and downregulating maturation programs.

Integrin-engaged Cellular Patches Mechanically Impose a Mitochondrial Respiratory Bottleneck to Suppress Cancer Cell Motility

This study shows that integrin-mediated mechanotransduction through supramolecular ligand clustering limits mitochondrial respiratory capacity, thereby suppressing cancer cell motility and tumor growth.

Mechanical Tension Actively Triggers RhoA-Mediated Cell Extrusion

This study shows mechanical tension, not just biochemical signals, actively drives cell extrusion via RhoA-mediated contractility in epithelial monolayers.

Investigating nanostructure and -mechanics of contracting actin stress fibers by scanning ion conductance microscopy

This study uses SICM and cell de-roofing to analyze the nanotopography and mechanics of actin stress fibers during contraction in U2OS cells.

A vascular chip for disease-relevant flow shear stress topology

This paper introduces a vascular chip that enables controlled experimentation with disease-relevant wall shear stress topology, revealing its effects on endothelial mechanics and function.

Unbranched SPIN90-Arp2/3 actin promotes stress fiber speed and focal adhesion maturation

This study shows that SPIN90-Arp2/3 complex nucleates unbranched actin filaments in stress fibers, enhancing cell migration by regulating traction and adhesion.

4D force patterning enables spatial control of angiogenesis

This paper demonstrates that 4D force patterning using a magnetically actuated vessel-on-a-chip platform enables precise spatiotemporal control over angiogenesis by modulating mechanical strain magnitude, frequency, and direction.

Mechanochemical Feedback between Cell Shape and Intracellular Mechanics Revealed by a Finite-Element Framework

The paper develops a finite-element framework to simulate mechanochemical feedback in cell shape and mechanics, revealing new insights into cell migration, neutrophil protrusion, and dendritic spine remodeling.

Dynein-microtubule forces drive nucleokinesis and transmigration in T cells

This study identifies dynein-microtubule forces as essential for nuclear translocation and transmigration in T cells, showing dynein's dual role as a motor and force-transmission element.

Mechanochemical Feedback Enables Efficient Navigation in Complex Chemical Gradients

The paper models neutrophil navigation through complex chemical gradients using reaction-diffusion equations for Rac and Rho, showing that feedback mechanisms improve motility through narrow and convoluted paths.

Mechanical forces stimulate Golgi export

The paper shows extracellular mechanical forces influence Golgi secretory function by modulating carrier biogenesis and exocytosis, with molecular determinants including microtubule acetylation and protein kinase D activity.

AI-assisted imaging screening reveals mechano-molecular tissue organizers and network of signaling hubs.

The paper uses AI-assisted imaging and gene silencing to identify key proteins regulating epithelial tissue mechanics and their roles in cancer.

Infection-Induced Dynamin-2 Repurposing Drives Podosome Maturation and Mechanical Immunity

This study shows fungal infection triggers dynamin-2 repurposing to enhance podosome maturation, improving macrophage mechanical immunity against Candida albicans.