The unifying role of cytoskeletal prestress in micromechanics of the adherent cell

D. Stamenovic, I. M. Tolic-Nørrelykke, J. J. Fredberg, Ning Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We measured cytoskeletal prestress and stiffness in cultured airway smooth muscle cells treated with graded doses of histamine and isoproterenol, and with colchicine. The stiffness increased in proportion with increasing prestress. This feature is the hallmark of systems known as stress-supported structures. In addition, microtubules balanced a substantial, but relatively small fraction of the prestress.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1466-1467
Number of pages2
JournalAnnual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology - Proceedings
Volume2
StatePublished - 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cytoskeleton
  • Microtubules
  • Prestress
  • Tensegrity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering

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