Figure 3: Spatial reorganization of actin stress fibres and focal adhesions in response to cell shape changes.
From: Spatial coordination between cell and nuclear shape within micropatterned endothelial cells
(a) The spatial distribution of actin filaments in the central zone (see cartoon) of ECs plated on 1,600 μm2 FN-coated micropatterns was visualized by scanning laser confocal microscopy using phalloidin Alexa 488 staining after 24 h in culture. The nucleus, stained in blue with DAPI, was superimposed for clarity. The scale bars correspond to 10 μm. (b) Immunofluorescence staining for vinculin in 1,600 μm2 shaped cells showing the coordinated reorganization of FAs with cell shape changes. The colour was inverted. The scale bars correspond to 10 μm. (c) Representative images of displacement and traction maps showing typical force distribution in an elongated EC (CSI∼0.26 and SA=1715 μm2). (d) Quantification of the total area of FAs per cell (in black) and tension forces (in blue) in highly elongated cells (CSI∼0.26) as a function of the SA. The area of FAs and tension forces per cell increase linearly with the SA. Data are given as mean±s.d. with 12≤n≤15 for vinculin staining and 3≤n≤7 for traction force experiments.
