Fig. 4: Simulations of Junction Dynamics at Cell Vertices.
From: Feedback between mechanosensitive signaling and active forces governs endothelial junction integrity
a Dynamic behavior of HUVECs expressing VE-cadherin-GFP cultured on a thin collagen gel, showing typical formation and healing of gaps at a multi-cell vertex. Inset frames recorded at 0 min, 70 min, and 130 min (top to bottom). Scale bar: \({{{{{{20}}}}}}\,{{{{{{\mu }}}}}}{{{{{{ m}}}}}}\); (b) Sample gap formation and healing within the simulated monolayer; (c) Experimentally observed gap locations in the HUVEC monolayer with rupture predominantly occurring at multicell vertices (mean \({{{{{{{\boldsymbol{\pm }}}}}}}}\) s.d., \({{{{{{ n}}}}}}{{{{{{=}}}}}}{{{{{{15}}}}}}\) gaps); (d) Measured and simulated endothelial gap area over time (mean \({{\pm }}\) s.d., \({{{{{{ n}}}}}}{{=}}{{{{{{15}}}}}}\) gaps); (e) Experimental and simulated rupture frequency at a vertex and duration of rupture (mean \({{\pm }}\) s.d., \({{{{{{n}}}}}}{{{{{{=}}}}}}{{{{{{15}}}}}}\) gaps); (f) Predicted polymerization, bound cadherin density, and contractility along the cell edge; (g) Predicted bond force along the adhered cell edge prior to rupture event indicating highest force is localized at the vertex. For all simulations \({{{{{{{\alpha }}}}}}}_{{{{{{{ c}}}}}}}{{{{{{=}}}}}}{{{{{{17}}}}}}{{{{{{kP}}}}}}{{{{{{{a}}}}}}}^{{{{{{{-}}}}}}{{{{{{1}}}}}}}\) and \({{{{{{{\sigma }}}}}}}_{{{{{{{{{P}}}}}}}}_{{{{{{{0}}}}}}}}{{=}}{{{{{{-}}}}}}{{{{{{4}}}}}}{{{{{{.}}}}}}{{{{{{725}}}}}}{{{{{{kPa}}}}}}\) unless otherwise stated.
