Extended Data Fig. 5: Polarized cells generate anisotropic densification of the extracellular matrix.
To test whether polarized cells induced an anisotropic mechanical environment consistent with increased tension in their polarization direction, we adapted our collagen density quantification methodology (see Methods). For polarized cells, we measured collagen density in directions parallel and perpendicular to the axis of cell polarization (A). Results showed that, in regions distant from the cell (the far-field), collagen density remained the same in both orientations. However, in the proximity of the cells, significantly higher collagen accumulation was observed along the cell’s polarization direction than perpendicular to it (n = 6 cells) (B-C). In contrast, in nocodazole-treated, round cells, collagen density was the same in all directions both near the cells and far from them (far-field), indicating that round cells generate an isotropic stress field (D). The height of the bars and the error bars indicate the mean and the standard error, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using the two-sided unpaired Student’s t-test.
