The cell-matrix interplay: stiffness and strain homogeneity characterization of substrates for adherent cells

Physical and mechanical cues of the cellular microenvironment affect cell behavior and fate via mechanotransduction. In particular, the interplay between attached cells and the underlying substrate plays a main role in cellular mechano-signalling: cell and matrix stiffness are important factors defining cell functionality and morphologic modifications. Recently, changes in cell elasticity have been discovered as a biomarker for several human diseases, including cancer. Nowadays, many measurement techniques of cell elasticity exist, but only few systems focus on cell-matrix interaction. In view of this, we proposed a preliminary study that aims at investigating the response of two cancer cell lines with different features when cultured on two silicone substrates with different rigidity, and under an external applied stretch. We first fabricated a silicone base and two elastic substrates with specific stiffness (5 kPa and 30 kPa), incorporating them into stretch-chambers. The substrates have been characterized for their stiffness and homogeneity of the strain field on the bottom area. After that, once covered the substrates with collagen-I coating to provide a suitable cell adhesion, we employed a uniaxial stretch device to induce deformation on substrate surface and evaluated cell adhesion through cell morphological analysis. Our results indicate that cancer cells with different features behave differently, changing their morphology on different substrates and following the application of an external force.