Theoretical Estimates of Mechanical Properties of the Endothelial Cell Cytoskeleton

Biophysical Journal, 1996

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Satcher, Robert L. Jr (Author), Dewey, C. Forbes Jr (Author)
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Biophysical Society, 2005-08-31T23:40:40Z.
Subjects:
Online Access:Get fulltext
LEADER 01773 am a22001813u 4500
001 26694
042 |a dc 
100 1 0 |a Satcher, Robert L. Jr.  |e author 
700 1 0 |a Dewey, C. Forbes Jr.  |e author 
245 0 0 |a Theoretical Estimates of Mechanical Properties of the Endothelial Cell Cytoskeleton 
260 |b Biophysical Society,   |c 2005-08-31T23:40:40Z. 
856 |z Get fulltext  |u http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/26694 
520 |a Biophysical Journal, 1996 
520 |a Current modeling of endothelial cell mechanics does not account for the network of F-actin that permeates the cytoplasm. This network, the distributed cytoplasmic structural actin (DCSA), extends from apical to basal membranes, with frequent attachments. Stress fibers are intercalated within the network, with similar frequent attachments. The microscopic structure of the DCSA resembles a foam, so that the mechanical properties can be estimated with analogy to these well-studied systems. The moduli of shear and elastic deformations are estimated to be on the order of 10^5 dynes/cm^2 . This prediction agrees with experimental measurements of the properties of cytoplasm and endothelial cells reported elsewhere. Stress fibers can potentially increase the modulus by a factor of 2-10, depending on whether they act in series or parallel to the network in transmitting surface forces. The deformations produced by physiological flow fields are of insufficient magnitude to disrupt cell-to-cell or DCSA cross-linkages. The questions raised by this paradox, and the ramifications of implicating the previously unreported DCSA as the primary force transmission element are discussed. 
546 |a en_US 
690 |a distributed cytoplasmic structural actin 
690 |a Endothelial Cell Cytoskeleton 
655 7 |a Article