A computational study of stress fiber-focal adhesion dynamics governing cell contractility

Abstract: We apply a recently developed model of cytoskeletal force generation to study a cell intrinsic contractility, as well as its response to external loading. The model is based on a non-equilibrium thermodynamic treatment of the mechano-chemistry governing force in the stress fiber-focal adhesion system. Our computational study suggests that the mechanical coupling between the stress fibers and focal adhesions leads to a complex, dynamic, mechano-chemical response. We collect the results in response maps whose regimes are distinguished by the initial geometry of the stress fiber-focal adhesion system, and by the external load on the cell. The results from our model connect qualitatively with recent studies on the force response of smooth muscle cells on arrays of polymeric microposts (Mann et al., Lab. on a Chip, 12, 731-740, 2012).