On the role of elasticity in focal adhesion stability within the passive regime. (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Di Stefano, Salvatore; Florio, Giuseppe; Napoli, Gaetano; Pugno, Nicola M.; Puglisi, Giuseppe
• Is Part Of: International journal of non-linear mechanics. Volume 146(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: Focal adhesion -- Extra-cellular matrix -- Fragile vs ductile decohesion -- Shear lag -- Morphological optimization -- Elastic stability; Nonlinear mechanics -- Periodicals; Mécanique non linéaire -- Périodiques; Nonlinear mechanics; Periodicals; 531
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnonlinmec.2022.104157
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7462

Abstract

Abstract: Within a purely mechanical setting, we investigate the behavior, up to full decohesion, of a system modeling the interactions exchanged between focal adhesions and extra-cellular matrix in the passive regime. In our work, decohesion is described as a homogenized effect of low scales events leading to the rupture of the molecular bonds between integrin receptors and the extra-cellular matrix ligands. We propose a simple three-layers scheme of this mechanical system and, based on a Griffith-like approach, we analytically describe the transition from an elastic regime to the nucleation of a decohesion front, up to full decohesion. We focus our attention on the important role played by elasticity and deduce how the relative stiffness of the layers modulates the decohesion behavior, with the system undergoing a ductile–fragile detachment transition. The comparison with known experimental results on focal adhesions and DNA shear denaturation supports the effectiveness of the proposed model in predicting the mechanical behavior of decohesion phenomena in biological systems. Interestingly, we show the possibility of predicting focal adhesion lengths distribution based on the obtained force saturation as the focal adhesion dimension is increased theoretically deduced. Highlights: Elasticity plays a crucial role in cells adhesion. Geometrical and material properties regulate a ductile to fragile transition in decohesion processes. There exists a saturation length for the maximal force transmitted through focal adhesion. Saturation forces can have a crucial role in morphological growth of focal adhesion. Multiscale approaches help in deducing effective models for designing bioinspired adhesion's devices.