Fibroblasts within mouse loose subcutaneous connective tissue respond to tissue stretch with a-smooth muscle actin redistribution and changes in nuclear shape

摘要

Direct transmission of forces through the cytoplasmic and nuclear cytoskeleton via changes in cell and nuclear shape has been proposed as a source of specific coupling between tissue mechanical forces and genome. This study aims to investigate the effect of tissue stretch on (1) nuclear shape and (2) the spatial organization of a-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) in the nucleus of whole mouse subcutaneous tissue fibroblasts. Nuclear morphology and a dynamic response to tissue stretch may be closely associated with cytoskeletal remodeling and contractility which could possibly aid in coordinating chromatin remodeling and gene expression with the cell's ambient mechanical environment.