Cyclic AMP‐dependent cell shape changes induced by mechanical forces

Abstract

Biomaterials used in some biomedical devices are exposed to flow of physiological fluids. The flow‐induced forces may influence the morphological and the biochemical responses of adhering cells. The objective of this work is to examine the capacity of a mechanical stress to cause changes in cell/substratum and cell/cell interactions via the second messenger cAMP pathway (cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate). Cyclic AMP is known to modulate cell shape, cell adhesion and intercellular communication in static conditions. A specially designed flow chamber was used to analyze the responses of mouse 3T3 fibroblasts spread on biocompatible substrata and submitted to controlled shear stresses. A 1.1‐Pa shear stress induced: cell rounding, disruption of vitronectin receptors clusters and clustering of connexins 43 at cell–cell apposition points. These cell responses were cAMP‐dependent. These investigations should help provide a better understanding of the early biochemical events triggered by mechanical forces.