A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
A Strong Contractile Actin Fence and Large Adhesions Direct Human Pluripotent Colony Morphology and Adhesion
Authors: Elisa Närvä, Aki Stubb, Camilo Guzmán, Matias Blomqvist, Diego Balboa, Martina Lerche, Markku Saari, Timo Otonkoski, Johanna Ivaska
Publisher: CELL PRESS
Publication year: 2017
Journal: Stem Cell Reports
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
First page : 67
Last page: 76
Number of pages: 10
ISSN: 2213-6711
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.05.021
Web address : http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221367111730228X
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/25154711
Cell-type-specific functions and identity are tightly regulated by
interactions between the cell cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix
(ECM). Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have ultimate
differentiation capacity and exceptionally low-strength ECM contact, yet
the organization and function of adhesion sites and associated actin
cytoskeleton remain poorly defined. We imaged hPSCs at the cell-ECM
interface with total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and
discovered that adhesions at the colony edge were exceptionally large
and connected by thick ventral stress fibers. The actin fence encircling
the colony was found to exert extensive Rho-ROCK-myosin-dependent
mechanical stress to enforce colony morphology, compaction, and
pluripotency and to define mitotic spindle orientation. Remarkably,
differentiation altered adhesion organization and signaling
characterized by a switch from ventral to dorsal stress fibers, reduced
mechanical stress, and increased integrin activity and cell-ECM adhesion
strength. Thus, pluripotency appears to be linked to unique colony
organization and adhesion structure.
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |