Cell Dissociation : A Cohesive Force of Hydrodynamic Origin

TL;DR

This paper investigates a hydrodynamic 'suction' force that opposes cell detachment from substrates, significantly affecting adhesion energy, fluid dynamics, and cell motion, with implications for understanding cell-substrate interactions.

Contribution

It introduces a new hydrodynamic model of cell dissociation force, highlighting its role in adhesion and cell movement, which was not previously characterized.

Findings

Suction force can reach up to 0.002 J/m2 in cell dissociation.

Hydrodynamic effects influence fluid pumping during cell movement.

Suction force can inhibit cell detachment and motion.

Abstract

When an experimentalist or a biological mechanism applies an external force onto a cell chemically sticking to its substrate, a reacting 'suction' force, due to the slow penetration of the surrounding fluid between the cell and the substrate, opposes to the dissociation. This force can overcome other known adhesive forces when the process is sufficiently violent (typically 100000pN). Its maximal contribution to the total adhesive energy of the cell can then be estimated to 0.002 J/m2. The physical origin of this effect is quite simple, and it may be compared with that leaning a 'suction-cup' against a bathroom wall. We address the consequences of this effect on (i) the dissociation energy, (ii) the motion of the fluid surrounding the cell, more especially, on the pumping of the fluid by moving cells, and (iii) the inhibition of cell motion.