Cell response in free-packed granular systems

TL;DR

This paper investigates how microparticle size influences cell attachment, spreading, and movement on granular beds, revealing size-dependent adhesion behaviors and proposing a hybrid model to guide biomedical engineering applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel understanding of size-dependent cell responses on granular microparticles and presents a hybrid in-silico model for biological adhesion mechanisms.

Findings

Smaller microparticles (14-20 μm) promote cell mobility and early detachment.

Larger microparticles (38-85 μm) support long-term adhesion and proliferation.

A hybrid model simulates time-dependent cell adhesion processes.

Abstract

The study of the interactions of living adherent cells with mechanically stable (visco)elastic materials enables understanding and exploiting physiological phenomena mediated by cell-extracellular communication. However, insight on the interaction of cells and surrounding objects with different stability patterns upon cell contact might unveil cell responses that may be engineered for innovative applications. Here, it is hypothesized that the efficiency of cell attachment, spreading and movement across a free-packed granular bed of microparticles depend on microparticle diameter, raising the possibility of a necessary minimum traction force for the reinforcement of cell-particle bonds, and long-term cell adhesion. The results suggest that microparticles with 14-20 {\mu}m are prone to cell-mediated mobility, holding the potential of inducing early cell detachment, while objects with diameters from 38-85 {\mu}m enable long-lasting cell adhesion and proliferation. An in-silico hybrid particle-based model that addresses time-dependent biological mechanisms of cell adhesion is proposed, providing inspiration for engineering platforms to address healthcare-related challenges.