Manipulation of Durotaxis on a Matrix with Cell-scale Stiffness Heterogeneity

Abstract

Durotaxis, cellular taxis induced by a stiffness gradient on an extracellular matrix, is a fundamental phenomenon not only for investigating the mechanosensitivity of moving cells but also in the field of mechanobiology in general. The ability to induce and manipulate durotaxis at will through the proper design of a matrix stiffness gradient should promote both our understanding of the mechanism of cellular mechanosensitivity and the development of novel cell-manipulation technology. The manipulation of durotaxis requires precise determination of the stiffness gradient based on the establishment of a cell culture matrix with well designed cell-scale stiffness heterogeneity. This review summarizes typical methods for constructing a matrix with a stiffness gradient and considers the ideal fabrication, with particular focus on the photolithographic microstiffness patterning of hydrogels. The general conditions for inducing durotaxis and several examples of the sophisticated manipulation of durotaxis are introduced. Finally, the impact of combined modes of durotaxis on traction stress dynamics of a moving cell is discussed.