Early events in cell spreading as a model for quantitative analysis of biomechanical events

In this review, we focus on the early events in the process of fibroblast spreading on fibronectin matrices of different rigidities. We present a focused position piece that illustrates the many different tests that a cell makes of its environment before it establishes mature matrix adhesions. When a fibroblast is placed on fibronectin-coated glass surfaces at 37°C, it typically spreads and polarizes within 20-40 min primarily through α_vβ₃ integrin binding to fibronectin. In that short period, the cell goes through three major phases that involve binding, integrin activation, spreading, and mechanical testing of the surface. The advantage of using the model system of cell spreading from the unattached state is that it is highly reproducible and the stages that the cell undergoes can thus be studied in a highly quantitative manner, in both space and time. The mechanical and biochemical parameters that matter in this example are often surprising because of both the large number of tests that occur and the precision of the tests. We discuss our current understanding of those tests, the decision tree that is involved in this process, and an extension to the behavior of the cells at longer time periods when mature adhesions develop. Because many other matrices and integrins are involved in cell-matrix adhesion, this model system gives us a limited view of a subset of cellular behaviors that can occur. However, by defining one cellular process at a molecular level, we know more of what to expect when defining other processes. Because each cellular process will involve some different proteins, a molecular understanding of multiple functions operating within a given cell can lead to strategies to selectively block a function.