Regulation of actin cytoskeleton via photolithographic micropatterning

Actin cytoskeleton plays crucial roles in various cellular functions. Extracellular matrix (ECM) can modulate cell morphology by remodeling the internal cytoskeleton. To define how geometry of ECM regulates the organization of actin cytoskeleton, we plated individual NIH 3T3 cells on micropatterned substrates with distinct shapes and sizes. It was found that the stress fibers could form along the nonadhesive edges of T-shaped pattern, but were absent from the opening edge of V-shaped pattern, indicating that the organization of actin cytoskeleton was dependent on the mechanical environment. Furthermore, a secondary actin ring was observed on 50[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m circular pattern while did not appear on 30[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m and 40[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m pattern, showing a size-dependent organization of actin cytoskeleton. Finally, osteoblasts, MDCK and A549 cells exhibited distinct organization of actin cytoskeleton on T-shaped pattern, suggesting a cell-type specificity in arrangement of actin cytoskeleton. Together, our findings brought novel insight into the organization of actin cytoskeleton on micropatterned environments.