Computational Modeling of Cell Adhesion Under the Effect of Substrate Stiffness

Cell adhesion is a coordinated dynamic process that regulates cellular functions, such as cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, embryonic morphogenesis, and disease progression. In this paper, a discrete mechanical model for cell adhesion to a substrate is established to study the effect of substrate stiffness on cell spreading. The stiffness of the adhesion substrates can be tuned by adjusting the maximum adhesive forces balanced by substrates. The model provides reliable and reasonable predictions of cellular morphology during cell spreading on various substrates, as well as the subcellular stress distribution at focal adhesion sites. The model opens the possibility of investigating cell mechanical behaviors and cell functions at the subcellular level and further facilitates experimental studies where cell mechanics plays an important role in disease states.