Quantitative biophysical characterization of fibroblast activation

Fibroblasts are one of the most widespread cell type throughout human organism and their activation can be triggered by both biochemical cues1 and mechanotransductive cues, which allows cells to perceive mechanical signal from the environment2. The environmental cues have a dynamic role affecting some of cellular behaviors, one of which is the fibroblast to myofibroblast transition (FMT)3, which cells undergo after an injury to a tissue take place, leading, if not correctly regulated, to loss of functioning and to stiffening of the tissue. In this project, we focus on characterizing the influence of different mechanical and physical cues from the environment, and particularly the simultaneous presence of some of them, on FMT. The latter is especially relevant because, until now, these cues are mostly investigated individually, while in vivo they act simultaneously. We will present our novel experimental setup to subject fibroblasts to controlled combinations of environmental cues and our in vitro module that allows quantifications of how these cues affect cellular parameters throughout the FMT.