Cyclic stretching-induced epithelial cell reorientation is driven by microtubule-modulated transverse extension during the relaxation phase

Abstract Many types of adherent cells are known to reorient upon uniaxial cyclic stretching perpendicularly the direction facilitate such important events as wound healing, angiogenesis, and morphogenesis. While this phenomenon has been documented for decades, underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Using an on-stage device that allowed programmable with synchronized imaging, we found reorientation NRK epithelial took place primarily during relaxation phase when underwent rapid global retraction followed by extension transverse stretching. Inhibition myosin II caused orient along stretching, whereas disassembly microtubules enhanced reorientation. Our results indicate distinct roles in cell implicate a role II-dependent contraction via microtubule-modulated mechanism. The importance also explains difference between responses static