Cortical ductility governs cell-cell adhesion mechanics

Abstract

This paper challenges our understanding of cell-cell adhesion by emphasising the role of mechanical dissipation at the cellular level. We have developed new microdevices to measure the energy dissipated during the rupture of junctions between cell-cell doublets. Using a synthetic cadherin approach, we decoupled the role of cadherin binding energy, signalling and downstream regulation of cytoskeletal architecture. This yielded a phase diagram in which cell junctions transition from a ductile to a brittle fracture mode based on their ratio of cortical tension and shape relaxation time. We recapitulated our results using a descriptive mechanical simulation approach. Our results shift our understanding of cell-cell adhesion from the current focus on bond energy and tension to the key role played by energy dissipation in the cytoskeleton during junction deformation and its active mechanosensitive regulation.