Figure 5.

Pairs of cells spread toward one another along tethers. (a) The cells (green), and (b) the cells (green) with the matrix (grey/white) at the same time point. The cells apply tensile force to the fibrin matrix resulting in matrix tethers connecting the cells (white). These tethers have a high density of matrix fibres, as apparent by the bright fluorescent signal in the space between the cells. The cells then spread along these tethers. Times are hours after the cells were seeded in the fibrin matrix.