Figure 12.

(a–g) The directional deformation (X and Z directions) of ECM and neuronal cell components (nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane) as a function of ECM elastic modulus. (a) That for a flat ECM surface, deformation along X and Z directions are symmetric; however, (b) ECM surface with asperity (ϕ = 2.5 µm) shows an asymmetric deformation along X (∥ to asperity) and Z (⊥ to asperity). A similar effect of symmetric deformations in the cytoplasm (c–d), and nucleus (e–f) is observed for a flat ECM, and an asymmetric deformation for asperity surface (ϕ = 2.5 µm) respectively. Inset in (a), and (b) visualizes the distribution of total deformation distribution on flat and ECM surfaces with asperity (ϕ = 2.5 µm) respectively. We perform an anisotropy test on the ECM surface with varying asperity diameter (ϕ), to test the reason for an asymmetric deformation behavior in the neuronal cell. (h) The ECM deformation along X (∥ to asperity) and Z (⊥ to asperity) as a function of cylindrical asperity diameter (ϕ). Inset in (h) shows the representation of simulated anisotropy test (by applying constant force, $F_{\text{stretch}}=1\text{nN}$ in X and Z directions).