FIGURE 6.

Scheme of outside-in switch in integrin signaling caused by mechanical stress. (A) Summary of the kinetics of astrocyte molecular/cellular responses. Dashed lines show the curve of Thy-1 plus mechanical stress stimulation, solid lines show Thy-1 alone stimulation over time. Red lines represent the kinetics of α_Vβ₃ Integrin surface levels, while green lines show the kinetics followed by the Myosin Light Chain phosphorylation. Red cell, with darker red lines and green spots, represents a cell with an increased number of focal adhesions and stress fibers at 5 min of stimulation compared with the non-stimulated control. (B) Work Model: (1) Outside-in signaling through α_Vβ₃ Integrin stimulated chemically by Thy-1 and mechanically by a magnetic field. (2) Cellular shrinkage as a response to integrin activation. (3) Inside-out signaling through integrins, where the astrocyte exerts tension force to the TGT probe-coated glass. Biological Model: (1) Mechanotransduction through the α_Vβ₃ Integrin, triggered by a stiff ECM (cell-matrix) and neuronal Thy-1 (cell-cell) interaction, leading to (2) Actin-myosin contraction and traction force exerted by the astrocyte through Integrins generate (3) ECM deformation. Both figures were created with BioRender.com.