Strain Distribution of Cytoskeletons in a Cell Embedded in Deformed Tissue

The responses of a tissue to an applied mechanical load are the results of overall responses of cells. Deformation of cells embedded in the tissue is immediately transmitted to internal cytoskeletons that interact extensively and intimately with cellular membranes. Cytoskeletons have been shown to dynamically respond to changes in external mechanical environments such as stretch, which results in various outcomes such as change in cell stiffness, alteration of cell adhesivity to substrates or generation of processes. Taking into account a fact that cytoskeletons are concerned deeply with such cellular remodeling, it is necessary to investigate cytoskeletal deformations when cells are subjected to deformation for gaining mechanical insight into the mechanism of cellular remodeling.