Dresden 2026 – scientific programme
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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 7: Poster Session I
BP 7.14: Poster
Monday, March 9, 2026, 15:00–17:00, P5
Cytoskeletal Networks in 3D Cysts Under Strain — •Greta Höhndorf1, Ruth Meyer1, Ruben Haag1, Ulrike Rölleke1, Ulla Unkelbach2, Nicole Schwarz3, Andreas Janshoff2, and Sarah Köster1 — 1Institute for X-Ray Physics, University of Göttingen — 2Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Göttingen — 3Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy RWTH Aachen University
The cytoskeleton of eukaryotic cells mainly consists of actin filaments, microtubules and intermediate filaments (IFs). Unlike actin and microtubules, IFs are cell-type specific. Epithelial cells express keratin IFs, which form a layer close to the membrane in certain cell types. This layer is referred to as the ``IF-cortex'' and is hypothesized to adopt a ``rim-and-spokes'' structure with radial spokes supporting mechanotransduction properties of the cell. This structure raises questions about how the actin and IF cortices complement each other and how the mechanical properties of keratin influence force transmission in cells under high strain. To address these questions, we show a 3D approach where epithelial cells form polarized cysts and are stretched by injecting mineral oil into the lumen. When comparing wild-type (WT) and keratin knock-out (KO) cysts, we find that KO cysts deform more easily at low strains and respond more sensitively at high strains than WT cysts, indicating a stabilizing role of keratin under increased mechanical load. Furthermore, by staining actin, keratin, and the nuclei and performing fluorescence imaging pre and post stretching, we investigate strain dependent network changes and deformations.
Keywords: microscopy; cell-stretching; keratin; actin