Endothelial tip-cell position, filopodia formation and biomechanics require BMPR2 expression and signaling.

Blood vessel formation relies on biochemical and mechanical signals, particularly during sprouting angiogenesis when endothelial tip cells (TCs) guide sprouting through filopodia formation. The contribution of BMP receptors in defining tip-cell characteristics is poorly understood. Our study combines genetic, biochemical, and molecular methods together with 3D traction force microscopy, which reveals an essential role of BMPR2 for actin-driven filopodia formation and mechanical properties of endothelial cells (ECs).

Correction: A new 3D finite element-based approach for computing cell surface tractions assuming nonlinear conditions.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Synthetic fibrous hydrogels as a platform to decipher cell-matrix mechanical interactions.

Cells continuously sense external forces from their microenvironment, the extracellular matrix (ECM). In turn, they generate contractile forces, which stiffen and remodel this matrix. Although this bidirectional mechanical exchange is crucial for many cell functions, it remains poorly understood.

Mechanical properties-translucency-microstructure relationships in commercial monolayer and multilayer monolithic zirconia ceramics.

Objectives: To evaluate the phase composition, microstructure, optical properties and mechanical properties of eight commercially available multilayer and monolayer monolithic dental zirconias.

Methods: Five commercial 3Y-TZP (GC ST, GC HT [GC, Tokyo Japan]; Katana ML, Katana HT [Kuraray Noritake] and Lava Plus [3M Oral Care]) and three Y-PSZ (Katana STML, Katana UTML [Kuraray Noritake]; GC UHT [GC, Tokyo Japan]) zirconia ceramic grades were cut in plate-shaped specimens, sintered according to the manufacturer's instructions and mirror polished. The zirconia chemical composition was determined using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), phase composition was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), while the grain size was measured using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Actuation enhances patterning in human neural tube organoids.

Tissues achieve their complex spatial organization through an interplay between gene regulatory networks, cell-cell communication, and physical interactions mediated by mechanical forces. Current strategies to generate in-vitro tissues have largely failed to implement such active, dynamically coordinated mechanical manipulations, relying instead on extracellular matrices which respond to, rather than impose mechanical forces. Here, we develop devices that enable the actuation of organoids.