Nonlinear elastic behaviors and deformation mechanisms of nano-structured crosslinked biopolymer networks

Cells always undergo large deformation in response to external stimulations or internal stresses many cell functions (e.g., migration, division and growth). When undergoing deformation, crosslinked actin filament networks (CAFNs) show strong nonlinear elasticity maintain the shape integrity, known as strain stiffening, which plays a crucial role functions. To investigate elastic behaviors of CAFNs, three-dimensional representative volume element model is used perform finite method simulations. Simulation results that fraction, crosslinking density components’ Young’s moduli significant influences on CAFNs. In addition, shear stress–strain curves CAFNs highly depend bending stiffness tensile filamins well filaments, however, they are almost insensitive filaments. The present work not only sheds light but also provides valuable reference for developing advanced artificial composite structures can be semi-flexible biomedical scaffolds wearable electronics.