Fibrous nonlinear elasticity enables positive mechanical feedback between cells and ECMs

Significance Mechanical interactions between cells and the ECM critically regulate cell function, including growth and migration. By measuring forces exerted by breast tumor cells embedded within collagen matrices, we reveal a positive mechanical cross-talk between the cell and ECM: cells pulling onto collagen fibers align and stiffen the matrices, and stiffer collagen matrices promote greater cell force generation. Our work highlights the...