Controlling spatial organization of the cell – using surface micro-pillar patterns to manipulate Golgi morphology and function

Sensing the mechanical environment enables cells to rapidly respond to physical tissue parameters, influencing decisions regarding shape, function and fate. Despite the well-established effects of physical cues on cellular morphological characteristics, the effect of these cues, including surface topography and confinement, on organelle architecture has not yet been thoroughly investigated. This study aims to identify the Golgi-specific transcriptional program involved in cellular adaptation to pillar-induced confinement using bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells as a model system. We make use of seven polystyrene micro-pillar arrangements with unique designs that induce a high diversity in structural Golgi organization. Transcriptional analysis of functionally relevant Golgi genes shows a unique fingerprint at the gene expression level for each pillar design, and variation in the amount of affected genes can partly be explained by the level of confinement and subsequent disruption of Golgi organization. We outline a method using pillar-enhanced substrates as a model system to reveal cellular adaptation to extracellular mechanical cues such as confinement, encouraging further exploration of the effects of physical cues on organelle structural reorganization and functional adaptation.