MORPHOLOGICAL CONTROL OF CELL-GROWTH AND VIABILITY

Integrin-mediated cell adhesion and subsequent cell spreading are esse ntial for the growth and survival of many cell types. While integrin e ngagement is known to activate various signalling pathways, the role t hat cell spreading plays in the control of growth and survival is not clear. Using a novel technique, however, Chen et al.((1)) demonstrate that the effect of cell spreading on growth and survival is not a cons equence of increased area of contact with the extracellular matrix, su pporting the hypothesis that regulation through changes in cell tensio n and architecture play a key role.