Key result
Rigid filament models with flexible linkers match experiments, estimating individual cross-link loads below ~10 pN.
A model of rigid filaments with flexible linkers accurately describes the nonlinear elasticity of actin-filamin networks, estimating cross-link loads under 10 pN.
Offers no immediate clinical implications in cardiology; leaves open cytoskeletal mechanics integration into cardiovascular models.
Networks of the biopolymer actin, cross-linked by the compliant protein filamin, form soft gels. They can, however, withstand large shear stresses due to their pronounced nonlinear elastic behavior. The nonlinear elasticity can be controlled by varying the number of cross-links per actin filament. We propose and test a model of rigid filaments decorated by multiple flexible linkers that is in quantitative agreement with experiment. This allows us to estimate loads on individual cross-links, which we find to be less than 10 pN.
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Kasza et al. (2009) studied this question. Varying the number of cross-links per actin filament was evaluated on Nonlinear elasticity and loads on individual cross-links. A model of rigid filaments decorated by multiple flexible linkers quantitatively agreed with experiment, estimating loads on individual cross-links to be less than 10 pN.
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