Mechanoadaptive focal adhesion-actomyosin coupling organizes diverse modes across ECM stiffness

A four-variable mechanoadaptive model predicts distinct focal-adhesion modes across ECM stiffness, including a stable oscillatory mode, with adhesion selection depending on stiffness history.

• Why it matters: The work addresses how ECM-dependent force generation and internal mechanoadaptation together determine which adhesion states emerge and persist, despite observed multistate remodeling.
• What they did: The authors build a dynamical model with adhesion state, transmitted force, reinforcement activity, and an adaptive mechanical stress target, then vary ECM stiffness and the force-response timescale.
• The result: As stiffness changes, the model regulates mechanical stress toward the target and yields distinct modes; in multistable regimes, mode selection depends on both current stiffness and its history.

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