Bio-optimum prestress in actin filaments with a polygonal cytoskeleton model

Prestress in actin filaments plays an important role in the stability of cells and it strongly influences the cell stiffness. In this paper, we present a simple polygonal cytoskeleton model to study the influence of cell prestress. The existence of prestress is shown to facilitate cytoskeletal integrity. Remarkably, the optimum prestress is computed to be several kPa of extension, which is comparable to experimental results. This bio-self-optimized prestress can make the cells sufficiently stable, allowing them to endure external compressive loadings. The relationship between cell rigidity and the prestress is determined using the presented model and found to be linear, which also agrees with experimental results.