On the mechanics of integrin clustering during cell-substrate adhesion

Recent numerical simulations have indicated that integrin clustering during cellsubstrate adhesion can be driven by the presence of a repulsive layer between the cell membrane and the substrate (Paszek et al., PLoS Comput Biol 5:12, 2009). Here we present a simple mechanics model of this phenomenon in which the attraction between integrins is mediated by the long-range elastic deformation of the membrane and the repulsive layer. We obtain analytical solutions to the problem by employing the small deformation theory of an infinitely extended plate resting on an elastic foundation.