Focal Adhesion Kinase in Cell-Material Interactions

This chapter presents a broad overview of the role of focal adhesion kinases (FAKs) in the cell-material interactions. It summarizes the effects that different material properties have on FAK signaling. The chapter first discusses the involvement of FAK in classical cellular processes at the material interface such as cell proliferation, cell migration, and mechanosensing responses. It, then reviews recent advances on the role of FAK in the generation of adhesive forces. Finally, the influence of material properties, such as chemical composition, surface nanotopography, and substrate stiffness, on FAK expression and phosphorylation is summarized, seeking to identify which surface properties trigger initial cell signaling at the material interface.