Mechanics of Intermediate Filament Networks

This study investigates the origin of the mechanical properties of intermediate filaments (IF) networks in vitro. The elastic modulus has unusually high values, which depend only weakly on concentration. At large deformations these networks exhibit strain stiffening. In the presence of a surfactant strain stiffening can be suppressed and the modulus agrees with the theoretical predictions. The results suggest that attractive interactions are controlling the mechanical response of IF networks.