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Viscoelastic properties of single attached cells under compression
Emiel A G Peeters1, Cees W J Oomens, Carlijn V C Bouten
1Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, P.O. Box 513, Building W-hoog 4.123, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands. e.a.g.peeters@tue.nl
Journal of Biomechanical Engineering
|June 24, 2005
Summary
Researchers measured the viscoelastic properties of C2C12 myoblasts using a novel cell loading device. This study quantifies the global mechanical behavior of attached cells across a wide strain range.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Cell Mechanics
- Biomaterials
Background:
- Understanding cellular mechanical properties is crucial for cell biology and tissue engineering.
- Previous methods often lacked the ability to measure global viscoelasticity of attached cells.
- C2C12 myoblasts are a widely used model for skeletal muscle research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the global viscoelastic properties of single, attached C2C12 myoblasts.
- To develop and validate a nonlinear viscoelastic model for cell mechanics.
- To investigate cellular response to mechanical stress over a broad range of strains.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a newly developed cell loading device for global cell compression and force measurement.
- Performed dynamic mechanical experiments across two frequency decades (0.1-10 Hz).
- Employed confocal laser scanning microscopy for in-situ cell visualization.
Main Results:
- Developed a nonlinear viscoelastic model that accurately described experimental data with a single parameter set.
- Determined elastic modulus values for the elastic spring (2120 ± 900 Pa) and nonlinear spring (1960 ± 1350 Pa).
- Calculated a relaxation time constant of 0.3 ± 0.12 s for C2C12 myoblasts.
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first quantification of global viscoelastic properties of attached cells over an extensive strain range.
- The findings provide insights into the in vivo-like mechanical behavior of C2C12 myoblasts under physiological conditions.
- The developed model and methodology offer a valuable tool for future cell mechanics research.