A device for simultaneous live cell imaging during uni-axial mechanical strain or compression.

Area of Science:

• Cell biology
• Biophysics
• Mechanical engineering

Background:

• Mechanical stimuli are crucial for cellular processes like secretion, growth, and differentiation.
• Investigating cell strain ex vivo typically involves stretching elastic membranes, but imaging is often hindered by sample movement out of the field of view.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a system for simultaneous imaging of dynamic signals from single living cells during controlled uni-axial mechanical deformation.
• To overcome the limitation of sample movement during cell strain experiments.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a thin, prestrained, elastic chamber as a cell growth substrate.
• Employed a computer-controlled stretch device to deform the chamber.
• Developed an algorithm to compensate for lateral displacement, keeping the sample stationary within the microscope's field of view during stretching or compression.

Main Results:

• Successfully imaged adherent cells, including living alveolar type II cells, during controlled changes in cell length (stretch and compression).
• The developed algorithm effectively maintained a constant position of the sample on the microscope.
• Demonstrated the system's capability for investigating mechanical effects on cellular secretion.

Conclusions:

• The novel elastic chamber system with displacement compensation allows for high-resolution imaging of cellular responses to mechanical stimuli.
• This method provides a robust platform for studying cell mechanics and mechanobiology in real-time.
• Facilitates deeper understanding of how mechanical forces influence cellular functions, particularly secretion.