Atomic force microscopy investigation of morphological changes in living keratinocytes treated with HgCl(2) at not...

Morphological changes of normal human keratinocyte cells have been monitored by means of atomic force microscopy after the exposure at a mercury solution containing HgCl(2) at 10(-7) M. The measurements have been carried out in contact mode in a thermostated liquid cell, to reproduce a cellular environment similar to the physiologic one. Remarkable alterations of the cellular morphology and volume have been revealed after few minutes from starting the exposure experiment, although the HgCl(2) concentration is several orders of magnitudes lower than the cytotoxic value (10(-4) M). The atomic force microscopy technique results to be a powerful mean to investigate modifications induced in the cell morphology by external chemical agents.