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Near Simultaneous Laser Scanning Confocal and Atomic Force Microscopy (Conpokal) on Live Cells
Published on: August 11, 2020
The effects of confluency on cell mechanical properties
Yu M Efremov1, A A Dokrunova, D V Bagrov
1M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Biology, Department of Bioengineering, Leninskie Gory, 1/73, 111991 Moscow, Russia. yu.efremov@gmail.com
Journal of Biomechanics
|March 5, 2013
Summary
Cell stiffness and actin content are influenced by cell-cell contact. Confluent cells in monolayers exhibit lower mechanical properties compared to single cells, impacting cell mechanics.
Area of Science:
- Cellular mechanics
- Biophysics
- Cytoskeletal dynamics
Background:
- Cell mechanical properties are crucial for understanding cellular functions.
- Factors like substrate stiffness, cell aging, and disease states influence cell mechanics.
- The role of intercellular contacts and cell motility in cell mechanical properties requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differences in mechanical properties between single non-confluent and confluent Vero cells.
- To determine the distribution of cell stiffness and cortical actin content.
- To analyze the influence of intercellular contacts and cell motile state on cell mechanics.
Main Methods:
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for force spectroscopy to measure Young's modulus.
- Confocal microscopy to visualize cellular structures.
- Flow cytometry to quantify cortical actin content.
Main Results:
- Cell stiffness and cortical actin amount followed log-normal distributions.
- Confluent cells in monolayers showed significantly lower Young's modulus (1.4-1.7 times) and cortical actin compared to single non-confluent cells.
- Young's modulus exhibited a weak power-law dependence on indentation speed, with a higher exponent for cells in monolayers.
Conclusions:
- Intercellular contacts significantly reduce cell stiffness and cortical actin content.
- Cell motile state, as observed in migrating cells within a wound, influences mechanical properties.
- Cell-cell interactions and motility are critical determinants of cellular mechanical behavior.
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