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Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue.
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...

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Pattern Generation for Micropattern Traction Microscopy

Pattern Generation for Micropattern Traction Microscopy

Published on: February 17, 2022

Mapping intracellular mechanics on micropatterned substrates.

Kalpana Mandal^1,2,3, Atef Asnacios⁴, Bruno Goud^1,2

¹Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, CNRS, UMR 144, F-75005 Paris, France.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

|November 2, 2016

Summary

This study maps cell mechanics using micropatterning and optical tweezers. It reveals mechanical property variations within cells and their potential to distinguish normal from cancer cells.

Keywords:

cancer cytoskeleton microrheology optical tweezers viscoelasticity

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Cell Patterning on Photolithographically Defined Parylene-C: SiO2 Substrates

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Published on: March 7, 2014

Area of Science:

Cellular mechanics
Biophysics
Cancer research

Background:

Cellular mechanical properties influence cell functions like migration and intracellular trafficking.
These properties are altered during cancer progression, highlighting the need for advanced measurement techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and apply a novel method for mapping intracellular mechanical properties in living cells.
To investigate the spatial variations of mechanical properties within cells and their relationship to cellular structures.
To differentiate between normal and cancer cells based on their mechanical profiles.

Main Methods:

Combined micropatterning with optical tweezers-based active microrheology.
Used internalized microbeads within cells plated on crossbow-shaped micropatterns.
Measured local intracellular complex shear modulus from bead displacement relaxation, applying power-law rheology and viscoelastic models.

Main Results:

Mapped intracellular shear modulus, showing a decrease from cell center to periphery and from rear to front along the polarity axis.
Quantified contributions of cytoskeleton, intracellular membranes, and ATP-dependent forces to mechanics using inhibitors.
Demonstrated the technique's ability to differentiate normal and cancer cells based on mechanical property mapping.

Conclusions:

The developed technique provides a detailed map of intracellular mechanical properties.
Spatial variations in cell mechanics are significant and linked to cellular components and polarity.
This approach offers a promising tool for understanding cell mechanics and its role in diseases like cancer.