Morphological and Mechanical Properties of Osteosarcoma Microenvironment Cells Explored by Atomic Force Microscopy

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Cell Biology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Cell mechanical properties are crucial for mechanotransduction.
• Cytoskeleton architecture significantly influences cell mechanics.
• Altered cell mechanics are implicated in cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• Compare morphological and mechanical properties of osteosarcoma cells (MG-63) with normal counterparts (MSC, NHOst).
• Investigate the role of cytoskeleton structure in cell stiffness and mechanotransduction.
• Explore the potential of cell mechanical properties for cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Main Methods:

• Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to assess cell morphology and mechanical properties.
• Comparison of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), normal human osteoblast cells (NHOst), and osteosarcoma cells (MG-63).
• Cytochalasin D (cyto D) treatment to disrupt F-actin assembly and study its effects.

Main Results:

• MG-63 cells showed smaller size, increased thickness, and higher membrane roughness than MSC and NHOst cells.
• Osteosarcoma cells exhibited lower stiffness due to reduced cytoskeleton organization.
• Disruption of cytoskeleton decreased cell stiffness and reduced nuclear YAP/TAZ localization, inhibiting mechanotransduction.

Conclusions:

• Cell stiffness and cytoskeleton organization are significantly altered in osteosarcoma cells.
• Mechanotransduction pathways, involving YAP/TAZ, are influenced by cell mechanical properties.
• Findings suggest potential for using cell mechanics in novel cancer diagnosis and therapeutic strategies.