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Measuring Intracellular Viscosity in Conditions of Hypergravity
Emma M Woodcock1, Paul Girvan1, Julia Eckert2
1Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Institute of Chemical Biology, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom.
Biophysical Journal
|May 5, 2019
Summary
Cellular membranes become more viscous under hypergravity conditions. This study used a novel molecular rotor to measure viscosity changes in mouse osteoblastic and human endothelial cells up to 15g.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
- Gravitational Biology
Background:
- Cellular responses to gravity are well-documented.
- Intracellular organelle viscosity changes are a potential mechanism for gravity sensitivity.
- Previous research lacked quantitative data on cellular viscosity under hypergravity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of hypergravity on cellular membrane viscosity.
- To quantify changes in cellular viscosity using a novel molecular rotor.
- To explore the biological and physical mechanisms underlying cellular responses to altered gravity.
Main Methods:
- Development of a novel mesosubstituted boron-dipyrrin molecular rotor.
- Application of hypergravity conditions (up to 15g) using a large diameter centrifuge.
- Measurement of cellular membrane viscosity in mouse osteoblastic (MC3T3-E1) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in cellular membrane viscosity was observed with increasing hypergravity.
- The observed viscosity changes were primarily attributed to biological responses.
- A potential minor contribution from instantaneous physical mechanisms was also noted.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first quantitative data on cellular viscosity changes under hypergravity.
- Cellular viscosity is sensitive to altered gravitational forces.
- The findings offer insights into the mechanisms of gravity-sensitive cellular responses.
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