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Updated: Jul 20, 2025
Applications of the Single-probe: Mass Spectrometry Imaging and Single Cell Analysis under Ambient Conditions
Published on: June 14, 2016
Application of scanning acoustic microscopy for evaluation of MMP activation in multiple cancer cell lines with a
Hasan Ozan Otaş1, Nasire Uluç2,3, İrem Demirkan2,4
1Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Boğaziçi University, İstanbul, Turkey.
Background/Aim:
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in the evaluation of many cancer types; however, the detection usually presents a challenge. Further assays for a better understanding of the fundamental roles of MMPs in pathophysiology are still needed. We aimed to use an activatable probe in scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) to evaluate acoustically if the probe can aid the visualization of the effects of in vitro MMP activity.
Materials And Methods:
We applied scanning acoustic impedance microscopy to obtain acoustic impedance maps of the cell line models of HT1080, THP-1, and SK-MEL-28 with and without MMPSense 680 probe incubation. We visually validated our results using confocal laser scanning microscopy imaging. We further analyzed the effects of MMPSense 680 probe on cell viabilities to eliminate any artifacts.
Results:
This is the first study presenting the applicability of SAM in the acoustical evaluation of MMPSense 680 probe cleavage in a cellular medium through acoustic impedance measurements. We proposed that SAM measurement with the activatable probe can be used as an effective tool for studying the acoustical variations of MMP activities in cell lines. As a result, we detected MMPSense 680 probe cleavage in HT1080 human fibrosarcoma cell line.
Conclusion:
We showed that SAM with the smart probe can detect proteolytic activity using MMPSense 680 in in vitro HT1080 cell line by acoustic impedance measurements. SAM could be proposed as an alternative tool leading a novel way for a better understanding of the roles of MMPs in cancer progression before clinical settings.
Insights
Scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) with an activatable probe effectively detected matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in HT1080 cancer cells. This novel approach offers a new way to study MMP roles in cancer progression.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are crucial in cancer progression, but their detection is challenging.
- Further assays are needed to understand MMPs' fundamental roles in pathophysiology.
- This study explores a novel method for visualizing MMP activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the use of an activatable probe with scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) for visualizing in vitro matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity.
- To determine if SAM can acoustically detect MMP activity in cell line models.
Main Methods:
- Scanning acoustic impedance microscopy was used to create acoustic impedance maps of HT1080, THP-1, and SK-MEL-28 cell lines.
- Cells were incubated with or without the MMPSense 680 probe.
- Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used for visual validation, and cell viability assays were performed to rule out artifacts.
Main Results:
- This is the first study demonstrating SAM's applicability for acoustically evaluating MMPSense 680 probe cleavage in a cellular medium.
- SAM measurements with the activatable probe effectively detected MMPSense 680 probe cleavage in the HT1080 human fibrosarcoma cell line.
- Acoustic impedance measurements revealed variations in MMP activity.
Conclusions:
- Scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) combined with the MMPSense 680 smart probe can detect proteolytic activity in vitro.
- SAM offers a novel alternative tool for studying MMP roles in cancer progression prior to clinical applications.
- This method provides a new way to understand MMPs' impact on cancer pathophysiology.
