Probing Single-Cell Adhesion Kinetics and Nanomechanical Force with Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Nanotechnology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Single cell adhesion is vital in physiological and pathological processes, including tissue formation, immune responses, and cancer metastasis.
• Understanding cell-substrate mechanical interactions and adhesion kinetics is critical for elucidating these cellular mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate a plasmonic-based nanomechanical sensing and imaging system (PNMSi) for real-time measurement of single cell adhesion kinetics and nanomechanical forces.
• To analyze cell-substrate interactions, binding kinetics, and mechanical forces using a thermodynamic model.

Main Methods:

• Development of a plasmonic-based nanomechanical sensing and imaging system (PNMSi).
• Real-time tracking and monitoring of cell-substrate interactions and nanoscale fluctuations.
• Application of a thermodynamic model for analyzing binding and nanomechanical processes.

Main Results:

• PNMSi successfully measured single cell adhesion kinetics and nanomechanical forces.
• Observed alterations in binding kinetics and forces due to surface modifications (charge, hydrophilicity).
• Demonstrated changes in mechanical forces during cytoskeleton modification and distinct adhesion profiles for primary vs. metastatic tumor cells.

Conclusions:

• The PNMSi platform enables high-throughput, sensitive imaging and quantification of single cell adhesion kinetics and nanomechanical forces.
• This system holds promise for identifying tumor metastasis biomarkers and screening therapeutic agents.