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Related Concept Videos

Atomic Force Microscopy01:08

Atomic Force Microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a type of scanning probe microscopy that can analyze topographic details of various specimens like ceramics, glass, polymers, and biological samples. AFM offers over 1000 times more resolution than the optical imaging system. Images generated from AFM are three-dimensional surface profiles, offering an advantage over the flat, two-dimensional images from other imaging techniques.
The AFM Probe
The probe is regarded as the heart of any AFM setup and comprises the...
Studying the Cytoskeleton01:17

Studying the Cytoskeleton

The cytoskeletal architecture can be studied using different microscopic and biochemical techniques. Electron microscopy was instrumental in discovering the cytoskeletal architecture around the 1960s, which allowed obtaining structural information at a high-resolution level. However, the sample preparation procedure often limits this ability in biological samples. Several protocols have been developed over the years to optimize sample preparation. In one of the protocols known as rotary...

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Updated: May 14, 2026

Functionalization of Atomic Force Microscope Cantilevers with Single-T Cells or Single-Particle for Immunological Single-Cell Force Spectroscopy
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Force Spectroscopy by Atomic Force Microscopy as Indicator for Cellular Microplastic Uptake.

Tatjana Kolesnik1, Kristin Öhlinger1, Markus Absenger-Novak1

  • 1Center for Medical Research, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|May 13, 2026
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Cellular stiffness, measured by atomic force microscopy, can indicate microplastic particle (MP) ingestion in cancer cells. This method helps differentiate MP-exposed cells and tissues, though its application is currently limited.

Keywords:
cell stiffnessdynamic exposurelung cancerpolystyrene particlesspheroids

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Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Cellular Biophysics
  • Environmental Toxicology

Background:

  • Microplastic particles (MPs) are environmental contaminants with low environmental concentrations, making cellular uptake difficult to quantify.
  • Cancerous tissues have shown a higher accumulation of MPs compared to normal tissues, suggesting a potential link between cancer and MP uptake.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if cellular stiffness, measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM), can serve as an indicator of microplastic particle (MP) ingestion by cells.
  • To correlate changes in cellular mechanical properties with MP uptake in different cell models.

Main Methods:

  • Exposure of cell spheroids and monolayers to MPs.
  • Measurement of Young's modulus (a measure of stiffness) using AFM.
  • Comparison of Young's modulus with fluorescent readings of MP uptake.
  • Analysis of cellular stiffness in cancer cell lines with varying basal stiffness and in response to MP exposure.

Main Results:

  • Cancer cell lines exhibited distinct basal Young's moduli and varying increases in stiffness post-MP exposure.
  • Spheroids containing macrophages (THP-1) showed higher Young's moduli, which further increased after MP exposure.
  • Softer cells in monolayer cultures demonstrated more significant increases in Young's modulus upon MP uptake compared to stiffer cells.
  • Young's modulus positively correlated with MP uptake, differentiating MP-exposed from unexposed spheroids and identifying MP-ingesting cell lines in monolayers.

Conclusions:

  • Cellular stiffness, assessed by AFM, is a viable parameter for indicating MP uptake in various cell models, including cancer.
  • Young's modulus can distinguish between MP-containing and non-exposed cellular structures.
  • Despite its potential, the complex application and low throughput of AFM currently limit its widespread use in biological evaluations of MP ingestion.