Real-time measurement of anchorage-dependent cell adhesion using a quartz crystal microbalance

An in situ technique based on the mass-sensitive piezoelectric quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) was applied to continuously monitor the attachment and detachment of anchorage-dependent mammalian cells on a metal surface. Specifically, we have demonstrated that the attachment of Vero cells to metal surfaces on the piezoelectrically active area of the QCM results in decreases in the QCM resonant frequency that can be monitored conveniently in real time. Lysis and detachment of Vero cells caused by vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection can also be monitored readily. Our results demonstrate that the QCM is a viable technique for monitoring anchorage-dependent cell attachment and detachment on surfaces (caused by stimulatory, inhibitory, or cytopathic effects).