Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Functionalization of Atomic Force Microscope Cantilevers with Single-T Cells or Single-Particle for Immunological Single-Cell Force Spectroscopy
10:06

Functionalization of Atomic Force Microscope Cantilevers with Single-T Cells or Single-Particle for Immunological Single-Cell Force Spectroscopy

Published on: July 10, 2019

Interaction between single molecules of Mac-1 and ICAM-1 in living cells: an atomic force microscopy study

Huayan Yang1, Junping Yu, Guo Fu

  • 1Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Neuroscience, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.

Experimental Cell Research
|September 7, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Macrophage differentiation antigen (Mac-1) interaction with ICAM-1 regulates neutrophil adhesion. This study used atomic force microscopy to reveal Mac-1 activation increases binding probability and force, likely due to alpha7 helix movement.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cellular Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Integrin Mac-1 (macrophage differentiation antigen associated with complement three receptor function) and ICAM-1 interactions regulate neutrophil adhesion during host defense.
  • Mac-1 activation by intracellular signals or external factors increases its ligand binding.
  • The precise molecular mechanisms underlying Mac-1 activation remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular basis of Mac-1 activation.
  • To quantify the force and binding probability of Mac-1/ICAM-1 interactions in living cells.

Main Methods:

  • Single-molecule force spectroscopy using atomic force microscopy (AFM).
  • Studied Mac-1/ICAM-1 interactions within living cells.
  • Analyzed dynamic force spectra of various Mac-1 mutants.

Main Results:

  • Mac-1 activation significantly increased both binding probability and adhesion force with ICAM-1.
  • Comparative analysis of Mac-1 mutants suggested a role for the alpha7 helix in activation.

Conclusions:

  • Mac-1 activation enhances its adhesive properties to ICAM-1.
  • The findings suggest that the downward movement of the Mac-1 alpha7 helix is a key mechanism governing its activation.

More Related Videos

Live Cell Response to Mechanical Stimulation Studied by Integrated Optical and Atomic Force Microscopy09:20

Live Cell Response to Mechanical Stimulation Studied by Integrated Optical and Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: October 4, 2010

Visualization of Recombinant DNA and Protein Complexes Using Atomic Force Microscopy08:30

Visualization of Recombinant DNA and Protein Complexes Using Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: July 18, 2011

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...
Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules01:31

Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules

Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules or Ig-CAMs are a versatile group of cell surface glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin protein superfamily. Ig-CAMs possess the characteristic immunoglobulin protein domains and other domains such as the fibronectin type III domain. The Ig domains are glycosylated to varying degrees in different Ig-CAMs.
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
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...