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Kardashina T, Serrano EE, Dawson JA, Drach B. Mechanical characterization of Xenopus laevis oocytes using atomic force microscopy. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2024; 157:106648. [PMID: 38996625 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2024.106648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Mechanical properties are essential for the biological activities of cells, and they have been shown to be affected by diseases. Therefore, accurate mechanical characterization is important for studying the cell lifecycle, cell-cell interactions, and disease diagnosis. While the cytoskeleton and actin cortex are typically the primary structural stiffness contributors in most live cells, oocytes possess an additional extracellular layer known as the vitelline membrane (VM), or envelope, which can significantly impact their overall mechanical properties. In this study, we utilized nanoindentation via an atomic force microscope to measure the Young's modulus of Xenopus laevis oocytes at different force setpoints and explored the influence of the VM by conducting measurements on oocytes with the membrane removed. The findings revealed that the removal of VM led to a significant decrease in the apparent Young's modulus of the oocytes, highlighting the pivotal role of the VM as the main structural component responsible for the oocyte's shape and stiffness. Furthermore, the mechanical behavior of VM was investigated through finite element (FE) simulations of the nanoindentation process. FE simulations with the VM Young's modulus in the range 20-60 MPa resulted in force-displacement curves that closely resemble experimental in terms of shape and maximum force for a given indentation depth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Kardashina
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces NM, USA
| | - Elba E Serrano
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces NM, USA
| | - John A Dawson
- Department of Economics, Applied Statistics, and International Business, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces NM, USA
| | - Borys Drach
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces NM, USA.
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2
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Nakamura F. The Role of Mechanotransduction in Contact Inhibition of Locomotion and Proliferation. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2135. [PMID: 38396812 PMCID: PMC10889191 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Contact inhibition (CI) represents a crucial tumor-suppressive mechanism responsible for controlling the unbridled growth of cells, thus preventing the formation of cancerous tissues. CI can be further categorized into two distinct yet interrelated components: CI of locomotion (CIL) and CI of proliferation (CIP). These two components of CI have historically been viewed as separate processes, but emerging research suggests that they may be regulated by both distinct and shared pathways. Specifically, recent studies have indicated that both CIP and CIL utilize mechanotransduction pathways, a process that involves cells sensing and responding to mechanical forces. This review article describes the role of mechanotransduction in CI, shedding light on how mechanical forces regulate CIL and CIP. Emphasis is placed on filamin A (FLNA)-mediated mechanotransduction, elucidating how FLNA senses mechanical forces and translates them into crucial biochemical signals that regulate cell locomotion and proliferation. In addition to FLNA, trans-acting factors (TAFs), which are proteins or regulatory RNAs capable of directly or indirectly binding to specific DNA sequences in distant genes to regulate gene expression, emerge as sensitive players in both the mechanotransduction and signaling pathways of CI. This article presents methods for identifying these TAF proteins and profiling the associated changes in chromatin structure, offering valuable insights into CI and other biological functions mediated by mechanotransduction. Finally, it addresses unanswered research questions in these fields and delineates their possible future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumihiko Nakamura
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China
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3
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Forg S, Guo X, von Klitzing R. Influence of Dopamine Methacrylamide on Swelling Behavior and Nanomechanical Properties of PNIPAM Microgels. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:1521-1534. [PMID: 38146181 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c15134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
The combination of the catechol-containing comonomer dopamine methacrylamide (DMA) with stimuli-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microgels bears a huge potential in research and for applications due to the versatile properties of catechols. This research gives the first detailed insights into the influence of DMA on the swelling of PNIPAM microgels and their nanomechanical properties. Dynamic light scattering measurements showed that DMA decreases the volume phase transition temperature and completion temperature due to its higher hydrophobicity when compared to NIPAM, while sharpening the transition. The cross-linking ability of DMA decreases the swelling ratios and mesh sizes of the microgels. Microgels adsorbed at the solid surface are characterized by atomic force microscopy─as the DMA content increases, microgels protrude more from the surface. Force spectroscopy measurements below and above the volume phase transition temperature display a stiffening of the microgels with the incorporation of DMA and upon heating across its entire cross section as evidenced by an increase in the E modulus. This confirms the cross-linking ability of DMA. The affine network factor β, derived from the Flory-Rehner theory, is linearly correlated with the E moduli of both pure PNIPAM and P(NIPAM-co-DMA) microgels. However, large DMA amounts hinder the microgel shrinking while maintaining mechanical stiffness, possibly due to catechol interactions within the microgel network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Forg
- Soft Matter at Interfaces (SMI), Institute for Physics of Condensed Matter, Technical University of Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Xuhong Guo
- School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 200231 Shanghai, China
| | - Regine von Klitzing
- Soft Matter at Interfaces (SMI), Institute for Physics of Condensed Matter, Technical University of Darmstadt, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany
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4
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Cho DH, Aguayo S, Cartagena-Rivera AX. Atomic force microscopy-mediated mechanobiological profiling of complex human tissues. Biomaterials 2023; 303:122389. [PMID: 37988897 PMCID: PMC10842832 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Tissue mechanobiology is an emerging field with the overarching goal of understanding the interplay between biophysical and biochemical responses affecting development, physiology, and disease. Changes in mechanical properties including stiffness and viscosity have been shown to describe how cells and tissues respond to mechanical cues and modify critical biological functions. To quantitatively characterize the mechanical properties of tissues at physiologically relevant conditions, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has emerged as a highly versatile biomechanical technology. In this review, we describe the fundamental principles of AFM, typical AFM modalities used for tissue mechanics, and commonly used elastic and viscoelastic contact mechanics models to characterize complex human tissues. Furthermore, we discuss the application of AFM-based mechanobiology to characterize the mechanical responses within complex human tissues to track their developmental, physiological/functional, and diseased states, including oral, hearing, and cancer-related tissues. Finally, we discuss the current outlook and challenges to further advance the field of tissue mechanobiology. Altogether, AFM-based tissue mechanobiology provides a mechanistic understanding of biological processes governing the unique functions of tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Cho
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sebastian Aguayo
- Dentistry School, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Schools of Engineering, Medicine, and Biological Sciences, Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexander X Cartagena-Rivera
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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5
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Thomas-Chemin O, Séverac C, Trévisiol E, Dague E. Indentation of living cells by AFM tips may not be what we thought! Micron 2023; 174:103523. [PMID: 37595406 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2023.103523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
The models used to calculate Young's moduli from atomic force microscopy (AFM) force curves consider the shape of the indentation. It is then assumed that the geometry of the indentation is identical to the geometry of the indenter, which has been verified for hard materials (E > 1 MPa). Based on this assumption, the force curves calculated by these models, for the same object with a given Young's modulus, are different if the indenter geometry is different. On the contrary, we observe experimentally that the force curves recorded on soft living cells, with pyramidal, spherical, or tipless indenters, are almost similar. This indicates that this basic assumption on the indentation geometry does not work for soft materials (E of the order of 5 kPa or less). This means that, in this case, the shape of the indentation is therefore different from the shape of the indenter. Indentation of living cells by AFM is not what we thought!
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Childérick Séverac
- RESTORE Research Center, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, EFS, ENVT, Université P. Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Etienne Dague
- LAAS-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France.
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6
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Liu C, Huang Y, Zhao C, Hou Y. Mechanical properties of CTCs in patients with diagnosed ovarian cancer. J Biomech 2023; 160:111831. [PMID: 37820489 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
The incidence and mortality of gynecologic cancers have been constantly increasing in China over the last 2 decades, which become a major health concern for women. Survival rates of gynecologic cancers are generally not satisfactory and decrease along with the advancing stage, this is mainly due to the lack of a clear prognostic evaluation during the treatment, which brings difficulties to the treatment. Therefore, more accurate prognostic evaluation methods are urgently needed. To solve this problem, this article explores the changes in the biomechanical properties of cells. Changes in the biomechanical properties of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) were explored by nano detection technology. The reference criteria for clinical evaluation of ovarian cancer (Age, FIGO stage, Histologic type, CA-125, Ascites, Single/Double, Residual lesion, and Chemotherapy) were compared and analyzed. The results showed that the average cell height of CTCs was 4.12 ± 0.83 μm before chemotherapy and 4.87 ± 0.71 μm after chemotherapy, with an average increase of 18.203 %. The apparent Young's modulus (E) was 3.884 ± 0.045 kPa before chemotherapy and 4.514 ± 0.025 kPa after chemotherapy, which increased by 0.63 kPa. The ROC analysis of FIGO stage of ovarian cancer patients showed that Young's modulus of cells could better reflect the accuracy of the evaluation of FIGO stage of patients, with the accuracy reaching 76.7 %, which was higher than the detection accuracy of CA-125 (72.6 %). In conclusion, the mechanical properties of CTCs can indicate the FIGO stage and diagnosis of patients and predict the prognostic risk of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanzhi Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, Jilin Province 130022, China.
| | - Yuxi Huang
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Chunru Zhao
- Changchun Tumor Hospital, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Yue Hou
- School of Life Science and Technology, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, Jilin Province 130022, China
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7
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Gilbert RJC. Peptide-based pore formation and cell membrane deformation: European Biophysics Journal Prizes at EBSA 2023. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL : EBJ 2023; 52:619-623. [PMID: 37994943 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-023-01691-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
The European Biophysics Journal Prizes awarded at the European Biophysical Societies Association (EBSA) Congress in Stockholm in the Summer of 2023 recognised papers published in 2020 and 2021 which made use of multiple complementing experimental, theoretical and computational approaches. One of the winning papers addressed the specific role of arginine residues within antimicrobial and cell-penetrating peptides, in promoting membrane defect stabilisation and pore formation. The other winning paper described the influence of atomic force microscopy probe geometry on the measurement of surface deformability, assessed for investigation of the differing viscoelastic properties of non-malignant and cancerous cells. These papers showcase biophysical science; the importance of combining different experimental, modelling and molecular dynamics methods; and how researchers need to understand the theoretical basis and the limitations of the techniques they use. EBSA warmly congratulates the authors on their work and its subsequent recognition. Publication of these papers also demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the European Biophysics Journal to molecular scale and to systems biophysics, and to support of the international biophysical community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J C Gilbert
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK.
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8
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Pérez-Domínguez S, Kulkarni SG, Pabijan J, Gnanachandran K, Holuigue H, Eroles M, Lorenc E, Berardi M, Antonovaite N, Marini ML, Lopez Alonso J, Redonto-Morata L, Dupres V, Janel S, Acharya S, Otero J, Navajas D, Bielawski K, Schillers H, Lafont F, Rico F, Podestà A, Radmacher M, Lekka M. Reliable, standardized measurements for cell mechanical properties. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:16371-16380. [PMID: 37789717 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr02034g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has become indispensable for studying biological and medical samples. More than two decades of experiments have revealed that cancer cells are softer than healthy cells (for measured cells cultured on stiff substrates). The softness or, more precisely, the larger deformability of cancer cells, primarily independent of cancer types, could be used as a sensitive marker of pathological changes. The wide application of biomechanics in clinics would require designing instruments with specific calibration, data collection, and analysis procedures. For these reasons, such development is, at present, still very limited, hampering the clinical exploitation of mechanical measurements. Here, we propose a standardized operational protocol (SOP), developed within the EU ITN network Phys2BioMed, which allows the detection of the biomechanical properties of living cancer cells regardless of the nanoindentation instruments used (AFMs and other indenters) and the laboratory involved in the research. We standardized the cell cultures, AFM calibration, measurements, and data analysis. This effort resulted in a step-by-step SOP for cell cultures, instrument calibration, measurements, and data analysis, leading to the concordance of the results (Young's modulus) measured among the six EU laboratories involved. Our results highlight the importance of the SOP in obtaining a reproducible mechanical characterization of cancer cells and paving the way toward exploiting biomechanics for diagnostic purposes in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shruti G Kulkarni
- Institute of Biophysics, University of Bremen, 28359, Bremen, Germany.
| | - Joanna Pabijan
- Department of Biophysical Microstructures, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Kajangi Gnanachandran
- Department of Biophysical Microstructures, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Hatice Holuigue
- Department of Physics "Aldo Pontremoli" and CIMAINA, University of Milano, via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Mar Eroles
- Aix-Marseille Univ., CNRS, INSERM, LAI, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Ewelina Lorenc
- Department of Physics "Aldo Pontremoli" and CIMAINA, University of Milano, via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano Berardi
- Laserlab, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Optics11 Life, Hettenheuvelweg 37-39, 1101 BM, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nelda Antonovaite
- Optics11 Life, Hettenheuvelweg 37-39, 1101 BM, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Luisa Marini
- Université de Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017, CIIL-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Javier Lopez Alonso
- Université de Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017, CIIL-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Lorena Redonto-Morata
- Université de Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017, CIIL-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Vincent Dupres
- Université de Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017, CIIL-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Sebastien Janel
- Université de Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017, CIIL-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Sovon Acharya
- Institute of Physiology II, University Muenster, Robert-Koch-Str. 27b, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Jorge Otero
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia and Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Navajas
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia and Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
| | - Kevin Bielawski
- Optics11 Life, Hettenheuvelweg 37-39, 1101 BM, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hermann Schillers
- Institute of Physiology II, University Muenster, Robert-Koch-Str. 27b, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Frank Lafont
- Université de Lille, CNRS, INSERM, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-UMR9017, CIIL-Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Felix Rico
- Aix-Marseille Univ., CNRS, INSERM, LAI, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Alessandro Podestà
- Department of Physics "Aldo Pontremoli" and CIMAINA, University of Milano, via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Manfred Radmacher
- Institute of Biophysics, University of Bremen, 28359, Bremen, Germany.
| | - Małgorzata Lekka
- Department of Biophysical Microstructures, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342 Kraków, Poland.
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9
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Wang H, Zhang H, Tamura R, Da B, Abdellatef SA, Watanabe I, Ishida N, Fujita D, Hanagata N, Nakagawa T, Nakanishi J. Mapping stress inside living cells by atomic force microscopy in response to environmental stimuli. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF ADVANCED MATERIALS 2023; 24:2265434. [PMID: 37867575 PMCID: PMC10586080 DOI: 10.1080/14686996.2023.2265434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
The response of cells to environmental stimuli, under either physiological or pathological conditions, plays a key role in determining cell fate toward either adaptive survival or controlled death. The efficiency of such a feedback mechanism is closely related to the most challenging human diseases, including cancer. Since cellular responses are implemented through physical forces exerted on intracellular components, more detailed knowledge of force distribution through modern imaging techniques is needed to ensure a mechanistic understanding of these forces. In this work, we mapped these intracellular forces at a whole-cell scale and with submicron resolution to correlate intracellular force distribution to the cytoskeletal structures. Furthermore, we visualized dynamic mechanical responses of the cells adapting to environmental modulations in situ. Such task was achieved by using an informatics-assisted atomic force microscope (AFM) indentation technique where a key step was Markov-chain Monte Carlo optimization to search for both the models used to fit indentation force-displacement curves and probe geometry descriptors. We demonstrated force dynamics within cytoskeleton, as well as nucleoskeleton in living cells which were subjected to mechanical state modulation: myosin motor inhibition, micro-compression stimulation and geometrical confinement manipulation. Our results highlight the alteration in the intracellular prestress to attenuate environmental stimuli; to involve in cellular survival against mechanical signal-initiated death during cancer growth and metastasis; and to initiate cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxin Wang
- Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Han Zhang
- Center for Basic Research on Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Ryo Tamura
- Center for Basic Research on Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Bo Da
- Center for Basic Research on Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shimaa A. Abdellatef
- Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Ikumu Watanabe
- Center for Basic Research on Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Ishida
- Center for Basic Research on Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Daisuke Fujita
- Center for Basic Research on Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Nobutaka Hanagata
- Research Network and Facility Services Division, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tomoki Nakagawa
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Jun Nakanishi
- Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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10
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Zambito M, Viti F, Bosio AG, Ceccherini I, Florio T, Vassalli M. The Impact of Experimental Conditions on Cell Mechanics as Measured with Nanoindentation. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:1190. [PMID: 37049284 PMCID: PMC10097320 DOI: 10.3390/nano13071190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The evaluation of cell elasticity is becoming increasingly significant, since it is now known that it impacts physiological mechanisms, such as stem cell differentiation and embryogenesis, as well as pathological processes, such as cancer invasiveness and endothelial senescence. However, the results of single-cell mechanical measurements vary considerably, not only due to systematic instrumental errors but also due to the dynamic and non-homogenous nature of the sample. In this work, relying on Chiaro nanoindenter (Optics11Life), we characterized in depth the nanoindentation experimental procedure, in order to highlight whether and how experimental conditions could affect measurements of living cell stiffness. We demonstrated that the procedure can be quite insensitive to technical replicates and that several biological conditions, such as cell confluency, starvation and passage, significantly impact the results. Experiments should be designed to maximally avoid inhomogeneous scenarios to avoid divergences in the measured phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Zambito
- Dipartimento Medicina Interna, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Genova, viale Benedetto XV 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Federica Viti
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Via De Marini 6, 16149 Genova, Italy
| | - Alessia G Bosio
- Dipartimento Medicina Interna, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Genova, viale Benedetto XV 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Tullio Florio
- Dipartimento Medicina Interna, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Genova, viale Benedetto XV 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Massimo Vassalli
- James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
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11
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Berardi M, Gnanachandran K, Jiang J, Bielawski K, Visser CW, Lekka M, Akca BI. Dynamic mechanical analysis of suspended soft bodies via hydraulic force spectroscopy. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:615-624. [PMID: 36445288 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01173e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The rheological characterization of soft suspended bodies, such as cells, organoids, or synthetic microstructures, is particularly challenging, even with state-of-the-art methods (e.g. atomic force microscopy, AFM). Providing well-defined boundary conditions for modeling typically requires fixating the sample on a substrate, which is a delicate and time-consuming procedure. Moreover, it needs to be tuned for each chemistry and geometry. Here, we validate a novel technique, called hydraulic force spectroscopy (HFS), against AFM dynamic indentation taken as the gold standard. Combining experimental data with finite element modeling, we show that HFS gives results comparable to AFM microrheology over multiple decades, while obviating any sample preparation requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Berardi
- LaserLab, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Optics11, Hettenheuvelweg 37-39, 1101 BM, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kajangi Gnanachandran
- Department of Biophysical Microstructures, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342, Kraków, Poland
| | - Jieke Jiang
- Engineering Fluid Dynamics group, Department of Thermal and Fluid Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, University of Twente, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Kevin Bielawski
- Optics11, Hettenheuvelweg 37-39, 1101 BM, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Claas W Visser
- Engineering Fluid Dynamics group, Department of Thermal and Fluid Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, University of Twente, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Małgorzata Lekka
- Department of Biophysical Microstructures, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342, Kraków, Poland
| | - B Imran Akca
- LaserLab, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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12
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Chen SWW, Teulon JM, Kaur H, Godon C, Pellequer JL. Nano-structural stiffness measure for soft biomaterials of heterogeneous elasticity. NANOSCALE HORIZONS 2022; 8:75-82. [PMID: 36314544 DOI: 10.1039/d2nh00390b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Measuring the structural stiffness aims to reveal the impact of nanostructured components or various physiological circumstances on the elastic response of material to an external indentation. With a pyramidal tip at a nano-scale, we employed the atomic force microscopy (AFM) to indent the surfaces of two compositions of polyacrylamide gels with different softness and seedling roots of Arabidopsis thaliana. We found that the stiffness-depth curve derived from the measured force exhibits a heterogeneous character in elasticity. According to the tendency of stiffness-depth curve, we decomposed the responding force into depth-impact (FC), Hookean (FH) and tip-shape (FS) components, called trimechanic, where FS and its gradient should be offset at the surface or subsurfaces of the indented material. Thereby, trimechnic theory allows us to observe how the three restoring nanomechanics change with varied depth. Their strengths are represented by the respective spring constants (kC, kH, kS) of three parallel-connected spring (3PCS) analogs to differentiate restoring nanomechansims of indented materials. The effective Young's modulus Ê and the total stiffness kT (= kH + kS) globally unambiguously distinguish the softness between the two gel categories. Data fluctuations were observed in the elasticity parameters of individual samples, reflecting nanostructural variations in the gel matrix. Similar tendencies were found in the results from growing plant roots, though the data fluctuations are expectedly much more dramatic. The zone-wise representation of stiffness by the trimechanic-3PCS framework demonstrates a stiffness measure that reflects beneath nanostructures encountered by deepened depth. The trimechanic-3PCS framework can apply any mechanical model of power-law based force-depth relationship and is compatible with thin layer corrections. It provides a new paradigm for analyzing restoring nanomechanics of soft biomaterials in response to indenting forces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Wen W Chen
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IBS, F-38000 Grenoble, France.
- Rue Cyprien Jullin, Vinay, 38470, France
| | - Jean-Marie Teulon
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IBS, F-38000 Grenoble, France.
| | - Harinderbir Kaur
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IBS, F-38000 Grenoble, France.
| | - Christian Godon
- Aix Marseille University, CEA, CNRS, BIAM, 13108 Saint Paul-Lez-Durance, Cadarache, France
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Surface characterization of an ultra-soft contact lens material using an atomic force microscopy nanoindentation method. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20013. [PMID: 36411325 PMCID: PMC9678857 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24701-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
As new ultra-soft materials are being developed for medical devices and biomedical applications, the comprehensive characterization of their physical and mechanical properties is both critical and challenging. To characterize the very low surface modulus of the novel biomimetic lehfilcon A silicone hydrogel contact lens coated with a layer of a branched polymer brush structure, an improved atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanoindentation method has been applied. This technique allows for precise contact-point determination without the effects of viscous squeeze-out upon approaching the branched polymer. Additionally, it allows individual brush elements to be mechanically characterized in the absence of poroelastic effects. This was accomplished by selecting an AFM probe with a design (tip size, geometry, and spring constant) that was especially suited to measuring the properties of soft materials and biological samples. The enhanced sensitivity and accuracy of this method allows for the precise measurement of the very soft lehfilcon A material, which has an extremely low elastic modulus in the surface region (as low as 2 kPa) and extremely high elasticity (nearly 100%) in an aqueous environment. The surface-characterization results not only reveal the ultra-soft nature of the lehfilcon A lens surface but also demonstrate that the elastic modulus exhibits a 30 kPa/200 nm gradient with depth due to the disparity between the modulus of the branched polymer brushes and the SiHy substrate. This surface-characterization methodology may be applied to other ultra-soft materials and medical devices.
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14
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Discriminating bladder cancer cells through rheological mechanomarkers at cell and spheroid levels. J Biomech 2022; 144:111346. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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15
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Lekka M. Applicability of atomic force microscopy to determine cancer-related changes in cells. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2022; 380:20210346. [PMID: 35909354 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2021.0346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The determination of mechanical properties of living cells as an indicator of cancer progression has become possible with the development of local measurement techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM). Its most important advantage is a nanoscopic character, implying that very local alterations can be quantified. The results gathered from AFM measurements of various cancers show that, for most cancers, individual cells are characterized by the lower apparent Young's modulus, denoting higher cell deformability. The measured value depends on various factors, like the properties of substrates used for cell growth, force loading rate or indentation depth. Despite this, the results proved the AFM capability to recognize mechanically altered cells. This can significantly impact the development of methodological approaches toward the precise identification of pathological cells. This article is part of the theme issue 'Nanocracks in nature and industry'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Lekka
- Department of Biophysical Microstructures, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342 Krakow, Poland
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16
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Vicar T, Chmelik J, Navratil J, Kolar R, Chmelikova L, Cmiel V, Jagos J, Provaznik I, Masarik M, Gumulec J. Cancer Cells Viscoelasticity Measurement by Quantitative Phase and Flow Stress Induction. Biophys J 2022; 121:1632-1642. [PMID: 35390297 PMCID: PMC9117928 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell viscoelastic properties are affected by the cell cycle, differentiation, pathological processes such as malignant transformation. Therefore, evaluation of the mechanical properties of the cells proved to be an approach to obtaining information on the functional state of the cells. Most of the currently used methods for cell mechanophenotypisation are limited by low robustness or the need for highly expert operation. In this paper, the system and method for viscoelasticity measurement using shear stress induction by fluid flow is described and tested. Quantitative Phase Imaging (QPI) is used for image acquisition because this technique enables to quantify optical path length delays introduced by the sample, thus providing a label-free objective measure of morphology and dynamics. Viscosity and elasticity determination were refined using a new approach based on the linear system model and parametric deconvolution. The proposed method allows high-throughput measurements during live cell experiments and even through a time-lapse, where we demonstrated the possibility of simultaneous extraction of shear modulus, viscosity, cell morphology, and QPI-derived cell parameters like circularity or cell mass. Additionally, the proposed method provides a simple approach to measure cell refractive index with the same setup, which is required for reliable cell height measurement with QPI, an essential parameter for viscoelasticity calculation. Reliability of the proposed viscoelasticity measurement system was tested in several experiments including cell types of different Young/shear modulus and treatment with cytochalasin D or docetaxel, and an agreement with atomic force microscopy was observed. The applicability of the proposed approach was also confirmed by a time-lapse experiment with cytochalasin D washout, where an increase of stiffness corresponded to actin repolymerisation in time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Vicar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communications, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Pathological Physiology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Chmelik
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communications, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Navratil
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Radim Kolar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communications, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Larisa Chmelikova
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communications, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vratislav Cmiel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communications, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Jagos
- Dept. of Tissue Biomechanics and Numerical Modelling in Medicine, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ivo Provaznik
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communications, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Masarik
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jaromir Gumulec
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
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17
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Benech JC, Romanelli G. Atomic force microscopy indentation for nanomechanical characterization of live pathological cardiovascular/heart tissue and cells. Micron 2022; 158:103287. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2022.103287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) on Biopolymers and Hydrogels for Biotechnological Applications-Possibilities and Limits. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14061267. [PMID: 35335597 PMCID: PMC8949482 DOI: 10.3390/polym14061267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is one of the microscopic techniques with the highest lateral resolution. It can usually be applied in air or even in liquids, enabling the investigation of a broader range of samples than scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which is mostly performed in vacuum. Since it works by following the sample surface based on the force between the scanning tip and the sample, interactions have to be taken into account, making the AFM of irregular samples complicated, but on the other hand it allows measurements of more physical parameters than pure topography. This is especially important for biopolymers and hydrogels used in tissue engineering and other biotechnological applications, where elastic properties, surface charges and other parameters influence mammalian cell adhesion and growth as well as many other effects. This review gives an overview of AFM modes relevant for the investigations of biopolymers and hydrogels and shows several examples of recent applications, focusing on the polysaccharides chitosan, alginate, carrageenan and different hydrogels, but depicting also a broader spectrum of materials on which different AFM measurements are reported in the literature.
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19
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Investigating Nanoscale Contact Using AFM-Based Indentation and Molecular Dynamics Simulations. METALS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/met12030489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
In this work we study nanocontact plasticity in Au thin films using an atomic force microscope based indentation method with the goal of relating the changes in surface morphology to the dislocations created by deformation. This provides a rigorous test of our understanding of deformation and dislocation mechanisms in small volumes. A series of indentation experiments with increasing maximum load was performed. Distinct elastic and plastic regimes were identified in the force-displacement curves, and the corresponding residual imprints were measured. Transmission electron microscope based measured dislocation densities appear to be smaller than the densities expected from the measured residual indents. With the help of molecular dynamics simulations we show that dislocation nucleation and glide alone fail to explain the low dislocation density. Increasing the temperature of the simulations accelerates the rate of thermally activated processes and promotes motion and annihilation of dislocations under the indent while transferring material to the upper surface; dislocation density decreases in the plastic zone and material piles up around the indent. Finally, we discuss why a significant number of cross-slip events is expected beneath the indent under experimental conditions and the implications of this for work hardening during wear.
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20
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Kontomaris SV, Stylianou A, Malamou A. Is It Possible to Directly Determine the Radius of a Spherical Indenter Using Force Indentation Data on Soft Samples? SCANNING 2022; 2022:6463063. [PMID: 35265251 PMCID: PMC8872683 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6463063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
An important factor affecting the accuracy of Young's modulus calculation in Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) indentation experiments is the determination of the dimensions of the indenter. This procedure is usually performed using AFM calibration gratings or Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) imaging. However, the aforementioned procedure is frequently omitted because it requires additional equipment. In this paper, a new approach is presented that focused on the calibration of spherical indenters without the need of special equipment but instead using force indentation data on soft samples. Firstly, the question whether it is mathematically possible to simultaneously calculate the indenter's radius and the Young's modulus of the tested sample (under the restriction that the sample presents a linear elastic response) using the same force indentation data is discussed. Using a simple mathematical approach, it was proved that the aforementioned procedure is theoretically valid. In addition, to test this method in real indentation experiments agarose gels were used. Multiple measurements on different agarose gels showed that the calibration of a spherical indenter is possible and can be accurately performed. Thus, the indenter's radius and the soft sample's Young's modulus can be determined using the same force indentation data. It is also important to note that the provided accuracy is similar to the accuracy obtained when using AFM calibration gratings. The major advantage of this paper is that it provides a method for the simultaneous determination of the indenter's radius and the sample's Young's modulus without requiring any additional equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. V. Kontomaris
- Metropolitan College, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Athens, Greece
- BioNanoTec LTD, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - A. Stylianou
- School of Science, European University Cyprus, Cyprus
| | - A. Malamou
- Radar Systems and Remote Sensing Lab of School of Electrical & Computer Engineering of National Technical University of Athens, Greece
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21
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Xu K, Liu Y. Studies of probe tip materials by atomic force microscopy: a review. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 13:1256-1267. [PMID: 36415853 PMCID: PMC9644057 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.13.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
As a tool that can test insulators' surface morphology and properties, the performance index of atomic force microscope (AFM) probes is the most critical factor in determining the resolution of microscopy, and the performance of probes varies in various modes and application requirements. This paper reviews the latest research results in metal, carbon nanotube, and colloidal probes and reviews their related methods and techniques, analyses the advantages and disadvantages of the improved probes compared with ordinary probes by comparing the differences in spatial resolution, sensitivity, imaging, and other performance aspects, and finally provides an outlook on the future development of AFM probes. This paper promotes the development of AFM probes in the direction of new probes and further promotes the broader and deeper application of scanning probe microscope (SPM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Xu
- School of Electrical & Control Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang 110168, China
| | - Yuzhe Liu
- School of Electrical & Control Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang 110168, China
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22
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The Hertzian theory in AFM nanoindentation experiments regarding biological samples: Overcoming limitations in data processing. Micron 2022; 155:103228. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2022.103228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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23
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Lekka M, Gnanachandran K, Kubiak A, Zieliński T, Zemła J. Traction force microscopy - Measuring the forces exerted by cells. Micron 2021; 150:103138. [PMID: 34416532 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2021.103138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cells generate mechanical forces (traction forces, TFs) while interacting with the extracellular matrix or neighbouring cells. Forces are generated by both cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) and transmitted within the cell-ECM or cell-cell contacts involving focal adhesions or adherens junctions. Within more than two decades, substantial progress has been achieved in techniques that measure TFs. One of the techniques is traction force microscopy (TFM). This review discusses the TFM and its advances in measuring TFs exerted by cells (single cells and multicellular systems) at cell-ECM and cell-cell junctional intracellular interfaces. The answers to how cells sense, adapt and respond to mechanical forces unravel their role in controlling and regulating cell behaviour in normal and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Lekka
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342, Cracow, Poland.
| | | | - Andrzej Kubiak
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342, Cracow, Poland
| | - Tomasz Zieliński
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342, Cracow, Poland
| | - Joanna Zemła
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342, Cracow, Poland
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24
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Bryniarska-Kubiak N, Kubiak A, Lekka M, Basta-Kaim A. The emerging role of mechanical and topographical factors in the development and treatment of nervous system disorders: dark and light sides of the force. Pharmacol Rep 2021; 73:1626-1641. [PMID: 34390472 PMCID: PMC8599311 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-021-00315-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Nervous system diseases are the subject of intensive research due to their association with high mortality rates and their potential to cause irreversible disability. Most studies focus on targeting the biological factors related to disease pathogenesis, e.g. use of recombinant activator of plasminogen in the treatment of stroke. Nevertheless, multiple diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease still lack successful treatment. Recently, evidence has indicated that physical factors such as the mechanical properties of cells and tissue and topography play a crucial role in homeostasis as well as disease progression. This review aims to depict these factors’ roles in the progression of nervous system diseases and consequently discusses the possibility of new therapeutic approaches. The literature is reviewed to provide a deeper understanding of the roles played by physical factors in nervous system disease development to aid in the design of promising new treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Bryniarska-Kubiak
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Andrzej Kubiak
- Department of Biophysical Microstructures, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31342, Kraków, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Lekka
- Department of Biophysical Microstructures, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31342, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Basta-Kaim
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland.
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25
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Abe K, Baba K, Huang L, Wei KT, Okano K, Hosokawa Y, Inagaki N. Mechanosensitive axon outgrowth mediated by L1-laminin clutch interface. Biophys J 2021; 120:3566-3576. [PMID: 34384760 PMCID: PMC8456307 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical properties of the extracellular environment modulate axon outgrowth. Growth cones at the tip of extending axons generate traction force for axon outgrowth by transmitting the force of actin filament retrograde flow, produced by actomyosin contraction and F-actin polymerization, to adhesive substrates through clutch and cell adhesion molecules. A molecular clutch between the actin filament flow and substrate is proposed to contribute to cellular mechanosensing. However, the molecular identity of the clutch interface responsible for mechanosensitive growth cone advance is unknown. We previously reported that mechanical coupling between actin filament retrograde flow and adhesive substrates through the clutch molecule shootin1a and the cell adhesion molecule L1 generates traction force for axon outgrowth and guidance. Here, we show that cultured mouse hippocampal neurons extend longer axons on stiffer substrates under elastic conditions that correspond to the soft brain environments. We demonstrate that this stiffness-dependent axon outgrowth requires actin-adhesion coupling mediated by shootin1a, L1, and laminin on the substrate. Speckle imaging analyses showed that L1 at the growth cone membrane switches between two adhesive states: L1 that is immobilized and that undergoes retrograde movement on the substrate. The duration of the immobilized phase was longer on stiffer substrates; this was accompanied by increases in actin-adhesion coupling and in the traction force exerted on the substrate. These data suggest that the interaction between L1 and laminin is enhanced on stiffer substrates, thereby promoting force generation for axon outgrowth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kouki Abe
- Laboratory of Systems Neurobiology and Medicine, Division of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
| | - Kentarou Baba
- Laboratory of Systems Neurobiology and Medicine, Division of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
| | - Liguo Huang
- Laboratory of Systems Neurobiology and Medicine, Division of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
| | - Koay Teng Wei
- Laboratory of Systems Neurobiology and Medicine, Division of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
| | - Kazunori Okano
- Bio-processing Engineering Laboratory, Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
| | - Yoichiroh Hosokawa
- Bio-processing Engineering Laboratory, Division of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
| | - Naoyuki Inagaki
- Laboratory of Systems Neurobiology and Medicine, Division of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan.
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26
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Ansardamavandi A, Tafazzoli-Shadpour M. The functional cross talk between cancer cells and cancer associated fibroblasts from a cancer mechanics perspective. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2021; 1868:119103. [PMID: 34293346 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2021.119103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The function of biological tissues in health and disease is regulated at cellular level and is highly influenced by the physical microenvironment, through the interaction of forces between cells and ECM, which are perceived through mechanosensing pathways. In cancer, both chemical and physical signaling cascades and their interactions are involved during cell-cell and cell-ECM communications to meet requirements of tumor growth. Among stroma cells, cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play key role in tumor growth and pave the way for cancer cells to initiate metastasis and invasion to other tissues, and without recruitment of CAFs, the process of cancer invasion is dysfunctional. This is through an intense chemical and physical cross talks with tumor cells, and interactive remodeling of ECM. During such interaction CAFs apply traction forces and depending on the mechanical properties, deform ECM and in return receive physical signals from the micromechanical environment. Such interaction leads to ECM remodeling by manipulating ECM structure and its mechanical properties. The results are in form of deposition of extra fibers, stiffening, rearrangement and reorganization of fibrous structure, and degradation which are due to a complex secretion and expression of different markers triggered by mechanosensing of tumor cells, specially CAFs. Such events define cancer progress and invasion of cancer cells. A systemic knowledge of chemical and physical factors provides a holistic view of how cancer process and enhances the current treatment methods to provide more diversity among targets that involves tumor cells and ECM structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arian Ansardamavandi
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
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27
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Gibbs E, Hsu J, Barth K, Goss JW. Characterization of the nanomechanical properties of the fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) cell surface by atomic force microscopy. Yeast 2021; 38:480-492. [PMID: 33913187 PMCID: PMC9291503 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Variations in cell wall composition and biomechanical properties can contribute to the cellular plasticity required during complex processes such as polarized growth and elongation in microbial cells. This study utilizes atomic force microscopy (AFM) to map the cell surface topography of fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, at the pole regions and to characterize the biophysical properties within these regions under physiological, hydrated conditions. High-resolution images acquired from AFM topographic scanning reveal decreased surface roughness at the cell poles. Force extension curves acquired by nanoindentation probing with AFM cantilever tips under low applied force revealed increased cell wall deformation and decreased cellular stiffness (cellular spring constant) at cell poles (17 ± 4 mN/m) relative to the main body of the cell that is not undergoing growth and expansion (44 ± 10 mN/m). These findings suggest that the increased deformation and decreased stiffness at regions of polarized growth at fission yeast cell poles provide the plasticity necessary for cellular extension. This study provides a direct biophysical characterization of the S. pombe cell surface by AFM, and it provides a foundation for future investigation of how the surface topography and local nanomechanical properties vary during different cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellie Gibbs
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA, USA
| | - Justine Hsu
- Biochemistry Program, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn Barth
- Biochemistry Program, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA, USA
| | - John W Goss
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA, USA.,Biochemistry Program, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA, USA
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28
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Makowiecka A, Mazurkiewicz E, Mrówczyńska E, Malek N, Battistella A, Lazzarino M, Nowak D, Mazur AJ. Changes in Biomechanical Properties of A375 Cells Due to the Silencing of TMSB4X Expression Are Not Directly Correlated with Alterations in Their Stemness Features. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040769. [PMID: 33807338 PMCID: PMC8067020 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is a small, 44-amino acid polypeptide. It has been implicated in multiple processes, including cell movement, angiogenesis, and stemness. Previously, we reported that melanoma cell lines differ in Tβ4 levels. Studies on stable clones with silenced TMSB4X expression showed that Tβ4 impacted adhesion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition progression. Here, we show that the cells with silenced TMSB4X expression exhibited altered actin cytoskeleton’s organization and subcellular relocalization of two intermediate filament proteins: Nestin and Vimentin. The rearrangement of the cell cytoskeleton resulted in changes in the cells’ topology, height, and stiffness defined by Young’s modulus. Simultaneously, only for some A375 clones with a lowered Tβ4 level, we observed a decreased ability to initiate colony formation in soft agar, tumor formation in vivo, and alterations in Nanog’s expression level transcription factor regulating stemness. Thus, we show for the first time that in A375 cells, biomechanical properties are not directly coupled to stemness features, and this cell line is phenotypically heterogeneous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Makowiecka
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali-National Research Council, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (M.L.)
- Correspondence: or (A.M.); (A.J.M.); Tel.: +48-71-375-6206 (A.J.M.)
| | - Ewa Mazurkiewicz
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Ewa Mrówczyńska
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Natalia Malek
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Alice Battistella
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali-National Research Council, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (M.L.)
| | - Marco Lazzarino
- Istituto Officina dei Materiali-National Research Council, I-34149 Trieste, Italy; (A.B.); (M.L.)
| | - Dorota Nowak
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
| | - Antonina Joanna Mazur
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, 50-383 Wrocław, Poland; (E.M.); (E.M.); (N.M.); (D.N.)
- Correspondence: or (A.M.); (A.J.M.); Tel.: +48-71-375-6206 (A.J.M.)
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Kubiak A, Chighizola M, Schulte C, Bryniarska N, Wesołowska J, Pudełek M, Lasota M, Ryszawy D, Basta-Kaim A, Laidler P, Podestà A, Lekka M. Stiffening of DU145 prostate cancer cells driven by actin filaments - microtubule crosstalk conferring resistance to microtubule-targeting drugs. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:6212-6226. [PMID: 33885607 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr06464e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The crucial role of microtubules in the mitotic-related segregation of chromosomes makes them an excellent target for anticancer microtubule targeting drugs (MTDs) such as vinflunine (VFL), colchicine (COL), and docetaxel (DTX). MTDs affect mitosis by directly perturbing the structural organisation of microtubules. By a direct assessment of the biomechanical properties of prostate cancer DU145 cells exposed to different MTDs using atomic force microscopy, we show that cell stiffening is a response to the application of all the studied MTDs (VFL, COL, DTX). Changes in cellular rigidity are typically attributed to remodelling of the actin filaments in the cytoskeleton. Here, we demonstrate that cell stiffening can be driven by crosstalk between actin filaments and microtubules in MTD-treated cells. Our findings improve the interpretation of biomechanical data obtained for living cells in studies of various physiological and pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Kubiak
- Department of Biophysical Microstructures, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342 Kraków, Poland.
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