Combining AFM and Acoustic Probes to Reveal Changes in the Elastic Stiffness Tensor of Living Cells

摘要: Knowledge of how the elastic stiffness a cell affects its communication with environment is fundamental importance for understanding tissue integrity in health and disease. For measurements, it has been customary to quote single parameter quantity, e.g., Young’s modulus, rather than minimum two terms tensor required by elasticity theory. In this study, we use independent methods (acoustic microscopy atomic force nanoindentation) characterize properties thus determine constants. This allows us explore detail mechanical cells change response signaling pathways that are known regulate cell’s cytoskeleton. particular, demonstrate altering tensioning actin filaments NIH3T3 strong influence on cell's shear modulus but leaves bulk unchanged. contrast, polymerization state influences similar manner. addition, can data directly Poisson ratio show all cases studied, less than, very close to, 0.5 value.