Atomic force microscopy studies on cellular elastic and viscoelastic properties

• Published in: Science China. Life sciences Vol. 61; no. 1; pp. 57 - 67
• Main Authors: Li, Mi, Liu, Lianqing, Xi, Ning, Wang, Yuechao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Beijing Science China Press 2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Atomic force microscopy; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Breast; Breast cancer; Life Sciences; Lymphocytes B; Mechanical properties; Microscopes; Microscopy; Research Paper; Viscoelasticity; 机械性质;淋巴细胞;粘弹性;显微镜;原子力;松驰时间;AFM;房间; Young’s modulus; relaxation time; atomic force microscopy; cell; mechanical properties; viscoelastic properties
• ISSN: 1674-7305; 1869-1889
• DOI: 10.1007/s11427-016-9041-9

In this work, a method based on atomic force microscopy （AFM） approach-reside-retract experiments was established to simultaneously quantify the elastic and viscoelastic properties of single cells. First, the elastic and viscoelastic properties of normal breast cells and cancerous breast cells were measured, showing significant differences in Young’s modulus and relaxation times between normal and cancerous breast cells. Remarkable differences in cellular topography between normal and cancerous breast cells were also revealed by AFM imaging. Next, the elastic and viscoelasitc properties of three other types of cell lines and primary normal B lymphocytes were measured; results demonstrated the potential of cellular viscoelastic properties in complementing cellular Young’s modulus for discerning different states of cells. This research provides a novel way to quantify the mechanical properties of cells by AFM, which allows investigation of the biomechanical behaviors of single cells from multiple aspects.