Atomic Force Microscopy and pharmacology: From microbiology to cancerology

• Published in: Biochimica et biophysica acta Vol. 1840; no. 3; pp. 1028 - 1050
• Main Authors: Pillet, Flavien, Chopinet, Louise, Formosa, Cécile, Dague, Étienne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.03.2014
• Subjects: Animals; Atomic Force Microscopy; bacteria; Bacteria - drug effects; Bacteriology; Bacterium; Cancer; Candida albicans; Cell Wall - ultrastructure; cell walls; cultured cells; cytotoxicity; drugs; Fungi - cytology; Humans; image analysis; mammals; mechanism of action; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Neoplasms - pathology; patients; Pharmacology; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; spectroscopy; Yeast; yeasts; Bacterium; Pharmacology; Yeast; Atomic Force Microscopy; Cancer
• ISSN: 0304-4165; 0006-3002; 1872-8006
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2013.11.019

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) has been extensively used to study biological samples. Researchers take advantage of its ability to image living samples to increase our fundamental knowledge (biophysical properties/biochemical behavior) on living cell surface properties, at the nano-scale. AFM, in the imaging modes, can probe cells morphological modifications induced by drugs. In the force spectroscopy mode, it is possible to follow the nanomechanical properties of a cell and to probe the mechanical modifications induced by drugs. AFM can be used to map single molecule distribution at the cell surface. We will focus on a collection of results aiming at evaluating the nano-scale effects of drugs, by AFM. Studies on yeast, bacteria and mammal cells will illustrate our discussion. Especially, we will show how AFM can help in getting a better understanding of drug mechanism of action. This review demonstrates that AFM is a versatile tool, useful in pharmacology. In microbiology, it has been used to study the drugs fighting Candida albicans or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The major conclusions are a better understanding of the microbes' cell wall and of the drugs mechanism of action. In cancerology, AFM has been used to explore the effects of cytotoxic drugs or as an innovative diagnostic technology. AFM has provided original results on cultured cells, cells extracted from patient and directly on patient biopsies. This review enhances the interest of AFM technologies for pharmacology. The applications reviewed range from microbiology to cancerology. •This review focuses on results aiming at evaluating the nanoscale effects of drugs, by Atomic Force Microscopy.•The effects of drugs on yeasts, bacteria and mammal cells illustrate how AFM can be useful in pharmacology.•AFM refines our understanding of microbes' cell wall, of mammals' cells membrane and of drugs mechanisms of action.