The viscoelastic properties of microvilli are dependent upon the cell-surface molecule

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications Vol. 397; no. 3; pp. 621 - 625
• Main Authors: Python, Johanne L., Wilson, Kristal O., Snook, Jeremy H., Guo, Bin, Guilford, William H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 02.07.2010
• Subjects: Actin cytoskeleton; Cell Membrane - chemistry; Concanavalin A; Elasticity; HL-60 Cells; Humans; Laser traps; Leukocytes - chemistry; Membrane Glycoproteins - chemistry; Microvilli - chemistry; P-Selectin - chemistry; PSGL-1; Viscoelastic models; Viscosity; Viscoelastic models; PSGL-1; Concanavalin A; Actin cytoskeleton; Laser traps
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.06.012

We studied at nanometer resolution the viscoelastic properties of microvilli and tethers pulled from myelogenous cells via P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1) and found that in contrast to pure membrane tethers, the viscoelastic properties of microvillus deformations are dependent upon the cell-surface molecule through which load is applied. A laser trap and polymer bead coated with anti-PSGL-1 (KPL-1) were used to apply step loads to microvilli. The lengthening of the microvillus in response to the induced step loads was fitted with a viscoelastic model. The quasi-steady state force on the microvillus at any given length was approximately fourfold lower in cells treated with cytochalasin D or when pulled with concanavalin A-coated rather than KPL-1-coated beads. These data suggest that associations between PSGL-1 and the underlying actin cytoskeleton significantly affect the early stages of leukocyte deformation under flow.