Abstract
Cell signaling involves complex transduction mechanisms in which information released by nearby cells or extracellular cues are transmitted to the cell, regulating fundamental cellular activities. Understanding such mechanisms requires cell stimulation with precise control of low numbers of active molecules at high spatial and temporal resolution under physiological conditions. Optical manipulation techniques, such as optical tweezing, mechanical stress probing or nano-ablation, allow handling of probes and sub-cellular elements with nanometric and millisecond resolution. PicoNewton forces, such as those involved in cell motility or intracellular activity, can be measured with femtoNewton sensitivity while controlling the biochemical environment. Recent technical achievements in optical manipulation have new potentials, such as exploring the actions of individual molecules within living cells. Here, we review the progress in optical manipulation techniques for single-cell experiments, with a focus on force probing, cell mechanical stimulation and the local delivery of active molecules using optically manipulated micro-vectors and laser dissection.
Highlights
IntroductionCells continuously communicate with each other through chemical, electrical and mechanical signals
Cells continuously communicate with each other through chemical, electrical and mechanical signals.Cell signaling involves complex transduction mechanisms in which information released by nearby cells or extracellular cues are transmitted to the cell, regulating fundamental cellular activities [1].Stimuli acting on cell-surface receptors relay information through intracellular signaling pathways that include a number of components
This study demonstrated that brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates neuronal adhesion and favors the formation of actin waves during regeneration after axonal lesioning
Summary
Cells continuously communicate with each other through chemical, electrical and mechanical signals. Cell signaling investigations are normally performed in bulk by micropipetting active molecules into the medium to change the biochemical environment for all of the cells and observing only one or a few of them. Such an experimental approach has several limitations. Of this review, we will focus on the following optical manipulation approaches for cell signaling experiments: apply and sense pN forces, locally deliver active molecules, and laser nano-ablate the cells. Retraction of the GC in response to the released SEMA3A molecules can be observed
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