Mapping Local Nanoscale Changes in Cell Tension and Stiffness by Combinatorial Microscopies

Abstract

Cellular processes such as division, migration, and remodeling are clearly dependent in the cytoskeletal network, and its local mechanical properties, including stiffness and tension. We have applied a combinatorial microscopy platform that integrates atomic force microscopy with confocal and TIRF microscopy to examine three different scenarios wherein protein-protein interactions are thought to influence these characteristics. Cell migration is intimately tied to cortical actin organization and cell tension. Understanding how these characteristics are impacted by specific protein-protein interactions will be important for our understanding of metastasis in cancer. Cell integrity and stiffness may also be altered during infection with the parvovirus minute virus of mice, which has been shown to alter the local vimentin intermediate filament network. During cell division, changes in the cytoskeletal network are clearly evident. Quantitatively measuring these changes, in real-time, during the process of cell division will provide unique insights into local changes in membrane stiffness and tension that can be linked to specific developmental pathways.