Abstract

Experiments have shown that there is an increase in ultrasound backscatter from cells during cell death. Since cell scattering depends on the mechanical property variations, one step towards a better understanding of the phenomenon involves measuring the cells' viscoelastic properties. Two promising techniques used for such studies are particle tracking microrheology (1P) and two-point microrheology (2P). The main aim of this work is to develop and test the ability of both to measure changes in viscous and elastic moduli of breast cancer cells during chemotherapeutic treatments. First, the viscosities of glycerol-water mixtures measured using microrheology were found to be within 5% of rheometer values. The viscous and elastic moduli of 4% and 6% poly(ethylene oxide) solutions were successfully measured at 30°C and 37°C. For MCF-7 cells, a 10-fold increase in the elastic modulus was observed using 1P, without a corresponding increase in the viscous modulus. Thus, it was shown that MCF-7 cells undergo an increase in stiffness during apoptosis.

Highlights

  • 1.1 Ultrasound BackscatterThe life cycle of a cell is finite and there are several ways in which they die and are disposed of, such as apoptosis and necrosis

  • The techniques of one-point particle tracking microrheology (1P) and two-point microrheology (2P) were used in this thesis to measure the changes in mechanical properties that occur when MCF-7 cells undergo cell death

  • The hypothesis was that both one-point particle tracking microrheology and two-point microrheology could be used to measure the mechanical properties of inhomogeneous viscoelastic materials, breast-cancer cells (MCF-7)

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Summary

Introduction

The life cycle of a cell is finite and there are several ways in which they die and are disposed of, such as apoptosis and necrosis. A series of controlled biochemical events result in the celllar remnants being disposed of without much damage to the organism. Necrosis is not regulated, and can often lead to inflamation in the necrotic region, among other side effects. Some of the morphological changes of the cell that occur during apoptosis are nuclear condensation and DNA degradation. There are several chemotherapeutic drugs such as cisplatin and paclitaxel that have been be used to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Cisplatin works by binding to DNA and causing cross-linking.

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