Applicability of atomic force microscopy to determine cancer-related changes in cells.
Małgorzata LekkaPublished in: Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences (2022)
The determination of mechanical properties of living cells as an indicator of cancer progression has become possible with the development of local measurement techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM). Its most important advantage is a nanoscopic character, implying that very local alterations can be quantified. The results gathered from AFM measurements of various cancers show that, for most cancers, individual cells are characterized by the lower apparent Young's modulus, denoting higher cell deformability. The measured value depends on various factors, like the properties of substrates used for cell growth, force loading rate or indentation depth. Despite this, the results proved the AFM capability to recognize mechanically altered cells. This can significantly impact the development of methodological approaches toward the precise identification of pathological cells. This article is part of the theme issue 'Nanocracks in nature and industry'.
Keyphrases
- atomic force microscopy
- induced apoptosis
- high speed
- cell cycle arrest
- single molecule
- cell death
- signaling pathway
- oxidative stress
- single cell
- squamous cell carcinoma
- stem cells
- mesenchymal stem cells
- mass spectrometry
- cell therapy
- lymph node metastasis
- young adults
- tandem mass spectrometry
- middle aged
- diffusion weighted imaging