Analysis of Colchicine-Induced Effects on Hepatoma and Hepatocyte Cells by Atomic Force Microscopy

Abstract

Biomechanical properties of cells are altered by many diseases. Cancer cell metastasis is related to the properties such as the cell stiffness that influences cell proliferation, differentiation and migration. In this paper, we used an atomic force microscope to analyze the colchicine-induced effects on the mechanical properties of hepatocyte (HL-7702 cells) and hepatoma cells (SMCC-7721 cells) in culture at the nanoscale. The cells were exposed to a solution with a normal dose of colchicine for two, four and six hours. Surface topographic images showed that colchicine decreased the stability of the cytoskeleton. After the same six-hour treatment in a solution with a normal dose of colchicine, the biomechanical properties of HL-7702 cells were almost unchanged. However, the stiffness and the adhesion force of the SMCC-7721 cells were clearly increased (more than twofold of the normal values), especially after four hours. The deformability of SMCC-7721 cancer cells was significantly decreased within the six-hour treatment in the solution with a normal dose of colchicine. Analysis of the biomechanical properties of post-treatment hepatoma cells provided a complementary explanation for the mechanism of action of colchicine on cells at the nanoscale. This method is expected to allow the monitoring of potential metastatic cancer cell changes, thus preventing the emergence and the transmission of disease, and improving the diagnosis of cancer.

Mechanism of action and side effects of colchicine based on biomechanical properties of cells

“…29 If the adhesion force is considered, the load P consists of both elastic force F e and adhesion force F a (P = F e + F a ). The adhesion component term can be expressed as 25,26 :…”

“…Cell mechanics and disease states are influenced by changes in cytoskeletal architecture induced by chemotherapy regimens and anticancer drugs. 25,26 Many studies have shown that colchicine destabilises microtubules in the cytoskeletal structures. 6,10,34,35 Cell morphology images confirmed that colchicine changed the cytoskeletal structures, proving that colchicine could inhibit microtubule polymerisation at the nanoscale.…”

Nanotechnology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: From Surveillance, Diagnosis to Management

“…With the cooperation of NPs, AFM can help pathologists to make more accurate judgment on the state of HCC cells, thus better evaluate the malignant characteristics like the ability of proliferation and differentiation of HCC. [ 63,64 ] More micro‐level results regarding the cell surface profile and the biomechanical properties exhibited the mechanical changes in the cytoskeleton, cell deformability and cytoadherence. The elastic modulus can be applied for the further study of the growth inhibition and apoptosis mechanism.…”

A review of research progress of antitumor drugs based on tubulin targets

“…Liu et al found that colchicine reduced the stability of the cell skeleton in liver cancer cells and significantly reduced the ability of cells to deform. These changes make it helpful for monitoring the potential metastatic cancer cells and improving the diagnosis of cancer ( 55 ). Although colchicine works on various diseases, its use may be limited by its side effects and toxicity ( 52 ).…”