Novel insights into cardiomyocytes provided by atomic force microscopy

Borin, Daniele; Pecorari, Ilaria; Peña, Brisa; Sbaizero, Orfeo

doi:10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.07.003

Cited by 34 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…The reader interested in more details of specific cells can refer to a number of AFM indentation publications including: cardiomyocytes [146], liver cells [147], chondrocytes [148], neurons [149], fibroblasts [150], and mesenchymal stem cells [151].…”

Section: Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanoindentation of Soft Biological Materials

2018

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Nanoindentation techniques, with high spatial resolution and force sensitivity, have recently been moved into the center of the spotlight for measuring the mechanical properties of biomaterials, especially bridging the scales from the molecular via the cellular and tissue all the way to the organ level, whereas characterizing soft biomaterials, especially down to biomolecules, is fraught with more pitfalls compared with the hard biomaterials. In this review we detail the constitutive behavior of soft biomaterials under nanoindentation (including AFM) and present the characteristics of experimental aspects in detail, such as the adaption of instrumentation and indentation response of soft biomaterials. We further show some applications, and discuss the challenges and perspectives related to nanoindentation of soft biomaterials, a technique that can pinpoint the mechanical properties of soft biomaterials for the scale-span is far-reaching for understanding biomechanics and mechanobiology.

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Section: Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanoindentation of Soft Biological Materials

2018

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“…Since its introduction over thirty years ago (21), atomic force microscopy (AFM) has become a versatile and highly quantitative experimental technique capable of capturing lateral resolution of the order of nanometres, vertical resolution of the order of Angstroms and force resolution as accurate as 10 piconewtons (22)(23)(24). It is fast becoming one of the most important tools in the biomedical setting.…”

Section: Accepted Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 99%

Probing phospholipid microbubbles by atomic force microscopy to quantify bubble mechanics and nanostructural shell properties

Shafi

McClements

Albaijan

et al. 2019

Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces

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Highlights  Using tapping mode imaging, the thickness of microbubble shells can be quantified  Quantifying shell thickness has significant impact on Young's Modulus values  Atomic force microscopy can be used to quantify thickness of the PEG brush layer ABSTRACT: Microbubbles (MBs), which are used as ultrasonic contrast agents, have distinct acoustic signatures which enable them to significantly enhance visualisation of the vasculature. Research is progressing to develop MBs which act as drug/gene delivery vehicles for site-specific therapeutics. In order to manufacture effective theranostic vehicles, it is imperative to understand the mechanical and nanostructural properties of these agents; this will enrich the understanding of how the structural, biophysical and chemical properties of these bubbles impact their functionality. We produced microfluidic phospholipid-based MBs due to their favourable properties, such as biocompatibility and echogenicity, as well as the ability to modify the shell for targeting applications. We have drawn upon atomic force microscopy to conduct force-spectroscopy and tapping-mode imaging investigations. We have, for the first time to our knowledge, been able to accurately quantify the thickness and lipid configuration of phospholipid-shelled MBs-showing a trilayer as opposed to the conventional monolayer structure. Furthermore, we have measured MB stiffness and employed different mechanical theories to quantify the Young s Modulus. We show that the Reissner theory is inappropriate for mechanical characterisation of phospholipid MBs, however, the Hertz model does offer biologically relevant comparisons. Analysis using the Alexander-de Gennes polymer brush theory has allowed us to provide new information regarding how the thickness of the polyethylene glycol brushes, end-grafted to our phospholipid microbubbles, changes with diameter.

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“…This technique senses force in the order of pN, with a sub-nanometer spatial resolution. The numerous potentialities of AFM for biological investigations have been recently reviewed by our group [ 40 ].…”

Section: Mechanical Characterization Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Perspective on the Experimental Techniques for Studying Lamins

Pecorari

Borin

Sbaizero

2017

Cells

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Lamins are type V intermediate filaments that collectively form a meshwork underneath the inner nuclear membrane, called nuclear lamina. Furthermore, they are also present in the nucleoplasm. Lamins are experiencing a growing interest, since a wide range of diseases are induced by mutations in the gene coding for A-type lamins, globally known as laminopathies. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that lamins are involved in other pathological conditions, like cancer. The role of lamins has been studied from several perspectives, exploiting different techniques and procedures. This multidisciplinary approach has contributed to resolving the unique features of lamins and has provided a thorough insight in their role in living organisms. Yet, there are still many unanswered questions, which constantly generate research in the field. The present work is aimed to review some interesting experimental techniques performed so far to study lamins. Scientists can take advantage of this collection for their novel investigations, being aware of the already pursued and consolidated methodologies. Hopefully, advances in these research directions will provide insights to achieve better diagnostic procedures and effective therapeutic options.

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Novel insights into cardiomyocytes provided by atomic force microscopy

Cited by 34 publications

References 60 publications

Nanoindentation of Soft Biological Materials

Nanoindentation of Soft Biological Materials

Probing phospholipid microbubbles by atomic force microscopy to quantify bubble mechanics and nanostructural shell properties

A Perspective on the Experimental Techniques for Studying Lamins

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