Modulation of cellular mechanics during osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells.

ABSTRACT: Recognition of the growing role of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine requires a thorough understanding of intracellular biochemical and biophysical processes that may direct the cell's commitment to a particular lineage. In this study, we characterized the distinct biomechanical properties of hMSCs, including the average Young's modulus determined by atomic force microscopy (3.2 +/- 1.4 kPa for hMSC vs. 1.7 +/- 1.0 kPa for fully differentiated osteoblasts), and the average membrane tether length measured with laser optical tweezers (10.6 +/- 1.1 microm for stem cells, and 4.0 +/- 1.1 microm for osteoblasts). These differences in cell elasticity and membrane mechanics result primarily from differential actin cytoskeleton organization in thes

SUBMITTER: Titushkin I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2072058 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature