Detecting cell-adhesive sites in extracellular matrix using force spectroscopy mapping.

ABSTRACT: The cell microenvironment is composed of extracellular matrix (ECM), which contains specific binding sites that allow the cell to adhere to its surroundings. Cells employ focal adhesion proteins, which must be able to resist a variety of forces to bind to ECM. Current techniques for detecting the spatial arrangement of these adhesions, however, have limited resolution and those that detect adhesive forces lack sufficient spatial characterization or resolution. Using a unique application of force spectroscopy, we demonstrate here the ability to determine local changes in the adhesive property of a fibronectin substrate down to the resolution of the fibronectin antibody-functionalized tip diameter, ~20 nm. To verify the detection capabilities of force spectroscopy mapping (FSM), changes in l

SUBMITTER: Chirasatitsin S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2997741 | biostudies-literature | 2010 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature