Cellular nanoscale stiffness patterns governed by intracellular forces.

ABSTRACT: Cell stiffness measurements have led to insights into various physiological and pathological processes^1,2. Although many cellular behaviours are influenced by intracellular mechanical forces^3-6 that also alter the material properties of the cell, the precise mechanistic relationship between intracellular forces and cell stiffness remains unclear. Here we develop a cell mechanical imaging platform with high spatial resolution that reveals the existence of nanoscale stiffness patterns governed by intracellular forces. On the basis of these findings, we develop and validate a cellular mechanical model that quantitatively relates cell stiffness to intracellular forces. This allows us to determine the magnitude of tension within actin bundles, cell cortex and plasma membra

SUBMITTER: Mandriota N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6754298 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature