Nuclei deformation reveals pressure distributions in 3D cell clusters.

ABSTRACT: Measuring pressures within complex multi-cellular environments is critical for studying mechanobiology as these forces trigger diverse biological responses, however, these studies are difficult as a deeply embedded yet well-calibrated probe is required. In this manuscript, we use endogenous cell nuclei as pressure sensors by introducing a fluorescent protein localized to the nucleus and confocal microscopy to measure the individual nuclear volumes in 3D multi-cellular aggregates. We calibrate this measurement of nuclear volume to pressure by quantifying the nuclear volume change as a function of osmotic pressure in isolated 2D culture. Using this technique, we find that in multicellular structures, the nuclear compressive mechanical stresses are on the order of MPa, increase with cell numb

SUBMITTER: Khavari A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6771309 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature