Dose-independent threshold illumination for non-invasive time-lapse fluorescence imaging of live cells.

ABSTRACT: Fluorescent microscopy employs monochromatic light for excitation, which can adversely affect the cells being observed. We reported earlier that fibroblasts relax their contractile force in response to green light of typical intensity. Here we show that such effects are independent of extracellular matrix and cell lines. In addition, we establish a threshold intensity that elicits minimal or no adverse effect on cell contractility even for long-time exposure. This threshold intensity is wavelength dependent. We cultured fibroblasts on soft 2D elastic hydrogels embedded with fluorescent beads to trace substrate deformation and cell forces. The beads move towards cell center when cells contract, but they move away when cells relax. We use relaxation/contraction ratio (λ _r),

SUBMITTER: Emon MAB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8171180 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature