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Sawicka A, Babataheri A, Dogniaux S, Barakat AI, Gonzalez-Rodriguez D, Hivroz C, Husson J. Micropipette force probe to quantify single-cell force generation: application to T-cell activation. Mol Biol Cell 2017; 28:3229-3239. [PMID: 28931600 PMCID: PMC5687025 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e17-06-0385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the micropipette force probe, a novel technique that uses a micropipette as a flexible cantilever that aspirates a coated microbead and brings it into contact with a cell. We apply the technique to quantify mechanical and morphological events occurring during T-cell activation. In response to engagement of surface molecules, cells generate active forces that regulate many cellular processes. Developing tools that permit gathering mechanical and morphological information on these forces is of the utmost importance. Here we describe a new technique, the micropipette force probe, that uses a micropipette as a flexible cantilever that can aspirate at its tip a bead that is coated with molecules of interest and is brought in contact with the cell. This technique simultaneously allows tracking the resulting changes in cell morphology and mechanics as well as measuring the forces generated by the cell. To illustrate the power of this technique, we applied it to the study of human primary T lymphocytes (T-cells). It allowed the fine monitoring of pushing and pulling forces generated by T-cells in response to various activating antibodies and bending stiffness of the micropipette. We further dissected the sequence of mechanical and morphological events occurring during T-cell activation to model force generation and to reveal heterogeneity in the cell population studied. We also report the first measurement of the changes in Young’s modulus of T-cells during their activation, showing that T-cells stiffen within the first minutes of the activation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Sawicka
- Laboratoire d'Hydrodynamique (LadHyX), Department of Mechanics, Ecole polytechnique-CNRS UMR7646, 91128 Palaiseau, France.,Institut Curie Section Recherche, INSERM U932 and PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Avin Babataheri
- Laboratoire d'Hydrodynamique (LadHyX), Department of Mechanics, Ecole polytechnique-CNRS UMR7646, 91128 Palaiseau, France
| | - Stéphanie Dogniaux
- Institut Curie Section Recherche, INSERM U932 and PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Abdul I Barakat
- Laboratoire d'Hydrodynamique (LadHyX), Department of Mechanics, Ecole polytechnique-CNRS UMR7646, 91128 Palaiseau, France
| | | | - Claire Hivroz
- Institut Curie Section Recherche, INSERM U932 and PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Julien Husson
- Laboratoire d'Hydrodynamique (LadHyX), Department of Mechanics, Ecole polytechnique-CNRS UMR7646, 91128 Palaiseau, France
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Šmít D, Fouquet C, Doulazmi M, Pincet F, Trembleau A, Zapotocky M. BFPTool: a software tool for analysis of Biomembrane Force Probe experiments. BMC BIOPHYSICS 2017; 10:2. [PMID: 28289540 PMCID: PMC5304404 DOI: 10.1186/s13628-016-0033-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Background The Biomembrane Force Probe is an approachable experimental technique commonly used for single-molecule force spectroscopy and experiments on biological interfaces. The technique operates in the range of forces from 0.1 pN to 1000 pN. Experiments are typically repeated many times, conditions are often not optimal, the captured video can be unstable and lose focus; this makes efficient analysis challenging, while out-of-the-box non-proprietary solutions are not freely available. Results This dedicated tool was developed to integrate and simplify the image processing and analysis of videomicroscopy recordings from BFP experiments. A novel processing feature, allowing the tracking of the pipette, was incorporated to address a limitation of preceding methods. Emphasis was placed on versatility and comprehensible user interface implemented in a graphical form. Conclusions An integrated analytical tool was implemented to provide a faster, simpler and more convenient way to process and analyse BFP experiments. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13628-016-0033-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Šmít
- Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, Prague, 14220 Czech Republic.,Institute of Biophysics and Informatics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Kateřinská 2, Prague, 12000 Czech Republic.,Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 9 Quai Saint Bernard, Paris, 75005 France
| | - Coralie Fouquet
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 9 Quai Saint Bernard, Paris, 75005 France
| | - Mohamed Doulazmi
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Biological Adaptation and Ageing - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (B2A - IBPS), 7 Quai Saint Bernard, Paris, 75005 France
| | - Frédéric Pincet
- Laboratoire de Physique Statistique, École Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, Paris, France.,Université Paris Diderot Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, 24 rue Lhomond, Paris, 75005 France
| | - Alain Trembleau
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Neurosciences Paris Seine - Institut de Biologie Paris Seine (NPS - IBPS), 9 Quai Saint Bernard, Paris, 75005 France
| | - Martin Zapotocky
- Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, Prague, 14220 Czech Republic.,Institute of Biophysics and Informatics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Kateřinská 2, Prague, 12000 Czech Republic
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Guillou L, Babataheri A, Puech PH, Barakat AI, Husson J. Dynamic monitoring of cell mechanical properties using profile microindentation. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21529. [PMID: 26857265 PMCID: PMC4746699 DOI: 10.1038/srep21529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We have developed a simple and relatively inexpensive system to visualize adherent cells in profile while measuring their mechanical properties using microindentation. The setup allows simultaneous control of cell microenvironment by introducing a micropipette for the delivery of soluble factors or other cell types. We validate this technique against atomic force microscopy measurements and, as a proof of concept, measure the viscoelastic properties of vascular endothelial cells in terms of an apparent stiffness and a dimensionless parameter that describes stress relaxation. Furthermore, we use this technique to monitor the time evolution of these mechanical properties as the cells' actin is depolymerized using cytochalasin-D.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Guillou
- Hydrodynamics Laboratory (LadHyX), Department of Mechanics, Ecole Polytechnique, 91128 Palaiseau, France
| | - A Babataheri
- Hydrodynamics Laboratory (LadHyX), Department of Mechanics, Ecole Polytechnique, 91128 Palaiseau, France
| | - P-H Puech
- Aix Marseille University, LAI UM 61, Marseille, F-13288, France.,Inserm, UMR_S 1067, Marseille, F-13288, France.,CNRS, UMR 7333, Marseille, F-13288, France
| | - A I Barakat
- Hydrodynamics Laboratory (LadHyX), Department of Mechanics, Ecole Polytechnique, 91128 Palaiseau, France
| | - J Husson
- Hydrodynamics Laboratory (LadHyX), Department of Mechanics, Ecole Polytechnique, 91128 Palaiseau, France
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Block S, Greinacher A, Helm CA, Delcea M. Characterization of bonds formed between platelet factor 4 and negatively charged drugs using single molecule force spectroscopy. SOFT MATTER 2014; 10:2775-2784. [PMID: 24667820 DOI: 10.1039/c3sm52609g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Immunogenicity (i.e., the ability to initiate immune reactions) is one of the major challenges for the development of new drugs, as it may turn the developed drug therapeutically ineffective or cause severe immune-related effects. Using single molecule force spectroscopy, we study rupture forces between the positively charged, endogenous protein platelet factor 4 (PF4; also known as CXC chemokine ligand 4, CXCL4) and the antithrombotic drug heparin and other negatively charged glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which are known to form immunogenic PF4/GAG-complexes (e.g., heparin and dextran sulfate) as well as non-immunogenic complexes (e.g., chondroitin sulfate A). Our measurements suggest that the average number of sulfate groups per monosaccharide unit (i.e., the degree of sulfation DS) does not affect the unbinding characteristics of single PF4/GAG-bonds (reaction coordinate x0 = 2.2 ± 0.2 Å, energy barrier ΔG ≈ -1 kBT). However, the average number of GAG bonds formed to a single PF4 molecule increases with increasing DS as indicated by a rising frequency of unbinding events, suggesting a multivalent binding scheme between PF4 and GAGs. Our studies show that at least three GAG bonds have to be formed to each PF4 molecule to induce epitope formation on the PF4/GAG-complex to which PF4/GAG-complex specific antibodies bind. Hence, GAG-based drugs that form less than three bonds per PF4 molecule are unlikely to constitute PF4/drug-complexes that are of immunologic relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Block
- ZIK HIKE - Zentrum für Innovationskompetenz, Humorale Immunreaktionen bei kardiovaskulären Erkrankunge, Fleischmannstr. 42 - 44, D-17489 Greifswald, Germany.
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Mazo JJ, Fajardo OY, Zueco D. Thermal activation at moderate-to-high and high damping: Finite barrier effects and force spectroscopy. J Chem Phys 2013; 138:104105. [DOI: 10.1063/1.4793983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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