Dynamic mechanical loading is essential for cell function and tissue maintenance. In an effort to characterize the response of cells to cyclic deformation several in vitro studies have relied on the testing of large populations of cells seeded on 2D substrates or in 3D scaffolds and gels. However, such studies do not allow for the measurement of forces actively generated at a single cell level. In the present study deformation controlled cyclic loading experiments are performed on single osteoblasts at the whole cell level using a modified AFM system [1,2]. In addition to untreated cells, experiments are also performed on passive cells in which the actin cytoskeleton has been disrupted. A computational analysis of experimentally measured single cell forces reveals that passive cell behaviour is characterized by a non-linear visco-hyperelastic formulation and active forces generated by the actin cytoskeleton are accurately predicted by the a Hill-type contractility framework with tension dependent remodeling [3,4].
- Bioengineering Division
Analysis of the Active Response of Cells to Cyclic Loading Using a Modified AFM System Available to Purchase
Weafer, P, Reynolds, N, Ronan, W, Dowling, E, Jarvis, S, & McGarry, P. "Analysis of the Active Response of Cells to Cyclic Loading Using a Modified AFM System." Proceedings of the ASME 2013 Summer Bioengineering Conference. Volume 1B: Extremity; Fluid Mechanics; Gait; Growth, Remodeling, and Repair; Heart Valves; Injury Biomechanics; Mechanotransduction and Sub-Cellular Biophysics; MultiScale Biotransport; Muscle, Tendon and Ligament; Musculoskeletal Devices; Multiscale Mechanics; Thermal Medicine; Ocular Biomechanics; Pediatric Hemodynamics; Pericellular Phenomena; Tissue Mechanics; Biotransport Design and Devices; Spine; Stent Device Hemodynamics; Vascular Solid Mechanics; Student Paper and Design Competitions. Sunriver, Oregon, USA. June 26–29, 2013. V01BT35A005. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/SBC2013-14793
Download citation file: