TESTING AND MANIPULATION OF THE CELLS' STRESS-BEARING ELEMENTS

The mechanical properties of the cells' stress bearing elements are a likely determinant of deformation induced plasma membrane stress failure and can be measured using Magnetic Twisting Cytometry (MTC). MTC is a technique in which ligand-coated ferromagnetic beads are used to apply a mechanical shear stress to cells via specific transmembrane receptors. The resulting bead rotations can be measured and the cells' apparent stiffness computed. Apparent stiffness is a measure of the ability of cells to resist distortion. Using MTC we can determine the effects of pharmacologic, physical or environmental interventions on cell mechanics and test whether and how these modulate the cells'deformation responses.

Selected Publications

1. Hubmayr RD, Shore SA, Fredberg JJ, Planus E, Panettieri RA Jr, Moller W, Heyder J, Wang N. Pharmacologic activation changes stiffness of cultured human airway smooth muscle cells. Am J Physiol (Cell Physiol) 1996; 40:C1660-C1668 2000; 89:1617-1618
2. Hubmayr RD. Biology lessons from oscillatory cell mechanics (editorial). J Appl Physiol 2000; 89:1617-1618
3. Berrios JC, Schroeder MA, Hubmayr RD. Mechanical properties of alveolar epithelial cells in culture. J Appl Physiol 91: 65-73, 2001