title: Force and Compliance Measurements on Living Cells Using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).
abstract: We describe the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) in studies of cell adhesion and cell compliance. Our studies use the interaction between leukocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1)/intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) as a model system. The forces required to unbind a single LFA-1/ICAM-1 bond were measured at different loading rates. This data was used to determine the dynamic strength of the LFA-1/ICAM-1 complex and characterize the activation potential that this complex overcomes during its breakage. Force measurements acquired at the multiple- bond level provided insight about the mechanism of cell adhesion. In addition, the AFM was used as a microindenter to determine the mechanical properties of cells. The applications of these methods are described using data from a previous study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Miami School of Medicine. 1600 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136. USA.
authors.forename: Ewa P.
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Wojcikiewicz
authors.forename: Xiaohui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Vincent T.
authors.initials: VT
authors.lastname: Moy