Cell stimulation with optically manipulated microsources.
Molecular gradients are important for various biological processes including the polarization of tissues and cells during embryogenesis and chemotaxis. Investigations of these phenomena require control over the chemical microenvironment of cells. We present a technique to set up molecular concentration patterns that are chemically, spatially and temporally flexible. Our strategy uses optically manipulated microsources, which steadily release molecules. Our technique enables the control of molecular concentrations over length scales down to about 1 microm and timescales from fractions of a second to an hour. We demonstrate this technique by manipulating the motility of single human neutrophils. We induced directed cell polarization and migration with microsources loaded with the chemoattractant formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine. Furthermore, we triggered highly localized retraction of lamellipodia and redirection of polarization and migration with microsources releasing cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of actin polymerization.
Kress
Holger
H
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. holger.kress@yale.edu
Park
Jin-Gyu
JG
Mejean
Cecile O
CO
Forster
Jason D
JD
Park
Jason
J
Walse
Spencer S
SS
Zhang
Yong
Y
Wu
Dianqing
D
Weiner
Orion D
OD
Fahmy
Tarek M
TM
Dufresne
Eric R
ER
D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D016764:Cell Polarity / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D055095:Optics and Photonics
D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine