title: Atomic force microscope-enabled studies of integrin-extracellular matrix interactions in vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells.
abstract: The interactions between cell surface integrins and extracellular matrix (ECM) play important roles in the function of vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has emerged as a powerful tool to mechanically engage cell surface integrins through functionalized probes, and to apply mechanical forces directly to cells or to specific protein-protein receptor ligand interactions, such as integrin-ECM interactions. In the example of integrins, this approach allows more accurate evaluation of the regulation of integrin adhesive activities, and provides a unique approach to access and investigate integrin-mediated cellular mechanical responses. In addition, the AFM is also useful for the measurement of the cell topographic features and cell and cytoskeletal mechanical properties, such as stiffness/elasticity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Zhe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Gerald A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Meininger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D016023:Integrins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D016023:Integrins