Investigating dynamic structural and mechanical changes of neuroblastoma cells associated with glutamate-mediated neurodegeneration.
Glutamate-mediated neurodegeneration resulting from excessive activation of glutamate receptors is recognized as one of the major causes of various neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms in the neurodegenerative process remain unidentified. Here, we investigate the real-time dynamic structural and mechanical changes associated with the neurodegeneration induced by the activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (a subtype of glutamate receptors) at the nanoscale. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is employed to measure the three-dimensional (3-D) topography and mechanical properties of live SH-SY5Y cells under stimulus of NMDA receptors. A significant increase in surface roughness and stiffness of the cell is observed after NMDA treatment, which indicates the time-dependent neuronal cell behavior under NMDA-mediated neurodegeneration. The present AFM based study further advance our understanding of the neurodegenerative process to elucidate the pathways and mechanisms that govern NMDA induced neurodegeneration, so as to facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.
Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Yuqiang
Y
Fang
Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Catherine Y Y
CY
Iu
Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Cathy N P
CN
Lui
Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Yukai
Y
Zou
Hong Kong Productivity Council, Tat Chee Avenue, Hong Kong.
Carmen K M
CK
Fung
Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Hung Wing
HW
Li
Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA.
Ning
N
Xi
Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Ken K L
KK
Yung
Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
King W C
KW
Lai
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*
D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D018698:Glutamic Acid