Diffusing colloidal probes of cell surfaces.
Measurements and analyses are reported to quantify dynamic and equilibrium interactions between colloidal particles and live cell surfaces using dark field video microscopy. Two-dimensional trajectories of micron-sized polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated silica colloids relative to adherent epithelial breast cancer cell perimeters are determined allowing measurement of position dependent diffusivities and interaction potentials. PEG was chosen as the material system of interest to assess non-specific interactions with cell surfaces and establishes a basis for investigation of specific interactions in future studies. Analysis of measured potential energies on cell surfaces reveals the spatial dependence in cell topography. With the measured cell topography and models for particle-cell surface hydrodynamic interactions, excellent agreement is obtained between theoretical and measured colloidal transport on cell surfaces. Quantitative analyses of association lifetimes showed that PEG coatings act to stabilize colloids above the cell surface through net repulsive, steric interactions. Our results demonstrate a self-consistent analysis of diffusing colloidal probe interactions due to conservative and non-conservative forces to characterize biophysical cell surface properties.
Chemical & Biomolecular Eng., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA. mabevan@jhu.edu.
Gregg A
GA
Duncan
Chemistry, Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
D Howard
DH
Fairbrother
Chemical & Biomolecular Eng., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA. mabevan@jhu.edu.
Michael A
MA
Bevan
D001943:Breast Neoplasms; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry*; D004058:Diffusion; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D015335:Molecular Probes / Q000737:chemistry*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D013499:Surface Properties
D003102:Colloids; D015335:Molecular Probes; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012822:Silicon Dioxide