title: Parallelized cytoindentation using convex micropatterned surfaces.
abstract: Here we present a high-throughput, parallelized cytoindentor for local compression of live cells. The cytoindentor uses convex lens-induced confinement (CLiC) to indent micrometer-sized areas in single cells and/or populations of cells with submicron precision. This is accomplished using micropatterned poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) films that are adhered to a convex lens to create arrays of extrusions referred to here as "posts." These posts caused local deformation of subcellular regions without any evidence of cell lysis upon CLiC indentation. Our micropost arrays were also functionalized with glycoproteins, such as fibronectin, to both pull and compress cells under customized confinement geometries. Measurements of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cell migration trajectories and oxidative stress showed that the CLiC device did not damage or significantly stress the cells. Our novel tool opens a new area of investigation for visualizing mechanobiology and mechanochemistry within living cells, and the high-throughput nature of the technique will streamline investigations as current tools for mechanically probing material properties and molecular dynamics within cells, such as traditional cytoindentors and atomic force microscopy (AFM), are typically restricted to single-cell manipulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics.|Department of Biology.
authors.forename: Bojing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology.|Department of Physiology.|Life Sciences Complex Advanced BioImaging Facility (ABIF).
authors.forename: Tse-Luen
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Wee
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology.
authors.forename: Colton G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Boudreau
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Berard
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery.|Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec Canada.|McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Adiel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mallik
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery.|Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec Canada.|McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Juncker
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology.|Life Sciences Complex Advanced BioImaging Facility (ABIF).
authors.forename: Claire M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics.
authors.forename: Sabrina R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Leslie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D016466:CHO Cells; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry; D004867:Equipment Design; D057166:High-Throughput Screening Assays / Q000295:instrumentation; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D055616:Microtechnology / Q000295:instrumentation; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; C013830:baysilon
keywords: cell loading; confocal microscopy; convex lens-induced confinement; cytoindentation; microfabrication