Lower cellular elasticity is a distinguishing feature of cancer cells compared with normal cells. To determine whether cellular elasticity differs based on cancer cell type, cells were selected from three different cancer types including breast, cervix, and lung. For each cancer type, one counterpart normal cell and three types of cancer cells were selected, and their elasticity was measured using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The elasticity of normal cells was in the order of MCF10A > WI-38 ≥ Ect1/E6E7 which corresponds to the counterpart normal breast, lung, and cervical cancer cells, respectively. All cancer cells exhibited lower elasticity than their counterpart normal cells. Compared with the counterpart normal cells, the difference in cellular elasticity was the greatest in cervical cancer cells, followed by lung and breast cancer cells. This result indicates lower elasticity is a unique property of cancer cells; however, the reduction in elasticity may depend on the histological origin of the cells. The F-actin cytoskeleton of cancer cells was different in structure and content from normal cells. The F-actin is mainly distributed at the periphery of cancer cells and its content was mostly lower than that seen in normal cells.
Background Red ginseng contains components, including microelements, vitamins, essential oils, and fatty acids, that can be used in skincare to delay the aging process. We investigated the effects of red ginseng treatment on skin elasticity by assessing cellular stiffness and measuring collagen protein synthesis. Methods Human dermal fibroblasts were treated with red ginseng, and the resulting changes in stiffness were investigated using atomic force microscopy. Cytoskeletal changes and mRNA expression of biomarkers of aging, including that of procollagens I and VII, elastin, and fibrillin-1, were investigated. Collagen in a human skin equivalent treated with red ginseng was visualized via hematoxylin and eosin staining, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Results and conclusion The stiffness of fibroblasts was significantly reduced by treatment with red ginseng concentrations of ≥ 0.8 mg/mL. The ratio of F-actin to G-actin decreased after treatment, which corresponded to a change in fibroblast stiffness. The storage modulus ( G ′) and loss modulus ( G ″) of the skin equivalent were both lowered by red ginseng treatment. This result indicates that the viscoelasticity of the skin equivalent can be restored by red ginseng treatment.
Background: Because cell movement is primarily driven by the connection between F-actin and integrin through a physical linkage, cellular elasticity and adhesion strength have been considered as biomarkers of cell motility. However, a consistent set of biomarkers that indicate the potential for cell motility is still lacking. Methods: In this work, we characterize a phenotype of cell migration in terms of cellular elasticity and adhesion strength, which reveals the interdependence of subcellular systems that mediate optimal cell migration. Results: Stiff cells weakly adhered to the substrate revealed superior motility, while soft cell migration with strong adhesion was relatively inhibited. The spatial distribution and amount of F-actin and integrin were highly variable depending on cell type, but their density exhibited linear correlations with cellular elasticity and adhesion strength, respectively. Conclusions: The densities of F-actin and integrin exhibited linear correlations with cellular elasticity and adhesion strength, respectively, therefore, they can be considered as biomarkers to quantify cell migration characteristics.
Electric field (EF) have been used for many purposes in biology and medicine. They play a significant role in various biological functions, including wound healing, tissue regeneration, and embryogenesis. 1 Characterization of cells and tissues, and use of EF to construct artificial cell assemblies or artificial tissues, is of potential interest to tissue engineering. 2,3 Endogenous EF in the range of 100-200 V/m occur at wound sites due to positive ion transfer toward the wound. 4 This endogenous EF promotes cell migration. The cells move toward the wound under guidance of the EF, which accelerates wound healing. 5 Directional migration in response to an EF has been demonstrated in a variety of cell types. Some cell types, such as Schwann cells and breast cancer cells, move toward the cathode, while other cell types, such as keratinocytes and spinal neurites, move toward the
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