Deformability‐based flow cytometry

Abstract

BackgroundElasticity of cells is determined by their cytoskeleton. Changes in cellular function are reflected in the amount of cytoskeletal proteins and their associated networks. Drastic examples are diseases such as cancer, in which the altered cytoskeleton is even diagnostic. This connection between cellular function and cytoskeletal mechanical properties suggests using the deformability of cells as a novel inherent cell marker.MethodsThe optical stretcher is a new laser tool capable of measuring cellular deformability. A unique feature of this deformation technique is its potential for high throughput, with the incorporation of a microfluidic delivery of cells.ResultsRudimentary implementation of the microfluidic optical stretcher has been used to measure optical deformability of several normal and cancerous cell types. A drastic difference has been seen between the response of red blood cells and polymorphonuclear cells for a given optically induced stress. MCF‐10, MCF‐7, and modMCF‐7 cells were also measured, showing that while cancer cells stretched significantly more (five times) than normal cells, optical deformability could even be used to distinguish metastatic cancer cells from nonmetastatic cancer cells. This trimodal distribution was apparent after measuring a mere 83 cells, which shows optical deformability to be a highly regulated cell marker.ConclusionsPreliminary work suggests a deformability‐based cell sorter similar to current fluorescence‐based flow cytometry without the need for specific labeling. This could be used for the diagnosis of all diseases, and the investigation of all cellular processes, that affect the cytoskeleton. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Cellular mechanical properties reflect the differentiation potential of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells

“…While AFM is an established technique for accurately measuring cellular elastic and viscoelastic properties, testing the mechanical characteristics of a clinically relevant quantity of ASCs using this technique would be infeasible. Microfluidics-based approaches like cell deformation cytometry, size and physical characteristic sorting, and optical stretchers represent viable solutions to this limitation because of their high-throughput capabilities (23,(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47). It should be noted that the properties measured in the current study, which were for cells attached to a substrate, are unlikely to translate directly to cells in a fully suspended state.…”

A Mechanical Biomarker of Cell State in Medicine

“…1). Using optical forces to stretch adherent cells brought into suspension, Guck et al 9 and Lincoln et al 10 found significantly higher average stiffness for normal breast epithelial cells (MCF10A) when compared to benign breast carcinoma cells (MCF7). They found further decreases in stiffness for high-motility mod-MCF7 cells considered to have a 431630J LAXXX10.1177/221106821143163 0Di CarloJournal of Laboratory Automation 1 University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA malignant phenotype.…”

Constriction Channel Based Single-Cell Mechanical Property Characterization

“…In a microfluidic optical stretcher, a two-beam laser is used to serially deform single suspended cells flowing within microfluidic channels for cellular mechanical property characterization [18,19]. In a microfluidic hydrodynamic stretcher, single cells are delivered to a micro channel with geometry variations, producing extensional fluid flow to cause cell deformation [20][21][22].…”