Journal article
Probing cell internalisation mechanics with polymer capsules
Xi Chen, Jiwei Cui, Yuan Ping, Tomoya Suma, Francesca Cavalieri, Quinn A Besford, George Chen, Julia A Braunger, Frank Caruso
NANOSCALE | ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY | Published : 2016
DOI: 10.1039/c6nr06657g
Abstract
We report polymer capsule-based probes for quantifying the pressure exerted by cells during capsule internalisation (Pin). Poly(methacrylic acid) (PMA) capsules with tuneable mechanical properties were fabricated through layer-by-layer assembly. The Pin was quantified by correlating the cell-induced deformation with the ex situ osmotically induced deformation of the polymer capsules. Ultimately, we found that human monocyte-derived macrophage THP-1 cells exerted up to approximately 360 kPa on the capsules during internalisation.
Related Projects (4)
Grants
Awarded by Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology
Awarded by Australian Research Council (ARC) under the Australian Laureate Fellowship
Awarded by Super Science Fellowship
Awarded by Future Fellowship
Funding Acknowledgements
This research was conducted and funded by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology (project number CE140100036). This work was also supported by the Australian Research Council (ARC) under the Australian Laureate Fellowship (F. Caruso, FL120100030), Super Science Fellowship (F. Caruso, FS110200025), and Future Fellowship (F. Cavalieri, FT140100873) schemes. We thank Prof. Ray Dagastine (The University of Melbourne), Stuart McDougall (Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health), and Benjamin Hibbs (Materials Characterisation and Fabrication Platform) for helpful discussions. This work was performed in part at the Materials Characterisation and Fabrication Platform (MCFP) at the University of Melbourne and the Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF).