Quantitative investigation of calcimimetic R568 on beta cell adhesion and mechanics using AFM single-cell force spectroscopy

Abstract

In this study we use a novel approach to quantitatively investigate mechanical and interfacial properties of clonal β-cells using AFM-Single Cell Force Spectroscopy (SCFS). MIN6 cells were incubated for 48 h with 0.5 mM Ca(2+) ± the calcimimetic R568 (1 μM). AFM-SCFS adhesion and indentation experiments were performed by using modified tipless cantilevers. Hertz contact model was applied to analyse force-displacement (F-d) curves for determining elastic or Young's modulus (E). Our results show CaSR-evoked increases in cell-to-cell adhesion parameters and E modulus of single cells, demonstrating that cytomechanics have profound effects on cell adhesion characterization.

Keywords: AFM-SCFS; CaSR; Calcimimetic; Cell adhesion; Elasticity; Indentation.