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The characterization of cell traction force on non-flat surfaces with different curvature by elastic hydrogel microspheres
  • +4
  • Yuqing Dong,
  • Cong Wang,
  • Xin Ding,
  • Xingquan Ma,
  • Rong Huang,
  • Moxiao Li,
  • Qingzhen Yang
Yuqing Dong
Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Science
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Cong Wang
Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Science
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Xin Ding
Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Science
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Xingquan Ma
Xi'an Jiaotong University Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center
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Rong Huang
Shenzhen Second People's Hospital Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery
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Moxiao Li
Xi'an Jiaotong University Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center
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Qingzhen Yang
Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Science

Corresponding Author:qzyang@mail.xjtu.edu.cn

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Abstract

It is of great importance to study the detachment/attachment behaviors of cells (cancer cell, immune cell and epithelial cell), as they are closely related with tumor metastasis, immunoreaction and tissue development at variety scales. To characterize the detachment/attachment during the interaction between cells and substrate, some researchers proposed using cell traction force (CTF) as the indicator. To date, various strategies have been developed to measure the CTF. However, these methods only realize the measurements of cell passive forces on flat cases. In order to quantify the active CTF on non-flat surfaces, which can better mimic the in vivo case, we employed elastic hydrogel microspheres as a force sensor. The microspheres were fabricated by microfluidic chips with controllable size and mechanical properties to mimic substrate. Cells were cultured on microsphere and the CTF led to the deformation of microsphere. By detecting the morphology information, the CTF exerted by attached cells can be calculated by the in-house numerical code. Using this microspheres, the CTF of various cells (including tumor cell, immunological cell, and epithelium cell) were successfully obtained on non-flat surfaces with different curvature radii. The proposed method provides a versatile platform to measure the CTF with high precision and to understand the detachment/attachment behaviors during physiology processes.
21 Mar 2024Submitted to Biotechnology and Bioengineering
21 Mar 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
31 May 20241st Revision Received
24 Jun 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
24 Jun 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
28 Jun 2024Submission Checks Completed
28 Jun 2024Assigned to Editor
28 Jun 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
02 Jul 2024Editorial Decision: Accept