Issue 39, 2016

Probing cell internalisation mechanics with polymer capsules

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.

Graphical abstract: Probing cell internalisation mechanics with polymer capsules

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
22 Aug 2016
Accepted
11 Sep 2016
First published
22 Sep 2016
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Nanoscale, 2016,8, 17096-17101

Probing cell internalisation mechanics with polymer capsules

X. Chen, J. Cui, Y. Ping, T. Suma, F. Cavalieri, Q. A. Besford, G. Chen, J. A. Braunger and F. Caruso, Nanoscale, 2016, 8, 17096 DOI: 10.1039/C6NR06657G

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