
Nanomechanical Induction of Autophagy‐Related Fluorescence in Single Cells with Atomic Force Microscopy
Author(s) -
Li Bin,
Wei Yuhui,
Li Qian,
Chen Nan,
Li Jiang,
Liu Lin,
Zhang Jinjin,
Wang Ying,
Sun Yanhong,
Shi Jiye,
Wang Lihua,
Shao Zhifeng,
Hu Jun,
Fan Chunhai
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.202102989
Subject(s) - autophagy , atomic force microscopy , fluorescence microscope , biophysics , autophagosome , nanotechnology , mechanism (biology) , materials science , microbiology and biotechnology , force spectroscopy , microscopy , chemistry , fluorescence , biology , physics , biochemistry , optics , apoptosis , quantum mechanics
Mechanistic understanding of how living systems sense, transduce, and respond to mechanical cues has important implications in development, physiology, and therapy. Here, the authors use an integrated atomic force microscope (AFM) and brightfield/epifluorescent microscope platform to precisely simulate living single cells or groups of cells under physiological conditions, in real time, concomitantly measuring the single‐cell autophagic response and its transmission to neighboring cells. Dual‐color fluorescence monitoring of the cellular autophagic response reveals the dynamics of autophagosome formation, degradation, and induction in neighboring contacting and noncontacting cells. Autophagosome formation is dependent on both the applied force and contact area of the AFM tip. More importantly, the enhancement of the autophagic responses in neighboring cells via a gap junction‐dependent mechanism is observed. This AFM‐based nanoacupuncture platform can serve as a tool for elucidating the primary mechanism underlying mechanical stimulation of living systems and other biomechanical therapeutics.