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Frontiers of Medicine >> 2021, Volume 15, Issue 1 doi: 10.1007/s11684-020-0769-6

Applications of atomic force microscopy in immunology

. Beijing Smartchip Microelectronics Technology Company Limited, Beijing 100192, China;.. Department of Immunology & National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China;.. Clinical Immunology Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100005, China;.. School of Microelectronics, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China;.. Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan 430030, China

Received: 2020-07-10 Accepted: 2020-08-19 Available online: 2020-08-19

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Abstract

Cellular mechanics, a major regulating factor of cellular architecture and biological functions, responds to intrinsic stresses and extrinsic forces exerted by other cells and the extracellular matrix in the microenvironment. Cellular mechanics also acts as a fundamental mediator in complicated immune responses, such as cell migration, immune cell activation, and pathogen clearance. The principle of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and its three running modes are introduced for the mechanical characterization of living cells. The peak force tapping mode provides the most delicate and desirable virtues to collect high-resolution images of morphology and force curves. For a concrete description of AFM capabilities, three AFM applications are discussed. These applications include the dynamic progress of a neutrophil-extracellular-trap release by neutrophils, the immunological functions of macrophages, and the membrane pore formation mediated by perforin, streptolysin O, gasdermin D, or membrane attack complex.

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