Inhibition of adhesion, migration and of α5β1 integrin in the HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells treated with the ruthenium drug NAMI-A.

NAMI-A, imidazolium trans-imidazoledimethylsulfoxidetetrachlororuthenate, is a ruthenium-based drug characterised by the selective activity against tumour metastases. Previously we have shown the influence of the hepatic microenvironment to direct the arrest of the metastatic cells of colorectal cancer. Here we used the experimental model of HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells in vitro to explore whether the interference with α5β1 integrin may mechanistically explain the anti-metastatic effect of NAMI-A.

The Cardiomyopathy Lamin A/C D192G Mutation Disrupts Whole-Cell Biomechanics in Cardiomyocytes as Measured by Atomic Force Microscopy Loading-Unloading Curve Analysis.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) cell loading/unloading curves were used to provide comprehensive insights into biomechanical behavior of cardiomyocytes carrying the lamin A/C (LMNA) D192G mutation known to cause defective nuclear wall, myopathy and severe cardiomyopathy. Our results suggested that the LMNA D192G mutation increased maximum nuclear deformation load, nuclear stiffness and fragility as compared to controls. Furthermore, there seems to be a connection between this lamin nuclear mutation and cell adhesion behavior since LMNA D192G cardiomyocytes displayed loss of AFM probe-to-cell membrane adhesion.

Exploring the elasticity and adhesion behavior of cardiac fibroblasts by atomic force microscopy indentation.

AFM was used to collect the whole force-deformation cell curves. They provide both the elasticity and adhesion behavior of mouse primary cardiac fibroblasts. To confirm the hypothesis that a link exists between the membrane receptors and the cytoskeletal filaments causing therefore changing in both elasticity and adhesion behavior, actin-destabilizing Cytochalsin D was administrated to the fibroblasts.

Atomic force microscopy of 3T3 and SW-13 cell lines: an investigation of cell elasticity changes due to fixation.

Mechanical properties of single cells are of increasing interest both from a fundamental cell biological perspective and in the context of disease diagnostics. In this respect, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has become a powerful tool for imaging and assessing mechanical properties of biological samples. However, while these tests are typically carried out on chemically fixed cells, the most important data is that on living cells.

The stretch-activated channel blocker Gd(3+) reduces palytoxin toxicity in primary cultures of skeletal muscle cells.

Palytoxin (PLTX) is one of the most toxic seafood contaminants ever isolated. Reports of human food-borne poisoning ascribed to PLTX suggest skeletal muscle as a primary target site. Primary cultures of mouse skeletal muscle cells were used to study the relationship between Ca(2+) response triggered by PLTX and the development of myotoxic insult.