200K Modulates Cell Stiffness and Oxidative Stress in Microglial Cells In Vitro.

200K, a homeopathic medicine, is traditionally used for influenza-like illnesses. We investigated the effects of 200K on microglial cells, a subpopulation of macrophages specific to the central nervous system often used to study the inflammatory processes and oxidative stress generated during influenza-like episodes. The study demonstrates the effect of 200K on cell stiffness and the reactive oxygen species production using atomic force microscopy and fluorescence microscopy techniques, respectively.

Cancer Cell Biomechanical Properties Accompany Tspan8-Dependent Cutaneous Melanoma Invasion.

The intrinsic biomechanical properties of cancer cells remain poorly understood. To decipher whether cell stiffness modulation could increase melanoma cells' invasive capacity, we performed both in vitro and in vivo experiments exploring cell stiffness by atomic force microscopy (AFM). We correlated stiffness properties with cell morphology adaptation and the molecular mechanisms underlying epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT)-like phenotype switching.

Biomechanical Properties of Cancer Cells.

Since the crucial role of the microenvironment has been highlighted, many studies have been focused on the role of biomechanics in cancer cell growth and the invasion of the surrounding environment. Despite the search in recent years for molecular biomarkers to try to classify and stratify cancers, much effort needs to be made to take account of morphological and nanomechanical parameters that could provide supplementary information concerning tissue complexity adaptation during cancer development. The biomechanical properties of cancer cells and their surrounding extracellular matrix have actually been proposed as promising biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

Stem integrity in requires a load-bearing epidermis.

Because plant cells are glued to each other via their cell walls, failure to coordinate growth among adjacent cells can create cracks in tissues. Here, we find that the unbalanced growth of inner and outer tissues in the () mutant of stretched epidermal cells, ultimately generating cracks in stems. Stem growth slowed before cracks appeared along stems, whereas inner pith cells became drastically distorted and accelerated their growth, yielding to stress, after the appearance of cracks.

Gradient in cytoplasmic pressure in germline cells controls overlying epithelial cell morphogenesis.

It is unknown how growth in one tissue impacts morphogenesis in a neighboring tissue. To address this, we used the Drosophila ovarian follicle, in which a cluster of 15 nurse cells and a posteriorly located oocyte are surrounded by a layer of epithelial cells. It is known that as the nurse cells grow, the overlying epithelial cells flatten in a wave that begins in the anterior.

Variations in basement membrane mechanics are linked to epithelial morphogenesis.

The regulation of morphogenesis by the basement membrane (BM) may rely on changes in its mechanical properties. To test this, we developed an atomic force microscopy-based method to measure BM mechanical stiffness during two key processes in ovarian follicle development. First, follicle elongation depends on epithelial cells that collectively migrate, secreting BM fibrils perpendicularly to the anteroposterior axis.