Although cellular mechanical properties are known to alter during stem cell differentiation, understanding of the functional relevance of such alterations is incomplete. Here, we show that during the course of differentiation of human myeloid precursor cells into three different lineages, the cells alter their viscoelastic properties, measured using an optical stretcher, to suit their ultimate fate and function. Myeloid cells circulating in blood have to be advected through constrictions in blood vessels, engendering the need for compliance at short time-scales (minutes), compared to undifferentiated cells. These findings suggest that reduction in steady-state viscosity is a physiological adaptation for enhanced migration through tissues. Our results indicate that the material properties of cells define their function, can be used as a cell differentiation marker and could serve as target for novel therapies.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3459925PMC
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0045237PLOS

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

viscoelastic properties
8
cell differentiation
8
cells
6
properties differentiating
4
differentiating blood
4
blood cells
4
cells fate-
4
fate- function-dependent
4
function-dependent cellular
4
cellular mechanical
4

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!