A high-throughput microfluidic device for probing calcium dynamics of single cells squeezing through narrow channels. (19th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yuan, Wei-Mo; Shao, Jin-Yu; Xue, Chun-Dong; Liu, Bo; Qin, Kai-Rong
• Is Part Of: Journal of micromechanics and microengineering. Volume 29:Number 11(2019:Nov.)
• Publication Date: 2019-09-19
• Subjects: intracellular calcium response -- dynamic mechanical stimuli -- mechanotransduction -- cancer cell phenotype -- microfluidic device; Microelectromechanical systems -- Periodicals; Micromechanics -- Periodicals; 621.38105
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6439/ab3e7d
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1317

Abstract

Abstract: To probe intracellular calcium response while single cells squeeze through narrow channels, we built a high-throughput microfluidic device where single cells can be trapped efficiently and stimulated mechanically. With this device, dozens of single cells' dynamic morphologies and intracellular [Ca 2+ ] responses under dynamic mechanical stimuli can be monitored simultaneously. We observed a two-peak [Ca 2+ ] response, which was closely coupled together with the dynamic cellular squeezing process. This type of [Ca 2+ ] response, to our knowledge, was observed for the first time. We also investigated the role of the cytoskeleton in the [Ca 2+ ] response and found that the cytoskeleton was an important regulator of [Ca 2+ ] signaling during the cellular squeezing process. In addition, we investigated the difference between the two-peak [Ca 2+ ] responses of Hela cells and HUVECs and found that one characteristic parameter could distinguish Hela cells from HUVECs.