TY - JOUR
T1 - Viscoelastic Properties of Differentiating Blood Cells Are Fate- and Function-Dependent
AU - Ekpenyong, Andrew E.
AU - Whyte, Graeme
AU - Chalut, Kevin
AU - Pagliara, Stefano
AU - Lautenschläger, Franziska
AU - Fiddler, Christine
AU - Paschke, Stephan
AU - Keyser, Ulrich F.
AU - Chilvers, Edwin R.
AU - Guck, Jochen
PY - 2012/9/27
Y1 - 2012/9/27
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
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U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0045237
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0045237
M3 - Article
C2 - 23028868
AN - SCOPUS:84866933832
VL - 7
JO - PLoS One
JF - PLoS One
SN - 1932-6203
IS - 9
M1 - e45237
ER -