Viscoelastic properties of suspended cells measured with shear flow deformation cytometry

• DOI: 10.7554/elife.78823
• Publication Date: 2022-09-02T10:15:14Z
• Authors: Richard Gerum; Elham Mirzahossein; Mar Eroles; Jennifer Elsterer; Astrid Mainka; Andreas Bauer; Selina Sonntag; Alexander Winterl; Johannes Bartl; Lena Fischer; Shada Abuhattum; Ruchi Goswami; Salvatore Girardo; Jochen Guck; Stefan Schrüfer; Nadine Ströhlein; Mojtaba Nosratlo; Harald Herrmann; Dorothea Schultheis; Felix Rico; Sebastian Johanne...; Stephan Gekle; Ben Fabry
• Keywords: Elasticity; Viscous liquid

Numerous cell functions are accompanied by phenotypic changes in viscoelastic properties, and measuring them can help elucidate higher level cellular health disease. We present a high-throughput, simple low-cost microfluidic method for quantitatively the elastic (storage) viscous (loss) modulus of individual cells. Cells suspended high-viscosity fluid pumped with high pressure through 5.8 cm long 200 µm wide channel. The shear stress induces large, ear ellipsoidal deformations. In addition, flow profile channel causes cells to rotate tank-treading manner. From deformation tank treading frequency, we extract frequency-dependent properties based on theoretical framework developed R. Roscoe [1] that describes sphere under steady laminar flow. confirm accuracy using atomic force microscopy-calibrated polyacrylamide beads Our measurements demonstrate exhibit power-law, soft glassy rheological behavior is cell-cycle-dependent mediated physical interplay between actin filament intermediate networks.Cells human body viscoelastic: they have some an solid, like rubber, as well fluid, oil. To carry out mechanical tasks – such as, migrating tissues heal wound or fight inflammation need right balance viscosity elasticity. Measuring these two therefore researchers understand important how impacted However, quantifying tricky, both depend time-scale measured: when pressed slowly, appear liquid, but turn hard thick rapidly pressed. Here, Gerum et al. new system elasticity fast, simple, inexpensive. this method, specialized solution consistency similar machine oil which then pushed channels less than half millimeter wide. resulting shears cells, causing elongate rotate, captured fast camera takes 500 images per second. used artificial intelligence each cell’s shape rotation speed from images, calculated their existing theories objects behave fluids. also investigated changed frequencies, corresponds shorter time-scales. This revealed while frequencies made more elastic, ratio remained same. means compare results obtained different experimental techniques, even if were carried at completely provides inexpensive way analyzing It could be useful tool screening effects drugs, diagnostic detect diseases affect