Single Cell Biomechanics and Mechanobiology

Mechanobiology is the study of how physical forces influence biological processes. In the case of cartilage, the mechanical properties of single chondrocytes, and their specific adaptations to the forces they experience in vivo, are especially significant. The local biomechanical environment of the single cell depends largely on its material properties relative to the surrounding matrix. Direct quantification of the intrinsic material properties of chondrocytes will aid in continuum mechanics modeling of cell deformation, and provide researchers with a better understanding of what the in vivo biomechanical milieu is like for chondrocytes.

To help us illuminate significant aspects of chondrocyte cytomechanics, our laboratory has two systems that permit us to probe important cell biomechanical properties. These two systems, called the cytodetacher and creep cytoindentation apparatus (CCA), allow us to test the adhesive and compressive properties, respectively, of an individual cell.

In collaboration with Dr. Andreas Lüttge of the Department of Earth Science at Rice University, we have also begun to explore techniques for visualizing single chondrocytes, in the hopes of using cell-specific geometries for more sophisticated models of cell biomechanics. Using a white-light vertical scanning interferometry technique available in Dr. Lüttge's laboratory, we have obtained high resolution images of chondrocytes.

An exciting new thrust in our research is to employ these instruments to apply well-defined forces to single chondrocytes, then analyze their responses by measuring gene expression levels via single cell real-time RT-PCR. The goal of this research is to elucidate the regimes of mechanical forces that precipitate positive changes in cell behavior, such as synthesis of type II collagen and aggrecan, and those that induce destructive behavior, such as secretion of matrix metalloproteinases, release of inflammatory cytokines, or apoptosis.

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