Nanoparticle tension probes patterned at the nanoscale: impact of integrin clustering on force transmission.

ABSTRACT: Herein we aimed to understand how nanoscale clustering of RGD ligands alters the mechano-regulation of their integrin receptors. We combined molecular tension fluorescence microscopy with block copolymer micelle nanolithography to fabricate substrates with arrays of precisely spaced probes that can generate a 10-fold fluorescence response to pN-forces. We found that the mechanism of sensing ligand spacing is force-mediated. This strategy is broadly applicable to investigating receptor clustering and its role in mechanotransduction pathways.

SUBMITTER: Liu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4189618 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature