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A Novel AFM-MEA Platform for Studying the Real Time Mechano-Electrical Behavior of Cardiac Myocytes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Jose Francisco Saenz Cogollo ,
Mariateresa Tedesco ,
Sergio Martinoia  and
Roberto Raiteri
Jose Francisco Saenz Cogollo
Affiliation:
jose.saenz@unige.itjosefsaenz@gmail.com, Universita' di Genova, Department of Biophysical and Electronic Engineering – DIBE, Genova, Italy
Mariateresa Tedesco
Affiliation:
brunella.tedesco@unige.it, Universita' di Genova, Department of Biophysical and Electronic Engineering – DIBE, Genova, Italy
Sergio Martinoia
Affiliation:
sergio.martinoia@unige.it, Universita' di Genova, Department of Biophysical and Electronic Engineering – DIBE, Genova, Italy
Roberto Raiteri
Affiliation:
rr@unige.it, Universita' di Genova, Department of Biophysical and Electronic Engineering – DIBE, Genova, Italy
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Abstract

We present a novel experimental platform based on a combined Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Micro-Electrode Array (MEA) set-up. We have used it to measure minimal changes in the morphological/mechanical properties of electrically active cell cultures as well as to measure the changes in the extracellular electrical activity when a single cell is stimulated by means of the AFM tip. In particular, we studied the dynamical changes in cell elasticity of embryonic rat cardiac myocytes along the contraction-relaxation cycle. Applying high load indentations, we also recorded the effects of mechanical stimulations on the cell electrophysiology. The dynamic elastic modulus of the cell related to the contraction-relaxation cycle reveals a temporal behavior that closely follows the changes in cell height. Observed values of dynamic elastic modulus at a maximum indentation depth of 1500nm varied between 8.93 ± 0.78 kPa during systolic (contraction) phase and 4.26 ± 0.47 kPa during diastolic (relaxation) phase. Induced electrophysiological responses were observed when applying loads in the range 40-150 nN. The probability P of recording an induced electrical response (P = 0.16 for a maximum load of 100nN) increased with the maximum applied load. Pulling-like stimulations due to the tip-cell adhesion could also evocate electrical responses.

Keywords

scanning probe microscopy (SPM)nano-indentationbiomedical
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1261: Symposium U – Scanning Probe Microscopy - Frontiers in NanoBio Science , 2010 , 1261-U04-09
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2010

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