Measurement of Structural and Mechanical Property of Live Mesangial Cell (MC) by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has become an important device to visualize various cells and biological materials for non-invasive imaging. The major advantage of AFM compared to the conventional optical and electron microscopes is its convenience. Sample preparation for AFM does not need special coating or vacuum as a procedure. AFM can detect samples even under the aqueous condition. In this experiment, we examined live cell in liquid condition where the cell could be easily deformed by AFM probe, even by low forces. Glomerular mesangial cells (MC) occupied central position in the glomerulus. It is known that MC can control not only glomerular filtration, but also cell response to local injury including cell proliferation and basement membrane remodeling. It was reported the increment of angiotensin II by activation of rennin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) caused abnormal function of MC. In this study, the imaging of live MC was investigated thoroughly by contact mode. Real time imaging of live cell suggested dynamical movement of cells was stimulated by angiotensin II injection. Simultaneously, elastic changes of MC by angiotensin II and angiotension II inhibitor (telmisartan) was revealed by using force-distance analysis.