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Applications of atomic force microscopy in immunology

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Abstract

Cellular mechanics, a major regulating factor of cellular architecture and biological functions, responds to intrinsic stresses and extrinsic forces exerted by other cells and the extracellular matrix in the microenvironment. Cellular mechanics also acts as a fundamental mediator in complicated immune responses, such as cell migration, immune cell activation, and pathogen clearance. The principle of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and its three running modes are introduced for the mechanical characterization of living cells. The peak force tapping mode provides the most delicate and desirable virtues to collect high-resolution images of morphology and force curves. For a concrete description of AFM capabilities, three AFM applications are discussed. These applications include the dynamic progress of a neutrophil-extracellular-trap release by neutrophils, the immunological functions of macrophages, and the membrane pore formation mediated by perforin, streptolysin O, gasdermin D, or membrane attack complex.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81788101) and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Initiative for Innovative Medicine (CAMS-I2M) (No. 2016-I2M-1-007). This work was partially supported by the project of “Research on the Passive Micro Sensor Components and Systems Applied in SF6 Detection” (No. 54681618002400k0000000).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beijing Smartchip Microelectronics Technology Company Limited, Beijing, 100192, China

    Jiping Li & Yidong Yuan

  2. Department of Immunology & National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China

    Yuying Liu & Bo Huang

  3. Clinical Immunology Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100005, China

    Yuying Liu & Bo Huang

  4. School of Microelectronics, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China

    Yidong Yuan

  5. Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China

    Bo Huang

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Correspondence to Bo Huang.

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Jiping Li, Yuying Liu, Yidong Yuan, and Bo Huang declared no conflict of interest. This manuscript is a review article and does not involve a research protocol requiring approval by the relevant institutional review board or ethics committee.

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Li, J., Liu, Y., Yuan, Y. et al. Applications of atomic force microscopy in immunology. Front. Med. 15, 43–52 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-020-0769-6

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