Chemomechanics at the cell-material interface : measurements and implications of forced molecular unbinding

The main goal of this thesis is to study the coupled interactions between chemically and mechanically characterized materials and cells that are relevant to microvascular physiology and pathology. In particular, the mechanical characterization of cell surface structure and force generation are realized via various atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging techniques including AFM cell force spectroscopy and functionalized force imaging. In these approaches, the recognition of mechanical responses of cells or mapping of cell surface receptors is mediated by chemomechanically characterized AFM cantilevers. The high spatial and force resolution of AFM imaging techniques and force spectroscopy enabled investigation of mechanical interaction at the cell-cell or cell-material interfaces. This interaction was studied via the mapping of specific receptors on endothelial cell surfaces and the detection of pN-scale force transmission through ligand-receptor pairs on the plasma membrane with biophysical interpretation of cellular force generation. This thesis consists of four major chapters: the recognition of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors and of anti-angiogenic oligopeptide receptors on endothelial cell surfaces, mechanical interaction between endothelial cells and pericytes that encompass capillary blood vessels; cell-matrix contact via focal complexes; and leukemia cells rolling on endothelial cell surfaces and P-selectin-conjugated glass substrata.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Lee, Sunyoung, Ph. D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Krystyn J. Van Vliet.

• Materials Science and Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/53246

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/53246