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Advances in Experimental Approaches for Investigating Cell Aggregate Mechanics

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Abstract

Cells tend to form hierarchy structures in native tissues. Formation of cell aggregates in vitro such as cancer spheroids and embryonic bodies provides a unique means to study the mechanical properties and biological behaviors/functions of their counterparts in vivo. In this paper, we review state-of-the-art experimental approaches to assess the mechanical properties and mechanically-induced responses of cell aggregates in vitro. These approaches are classified into five categories according to loading modality, including micropipette aspiration, centrifugation, compression loading, substrate distention, and fluid shear loading. We discussed the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, and the potential biomedical applications. Understanding of the mechanical behavior of cell aggregates provides insights to physical interactions between cells and integrity of biological functions, which may enable mechanical intervention for diseases such as atheromatosis and cancer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedical Engineering and Biomechanics Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, China

    Wenjun Zhang, Min Lin, Yulong Han, Guiping Zhao, Tian Jian Lu & Feng Xu

  2. Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02139, USA

    Shuqi Wang

  3. The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Xi’an Jiaotong University School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an, 710049, China

    Min Lin & Feng Xu

Authors
  1. Wenjun Zhang
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  2. Shuqi Wang
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  3. Min Lin
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  4. Yulong Han
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  5. Guiping Zhao
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  6. Tian Jian Lu
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  7. Feng Xu
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Tian Jian Lu or Feng Xu.

Additional information

Project supported by the Major International (Regional) Joint Research Program of China (11120101002); the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 10825210 and 81000453); the National 111 Project of China (B06024) and the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province, China (No. 2012JQ1006). F.Xu was also partially supported by the China Young 1000-Talent Program and Shaanxi 100-Talent Program.

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Zhang, W., Wang, S., Lin, M. et al. Advances in Experimental Approaches for Investigating Cell Aggregate Mechanics. Acta Mech. Solida Sin. 25, 473–482 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0894-9166(12)60042-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0894-9166(12)60042-1

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