engleski

Nanomechanical tool for characterization of cellular immune response

A possible connection between cancer and inflammation was proposed in 19th century but until recently the exact role of inflammation in oncogenesis has largely been unknown. It has been shown now that cancer development is strongly influenced by both chronic and acute inflammation processes. Tumour microenvironment contains innate immune cells like macrophages and neutrophils, adaptive immune cells, cancer cells and their surrounding stroma.1, 2 Macrophages have the key role as one of the basic components of innate immunity and the inflammatory process is tightly regulated with macrophages playing a critical role in the initiation, maintenance and resolution of inflammation. During inflammation, mechanical properties of the cells may change and can be monitored with atomic force microscopy (AFM).3 While it has been used extensively in material science for imaging and atomic force measurements, only recently has the AFM been employed for understanding the nano- bio interactions in physiological fluids.5, 6 That technique is based on the interaction between a sharp tip and the sample surface and presents a valuable tool in cancer research and diagnosis. The aim of this work is to develop and optimize nanomechanical method for testing effects of inflammation on nanomechanical properties of THP-1 cell line. THP-1 cells are used as model of human monocytes and when differentiated can be a model for macrophage cells which were mentioned before. This research will provide information on how mechanical properties of cells can change during inflammation and will help understanding acute inflammation. Both contributions could be a helpful tool in early cancer detection. In addition, development and optimization of nanomechanical method will enable a new nanotechnological platform for further testing of other potential nanodrugs.

Nanomechanical, characterization, immune response

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