TY - JOUR
T1 - Mechanical tomography of human corneocytes with a nanoneedle
AU - Beard, James D
AU - Guy, Richard H
AU - Gordeev, Sergey N
N1 - See related commentary in Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2013) v.133, pp 1458-1460.
PY - 2013/6
Y1 - 2013/6
N2 - Atomic force microscopy (AFM) can image biological samples and characterize their mechanical properties. However, the low aspect ratio of standard AFM probes typically limits these measurements to surface properties. Here, the intracellular mechanical behavior of human corneocytes is determined using ‘‘nanoneedle’’ AFM probes. The method evaluates the forces experienced by a nanoneedle as it is pushed into and then retracted from the cell. Indentation loops yield the stiffness profile and information on the elastic and nonelastic mechanical properties at a specific depth below the surface of the corneocytes. A clear difference between the softer B50-nm-thick external layer and the more rigid internal structure of corneocytes is apparent, which is consistent with the current understanding of the structure of these cells. There are also significant variations in the mechanical properties of corneocytes from different volunteers. The small diameter of the nanoneedle allows this ‘‘mechanical tomography’’ to be performed with high spatial resolution, potentially offering an opportunity to detect biomechanical changes in corneocytes because of, e.g., environmental factors, aging, or dermatological pathologies.
AB - Atomic force microscopy (AFM) can image biological samples and characterize their mechanical properties. However, the low aspect ratio of standard AFM probes typically limits these measurements to surface properties. Here, the intracellular mechanical behavior of human corneocytes is determined using ‘‘nanoneedle’’ AFM probes. The method evaluates the forces experienced by a nanoneedle as it is pushed into and then retracted from the cell. Indentation loops yield the stiffness profile and information on the elastic and nonelastic mechanical properties at a specific depth below the surface of the corneocytes. A clear difference between the softer B50-nm-thick external layer and the more rigid internal structure of corneocytes is apparent, which is consistent with the current understanding of the structure of these cells. There are also significant variations in the mechanical properties of corneocytes from different volunteers. The small diameter of the nanoneedle allows this ‘‘mechanical tomography’’ to be performed with high spatial resolution, potentially offering an opportunity to detect biomechanical changes in corneocytes because of, e.g., environmental factors, aging, or dermatological pathologies.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84870358171&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/jid.2012.465
UR - http://www.nature.com/jid/journal/vaop/ncurrent/pdf/jid2012465a.pdf
U2 - 10.1038/jid.2012.465
DO - 10.1038/jid.2012.465
M3 - Article
SN - 1523-1747
VL - 133
SP - 1565
EP - 1571
JO - Journal Of Investigative Dermatology
JF - Journal Of Investigative Dermatology
IS - 6
ER -