Introduction: Continuous oscillations in cell mechanics are a ubiquitous phenomenon across various cell types, yet their underlying molecular mechanisms and functional implications remain elusive. This study aims to elucidate the dynamic cellular processes governing Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMCs), with a focus on cellular mechanics, membrane fluctuation, and cytoskeletal organization, and investigates their modulation by pharmacological agents targeting cytoskeletal dynamics. This study provides a comprehensive view of cellular mechanics and membrane fluctuation.
Materials and
Methods: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were isolated from the descending thoracic aorta of male ApoE-/- and male WT mice. We used an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) (MFP-3D-BIO, Asylum Research, Santa Barbara, CA) to study the oscillation in VSMC mechanics. Additionally, live VSMC submembranous cytoskeleton architecture was examined using AFM and confocal microscopy (IX83 FV1200, Olympus, USA). We analyzed the real-time data of cellular mechanics and cytoskeleton architecture using data-driven mathematical modeling and image processing with machine learning. For all experiments, we used two-way ANOVA to infer statistical significance.
Results, Conclusions, and Discussions: Our observations of periodic oscillations in VSMC mechancis and membrane undulation highlight the dynamic nature of these cellular processes in VSMCs. Furthermore, the effects of pharmacological agents on cellular mechanics were investigated using the F-actin polymerization promoter Jasplikinolide (Jasp) and the inhibitor latrunculin-A (LatA). Results indicate that Jasp-treatment significantly decreased cell mechanical oscillations at 1.6 mHz and 3.5 mHz, along with a reduction in membrane undulations. Conversely, LatA significantly increased both cell mechanical oscillations and membrane undulations at 1.6 mHz and 3.5 mHz.
