2005   Volume No 10– pages 61-69

Title: Cell volume increase in murine MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts attaching onto biocompatible Tantalum observed by magnetic AC mode Atomic Force Microscopy

Authors: L Klembt Andersen, S Antoranz Contera, J Justesen, M Duch, O Hansen, J Chevallier, M Foss, FS Pedersen, F Besenbacher

Address: Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Faculty of Science, Ny Munkegade, Building 520, University of Aarhus, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark

E-mail: klembt@phys.au.dk

Key Words: AFM, MACmode, Cell volume, Osteoblast, Bone, Biocompatibility, Implant, Tantalum

Publication date: December 2nd 2005

Abstract: Magnetic AC mode (MACmode) atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to study murine (mouse) MC3T3-E1 preosteoblastic cells attached to biocompatible tantalum substrates. Cell volumes of attached cells derived from AFM images were compared to volumes of detached cells in suspension measured by the Coulter sizing technique. An
increase of ~ 50 % in cell volume was observed when the cells attached to planar tantalum substrates and developed a flattened structure including lamellipodia. We address thoroughly the issues general to the AFM determination of absolute cell volumes, and compare our magnetic AC mode AFM measurements to hitherto reported cell volume
determinations by contact mode AFM.

Article download: Pages 61-69. (PDF file)