Mechanical forces play critical roles in collective cell behaviors such as cell migration, proliferation and differentiation. Extensive efforts have been made to measure mechanical forces between cell and extracellular matrices. However, study of intercellular force at cell-cell junctions remains a significant challenge. Herein, we developed a novel and universal strategy to construct membrane DNA tension probes to visualize tensile forces at cell junctions. Taking advantage of lipid anchors, these probes can self-assemble onto cell membranes with high efficiency and stability. Upon experiencing tensile force generated by neighboring cells, unfolding of the tension probes lead to a drastic increase in the fluorescence intensity. Compatible with readily accessible fluorescence microscopes, these easy-to-use membrane DNA tension probes can be broadly used to measure intercellular tensile forces.

Visualizing intercellular tensile forces by DNA-based membrane molecular probes

255th National Meeting (2018)

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