Atomic force microscopy to explore electroporation effects on cells

Abstract

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is more and more used in life science. Its ability to provide images of living cells as well as mechanical or adhesion maps makes it a technology that cannot be ignored. In the context of electroporation (EP) which undoubtedly affects the cell membrane or wall, a technology able to probe the cell surface is more than interesting. This chapter describes the principle of the AFM technology and especially the latest multiparametric imaging modes developed recently. It then demonstrates that AFM can be used to probe cell's morphology modifications induced by electric pulses. We then show that EP modifies cell's nanomechanical properties and that the actin cytoskeleton plays a major role in this process. Finally we shed light on the effects of EP on bacteria as probed by AFM. In this latest example, it must be noticed that no mechanical modifications are induced, but the adhesion properties of the bacteria are dramatically reduced by pulsed electric fields (PEFs). Altogether the chapter shows the interest of applying AFM on cells exposed to EP, in order to get a better fundamental understanding of EP effect on cells or bacteria.