Dresden 2006 – scientific programme

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CPP: Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 11: POSTER Disperse Polymer Systems

CPP 11.38: Poster

Tuesday, March 28, 2006, 17:00–19:00, P3

Viscoelasticity of pericellular matrix gels — •Heike Boehm, Christian H.J. Schmitz, Ralf P. Richter, Joachim P. Spatz, and Jennifer E. Curtis — Max-Planck-Institute for Metals Research, Department New Materials & Biosystems, and University of Heidelberg, Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Heisenbergstr. 3, D-70569 Stuttgart

Many mammalian cells surround themselves with a pericellular matrix (PCM), a highly hydrated polymer network connected to the cell membrane. The mechanical properties of the PCM are essential for cell proliferation and migration. The most vital component of this polymer network is hyaluronan, a long, unbranched polysaccharide. The viscoelasticity of the PCM is dynamically adjusted by the cell through the addition of glycoproteins called hyaladherins which crosslink or bind to the hyaluronan creating a stiffer network. The effect of most hyaladherins on hyaluronan networks has not yet been measured because the proteins are only available in such small volumes that established rheological techniques cannot be used. To bypass this difficulty, we perform one and two-point microrheological measurements by following the Brownian motion of embedded passivated particles in 20 µl volumes. This technique enables the characterization of the shear modulus of well-defined hyaluronan networks, and the quantification of the effect of various hyaladherins for the first time. The results can subsequently be compared with measurements of the PCM on a living cell.