Dresden 2017 – wissenschaftliches Programm
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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 26: Posters - Cell Adhesion
BP 26.8: Poster
Dienstag, 21. März 2017, 14:00–16:00, P2-EG
Morphological, Mechanical and Adhesion Properties of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps — •Ricardo H. Pires1,2,3, Mihaela Delcea2,3, Stephan B. Felix2,3, and Oliver Otto1,3 — 1Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany — 2Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany — 3DZHK, Greifswald, Germany
Neutrophils are immune system cells that have recently been found to engage in a suicidal pathway that leads to the extrusion of partially decondensed chromatin, or neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). In the circulatory system, NETs bind and capture pathogens thus limiting their spread, but they have also been associated with thrombus formation, as well as other cardiovascular disorders. Despite their relevance, little is known about the molecular mechanisms behind their adhesive and mechanical properties. In this work we combine fluorescence and atomic force microscopies with force spectroscopy to obtain detailed information on the morphology of NETs, on parameters that affect their mechanical behavior and their adhesive properties. We report that NETs are not a simple bundle of chromatin fibers, but exhibit an order evidenced by its web-like appearance with openings in the sub-micron range. Partial proteolysis assays further indicate that the protein content of NETs is not only relevant to its mechanical behavior but to its morphology as well, thus highlighting the inextricable role of proteins in defining the architecture of NETs. In addition, force spectroscopy also indicates that the adhesive mechanism of NETs may in part be governed by unspecific electrostatic interactions.