Heterogeneous elastic response of human lung microvascular endothelial cells to barrier modulating stimuli

In this study we employ atomic force microscopy, supported by finite element analysis and fluorescence microscopy, to characterize the elastic properties accompanying cytoskeletal structural rearrangements of lung microvascular endothelial cells in response to barrier altering stimuli. Statistical analysis of elasticity data obtained from multiple cells demonstrates a heterogeneous cellular elastic response to barrier-enhancing and...