Influences of locally mechanical stimulation on cellular behaviors via microfabrication approach

This paper describe an easy-to-handle approach to probe cellular behaviors via applying a force on microstructures (mechanical stimulation) with mammalian cells. The external mechanical stimulation on cells was performed through applying various forces on the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microstructures after cells adhered onto it. After mechanical stimulation on PDMS microstructures for 2 hours using 100 grams (0.98 N), the cells were washed with PBS and then stained with Annexin V and PI. The results show NIH-3T3 fibroblasts adhered on the top layer, incline and bottom layer of trapeziums. However, the results show that the cell apoptosis mostly took place at top layer and incline of trapeziums, which is different with the results of simulation. We believe, this study can help us to get more insights of cell apoptosis and biomedical-relevant researches.