Scanning Probe Microscopies: Imaging and Biomechanics in Reproductive Medicine Research

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Giuseppe Ricci¹  Federico Romano¹  Lorella Pascolo¹  Alice Battistella²  Laura Andolfi²  Michele Zanetti²  Marco Lazzarino² 

[1] Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137 Trieste, Italy;Istituto Officina dei Materiali IOM-CNR, 34149 Trieste, Italy;

关键词: AFM;    SNOM;    spermatozoa;    ovary;    oocyte;    IVF;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms22083823

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Basic and translational research in reproductive medicine can provide new insights with the application of scanning probe microscopies, such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM). These microscopies, which provide images with spatial resolution well beyond the optical resolution limit, enable users to achieve detailed descriptions of cell topography, inner cellular structure organization, and arrangements of single or cluster membrane proteins. A peculiar characteristic of AFM operating in force spectroscopy mode is its inherent ability to measure the interaction forces between single proteins or cells, and to quantify the mechanical properties (i.e., elasticity, viscoelasticity, and viscosity) of cells and tissues. The knowledge of the cell ultrastructure, the macromolecule organization, the protein dynamics, the investigation of biological interaction forces, and the quantification of biomechanical features can be essential clues for identifying the molecular mechanisms that govern responses in living cells. This review highlights the main findings achieved by the use of AFM and SNOM in assisted reproductive research, such as the description of gamete morphology; the quantification of mechanical properties of gametes; the role of forces in embryo development; the significance of investigating single-molecule interaction forces; the characterization of disorders of the reproductive system; and the visualization of molecular organization. New perspectives of analysis opened up by applying these techniques and the translational impacts on reproductive medicine are discussed.

【 授权许可】

Unknown