In this study we use a novel approach to quantitatively investigate mechanical and interfacial
properties of clonal b-cells using AFM-Single Cell Force Spectroscopy (SCFS). MIN6 cells were incubated
for 48 h with 0.5 mMCa2+ ± the calcimimetic R568 (1 lM). AFM-SCFS adhesion and indentation
experiments were performed by using modified tipless cantilevers. Hertz contact model was applied
to analyse force–displacement (F–d) curves for determining elastic or Young’s modulus (E). Our
results show CaSR-evoked increases in cell-to-cell adhesion parameters and E modulus of single
cells, demonstrating that cytomechanics have profound effects on cell adhesion characterization.
2014 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.