Figure 4. Stiffening nuclei with Δ50LA causes altered cellular deformation.

(A) The ability of the nucleus to deform into the micropipette while cells are being aspirated is given a binary value, and percent of cells with nuclear deformability is quantified. Few cells expressing Δ50LA show nuclear deformation into the micropipette compared with nearly 100% for untransfected control cells or cells exogenously expressing lamin A. (n is the number of cells measured per sample) (B) For cells that show a nuclear deformation into the pipette, the ratio of Ln/Lc is much lower for Δ50LA expressing cells. (n is the number of cell with multiple measurements per cell) (C) The expression of Δ50LA severely reduced the migration potential, calculated as the number of cells which can escape from the circulation domain through the endothelial later and through the pores of a polycarbonate filter (Figure 1A). Statistical differences from control (* is p < 0.05 from relevant control).