Figure 3.

Mechanical phenotyping via AFM. (A) Phase-contrast microscopy was used both to position the cantilever over each individual cell and to measure the diameter and aspect ratio of each cell. Scale bar, 10 μm. (B) Given the direct relationship between the cellular Young’s modulus and the slope of the force-indentation curve, representative force-indentation curves indicated that the LECs were softer than the central cornea cells and differentiated LECs. (C) Force-time curves obtained during cell relaxation indicated the viscoelastic properties of the cells. The fast viscoelastic time constant, τ₁, which is inversely related to the slope at the minimum time (t = 0 s), was similar for all cell types. The slow viscoelastic time constant, τ₂, which is inversely related to the slope at the maximum time (t = 1 s), was qualitatively higher for the differentiated LECs than for the LECs and central cornea cells. To see this figure in color, go online.