Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is an invaluable tool to investigate the structure of biological material surfaces by imaging them at nanometer scale in physiological conditions. It can also be used to measure the forces and mechanics from single molecule interaction to cell-cell adhesion. Here, we present a methodology that allows to quantify cell elastic properties (using the Young modulus) and cell membrane tension modulated by CD95/cl-CD95L interactions by coupling nanoindentation and membrane tube pulling using suitably decorated AFM levers.
Keywords: Atomic force microscopy; Cytoskeleton; Elasticity; Membrane tension; Membrane tubes; Young modulus.