Title: Using atomic force microscope to investigate the influence of UVB radiation on cell behaviour and elasticity of dermal fibroblasts

Authors: Cheng-Chang Lien; Meng-Chien Wu; Ming-kung Yeh; Hsin-I. Chang

Addresses: Department of Biomechatronic Engineering, National Chiayi University, Chiayi City, Taiwan ' Department of Biomechatronic Engineering, National Chiayi University, Chiayi City, Taiwan ' School of Pharmacy, National Defence Medical Center and Bureau of Pharmaceutical Affairs, Military of National Defence Medical Affairs Bureau, Taipei, Taiwan ' Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National Chiayi University, Chiayi City, Taiwan

Abstract: The aim of this research is using different doses of UVB radiation to study the influence on the cell behaviour and elasticity of Hs68 human dermal fibroblasts. These studies include cell viability analysis, proliferation index, gene expression and Young's modulus measurement using atomic force microscope (AFM). Results have exhibited that the cell viability was 100%, 89.46%, 73.76% and 70.75% when the exposed dose of UVB radiation on dermal fibroblasts was 0, 540, 1080 and 2160 mJ/cm². After 24 h of incubation, dermal fibroblasts without exposure to UVB radiation increased the index of cell numbers to 183.5% but cells exposed to UVB radiation between 216 and 2160 mJ/cm² reduced cell growth to 131% and 47.7%. Moreover, Young's modulus of Hs68 dermal fibroblasts measured by AFM ranged from 24.12 kPa to 9.40 kPa depending on the UVB exposed dose (0-2160 mJ/cm²). Hs68 human dermal fibroblasts after UVB irradiation showed dose-dependently inhibition on the gene expression of type 1 collagen and elastin and that may be related to the reduction of cell elasticity. Therefore, UVB radiation has showed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on cell viability, proliferation, gene expression and Young's modulus and AFM is a useful tool in nano-scale to analyse cell elasticity.

Keywords: UVB radiation; AFM; atomic force microscopy; human dermal fibroblasts; cell elasticity; Young's modulus; nanotechnology; cell viability; gene expression; dose-dependent inhibition.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2013.058123

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2013 Vol.10 No.10/11, pp.973 - 983

Published online: 08 Dec 2013 *

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