Measuring of Adhesion Force in the Cell—Cell System Based on Atomic Force Microscopy Technology

Abstract

We developed and tested a method for fabrication of a biosensor chip based on native human whole blood lymphocyte and a titanium tipless cantilever. The biosensor can be used for measuring intermolecular adhesion forces in the cell—cell system by using atomic force spectroscopy. The developed biosensor chip was applied for measuring adhesion force between lymphocyte and granulocyte and between lymphocyte and erythrocyte in healthy individuals and in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (before treatment, during standard treatment, and during relapse). It was found that adhesion force between lymphocyte and granulocyte and between lymphocyte and erythrocyte increased almost twice during relapse, which is an important diagnostic marker of early cytological abnormalities indicating progression of the disease.