Figure 6: Fluorescence images and SEM images of heterotypic cell adhesion.
From: Spatiotemporal control of cell–cell reversible interactions using molecular engineering
(a) Azobenzene-labelled-aptamers (azo-aptamer) anchored on the cell surface could act as targeting ligands that specifically recognized their target cells and induced cell–cell adhesion. MUC 1 aptamer-modified Hela cell (green) could recognize the target cells MCF-7 (red) and form a cell-aptamer-cell assembly. (b,c) Fluorescence images of heterotypic cell adhesions between unmodified Hela (b), modified Hela (c) and MCF-7. (d) After ultraviolet irradiation (365 nm, 15 W, 10 min) and washing with PBS, MCF-7 cells were released from the surface of Hela cells. (e) Hela cells could be once again modified with azo-aptamer and used for cell-cell adhesion. (f) SEM images of cellular interactions. Cell–cell adhesion was clearly observed. (g,h) Microscope images of heterotypic cell adhesions between unmodified PBMCs (g), modified PBMCs (h) and MCF-7. Scale bars, 50 μm.
