Measurement of the mechanical properties of isolated tectorial membrane using atomic force microscopy.
نویسندگان
چکیده
The tectorial membrane (TM) is an extracellular matrix situated over the sensory cells of the cochlea. Its strategic location, together with the results of recent TM-specific mutation studies, suggests that it has an important role in the mechanism by which the cochlea transduces mechanical energy into neural excitation. A detailed characterization of TM mechanical properties is fundamental to understanding its role in cochlear mechanics. In this work, the mechanical properties of the TM are characterized in the radial and longitudinal directions using nano- and microindentation experiments conducted by using atomic force spectroscopy. We find that the stiffness in the main body region and in the spiral limbus attachment zone does not change significantly along the length of the cochlea. The main body of the TM is the softest region, whereas the spiral limbus attachment zone is stiffer, with the two areas having averaged Young's modulus values of 37 +/- 3 and 135 +/- 14 kPa, respectively. By contrast, we find that the stiffness of the TM in the region above the outer hair cells (OHCs) increases by one order of magnitude in the longitudinal direction, from 24 +/- 4 kPa in the apical region to 210 +/- 15 kPa at the basilar end of the TM. Scanning electron microscopy analysis shows differences in the collagen fiber arrangements in the OHC zone of the TM that correspond to the observed variations in mechanical properties. The longitudinal increase in TM stiffness is similar to that found for the OHC stereocilia, which supports the existence of mechanical coupling between these two structures.
منابع مشابه
Collagen-Based Mechanical Anisotropy of the Tectorial Membrane: Implications for Inter-Row Coupling of Outer Hair Cell Bundles
BACKGROUND The tectorial membrane (TM) in the mammalian cochlea displays anisotropy, where mechanical or structural properties differ along varying directions. The anisotropy arises from the presence of collagen fibrils organized in fibers of approximately 1 microm diameter that run radially across the TM. Mechanical coupling between the TM and the sensory epithelia is required for normal heari...
متن کاملImprovement of gas separation properties of polyurethane membrane using plasma grafting
In recent years, plasma treatments have given good results since they offer high technological efficiency with low waste generation. One of the most important characteristics of plasma methods is their action only on a thin surface layer, whereas the bulk of sample remains unchanged and the modified material keeps its chemical and mechanical properties. In this research, polyurethane membrane s...
متن کاملEffects of Fluid Environment Properties on the Nonlinear Vibrations of AFM Piezoelectric Microcantilevers
Nowadays, atomic-force microscopy plays a significant role in nanoscience and nanotechnology, and is widely used for direct measurement at atomic scale and scanning the sample surfaces. In tapping mode, the microcantilever of atomic-force microscope is excited at resonance frequency. Therefore, it is important to study its resonance. Moreover, atomic-force microscopes can be operated in fluid e...
متن کاملApplication of Scanning Electron and Atomic Force Mode Microscopy on inscription from Proto-Elamite period in Tappeh Sofalin
The study of cultural heritage artifacts and the research of a protection and restoration intervention create with - and are often limited to - a complete characterization of their surface. This is not only factual for museum objects, but also for archaeological artifacts, because the object as it was discovered may contain precious unknown information that could be lost by too much aggressive ...
متن کاملFinite Element Simulation of Contact Mechanics of Cancer Cells in Manipulation Based on Atomic Force Microscopy
The theory of contact mechanics deals with stresses and deformations which arise when the surfaces of two solid bodies are brought into contact. In elastic deformation contact occurs over a finite area. A regular method for determining the dimensions of this area is Hertz Contact Model. Appearance of atomic force microscope results in introduction of Contact ...
متن کاملذخیره در منابع من
با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید
برای دانلود متن کامل این مقاله و بیش از 32 میلیون مقاله دیگر ابتدا ثبت نام کنید
ثبت ناماگر عضو سایت هستید لطفا وارد حساب کاربری خود شوید
ورودعنوان ژورنال:
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
دوره 103 40 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2006