Atomic force microscopy reveals the dynamic morphology of fenestrations in live liver sinusoidal endothelial cells

Here, we report an atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based imaging method for resolving the fine nanostructures (e.g., fenestrations) in the membranes of live primary murine liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). From data on topographical and nanomechanical properties of the selected cell areas collected within 1 min, we traced the dynamic rearrangement of the cell actin cytoskeleton connected with the formation or closing of cell fenestrations, both in non-stimulated LSECs as well as in response to cytochalasin B and antimycin A. In conclusion, AFM-based imaging permitted the near real-time measurements of dynamic changes in fenestrations in live LSECs.