Interaction of NK ‐92 Immune Cells and HepG2 Cancer Cells Studied by Atomic Force Microscopy

ABSTRACT

This paper studied the interaction between HepG2 cancer cells and NK‐92 immune cells, employing an atomic force microscope (AFM) as the primary tool. The research mainly focused on the use of AFM to explore the effect of immune cells on cancer cells and revealed the relationship between the killing effect of immune cells on cancer cells and the mechanical properties of cancer cells. A novel method for quantifying in situ adhesion between the NK‐92 cells and HepG2 cells was proposed, which provided insight into the relationship between the mechanical properties and the time of co‐culture. Furthermore, the morphological and mechanical changes of HepG2 cells were detected using AFM. As co‐culture time increased, the findings revealed a trend toward incomplete cell morphology. Reductions were observed in the heights, adhesion, and elastic moduli of HepG2 cells, along with an increase in cell surface roughness. The surface of membrane pores was visualized, and based on the obtained cell height data, the measurements of the size and depth of cell membrane surface pores were conducted. In conclusion, this research unraveled the complex interplay between the killing effect of immune cells on cancer cells and the mechanical properties of cancer cells. It offered a valuable perspective for understanding the interaction between immune cells and cancer cells, potentially paving the way for future therapeutic interventions.