抄録
Intracellular delivery of genes and macromolecules is an essential technique in biological researches and clinical application. A unique method of intracellular delivery using rapid squeeze of cells in a microfluidic device has recently been established. In this method, rapid deformation of the cell membrane increases the permeability of the membrane and makes it possible to introduce various macromolecules into the cells. This method realized high efficiency as well as high cell viability; however, kinetics of the membrane perforation is not elucidated. Therefore, in this study, we developed a new apparatus for microscopic observation of intracellular delivery under compressive deformation. PC-3 cells were compressed between a pair of slide glasses with a gap of 5 μm and stained with propidium iodide and fluorescent dextran with three different molecular weight: 3, 40, and 70 kDa. Our methods successfully showed that intracellular delivery increased by compressive deformation of the cells and its efficacy changed depending on time after the compression and molecular weight of macromolecules.
