Numerical analysis of a single cultured mesenchymal stem cell under pressure stimulation using atomic force microscopy and finite element method

Body cells, including mesenchymal stem cells are subject to a lot of mechanical forces. The type and magnitude of these forces are different in different physiological and pathological conditions. They cause a wide variety of cell responses and are able to change metabolisms and functions of the cell. Analysis of stem cell response to mechanical stimulation is very important in recognizing healthy and diseased condition of tissues and cells. Differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells to specialized cells makes them important cell sources in tissue engineering. In this study, atomic force microscopy and finite element method and used mechanical effects on a stem cellaresimulated which includes cell behavior due to strain andstress distributions in internal components of the cell. In this study, the ADINA software used to simulate mechanical behavior of the cell components (cell membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus) under a compressiveload. Results indicate mechanical response of stem cells in the body through which they can differentiate into bone cells and cartilage under compressive loads in the physiological range. This study has some considerable innovations as compared with the similar studies in the literature which is because of the kind of cells has been used (adipose-derived stem cells) as well as and also using precise material models for cell components based on the data extracted from laboratory tests for mechanical properties of the cell. Furthermore, this study can be considered as an important initial step for future studies on different patho-cells and analyzing their responses to mechanical loading using a similar method of this study to find new diagnostic methods. Also, it can be used to deepen pathological studies of the cells and the tissues.