Dependence of locally measured cellular deformability on position on the cell, temperature, and cytochalasin B

We describe an approach to exploring cell surface-cytoskeleton interactions through direct measurements of the mechanical resistance of living cells to locally applied forces. These measurements are sensitive to variations in structure across the cell and at various depths below its surface. We find that local cellular deformability depends on the temperature and on the integrity of the cytoskeleton. Cytochalasin B increases the deformability of all regions of the cell except the nucleus.