Pen-strep influence macrophage mechanical property and mechano-response to microenvironment

Penicillin-streptomycin (Pen-strep) is a common antibiotic used to prevent bacterial infection in cell culture and clinical treatment. Current research found pen-strep increased macrophage modulus but limited influence on cell adhesion. Phalloidin statin image indicates pen-strep mediate cell morphology on different extracellular matrix coated surface. The roundness analyzes further illustrated pen-strep promote cell spread on PDMS rubber, type I collagen, laminin, poly amino acid, poly-RGD peptides. Finally, YAP-1 and TAZ upregulation and β1 integrin downregulation may be the causes of cell elasticity and mechano-response to extracellular matrix (ECM) change.