Abstract

Neural stem cells differentiate into several cell types that display distinct functions. However, little is known about how cell surface mechanics vary during the differentiation process. Here, by precisely measuring membrane tension and bending modulus, we map their variations and correlate them with changes in cell morphology along differentiation into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Both neurons and undifferentiated cells reveal a decrease in membrane tension over the first hours of differentiation followed by stabilization, with no change in bending modulus. Astrocytes membrane tension initially decreases and then increases after 72h, accompanied by consolidation of GFAP expression and striking actin reorganization, while bending modulus increases following observed alterations. For oligodendrocytes, the changes in membrane tension are less abrupt over the first hours but their values subsequently decrease, correlating with a shift from O4 to MBP expressions and a remarkable actin reorganization, while bending modulus remains constant. Oligodendrocytes at later differentiation stages show membrane vesicles with similar membrane tension but higher bending modulus as compared to the cell surface. Altogether, our results display an entire spectrum of how membrane elastic properties are varying, contributing to a better understanding of neural stem cell differentiation from a mechanobiological perspective.