Study of morphology and rigidity of neutrophilic granulocyte membrane in the real time mode by scanning probe microscopy.

The rigidity of neutrophilic granulocyte membrane was determined: 2.1+/-0.7 kPa. Scanning in the contact mode did not modify cell morphology, while spectroscopy caused nonspecific swelling reaction and a 3-fold increase in cell volume. Spectroscopy had no effect on rigidity of neutrophilic granulocyte membrane.