Single-Cell Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry for Complementary Analysis of Cellular Secretions Induced by Mechanical Stimulation

Cellular mechanotransduction is an important physiological process. The cellular secretions induced by mechanical stimulation not only reflect the intricate intracellular mechanotransduction processes but also reveal the intercellular communication in mechanotransduction, which is essential for a deeper understanding of cellular mechanotransduction. Herein, we report single-cell electrochemical mass spectrometry for complementary analysis of cellular secretions induced by mechanical stimulation. The secreted electrochemical active species (e.g., ROS, RNS) induced by mechanical stimulation can be monitored in situ and in real time using an electrochemical sensor. These electrochemical signals can serve as indicators for the mechanotransduction stage. Under the guidance of electrochemical signals, secretions from different mechanotransduction stages can be collected and analyzed by mass spectrometry. As a proof of concept, endothelial mechanotransduction was investigated. The variation trends of typical secretions associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory responses were characterized at different stages of mechanotransduction, providing deeper insights into endothelial mechanotransduction. This work provides a revealing strategy for investigating cellular mechanotransduction.