Imaging and measuring the rituximab-induced changes of mechanical properties in B-lymphoma cells using atomic force microscopy

► Single B-lymphoma living cells were imaged by AFM with the assistance of microfabricated pillars. ► The apoptosis of B-lymphoma cells triggered by rituximab without cross-linking was observed by AO/EB double fluorescent staining. ► The B-lymphoma cells became dramatically softer after adding rituximab.