High-resolution morphological identification and characterization of living neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells by hopping probe ion conductance microscopy

It is well known that heterogeneous neuroblastoma (NB) has three different phenotypic variants; the differentiation and transdifferentiation among them increase the complexity of this cancer. However, high-resolution characterization of their morphology has not been addressed by conventional microscopy. Under the help of high-resolution hopping probe ion conductance microscopy, we demonstrated that three morphologically distinct cell populations exist in live NB SK-N-SH cell line. Among these three types cells, N-type cells had the smallest cell volume and the biggest height, S-type owned the biggest cell volume and the smallest height, and I-type was intermediate between N- and S-type. The difference of microvilli morphology rendered I- and N-type cells with a higher RMS than S-type cells. These high-resolution morphologic criteria can provide more direct information to distinguish different cell types in NB tumor, and may give a hand to the development of new therapies and diagnosis.

Research Highlights
► Heterogeneous neuroblastoma has three different phenotypes (N-, S-, and I-type).
► Their transdifferentiation and different malignant potential make a poor prognosis.
► Their high-resolution morphology characterization was addressed using novel HPICM.
► New high-resolution 3D morphologic criteria were set up to distinguish them.
► Such criteria for N, S, and I-type cells may help for new therapies and diagnosis.