Eur. Phys. J. E (2012) 35: 94
https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2012-12094-9

Regular Article

Rupture of multiple receptor-ligand bonds: Bimodal distribution of bond rupture force

University of Maryland Baltimore County, 21250, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

^* e-mail: vkg@umbc.edu

Received: 26 March 2012
Revised: 16 July 2012
Accepted: 17 August 2012
Published online: 27 September 2012

Abstract

Monte Carlo simulation of the rupture of multiple receptor-ligand bonds between two PMN cells suspended in a Newtonian fluid is performed. In the presence of a hydrodynamic drag force acting on two PMN cells the interplay of multiple receptor-ligand bonds between these cells leads to a bimodal distribution of the bond rupture force at certain loading rates. Specifically, it is found that the interplay of multiple bonds between two PMN cells in the presence of hydrodynamic drag force acting on these cells modifies the bond energy landscape in such a way as to lead to a bimodal distribution of the bond rupture force where a low force peak switches to a high force peak as the loading rate is increased progressively, characteristics of two-state systems.