Enhanced production of polyhydroxybutyrate by multiple dividing E. coli

BACKGROUND

Most bacteria are grown in a binary fission way meaning a bacterial cell is equally divided into two. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) can be accumulated as inclusion bodies by bacteria. The cell division way and morphology have been shown to play an important role in regulating the bacterial growth and PHA storages.

RESULTS

The common growth pattern of Escherichia coli was changed to multiple fission patterns by deleting fission related genes minC and minD together, allowing the formation of multiple fission rings (Z-rings) in several positions of an elongated cell, thus a bacterial cell was observed to be divided into more than two daughter cells at same time. To further improve cell growth and PHA production, some genes related with division process including ftsQ, ftsL, ftsW, ftsN and ftsZ, together with the cell shape control gene mreB, were all overexpressed in E. coli JM109 ∆minCD. The changing pattern of E. coli cell growth and morphology resulted in more cell dry weights (CDW) and more than 80 % polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) accumulation increases compared to its binary fission control grown under the same conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

This study clearly demonstrated that combined over-expression genes ftsQ, ftsW, ftsN, ftsL and ftsZ together with shape control gene mreB in multiple division bacterial E. coli JM109 ∆minCD benefited PHA accumulation. Our study provides useful information on increasing the yield of PHA by changing the cell division pattern and cell morphology of E. coli.

Effects of SiO2 micropillar arrays on endothelial cells' morphology

Native tissues are highly organised at the microscale, so that modulating scaffold microarchitecture is a potent tool to mimic natural tissue structures. Moreover, three-dimensional microtopographical features are now being used to elucidate how extracellular physical cues can directly modulate cell behaviour and organise complex cellular processes such as cell differentiation and tissue organisation. Recent advances in microtechnology have allowed the development of platforms that can be used to further understand and control the complex interactions occurring between biointerfaces and living cells. In this paper, we discuss the use of three-dimensional microstructured substrates such as silicon dioxide micropillars, to interface with living cells. Human aortic endothelial cells were used to assess the biocompatibility of these substrates. Methodological investigations were performed to determine the influence of substrate topography on cell adhesion and growth. The changes on cell spreading and cell morphology induced by the substrates were qualified and quantified using scanning electron and fluorescence confocal microscopy.

Effect of surface roughness on the initial response of MC3T3-E1 cells cultured on polished titanium alloy

Surface roughness has been considered as an important influencing factor for cell response. The aim of this study was to find out whether MC3T3-E1 cells, a mouse osteoblast-like cell line, can sense the amplitudes of surface topography of titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V), and if surface-dependent cell morphology would be presented on the substrata with varied roughness. A series of polished samples (Ra: 0.30~1.80 μm) were prepared to produce macroscopically parallel grooves using different grades of silicon carbide sandpaper (#100, #320, #600, #1000 and #2000). The experimental results indicated that the behavior and morphology of cells largely depended on the substrata where they were cultured. More efficient proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells was shown on the surfaces with Ra of 0.50~1.00 μm, with respect to either the rougher or the smoother specimens. Furthermore, MC3T3-E1 cells seeded on the Ti6Al4V surfaces within this narrow range responded to the increasing surface roughness with increased proliferation. Contact guidance of cells could be observed on the rougher specimens (Ra: 0.80~1.00 μm), whereas more random orientations were exhibited for the adsorbed cells on the smoother surfaces (Ra: 0.50~0.60 μm).

The development of malaria diagnostic techniques: a review of the approaches with focus on dielectrophoretic and magnetophoretic methods

The large number of deaths caused by malaria each year has increased interest in the development of effective malaria diagnoses. At the early-stage of infection, patients show non-specific symptoms or are asymptomatic, which makes it difficult for clinical diagnosis, especially in non-endemic areas. Alternative diagnostic methods that are timely and effective are required to identify infections, particularly in field settings. This article reviews conventional malaria diagnostic methods together with recently developed techniques for both malaria detection and infected erythrocyte separation. Although many alternative techniques have recently been proposed and studied, dielectrophoretic and magnetophoretic approaches are among the promising new techniques due to their high specificity for malaria parasite-infected red blood cells. The two approaches are discussed in detail, including their principles, types, applications and limitations. In addition, other recently developed techniques, such as cell deformability and morphology, are also overviewed in this article.

Isolation of osteocytes from human trabecular bone

Osteocytes are essential regulators of bone homeostasis. However, they are difficult to study due to their location within the bone mineralised matrix. Although several techniques have been published for the isolation of osteocytes from mouse bone, no such technique has been described for human osteocytes. We have therefore developed a protocol for the isolation of osteocytes from human trabecular bone samples acquired during surgery. The cells were digested from the bone matrix by sequential collagenase and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) digestions and the cells from later digests displayed characteristic dendritic osteocyte morphology when cultured ex vivo. Furthermore, the cells expressed characteristic osteocyte marker genes, such as E11, dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1), SOST, matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein (MEPE) and phosphate regulating endopeptidase homologue, X-linked (PHEX). In addition, genes associated with osteocyte perilacunar remodelling, including matrix metallopeptidase-13 (MMP13), cathepsin K (CTSK) and carbonic anhydrase 2 (CAR2) were expressed. The cells also responded to parathyroid hormone (PTH) by downregulating SOST mRNA expression and to 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D) by upregulating fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) mRNA expression. Therefore, the cells behave in a similar manner to osteocytes in vivo. These cells represent an important tool in enhancing current knowledge in human osteocyte biology.

Silencing of Human CutC Gene (hCutC) Induces Apoptosis in HepG2 Cells

Copper is an essential microelement required for maintaining normal cell physiology. Copper transporter CutC is one of the six members of Cut family proteins, involved in prokaryotic copper homeostasis. Human homolog of CutC (hCutC) is an intracellular copper-binding protein with unknown physiological function. In the present study using HepG2 cells, we report the effects of hCutC knockdown on copper sensitivity and morphology of cells that ultimately leads to apoptosis. We silenced hCutC using specific small interfering RNA (siRNA), and its downregulation was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. Though there was no significant variation in total cellular copper as estimated by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), knockdown of hCutC caused an increase in sensitivity of HepG2 cells to copper loads when compared to control cells (studied by MTT-based cell viability assay). Morphological analysis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated onset of apoptosis in hCutC-silenced cells which was exacerbated upon copper treatment. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) assay and DNA fragmentation assay further ensured apoptosis occurring in cells upon hCutC silencing. The present study reveals copper induced damage in cells upon hCutC silencing and provides evidence for the role of hCutC protein in intracellular copper homeostasis.

Sulphide Resistance in the Cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa: a Comparative Study of Morphology and Photosynthetic Performance Between the Sulphide-Resistant Mutant and the Wild-Type Strain

The cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa is a mesophilic freshwater organism, which cannot tolerate sulphide. However, it was possible to isolate a sulphide-resistant (S(r)) mutant strain that was able to survive in a normally lethal medium sulphide. In order to evaluate the cost of the mutation conferring sulphide resistance in the S(r) strain of M. aeruginosa, the morphology and the photosynthetic performance were compared to that found in the wild-type, sulphide-sensitive (S(s)) strain. An increase in size and a disrupted morphology was observed in S(r) cells in comparison to the S(s) counterpart. Phycoerythrin and phycocyanin levels were higher in the S(r) than in the S(s) cells, whereas a higher carotenoid content, per unit volume, was found in the S(s) strain. The irradiance-saturated photosynthetic oxygen-production rate (GPR max) and the photosynthetic efficiency (measured both by oxygen production and fluorescence, α(GPR) and α(ETR)) were lower in the S(r) strain than in the wild-type. These results appear to be the result of package effect. On the other hand, the S(r) strain showed higher quantum yield of non-photochemical quenching, especially those regulated mechanisms (estimated throughout qN and Y(NPQ)) and a significantly lower slope in the maximum quantum yield of light-adapted samples (Fv'/Fm') compared to the S(s) strain. These findings point to a change in the regulation of the quenching of the transition states (qT) in the S(r) strain which may be generated by a change in the distribution of thylakoidal membranes, which somehow could protect metalloenzymes of the electron transport chain from the lethal effect of sulphide.

Regulatory roles of grass carp EpCAM in cell morphology, proliferation and migration

Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a Ca(2+)-independent and relatively weak adhesion molecule, which has been extensively investigated in mammalian models. However, the functional roles of its fish homolog are largely unknown. In the present study, we explored the biological properties of grass carp EpCAM (gcEpCAM) in a fish kidney cell line (CIK) via overexpression of gcEpCAM or gcEpCAM intracellular domain (gcEpICD) deletion mutant. Results showed that gcEpCAM overexpression significantly changed the cell morphology, and the proliferation of the cells transfected with gcEpCAM was significantly decreased when compared to the control cells, which is unexpectedly opposite to the increasing effects induced by its mammalian homolog. Moreover, overexpression of gcEpICD deletion mutant had no effect on cell proliferation, indicating gcEpICD's involvement in the cell growth control that is concerted with its role in mammalian model. Additionally, gcEpCAM overexpression increased cell migration which is at least partially consistent with the findings in mammalian cells in which EpCAM expression both positively and negatively affects cell migration. It is worth noting that gcEpICD was not essential to the stimulatory effect of gcEpCAM on cell migration, but overexpression of human EpICD in tumor cells increases cell migration, suggesting the functional discrepancy of EpICD in fish and mammals. In conclusion, we elucidated the cellular functionality of EpCAM in fish cells which will be of benefit to defining the functions of fish EpCAM and also provide rewarding information on the functional evolution of EpCAM in vertebrates.

Synthesis, characterization, antiproliferative and molecular docking study of new half sandwich Ir(III), Rh(III) and Ru(II) complexes

The new carbazole N,N' ligand containing [(η(5)-C5Me5)MCl(L)]PF6, (M=Ir (1) and Rh (2)) and [(η(6)-C6H6)RuCl(L)]PF6 (3) (C5Me5=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, L=9-ethyl-N-(pyridine-2-yl methylene)-9H-carbazole-3-amine) complexes has been synthesized and characterized by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, 2D NMR, melting point analysis, electronic absorption, infrared spectroscopy, HR-Mass spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The crystal structure of the [(η(5)-C5Me5)RhCl(L)]PF6 has been confirmed by single crystal XRD. The anticancer study of the synthesized complexes 1-3 clearly showed a potent inhibitor of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) under in vitro conditions. The inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of the complexes 1-3 were determined at low (5, 6 and 8μM) concentration against the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line. Further cytotoxic, cell cycle and nuclear studies confirmed that the novel half sandwich Ir(III), Rh(III) and Ru(II) complexes could be effective against MCF-7 human breast cancer cell proliferation. Moreover the results indicate that anticancer in vitro activity of complexes 1-3 falls in the order of 1>2>3. A molecular docking study of the complexes 1-3 showed the nature of binding energy, H-bond and hydrophobic interactions with the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) receptor.

Facile endothelial cell micropatterning induced by reactive oxygen species on polydimethylsiloxane substrates

Sophisticated cell pattern provides unique cellular assay platform for studying cell to cell interaction, cellular differentiation and signaling, high-throughput cell response to chemicals. In this study, we demonstrated reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated endothelial cell micropatterning on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate. The exposure of UV/O radiation led to the formation of ROS on the surface of PDMS, which could selectively prevent adhesion of endothelial cells. The degree of ROS amount was monitored according to the UV/O irradiation time, and at least 36 μM of ROS resulted in the precise cellular micropattern on the PDMS. The presence of ROS affected not only cellular detachment from the substrate, but also endothelial cell morphology such as cell spreading area, confluence, nuclear area and nuclear inverse aspect ratio. In addition, we could observe that the actin cytoskeleton of cells was also constricted due to ROS, thereby minimizing the focal adhesion area of vinculin. Compared with previously reported methods which use chemical treatment or nano/microstructure on the substrate, the proposed methodology is quite simple, accurate, and harmless to the patterned endothelial cells.

Innovative application of classic and newer techniques for the characterization of haemocytes in the New Zealand black-footed abalone (Haliotis iris)

Haemocytes play an important role in innate immune responses within invertebrate organisms. However, identification and quantification of different types of haemocytes can be extremely challenging, and has led to numerous inconsistencies and misinterpretations within the literature. As a step to rectify this issue, we present a comprehensive and detailed approach to characterize haemocytes using a combination of classical (cytochemical and phagocytosis assays with optical microscopy) and novel (flow cytometry with Sysmex XN-1000 and Muse(®) Cell analyser) techniques. The Sysmex XN-1000 is an innovative fluorescent flow cytometric analyser that can effectively detect, identify and count haemocytes, while the Muse(®) Cell analyser provides accurate and rapid haemocyte cell counts and viability. To illustrate this approach, we present the first report on morphological and functional features of New Zealand black-footed abalone (Haliotis iris) haemocyte cells. Two types of haemocytes were identified in this study, including type I (monocyte-like) and type II (lymphocyte-like) cells. Granular cells, which have been reported in other molluscan species, were not detected in H. iris. Cell types were categorized based on shape, size, internal structures and function. The lymphocyte-like haemocytes were the most abundant hemocytes in the haemolymph samples, and they had large nuclei and basic cytoplasms. Monocyte-like cells generally were larger cells compared to lymphocyte-like cells, and had low nucleus-cytoplasm ratios. Monocyte-like cells showed higher phagocytic activity when encountering Zymosan A particles compared to lymphocyte-like cells. The present study provides a comprehensive and accurate new approach to identify and quantify haemocyte cells for future comparative studies on the immune system of abalone and other molluscan species.

The Breast Cancer Susceptibility Gene Product (γ-Synuclein) Alters Cell Behavior through its [corrected] Interaction with Phospholipase Cβ

The breast cancer susceptibility gene protein, also known as γ-synuclein, is highly expressed in human breast cancer in a stage-specific manner, with highest expression in late stage cancer. In model systems, γ-synuclein binds phospholipase Cβ2 which is regulated by Gαq to generate intracellular Ca(2+) signals. PLCβ2, which is also absent in normal tissue but highly expressed in breast cancer, is additionally regulated by Rac to promote migration pathways. We have found that γ-synuclein binds to the same region of PLCβ2 as Gαq. Using cells that mimic stage 4 breast cancer (MDA MB 231), we show that down-regulation of γ-synuclein reduces the protein level of PLCβ but increases the transcript level over 40 fold. γ-Synuclein down-regulation also promotes the interaction between Gαq and PLCβ resulting in a stronger Ca(2+) response to Gαq agonists. The ability of γ-synuclein to interfere with Gαq-PLCβ interactions allows more PLCβ to colocalize with Rac impacting Rac-mediated pathways that may give rise to cancerous phenotypes.

Gene expression analysis of conventional and interactive human gingival cell systems exposed to dental composites

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was the detection of putative gene expression-related effects of dental composites in conventional and interactive gingival cell systems.

METHODS

Conventional monoculture (MC) and interactive cell systems (ICS) comprising human gingival fibroblast (HGF) and immortalized human gingival keratinocytes (IHGK) were exposed for 24h and 7 days according to ISO10993-12:2012 manufactured eluates of different composites (Ceram X(®), Filtek™ Supreme XT, Filtek™ Silorane, Fusio™ Liquid Dentin, and Vertise™ Flow). qRT-PCR-based mRNA analysis for biomarkers indicating cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, inflammation, and adhesion was performed. Apoptotic cells were quantified by annexin-V labeling.

RESULTS

Due to low RNA amounts, qPCR could not be performed for Vertise™ Flow and Fusio™ Liquid Dentin at day 7. At 24h, flowables yielded increased transcription for biomarkers of inflammation and apoptosis in IHGK, irrespective of the cell system. HGF cultures displayed lower transcription for cell adhesion markers in both cell systems. Filtek™ Supreme XT showed increased differentiation by elevated filaggrin gene expression in both cell systems for IHGK at day 7, while Filtek™ Silorane and Ceram X(®) yielded elevation of inflammation biomarkers in both cell types. Annexin-V labeling revealed high apoptosis rates for both flowables and Filtek™ Supreme XT for IHGK, while low rates were detected for Filtek™ Silorane and Ceram X(®).

SIGNIFICANCE

Among the composites evaluated, exposition of IHGK and HGF in conventional and interactive cell systems demonstrated most pronounced gene expression alterations in response to flowables, coinciding with elevated levels of apoptosis.

Cellular and Nuclear Alignment Analysis for Determining Epithelial Cell Chirality

Left-right (LR) asymmetry is a biologically conserved property in living organisms that can be observed in the asymmetrical arrangement of organs and tissues and in tissue morphogenesis, such as the directional looping of the gastrointestinal tract and heart. The expression of LR asymmetry in embryonic tissues can be appreciated in biased cell alignment. Previously an in vitro chirality assay was reported by patterning multiple cells on microscale defined geometries and quantified the cell phenotype-dependent LR asymmetry, or cell chirality. However, morphology and chirality of individual cells on micropatterned surfaces has not been well characterized. Here, a Python-based algorithm was developed to identify and quantify immunofluorescence stained individual epithelial cells on multicellular patterns. This approach not only produces results similar to the image intensity gradient-based method reported previously, but also can capture properties of single cells such as area and aspect ratio. We also found that cell nuclei exhibited biased alignment. Around 35% cells were misaligned and were typically smaller and less elongated. This new imaging analysis approach is an effective tool for measuring single cell chirality inside multicellular structures and can potentially help unveil biophysical mechanisms underlying cellular chiral bias both in vitro and in vivo.

Inflammation induced at different developmental stages affects differently the range of microglial reactivity and the course of seizures evoked in the adult rat

BACKGROUND

In the brain, inflammation occurs following a variety of types of brain damage, including epileptic seizures. Proinflammatory cytokines, like IL-1β or TNFα, can increase neuronal excitability and initiate spontaneous seizures or epileptogenesis. Recent studies indicate that the effects can be attenuated or even abolished in animals subjected to inflammation-inducing treatments at earlier developmental stages, termed "preconditioning". Immunocompetent microglial cells display particular sensitivity to subtle brain pathologies showing a morphological continuum from resting to reactive forms. Following inflammation, multiple ramified processes of resting microglia become gradually shorter, and the cells transform into macrophages. Parameters of the morphological variations were used here as indicators of the nervous tissue reactivity to seizures in adult rats experiencing inflammation at earlier stages of postnatal development.

METHODS

Systemic inflammation was induced with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in 6-day-old or 30-day-old rats. In two-month-old survivors of the inflammatory status, seizures were evoked with pilocarpine injection. The seizure intensity was scored during a six-hour continuous observation period following the injection. Brain sections were immunostained for Iba1 to visualize microglia. Thereafter, morphology of microglial cells located in the hippocampal formation was analyzed using parameters such as solidity, circularity, ramification index, and area.

RESULTS

In naïve rats, seizure-induced transformations of microglial cells were reflected by strong changes in the parameters of their morphology. However, in the adult rats pretreated with LPS on their 6th or 30th postnatal days, the seizure-induced changes were significantly reduced, and microglial morphology remained significantly closer to normal. Significant amelioration of the acute phase of seizures was observed only when inflammation was induced in 30-day-old, but not in 6-day-old, rats.

CONCLUSIONS

The results confirm previous reports that moderate inflammation protects the nervous tissue from subsequent damage by reducing influences of proinflammatory factors on reactive glial cells. The young-age inflammation may have age-dependent effects on susceptibility to seizures induced in adulthood. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Status Epilepticus".

Comparisons of cell culture medium using distribution of morphological features in microdevice

As the number of available cell types grows, it becomes necessary to develop more effective ways to optimize the cell-culture medium for each cell line and culture condition. However, because of the vast number of parameters that must be decided, such as the combination of components, optimization is both laborious and costly. Microdevices are a cost-effective way to perform such evaluations because they use only a small volume of media and enable high-throughput analyses. However, assays performed in microdevices are themselves minimized, and each assay unit (well/chamber) commonly contains an insufficient number of cells for comprehensive evaluations such as gene-expression or flow-cytometry analyses. To address this issue, we introduced image-based analysis in conjunction with microdevice assays; this approach allows quantification of every cell in each assay unit. To quantitatively profile differences in cellular behaviors in a microdevice under different culture media conditions, we developed a non-staining image-based analysis method that utilizes cellular morphology. Our approach combines the structural advantages of microdevices, which can increase the stability of images, and the quantitative advantages of an image-based cell evaluation technique that utilizes time-course population change in several morphological features. Our results demonstrate that cellular changes due to small alterations in the concentration of serum in medium or differences in the basal medium can be profiled using only microscopic images.

Effects of hypergravity on adipose-derived stem cell morphology, mechanical property and proliferation

Alteration in specific inertial conditions can lead to changes in morphology, proliferation, mechanical properties and cytoskeleton of cells. In this report, the effects of hypergravity on morphology of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) are indicated. ADSCs were repeatedly exposed to discontinuous hypergravity conditions of 10 g, 20 g, 40 g and 60 g by utilizing centrifuge (three times of 20 min exposure, with an interval of 40 min at 1 g). Cell morphology in terms of length, width and cell elongation index and cytoskeleton of actin filaments and microtubules were analyzed by image processing. Consistent changes observed in cell elongation index as morphological change. Moreover, cell proliferation was assessed and mechanical properties of cells in case of elastic modulus of cells were evaluated by Atomic Force Microscopy. Increase in proliferation and decrease in elastic modulus of cells are further results of this study. Staining ADSC was done to show changes in cytoskeleton of the cells associated to hypergravity condition specifically in microfilament and microtubule components. After exposing to hypergravity, significant changes were observed in microfilaments and microtubule density as components of cytoskeleton. It was concluded that there could be a relationship between changes in morphology and MFs as the main component of the cells.

Poly-L-arginine based materials as instructive substrates for fibroblast synthesis of collagen

The interactions of cells and surrounding tissues with biomaterials used in tissue engineering, wound healing, and artificial organs ultimately determine their fate in vivo. We have demonstrated the ability to tune fibroblast responses with the use of varied material chemistries. In particular, we examined cell morphology, cytokine production, and collagen fiber deposition angles in response to a library of arginine-based polymeric materials. The data presented here shows a large range of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion (0.637 ng/10(6) cells/day to 3.25 ng/10(6) cells/day), cell migration (∼15 min < persistence time < 120 min, 0.11 μm/min < speed < 0.23 μm/min), and cell morphology (0.039 < form factor (FF) < 0.107). Collagen orientation, quantified by shape descriptor (D) values that ranges from 0 to 1, representing completely random (D = 0) to aligned (D = 1) fibers, exhibited large variation both in vitro and in vivo (0.167 < D < 0.36 and 0.17 < D < 0.52, respectively). These findings demonstrate the ability to exert a certain level of control over cellular responses with biomaterials and the potential to attain a desired cellular response such as, increased VEGF production or isotropic collagen deposition upon exposure to these materials in wound healing and tissue engineering applications.

Micro- and nano-topography to enhance proliferation and sustain functional markers of donor-derived primary human corneal endothelial cells

One of the most common indications for corneal transplantation is corneal endothelium dysfunction, which can lead to corneal blindness. Due to a worldwide donor cornea shortage, alternative treatments are needed, but the development of new treatment strategies relies on the successful in vitro culture of primary human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) because transformed cell lines and animal-derived corneal endothelial cells are not desirable for therapeutic applications. Primary HCECs are non-proliferative in vivo and challenging to expand in vitro while maintaining their characteristic cell morphology and critical markers. Biochemical cues such as growth factors and small molecules have been investigated to enhance the expansion of HCECs with a limited increase in proliferation. In this study, patterned tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) was shown to significantly enhance the expansion of HCECs. The proliferation of HCECs increased up to 2.9-fold, and the expression amount and localization of cell-cell tight junction protein Zona Occludens-1 (ZO-1) was significantly enhanced when grown on 1 μm TCPS pillars. 250 nm pillars induced an optimal hexagonal morphology of HCEC cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the topographical effect on tight-junction expression and cell morphology could be maintained throughout each passage, and was effectively 'remembered' by the cells. Higher amount of tight-junction protein expression was maintained at cell junctions when topographic cues were removed in the successive seeding. This topographic memory suggested topography-exposed/induced cells would maintain the enhanced functional markers, which would be useful in cell-therapy based approaches to enable the in situ endothelial cell monolayer formation upon delivery. The development of patterned TCPS culture platforms could significantly benefit those researching human corneal endothelial cell cultivation for cell therapy, and tissue engineering applications.

Phosphorylation of ezrin on Thr567 is required for the synergistic activation of cell spreading by EPAC1 and protein kinase A in HEK293T cells

Recent studies have demonstrated that the actin binding protein, ezrin, and the cAMP-sensor, EPAC1, cooperate to induce cell spreading in response to elevations in intracellular cAMP. To investigate the mechanisms underlying these effects we generated a model of EPAC1-dependent cell spreading based on the stable transfection of EPAC1 into HEK293T (HEK293T-EPAC1) cells. We found that direct activation of EPAC1 with the EPAC-selective analogue, 8-pCPT-2'-O-Me-cAMP (007), promoted cell spreading in these cells. In addition, co-activation of EPAC1 and PKA, with a combination of the adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin, and the cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, rolipram, was found to synergistically enhance cell spreading, in association with cortical actin bundling and mobilisation of ezrin to the plasma membrane. PKA activation was also associated with phosphorylation of ezrin on Thr567, as detected by an electrophoretic band mobility shift during SDS-PAGE. Inhibition of PKA activity blocked ezrin phosphorylation and reduced the cell spreading response to cAMP elevation to levels induced by EPAC1-activation alone. Transfection of HEK293T-EPAC1 cells with inhibitory ezrin mutants lacking the key PKA phosphorylation site, ezrin-Thr567Ala, or the ability to associate with actin, ezrin-Arg579Ala, promoted cell arborisation and blocked the ability of EPAC1 and PKA to further promote cell spreading. The PKA phospho-mimetic mutants of ezrin, ezrin-Thr567Asp had no effect on EPAC1-driven cell spreading. Our results indicate that association of ezrin with the actin cytoskeleton and phosphorylation on Thr567 are required, but not sufficient, for PKA and EPAC1 to synergistically promote cell spreading following elevations in intracellular cAMP.

Cytotoxicity of methanol extracts of Elaeis guineensis on MCF-7 and Vero cell lines

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the cytotoxic effect of Elaeis guineensis methanol extract on MCF-7 and Vero cell.

METHODS

In vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated in by MTT assay. Cell morphological changes were observed by using light microscope.

RESULTS

The MTT assay indicated that methanol extract of the plant exhibited significant cytotoxic effects on MCF-7. Morphological alteration of the cell lines after exposure with Elaeis guineensis extract were observed under phase contrast microscope in the dose dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest the probable use of the Elaeis guineensis methanol extract in preparing recipes for cancer-related ailments. Further studies on isolation of metabolites and their in vivo cytotoxicity are under investigation.

Analysis of high-throughput screening reveals the effect of surface topographies on cellular morphology

Surface topographies of materials considerably impact cellular behavior as they have been shown to affect cell growth, provide cell guidance, and even induce cell differentiation. Consequently, for successful application in tissue engineering, the contact interface of biomaterials needs to be optimized to induce the required cell behavior. However, a rational design of biomaterial surfaces is severely hampered because knowledge is lacking on the underlying biological mechanisms. Therefore, we previously developed a high-throughput screening device (TopoChip) that measures cell responses to large libraries of parameterized topographical material surfaces. Here, we introduce a computational analysis of high-throughput materiome data to capture the relationship between the surface topographies of materials and cellular morphology. We apply robust statistical techniques to find surface topographies that best promote a certain specified cellular response. By augmenting surface screening with data-driven modeling, we determine which properties of the surface topographies influence the morphological properties of the cells. With this information, we build models that predict the cellular response to surface topographies that have not yet been measured. We analyze cellular morphology on 2176 surfaces, and find that the surface topography significantly affects various cellular properties, including the roundness and size of the nucleus, as well as the perimeter and orientation of the cells. Our learned models capture and accurately predict these relationships and reveal a spectrum of topographies that induce various levels of cellular morphologies. Taken together, this novel approach of high-throughput screening of materials and subsequent analysis opens up possibilities for a rational design of biomaterial surfaces.

Human brain microvascular endothelial cells resist elongation due to shear stress

Endothelial cells in straight sections of vessels are known to elongate and align in the direction of flow. This phenotype has been replicated in confluent monolayers of bovine aortic endothelial cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in cell culture under physiological shear stress. Here we report on the morphological response of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) in confluent monolayers in response to shear stress. Using a microfluidic platform we image confluent monolayers of HBMECs and HUVECs under shear stresses up to 16 dyne cm(-2). From live-cell imaging we quantitatively analyze the cell morphology and cell speed as a function of time. We show that HBMECs do not undergo a classical transition from cobblestone to spindle-like morphology in response to shear stress. We further show that under shear stress, actin fibers are randomly oriented in the cells indicating that there is no cytoskeletal remodeling. These results suggest that HBMECs are programmed to resist elongation and alignment under shear stress, a phenotype that may be associated with the unique properties of the blood-brain barrier.

Induction of morphological changes in death-induced cancer cells monitored by holographic microscopy

We are using the label-free technique of holographic microscopy to analyze cellular parameters including cell number, confluence, cellular volume and area directly in the cell culture environment. We show that death-induced cells can be distinguished from untreated counterparts by the use of holographic microscopy, and we demonstrate its capability for cell death assessment. Morphological analysis of two representative cell lines (L929 and DU145) was performed in the culture flasks without any prior cell detachment. The two cell lines were treated with the anti-tumour agent etoposide for 1-3days. Measurements by holographic microscopy showed significant differences in average cell number, confluence, volume and area when comparing etoposide-treated with untreated cells. The cell volume of the treated cell lines was initially increased at early time-points. By time, cells decreased in volume, especially when treated with high doses of etoposide. In conclusion, we have shown that holographic microscopy allows label-free and completely non-invasive morphological measurements of cell growth, viability and death. Future applications could include real-time monitoring of these holographic microscopy parameters in cells in response to clinically relevant compounds.

Effect of organic-ligands on the toxicity profiles of CdS nanoparticles and functional properties

CdS nanoparticles are one among the most promising agents for fluorescent imaging. Hence, it is essential to develop new strategies to overcome the cytotoxicity of these nanoparticles. Surface modification is one of the simplest and effective techniques. This paper assesses the effect of surface modification on toxicity of the CdS nanoparticles. Unmodified CdS and surface-modified CdS nanoparticles were synthesized in an aqueous medium using a wet chemical route at room temperature. The surface modification of the CdS nanoparticles with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and cysteine was confirmed using infrared absorption studies. The diameters of unmodified CdS, PVP-modified CdS, and cysteine-modified CdS nanoparticles were determined using HRTEM. They exhibited luminescence in the range from 500 to 800 nm. The cytotoxic effects of these CdS nanoparticles were investigated in cultures of Vero cells. The results indicated that Vero cell viability was higher for the surface-modified CdS nanoparticles than for the unmodified CdS nanoparticles. The reduction in the toxicity was related to the nature of the capping agents used for the surface modification, and the particle size.

The effect of catechol on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (in vitro study)

Catechol also known as pyrocatechol or 1,2-dihydroxybenzene is formed endogenously in the organism from neurotransmitters including adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine. It is also a metabolite of many drugs like DOPA, isoproterenol or aspirin and it is also formed in the environment during transformation of various xenobiotics. We evaluated in vitro the effect of catechol on the structure and function of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The cells were incubated with xenobiotic at concentration range from 2 to 500μg/mL for 1h. Human blood mononuclear cells were obtained from leucocyte-platelet buffy coat taken from healthy donors in the Blood Bank of Łódź, Poland. Using flow cytometry we have evaluated necrotic, apoptotic and morphological changes in PBMCs incubated with catechol. Moreover, we have estimated changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, protein carbonylation and lipid peroxidation in the cells studied. The compound studied provoked necrotic (from 250μg/mL), apoptotic (from 100μg/mL), and morphological changes (from 250μg/mL) in the incubated cells. We have also noted that catechol decreased H2DCF oxidation at 2 and 10μg/mL but at higher concentrations of 250 and 500μg/mL it caused statistically significant increase in the oxidation of this probe. We also observed an increase in lipid peroxidation (from 250μg/mL) and protein carbonylation (from 50μg/mL) of PBMCs. It was observed that catechol only at high concentrations was capable of inducing changes in PBMCs. The obtained results clearly showed that catechol may induce change in PBMCs only in the caste of poisoning with this compound.

ETM study of electroporation influence on cell morphology in human malignant melanoma and human primary gingival fibroblast cells

OBJECTIVE

To estimate electroporation (EP) influence on malignant and normal cells.

METHODS

Two cell lines including human malignant melanoma (Me-45) and normal human gingival fibroblast (HGFs) were used. EP parameters were the following: 250, 1 000, 1 750, 2 500 V/cm; 50 µs by 5 impulses for every case. The viability of cells after EP was estimated by MTT assay. The ultrastructural analysis was observed by transmission electron microscope (Zeiss EM 900).

RESULTS

In the current study we observed the intracellular effect following EP on Me-45 and HGF cells. At the conditions applied, we did not observe any significant damage of mitochondrial activity in both cell lines treated by EP. Conversely, we showed that EP in some conditions can stimulate cells to proliferation. Some changes induced by EP were only visible in electron microscopy. In fibroblast cells we observed significant changes in lower parameters of EP (250 and 1 000 V/cm). After applying higher electric field intensities (2 500 V/cm) we detected many vacuoles, myelin-like bodies and swallowed endoplasmic reticulum. In melanoma cells such strong pathological modifications after EP were not observed, in comparison with control cells. The ultrastructure of both treated cell lines was changed according to the applied parameters of EP.

CONCLUSIONS

We can claim that EP conditions are cell line dependent. In terms of the intracellular morphology, human fibroblasts are more sensitive to electric field as compared with melanoma cells. Optimal conditions should be determined for each cell line. Summarizing our study, we can conclude that EP is not an invasive method for human normal and malignant cells. This technique can be safely applied in chemotherapy for delivering drugs into tumor cells.

Comparative analysis of protein profiles of aqueous extracts from marine sponges and assessment of cytotoxicity on different mammalian cell types

Marine natural products extracted from sponges represent a new source for drug discovery. Here we describe a simple method for preparing aqueous extracts from 7 Mediterranean demosponges, which allowed the extraction of water-soluble compounds, such as proteins by homogenization of sponge tissue in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The comparative analysis by SDS-PAGE showed differences in number of bands, bandwidth and intensity among the sponges analyzed. The PAS/silver staining revealed a substantial and different glycoprotein assortment among the demosponges studied. To further study the biological activities present in the sponge extracts, we determined the non-cytotoxic doses on four different mammalian cell types demonstrating that the optimal non-cytotoxic doses were cell type- and extract-dependent. In conclusion, the extraction method described in this paper represents a fast and efficient procedure for the extraction of water-soluble proteins from marine sponges. Furthermore, the cell viability data suggest the feasibility of this method for the direct in vitro cell-based assays.

Effects of macro- versus nanoporous silicon substrates on human aortic endothelial cell behavior

Human aortic endothelial cells play a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, which is a common, progressive, and multifactorial disease that is the clinical endpoint of an inflammatory process and endothelial dysfunction. Study and development of new therapies against cardiovascular disease must be tested in vitro cell models, prior to be evaluated in vivo. To this aim, new cell culture platforms are developed that allow cells to grow and respond to their environment in a realistic manner. In this work, the cell adhesion and morphology of endothelial cells are investigated on functionalized porous silicon substrates with two different pore size configurations: macroporous and nanoporous silicon. Herein, we modified the surfaces of porous silicon substrates by aminopropyl triethoxysilane, and we studied how different pore geometries induced different cellular response in the cell morphology and adhesion. The cell growth over the surface of porous silicon becomes an attractive field, especially for medical applications. Surface properties of the biomaterial are associated with cell adhesion and as well as, with proliferation, migration and differentiation.

A multi-approach study of influence of growth temperature and nutrient deprivation in a strain of Aeromonas hydrophila

In the present study we investigated the behavior of an Aeromonas hydrophila strain in prolonged nutrient deprivation condition analyzing the possible link among survival, cell morphology and adhesive characteristics and correlating them with the expression of the 43kDa outer membrane protein (OMP). The strain was inoculated in mineral and drinking chlorinated water, and in Nutrient Broth as a control with incubation at 4 and 24°C for 176days. Specimens were analyzed at different times during starvation stress. Viability was assessed by flow cytometry and growth by plate count technique; morphology and adhesivity were detected by optical and electron microscopy. The 43kDa OMP expression at different times was determined after immunoblotting assay using a polyclonal antibody produced in rabbit. The results showed a long-term viability as evidenced by cytofluorimetric analysis; however, the prolonged starvation led to the shift from the normal rod shaped cells to spherical forms in the last phases of incubation especially at 24°C. Concomitantly with the appearance of spherical cells we noted a reduction of the 43kDa OMP content and adhesive ability. Therefore, our results suggest a role of the 43kDa OMP as adhesin in A. hydrophila. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the bacterium can long survive under stress conditions, however adopting strategies which can lead to a loss of some cell surface components involved in the interactions with eukaryotic cells, therefore modifying its virulence properties.

Guiding the behaviors of human umbilical vein endothelial cells with patterned silk fibroin films

Silk fibroin is an ideal blood vessel substitute due to its advantageous qualities including variable size, good suture retention, low thrombogenicity, non-toxicity, non-immunogenicity, biocompatibility, and controllable biodegradation. In this study, silk fibroin films with a variety of surface patterns (e.g. square wells, round wells plus square pillars, square pillars, and gratings) were prepared for in vitro characterization of human umbilical vein endothelial cell's (HUVEC) response. The affects of biomimetic length-scale topographic cues on the cell orientation/elongation, proliferation, and cell-substrate interactions have been investigated. The density of cells is significantly decreased in response to the grating patterns (70±3nm depth, 600±8nm pitch) and the square pillars (333±42nm gap). Most notably, we observed the contact guidance response of filopodia of cells cultured on the surface of round wells plus square pillars. Overall, our data demonstrates that the patterned silk fibroin films have an impact on the behaviors of human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Oscillations in a neurite growth model with extracellular feedback

We consider the influence of extracellular signalling on neurite elongation in a model of neurite growth mediated by building proteins (e.g., tubulin). The tubulin production dynamics were supplied by a function describing the influence of extracellular signalling, which can promote or depress neurite elongation. We found that this extracellular feedback could generate neurite length oscillations consisting of a periodic sequence of elongations and retractions. The oscillations prevent further outgrowth of the neurite, which becomes trapped in the non-uniform extracellular field. We analysed the characteristics of the elongation process for different distributions of attracting and repelling sources of the extracellular signalling molecules. The model predicts three different scenarios of neurite development in the extracellular field, including monotonic and oscillatory outgrowth, localised limit cycle oscillations and complete growth depression.

Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of menadione on rat hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers, which may lead to death. Menadione shows cytotoxic activity thought affecting redox cycling in cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of menadione on rat hepatocellular carcinoma (H4IIE) cell morphology, cytotoxicity, apoptosis and DNA damage or repair in vitro. Cell morphology evaluated by microscopy and cell viability was determined using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl]-diphenyltetrazolium bromide test. Apoptotic cell death was assessed in H4IIE cells treated with menadione by 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction used to determine the expression level of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) gene. According to the results of this study menadione has got a cytotoxic activity (IC50 25 µM) and change the cell fate in H4IIE cells. Menadione treatments lead to PARP1 activation in a dose dependent manner and induce DNA damage and apoptosis, and this may suggest its use as a therapeutic agent in HCC treatment.

Micropattern width dependent sarcomere development in human ESC-derived cardiomyocytes

In this study, human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes were seeded onto controlled two-dimensional micropatterned features, and an improvement in sarcomere formation and cell alignment was observed in specific feature geometries. High-resolution photolithography techniques and microcontact printing were utilized to produce features of various rectangular geometries, with areas ranging from 2500 μm(2) to 160,000 μm(2). The microcontact printing method was used to pattern non-adherent poly(ethylene glycol) regions on gold coated glass slides. Matrigel and fibronectin extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins were layered onto the gold-coated glass slides, providing a controlled geometry for cell adhesion. We used small molecule-based differentiation and an antibiotic purification step to produce a pure population of immature cardiomyocytes from H9 human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). We then seeded this pure population of human cardiomyocytes onto the micropatterned features of various sizes and observed how the cardiomyocytes remodeled their myofilament structure in response to the feature geometries. Immunofluorescence was used to measure α-actinin expression, and phalloidin stains were used to detect actin presence in the patterned cells. Analysis of nuclear alignment was also used to determine how cell direction was influenced by the features. The seeded cells showed clear alignment with the features, dependent on the width rather than the overall aspect ratio of the features. It was determined that features with widths between 30 μm and 80 μm promoted highly aligned cardiomyocytes with a dramatic increase in sarcomere alignment relative to the long axis of the pattern. This creation of highly-aligned cell aggregates with robust sarcomere structures holds great potential in advancing cell-based pharmacological studies, and will help researchers to understand the means by which ECM geometries can affect myofilament structure and maturation in hESC-derived cardiomyocytes.

Heterogeneity of myotubes generated by the MyoD and E12 basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors in otherwise non-differentiation growth conditions

We used a synthetic biology approach to produce myotubes from mammalian C2C12 myoblasts in non-differentiation growth conditions using the expression of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, MyoD and E12, in various combinations and configurations. Our approach not only recapitulated the basics of muscle development and physiology, as the obtained myotubes showed qualities similar to those seen in striated muscle fibers in vivo, but also allowed for the synthesis of populations of myotubes which assumed distinct morphology, myofibrillar development and Ca(2+) dynamics. This fashioned class of biomaterials is suitable for the building blocks of soft actuators in micro-scale biomimetic robotics. This production line strategy can be embraced in reparative medicine as synthetic human myotubes with predetermined morphological/functional properties could be obtained using this very approach. This methodology can be adopted beyond striated muscle for the engineering of other tissue components/cells whose differentiation is governed by the principles of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, as in the case, for example, of neural or immune cell types.

The potential of anisotropic matrices as substrate for heart valve engineering

Cells environment is increasingly recognized as an important function regulator through cell-matrix interactions. Extracellular matrix (ECM) anisotropy being a key component of heart valves properties, we have devised a method to create highly porous anisotropic nanofibrillar scaffolds and studied their suitability as cell-support and interactions with human adipose derived stem cells (hADSCs) and human valve interstitial cells (hVICs). Anisotropic nanofibrillar scaffolds were produced by a modified jet-spraying method that allows the formation of aligned nanofibres (600 nm) through air-stream diffraction of a polymer solution (poly (ε-caprolactone, PCL) and collection onto a variably rotating drum. The resulting matrices of high porosity (99%) mimicked valve mechanical anisotropy. Dynamically seeded hADSC and hVIC cultured on scaffolds up to 20 days revealed that hADSC and hVIC penetration within the matrices was improved by anisotropic organization. Within 10 days, cells populated the entire scaffolds thickness and produced ECM (collagen I, III and elastin). As a result, mechanical properties of the constructs were improved over culture, while remaining anisotropic. In contrast to isotropic matrices, anisotropy induced elongated hADSCs and hVICs morphology that followed nanofibres orientation. Interestingly, these morphological changes did not induce hADSC differentiation towards the mesoderm lineages while hVIC recovered a physiological phenotype over culture in the biomimetic matrices. Overall, this study indicates that highly porous anisotropic jet-sprayed matrices are interesting candidates for valve tissue engineering, through anisotropic mechanical properties, efficient cell population, conservation of stem cells phenotype and recovery of hVIC physiological phenotype.

My favourite flowering image

Choosing a favourite image is very difficult to do, not least because different images are important to us for different reasons. I have decided to focus here on an image that is not only intrinsically beautiful, but that also emphasizes the importance of looking and seeing properly when trying to understand the world around us. For me, this image, the adaxial surface of the petal of Veronica caucasia, exemplifies how looking at things in different ways can provide unexpected insights into the way nature works.

The effect of bioartificial constructs that mimic myocardial structure and biomechanical properties on stem cell commitment towards cardiac lineage. Biomaterials. 2014;35:92-104. [PMID: 24099712 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.09.058]

Despite the enormous progress in the treatment of coronary artery diseases, they remain the most common cause of heart failure in the Western countries. New translational therapeutic approaches explore cardiomyogenic differentiation of various types of stem cells in combination with tissue-engineered scaffolds. In this study we fabricated PHBHV/gelatin constructs mimicking myocardial structural properties. Chemical structure and molecular interaction between material components induced specific properties to the substrate in terms of hydrophilicity degree, porosity and mechanical characteristics. Viability and proliferation assays demonstrated that these constructs allow adhesion and growth of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and cardiac resident non myocytic cells (NMCs). Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that stem cells cultured on these constructs adopt a distribution mimicking the three-dimensional cell alignment of myocardium. qPCR and immunofluorescence analyses showed the ability of this construct to direct initial MSC and NMC lineage specification towards cardiomyogenesis: both MSCs and NMCs showed the expression of the cardiac transcription factor GATA-4, fundamental for early cardiac commitment. Moreover NMCs also acquired the expression of the cardiac transcription factors Nkx2.5 and TBX5 and produced sarcomeric proteins. This work may represent a new approach to induce both resident and non-resident stem cells to cardiac commitment in a 3-D structure, without using additional stimuli.

Algicidal activity of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bung on Microcystis aeruginosa--towards identification of algicidal substance and determination of inhibition mechanism

The present study was to isolate and identify a potent algicidal compound from extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza and study the potential inhibition mechanism on Microcystis aeruginosa. Column chromatography and bioassay-guided fractionation methods were carried out to yield neo-przewaquinone A, which was identified by spectral analysis. The EC50 of neo-przewaquinone A on M. aeruginosa were 4.68 mg L(-1). In addition, neo-przewaquinone A showed relatively higher security on Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Scenedesmus obliquus, with the EC50 values of 14.78 and 10.37 mg L(-1), respectively. For the potential inhibition mechanisms, neo-przewaquinone A caused M. aeruginosa cells morphologic damage or lysis, increased malondialdehyde content and decreased the soluble protein content, total antioxidant and superoxide dismutase activity, and significantly inhibited three photosynthesis-related genes (psaB, psbD, and rbcL). The results demonstrated the algicidal effect of neo-przewaquinone A on M. aeruginosa and provided the possible inhibition mechanisms.

Relationships among cell morphology, intrinsic cell stiffness and cell-substrate interactions

Cell modulus (stiffness) is a critical cell property that is important in normal cell functions and increasingly associated with disease states, yet most methods to characterize modulus may skew results. Here we show strong evidence indicating that the fundamental nature of free energies associated with cell/substrate interactions regulates adherent cell morphology and can be used to deduce cell modulus. These results are based on a mathematical model of biophysics and confirmed by the measured morphology of normal and cancerous liver cells adhered on a substrate. Cells select their final morphology by minimizing the total free energy in the cell/substrate system. The key mechanism by which substrate stiffness influences cell morphology is the energy tradeoff between the stabilizing influence of the cell-substrate interfacial adhesive energy and the destabilizing influence of the total elastic energies in the system. Using these findings, we establish a noninvasive methodology to determine the intrinsic modulus of cells by observing global changes in cell morphology in response to substrate stiffness. We also highlight the importance of selecting a relevant morphological index, cell roundness, that reflects the interchange between forms of energy governing cell morphology. Thus, cell-substrate interactions can be rationalized by the underlying biophysics, and cell modulus is easily measured.

Dynamic changes in brewing yeast cells in culture revealed by statistical analyses of yeast morphological data

The vitality of brewing yeasts has been used to monitor their physiological state during fermentation. To investigate the fermentation process, we used the image processing software, CalMorph, which generates morphological data on yeast mother cells and bud shape, nuclear shape and location, and actin distribution. We found that 248 parameters changed significantly during fermentation. Successive use of principal component analysis (PCA) revealed several important features of yeast, providing insight into the dynamic changes in the yeast population. First, PCA indicated that much of the observed variability in the experiment was summarized in just two components: a change with a peak and a change over time. Second, PCA indicated the independent and important morphological features responsible for dynamic changes: budding ratio, nucleus position, neck position, and actin organization. Thus, the large amount of data provided by imaging analysis can be used to monitor the fermentation processes involved in beer and bioethanol production.

Stimulation of adipogenesis of adult adipose-derived stem cells using substrates that mimic the stiffness of adipose tissue

Biochemical and biomechanical extracellular matrix (ECM) cues have recently been shown to play a role in stimulating stem cell differentiation towards several lineages, though how they combine to induce adipogenesis has been less well studied. The objective of this study was to recapitulate both the ECM composition and mechanical properties of adipose tissue in vitro to stimulate adipogenesis of human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in the absence of exogenous adipogenic growth factors and small molecules. Adipose specific ECM biochemical cues have been previously shown to influence adipogenic differentiation; however, the ability of biomechanical cues to promote adipogenesis has been less defined. Decellularized human lipoaspirate was used to functionalize polyacrylamide gels of varying stiffness to allow the cells to interact with adipose-specific ECM components. Culturing ASCs on gels that mimicked the native stiffness of adipose tissue (2 kPa) significantly upregulated adipogenic markers, in the absence of exogenous adipogenic growth factors and small molecules. As substrate stiffness increased, the cells became more spread, lost their rounded morphology, and failed to upregulate adipogenic markers. Together these data imply that as with other lineages, mechanical cues are capable of regulating adipogenesis in ASCs.

One isoform of Arg/Abl2 tyrosine kinase is nuclear and the other seven cytosolic isoforms differently modulate cell morphology, motility and the cytoskeleton

The non-receptor tyrosine kinase Abelson related gene (Arg/Abl2) regulates cell migration and morphogenesis by modulating the cytoskeleton. Arg promotes actin-based cell protrusions and spreading, and inhibits cell migration by attenuating stress fiber formation and contractility via activation of the RhoA inhibitor, p190RhoGAP, and by regulating focal adhesion dynamics also via CrkII phosphorylation. Eight full-length Arg isoforms with different N- and C-termini are endogenously expressed in human cells. In this paper, the eight Arg isoforms, subcloned in the pFLAG-CMV2 vector, were transfected in COS-7 cells in order to study their subcellular distribution and role in cell morphology, migration and cytoskeletal modulation. The transfected 1BSCTS Arg isoform has a nuclear distribution and phosphorylates CrkII in the nucleus, whilst the other isoforms are detected in the cytoplasm. The 1BLCTL, 1BSCTL, 1ASCTS isoforms were able to significantly decrease stress fibers, induce cell shrinkage and filopodia-like protrusions with a significant increase in p190RhoGAP phosphorylation. In contrast, 1ALCTL, 1ALCTS, 1ASCTL and 1BLCTS isoforms do not significantly decrease stress fibers and induce the formation of retraction tail-like protrusions. The 1BLCTL and 1ALCTL isoforms have different effects on cell migration and focal adhesions. All these data may open new perspectives to study the mechanisms of cell invasiveness.

Characterization of myxobacterial A-motility: insights from microcinematographic observations

Myxococcus xanthus, a predatory soil bacterium, has long been used as a model organism to study bacterial gliding motility. Research has revealed that two fundamentally distinct motor systems power gliding in this bacterium: repeated extensions and retractions of pili mediate social or (S-) motility, whereas the motor powering adventurous or (A-) motility has not yet been identified with certainty. Several different hypotheses to explain A-motility have been suggested and differ with respect to the involved motor structures as well as the mechanics of motility. As some of the more recent models invoke helically arranged structures and processes that require rotations of the cell, we decided to re-examine myxobacterial motility using microcinematographic techniques. This re-examination was also prompted by the lack of direct experimental data on the rotation of M. xanthus during gliding. Microcinematographic observations of deformed cells and cells containing large stationary intracellular structures reveal clearly that M. xanthus gliding does not require cell rotation.