1
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Yan B, Liao P, Shi L, Lei P. Pan-cancer analyses of senescence-related genes in extracellular matrix characterization in cancer. Discov Oncol 2023; 14:208. [PMID: 37985530 PMCID: PMC10660488 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-023-00828-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aged microenvironment plays a crucial role in tumor onset and progression. However, it remains unclear whether and how the aging of the extracellular matrix (ECM) influences cancer onset and progression. Furthermore, the mechanisms and implications of extracellular matrix senescence-related genes (ECM-SRGs) in pan-cancer have not been investigated. METHODS We collected profiling data from over 10,000 individuals, covering 33 cancer types, 750 small molecule drugs, and 24 immune cell types, for a thorough and systematic analysis of ECM-SRGs in cancer. RESULTS We observed a significant correlation between immune cell infiltrates and Gene Set Variation Analysis enrichment scores of ECM-SRGs in 33 cancer types. Moreover, our results revealed significant differences in immune cell infiltration among patients with copy number variations (CNV) and single nucleotide variations (SNV) in ECM-SRGs across various malignancies. Aberrant hypomethylation led to increased ECM-SRGs expression, and in specific malignancies, a connection between ECM-SRGs hypomethylation and adverse patient survival was established. The frequency of CNV and SNV in ECM-SRGs was elevated. We observed a positive correlation between CNV, SNV, and ECM-SRGs expression. Furthermore, a correlation was found between the high frequency of CNV and SNV in ECM-SRGs and poor patient survival in several cancer types. Additionally, the results demonstrated that ECM-SRGs expression could serve as a predictor of patient survival in diverse cancers. Pathway analysis unveiled the role of ECM-SRGs in activating EMT, apoptosis, and the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway while suppressing the cell cycle, hormone AR, and the response to DNA damage signaling pathway. Finally, we conducted searches in the "Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer" and "Genomics of Therapeutics Response Portal" databases, identifying several drugs that target ECM-SRGs. CONCLUSIONS We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the genomes and immunogenomics of ECM-SRGs, along with their clinical features in 33 solid tumors. This may provide insights into the relationship between ECM-SRGs and tumorigenesis. Consequently, targeting these ECM-SRGs holds promise as a clinical approach for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Yan
- Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Geriatrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
- Tianjin Geriatrics Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Pan Liao
- Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Geriatrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
- Tianjin Geriatrics Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
- The School of Medicine, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Liqiu Shi
- Inner Mongolia Forestry General Hospital, 81 Lincheng North Road, Yakeshi, 022150, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Ping Lei
- Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Department of Geriatrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China.
- Tianjin Geriatrics Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China.
- The School of Medicine, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300071, China.
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2
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Quantification of cell contractile behavior based on non-destructive macroscopic measurement of tension forces on bioprinted hydrogel. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2022; 134:105365. [PMID: 35863297 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2022.105365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Contraction assay based on surface measurement have been widely used to evaluate cell contractility in 3D models. This method is straightforward and requires no specific equipment, but it does not provide quantitative data about contraction forces generated by cells. We expanded this method with a new biomechanical model, based on the work-energy theorem, to provide non-destructive longitudinal monitoring of contraction forces generated by cells in 3D. We applied this method on hydrogels seeded with either fibroblasts or osteoblasts. Hydrogel mechanical characteristics were modulated to enhance (condition HCAHigh: hydrogel contraction assay high contraction) or limit (condition HCALow: hydrogel contraction assay low contraction) cell contractile behaviors. Macroscopic measures were further correlated with cell contractile behavior and descriptive analysis of their physiology in response to different mechanical environments. Fibroblasts and osteoblasts contracted their matrix up to 47% and 77% respectively. Contraction stress peaked at day 5 with 1.1 10-14 Pa for fibroblasts and 3.5 10-14 Pa for osteoblasts, which correlated with cell attachment and spreading. Negligible contraction was seen in HCALow. Both fibroblasts and osteoblasts expressed α-SMA contractile fibers in HCAHigh and HCALow. Failure to contract HCALow was attributed to increased cross-linking and resistance to proteolytic degradation of the hydrogel.
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3
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Suki B, Bates JHT, Bartolák-Suki E. Remodeling of the Aged and Emphysematous Lungs: Roles of Microenvironmental Cues. Compr Physiol 2022; 12:3559-3574. [PMID: 35766835 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c210033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Aging is a slow process that affects all organs, and the lung is no exception. At the alveolar level, aging increases the airspace size with thicker and stiffer septal walls and straighter and thickened collagen and elastic fibers. This creates a microenvironment that interferes with the ability of cells in the parenchyma to maintain normal homeostasis and respond to injury. These changes also make the lung more susceptible to disease such as emphysema. Emphysema is characterized by slow but progressive remodeling of the deep alveolar regions that leads to airspace enlargement and increased but disorganized elastin and collagen deposition. This remodeling has been attributed to ongoing inflammation that involves inflammatory cells and the cytokines they produce. Cellular senescence, another consequence of aging, weakens the ability of cells to properly respond to injury, something that also occurs in emphysema. These factors conspire to make alveolar walls more prone to mechanical failure, which can set emphysema in motion by driving inflammation through immune stimulation by protein fragments. Both aging and emphysema are influenced by microenvironmental conditions such as local inflammation, chemical makeup, tissue stiffness, and mechanical stresses. Although aging and emphysema are not equivalent, they have the potential to influence each other in synergistic ways; aging sets up the conditions for emphysema to develop, while emphysema may accelerate cellular senescence and thus aging itself. This article focuses on the similarities and differences between the remodeled microenvironment of the aging and emphysematous lung, with special emphasis on the alveolar septal wall. © 2022 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 12:3559-3574, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Béla Suki
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jason H T Bates
- Depatment of Medicine, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA
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4
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Sayer S, Zandrini T, Markovic M, Van Hoorick J, Van Vlierberghe S, Baudis S, Holnthoner W, Ovsianikov A. Guiding cell migration in 3D with high-resolution photografting. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8626. [PMID: 35606455 PMCID: PMC9126875 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11612-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-photon lithography (MPL) has proven to be a suitable tool to precisely control the microenvironment of cells in terms of the biochemical and biophysical properties of the hydrogel matrix. In this work, we present a novel method, based on multi-photon photografting of 4,4′-diazido-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonic acid (DSSA), and its capabilities to induce cell alignment, directional cell migration and endothelial sprouting in a gelatin-based hydrogel matrix. DSSA-photografting allows for the fabrication of complex patterns at a high-resolution and is a biocompatible, universally applicable and straightforward process that is comparably fast. We have demonstrated the preferential orientation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) in response to a photografted pattern. Co-culture spheroids of hASCs and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) have been utilized to study the directional migration of hASCs into the modified regions. Subsequently, we have highlighted the dependence of endothelial sprouting on the presence of hASCs and demonstrated the potential of photografting to control the direction of the sprouts. MPL-induced DSSA-photografting has been established as a promising method to selectively alter the microenvironment of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Sayer
- Research Group 3D Printing and Biofabrication, Institute of Materials Science and Technology, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration (https://www.tissue-regeneration.at), Vienna, Austria
| | - Tommaso Zandrini
- Research Group 3D Printing and Biofabrication, Institute of Materials Science and Technology, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration (https://www.tissue-regeneration.at), Vienna, Austria
| | - Marica Markovic
- Research Group 3D Printing and Biofabrication, Institute of Materials Science and Technology, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration (https://www.tissue-regeneration.at), Vienna, Austria
| | - Jasper Van Hoorick
- Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sandra Van Vlierberghe
- Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry, Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefan Baudis
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration (https://www.tissue-regeneration.at), Vienna, Austria.,Polymer Chemistry and Technology Group, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Holnthoner
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration (https://www.tissue-regeneration.at), Vienna, Austria.,Ludwig-Boltzmann-Institute for Traumatology, The Research Centre in Cooperation with AUVA, Vienna, Austria
| | - Aleksandr Ovsianikov
- Research Group 3D Printing and Biofabrication, Institute of Materials Science and Technology, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria. .,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration (https://www.tissue-regeneration.at), Vienna, Austria.
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5
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Mirastschijski U, Jiang D, Rinkevich Y. Genital Wound Repair and Scarring. Med Sci (Basel) 2022; 10:23. [PMID: 35466231 PMCID: PMC9036227 DOI: 10.3390/medsci10020023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Skin wound repair has been the central focus of clinicians and scientists for almost a century. Insights into acute and chronic wound healing as well as scarring have influenced and ameliorated wound treatment. Our knowledge of normal skin notwithstanding, little is known of acute and chronic wound repair of genital skin. In contrast to extra-genital skin, hypertrophic scarring is uncommon in genital tissue. Chronic wound healing disorders of the genitals are mostly confined to mucosal tissue diseases. This article will provide insights into the differences between extra-genital and genital skin with regard to anatomy, physiology and aberrant wound repair. In light of fundamental differences between genital and normal skin, it is recommended that reconstructive and esthetic surgery should exclusively be performed by specialists with profound expertise in genital wound repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursula Mirastschijski
- Mira-Beau Gender Esthetics Berlin, 10777 Berlin, Germany
- Wound Repair Unit, CBIB, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Dongsheng Jiang
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Institute of Lung Biology and Disease, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 81377 München, Germany; (D.J.); (Y.R.)
| | - Yuval Rinkevich
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Institute of Lung Biology and Disease, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 81377 München, Germany; (D.J.); (Y.R.)
- Institute of Regenerative Biology and Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 81377 München, Germany
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6
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Weigel T, Malkmus C, Weigel V, Wußmann M, Berger C, Brennecke J, Groeber-Becker F, Hansmann J. Fully Synthetic 3D Fibrous Scaffolds for Stromal Tissues-Replacement of Animal-Derived Scaffold Materials Demonstrated by Multilayered Skin. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2106780. [PMID: 34933407 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202106780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) of soft tissues in vivo has remarkable biological and structural properties. Thereby, the ECM provides mechanical stability while it still can be rearranged via cellular remodeling during tissue maturation or healing processes. However, modern synthetic alternatives fail to provide these key features among basic properties. Synthetic matrices are usually completely degraded or are inert regarding cellular remodeling. Based on a refined electrospinning process, a method is developed to generate synthetic scaffolds with highly porous fibrous structures and enhanced fiber-to-fiber distances. Since this approach allows for cell migration, matrix remodeling, and ECM synthesis, the scaffold provides an ideal platform for the generation of soft tissue equivalents. Using this matrix, an electrospun-based multilayered skin equivalent composed of a stratified epidermis, a dermal compartment, and a subcutis is able to be generated without the use of animal matrix components. The extension of classical dense electrospun scaffolds with high porosities and motile fibers generates a fully synthetic and defined alternative to collagen-gel-based tissue models and is a promising system for the construction of tissue equivalents as in vitro models or in vivo implants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Weigel
- Translational Center for Regenerative Therapies (TLC-RT), Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (ISC), 97082, Würzburg, Germany
- Department for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, 97070, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Malkmus
- Department for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, 97070, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Verena Weigel
- Translational Center for Regenerative Therapies (TLC-RT), Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (ISC), 97082, Würzburg, Germany
- Department for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, 97070, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Maximiliane Wußmann
- Translational Center for Regenerative Therapies (TLC-RT), Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (ISC), 97082, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Constantin Berger
- Department for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, 97070, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Julian Brennecke
- Department for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, 97070, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Florian Groeber-Becker
- Translational Center for Regenerative Therapies (TLC-RT), Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (ISC), 97082, Würzburg, Germany
- Department for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, 97070, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jan Hansmann
- Department for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, 97070, Würzburg, Germany
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt, 97421, Schweinfurt, Germany
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7
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Bahcecioglu G, Yue X, Howe E, Guldner I, Stack MS, Nakshatri H, Zhang S, Zorlutuna P. Aged Breast Extracellular Matrix Drives Mammary Epithelial Cells to an Invasive and Cancer-Like Phenotype. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:e2100128. [PMID: 34617419 PMCID: PMC8596116 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202100128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Age is a major risk factor for cancer. While the importance of age related genetic alterations in cells on cancer progression is well documented, the effect of aging extracellular matrix (ECM) has been overlooked. This study shows that the aging breast ECM alone is sufficient to drive normal human mammary epithelial cells (KTB21) to a more invasive and cancer-like phenotype, while promoting motility and invasiveness in MDA-MB-231 cells. Decellularized breast matrix from aged mice leads to loss of E-cadherin membrane localization in KTB21 cells, increased cell motility and invasion, and increased production of inflammatory cytokines and cancer-related proteins. The aged matrix upregulates cancer-related genes in KTB21 cells and enriches a cell subpopulation highly expressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related genes. Lysyl oxidase knockdown reverts the aged matrix-induced changes to the young levels; it relocalizes E-cadherin to cell membrane, and reduces cell motility, invasion, and cytokine production. These results show for the first time that the aging ECM harbors key biochemical, physical, and mechanical cues contributing to invasive and cancer-like behavior in healthy and cancer mammary cells. Differential response of cells to young and aged ECMs can lead to identification of new targets for cancer treatment and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gokhan Bahcecioglu
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIN46556USA
| | - Xiaoshan Yue
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIN46556USA
| | - Erin Howe
- Harper Cancer Research InstituteUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIN46556USA
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIN46556USA
| | - Ian Guldner
- Harper Cancer Research InstituteUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIN46556USA
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIN46556USA
| | - M. Sharon Stack
- Harper Cancer Research InstituteUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIN46556USA
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIN46556USA
| | - Harikrishna Nakshatri
- Department of SurgerySchool of MedicineIndiana UniversityIndianapolisIN46202USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologySchool of MedicineIndiana UniversityIndianapolisIN46202USA
| | - Siyuan Zhang
- Harper Cancer Research InstituteUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIN46556USA
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIN46556USA
| | - Pinar Zorlutuna
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIN46556USA
- Harper Cancer Research InstituteUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIN46556USA
- Bioengineering Graduate ProgramUniversity of Notre DameNotre DameIN46556USA
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8
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Eichinger JF, Paukner D, Aydin RC, Wall WA, Humphrey JD, Cyron CJ. What do cells regulate in soft tissues on short time scales? Acta Biomater 2021; 134:348-356. [PMID: 34332102 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.07.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Cells within living soft biological tissues seem to promote the maintenance of a mechanical state within a defined range near a so-called set-point. This mechanobiological process is often referred to as mechanical homeostasis. During this process, cells interact with the fibers of the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM). It remains poorly understood, however, what individual cells actually regulate during these interactions, and how these micromechanical regulations are translated to the tissue-level to lead to what we observe as biomaterial properties. Herein, we examine this question by a combination of experiments, theoretical analysis, and computational modeling. We demonstrate that on short time scales (hours) - during which deposition and degradation of ECM fibers can largely be neglected - cells appear to not regulate the stress / strain in the ECM or their own shape, but rather only the contractile forces that they exert on the surrounding ECM. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cells in soft biological tissues sense and regulate the mechanical state of the extracellular matrix to ensure structural integrity and functionality. This so-called mechanical homeostasis plays an important role in the natural history of various diseases such as aneurysms in the cardiovascular system or cancer. Yet, it remains poorly understood to date which target quantity cells regulate on the mircroscale and how it translates to the macroscale. In this paper, we combine experiments, computer simulations, and theoretical analysis to compare different hypotheses about this target quantity. This allows us to identify a likely candidate for it at least on short time scales and in the simplified environment of tissue equivalents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas F Eichinger
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstrasse 15, 85748, Garching, Germany; Institute for Continuum and Material Mechanics, Hamburg University of Technology, Eissendorfer Str. 42, 21073, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Daniel Paukner
- Institute for Continuum and Material Mechanics, Hamburg University of Technology, Eissendorfer Str. 42, 21073, Hamburg, Germany; Institute of Material Systems Modeling, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany.
| | - Roland C Aydin
- Institute of Material Systems Modeling, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany.
| | - Wolfgang A Wall
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstrasse 15, 85748, Garching, Germany.
| | - Jay D Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, 55 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| | - Christian J Cyron
- Institute for Continuum and Material Mechanics, Hamburg University of Technology, Eissendorfer Str. 42, 21073, Hamburg, Germany; Institute of Material Systems Modeling, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany.
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9
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3D-Printed Gelatin Methacrylate Scaffolds with Controlled Architecture and Stiffness Modulate the Fibroblast Phenotype towards Dermal Regeneration. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13152510. [PMID: 34372114 PMCID: PMC8347286 DOI: 10.3390/polym13152510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Impaired skin wound healing due to severe injury often leads to dysfunctional scar tissue formation as a result of excessive and persistent myofibroblast activation, characterised by the increased expression of α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Yet, despite extensive research on impaired wound healing and the advancement in tissue-engineered skin substitutes, scar formation remains a significant clinical challenge. This study aimed to first investigate the effect of methacrylate gelatin (GelMA) biomaterial stiffness on human dermal fibroblast behaviour in order to then design a range of 3D-printed GelMA scaffolds with tuneable structural and mechanical properties and understand whether the introduction of pores and porosity would support fibroblast activity, while inhibiting myofibroblast-related gene and protein expression. Results demonstrated that increasing GelMA stiffness promotes myofibroblast activation through increased fibrosis-related gene and protein expression. However, the introduction of a porous architecture by 3D printing facilitated healthy fibroblast activity, while inhibiting myofibroblast activation. A significant reduction was observed in the gene and protein production of αSMA and the expression of ECM-related proteins, including fibronectin I and collagen III, across the range of porous 3D-printed GelMA scaffolds. These results show that the 3D-printed GelMA scaffolds have the potential to improve dermal skin healing, whilst inhibiting fibrosis and scar formation, therefore potentially offering a new treatment for skin repair.
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10
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Dong L, Liu Q, Gao Y, Jia H, Dai W, Guo L, Fan H, Fan Y, Zhang X. The effect of collagen hydrogels on chondrocyte behaviors through restricting the contraction of cell/hydrogel constructs. Regen Biomater 2021; 8:rbab030. [PMID: 34221449 PMCID: PMC8245754 DOI: 10.1093/rb/rbab030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Collagen is a promising material for tissue engineering, but the poor mechanical properties of collagen hydrogels, which tend to cause contraction under the action of cellular activity, make its application challengeable. In this study, the amino group of type I collagen (Col I) was modified with methacrylic anhydride (MA) and the photo-crosslinkable methacrylate anhydride modified type I collagen (CM) with three different degrees of substitution (DS) was prepared. The physical properties of CM and Col I hydrogels were tested, including micromorphology, mechanical properties and degradation properties. The results showed that the storage modulus and degradation rate of hydrogels could be adjusted by changing the DS of CM. In vitro, chondrocytes were seeded into these four groups of hydrogels and subjected to fluorescein diacetate/propidium iodide (FDA/PI) staining, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) test, histological staining and cartilage-related gene expression analysis. In vivo, these hydrogels encapsulating chondrocytes were implanted subcutaneously into nude mice, then histological staining and sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG)/DNA assays were performed. The results demonstrated that contraction of hydrogels affected behaviors of chondrocytes, and CM hydrogels with suitable DS could resist contraction of hydrogels and promote the secretion of cartilage-specific matrix in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longpeng Dong
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, PR China
| | - Qingli Liu
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, PR China
| | - Yongli Gao
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, PR China
| | - Hengxing Jia
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, PR China
| | - Wenling Dai
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, PR China
| | - Likun Guo
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, PR China
| | - Hongsong Fan
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, PR China
| | - Yujiang Fan
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, PR China
| | - Xingdong Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, PR China
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11
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Eichinger JF, Grill MJ, Kermani ID, Aydin RC, Wall WA, Humphrey JD, Cyron CJ. A computational framework for modeling cell-matrix interactions in soft biological tissues. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2021; 20:1851-1870. [PMID: 34173132 PMCID: PMC8450219 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-021-01480-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Living soft tissues appear to promote the development and maintenance of a preferred mechanical state within a defined tolerance around a so-called set point. This phenomenon is often referred to as mechanical homeostasis. In contradiction to the prominent role of mechanical homeostasis in various (patho)physiological processes, its underlying micromechanical mechanisms acting on the level of individual cells and fibers remain poorly understood, especially how these mechanisms on the microscale lead to what we macroscopically call mechanical homeostasis. Here, we present a novel computational framework based on the finite element method that is constructed bottom up, that is, it models key mechanobiological mechanisms such as actin cytoskeleton contraction and molecular clutch behavior of individual cells interacting with a reconstructed three-dimensional extracellular fiber matrix. The framework reproduces many experimental observations regarding mechanical homeostasis on short time scales (hours), in which the deposition and degradation of extracellular matrix can largely be neglected. This model can serve as a systematic tool for future in silico studies of the origin of the numerous still unexplained experimental observations about mechanical homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas F Eichinger
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, 85748, Germany.,Institute for Continuum and Materials Mechanics, Hamburg University of Technology, Hamburg, 21073, Germany
| | - Maximilian J Grill
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, 85748, Germany
| | - Iman Davoodi Kermani
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, 85748, Germany
| | - Roland C Aydin
- Institute of Material Systems Modeling, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Geesthacht, 21502, Germany
| | - Wolfgang A Wall
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, 85748, Germany
| | - Jay D Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Christian J Cyron
- Institute for Continuum and Materials Mechanics, Hamburg University of Technology, Hamburg, 21073, Germany. .,Institute of Material Systems Modeling, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Geesthacht, 21502, Germany.
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12
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Eichinger JF, Haeusel LJ, Paukner D, Aydin RC, Humphrey JD, Cyron CJ. Mechanical homeostasis in tissue equivalents: a review. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2021; 20:833-850. [PMID: 33683513 PMCID: PMC8154823 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-021-01433-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
There is substantial evidence that growth and remodeling of load bearing soft biological tissues is to a large extent controlled by mechanical factors. Mechanical homeostasis, which describes the natural tendency of such tissues to establish, maintain, or restore a preferred mechanical state, is thought to be one mechanism by which such control is achieved across multiple scales. Yet, many questions remain regarding what promotes or prevents homeostasis. Tissue equivalents, such as collagen gels seeded with living cells, have become an important tool to address these open questions under well-defined, though limited, conditions. This article briefly reviews the current state of research in this area. It summarizes, categorizes, and compares experimental observations from the literature that focus on the development of tension in tissue equivalents. It focuses primarily on uniaxial and biaxial experimental studies, which are well-suited for quantifying interactions between mechanics and biology. The article concludes with a brief discussion of key questions for future research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas F Eichinger
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, 85748, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Continuum and Materials Mechanics, Hamburg University of Technology, 21073, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lea J Haeusel
- Institute for Computational Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, 85748, Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel Paukner
- Institute of Continuum and Materials Mechanics, Hamburg University of Technology, 21073, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Material Systems Modeling, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Roland C Aydin
- Institute of Material Systems Modeling, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Jay D Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Christian J Cyron
- Institute of Continuum and Materials Mechanics, Hamburg University of Technology, 21073, Hamburg, Germany.
- Institute of Material Systems Modeling, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany.
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13
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Giannopoulos A, Svensson RB, Yeung CYC, Kjaer M, Magnusson SP. Effects of genipin crosslinking on mechanical cell-matrix interaction in 3D engineered tendon constructs. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2021; 119:104508. [PMID: 33857874 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
It is well known that cells can generate endogenous forces onto the extracellular matrix, but to what extent the mechanical properties of the matrix influences these endogenous cellular forces remains unclear. We therefore sought to quantify the influence of matrix rigidity on cell-matrix interactions by inducing cross-links using increasing concentrations of genipin (0.01-1 mM) or by blocking cross-link formation using beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) in engineered human tendon tissue constructs. The cell-matrix mechanics of the tendon constructs were evaluated as cell-generated tissue re-tensioning and stress-relaxation responses using a novel custom-made force monitor, which can apply and detect tensional forces in real-time in addition to mechanical failure testing. Genipin treatment had no influence on the biochemical profile (hydroxyproline, glycosaminoglycan and DNA content) of the constructs and cell viability was comparable between genipin-treated and control constructs, except at the highest genipin concentration. Endogenous re-tension after unloading was significantly decreased with increasing genipin concentrations compared to controls. Mechanical failure testing of tendon constructs showed increased (56%) peak stress at the highest genipin concentration but decreased (72%) with BAPN treatment when compared to controls. Tendon construct stiffness increased with high genipin concentrations (0.1 and 1 mM) and decreased by 70% in BAPN-treated constructs, relative to the controls. These data demonstrate that human tendon fibroblasts regulate their force exertion inversely proportional to increased cross-link capacity but did so independently of matrix stiffness. Overall, these findings support the notion of an interaction between cell force generation and cross-linking, and thus a role for this interplay in mechanical homeostasis of the tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Giannopoulos
- Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg Hospital and Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - R B Svensson
- Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg Hospital and Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - C Y C Yeung
- Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg Hospital and Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M Kjaer
- Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg Hospital and Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - S P Magnusson
- Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg Hospital and Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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14
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Kim J, Jang J, Cho DW. Controlling Cancer Cell Behavior by Improving the Stiffness of Gastric Tissue-Decellularized ECM Bioink With Cellulose Nanoparticles. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:605819. [PMID: 33816446 PMCID: PMC8009980 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.605819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A physiologically relevant tumor microenvironment is favorable for the progression and growth of gastric cancer cells. To simulate the tumor-specific conditions of in vivo environments, several biomaterials engineering studies have investigated three-dimensional (3D) cultures. However, the implementation of such cultures remains limited because of challenges in outlining the biochemical and biophysical characteristics of the gastric cancer microenvironment. In this study, we developed a 3D cell printing-based gastric cancer model, using a combination of gastric tissue-specific bioinks and cellulose nanoparticles (CN) to provide adequate stiffness to gastric cancer cells. To create a 3D gastric tissue-specific microenvironment, we developed a decellularization process for a gastric tissue-derived decellularized extracellular matrix (g-dECM) bioink, and investigated the effect of the g-dECM bioink on promoting the aggressiveness of gastric cancer cells using histological and genetic validation methods. We found that incorporating CN in the matrix improves its mechanical properties, which supports the progression of gastric cancer. These mechanical properties are distinguishing characteristics that can facilitate the development of an in vitro gastric cancer model. Further, the CN-supplemented g-dECM bioink was used to print a variety of free-standing 3D shapes, including gastric rugae. These results indicate that the proposed model can be used to develop a physiologically relevant gastric cancer system that can be used in future preclinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisoo Kim
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, South Korea
| | - Jinah Jang
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, South Korea
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, South Korea
- Department of Convergence IT Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, South Korea
- Institute of Convergence Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dong-Woo Cho
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, South Korea
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, South Korea
- Institute of Convergence Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
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15
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In vivo intervertebral disc deformation: intratissue strain patterns within adjacent discs during flexion-extension. Sci Rep 2021; 11:729. [PMID: 33436667 PMCID: PMC7804136 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77577-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The biomechanical function of the intervertebral disc (IVD) is a critical indicator of tissue health and pathology. The mechanical responses (displacements, strain) of the IVD to physiologic movement can be spatially complex and depend on tissue architecture, consisting of distinct compositional regions and integrity; however, IVD biomechanics are predominately uncharacterized in vivo. Here, we measured voxel-level displacement and strain patterns in adjacent IVDs in vivo by coupling magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with cyclic motion of the cervical spine. Across adjacent disc segments, cervical flexion-extension of 10° resulted in first principal and maximum shear strains approaching 10%. Intratissue spatial analysis of the cervical IVDs, not possible with conventional techniques, revealed elevated maximum shear strains located in the posterior disc (nucleus pulposus) regions. IVD structure, based on relaxometric patterns of T2 and T1ρ images, did not correlate spatially with functional metrics of strain. Our approach enables a comprehensive IVD biomechanical analysis of voxel-level, intratissue strain patterns in adjacent discs in vivo, which are largely independent of MRI relaxometry. The spatial mapping of IVD biomechanics in vivo provides a functional assessment of adjacent IVDs in subjects, and provides foundational biomarkers for elastography, differentiation of disease state, and evaluation of treatment efficacy.
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16
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Xia B, Deng Y, Lv Y, Chen G. Stem cell recruitment based on scaffold features for bone tissue engineering. Biomater Sci 2020; 9:1189-1203. [PMID: 33355545 DOI: 10.1039/d0bm01591a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Stem-cell based therapy strategies are promising approaches for the treatment of bone defects. However, extensive cell expansion steps, the low rate of cell survival and uncontrolled differentiation of stem cells transplanted into the body currently remain key challenges in advancing stem cell therapeutics. An alternative strategy is to use specifically designed bone scaffolds to recruit endogenous stem cells upon implantation and to stimulate new bone formation and remodeling. Stem cell recruitment based on scaffold features for bone tissue engineering relies on the development of scaffolds that can effectively mobilize and recruit endogenous stem cells to the implantation site. This article addresses the recent advances in the recruitment of endogenous stem cells in applications of bone scaffolds, particularly focusing on chemical modification and physical characteristic modification of the scaffold for endogenous stem cell homing and recruitment. Finally, the continuing challenges and future directions of scaffold-based stem cell recruitment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Xia
- Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, P. R. China
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17
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Evaluation of Dental Pulp Stem Cell Heterogeneity and Behaviour in 3D Type I Collagen Gels. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:3034727. [PMID: 32964026 PMCID: PMC7501571 DOI: 10.1155/2020/3034727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are increasingly being advocated for regenerative medicine-based therapies. However, significant heterogeneity in the genotypic/phenotypic properties of DPSC subpopulations exist, influencing their therapeutic potentials. As most studies have established DPSC heterogeneity using 2D culture approaches, we investigated whether heterogeneous DPSC proliferative and contraction/remodelling capabilities were further evident within 3D type I collagen gels in vitro. DPSC subpopulations were isolated from human third molars and identified as high/low proliferative and multipotent/unipotent, following in vitro culture expansion and population doubling (PD) analysis. High proliferative/multipotent DPSCs, such as A3 (30 PDs and 80 PDs), and low proliferative/unipotent DPSCs, such as A1 (17 PDs), were cultured in collagen gels for 12 days, either attached or detached from the surrounding culture plastic. Collagen architecture and high proliferative/multipotent DPSC morphologies were visualised by Scanning Electron Microscopy and FITC-phalloidin/Fluorescence Microscopy. DPSC proliferation (cell counts), contraction (% diameter reductions), and remodelling (MMP-2/MMP-9 gelatin zymography) of collagen gels were also evaluated. Unexpectedly, no proliferation differences existed between DPSCs, A3 (30 PDs) and A1 (17 PDs), although A3 (80 PDs) responses were significantly reduced. Despite rapid detached collagen gel contraction with A3 (30 PDs), similar contraction rates were determined with A1 (17 PDs), although A3 (80 PDs) contraction was significantly impaired. Gel contraction correlated to distinct gelatinase profiles. A3 (30 PDs) possessed superior MMP-9 and comparable MMP-2 activities to A1 (17 PDs), whereas A3 (80 PDs) had significantly reduced MMP-2/MMP-9. High proliferative/multipotent DPSCs, A3 (30 PDs), further exhibited fibroblast-like morphologies becoming polygonal within attached gels, whilst losing cytoskeletal organization and fibroblastic morphologies in detached gels. This study demonstrates that heterogeneity exists in the gel contraction and MMP expression/activity capabilities of DPSCs, potentially reflecting differences in their abilities to degrade biomaterial scaffolds and regulate cellular functions in 3D environments and their regenerative properties overall. Thus, such findings enhance our understanding of the molecular and phenotypic characteristics associated with high proliferative/multipotent DPSCs.
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18
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Priyadarsini S, Whelchel A, Nicholas S, Sharif R, Riaz K, Karamichos D. Diabetic keratopathy: Insights and challenges. Surv Ophthalmol 2020; 65:513-529. [PMID: 32092364 PMCID: PMC8116932 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2020.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ocular complications from diabetes mellitus are common. Diabetic keratopathy, the most frequent clinical condition affecting the human cornea, is a potentially sight-threatening condition caused mostly by epithelial disturbances that are of clinical and research attention because of their severity. Diabetic keratopathy exhibits several clinical manifestations, including persistent corneal epithelial erosion, superficial punctate keratopathy, delayed epithelial regeneration, and decreased corneal sensitivity, that may lead to compromised visual acuity or permanent vision loss. The limited amount of clinical studies makes it difficult to fully understand the pathobiology of diabetic keratopathy. Effective therapeutic approaches are elusive. We summarize the clinical manifestations of diabetic keratopathy and discuss available treatments and up-to-date research studies in an attempt to provide a thorough overview of the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Priyadarsini
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - A Whelchel
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - S Nicholas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - R Sharif
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - K Riaz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - D Karamichos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
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19
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Yadav VK, Lee TY, Hsu JBK, Huang HD, Yang WCV, Chang TH. Computational analysis for identification of the extracellular matrix molecules involved in endometrial cancer progression. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231594. [PMID: 32315343 PMCID: PMC7173926 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrence and poorly differentiated (grade 3 and above) and atypical cell type endometrial cancer (EC) have poor prognosis outcome. The mechanisms and characteristics of recurrence and distal metastasis of EC remain unclear. The extracellular matrix (ECM) of the reproductive tract in women undergoes extensive structural remodelling changes every month. Altered ECMs surrounding cells were believed to play crucial roles in a cancer progression. To decipher the associations between ECM and EC development, we generated a PAN-ECM Data list of 1516 genes including ECM molecules (ECMs), synthetic and degradation enzymes for ECMs, ECM receptors, and soluble molecules that regulate ECM and used RNA-Seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) for the studies. The alterations of PAN-ECM genes by comparing the RNA-Seq expressions profiles of EC samples which have been grouped as tumorigenesis and metastasis group based on their pathological grading were identified. Differential analyses including functional enrichment, co-expression network, and molecular network analysis were carried out to identify the specific PAN-ECM genes that may involve in the progression of EC. Eight hundred and thirty-one and 241 PAN-ECM genes were significantly involved in tumorigenesis (p-value <1.571e-15) and metastasis (p-value <2.2e-16), respectively, whereas 140 genes were in the intersection of tumorigenesis and metastasis. Interestingly, 92 of the 140 intersecting PAN-ECM genes showed contrasting fold changes between the tumorigenesis and metastasis datasets. Enrichment analysis for the contrast PAN-ECM genes indicated pathways such as GP6 signaling, ILK signaling, and interleukin (IL)-8 signaling pathways were activated in metastasis but inhibited in tumorigenesis. The significantly activated ECM and ECM associated genes in GP6 signaling, ILK signaling, and interleukin (IL)-8 signaling pathways may play crucial roles in metastasis of EC. Our study provides a better understanding of the etiology and the progression of EC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijesh Kumar Yadav
- The Program for Translational Medicine, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzong-Yi Lee
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Longgang District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
- School of Life and Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Longgang District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Justin Bo-Kai Hsu
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Da Huang
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Longgang District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
- School of Life and Health Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Longgang District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wei-Chung Vivian Yang
- The Program for Translational Medicine, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- The PhD Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (W-CVY); (T-HC)
| | - Tzu-Hao Chang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Clinical Big Data Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (W-CVY); (T-HC)
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20
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Miller AE, Hu P, Barker TH. Feeling Things Out: Bidirectional Signaling of the Cell-ECM Interface, Implications in the Mechanobiology of Cell Spreading, Migration, Proliferation, and Differentiation. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e1901445. [PMID: 32037719 PMCID: PMC7274903 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201901445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Biophysical cues stemming from the extracellular environment are rapidly transduced into discernible chemical messages (mechanotransduction) that direct cellular activities-placing the extracellular matrix (ECM) as a potent regulator of cell behavior. Dynamic reciprocity between the cell and its associated matrix is essential to the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and dysregulation of both ECM mechanical signaling, via pathological ECM turnover, and internal mechanotransduction pathways contribute to disease progression. This review covers the current understandings of the key modes of signaling used by both the cell and ECM to coregulate one another. By taking an outside-in approach, the inherent complexities and regulatory processes at each level of signaling (ECM, plasma membrane, focal adhesion, and cytoplasm) are captured to give a comprehensive picture of the internal and external mechanoregulatory environment. Specific emphasis is placed on the focal adhesion complex which acts as a central hub of mechanical signaling, regulating cell spreading, migration, proliferation, and differentiation. In addition, a wealth of available knowledge on mechanotransduction is curated to generate an integrated signaling network encompassing the central components of the focal adhesion, cytoplasm and nucleus that act in concert to promote durotaxis, proliferation, and differentiation in a stiffness-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew E Miller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, 415 Lane Rd. MR5 1225, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Ping Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, 415 Lane Rd. MR5 1225, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Thomas H Barker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, 415 Lane Rd. MR5 1225, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
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21
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Rennekampff HO, Tenenhaus M. Theoretical basis for optimal surgical incision planning to reduce hypertrophic scar formation. Med Hypotheses 2020; 140:109672. [PMID: 32197119 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND After approximately 24 weeks of gestation, human cutaneous wounds and incisions heal by scar formation. Continued or unregulated stimulation of tissue fibroblasts is thought to lead to an activated state with ongoing collagen deposition resulting in a visible hypertrophic scar. There is evidence that mechanical forces as sensed by fibroblasts lead to downstream events such as excessive extracellular matrix deposition. Mechanical forces acting on the wound fibroblast are exerted by underlying muscles as well as intrinsic forces found in the dermal component of the surrounding skin. Under static conditions, collagen is oriented parallel to the direction of strain. In an effort to minimize resultant scar formation various and often contradictory lines of non-extension, lines of least tension, have been described for planning optimal surgical incisions. HYPOTHESIS We hypothesize that it is possible to avoid longitudinal stretch on incisions and thereby minimize resultant pathologic scars if defined anatomical considerations are respected. We hypothesize that placement of skin incisions parallel to lines of minimal longitudinal stretch, non-invasively measured by orientation of collagen orientation would in turn result in minimal scar formation. EVIDENCE Historical recommendations often derived from human post mortem studies and animal experiments have shed some light on cutaneously observed lines of non-extension. Theoretical considerations of non-extension lines have suggested possible directions of surgical incisions. Post surgical analysis of dermatological interventions have similarly added to our understanding of possible non-extension lines. Measuring anisotropy in the skin can determine collagen orientation in the skin and may therefore allow one to objectively place incisions parallel to non-extension lines. To date no randomized clinical study in humans has addressed whether such an approach would lead to less scarring. A study involving volunteers examining many body areas seems ethically challenged. CONCLUSION The hypothesis, although not proven, is supported by available evidence. If our hypothesis that measurable cutaneous collagen orientation guided incisions improved scar formation then surgical incision planning would deservedly require more clinical attention. Preoperative measurement or at least pre-closure assessment of anisotropy prior to surgical incision placement or closure would notably reduce the incidence of hypertrophic scars.
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Affiliation(s)
- H O Rennekampff
- Dept of Plastic Surgery, Hand and Burn Surgery, RheinMaas Klinikum, Aachen/Wuerselen, Germany.
| | - M Tenenhaus
- Dept of Plastic Surgery, Hand and Burn Surgery, RheinMaas Klinikum, Aachen/Wuerselen, Germany
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22
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El-Habta R, Chen J, Pingel J, Backman LJ. Tendinosis-like changes in denervated rat Achilles tendon. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2018; 19:426. [PMID: 30497469 PMCID: PMC6267070 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-018-2353-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tendon disorders are common and lead to significant disability and pain. Our knowledge of the ‘tennis elbow’, the ‘jumpers knee’, and Achilles tendinosis has increased over the years, but changes in denervated tendons is yet to be described in detail. The aim of the present study was to investigate the morphological and biochemical changes in tendon tissue following two weeks of denervation using a unilateral sciatic nerve transection model in rat Achilles tendons. Methods Tendons were compared with respect to cell number, nuclear roundness, and fiber structure. The non-denervated contralateral tendon served as a control. Also, the expression of neuromodulators such as substance P and its preferred receptor neurokinin-1 receptor, NK-1R, was evaluated using real-time qRT-PCR. Results Our results showed that denervated tendons expressed morphological changes such as hypercellularity; disfigured cells; disorganization of the collagen network; increased production of type III collagen; and increased expression of NK-1R. Conclusion Taken together these data provide new insights into the histopathology of denervated tendons showing that denervation causes somewhat similar changes in the Achilles tendon as does tendinosis in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roine El-Habta
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Section for Anatomy, Umeå University, Johan Bures väg 12, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Jialin Chen
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Section for Anatomy, Umeå University, Johan Bures väg 12, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jessica Pingel
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Copenhagen, København, Denmark
| | - Ludvig J Backman
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Section for Anatomy, Umeå University, Johan Bures väg 12, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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23
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Jannatbabaei A, Tafazzoli-Shadpour M, Seyedjafari E, Fatouraee N. Cytoskeletal remodeling induced by substrate rigidity regulates rheological behaviors in endothelial cells. J Biomed Mater Res A 2018; 107:71-80. [PMID: 30242964 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.36533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Altered microenvrionmental mechanical cues induce cytoskeletal remodeling in cells and have a profound impact on their functions as well as rheological properties. This article is aimed to characterize the viscoelastic behavior of endothelial cells, cultivated on variably compliant substrates. Synthetic tunable poly(dimethylsyloxane) substrates, with elastic moduli ranging from 1.5 MPa to 3 kPa, were used to trigger cytoskeletal remodeling of endothelial cells, verified by morphological analysis and actin fluorescent labeling. Elasticity and stress relaxation tests were conducted using an AFM, resulting in a wide range of data. To account for this heterogeneity, fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm was applied to partition elastic data into biologically meaningful groups, representative of different regions in cells. Nanocharacterization of biomechanical properties, along with cytoskeletal studies, proved a significant correlation between substrate flexibility and viscoelasticity of the cells. Regardless of the viscoelastic model applied, increasing substrate rigidity was related to an overall increase in cell stiffness and apparent viscosity (2.95 ± 1.56 kPa and 921.45 ± 102.46 Pa.s for the stiff substrate; 2.17 ± 1.30 kPa and 557.37 ± 494.11 Pa.s for the intermediate substrate), associated with an organized actin cytoskeleton. Conversely, cells on soft substrate were more deformable (1.84 ± 1.3 kPa) and less viscous (327.13 ± 124.25 Pa.s), exhibiting an increased actin disorganization. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 71-80, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Jannatbabaei
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Ehsan Seyedjafari
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nasser Fatouraee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
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Kivanany PB, Grose KC, Yonet-Tanyeri N, Manohar S, Sunkara Y, Lam KH, Schmidtke DW, Varner VD, Petroll WM. An In Vitro Model for Assessing Corneal Keratocyte Spreading and Migration on Aligned Fibrillar Collagen. J Funct Biomater 2018; 9:jfb9040054. [PMID: 30248890 PMCID: PMC6306816 DOI: 10.3390/jfb9040054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 09/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Corneal stromal cells (keratocytes) are responsible for developing and maintaining normal corneal structure and transparency, and for repairing the tissue after injury. Corneal keratocytes reside between highly aligned collagen lamellae in vivo. In addition to growth factors and other soluble biochemical factors, feedback from the extracellular matrix (ECM) itself has been shown to modulate corneal keratocyte behavior. Methods: In this study, we fabricate aligned collagen substrates using a microfluidics approach and assess their impact on corneal keratocyte morphology, cytoskeletal organization, and patterning after stimulation with platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) or transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ). We also use time-lapse imaging to visualize the dynamic interactions between cells and fibrillar collagen during wound repopulation following an in vitro freeze injury. Results: Significant co-alignment between keratocytes and aligned collagen fibrils was detected, and the degree of cell/ECM co-alignment further increased in the presence of PDGF or TGFβ. Freeze injury produced an area of cell death without disrupting the collagen. High magnification, time-lapse differential interference contrast (DIC) imaging allowed cell movement and subcellular interactions with the underlying collagen fibrils to be directly visualized. Conclusions: With continued development, this experimental model could be an important tool for accessing how the integration of multiple biophysical and biochemical signals regulate corneal keratocyte differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pouriska B Kivanany
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Kyle C Grose
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Nihan Yonet-Tanyeri
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Sujal Manohar
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Yukta Sunkara
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Kevin H Lam
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA.
| | - David W Schmidtke
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA.
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Victor D Varner
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA.
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - W Matthew Petroll
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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Giannopoulos A, Svensson RB, Heinemeier KM, Schjerling P, Kadler KE, Holmes DF, Kjaer M, Magnusson SP. Cellular homeostatic tension and force transmission measured in human engineered tendon. J Biomech 2018; 78:161-165. [PMID: 30100218 PMCID: PMC6135935 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2018.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Tendons transmit contractile muscular force to bone to produce movement, and it is believed cells can generate endogenous forces on the extracellular matrix to maintain tissue homeostasis. However, little is known about the direct mechanical measurement of cell-matrix interaction in cell-generated human tendon constructs. In this study we examined if cell-generated force could be detected and quantified in engineered human tendon constructs, and if glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) contribute to tendon force transmission. Following de-tensioning of the tendon constructs it was possible to quantify an endogenous re-tensioning. Further, it was demonstrated that the endogenous re-tensioning response was markedly blunted after interference with the cytoskeleton (inhibiting non-muscle myosin-dependent cell contraction by blebbistatin), which confirmed that re-tensioning was cell generated. When the constructs were elongated and held at a constant length a stress relaxation response was quantified, and removing 27% of the GAG content of tendon did not alter the relaxation behavior, which indicates that GAGs do not play a meaningful role in force transmission within this system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonis Giannopoulos
- Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg Hospital and Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rene B Svensson
- Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg Hospital and Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katja M Heinemeier
- Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg Hospital and Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Schjerling
- Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg Hospital and Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Karl E Kadler
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - David F Holmes
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Michael Kjaer
- Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg Hospital and Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - S Peter Magnusson
- Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg Hospital and Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Kim JI, Kim CS. Nanoscale Resolution 3D Printing with Pin-Modified Electrified Inkjets for Tailorable Nano/Macrohybrid Constructs for Tissue Engineering. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:12390-12405. [PMID: 29561138 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b19182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Cells respond to their microenvironment, which is of a size comparable to that of the cells. The macroscale features of three-dimensional (3D) printing struts typically result in whole cell contact guidance (CCG). In contrast, at the nanoscale, where features are of a size similar to that of receptors of cells, the response of cells is more complex. The cell-nanotopography interaction involves nanoscale adhesion localized structures, which include cell adhesion-related particles that change in response to the clustering of integrin. For this reason, it is necessary to develop a technique for manufacturing tailorable nano/macrohybrid constructs capable of freely controlling the cellular activity. In this study, a hierarchical 3D nano- to microscale hybrid structure was fabricated by combinational processing of 3D printing and electrified inkjet spinning via pin motions. This method overcomes the disadvantages of conventional 3D printing, providing a novel combinatory technique for the fabrication of 3D hybrid constructs with excellent cell proliferation. Through a pin-modified electrified inkjet spinning, we have successfully fabricated customizable nano-/microscale hybrid constructs in a fibrous or mesh form, which can control the cell fate. We have conducted this study of cell-topography interactions from the fabrication approach to accelerate the development of next-generation 3D scaffolds.
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Piperigkou Z, Götte M, Theocharis AD, Karamanos NK. Insights into the key roles of epigenetics in matrix macromolecules-associated wound healing. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2018; 129:16-36. [PMID: 29079535 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2017.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 10/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic network of macromolecules, playing a regulatory role in cell functions, tissue regeneration and remodeling. Wound healing is a tissue repair process necessary for the maintenance of the functionality of tissues and organs. This highly orchestrated process is divided into four temporally overlapping phases, including hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and tissue remodeling. The dynamic interplay between ECM and resident cells exerts its critical role in many aspects of wound healing, including cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, survival, matrix degradation and biosynthesis. Several epigenetic regulatory factors, such as the endogenous non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs), are the drivers of the wound healing response. microRNAs have pivotal roles in regulating ECM composition during wound healing and dermal regeneration. Their expression is associated with the distinct phases of wound healing and they serve as target biomarkers and targets for systematic regulation of wound repair. In this article we critically present the importance of epigenetics with particular emphasis on miRNAs regulating ECM components (i.e. glycoproteins, proteoglycans and matrix proteases) that are key players in wound healing. The clinical relevance of miRNA targeting as well as the delivery strategies designed for clinical applications are also presented and discussed.
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Ayuk SM, Abrahamse H, Houreld NN. Photobiomodulation alters matrix protein activity in stressed fibroblast cells in vitro. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2018; 11:e201700127. [PMID: 29024528 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201700127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
A balance is maintained between matrix synthesis and degradation, and a prolonged increase in matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) affects healing. Photobiomodulation (PBM) speeds up healing and alters wound environment. The study aimed to determine changes in protein and gene expression of collagen type 1 (Col-I), MMP-3 and -9 and TIMP-1 in fibroblasts irradiated at 660 or 830 nm. Commercially purchased human skin fibroblast cells were modeled into five groups namely, normal, normal wounded, diabetic wounded, hypoxic wounded and diabetic hypoxic wounded. Control cells were sham irradiated. Laser irradiation was conducted at 660 or 830 nm (108/or 94 mW, 9.1 cm2 , 420/or 483 s) with 5 J/cm2 . Forty-eight hours post-irradiation, protein expression of TIMP-1, MMP-3, -9 and Col-I was determined by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence, and gene expression by real-time RT-PCR. There was an increase in TIMP-1 and Col-I, and a decrease in MMP-3 and -9, as well as an alteration in mRNA expression of MMP3, MMP9, TIMP1 and COL1A1 in irradiated cells. Due to the responsiveness of the diabetic hypoxic wounded model, the findings propose this model as appropriate for wound healing studies and suggest that PBM promotes the remodeling phase of wound healing by decreasing matrix degradation and upregulating synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra M Ayuk
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Heidi Abrahamse
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Nicolette N Houreld
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Sharif R, Priyadarsini S, Rowsey TG, Ma JX, Karamichos D. Corneal Tissue Engineering: An In Vitro Model of the Stromal-nerve Interactions of the Human Cornea. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 29443018 DOI: 10.3791/56308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue engineering has gained substantial recognition due to the high demand for human cornea replacements with an estimated 10 million people worldwide suffering from corneal vision loss1. To address the demand for viable human corneas, significant progress in three-dimensional (3D) tissue engineering has been made2,3,4. These cornea models range from simple monolayer systems to multilayered models, leading to 3D full-thickness corneal equivalents2. However, the use of a 3D tissue-engineered cornea in the context of in vitro disease models studied to date lacks resemblance to the multilayered 3D corneal tissue structure, function, and the networking of different cell types (i.e., nerve, epithelium, stroma, and endothelium)2,3. In addition, the demand for in vitro cornea tissue models has increased in an attempt to reduce animal testing for pharmaceutical products. Thus, more sophisticated models are required to better match systems to human physiological requirements, and the development of a model that is more relevant to the patient population is absolutely necessary. Given that multiple cell types in the cornea are affected by diseases and dystrophies, such as Keratoconus, Diabetic Keratopathy, and Fuchs, this model includes a 3D co-culture model of primary human corneal fibroblasts (HCFs) from healthy donors and neurons from the SH-SY5Y cell line. This allows us for the first time to investigate the interactions between the two cell types within the human corneal tissue. We believe that this model could potentially dissect the underlying mechanisms associated with the stromal-nerve interactions of corneal diseases that exhibit nerve damages. This 3D model mirrors the basic anatomical and physiological nature of the corneal tissue in vivo and can be used in the future as a tool for investigating corneal defects as well as screening the efficacy of various agents before animal testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabab Sharif
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
| | - Shrestha Priyadarsini
- Department of Ophthalmology/Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
| | - Tyler G Rowsey
- Department of Ophthalmology/Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
| | - Jian-Xing Ma
- Department of Physiology, Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
| | - Dimitrios Karamichos
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; Department of Ophthalmology/Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center;
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Li Y, Tang CB, Kilian KA. Matrix Mechanics Influence Fibroblast-Myofibroblast Transition by Directing the Localization of Histone Deacetylase 4. Cell Mol Bioeng 2017; 10:405-415. [PMID: 31719870 PMCID: PMC6816600 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-017-0493-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The propagation of mechanochemical signals from the extracellular matrix to the cell nucleus has emerged as a central feature in regulating cellular differentiation and de-differentiation. This process of outside-in signaling and the associated mechanotransduction pathways have been well described in numerous developmental and pathological contexts. However, it remains less clear how mechanotransduction influences the activity of chromatin modifying enzymes that direct gene expression programs. OBJECTIVES The primary objective of this study was to explore how matrix mechanics and geometric confinement influence histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity in fibroblast culture. METHODS Polyacrylamide hydrogels were formed and functionalized with fibronectin patterns using soft lithography. Primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were cultured on the islands until confluent, fixed, and immunolabeled for microscopy. RESULTS After 24 h MEFs cultured on soft hydrogels (0.5 kPa) show increased expression of class I HDACs relative to MEFs cultured on stiff hydrogels (100 kPa). A member of the class II family, HDAC4 shows a similar trend; however, there is a pronounced cytoplasmic localization on soft hydrogels suggesting a role in outside-in cytoplasmic signaling. Pharmacological inhibitor studies suggest that the opposing activities of extracellular related kinase 1/2 (ERK) and protein phosphatase 2a (PP2a) influence the localization of HDAC4. MEFs cultured on the soft hydrogels show enhanced expression of markers associated with a fibroblast-myofibroblast transition (Paxillin, αSMA). CONCLUSIONS We show that the phosphorylation state and cellular localization of HDAC4 is influenced by matrix mechanics, with evidence for a role in mechanotransduction and the regulation of gene expression associated with fibroblast-myofibroblast transitions. This work establishes a link between outside-in signaling and epigenetic regulation, which will assist efforts aimed at controlling gene regulation in engineered extracellular matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfen Li
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801 USA
| | - Claire B. Tang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801 USA
| | - Kristopher A. Kilian
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801 USA
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Priyadarsini S, Rowsey TG, Ma JX, Karamichos D. Unravelling the stromal-nerve interactions in the human diabetic cornea. Exp Eye Res 2017; 164:22-30. [PMID: 28827027 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Corneal defects due to diabetes mellitus (DM) may cause severe vision impairments. Current studies focus on the corneal epithelium and nerve defects neglecting the corneal stroma. The aim of this study was to develop a 3D in vitro model to examine the interactions between corneal stroma and nerves in the context of DM. Primary human corneal stromal fibroblasts isolated from healthy (HCFs), Type 1 (T1DM) and Type 2 (T2DM) patients were stimulated with stable ascorbic acid to secrete and assemble an extracellular matrix (ECM). Human neuronal cells were then seeded on top and differentiated to create the 3D co-cultures. Our data revealed successful co-culture of stromal fibroblasts and neuronal cells with large elongated neuron extensions. T2DM showed significant upregulation of Collagen III and IGF1 when compared to T1DM. Interestingly, upon nerve addition, those markers returned to HCF levels. Neuronal markers were also differentially modulated with T2DM co-cultures expressing high levels of βIII tubulin where T1DM co-cultures expressed Substance P. . Overall, our unique 3D co-culture model provides us with a tool that can be utilized for both molecular and therapeutic studies for diabetic keratopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrestha Priyadarsini
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Tyler G Rowsey
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Jian-Xing Ma
- Department of Physiology, Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Dimitrios Karamichos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA; Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
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Toda H, Yamamoto M, Uyama H, Tabata Y. Effect of hydrogel elasticity and ephrinB2-immobilized manner on Runx2 expression of human mesenchymal stem cells. Acta Biomater 2017; 58:312-322. [PMID: 28300720 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Revised: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study is to design the manner of ephrinB2 immobilized onto polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels with varied elasticity and evaluate the effect of hydrogels elasticity and the immobilized manner of ephrinB2 on the Runx2 expression of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). The PAAm hydrogels were prepared by the radical polymerization of acrylamide (AAm), and N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS). By changing the BIS concentration, the elasticity of PAAm hydrogels changed from 1 to 70kPa. For the bio-specific immobilization of ephrinB2, a chimeric protein of ephrinB2 and Fc domain was immobilized onto protein A-conjugated PAAm hydrogels by making use of the bio-specific interaction between the Fc domain and protein A. When hMSC were cultured on the ephrinB2-immobilized PAAm hydrogels with varied elasticity, the morphology of hMSC was of cuboidal shape on the PAAm hydrogels immobilized with ephrinB2 compared with non-conjugated ones, irrespective of the hydrogels elasticity. The bio-specific immobilization of ephrinB2 enhanced the level of Runx2 expression. The expression level was significantly high for the hydrogels of 3.6 and 5.9kPa elasticity with bio-specific immobilization of ephrinB2 compared with other hydrogels with the same elasticity. The hydrogels showed a significantly down-regulated RhoA activity. It is concluded that the Runx2 expression of hMSC is synergistically influenced by the hydrogels elasticity and their immobilized manner of ephrinB2 immobilized. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Differentiation fate of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) is modified by biochemical and biophysical factors, such as elasticity and signal proteins. However, there are few experiments about combinations of them. In this study, to evaluate the synergistic effect of them on cell properties of MSC, we established to design the manner of Eph signal ligand, ephrinB2, immobilized onto polyacrylamide hydrogels with varied elasticity. The gene expression level of an osteogenic maker, Runx2, was enhanced by the immobilized manner, and significantly enhanced for the hydrogels of around 4kPa elasticity with bio-specific immobilization of ephrinB2. This is the novel report describing to demonstrate that the Runx2 expression of MSC is synergistically influenced by the hydrogels elasticity and their manner of ephrinB2 immobilized.
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Priyadarsini S, Nicholas SE, Karamichos D. 3D Stacked Construct: A Novel Substitute for Corneal Tissue Engineering. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1697:173-180. [PMID: 28451994 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2017_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Corneal trauma/injury often results in serious complications including permanent vision loss or loss of visual acuity which demands corneal transplantations or treatment with allogenic graft tissues. There is currently a huge shortage of donor tissue worldwide and the need for human corneal equivalents increases annually. In order to meet such demand the current clinical approach of treating corneal injuries is limited and involves synthetic and allogenic materials which have various shortcomings when it comes to actual transplantations. In this study we introduce the newly developed, next generation of our previously established 3D self-assembled constructs, where multiple constructs are grown and stacked on top of each other without any other artificial product. This new technology brings our 3D in vitro model closer to what is seen in vivo and provides a solid foundation for future studies on corneal biology.Lipids are known for playing a vital role during metabolism and diseased state of various tissues and Sphingolipids are one such class of lipids which are involved in various cellular mechanisms and signaling processes. The impacts of Sphingolipids that have been documented in several human diseases often involve inflammation, neovascularization, tumorigenesis, and diabetes, but these conditions are not yet thoroughly studied. There is very little information about the exact role of Sphingolipids in the human cornea and future studies aiming at dissecting the mechanisms and pathways involved in order to develop novel therapies. We believe that our novel 3D stacked model can be used to delineate the role of Sphingolipids in the human cornea and provide new insights for understanding and treating various human corneal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrestha Priyadarsini
- Department of Ophthalmology/Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Sarah E Nicholas
- Department of Ophthalmology/Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Dimitrios Karamichos
- Department of Ophthalmology/Dean McGee Eye Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
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Jin T, Li L, Siow RCM, Liu KK. Collagen matrix stiffness influences fibroblast contraction force. Biomed Phys Eng Express 2016. [DOI: 10.1088/2057-1976/2/4/047002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Remodeling by fibroblasts alters the rate-dependent mechanical properties of collagen. Acta Biomater 2016; 37:28-37. [PMID: 27015891 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2016.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The ways that fibroblasts remodel their environment are central to wound healing, development of musculoskeletal tissues, and progression of pathologies such as fibrosis. However, the changes that fibroblasts make to the material around them and the mechanical consequences of these changes have proven difficult to quantify, especially in realistic, viscoelastic three-dimensional culture environments, leaving a critical need for quantitative data. Here, we observed the mechanisms and quantified the mechanical effects of fibroblast remodeling in engineered tissue constructs (ETCs) comprised of reconstituted rat tail (type I) collagen and human fibroblast cells. To study the effects of remodeling on tissue mechanics, stress-relaxation tests were performed on ETCs cultured for 24, 48, and 72h. ETCs were treated with deoxycholate and tested again to assess the ECM response. Viscoelastic relaxation spectra were obtained using the generalized Maxwell model. Cells exhibited viscoelastic damping at two finite time constants over which the ECM showed little damping, approximately 0.2s and 10-30s. Different finite time constants in the range of 1-7000s were attributed to ECM relaxation. Cells remodeled the ECM to produce a relaxation time constant on the order of 7000s, and to merge relaxation finite time constants in the 0.5-2s range into a single time content in the 1s range. Results shed light on hierarchical deformation mechanisms in tissues, and on pathologies related to collagen relaxation such as diastolic dysfunction. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE As fibroblasts proliferate within and remodel a tissue, they change the tissue mechanically. Quantifying these changes is critical for understanding wound healing and the development of pathologies such as cardiac fibrosis. Here, we characterize for the first time the spectrum of viscoelastic (rate-dependent) changes arising from the remodeling of reconstituted collagen by fibroblasts. The method also provides estimates of the viscoelastic spectra of fibroblasts within a three-dimensional culture environment. Results are of particular interest because of the ways that fibroblasts alter the mechanical response of collagen at loading frequencies associated with cardiac contraction in humans.
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Tracy LE, Minasian RA, Caterson E. Extracellular Matrix and Dermal Fibroblast Function in the Healing Wound. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle) 2016; 5:119-136. [PMID: 26989578 DOI: 10.1089/wound.2014.0561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 546] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Significance: Fibroblasts play a critical role in normal wound healing. Various extracellular matrix (ECM) components, including collagens, fibrin, fibronectin, proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, and matricellular proteins, can be considered potent protagonists of fibroblast survival, migration, and metabolism. Recent Advances: Advances in tissue culture, tissue engineering, and ex vivo models have made the examination and precise measurements of ECM components in wound healing possible. Likewise, the development of specific transgenic animal models has created the opportunity to characterize the role of various ECM molecules in healing wounds. In addition, the recent characterization of new ECM molecules, including matricellular proteins, dermatopontin, and FACIT collagens (Fibril-Associated Collagens with Interrupted Triple helices), further demonstrates our cursory knowledge of the ECM in coordinated wound healing. Critical Issues: The manipulation and augmentation of ECM components in the healing wound is emerging in patient care, as demonstrated by the use of acellular dermal matrices, tissue scaffolds, and wound dressings or topical products bearing ECM proteins such as collagen, hyaluronan (HA), or elastin. Once thought of as neutral structural proteins, these molecules are now known to directly influence many aspects of cellular wound healing. Future Directions: The role that ECM molecules, such as CCN2, osteopontin, and secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine, play in signaling homing of fibroblast progenitor cells to sites of injury invites future research as we continue investigating the heterotopic origin of certain populations of fibroblasts in a healing wound. Likewise, research into differently sized fragments of the same polymeric ECM molecule is warranted as we learn that fragments of molecules such as HA and tenascin-C can have opposing effects on dermal fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E. Tracy
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Raquel A. Minasian
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - E.J. Caterson
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Application of Elastography for the Noninvasive Assessment of Biomechanics in Engineered Biomaterials and Tissues. Ann Biomed Eng 2016; 44:705-24. [PMID: 26790865 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-015-1542-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The elastic properties of engineered biomaterials and tissues impact their post-implantation repair potential and structural integrity, and are critical to help regulate cell fate and gene expression. The measurement of properties (e.g., stiffness or shear modulus) can be attained using elastography, which exploits noninvasive imaging modalities to provide functional information of a material indicative of the regeneration state. In this review, we outline the current leading elastography methodologies available to characterize the properties of biomaterials and tissues suitable for repair and mechanobiology research. We describe methods utilizing magnetic resonance, ultrasound, and optical coherent elastography, highlighting their potential for longitudinal monitoring of implanted materials in vivo, in addition to spatiotemporal limits of each method for probing changes in cell-laden constructs. Micro-elastography methods now allow acquisitions at length scales approaching 5-100 μm in two and three dimensions. Many of the methods introduced in this review are therefore capable of longitudinal monitoring in biomaterials and tissues approaching the cellular scale. However, critical factors such as anisotropy, heterogeneity and viscoelasity-inherent in many soft tissues-are often not fully described and therefore require further advancements and future developments.
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Jiang L, Hu J, Feng J, Han D, Yang C. Substrate stiffness of endothelial cells directs LFA-1/ICAM-1 interaction: A physical trigger of immune-related diseases? Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2016; 61:633-43. [DOI: 10.3233/ch-151951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Li Jiang
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, School of Aerospace, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiliang Hu
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, School of Aerospace, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiantao Feng
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Han
- National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Chun Yang
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, School of Aerospace, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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Kurniawan NA, Chaudhuri PK, Lim CT. Mechanobiology of cell migration in the context of dynamic two-way cell-matrix interactions. J Biomech 2015; 49:1355-1368. [PMID: 26747513 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Migration of cells is integral in various physiological processes in all facets of life. These range from embryonic development, morphogenesis, and wound healing, to disease pathology such as cancer metastasis. While cell migratory behavior has been traditionally studied using simple assays on culture dishes, in recent years it has been increasingly realized that the physical, mechanical, and chemical aspects of the matrix are key determinants of the migration mechanism. In this paper, we will describe the mechanobiological changes that accompany the dynamic cell-matrix interactions during cell migration. Furthermore, we will review what is to date known about how these changes feed back to the dynamics and biomechanical properties of the cell and the matrix. Elucidating the role of these intimate cell-matrix interactions will provide not only a better multi-scale understanding of cell motility in its physiological context, but also a more holistic perspective for designing approaches to regulate cell behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A Kurniawan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Department of Systems Biophysics, FOM Institute AMOLF, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | | | - Chwee Teck Lim
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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Fusco S, Panzetta V, Embrione V, Netti PA. Crosstalk between focal adhesions and material mechanical properties governs cell mechanics and functions. Acta Biomater 2015; 23:63-71. [PMID: 26004223 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2015.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Revised: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 05/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Mechanical properties of materials strongly influence cell fate and functions. Focal adhesions are involved in the extremely important processes of mechanosensing and mechanotransduction. To address the relationship between the mechanical properties of cell substrates, focal adhesion/cytoskeleton assembly and cell functions, we investigated the behavior of NIH/3T3 cells over a wide range of stiffness (3-1000kPa) using two of the most common synthetic polymers for cell cultures: polyacrylamide and polydimethylsiloxane. An overlapping stiffness region was created between them to compare focal adhesion characteristics and cell functions, taking into account their different time-dependent behavior. Indeed, from a rheological point of view, polyacrylamide behaves like a strong gel (elastically), whereas polydimethylsiloxane like a viscoelastic solid. First, focal adhesion characteristics and dynamics were addressed in terms of material stiffness, then cell spreading area, migration rate and cell mechanical properties were correlated with focal adhesion size and assembly. Focal adhesion size was found to increase in the whole range of stiffness and to be in agreement in the overlapping rigidity region for the investigated materials. Cell mechanics directly correlated with focal adhesion lengths, whereas migration rate followed an inverse correlation. Cell spreading correlated with the substrate stiffness on polyacrylamide hydrogel, while no specific trend was found on polydimethylsiloxane. Substrate mechanics can be considered as a key physical cue that regulates focal adhesion assembly, which in turn governs important cellular properties and functions.
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Siani A, Khaw RR, Manley OWG, Tirella A, Cellesi F, Donno R, Tirelli N. Fibronectin localization and fibrillization are affected by the presence of serum in culture media. Sci Rep 2015; 5:9278. [PMID: 25797118 PMCID: PMC4369722 DOI: 10.1038/srep09278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro models of fibrotic phenomena are often based on the fibroblast-myofibroblast transition as the contraction-triggering cellular event. There are, however, multiple sources of concern regarding the appropriateness of such models; a first and widely investigated issue is the often inappropriate nature of the interactions between mesenchymal cells and surrounding/underlying matrix/substrate. A second set of problems concerns the composition of the fluid phase, which includes both dispersed/dissolved paracrine messengers and matrix elements. In this study, we have focused on the effects that serum may generate. We have observed that A) serum causes high variability in the expression of typical markers of myofibroblast differentiation (ED-A fibronectin and α-Smooth Muscle Actin) upon treatment with TGF-β1; this is probably due to intrinsic variability of cytokine concentrations in different batches of serum. B) the fibrillization of endogenous fibronectin is partially hampered and its localization changed from ventral (on the substrate) to dorsal (upper surface); the latter morphology appears to be largely overlooked in literature, even though it may have a significant role in terms of mechanotransductive signaling. This quite dramatic change possibly occurs as a result of competition with serum proteins, although our data seem to rule out a direct role of serum fibronectin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Siani
- Manchester Pharmacy School, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Rong R. Khaw
- School of Medicine, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver W. G. Manley
- School of Medicine, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Annalisa Tirella
- Manchester Pharmacy School, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
- School of Medicine, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Francesco Cellesi
- Manchester Pharmacy School, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Roberto Donno
- School of Medicine, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Tirelli
- Manchester Pharmacy School, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
- School of Medicine, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
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Abstract
Type I collagen is a fibrillar protein, a member of a large family of collagen proteins. It is present in most body tissues, usually in combination with other collagens and other components of extracellular matrix. Its synthesis is increased in various pathological situations, in healing wounds, in fibrotic tissues and in many tumors. After extraction from collagen-rich tissues it is widely used in studies of cell behavior, especially those of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Cells cultured in a classical way, on planar plastic dishes, lack the third dimension that is characteristic of body tissues. Collagen I forms gel at neutral pH and may become a basis of a 3D matrix that better mimics conditions in tissue than plastic dishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiří Kanta
- a Department of Medical Biochemistry; Medical Faculty in Hradec Králové; Charles University ; Prague , Czech Republic
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Liu C, Liu Y, Xie HG, Zhao S, Xu XX, Fan LX, Guo X, Lu T, Sun GW, Ma XJ. Role of three-dimensional matrix stiffness in regulating the chemoresistance of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2014; 62:556-62. [DOI: 10.1002/bab.1302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Laboratory of Biomedical Material Engineering; Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Dalian People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Liu
- Laboratory of Biomedical Material Engineering; Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Dalian People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-guo Xie
- Laboratory of Biomedical Material Engineering; Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Dalian People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Zhao
- Laboratory of Biomedical Material Engineering; Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Dalian People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-xi Xu
- Laboratory of Biomedical Material Engineering; Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Dalian People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing People's Republic of China
| | - Li-xin Fan
- Department of Oncology; The Third People's Hospital of Dalian; Dalian People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Guo
- Laboratory of Biomedical Material Engineering; Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Dalian People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Lu
- Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Dalian People's Republic of China
| | - Guang-Wei Sun
- Laboratory of Biomedical Material Engineering; Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Dalian People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-jun Ma
- Laboratory of Biomedical Material Engineering; Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Dalian People's Republic of China
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Podlipec R, Gorgieva S, Jurašin D, Urbančič I, Kokol V, Strancar J. Molecular mobility of scaffolds' biopolymers influences cell growth. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2014; 6:15980-15990. [PMID: 25153341 DOI: 10.1021/am5037719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Understanding biocompatibility of materials and scaffolds is one of the main challenges in the field of tissue engineering and regeneration. The complex nature of cell-biomaterial interaction requires extensive preclinical functionality testing by studying specific cell responses to different biomaterial properties, from morphology and mechanics to surface characteristics at the molecular level. Despite constant improvements, a more general picture of biocompatibility is still lacking and tailormade scaffolds are not yet available. The scope of our study was thus the investigation of the correlation of fibroblast cell growth on different gelatin scaffolds with their morphological, mechanical as well as surface molecular properties. The latter were thoroughly investigated via polymer molecular mobility studied by site-directed spin labeling and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) for the first time. Anisotropy of the rotational motion of the gelatin side chain mobility was identified as the most correlated quantity with cell growth in the first days after adhesion, while weaker correlations were found with scaffold viscoelasticity and no correlations with scaffold morphology. Namely, the scaffolds with highly mobile or unrestricted polymers identified with the cell growth being five times less efficient (N(cells) = 60 ± 25 mm(-2)) as compared to cell growth on the scaffolds with considerable part of polymers with the restricted rotational motion (N(cells) = 290 ± 25 mm(-2)). This suggests that molecular mobility of scaffold components could play an important role in cell response to medical devices, reflecting a new aspect of the biocompatibility concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rok Podlipec
- Centre of Excellence NAMASTE , Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Silva EJ, Argyris PP, Zou X, Ross KF, Herzberg MC. S100A8/A9 regulates MMP-2 expression and invasion and migration by carcinoma cells. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2014; 55:279-87. [PMID: 25236491 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2014.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2013] [Revised: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular calprotectin (S100A8/A9) functions in the control of the cell cycle checkpoint at G2/M. Dysregulation of S100A8/A9 appears to cause loss of the checkpoint, which frequently characterizes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In the present study, we analyzed carcinoma cells for other S100A8/A9-directed changes in malignant phenotype. Using a S100A8/A9-negative human carcinoma cell line (KB), transfection to express S100A8 and S100A9 caused selective down-regulation of MMP-2 and inhibited in vitro invasion and migration. Conversely, silencing of endogenous S100A8 and S100A9 expression in TR146 cells, a well-differentiated HNSCC cell line, increased MMP-2 activity and in vitro invasion and migration. When MMP-2 expression was silenced, cells appeared to assume a less malignant phenotype. To more closely model the architecture of cell growth in vivo, cells were grown in a 3D collagen substrate, which was compared to 2D. Growth on 3D substrates caused greater MMP-2 expression. Whereas hypermethylation of CpG islands occurs frequently in HNSCC, S100A8/A9-dependent regulation of MMP-2 could not be explained by modification of the upstream promoters of MMP2 or TIMP2. Collectively, these results suggest that intracellular S100A8/A9 contributes to the cancer cell phenotype by modulating MMP-2 expression and activity to regulate cell migration and mobility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel J Silva
- Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Prokopios P Argyris
- Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Xianqiong Zou
- Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Karen F Ross
- Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Mucosal and Vaccine Research Center, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA
| | - Mark C Herzberg
- Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Mucosal and Vaccine Research Center, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA.
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Han Y, Bai T, Liu W. Controlled heterogeneous stem cell differentiation on a shape memory hydrogel surface. Sci Rep 2014; 4:5815. [PMID: 25068211 PMCID: PMC5376171 DOI: 10.1038/srep05815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of stem cell therapies is highly dependent on the ability to control their programmed differentiation. So far, it is commonly believed that the differentiation behavior of stem cells is supposed to be identical when they are cultured on the same homogeneous platform. However, in this report, we show that this is not always true. By utilizing a double-ion-triggered shape memory effect, the pre-seeded hMSCs were controllably located in different growth positions. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that the differentiation behavior of hMSCs is highly sensitive to their growth position on a hydrogel scaffold. This work will not only enrich the mechanisms for controlling the differentiation of stem cells, but also offer a one-of-a-kind platform to achieve a heterogeneously differentiated stem cell-seeded hydrogel scaffold for complex biological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjiao Han
- 1] Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering(Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, P. R. China [2]
| | - Tao Bai
- 1] Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering(Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, P. R. China [2]
| | - Wenguang Liu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering(Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
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Zhao R, Boudou T, Wang WG, Chen CS, Reich DH. Magnetic approaches to study collective three-dimensional cell mechanics in long-term cultures (invited). JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS 2014; 115:172616. [PMID: 24803684 PMCID: PMC4000393 DOI: 10.1063/1.4870918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Contractile forces generated by cells and the stiffness of the surrounding extracellular matrix are two central mechanical factors that regulate cell function. To characterize the dynamic evolution of these two mechanical parameters during tissue morphogenesis, we developed a magnetically actuated micro-mechanical testing system in which fibroblast-populated collagen microtissues formed spontaneously in arrays of microwells that each contains a pair of elastomeric microcantilevers. We characterized the magnetic actuation performance of this system and evaluated its capacity to support long-term cell culture. We showed that cells in the microtissues remained viable during prolonged culture periods of up to 15 days, and that the mechanical properties of the microtissues reached and maintained at a stable state after a fast initial increase stage. Together, these findings demonstrate the utility of this microfabricated bio-magneto-mechanical system in extended mechanobiological studies in a physiologically relevant 3D environment.
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Task K, D'Amore A, Singh S, Candiello J, Jaramillo M, Wagner WR, Kumta P, Banerjee I. Systems level approach reveals the correlation of endoderm differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells with specific microstructural cues of fibrin gels. J R Soc Interface 2014; 11:20140009. [PMID: 24718448 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2014.0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cells receive numerous cues from their associated substrate that help to govern their behaviour. However, identification of influential substrate characteristics poses difficulties because of their complex nature. In this study, we developed an integrated experimental and systems level modelling approach to investigate and identify specific substrate features influencing differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) on a model fibrous substrate, fibrin. We synthesized a range of fibrin gels by varying fibrinogen and thrombin concentrations, which led to a range of substrate stiffness and microstructure. mESCs were cultured on each of these gels, and characterization of the differentiated cells revealed a strong influence of substrate modulation on gene expression patterning. To identify specific substrate features influencing differentiation, the substrate microstructure was quantified by image analysis and correlated with stem cell gene expression patterns using a statistical model. Significant correlations were observed between differentiation and microstructure features, specifically fibre alignment. Furthermore, this relationship occurred in a lineage-specific manner towards endoderm. This systems level approach allows for identification of specific substrate features from a complex material which are influential to cellular behaviour. Such analysis may be effective in guiding the design of scaffolds with specific properties for tissue engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith Task
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, , Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Turner KG, Ahmed N, Santerre JP, Kandel RA. Modulation of annulus fibrosus cell alignment and function on oriented nanofibrous polyurethane scaffolds under tension. Spine J 2014; 14:424-34. [PMID: 24291406 DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2013.08.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2012] [Revised: 06/27/2013] [Accepted: 08/23/2013] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CONTEXT Annulus fibrosus (AF), a component of the intervertebral disc (IVD), is always under tension in vivo, a condition that must be taken into consideration when tissue engineering an IVD. Loss of the tensile forces has been implicated in the pathogenesis of disc degeneration characterized by mechanical and structural breakdown of the AF. PURPOSE In this study, we hypothesize that tensile forces modulate cellular and molecular behavior of AF cells grown on nanofibrous scaffolds in vitro. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Bovine AF cells were seeded onto strained electrospun-aligned nanofibrous polycarbonate urethane (PU) scaffolds. Tension was either maintained throughout the culture duration (monotonic) or removed after 24 hours (relaxed). METHODS The effect of tension on AF cells cultured on PU scaffolds was evaluated over 7 days by scanning electron microscopy, biochemical assays, immunofluorescence microscopy, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Cells grown on the relaxed scaffold were significantly more proliferative, synthesized more collagen and had increased collagen type I and TGFβ-1 gene expression; however these cells were not as aligned as were the cells and matrix on monotonic strained scaffolds. The alignment of AF cells grown on monotonic scaffolds correlated with significantly greater scaffold elastic modulus on day 7. Additionally, the cellular response to the change in strain was delayed by 3 to 5 days after tension release, which correlated with the time at which changes in scaffold length were detected. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that AF cells respond at the molecular and cellular level to the changes in matrix/scaffold tension. This suggests that it may be necessary to determine the optimal elastic modulus and applied tensile forces to tissue engineer an AF that mimics the native tissue. Furthermore, this study provides insight into how changes in tensile forces may lead to changes in the AF cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen G Turner
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G9; CIHR-BioEngineering of Skeletal Tissues Team, Mount Sinai Hospital, 600 University Ave., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1X5
| | - Nazish Ahmed
- CIHR-BioEngineering of Skeletal Tissues Team, Mount Sinai Hospital, 600 University Ave., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1X5
| | - J Paul Santerre
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G9; Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, 124 Edward St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1G6
| | - Rita A Kandel
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G9; CIHR-BioEngineering of Skeletal Tissues Team, Mount Sinai Hospital, 600 University Ave., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1X5.
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Bordeleau F, Tang LN, Reinhart-King CA. Topographical guidance of 3D tumor cell migration at an interface of collagen densities. Phys Biol 2013; 10:065004. [PMID: 24304905 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/10/6/065004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
During cancer progression, metastatic cells leave the primary tumor and invade into the fibrous extracellular matrix (ECM) within the surrounding stroma. This ECM network is highly heterogeneous, and interest in understanding how this network can affect cell behavior has increased in the past several decades. However, replicating this heterogeneity has proven challenging. Here, we designed and utilized a method to create a well-defined interface between two distinct regions of high- and low-density collagen gels to mimic the heterogeneities in density found in the tumor stroma. We show that cells will invade preferentially from the high-density side into the low-density side. We also demonstrate that the net cell migration is a function of the density of the collagen in which the cells are embedded, and the difference in density between the two regions has minimal effect on cell net displacement and distance travelled. Our data further indicate that a low-to-high density interface promotes directional migration and induces formation of focal adhesion on the interface surface. Together, the current results demonstrate how ECM heterogeneities, in the form of interfacial boundaries, can affect cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francois Bordeleau
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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