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Emig R, Hoess P, Cai H, Kohl P, Peyronnet R, Weber W, Hörner M. Benchmarking of Cph1 Mutants and DrBphP for Light-Responsive Phytochrome-Based Hydrogels with Reversibly Adjustable Mechanical Properties. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2022; 6:e2000337. [PMID: 35481696 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In the rapidly expanding field of molecular optogenetics, the performance of the engineered systems relies on the switching properties of the underlying genetically encoded photoreceptors. In this study, the bacterial phytochromes Cph1 and DrBphP are engineered, recombinantly produced in Escherichia coli, and characterized regarding their switching properties in order to synthesize biohybrid hydrogels with increased light-responsive stiffness modulations. The R472A mutant of the cyanobacterial phytochrome 1 (Cph1) is identified to confer the phytochrome-based hydrogels with an increased dynamic range for the storage modulus but a different light-response for the loss modulus compared to the original Cph1-based hydrogel. Stiffness measurements of human atrial fibroblasts grown on these hydrogels suggest that differences in the loss modulus at comparable changes in the storage modulus affect cell stiffness and thus underline the importance of matrix viscoelasticity on cellular mechanotransduction. The hydrogels presented here are of interest for analyzing how mammalian cells respond to dynamic viscoelastic cues. Moreover, the Cph1-R472A mutant, as well as the benchmarking of the other phytochrome variants, are expected to foster the development and performance of future optogenetic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramona Emig
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.,Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, 79110, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110, Freiburg, Germany.,CIBSS - Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Hoess
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hanyang Cai
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Peter Kohl
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, 79110, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110, Freiburg, Germany.,CIBSS - Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Rémi Peyronnet
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg - Bad Krozingen, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, 79110, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wilfried Weber
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.,Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Hörner
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.,Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
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Gheorghiu M, Polonschii C, Popescu O, Gheorghiu E. Advanced Optogenetic-Based Biosensing and Related Biomaterials. MATERIALS 2021; 14:ma14154151. [PMID: 34361345 PMCID: PMC8347019 DOI: 10.3390/ma14154151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The ability to stimulate mammalian cells with light, brought along by optogenetic control, has significantly broadened our understanding of electrically excitable tissues. Backed by advanced (bio)materials, it has recently paved the way towards novel biosensing concepts supporting bio-analytics applications transversal to the main biomedical stream. The advancements concerning enabling biomaterials and related novel biosensing concepts involving optogenetics are reviewed with particular focus on the use of engineered cells for cell-based sensing platforms and the available toolbox (from mere actuators and reporters to novel multifunctional opto-chemogenetic tools) for optogenetic-enabled real-time cellular diagnostics and biosensor development. The key advantages of these modified cell-based biosensors concern both significantly faster (minutes instead of hours) and higher sensitivity detection of low concentrations of bioactive/toxic analytes (below the threshold concentrations in classical cellular sensors) as well as improved standardization as warranted by unified analytic platforms. These novel multimodal functional electro-optical label-free assays are reviewed among the key elements for optogenetic-based biosensing standardization. This focused review is a potential guide for materials researchers interested in biosensing based on light-responsive biomaterials and related analytic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaela Gheorghiu
- International Centre of Biodynamics, 1B Intrarea Portocalelor, 060101 Bucharest, Romania;
- Correspondence: (M.G.); (E.G.)
| | - Cristina Polonschii
- International Centre of Biodynamics, 1B Intrarea Portocalelor, 060101 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Octavian Popescu
- Molecular Biology Center, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research in Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babes-Bolyai-University, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Institute of Biology Bucharest, Romanian Academy, 296 Splaiul Independentei, 060031 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Eugen Gheorghiu
- International Centre of Biodynamics, 1B Intrarea Portocalelor, 060101 Bucharest, Romania;
- Correspondence: (M.G.); (E.G.)
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Emig R, Knodt W, Krussig MJ, Zgierski-Johnston CM, Gorka O, Groß O, Kohl P, Ravens U, Peyronnet R. Piezo1 Channels Contribute to the Regulation of Human Atrial Fibroblast Mechanical Properties and Matrix Stiffness Sensing. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030663. [PMID: 33809739 PMCID: PMC8002259 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanical environment of cardiac cells changes continuously and undergoes major alterations during diseases. Most cardiac diseases, including atrial fibrillation, are accompanied by fibrosis which can impair both electrical and mechanical function of the heart. A key characteristic of fibrotic tissue is excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix, leading to increased tissue stiffness. Cells are known to respond to changes in their mechanical environment, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this ability are incompletely understood. We used cell culture systems and hydrogels with tunable stiffness, combined with advanced biophysical and imaging techniques, to elucidate the roles of the stretch-activated channel Piezo1 in human atrial fibroblast mechano-sensing. Changing the expression level of Piezo1 revealed that this mechano-sensor contributes to the organization of the cytoskeleton, affecting mechanical properties of human embryonic kidney cells and human atrial fibroblasts. Our results suggest that this response is independent of Piezo1-mediated ion conduction at the plasma membrane, and mediated in part by components of the integrin pathway. Further, we show that Piezo1 is instrumental for fibroblast adaptation to changes in matrix stiffness, and that Piezo1-induced cell stiffening is transmitted in a paracrine manner to other cells by a signaling mechanism requiring interleukin-6. Piezo1 may be a new candidate for targeted interference with cardiac fibroblast function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramona Emig
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg Bad Krozingen, and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany; (R.E.); (W.K.); (M.J.K.); (C.M.Z.-J.); (P.K.); (U.R.)
- CIBSS Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Wiebke Knodt
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg Bad Krozingen, and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany; (R.E.); (W.K.); (M.J.K.); (C.M.Z.-J.); (P.K.); (U.R.)
| | - Mario J. Krussig
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg Bad Krozingen, and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany; (R.E.); (W.K.); (M.J.K.); (C.M.Z.-J.); (P.K.); (U.R.)
| | - Callum M. Zgierski-Johnston
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg Bad Krozingen, and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany; (R.E.); (W.K.); (M.J.K.); (C.M.Z.-J.); (P.K.); (U.R.)
| | - Oliver Gorka
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (O.G.); (O.G.)
| | - Olaf Groß
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (O.G.); (O.G.)
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Basics in NeuroModulation (NeuroModulBasics), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Peter Kohl
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg Bad Krozingen, and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany; (R.E.); (W.K.); (M.J.K.); (C.M.Z.-J.); (P.K.); (U.R.)
- CIBSS Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ursula Ravens
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg Bad Krozingen, and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany; (R.E.); (W.K.); (M.J.K.); (C.M.Z.-J.); (P.K.); (U.R.)
| | - Rémi Peyronnet
- Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University Heart Center Freiburg Bad Krozingen, and Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany; (R.E.); (W.K.); (M.J.K.); (C.M.Z.-J.); (P.K.); (U.R.)
- Correspondence:
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