1
|
Yang Y, Han K, Huang S, Wang K, Wang Y, Ding S, Zhang L, Zhang M, Xu B, Ma S, Wang Y, Wu S, Wang X. Revelation of adhesive proteins affecting cellular contractility through reference-free traction force microscopy. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:3249-3261. [PMID: 38466580 DOI: 10.1039/d4tb00065j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Over the past few decades, the critical role played by cellular contractility associated mechanotransduction in the regulation of cell functions has been revealed. In this case, numerous biomaterials have been chemically or structurally designed to manipulate cell behaviors through the regulation of cellular contractility. In particular, adhesive proteins including fibronectin, poly-L-lysine and collagen type I have been widely applied in various biomaterials to improve cell adhesion. Therefore, clarifying the effects of adhesive proteins on cellular contractility has been valuable for the development of biomaterial design. In this study, reference-free traction force microscopy with a well-organized microdot array was designed and prepared to investigate the relationship between adhesive proteins, cellular contractility, and mechanotransduction. The results showed that fibronectin and collagen type I were able to promote the assembly of focal adhesions and further enhance cellular contraction and YAP activity. In contrast, although poly-L-lysine supported cell spreading and elongation, it was inefficient at inducing cell contractility and activating YAP. Additionally, compared with cellular morphogenesis, cellular contraction was essential for YAP activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingjun Yang
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, School of Physics & Information Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, P. R. China
- Shanxi-Zheda Institute of Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering, Taiyuan, P. R. China
| | - Kuankuan Han
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, School of Physics & Information Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Siyuan Huang
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, School of Physics & Information Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, P. R. China
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Sichuan Vocational College of Health and Rehabilitation, Zigong, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, School of Physics & Information Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Yuchen Wang
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, School of Physics & Information Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Shukai Ding
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, School of Physics & Information Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Le Zhang
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, School of Physics & Information Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Miao Zhang
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, School of Physics & Information Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Bingshe Xu
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, School of Physics & Information Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, P. R. China
- Shanxi-Zheda Institute of Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering, Taiyuan, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Interface Science and Engineering in Advanced Materials, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Shufang Ma
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, School of Physics & Information Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Yongtao Wang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shengli Wu
- Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Xinlong Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xiong D(JP, Martin JG, Lauzon AM. Airway smooth muscle function in asthma. Front Physiol 2022; 13:993406. [PMID: 36277199 PMCID: PMC9581182 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.993406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Known to have affected around 340 million people across the world in 2018, asthma is a prevalent chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. The symptoms such as wheezing, dyspnea, chest tightness, and cough reflect episodes of reversible airway obstruction. Asthma is a heterogeneous disease that varies in clinical presentation, severity, and pathobiology, but consistently features airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR)—excessive airway narrowing due to an exaggerated response of the airways to various stimuli. Airway smooth muscle (ASM) is the major effector of exaggerated airway narrowing and AHR and many factors may contribute to its altered function in asthma. These include genetic predispositions, early life exposure to viruses, pollutants and allergens that lead to chronic exposure to inflammatory cells and mediators, altered innervation, airway structural cell remodeling, and airway mechanical stress. Early studies aiming to address the dysfunctional nature of ASM in the etiology and pathogenesis of asthma have been inconclusive due to the methodological limitations in assessing the intrapulmonary airways, the site of asthma. The study of the trachealis, although convenient, has been misleading as it has shown no alterations in asthma and it is not as exposed to inflammatory cells as intrapulmonary ASM. Furthermore, the cartilage rings offer protection against stress and strain of repeated contractions. More recent strategies that allow for the isolation of viable intrapulmonary ASM tissue reveal significant mechanical differences between asthmatic and non-asthmatic tissues. This review will thus summarize the latest techniques used to study ASM mechanics within its environment and in isolation, identify the potential causes of the discrepancy between the ASM of the extra- and intrapulmonary airways, and address future directions that may lead to an improved understanding of ASM hypercontractility in asthma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dora (Jun Ping) Xiong
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - James G. Martin
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Anne-Marie Lauzon
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Anne-Marie Lauzon,
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jones ML, Dahl KN, Lele TP, Conway DE, Shenoy V, Ghosh S, Szczesny SE. The Elephant in the Cell: Nuclear Mechanics and Mechanobiology. J Biomech Eng 2022; 144:080802. [PMID: 35147160 PMCID: PMC8990742 DOI: 10.1115/1.4053797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The 2021 Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering, and Biotransport Conference (SB3C) featured a workshop titled "The Elephant in the Room: Nuclear Mechanics and Mechanobiology." The goal of this workshop was to provide a perspective from experts in the field on the current understanding of nuclear mechanics and its role in mechanobiology. This paper reviews the major themes and questions discussed during the workshop, including historical context on the initial methods of measuring the mechanical properties of the nucleus and classifying the primary structures dictating nuclear mechanics, physical plasticity of the nucleus, the emerging role of the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex in coupling the nucleus to the cytoplasm and driving the behavior of individual cells and multicellular assemblies, and the computational models currently in use to investigate the mechanisms of gene expression and cell signaling. Ongoing questions and controversies, along with promising future directions, are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kris Noel Dahl
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Doherty Hall, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213; Forensics Department, Thornton Tomasetti, 120 Broadway 15th Floor, New York City, NY 10271
| | - Tanmay P. Lele
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 101 Bizzell Street, College Station, TX 77840; Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 101 Bizzell Street, College Station, TX 77840; Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 101 Bizzell Street, College Station, TX 77840
| | - Daniel E. Conway
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, 601 West Main Street, P.O. Box 843068, Richmond, VA 23284
| | - Vivek Shenoy
- Materials Science and Engineering Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 3231 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, 3231 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, 3231 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Soham Ghosh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, Translational Medicine Institute, Colorado State University, 400 Isotope Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80521
| | - Spencer E. Szczesny
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802; Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Alhudaithy S, Hoshino K. Biocompatible micro tweezers for 3D hydrogel organoid array mechanical characterization. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262950. [PMID: 35073389 PMCID: PMC8786121 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This study presents novel biocompatible Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based micromechanical tweezers (μTweezers) capable of the stiffness characterization and manipulation of hydrogel-based organoids. The system showed great potential for complementing established mechanical characterization methods such as Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), parallel plate compression (PPC), and nanoindentation, while significantly reducing the volume of valuable hydrogels used for testing. We achieved a volume reduction of ~0.22 μl/sample using the μTweezers vs. ~157 μl/sample using the PPC, while targeting high-throughput measurement of widely adopted micro-mesoscale (a few hundred μm-1500 μm) 3D cell cultures. The μTweezers applied and measured nano-millinewton forces through cantilever' deflection with high linearity and tunability for different applications; the assembly is compatible with typical inverted optical microscopes and fit on standard tissue culture Petri dishes, allowing mechanical compression characterization of arrayed 3D hydrogel-based organoids in a high throughput manner. The average achievable output per group was 40 tests per hour, where 20 organoids and 20 reference images in one 35 mm petri dish were tested, illustrating efficient productivity to match the increasing demand on 3D organoids' applications. The changes in stiffness of collagen I hydrogel organoids in four conditions were measured, with ovarian cancer cells (SKOV3) or without (control). The Young's modulus of the control group (Control-day 0, E = 407± 146, n = 4) measured by PPC was used as a reference modulus, where the relative elastic compressive modulus of the other groups based on the stiffness measurements was also calculated (control-day 0, E = 407 Pa), (SKOV3-day 0, E = 318 Pa), (control-day 5, E = 528 Pa), and (SKOV3-day 5, E = 376 Pa). The SKOV3-embedded hydrogel-based organoids had more shrinkage and lowered moduli on day 0 and day 5 than controls, consistently, while SKOV3 embedded organoids increased in stiffness in a similar trend to the collagen I control from day 0 to day 5. The proposed method can contribute to the biomedical, biochemical, and regenerative engineering fields, where bulk mechanical characterization is of interest. The μTweezers will also provide attractive design and application concepts to soft membrane-micro 3D robotics, sensors, and actuators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soliman Alhudaithy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Technology, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA
| | - Kazunori Hoshino
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Emon MAB, Knoll S, Doha U, Ladehoff L, Lalonde L, Baietto D, Sivaguru M, Bhargava R, Saif MTA. Dose- independent threshold illumination for non-invasive time-lapse fluorescence imaging of live cells. EXTREME MECHANICS LETTERS 2021; 46:101249. [PMID: 34095408 PMCID: PMC8171180 DOI: 10.1016/j.eml.2021.101249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescent microscopy employs monochromatic light for excitation, which can adversely affect the cells being observed. We reported earlier that fibroblasts relax their contractile force in response to green light of typical intensity. Here we show that such effects are independent of extracellular matrix and cell lines. In addition, we establish a threshold intensity that elicits minimal or no adverse effect on cell contractility even for long-time exposure. This threshold intensity is wavelength dependent. We cultured fibroblasts on soft 2D elastic hydrogels embedded with fluorescent beads to trace substrate deformation and cell forces. The beads move towards cell center when cells contract, but they move away when cells relax. We use relaxation/contraction ratio (λ r), in addition to traction force, as measures of cell response to red (wavelength, λ=635-650 nm), green (λ=545-580 nm) and blue (λ=455-490 nm) lights with varying intensities. Our results suggest that intensities below 57, 31 and 3.5 W/m2 for red, green and blue lights, respectively, do not perturb force homeostasis. To our knowledge, these intensities are the lowest reported safe thresholds, implying that cell traction is a highly sensitive readout of the effect of light on cells. Most importantly, we find these threshold intensities to be dose-independent; i.e., safe regardless of the energy dosage or time of exposure. Conversely, higher intensities result in widespread force-relaxation in cells with λ r > 1. Furthermore, we present a photo-reaction based model that simulates photo-toxicity and predicts threshold intensity for different wavelengths within the visible spectra. In conclusion, we recommend employing illumination intensities below aforementioned wavelength-specific thresholds for time-lapse imaging of cells and tissues in order to avoid light-induced artifacts in experimental observations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M A Bashar Emon
- Dept. of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
| | - Samantha Knoll
- Dept. of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
| | - Umnia Doha
- Dept. of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
| | - Lauren Ladehoff
- Dept. of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
| | - Luke Lalonde
- Dept. of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
| | - Danielle Baietto
- Dept. of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
| | - Mayandi Sivaguru
- Carle Woese Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
| | - Rohit Bhargava
- Dept. of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
| | - M Taher A Saif
- Dept. of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Dept. of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Corresponding author: M Taher A Saif, Gutgsell Professor, Associate Head for Graduate Programs and Research, Mechanical Science and Engineering, Research Professor, Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2101D Mechanical Engineering Laboratory, 105 S. Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA, , Tel: 217-333-8552, Fax: 217-244-6534, http://saif.mechse.illinois.edu/
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Li Y, Konstantopoulos K, Zhao R, Mori Y, Sun SX. The importance of water and hydraulic pressure in cell dynamics. J Cell Sci 2020; 133:133/20/jcs240341. [PMID: 33087485 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.240341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
All mammalian cells live in the aqueous medium, yet for many cell biologists, water is a passive arena in which proteins are the leading players that carry out essential biological functions. Recent studies, as well as decades of previous work, have accumulated evidence to show that this is not the complete picture. Active fluxes of water and solutes of water can play essential roles during cell shape changes, cell motility and tissue function, and can generate significant mechanical forces. Moreover, the extracellular resistance to water flow, known as the hydraulic resistance, and external hydraulic pressures are important mechanical modulators of cell polarization and motility. For the cell to maintain a consistent chemical environment in the cytoplasm, there must exist an intricate molecular system that actively controls the cell water content as well as the cytoplasmic ionic content. This system is difficult to study and poorly understood, but ramifications of which may impact all aspects of cell biology from growth to metabolism to development. In this Review, we describe how mammalian cells maintain the cytoplasmic water content and how water flows across the cell surface to drive cell movement. The roles of mechanical forces and hydraulic pressure during water movement are explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yizeng Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kennesaw State University. Marietta, GA 30060, USA
| | - Konstantinos Konstantopoulos
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.,Institute of NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Runchen Zhao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.,Institute of NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Yoichiro Mori
- Department of Mathematics and Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sean X Sun
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA .,Institute of NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.,Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bajpai A, Tong J, Qian W, Peng Y, Chen W. The Interplay Between Cell-Cell and Cell-Matrix Forces Regulates Cell Migration Dynamics. Biophys J 2019; 117:1795-1804. [PMID: 31706566 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells in vivo encounter and exert forces as they interact with the extracellular matrix (ECM) and neighboring cells during migration. These mechanical forces play crucial roles in regulating cell migratory behaviors. Although a variety of studies have focused on describing single-cell or the collective cell migration behaviors, a fully mechanistic understanding of how the cell-cell (intercellular) and cell-ECM (extracellular) traction forces individually and cooperatively regulate single-cell migration and coordinate multicellular movement in a cellular monolayer is still lacking. Here, we developed an integrated experimental and analytical system to examine both the intercellular and extracellular traction forces acting on individual cells within an endothelial cell colony as well as their roles in guiding cell migratory behaviors (i.e., cell translation and rotation). Combined with force, multipole, and moment analysis, our results revealed that traction force dominates in regulating cell active translation, whereas intercellular force actively modulates cell rotation. Our findings advance the understanding of the intricacies of cell-cell and cell-ECM forces in regulating cellular migratory behaviors that occur during the monolayer development and may yield deeper insights into the single-cell dynamic behaviors during tissue development, embryogenesis, and wound healing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jie Tong
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
| | - Weiyi Qian
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
| | - Yansong Peng
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
| | - Weiqiang Chen
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Department of Biomedical Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, New York.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Harrison DL, Fang Y, Huang J. T-Cell Mechanobiology: Force Sensation, Potentiation, and Translation. FRONTIERS IN PHYSICS 2019; 7:45. [PMID: 32601597 PMCID: PMC7323161 DOI: 10.3389/fphy.2019.00045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
A T cell is a sensitive self-referential mechanical sensor. Mechanical forces influence the recognition, activation, differentiation, and function throughout the lifetime of a T cell. T cells constantly perceive and respond to physical stimuli through their surface receptors, cytoskeleton, and subcellular structures. Surface receptors receive physical cues in the form of forces generated through receptor-ligand binding events, which are dynamically regulated by contact tension, shear stress, and substrate rigidity. The resulting mechanotransduction not only influences T-cell recognition and signaling but also possibly modulates cell metabolism and gene expression. Moreover, forces also dynamically regulate the deformation, organization, and translocation of cytoskeleton and subcellular structures, leading to changes in T-cell mobility, migration, and infiltration. However, the roles and mechanisms of how mechanical forces modulate T-cell recognition, signaling, metabolism, and gene expression, are largely unknown and underappreciated. Here, we review recent technological and scientific advances in T-cell mechanobiology, discuss possible roles and mechanisms of T-cell mechanotransduction, and propose new research directions of this emerging field in health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Devin L. Harrison
- The Graduate Program in Biophysical Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Yun Fang
- The Graduate Program in Biophysical Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jun Huang
- The Graduate Program in Biophysical Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Institute for Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Chang JK, Emon MAB, Li CS, Yang Q, Chang HP, Yang Z, Wu CI, Saif MT, Rogers JA. Cytotoxicity and in Vitro Degradation Kinetics of Foundry-Compatible Semiconductor Nanomembranes and Electronic Microcomponents. ACS NANO 2018; 12:9721-9732. [PMID: 30160102 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b04513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Foundry-compatible materials and processing approaches serve as the foundations for advanced, active implantable microsystems that can dissolve in biofluids into biocompatible reaction products, with broad potential applications in biomedicine. The results reported here include in vitro studies of the dissolution kinetics and nanoscale bioresorption behaviors of device-grade thin films of Si, SiN x, SiO2, and W in the presence of dynamic cell cultures via atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. In situ investigations of cell-extracellular mechanotransduction induced by cellular traction provide insights into the cytotoxicity of these same materials and of microcomponents formed with them using foundry-compatible processes, indicating potential cytotoxicity elicited by W at concentrations greater than 6 mM. The findings are of central relevance to the biocompatibility of modern Si-based electronics technologies as active, bioresorbable microsystems that interface with living tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Kai Chang
- Center for Bio-Integrated Electronics , Northwestern University , Evanston , Illinois 60208 , United States
| | - M A Bashar Emon
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana , Illinois 61801 , United States
| | - Chia-Shuo Li
- Graduate Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics , National Taiwan University , Taipei 10617 , Taiwan
| | - Quansan Yang
- Center for Bio-Integrated Electronics , Northwestern University , Evanston , Illinois 60208 , United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering , Northwestern University , Evanston , Illinois 60208 , United States
| | - Hui-Ping Chang
- Graduate Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics , National Taiwan University , Taipei 10617 , Taiwan
- Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana , Illinois 61801 , United States
| | - Zijian Yang
- Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana , Illinois 61801 , United States
| | - Chih-I Wu
- Graduate Institute of Photonics and Optoelectronics , National Taiwan University , Taipei 10617 , Taiwan
| | - M Taher Saif
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana , Illinois 61801 , United States
| | - John A Rogers
- Center for Bio-Integrated Electronics , Northwestern University , Evanston , Illinois 60208 , United States
- Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Urbana , Illinois 61801 , United States
- Departments of Materials Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Neurological Surgery, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, McCormick School of Engineering, and Feinberg School of Medicine , Northwestern University , Evanston , Illinois 60208 , United States
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Micro- and nanodevices integrated with biomolecular probes. Biotechnol Adv 2015; 33:1727-43. [PMID: 26363089 PMCID: PMC4948648 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Revised: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 09/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Understanding how biomolecules, proteins and cells interact with their surroundings and other biological entities has become the fundamental design criterion for most biomedical micro- and nanodevices. Advances in biology, medicine, and nanofabrication technologies complement each other and allow us to engineer new tools based on biomolecules utilized as probes. Engineered micro/nanosystems and biomolecules in nature have remarkably robust compatibility in terms of function, size, and physical properties. This article presents the state of the art in micro- and nanoscale devices designed and fabricated with biomolecular probes as their vital constituents. General design and fabrication concepts are presented and three major platform technologies are highlighted: microcantilevers, micro/nanopillars, and microfluidics. Overview of each technology, typical fabrication details, and application areas are presented by emphasizing significant achievements, current challenges, and future opportunities.
Collapse
|
11
|
Sun J, Xiao Y, Wang S, Slepian MJ, Wong PK. Advances in Techniques for Probing Mechanoregulation of Tissue Morphogenesis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 20:127-37. [DOI: 10.1177/2211068214554802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
12
|
Jamison J, Lauffenburger D, Wang JCH, Wells A. PKCδ localization at the membrane increases matrix traction force dependent on PLCγ1/EGFR signaling. PLoS One 2013; 8:e77434. [PMID: 24155954 PMCID: PMC3796482 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Accepted: 08/31/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction During wound healing, fibroblasts initially migrate into the wound bed and later contract the matrix. Relevant mediators of transcellular contractility revealed by systems analyses are protein kinase c delta/myosin light chain-2 (PKCδ/MLC-2). PKCδ is activated by growth factor-driven PLCγ1 hydrolysis of phosphoinositide bisphosphate (PIP2) hydrolysis when it becomes tranlocated to the membrane. This leads to MLC-2 phosphorylation that regulates myosin for contractility. Furthermore, PKCδ n-terminus mediates PKCδ localization to the membrane in relative proximity to PLCγ1 activity. However, the role this localization and the relationship to its activation and signaling of force is not well understood. Therefore, we investigated whether the membrane localization of PKCδ mediates the transcellular contractility of fibroblasts. Methods To determine PKCδ activation in targeted membrane locations in mouse fibroblast cells (NR6-WT), two PKCδ constructs were generated; PKCδ-CaaX with farnesylation moiety targeting PKCδ to the membrane and PKCδ-SaaX a non-targeting control. Results Increased mean cell force was observed before and during EGF stimulation in fibroblasts expressing membrane-targeted PKCδ (PKCδ-CaaX) when analyzed with 2D cell traction force and 3D compaction of collagen matrix. This effect was reduced in cells deficient in EGFR/PLCy1 signaling. In cells expressing non-membrane targeted PKCδ (PKCδ-SaaX), the cell force exerted outside the ECM (extracellular matrix) was less, but cell motility/speed/persistence was increased after EGF stimulation. Change in cell motility and increased force exertion was also preceded by change in cell morphology. Organization of actin stress fibers was also decreased as a result of increasing membrane targeting of PKCδ. Conclusion From these results membrane tethering of PKCδ leads to increased force exertion on ECM. Furthermore, our data show PLCγ1 regulation of PKCδ, at least in part, drives transcellular contractility in fibroblasts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Jamison
- Department of Pathology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Douglas Lauffenburger
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - James C.-H. Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Alan Wells
- Department of Pathology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
The inability to measure mechanical forces within cells has been limiting our understanding of how mechanical information is processed on the molecular level. In this chapter, we describe a method that allows the analysis of force propagation across distinct proteins within living cells using Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensors.
Collapse
|
14
|
Wright D, Sharma P, Ryu MH, Rissé PA, Ngo M, Maarsingh H, Koziol-White C, Jha A, Halayko AJ, West AR. Models to study airway smooth muscle contraction in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro: implications in understanding asthma. Pulm Pharmacol Ther 2012; 26:24-36. [PMID: 22967819 DOI: 10.1016/j.pupt.2012.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2012] [Revised: 08/14/2012] [Accepted: 08/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Asthma is a chronic obstructive airway disease characterised by airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and airway wall remodelling. The effector of airway narrowing is the contraction of airway smooth muscle (ASM), yet the question of whether an inherent or acquired dysfunction in ASM contractile function plays a significant role in the disease pathophysiology remains contentious. The difficulty in determining the role of ASM lies in limitations with the models used to assess contraction. In vivo models provide a fully integrated physiological response but ASM contraction cannot be directly measured. Ex vivo and in vitro models can provide more direct assessment of ASM contraction but the loss of factors that may modulate ASM responsiveness and AHR, including interaction between multiple cell types and disruption of the mechanical environment, precludes a complete understanding of the disease process. In this review we detail key advantages of common in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro models of ASM contraction, as well as emerging tissue engineered models of ASM and whole airways. We also highlight important findings from each model with respect to the pathophysiology of asthma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Wright
- Medical Research Council and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Liu Z, Blattner SM, Tu Y, Tisherman R, Wang JH, Rastaldi MP, Kretzler M, Wu C. Alpha-actinin-4 and CLP36 protein deficiencies contribute to podocyte defects in multiple human glomerulopathies. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:30795-30805. [PMID: 21680739 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.255984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic alterations of α-actinin-4 can cause podocyte injury through multiple mechanisms. Although a mechanism involving gain-of-α-actinin-4 function was well described and is responsible for a dominantly inherited form of human focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), evidence supporting mechanisms involving loss-of-α-actinin-4 function in human glomerular diseases remains elusive. Here we show that α-actinin-4 deficiency occurs in multiple human primary glomerulopathies including sporadic FSGS, minimal change disease, and IgA nephropathy. Furthermore, we identify a close correlation between the levels of α-actinin-4 and CLP36, which form a complex in normal podocytes, in human glomerular diseases. siRNA-mediated depletion of α-actinin-4 in human podocytes resulted in a marked reduction of the CLP36 level. Additionally, two FSGS-associated α-actinin-4 mutations (R310Q and Q348R) inhibited the complex formation between α-actinin-4 and CLP36. Inhibition of the α-actinin-4-CLP36 complex, like loss of α-actinin-4, markedly reduced the level of CLP36 in podocytes. Finally, reduction of the CLP36 level or disruption of the α-actinin-4-CLP36 complex significantly inhibited RhoA activity and generation of traction force in podocytes. Our studies reveal a critical role of the α-actinin-4-CLP36 complex in podocytes and provide an explanation as to how α-actinin-4 deficiency or mutations found in human patients could contribute to podocyte defects and glomerular failure through a loss-of-function mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhongmin Liu
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
| | | | - Yizeng Tu
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
| | - Robert Tisherman
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
| | - James H Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
| | - Maria Pia Rastaldi
- Renal Research Laboratory, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico e Fondazione D'Amico per la Ricerca sulle Malattie Renali, Milano 20122, Italy
| | - Matthias Kretzler
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Chuanyue Wu
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Regulation of myofibroblast activities: calcium pulls some strings behind the scene. Exp Cell Res 2010; 316:2390-401. [PMID: 20451515 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2010.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2010] [Revised: 04/27/2010] [Accepted: 04/30/2010] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Myofibroblast-induced remodeling of collagenous extracellular matrix is a key component of our body's strategy to rapidly and efficiently repair damaged tissues; thus myofibroblast activity is considered crucial in assuring the mechanical integrity of vital organs and tissues after injury. Typical examples of beneficial myofibroblast activities are scarring after myocardial infarct and repair of damaged connective tissues including dermis, tendon, bone, and cartilage. However, deregulation of myofibroblast contraction causes the tissue deformities that characterize hypertrophic scars as well as organ fibrosis that ultimately leads to heart, lung, liver and kidney failure. The phenotypic features of the myofibroblast, within a spectrum going from the fibroblast to the smooth muscle cell, raise the question as to whether it regulates contraction in a fibroblast- or muscle-like fashion. In this review, we attempt to elucidate this point with a particular focus on the role of calcium signaling. We suggest that calcium plays a central role in myofibroblast biological activity not only in regulating contraction but also in mediating intracellular and extracellular mechanical signals, structurally organizing the contractile actin-myosin cytoskeleton, and establishing lines of intercellular communication.
Collapse
|