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Choi Y, Jakob R, Ehret AE, von Bohemer L, Cesarovic N, Falk V, Emmert MY, Mazza E, Giampietro C. Stretch-induced damage in endothelial monolayers. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2024; 163:213938. [PMID: 38959650 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.213938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Endothelial cells are constantly exposed to mechanical stimuli, of which mechanical stretch has shown various beneficial or deleterious effects depending on whether loads are within physiological or pathological levels, respectively. Vascular properties change with age, and on a cell-scale, senescence elicits changes in endothelial cell mechanical properties that together can impair its response to stretch. Here, high-rate uniaxial stretch experiments were performed to quantify and compare the stretch-induced damage of monolayers consisting of young, senescent, and aged endothelial populations. The aged and senescent phenotypes were more fragile to stretch-induced damage. Prominent damage was detected by immunofluorescence and scanning electron microscopy as intercellular and intracellular void formation. Damage increased proportionally to the applied level of deformation and, for the aged and senescent phenotype, induced significant detachment of cells at lower levels of stretch compared to the young counterpart. Based on the phenotypic difference in cell-substrate adhesion of senescent cells indicating more mature focal adhesions, a discrete network model of endothelial cells being stretched was developed. The model showed that the more affine deformation of senescent cells increased their intracellular energy, thus enhancing the tendency for cellular damage and impending detachment. Next to quantifying for the first-time critical levels of endothelial stretch, the present results indicate that young cells are more resilient to deformation and that the fragility of senescent cells may be associated with their stronger adhesion to the substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Choi
- ETH Zürich, Dep. of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Raphael Jakob
- ETH Zürich, Dep. of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Alexander E Ehret
- ETH Zürich, Dep. of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Zürich, Switzerland; Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Lisa von Bohemer
- University of Zurich, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Nikola Cesarovic
- ETH Zürich, Dep. of Health Sciences and Technology, Zürich, Switzerland; Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité (DHZC), Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Berlin, Germany; Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Volkmar Falk
- ETH Zürich, Dep. of Health Sciences and Technology, Zürich, Switzerland; Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité (DHZC), Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Berlin, Germany; Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maximilian Y Emmert
- University of Zurich, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Schlieren, Switzerland; Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité (DHZC), Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Berlin, Germany; Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Edoardo Mazza
- ETH Zürich, Dep. of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Zürich, Switzerland; Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland.
| | - Costanza Giampietro
- ETH Zürich, Dep. of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Zürich, Switzerland; Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland.
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Brandon KD, Frank WE, Stroka KM. Junctions at the crossroads: the impact of mechanical cues on endothelial cell-cell junction conformations and vascular permeability. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 327:C1073-C1086. [PMID: 39129490 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00605.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Cells depend on precisely regulating barrier function within the vasculature to maintain physiological stability and facilitate essential substance transport. Endothelial cells achieve this through specialized adherens and tight junction protein complexes, which govern paracellular permeability across vascular beds. Adherens junctions, anchored by vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin and associated catenins to the actin cytoskeleton, mediate homophilic adhesion crucial for barrier integrity. In contrast, tight junctions composed of occludin, claudin, and junctional adhesion molecule A interact with Zonula Occludens proteins, reinforcing intercellular connections essential for barrier selectivity. Endothelial cell-cell junctions exhibit dynamic conformations during development, maturation, and remodeling, regulated by local biochemical and mechanical cues. These structural adaptations play pivotal roles in disease contexts such as chronic inflammation, where junctional remodeling contributes to increased vascular permeability observed in conditions from cancer to cardiovascular diseases. Conversely, the brain microvasculature's specialized junctional arrangements pose challenges for therapeutic drug delivery due to their unique molecular compositions and tight organization. This commentary explores the molecular mechanisms underlying endothelial cell-cell junction conformations and their implications for vascular permeability. By highlighting recent advances in quantifying junctional changes and understanding mechanotransduction pathways, we elucidate how physical forces from cellular contacts and hemodynamic flow influence junctional dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken D Brandon
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States
| | - William E Frank
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico in Ponce, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Kimberly M Stroka
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Biophysics Program, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
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3
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Ahmad D, Linares I, Pietropaoli A, Waugh RE, McGrath JL. Sided Stimulation of Endothelial Cells Modulates Neutrophil Trafficking in an In Vitro Sepsis Model. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2304338. [PMID: 38547536 PMCID: PMC11338706 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202304338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
While the role of dysregulated polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) transmigration in septic mediated tissue damage is well documented, strategies to mitigate aberrant transmigration across endothelium have yet to yield viable therapeutics. Recently, microphysiological systems (MPS) have emerged as novel in vitro mimetics that facilitate the development of human models of disease. With this advancement, aspects of endothelial physiology that are difficult to assess with other models can be directly probed. In this study, the role of endothelial cell (EC) apicobasal polarity on leukocyte trafficking response is evaluated with the µSiM-MVM (microphysiological system enabled by a silicon membrane - microvascular mimetic). Here, ECs are stimulated either apically or basally with a cytokine cocktail to model a septic-like challenge before introducing healthy donor PMNs into the device. Basally oriented stimulation generated a stronger PMN transmigratory response versus apical stimulation. Importantly, healthy PMNs are unable to migrate towards a bacterial peptide chemoattractant when ECs are apically stimulated, which mimics the attenuated PMN chemotaxis seen in sepsis. Escalating the apical inflammatory stimulus by a factor of five is necessary to elicit high PMN transmigration levels across endothelium. These results demonstrate that EC apicobasal polarity modulates PMN transmigratory behavior and provides insight into the mechanisms underlying sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danial Ahmad
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Isabelle Linares
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Anthony Pietropaoli
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care at the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Richard E Waugh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - James L McGrath
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
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Hernandez C, Gorska AM, Eugenin E. Mechanisms of HIV-mediated blood-brain barrier compromise and leukocyte transmigration under the current antiretroviral era. iScience 2024; 27:109236. [PMID: 38487019 PMCID: PMC10937838 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
HIV-associated neurological compromise is observed in more than half of all people with HIV (PWH), even under antiretroviral therapy (ART). The mechanism has been associated with the early transmigration of HIV-infected monocytes across the BBB in a CCL2 and HIV replication-dependent manner. However, the mechanisms of chronic brain damage are unknown. We demonstrate that all PWH under ART have elevated circulating ATP levels that correlate with the onset of cognitive impairment even in the absence of a circulating virus. Serum ATP levels found in PWH with the most severe neurocognitive impairment trigger the transcellular migration of HIV-infected leukocytes across the BBB in a JAM-A and LFA-1-dependent manner. We propose that targeting transcellular leukocyte transmigration could reduce or prevent the devastating consequences of HIV within the brains of PWH under ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Hernandez
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Anna Maria Gorska
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eliseo Eugenin
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA
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Chatterjee B, Fatima F, Seth S, Sinha Roy S. Moderate Elevation of Homocysteine Induces Endothelial Dysfunction through Adaptive UPR Activation and Metabolic Rewiring. Cells 2024; 13:214. [PMID: 38334606 PMCID: PMC10854856 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Elevation of the intermediate amino acid metabolite Homocysteine (Hcy) causes Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), a metabolic disorder frequently associated with mutations in the methionine-cysteine metabolic cycle as well as with nutritional deficiency and aging. The previous literature suggests that HHcy is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Severe HHcy is well-established to correlate with vascular pathologies primarily via endothelial cell death. Though moderate HHcy is more prevalent and associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular abnormalities in later part of life, its precise role in endothelial physiology is largely unknown. In this study, we report that moderate elevation of Hcy causes endothelial dysfunction through impairment of their migration and proliferation. We established that unlike severe elevation of Hcy, moderate HHcy is not associated with suppression of endothelial VEGF/VEGFR transcripts and ROS induction. We further showed that moderate HHcy induces a sub-lethal ER stress that causes defective endothelial migration through abnormal actin cytoskeletal remodeling. We also found that sub-lethal increase in Hcy causes endothelial proliferation defect by suppressing mitochondrial respiration and concomitantly increases glycolysis to compensate the consequential ATP loss and maintain overall energy homeostasis. Finally, analyzing a previously published microarray dataset, we confirmed that these hallmarks of moderate HHcy are conserved in adult endothelial cells as well. Thus, we identified adaptive UPR and metabolic rewiring as two key mechanistic signatures in moderate HHcy-associated endothelial dysfunction. As HHcy is clinically associated with enhanced vascular inflammation and hypercoagulability, identifying these mechanistic pathways may serve as future targets to regulate endothelial function and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barun Chatterjee
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India; (B.C.); (F.F.); (S.S.)
- Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Fabeha Fatima
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India; (B.C.); (F.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Surabhi Seth
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India; (B.C.); (F.F.); (S.S.)
- Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Soumya Sinha Roy
- CSIR-Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110025, India; (B.C.); (F.F.); (S.S.)
- Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, India
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Postma RJ, Broekhoven AG, Verspaget HW, de Boer H, Hankemeier T, Coenraad MJ, van Duinen V, van Zonneveld AJ. Novel Morphological Profiling Assay Connects ex Vivo Endothelial Cell Responses to Disease Severity in Liver Cirrhosis. GASTRO HEP ADVANCES 2023; 3:238-249. [PMID: 39129954 PMCID: PMC11307659 DOI: 10.1016/j.gastha.2023.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Background and Aims Endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction in response to circulating plasma factors is a known causal factor in many systemic diseases. However, no appropriate assay is available to investigate this causality ex vivo. In liver cirrhosis, systemic inflammation is identified as central mechanism in progression from compensated to decompensated cirrhosis (DC), but the role of ECs therein is unknown. We aimed to develop a novel ex vivo assay for assessing EC responses to patient-derived plasma (PDP) and assess the potential of this assay in a cohort of liver cirrhosis patients. Methods Image-based morphological profiling was utilized to assess the impact of PDP on cultured ECs. Endothelial cell (EC) monolayers were exposed to 25% stabilized PDP (20 compensated cirrhoses, 20 DCs, and 20 healthy controls (HCs). Single-cell morphological profiles were extracted by automated image-analysis following staining of multiple cellular components and high-content imaging. Patient profiles were created by dimension reduction and cell-to-patient data aggregation, followed by multivariate-analysis to stratify patients and identify discriminating features. Results Patient-derived plasma (PDP) exposure induced profound changes in EC morphology, displaying clear differences between controls and DC patients. Compensated cirrhosis patients showed overlap with healthy controls and DC patients. Supervised analysis showed Child-Pugh (CP) class could be predicted from EC morphology. Most importantly, CP-C patients displayed distinct EC phenotypes, in which mitochondrial changes were most discriminative. Conclusion Morphological profiling presents a viable tool to assess the endothelium ex vivo. We demonstrated that the EC phenotype corresponds with disease severity in liver cirrhosis. Moreover, our results suggest the presence of mitochondrial dysfunction in ECs of CP-C patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudmer J. Postma
- Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology) and the Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Annelotte G.C. Broekhoven
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hein W. Verspaget
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hetty de Boer
- Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology) and the Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Hankemeier
- Department of Analytical BioSciences, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Minneke J. Coenraad
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent van Duinen
- Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology) and the Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- MIMETAS B.V., Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
| | - Anton Jan van Zonneveld
- Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology) and the Einthoven Laboratory for Vascular and Regenerative Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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7
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Yang H, Chen T, Hu Y, Niu F, Zheng X, Sun H, Cheng L, Sun L. A microfluidic platform integrating dynamic cell culture and dielectrophoretic manipulation for in situ assessment of endothelial cell mechanics. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:3581-3592. [PMID: 37417786 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00363a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
The function of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) within the complex vascular microenvironment is typically modulated by biochemical cues, cell-cell interactions, and fluid shear stress. These regulatory factors play a crucial role in determining cell mechanical properties, such as elastic and shear moduli, which are important parameters for assessing cell status. However, most studies on the measurement of cell mechanical properties have been conducted in vitro, which is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Notably, many physiological factors are lacking in Petri dish culture compared with in vivo conditions, leading to inaccurate results and poor clinical relevance. Herein, we developed a multi-layer microfluidic chip that integrates dynamic cell culture, manipulation and dielectrophoretic in situ measurement of mechanical properties. Furthermore, we numerically and experimentally simulated the vascular microenvironment to investigate the effects of flow rate and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) on the Young's modulus of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Results showed that greater fluid shear stress results in increased Young's modulus of HUVECs, suggesting the importance of hemodynamics in modulating the biomechanics of ECs. In contrast, TNF-α, an inflammation inducer, dramatically decreased HUVEC stiffness, demonstrating an adverse impact on the vascular endothelium. Blebbistatin, a cytoskeleton disruptor, significantly reduced the Young's modulus of HUVECs. In summary, the proposed vascular-mimetic dynamic culture and monitoring approach enables the physiological development of ECs in organ-on-a-chip microsystems for accurately and efficiently studying hemodynamics and pharmacological mechanisms underlying cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yang
- Robotics and Microsystems Center, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
| | - Tao Chen
- Robotics and Microsystems Center, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
| | - Yichong Hu
- Robotics and Microsystems Center, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
| | - Fuzhou Niu
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Xinyu Zheng
- Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haizhen Sun
- Robotics and Microsystems Center, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
| | - Liang Cheng
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Lining Sun
- Robotics and Microsystems Center, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000, China.
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The Soluble Fms-like Tyrosine Kinase-1 Contributes to Structural and Functional Changes in Endothelial Cells in Chronic Kidney Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232416059. [PMID: 36555698 PMCID: PMC9787493 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells are a critical target of the soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), a soluble factor increased in different diseases with varying degrees of renal impairment and endothelial dysfunction, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although the mechanisms underlying endothelial dysfunction are multifactorial and complex, herein, we investigated the damaging effects of sFlt-1 on structural and functional changes in endothelial cells. Our results evidenced that sera from patients with CKD stiffen the endothelial cell cortex in vitro, an effect correlated with sFlt-1 levels and prevented by sFlt-1 neutralization. Besides, we could show that recombinant sFlt-1 leads to endothelial stiffening in vitro and in vivo. This was accompanied by cytoskeleton reorganization and changes in the endothelial barrier function, as observed by increased actin polymerization and endothelial cell permeability, respectively. These results depended on the activation of the p38 MAPK and were blocked by the specific inhibitor SB203580. However, sFlt-1 only minimally affected the expression of stiffness-sensitive genes. These findings bring new insight into the mechanism of action of sFlt-1 and its biological effects that cannot be exclusively ascribed to the regulation of angiogenesis.
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Yuste RA, Muenkel M, Axarlis K, Gómez Benito MJ, Reuss A, Blacker G, Tal MC, Kraiczy P, Bastounis EE. Borrelia burgdorferi modulates the physical forces and immunity signaling in endothelial cells. iScience 2022; 25:104793. [PMID: 35992087 PMCID: PMC9389243 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), a vector-borne bacterial pathogen and the causative agent of Lyme disease, can spread to distant tissues in the human host by traveling in and through monolayers of endothelial cells (ECs) lining the vasculature. To examine whether Bb alters the physical forces of ECs to promote its dissemination, we exposed ECs to Bb and observed a sharp and transient increase in EC traction and intercellular forces, followed by a prolonged decrease in EC motility and physical forces. All variables returned to baseline at 24 h after exposure. RNA sequencing analysis revealed an upregulation of innate immune signaling pathways during early but not late Bb exposure. Exposure of ECs to heat-inactivated Bb recapitulated only the early weakening of EC mechanotransduction. The differential responses to live versus heat-inactivated Bb indicate a tight interplay between innate immune signaling and physical forces in host ECs and suggest their active modulation by Bb. Early exposure to Borrelia decreases endothelial cell motility and physical forces Early exposure to Borrelia also upregulates the host’s innate immune signaling pathways Host cell mechanics and signaling return to steady state at late exposure times Exposure to dead bacteria steadily reduces motility and physical forces of host cells
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10
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Human endothelial cells display a rapid tensional stress increase in response to tumor necrosis factor-α. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270197. [PMID: 35749538 PMCID: PMC9232152 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells form the inner layer of blood vessels, making them the first barrier between the blood and interstitial tissues; thus endothelial cells play a crucial role in inflammation. In the inflammatory response, one important element is the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). While other pro-inflammatory agents like thrombin and histamine induce acute but transient changes in endothelial cells, which have been well studied biologically as well as mechanically, TNF-α is primarily known for its sustained effects on permeability and leukocyte recruitment. These functions are associated with transcriptional changes that take place on the timescale of hours and days. Here, we investigated the early mechanical action of TNF-α and show that even just 4 min after TNF-α was added onto human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers, there was a striking rise in mechanical substrate traction force and internal monolayer tension. These traction forces act primarily at the boundary of the monolayer, as was to be expected. This increased internal monolayer tension may, in addition to TNF-α’s other well-studied biochemical responses, provide a mechanical signal for the cells to prepare to recruit leukocytes.
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11
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Automated measurement of cell mechanical properties using an integrated dielectrophoretic microfluidic device. iScience 2022; 25:104275. [PMID: 35602969 PMCID: PMC9114521 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell mechanics is closely related to and interacts with cellular functions, which has the potential to be an effective biomarker to indicate disease onset and progression. Although several techniques have been developed for measuring cell mechanical properties, the issues of limited measurement data and biological significance because of complex and labor-intensive manipulation remain to be addressed, especially for the dielectrophoresis-based approach that is difficult to utilize flow measurement techniques. In this work, a dielectrophoresis-based solution is proposed to automatically obtain mass cellular mechanical data by combining a designed microfluidic device integrated the functions of cell capture, dielectrophoretic stretching, and cell release and an automatic control scheme. Experiments using human umbilical vein endothelial cells and breast cells revealed the automation capability of this device. The proposed method provides an effective way to address the low-throughput problem of dielectrophoresis-based cell mechanical property measurements, which enhance the biostatistical significance for cellular mechanism studies. Cell capture, dielectrophoretic stretching, and release in one microfluidic chip Automatic measurement scheme to realize circularly measurement Automatic acquisition of large amounts of cell mechanical properties data Significant advances in dielectrophoretic measurement of cell mechanical properties
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Czamara K, Stojak M, Pacia MZ, Zieba A, Baranska M, Chlopicki S, Kaczor A. Lipid Droplets Formation Represents an Integral Component of Endothelial Inflammation Induced by LPS. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061403. [PMID: 34204022 PMCID: PMC8227392 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial inflammation is the hallmark of vascular pathology often proceeding with cardiovascular diseases. Here, we adopted a multiparameter approach combining various imaging techniques at the nano- and microscale (Raman, AFM and fluorescence) to investigate endothelial inflammation in response to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in vitro in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) with a focus on lipid droplets (LDs) formation. Our results show that LPS-induced LDs in HMEC-1 have a composition depending on LPS-incubation time and their formation requires the presence of serum. Robust endothelial inflammation induced by LPS was linked to LDs composed of highly unsaturated lipids, as well as prostacyclin release. LPS-induced LDs were spatially associated with nanostructural changes in the cell membrane architecture. In summary, LDs formation represents an integral component of endothelial inflammation induced by LPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Czamara
- Jagiellonian Centre of Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Bobrzynskiego 14, 30-348 Krakow, Poland; (K.C.); (M.S.); (M.Z.P.); (M.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Marta Stojak
- Jagiellonian Centre of Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Bobrzynskiego 14, 30-348 Krakow, Poland; (K.C.); (M.S.); (M.Z.P.); (M.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Marta Z. Pacia
- Jagiellonian Centre of Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Bobrzynskiego 14, 30-348 Krakow, Poland; (K.C.); (M.S.); (M.Z.P.); (M.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Alicja Zieba
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Malgorzata Baranska
- Jagiellonian Centre of Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Bobrzynskiego 14, 30-348 Krakow, Poland; (K.C.); (M.S.); (M.Z.P.); (M.B.); (S.C.)
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Stefan Chlopicki
- Jagiellonian Centre of Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Bobrzynskiego 14, 30-348 Krakow, Poland; (K.C.); (M.S.); (M.Z.P.); (M.B.); (S.C.)
- Pharmacology Department, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Grzegorzecka 16, 31-531 Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Kaczor
- Jagiellonian Centre of Experimental Therapeutics (JCET), Jagiellonian University, Bobrzynskiego 14, 30-348 Krakow, Poland; (K.C.); (M.S.); (M.Z.P.); (M.B.); (S.C.)
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland;
- Correspondence:
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Schofield CL, Rodrigo-Navarro A, Dalby MJ, Van Agtmael T, Salmeron-Sanchez M. Biochemical‐ and Biophysical‐Induced Barriergenesis in the Blood–Brain Barrier: A Review of Barriergenic Factors for Use in In Vitro Models. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202000068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matthew J. Dalby
- Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
| | - Tom Van Agtmael
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
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Hernandez PA, Jacobsen TD, Chahine NO. Actomyosin contractility confers mechanoprotection against TNFα-induced disruption of the intervertebral disc. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaba2368. [PMID: 32875103 PMCID: PMC7438088 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aba2368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation triggers degradation of intervertebral disc extracellular matrix (ECM), a hallmark of disc degeneration that contributes to back pain. Mechanosensitive nucleus pulposus cells are responsible for ECM production, yet the impact of a proinflammatory microenvironment on cell mechanobiology is unknown. Using gain- and loss-of-function approaches, we show that tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα)-induced inflammation alters cell morphology and biophysical properties (circularity, contractility, cell stiffness, and hydraulic permeability) in a mechanism dependent on actomyosin contractility in a three-dimensional (3D) culture. We found that RhoA activation rescued cells from TNFα-induced mechanobiological disruption. Using a novel explant-in-hydrogel culture system, we demonstrate that nuclear factor kappa-B nuclear translocation and transcription are mechanosensitive, and its downstream effects on ECM degradation are regulated by actomyosin contractility. Results define a scaling relationship between circularity, contractility, and hydraulic permeability that is conserved from healthy to inflammatory microenvironments and is indicative of cell mechanobiological control across scales in 3D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula A. Hernandez
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Timothy D. Jacobsen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nadeen O. Chahine
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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15
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Wang L, Law HKW. Immune Complexes Impaired Glomerular Endothelial Cell Functions in Lupus Nephritis. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20215281. [PMID: 31652980 PMCID: PMC6862593 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most common and severe complications of lupus. However, the mechanisms for renal damage have not been well elucidated. There are evidences show that glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) are damaged in LN. Immune complexes can deposit in subendothelial area and could affect GEC functions. In the present study, we used heat-aggregated gamma globulin (HAGG) to simulate immune complexes and investigated their effects on GEC functions. Our results revealed that HAGG impaired different aspect of the GEC functions. HAGG changed cell morphology, upregulated the expression of active caspase-3, inhibited angiogenesis, and increased NO production in GECs. These results provide new clues for the mechanisms of renal damage and the pathology of LN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Wang
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Faculty of Health and Social Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Helen Ka Wai Law
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Faculty of Health and Social Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China.
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16
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Stroka KM, Wong BS, Shriver M, Phillip JM, Wirtz D, Kontrogianni-Konstantopoulos A, Konstantopoulos K. Loss of giant obscurins alters breast epithelial cell mechanosensing of matrix stiffness. Oncotarget 2017; 8:54004-54020. [PMID: 28903319 PMCID: PMC5589558 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Obscurins are a family of RhoGEF-containing proteins with tumor and metastasis suppressing roles in breast epithelium. Downregulation of giant obscurins in normal breast epithelial cells leads to reduced levels of active RhoA and of its downstream effectors. Herein, we elucidate how depletion of giant obscurins affects the response of breast epithelial cells to changes in the mechanical properties of the microenvironment. We find that knockdown of obscurins increases cell morphodynamics, migration speed, and diffusivity on polyacrylamide gels of ≥ 1 kPa, presumably by decreasing focal adhesion area and density as well as cell traction forces. Depletion of obscurins also increases cell mechanosensitivity on soft (0.4-4 kPa) surfaces. Similar to downregulation of obscurins, pharmacological inhibition of Rho kinase in breast epithelial cells increases migration and morphodynamics, suggesting that suppression of Rho kinase activity following obscurin knockdown can account for alterations in morphodynamics and migration. In contrast, inhibition of myosin light chain kinase reduces morphodynamics and migration, suggesting that temporal changes in cell shape are required for efficient migration. Collectively, downregulation of giant obscurins facilitates cell migration through heterogeneous microenvironments of varying stiffness by altering cell mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly M. Stroka
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Bin Sheng Wong
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Marey Shriver
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Jude M. Phillip
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Denis Wirtz
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Aikaterini Kontrogianni-Konstantopoulos
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Konstantinos Konstantopoulos
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
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17
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Okamoto T, Kawamoto E, Takagi Y, Akita N, Hayashi T, Park EJ, Suzuki K, Shimaoka M. Gap junction-mediated regulation of endothelial cellular stiffness. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6134. [PMID: 28733642 PMCID: PMC5522438 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06463-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial monolayers have shown the ability to signal each other through gap junctions. Gap junction-mediated cell-cell interactions have been implicated in the modulation of endothelial cell functions during vascular inflammation. Inflammatory mediators alter the mechanical properties of endothelial cells, although the exact role of gap junctions in this process remains unclear. Here, we sought to study the role of gap junctions in the regulation of endothelial stiffness, an important physical feature that is associated with many vascular pathologies. The endothelial cellular stiffness of living endothelial cells was determined by using atomic force microscopy. We found that tumor necrosis factor-α transiently increased endothelial cellular stiffness, which is regulated by cytoskeletal rearrangement and cell-cell interactions. We explored the role of gap junctions in endothelial cellular stiffening by utilizing gap junction blockers, carbenoxolone, inhibitory anti-connexin 32 antibody or anti-connexin 43 antibody. Blockade of gap junctions induced the cellular stiffening associated with focal adhesion formation and cytoskeletal rearrangement, and prolonged tumor necrosis factor-α-induced endothelial cellular stiffening. These results suggest that gap junction-mediated cell-cell interactions play an important role in the regulation of endothelial cellular stiffness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Okamoto
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, 89-1 Enya-cho, Izumo-city, Shimane, 693-8501, Japan. .,Department of Molecular Pathobiology and Cell Adhesion Biology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu-city, Mie, 514-8507, Japan.
| | - Eiji Kawamoto
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology and Cell Adhesion Biology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu-city, Mie, 514-8507, Japan.,Emergency and Critical Care Center, Mie University Hospital, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu-city, 514-8507, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Takagi
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology and Cell Adhesion Biology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu-city, Mie, 514-8507, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Akita
- Faculty of Medical Engineering, Suzuka University of Medical Science, 1001-1, Kishioka-cho, Suzuka-city, Mie, 510-0293, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Hayashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Mie Prefectural College of Nursing, 1-1-1 Yumegaoka, Tsu-city, Mie, 514-0116, Japan
| | - Eun Jeong Park
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology and Cell Adhesion Biology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu-city, Mie, 514-8507, Japan
| | - Koji Suzuki
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Suzuka University of Medical Science, 3500-3, Minamitamagaki-cho, Suzuka-city, Mie, 513-8679, Japan
| | - Motomu Shimaoka
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology and Cell Adhesion Biology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu-city, Mie, 514-8507, Japan.
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18
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Agca R, Heslinga M, Kneepkens EL, van Dongen C, Nurmohamed MT. The Effects of 5-year Etanercept Therapy on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis. J Rheumatol 2017; 44:1362-1368. [PMID: 28572461 DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.161418] [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] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of etanercept (ETN) on lipid metabolism and other known cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHODS In an observational cohort of 118 consecutive patients with PsA, CVD risk factors were assessed over 5 years. Mixed-model analyses were performed to investigate the effects of ETN therapy on CVD risk factors over time. RESULTS Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate decreased during therapy with ETN. There was an increase in total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The TC/HDLc ratio remained unaltered. The apolipoprotein B to apolipoprotein A-I (apoB/apoA-I) ratio decreased significantly. An increase in CRP was associated with an increase in the apoB/apoA-1 ratio. CONCLUSION Serum lipid concentrations showed small changes over a 5-year period of ETN therapy and were inversely associated with inflammatory markers. Other CVD risk factors remained stable. The apoB/apoA-1 ratio decreased over time and an increase in disease activity was associated with an increase in this ratio. However, this modest lipid modulation cannot explain the observed beneficial CV effects of ETN, and ETN likely exerts those effects through inflammation-related mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabia Agca
- From the Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,R. Agca, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- VU University Medical Center; M. Heslinga, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- VU University Medical Center; E.L. Kneepkens, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- Reade; C. van Dongen, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- Reade; M.T. Nurmohamed, MD, Professor, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- VU University Medical Center
| | - Maaike Heslinga
- From the Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. .,R. Agca, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- VU University Medical Center; M. Heslinga, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- VU University Medical Center; E.L. Kneepkens, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- Reade; C. van Dongen, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- Reade; M.T. Nurmohamed, MD, Professor, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- VU University Medical Center.
| | - Eva L Kneepkens
- From the Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,R. Agca, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- VU University Medical Center; M. Heslinga, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- VU University Medical Center; E.L. Kneepkens, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- Reade; C. van Dongen, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- Reade; M.T. Nurmohamed, MD, Professor, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- VU University Medical Center
| | - Carlo van Dongen
- From the Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,R. Agca, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- VU University Medical Center; M. Heslinga, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- VU University Medical Center; E.L. Kneepkens, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- Reade; C. van Dongen, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- Reade; M.T. Nurmohamed, MD, Professor, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- VU University Medical Center
| | - Michael T Nurmohamed
- From the Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,R. Agca, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- VU University Medical Center; M. Heslinga, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- VU University Medical Center; E.L. Kneepkens, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- Reade; C. van Dongen, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- Reade; M.T. Nurmohamed, MD, Professor, Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center
- VU University Medical Center
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19
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Ford AJ, Jain G, Rajagopalan P. Designing a fibrotic microenvironment to investigate changes in human liver sinusoidal endothelial cell function. Acta Biomater 2015; 24:220-7. [PMID: 26117313 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2015.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Revised: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins by hepatic cells during fibrosis leads to the stiffening of the organ and perturbed cellular functions. Changes in the elasticity of liver tissue are manifested by altered phenotype in hepatic cells. We have investigated changes in human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (hLSECs) that occur as the elastic modulus of their matrix transitions from healthy (6kPa) to fibrotic (36kPa) conditions. We have also investigated the role played by Kupffer cells in the dedifferentiation of hLSECs. We report the complete loss of fenestrae and the expression of CD31 at the surface as a result of increasing elastic moduli. LSECs exhibited a greater number of actin stress fibers and vinculin focal adhesion on the stiffer substrate, as well. A novel finding is that these identical trends can be obtained on soft (6kPa) substrates by introducing an inflamed microenvironment through the addition of Kupffer cells. hLSEC monocultures on 6kPa gels exhibited fenestrae that were 140.7±52.6nm in diameter as well as a lack of surface CD31 expression. Co-culturing hLSECs with rat Kupffer cells (rKCs) on 6kPa substrates, resulted in the complete loss of fenestrae, an increase in CD31 expression and in a well-organized cytoskeleton. These results demonstrate that the increasing stiffness of liver matrices does not solely result in changes in hLSEC phenotype. Even on soft substrates, culturing hLSECs in an inflamed microenvironment can result in their dedifferentiation. Our findings demonstrate the interplay between matrix elasticity and inflammation in the progression of hepatic fibrosis.
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20
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Dick M, MacDonald K, Tardif JC, Leask RL. The effect of simvastatin treatment on endothelial cell response to shear stress and tumor necrosis factor alpha stimulation. Biomed Eng Online 2015; 14:58. [PMID: 26091905 PMCID: PMC4475335 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-015-0057-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Statin drugs are one of the most commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals by physicians. By blocking the rate-limiting step in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, statins inhibit cholesterol synthesis, which benefits patient health. However, since many other important cellular processes are regulated within this pathway, they may also be influenced by statin therapy. These pleiotropic effects of statins have not been fully investigated, but are believed to positively influence endothelial cells (ECs), which line the vasculature in a confluent monolayer. Few studies have considered the effect of blood flow on ECs and how this may augment EC response to statins. Methods In this study, the effect of statin treatment on ECs is investigated for cells stimulated with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), an inflammatory cytokine that promotes an atheroprone endothelium. Additionally, ECs are exposed to a physiologically relevant wall shear stress (WSS) of 12.5 dynes/cm2 using a three-dimensional tissue culture model to provide a realistic hemodynamic environment. ECs are analyzed for morphology using light microscopy as well as cytoskeletal structure and alignment using confocal microscopy. Statistical analysis is performed on the results using both the one-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni post-tests and the two-tailed t test. Results We have shown that statin treatment caused cells to adapt to a rounded, atheroprone morphology, with a significantly higher shape index. Oppositely, TNF-α stimulation caused cells to elongate to an atheroprotective morphology, with a significantly lower shape index. WSS and TNF-α were unable to reverse any statin-induced cell rounding or F-actin disruption. Conclusion Further work is therefore needed to determine why statin drugs cause cells to have an atheroprone morphology, but an atheroprotective genotype, and why TNF-α stimulation causes an atheroprotective morphology, but an atheroprone genotype. Despite the morphological changes due to statins or stimulation, ECs still respond to WSS. Understanding how statins influence ECs will allow for more targeted treatments for hypercholestemia and potentially other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Dick
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Avenue, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B2, Canada. .,Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 Belanger Street, Montreal, QC, H1T 1C8, Canada.
| | - Katherine MacDonald
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Avenue, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B2, Canada.
| | - Jean-Claude Tardif
- Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 Belanger Street, Montreal, QC, H1T 1C8, Canada.
| | - Richard L Leask
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Avenue, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B2, Canada. .,Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 Belanger Street, Montreal, QC, H1T 1C8, Canada.
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21
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Huveneers S, Daemen MJAP, Hordijk PL. Between Rho(k) and a hard place: the relation between vessel wall stiffness, endothelial contractility, and cardiovascular disease. Circ Res 2015; 116:895-908. [PMID: 25722443 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.116.305720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Vascular stiffness is a mechanical property of the vessel wall that affects blood pressure, permeability, and inflammation. As a result, vascular stiffness is a key driver of (chronic) human disorders, including pulmonary arterial hypertension, kidney disease, and atherosclerosis. Responses of the endothelium to stiffening involve integration of mechanical cues from various sources, including the extracellular matrix, smooth muscle cells, and the forces that derive from shear stress of blood. This response in turn affects endothelial cell contractility, which is an important property that regulates endothelial stiffness, permeability, and leukocyte-vessel wall interactions. Moreover, endothelial stiffening reduces nitric oxide production, which promotes smooth muscle cell contraction and vasoconstriction. In fact, vessel wall stiffening, and microcirculatory endothelial dysfunction, precedes hypertension and thus underlies the development of vascular disease. Here, we review the cross talk among vessel wall stiffening, endothelial contractility, and vascular disease, which is controlled by Rho-driven actomyosin contractility and cellular mechanotransduction. In addition to discussing the various inputs and relevant molecular events in the endothelium, we address which actomyosin-regulated changes at cell adhesion complexes are genetically associated with human cardiovascular disease. Finally, we discuss recent findings that broaden therapeutic options for targeting this important mechanical signaling pathway in vascular pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Huveneers
- From the Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (S.H., P.L.H.) and Department of Pathology (M.J.A.P.D.), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Mat J A P Daemen
- From the Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (S.H., P.L.H.) and Department of Pathology (M.J.A.P.D.), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter L Hordijk
- From the Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (S.H., P.L.H.) and Department of Pathology (M.J.A.P.D.), Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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22
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Raasch M, Rennert K, Jahn T, Peters S, Henkel T, Huber O, Schulz I, Becker H, Lorkowski S, Funke H, Mosig A. Microfluidically supported biochip design for culture of endothelial cell layers with improved perfusion conditions. Biofabrication 2015; 7:015013. [DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/7/1/015013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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23
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Rudimov EG, Buravkov SV, Andreeva EP, Buravkova LB. Effect of proinflammatory activation on F-actin distribution in cultured human endothelial cells under conditions of experimental microgravity. Bull Exp Biol Med 2015; 158:573-80. [PMID: 25705044 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-015-2809-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We compared the state of actin cytoskeleton, morphology, and expression of VE-cadherin in endothelial cells of human umbilical cord vein under conditions of TNF-α-mediated activation and microgravity modeling and found that 3D-clinorotation for 24 h impaired the integrity of endothelial monolayer, altered cell morphology, induced cytoskeleton reorganization, and reduced the expression of VE-cadherin. The combination of experimental microgravity and proinflammatory activation led to more pronounced clearing of the perinuclear space from microfilaments and accumulation of depolymerized actin, which confirms additive effect of the studied factors on actin cytoskeleton of endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- E G Rudimov
- Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia,
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24
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Roberts AC, Gohil J, Hudson L, Connolly K, Warburton P, Suman R, O'Toole P, O'Regan DJ, Turner NA, Riches K, Porter KE. Aberrant phenotype in human endothelial cells of diabetic origin: implications for saphenous vein graft failure? J Diabetes Res 2015; 2015:409432. [PMID: 25950006 PMCID: PMC4407531 DOI: 10.1155/2015/409432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2014] [Revised: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 03/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) confers increased risk of endothelial dysfunction, coronary heart disease, and vulnerability to vein graft failure after bypass grafting, despite glycaemic control. This study explored the concept that endothelial cells (EC) cultured from T2DM and nondiabetic (ND) patients are phenotypically and functionally distinct. Cultured human saphenous vein- (SV-) EC were compared between T2DM and ND patients in parallel. Proliferation, migration, and in vitro angiogenesis assays were performed; western blotting was used to quantify phosphorylation of Akt, ERK, and eNOS. The ability of diabetic stimuli (hyperglycaemia, TNF-α, and palmitate) to modulate angiogenic potential of ND-EC was also explored. T2DM-EC displayed reduced migration (~30%) and angiogenesis (~40%) compared with ND-EC and a modest, nonsignificant trend to reduced proliferation. Significant inhibition of Akt and eNOS, but not ERK phosphorylation, was observed in T2DM cells. Hyperglycaemia did not modify ND-EC function, but TNF-α and palmitate significantly reduced angiogenic capacity (by 27% and 43%, resp.), effects mimicked by Akt inhibition. Aberrancies of EC function may help to explain the increased risk of SV graft failure in T2DM patients. This study highlights the importance of other potentially contributing factors in addition to hyperglycaemia that may inflict injury and long-term dysfunction to the homeostatic capacity of the endothelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna C. Roberts
- Division of Cardiovascular and Diabetes Research, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Jai Gohil
- Division of Cardiovascular and Diabetes Research, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Laura Hudson
- Division of Cardiovascular and Diabetes Research, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Kyle Connolly
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Philip Warburton
- Division of Cardiovascular and Diabetes Research, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular Research Centre (MCRC), University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Rakesh Suman
- Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Peter O'Toole
- Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - David J. O'Regan
- Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular Research Centre (MCRC), University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The Yorkshire Heart Centre, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds LS1 3EX, UK
| | - Neil A. Turner
- Division of Cardiovascular and Diabetes Research, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular Research Centre (MCRC), University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Kirsten Riches
- Division of Cardiovascular and Diabetes Research, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular Research Centre (MCRC), University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Karen E. Porter
- Division of Cardiovascular and Diabetes Research, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular Research Centre (MCRC), University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- *Karen E. Porter:
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25
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Hamilla SM, Stroka KM, Aranda-Espinoza H. VE-cadherin-independent cancer cell incorporation into the vascular endothelium precedes transmigration. PLoS One 2014; 9:e109748. [PMID: 25275457 PMCID: PMC4183660 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2014] [Accepted: 09/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is accountable for 90% of cancer deaths. During metastasis, tumor cells break away from the primary tumor, enter the blood and the lymph vessels, and use them as highways to travel to distant sites in the body to form secondary tumors. Cancer cell migration through the endothelium and into the basement membrane represents a critical step in the metastatic cascade, yet it is not well understood. This process is well characterized for immune cells that routinely transmigrate through the endothelium to sites of infection, inflammation, or injury. Previous studies with leukocytes have demonstrated that this step depends heavily on the activation status of the endothelium and subendothelial substrate stiffness. Here, we used a previously established in vitro model of the endothelium and live cell imaging, in order to observe cancer cell transmigration and compare this process to leukocytes. Interestingly, cancer cell transmigration includes an additional step, which we term ‘incorporation’, into the endothelial cell (EC) monolayer. During this phase, cancer cells physically displace ECs, leading to the dislocation of EC VE-cadherin away from EC junctions bordering cancer cells, and spread into the monolayer. In some cases, ECs completely detach from the matrix. Furthermore, cancer cell incorporation occurs independently of the activation status and the subendothelial substrate stiffness for breast cancer and melanoma cells, a notable difference from the process by which leukocytes transmigrate. Meanwhile, pancreatic cancer cell incorporation was dependent on the activation status of the endothelium and changed on very stiff subendothelial substrates. Collectively, our results provide mechanistic insights into tumor cell extravasation and demonstrate that incorporation is one of the earliest steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan M. Hamilla
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kimberly M. Stroka
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Helim Aranda-Espinoza
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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26
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Platelet mechanosensing of substrate stiffness during clot formation mediates adhesion, spreading, and activation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:14430-5. [PMID: 25246564 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1322917111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
As platelets aggregate and activate at the site of vascular injury to stem bleeding, they are subjected to a myriad of biochemical and biophysical signals and cues. As clot formation ensues, platelets interact with polymerizing fibrin scaffolds, exposing platelets to a large range of mechanical microenvironments. Here, we show for the first time (to our knowledge) that platelets, which are anucleate cellular fragments, sense microenvironmental mechanical properties, such as substrate stiffness, and transduce those cues into differential biological signals. Specifically, as platelets mechanosense the stiffness of the underlying fibrin/fibrinogen substrate, increasing substrate stiffness leads to increased platelet adhesion and spreading. Importantly, adhesion on stiffer substrates also leads to higher levels of platelet activation, as measured by integrin αIIbβ3 activation, α-granule secretion, and procoagulant activity. Mechanistically, we determined that Rac1 and actomyosin activity mediate substrate stiffness-dependent platelet adhesion, spreading, and activation to different degrees. This capability of platelets to mechanosense microenvironmental cues in a growing thrombus or hemostatic plug and then mechanotransduce those cues into differential levels of platelet adhesion, spreading, and activation provides biophysical insight into the underlying mechanisms of platelet aggregation and platelet activation heterogeneity during thrombus formation.
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27
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Lessey-Morillon EC, Osborne LD, Monaghan-Benson E, Guilluy C, O'Brien ET, Superfine R, Burridge K. The RhoA guanine nucleotide exchange factor, LARG, mediates ICAM-1-dependent mechanotransduction in endothelial cells to stimulate transendothelial migration. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 192:3390-8. [PMID: 24585879 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1302525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
RhoA-mediated cytoskeletal rearrangements in endothelial cells (ECs) play an active role in leukocyte transendothelial cell migration (TEM), a normal physiological process in which leukocytes cross the endothelium to enter the underlying tissue. Although much has been learned about RhoA signaling pathways downstream from ICAM-1 in ECs, little is known about the consequences of the tractional forces that leukocytes generate on ECs as they migrate over the surface before TEM. We have found that after applying mechanical forces to ICAM-1 clusters, there is an increase in cellular stiffening and enhanced RhoA signaling compared with ICAM-1 clustering alone. We have identified that leukemia-associated Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor (LARG), also known as Rho GEF 12 (ARHGEF12) acts downstream of clustered ICAM-1 to increase RhoA activity, and that this pathway is further enhanced by mechanical force on ICAM-1. Depletion of LARG decreases leukocyte crawling and inhibits TEM. To our knowledge, this is the first report of endothelial LARG regulating leukocyte behavior and EC stiffening in response to tractional forces generated by leukocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C Lessey-Morillon
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
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28
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Vargas-Pinto R, Gong H, Vahabikashi A, Johnson M. The effect of the endothelial cell cortex on atomic force microscopy measurements. Biophys J 2014; 105:300-9. [PMID: 23870251 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2013.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2012] [Revised: 04/24/2013] [Accepted: 05/13/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined whether the presence of the cell cortex might explain, in part, why previous studies using atomic force microscopy (AFM) to measure cell modulus (E) gave higher values with sharp tips than for larger spherical tips. We confirmed these AFM findings in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and Schlemm's canal (SC) endothelial cells with AFM indentation ≤ 400 nm, two cell types with prominent cortices (312 ± 65 nm in HUVEC and 371 ± 91 nm in SC cells). With spherical tips, E (kPa) was 0.71 ± 0.16 in HUVEC and 0.94 ± 0.06 in SC cells. Much higher values of E were measured using sharp tips: 3.23 ± 0.54 in HUVEC and 6.67 ± 1.07 in SC cells. Previous explanations for this difference such as strain hardening or a substrate effect were shown to be inconsistent with our measurements. Finite element modeling studies showed that a stiff cell cortex could explain the results. In both cell types, Latrunculin-A greatly reduced E for sharp and rounded tips, and also reduced the ratio of the values measured with a sharp tip as compared to a rounded tip. Our results suggest that the cell cortex increases the apparent endothelial cell modulus considerably when measured using a sharp AFM tip.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Vargas-Pinto
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
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29
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Stroka KM, Konstantopoulos K. Physical biology in cancer. 4. Physical cues guide tumor cell adhesion and migration. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2014; 306:C98-C109. [PMID: 24133064 PMCID: PMC3919991 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00289.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
As tumor cells metastasize from the primary tumor location to a distant secondary site, they encounter an array of biologically and physically heterogeneous microenvironments. While it is well established that biochemical signals guide all stages of the metastatic cascade, mounting evidence indicates that physical cues also direct tumor cell behavior, including adhesion and migration phenotypes. Physical cues acting on tumor cells in vivo include extracellular matrix mechanical properties, dimensionality, and topography, as well as interstitial flow, hydrodynamic shear stresses, and local forces due to neighboring cells. State-of-the-art technologies have recently enabled us and other researchers to engineer cell microenvironments that mimic specific physical properties of the cellular milieu. Through integration of these engineering strategies, along with physics, molecular biology, and imaging techniques, we have acquired new insights into tumor cell adhesion and migration mechanisms. In this review, we focus on the extravasation and invasion stages of the metastatic cascade. We first discuss the physical role of the endothelium during tumor cell extravasation and invasion and how contractility of endothelial and tumor cells contributes to the ability of tumor cells to exit the vasculature. Next, we examine how matrix dimensionality and stiffness coregulate tumor cell adhesion and migration beyond the vasculature. Finally, we summarize how tumor cells translate and respond to physical cues through mechanotransduction. Because of the critical role of tumor cell mechanotransduction at various stages of the metastatic cascade, targeting signaling pathways involved in tumor cell mechanosensing of physical stimuli may prove to be an effective therapeutic strategy for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly M Stroka
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
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Raman PS, Paul CD, Stroka KM, Konstantopoulos K. Probing cell traction forces in confined microenvironments. LAB ON A CHIP 2013; 13:4599-607. [PMID: 24100608 PMCID: PMC5409513 DOI: 10.1039/c3lc50802a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Cells migrate in vivo within three-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrices. Cells also migrate through 3D longitudinal channels formed between the connective tissue and the basement membrane of muscle, nerve, and epithelium. Although traction forces have been measured during 2D cell migration, no assay has been developed to probe forces during migration through confined microenvironments. We thus fabricated a novel microfluidic device consisting of deflectable PDMS microposts incorporated within microchannels of varying cross-sectional areas. Using NIH-3T3 fibroblasts and human osteosarcoma (HOS) cells as models, we found that the average traction forces per post decreased upon increasing confinement. Inhibition of myosin-II function by blebbistatin in HOS cells decreased traction forces in unconfined (wide) channels but failed to alter them in confined spaces. Myosin activation by calyculin A also failed to affect traction forces in confining channels but increased them in wide channels. These observations underlie the importance of the physical microenvironment in the regulation of cell migration and cellular traction forces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phrabha S. Raman
- Johns Hopkins Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Colin D. Paul
- Johns Hopkins Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Kimberly M. Stroka
- Johns Hopkins Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Konstantinos Konstantopoulos
- Johns Hopkins Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- ; Fax: +1 410 516 5510; Tel: +1 410 516 7170
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31
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Jaccard N, Griffin LD, Keser A, Macown RJ, Super A, Veraitch FS, Szita N. Automated method for the rapid and precise estimation of adherent cell culture characteristics from phase contrast microscopy images. Biotechnol Bioeng 2013; 111:504-17. [PMID: 24037521 PMCID: PMC4260842 DOI: 10.1002/bit.25115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2013] [Revised: 07/23/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The quantitative determination of key adherent cell culture characteristics such as confluency, morphology, and cell density is necessary for the evaluation of experimental outcomes and to provide a suitable basis for the establishment of robust cell culture protocols. Automated processing of images acquired using phase contrast microscopy (PCM), an imaging modality widely used for the visual inspection of adherent cell cultures, could enable the non-invasive determination of these characteristics. We present an image-processing approach that accurately detects cellular objects in PCM images through a combination of local contrast thresholding and post hoc correction of halo artifacts. The method was thoroughly validated using a variety of cell lines, microscope models and imaging conditions, demonstrating consistently high segmentation performance in all cases and very short processing times (<1 s per 1,208 × 960 pixels image). Based on the high segmentation performance, it was possible to precisely determine culture confluency, cell density, and the morphology of cellular objects, demonstrating the wide applicability of our algorithm for typical microscopy image processing pipelines. Furthermore, PCM image segmentation was used to facilitate the interpretation and analysis of fluorescence microscopy data, enabling the determination of temporal and spatial expression patterns of a fluorescent reporter. We created a software toolbox (PHANTAST) that bundles all the algorithms and provides an easy to use graphical user interface. Source-code for MATLAB and ImageJ is freely available under a permissive open-source license. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 504–517. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Jaccard
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7JE, United Kingdom; Centre for Mathematics and Physics in the Life Sciences and Experimental Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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32
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Hung WC, Chen SH, Paul CD, Stroka KM, Lo YC, Yang JT, Konstantopoulos K. Distinct signaling mechanisms regulate migration in unconfined versus confined spaces. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 202:807-24. [PMID: 23979717 PMCID: PMC3760608 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201302132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
α4β1 integrin promotes migration of fibroblast-like cells in confined environment by enhancing myosin IIA via Rac1 inhibition, whereas unconfined migration requires Rac1 and myosin IIB. Using a microchannel assay, we demonstrate that cells adopt distinct signaling strategies to modulate cell migration in different physical microenvironments. We studied α4β1 integrin–mediated signaling, which regulates cell migration pertinent to embryonic development, leukocyte trafficking, and melanoma invasion. We show that α4β1 integrin promotes cell migration through both unconfined and confined spaces. However, unlike unconfined (2D) migration, which depends on enhanced Rac1 activity achieved by preventing α4/paxillin binding, confined migration requires myosin II–driven contractility, which is increased when Rac1 is inhibited by α4/paxillin binding. This Rac1–myosin II cross talk mechanism also controls migration of fibroblast-like cells lacking α4β1 integrin, in which Rac1 and myosin II modulate unconfined and confined migration, respectively. We further demonstrate the distinct roles of myosin II isoforms, MIIA and MIIB, which are primarily required for confined and unconfined migration, respectively. This work provides a paradigm for the plasticity of cells migrating through different physical microenvironments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chien Hung
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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