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Sun S, Liu Y, Gao H, Guan W, Zhao Y, Li G. Cell culture on suspended fiber for tissue regeneration: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 268:131827. [PMID: 38670204 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Cell culturing is a cornerstone of tissue engineering, playing a crucial role in tissue regeneration, drug screening, and the study of disease mechanisms. Among various culturing techniques, 3D culture systems, particularly those utilizing suspended fiber scaffolds, offer a more physiologically relevant environment than traditional 2D monolayer cultures. These 3D scaffolds enhance cell growth, differentiation, and proliferation by mimicking the in vivo cellular milieu. This review focuses on the critical role of suspended fiber scaffolds in tissue engineering. We compare the effectiveness of 3D suspended fiber scaffolds with 2D culture systems, discussing their respective benefits and limitations in the context of tissue regeneration. Furthermore, we explore the preparation methods of suspended fiber scaffolds and their potential applications. The review concludes by considering future research directions for optimizing suspended fiber scaffolds to address specific challenges in tissue regeneration, underscoring their significant promise in advancing tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaolan Sun
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Key laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Nantong University, 226001 Nantong, PR China
| | - Yaqiong Liu
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Key laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Nantong University, 226001 Nantong, PR China
| | - Hongxia Gao
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Key laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Nantong University, 226001 Nantong, PR China
| | - Wenchao Guan
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Key laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Nantong University, 226001 Nantong, PR China
| | - Yahong Zhao
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Key laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Nantong University, 226001 Nantong, PR China
| | - Guicai Li
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Key laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Nantong University, 226001 Nantong, PR China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Medical Protective and Implant Devices, 450018 Zhengzhou, PR China.
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2
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Zhang Y, Dai J, Hang R, Yao X, Bai L, Huang D, Hang R. Impact of surface biofunctionalization strategies on key effector cells response in polyacrylamide hydrogels for bone regeneration. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2024; 158:213768. [PMID: 38237320 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.213768] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Despite the clinical prevalence of various bone defect repair materials, a full understanding of their influence on bone repair and regeneration remains elusive. This study focuses on poly(acrylamide) (PAAm) hydrogels, popular 2D model substrates, which have regulable mechanical properties within physiological. However, their bio-inert nature requires surface biofunctionalization to enhance cell-material interactions and facilitate the study of bone repair mechanisms. We utilized PAAm hydrogels of varying stiffness (18, 76 and 295 kPa), employed sulfosuccinimidyl-6-(4'-azido-2'-nitropheny-lamino) hexanoate (sulfo-SANPAH) and N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride/N-hydroxysuccinimidyl acrylate (EDC/NHS) as crosslinkers, and cultured macrophages, endothelial cells, and bone mesenchymal stem cells on these hydrogels. Our findings indicated that sulfo-SANPAH's crosslinking efficiency surpassed that of EDC/NHS, irrespective of pore size and stiffness. Importantly, we observed that the stiffness and surface biofunctionalization method of hydrogels significantly impacted cell adhesion and proliferation. The collagen-modified hydrogels by EDC/NHS strategy failed to support the normal biological behavior of bone mesenchymal stem cells and hindered endothelial cell spreading. In contrast, these modified hydrogels by the sulfo-SANPAH method showed good cytocompatibility with the three types of cells. This study underscores the critical role of appropriate conjugation strategies for PAAm hydrogels, providing valuable insights for hydrogel surface modification in bone repair and regeneration research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Biomedical Metal Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Jinjun Dai
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Biomedical Metal Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Ruiyue Hang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Biomedical Metal Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Xiaohong Yao
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Biomedical Metal Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China.
| | - Long Bai
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Di Huang
- Research Center for Nano-Biomaterials & Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China; Shanxi-Zheda Institute of Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering, Taiyuan 030060, China
| | - Ruiqiang Hang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Biomedical Metal Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China.
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3
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Hu P, Miller AE, Yeh CR, Bingham GC, Civelek M, Barker TH. SEMA7a primes integrin α5β1 engagement instructing fibroblast mechanotransduction, phenotype and transcriptional programming. Matrix Biol 2023; 121:179-193. [PMID: 37422024 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2023.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Integrins are cellular receptors that bind the extracellular matrix (ECM) and facilitate the transduction of biochemical and biophysical microenvironment cues into cellular responses. Upon engaging the ECM, integrin heterodimers must rapidly strengthen their binding with the ECM, resulting in the assembly of force-resistant and force-sensitive integrin associated complexes (IACs). The IACs constitute an essential apparatus for downstream signaling and fibroblast phenotypes. During wound healing, integrin signaling is essential for fibroblast motility, proliferation, ECM reorganization and, ultimately, restoration of tissue homeostasis. Semaphorin 7A (SEMA7a) has been previously implicated in post-injury inflammation and tissue fibrosis, yet little is known about SEMA7a's role in directing stromal cell, particularly fibroblast, behaviors. We demonstrate that SEMA7a regulates integrin signaling through cis-coupling with active integrin α5β1 on the plasma membrane, enabling rapid integrin adhesion strengthening to fibronectin (Fn) and normal downstream mechanotransduction. This molecular function of SEMA7a potently regulates fibroblast adhesive, cytoskeletal, and migratory phenotype with strong evidence of downstream alterations in chromatin structure resulting in global transcriptomic reprogramming such that loss of SEMA7a expression is sufficient to impair the normal migratory and ECM assembly phenotype of fibroblasts resulting in significantly delayed tissue repair in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Schools of Engineering and Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Andrew E Miller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Schools of Engineering and Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Chiuan-Ren Yeh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Schools of Engineering and Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Grace C Bingham
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Schools of Engineering and Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Mete Civelek
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Schools of Engineering and Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Center for Public Health Genomics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Thomas H Barker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Schools of Engineering and Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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Rajendran AK, Sankar D, Amirthalingam S, Kim HD, Rangasamy J, Hwang NS. Trends in mechanobiology guided tissue engineering and tools to study cell-substrate interactions: a brief review. Biomater Res 2023; 27:55. [PMID: 37264479 DOI: 10.1186/s40824-023-00393-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensing the mechanical properties of the substrates or the matrix by the cells and the tissues, the subsequent downstream responses at the cellular, nuclear and epigenetic levels and the outcomes are beginning to get unraveled more recently. There have been various instances where researchers have established the underlying connection between the cellular mechanosignalling pathways and cellular physiology, cellular differentiation, and also tissue pathology. It has been now accepted that mechanosignalling, alone or in combination with classical pathways, could play a significant role in fate determination, development, and organization of cells and tissues. Furthermore, as mechanobiology is gaining traction, so do the various techniques to ponder and gain insights into the still unraveled pathways. This review would briefly discuss some of the interesting works wherein it has been shown that specific alteration of the mechanical properties of the substrates would lead to fate determination of stem cells into various differentiated cells such as osteoblasts, adipocytes, tenocytes, cardiomyocytes, and neurons, and how these properties are being utilized for the development of organoids. This review would also cover various techniques that have been developed and employed to explore the effects of mechanosignalling, including imaging of mechanosensing proteins, atomic force microscopy (AFM), quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation measurements (QCMD), traction force microscopy (TFM), microdevice arrays, Spatio-temporal image analysis, optical tweezer force measurements, mechanoscanning ion conductance microscopy (mSICM), acoustofluidic interferometric device (AID) and so forth. This review would provide insights to the researchers who work on exploiting various mechanical properties of substrates to control the cellular and tissue functions for tissue engineering and regenerative applications, and also will shed light on the advancements of various techniques that could be utilized to unravel the unknown in the field of cellular mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Kumar Rajendran
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Deepthi Sankar
- Polymeric Biomaterials Lab, School of Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi, 682041, India
| | - Sivashanmugam Amirthalingam
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Engineering Research, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwan D Kim
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Korea National University of Transportation, Chungju, 27469, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Korea National University of Transportation, Chungju, 27469, Republic of Korea
| | - Jayakumar Rangasamy
- Polymeric Biomaterials Lab, School of Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi, 682041, India.
| | - Nathaniel S Hwang
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
- Institute of Engineering Research, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
- Bio-MAX/N-Bio Institute, Institute of Bio-Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
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5
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Beussman KM, Mollica MY, Leonard A, Miles J, Hocter J, Song Z, Stolla M, Han SJ, Emery A, Thomas WE, Sniadecki NJ. Black dots: High-yield traction force microscopy reveals structural factors contributing to platelet forces. Acta Biomater 2023; 163:302-311. [PMID: 34781024 PMCID: PMC9098698 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Measuring the traction forces produced by cells provides insight into their behavior and physiological function. Here, we developed a technique (dubbed 'black dots') that microcontact prints a fluorescent micropattern onto a flexible substrate to measure cellular traction forces without constraining cell shape or needing to detach the cells. To demonstrate our technique, we assessed human platelets, which can generate a large range of forces within a population. We find platelets that exert more force have more spread area, are more circular, and have more uniformly distributed F-actin filaments. As a result of the high yield of data obtainable by this technique, we were able to evaluate multivariate mixed effects models with interaction terms and conduct a clustering analysis to identify clusters within our data. These statistical techniques demonstrated a complex relationship between spread area, circularity, F-actin dispersion, and platelet force, including cooperative effects that significantly associate with platelet traction forces. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cells produce contractile forces during division, migration, or wound healing. Measuring cellular forces provides insight into their health, behavior, and function. We developed a technique that calculates cellular forces by seeding cells onto a pattern and quantifying how much each cell displaces the pattern. This technique is capable of measuring hundreds of cells without needing to detach them. Using this technique to evaluate human platelets, we find that platelets exerting more force tend to have more spread area, are more circular in shape, and have more uniformly distributed cytoskeletal filaments. Due to our high yield of data, we were able to apply statistical techniques that revealed combinatorial effects between these factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Beussman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Molly Y Mollica
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Andrea Leonard
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jeffrey Miles
- Bloodworks Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - John Hocter
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Zizhen Song
- School of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Moritz Stolla
- Bloodworks Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA; Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Sangyoon J Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States
| | - Ashley Emery
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Wendy E Thomas
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Nathan J Sniadecki
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States; Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States; Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States; Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States; Resuscitation Engineering Science Unit (RESCU), University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.
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6
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Morales IA, Boghdady CM, Campbell BE, Moraes C. Integrating mechanical sensor readouts into organ-on-a-chip platforms. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1060895. [PMID: 36588933 PMCID: PMC9800895 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1060895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Organs-on-a-chip have emerged as next-generation tissue engineered models to accurately capture realistic human tissue behaviour, thereby addressing many of the challenges associated with using animal models in research. Mechanical features of the culture environment have emerged as being critically important in designing organs-on-a-chip, as they play important roles in both stimulating realistic tissue formation and function, as well as capturing integrative elements of homeostasis, tissue function, and tissue degeneration in response to external insult and injury. Despite the demonstrated impact of incorporating mechanical cues in these models, strategies to measure these mechanical tissue features in microfluidically-compatible formats directly on-chip are relatively limited. In this review, we first describe general microfluidically-compatible Organs-on-a-chip sensing strategies, and categorize these advances based on the specific advantages of incorporating them on-chip. We then consider foundational and recent advances in mechanical analysis techniques spanning cellular to tissue length scales; and discuss their integration into Organs-on-a-chips for more effective drug screening, disease modeling, and characterization of biological dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Christopher Moraes
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada,Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada,Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada,*Correspondence: Christopher Moraes,
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7
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Mustapha F, Sengupta K, Puech PH. May the force be with your (immune) cells: an introduction to traction force microscopy in Immunology. Front Immunol 2022; 13:898558. [PMID: 35990636 PMCID: PMC9389945 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.898558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
For more than a couple of decades now, "force" has been recognized as an important physical parameter that cells employ to adapt to their microenvironment. Whether it is externally applied, or internally generated, cells use force to modulate their various actions, from adhesion and migration to differentiation and immune function. T lymphocytes use such mechano-sensitivity to decipher signals when recognizing cognate antigens presented on the surface of antigen presenting cells (APCs), a critical process in the adaptive immune response. As such, many techniques have been developed and used to measure the forces felt/exerted by these small, solitary and extremely reactive cells to decipher their influence on diverse T cell functions, primarily activation. Here, we focus on traction force microscopy (TFM), in which a deformable substrate, coated with the appropriate molecules, acts as a force sensor on the cellular scale. This technique has recently become a center of interest for many groups in the "ImmunoBiophysics" community and, as a consequence, has been subjected to refinements for its application to immune cells. Here, we present an overview of TFM, the precautions and pitfalls, and the most recent developments in the context of T cell immunology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Mustapha
- Laboratory Adhesion Inflammation (LAI), INSERM, CNRS, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Nanoscience de Marseille (CINaM), CNRS, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Turing Center for Living Systems (CENTURI), Marseille, France
| | - Kheya Sengupta
- Centre Interdisciplinaire de Nanoscience de Marseille (CINaM), CNRS, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Turing Center for Living Systems (CENTURI), Marseille, France
| | - Pierre-Henri Puech
- Laboratory Adhesion Inflammation (LAI), INSERM, CNRS, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Turing Center for Living Systems (CENTURI), Marseille, France
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8
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Differential Impacts on Tensional Homeostasis of Gastric Cancer Cells Due to Distinct Domain Variants of E-Cadherin. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112690. [PMID: 35681670 PMCID: PMC9179447 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
In epithelia, breakdown of tensional homeostasis is closely associated with E-cadherin dysfunction and disruption of tissue function and integrity. In this study, we investigated the effect of E-cadherin mutations affecting distinct protein domains on tensional homeostasis of gastric cancer cells. We used micropattern traction microscopy to measure temporal fluctuations of cellular traction forces in AGS cells transfected with the wild-type E-cadherin or with variants affecting the extracellular, the juxtamembrane, and the intracellular domains of the protein. We focused on the dynamic aspect of tensional homeostasis, namely the ability of cells to maintain a consistent level of tension, with low temporal variability around a set point. Cells were cultured on hydrogels micropatterned with different extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins to test whether the ECM adhesion impacts cell behavior. A combination of Fibronectin and Vitronectin was used as a substrate that promotes the adhesive ability of E-cadherin dysfunctional cells, whereas Collagen VI was used to test an unfavorable ECM condition. Our results showed that mutations affecting distinct E-cadherin domains influenced differently cell tensional homeostasis, and pinpointed the juxtamembrane and intracellular regions of E-cadherin as the key players in this process. Furthermore, Fibronectin and Vitronectin might modulate cancer cell behavior towards tensional homeostasis.
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Rothermel TM, Cook BL, Alford PW. Cellular Microbiaxial Stretching Assay for Measurement and Characterization of the Anisotropic Mechanical Properties of Micropatterned Cells. Curr Protoc 2022; 2:e370. [PMID: 35195953 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Characterizing the mechanical properties of single cells is important for developing descriptive models of tissue mechanics and improving the understanding of mechanically driven cell processes. Standard methods for measuring single-cell mechanical properties typically provide isotropic mechanical descriptions. However, many cells exhibit specialized geometries in vivo, with anisotropic cytoskeletal architectures reflective of their function, and are exposed to dynamic multiaxial loads, raising the need for more complete descriptions of their anisotropic mechanical properties under complex deformations. Here, we describe the cellular microbiaxial stretching (CμBS) assay in which controlled deformations are applied to micropatterned cells while simultaneously measuring cell stress. CμBS utilizes a set of linear actuators to apply tensile or compressive, short- or long-term deformations to cells micropatterned on a fluorescent bead-doped polyacrylamide gel. Using traction force microscopy principles and the known geometry of the cell and the mechanical properties of the underlying gel, we calculate the stress within the cell to formulate stress-strain curves that can be further used to create mechanical descriptions of the cells, such as strain energy density functions. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Assembly of CμBS stretching constructs Basic Protocol 2: Polymerization of micropatterned, bead-doped polyacrylamide gel on an elastomer membrane Support Protocol: Cell culture and seeding onto CμBS constructs Basic Protocol 3: Implementing CμBS stretching protocols and traction force microscopy Basic Protocol 4: Data analysis and cell stress measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor M Rothermel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Bernard L Cook
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Patrick W Alford
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Boghdady CM, Kalashnikov N, Mok S, McCaffrey L, Moraes C. Revisiting tissue tensegrity: Biomaterial-based approaches to measure forces across length scales. APL Bioeng 2021; 5:041501. [PMID: 34632250 PMCID: PMC8487350 DOI: 10.1063/5.0046093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-generated forces play a foundational role in tissue dynamics and homeostasis and are critically important in several biological processes, including cell migration, wound healing, morphogenesis, and cancer metastasis. Quantifying such forces in vivo is technically challenging and requires novel strategies that capture mechanical information across molecular, cellular, and tissue length scales, while allowing these studies to be performed in physiologically realistic biological models. Advanced biomaterials can be designed to non-destructively measure these stresses in vitro, and here, we review mechanical characterizations and force-sensing biomaterial-based technologies to provide insight into the mechanical nature of tissue processes. We specifically and uniquely focus on the use of these techniques to identify characteristics of cell and tissue "tensegrity:" the hierarchical and modular interplay between tension and compression that provide biological tissues with remarkable mechanical properties and behaviors. Based on these observed patterns, we highlight and discuss the emerging role of tensegrity at multiple length scales in tissue dynamics from homeostasis, to morphogenesis, to pathological dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nikita Kalashnikov
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Stephanie Mok
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 0C5, Canada
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11
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Korobchevskaya K, Colin-York H, Barbieri L, Fritzsche M. Extended mechanical force measurements using structured illumination microscopy. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2021; 379:20200151. [PMID: 33896200 PMCID: PMC7612033 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2020.0151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Quantifying cell generated mechanical forces is key to furthering our understanding of mechanobiology. Traction force microscopy (TFM) is one of the most broadly applied force probing technologies, but its sensitivity is strictly dependent on the spatio-temporal resolution of the underlying imaging system. In previous works, it was demonstrated that increased sampling densities of cell derived forces permitted by super-resolution fluorescence imaging enhanced the sensitivity of the TFM method. However, these recent advances to TFM based on super-resolution techniques were limited to slow acquisition speeds and high illumination powers. Here, we present three novel TFM approaches that, in combination with total internal reflection, structured illumination microscopy and astigmatism, improve the spatial and temporal performance in either two-dimensional or three-dimensional mechanical force quantification, while maintaining low illumination powers. These three techniques can be straightforwardly implemented on a single optical set-up offering a powerful platform to provide new insights into the physiological force generation in a wide range of biological studies. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Super-resolution structured illumination microscopy (part 1)'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kseniya Korobchevskaya
- Kennedy Institute for Rheumatology, Roosevelt Drive, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LF, United Kingdom
| | - Huw Colin-York
- Kennedy Institute for Rheumatology, Roosevelt Drive, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LF, United Kingdom
| | - Liliana Barbieri
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Headley Way, Oxford. OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Fritzsche
- Kennedy Institute for Rheumatology, Roosevelt Drive, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LF, United Kingdom
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Headley Way, Oxford. OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
- Rosalind Franklin Institute, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0FA, United Kingdom
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12
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Mishra YG, Manavathi B. Focal adhesion dynamics in cellular function and disease. Cell Signal 2021; 85:110046. [PMID: 34004332 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Acting as a bridge between the cytoskeleton of the cell and the extra cellular matrix (ECM), the cell-ECM adhesions with integrins at their core, play a major role in cell signalling to direct mechanotransduction, cell migration, cell cycle progression, proliferation, differentiation, growth and repair. Biochemically, these adhesions are composed of diverse, yet an organised group of structural proteins, receptors, adaptors, various enzymes including protein kinases, phosphatases, GTPases, proteases, etc. as well as scaffolding molecules. The major integrin adhesion complexes (IACs) characterised are focal adhesions (FAs), invadosomes (podosomes and invadopodia), hemidesmosomes (HDs) and reticular adhesions (RAs). The varied composition and regulation of the IACs and their signalling, apart from being an integral part of normal cell survival, has been shown to be of paramount importance in various developmental and pathological processes. This review per-illustrates the recent advancements in the research of IACs, their crucial roles in normal as well as diseased states. We have also touched on few of the various methods that have been developed over the years to visualise IACs, measure the forces they exert and study their signalling and molecular composition. Having such pertinent roles in the context of various pathologies, these IACs need to be understood and studied to develop therapeutical targets. We have given an update to the studies done in recent years and described various techniques which have been applied to study these structures, thereby, providing context in furthering research with respect to IAC targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasaswi Gayatri Mishra
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Bramanandam Manavathi
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India.
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13
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Barbieri L, Colin-York H, Korobchevskaya K, Li D, Wolfson DL, Karedla N, Schneider F, Ahluwalia BS, Seternes T, Dalmo RA, Dustin ML, Li D, Fritzsche M. Two-dimensional TIRF-SIM-traction force microscopy (2D TIRF-SIM-TFM). Nat Commun 2021; 12:2169. [PMID: 33846317 PMCID: PMC8041833 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22377-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantifying small, rapidly evolving forces generated by cells is a major challenge for the understanding of biomechanics and mechanobiology in health and disease. Traction force microscopy remains one of the most broadly applied force probing technologies but typically restricts itself to slow events over seconds and micron-scale displacements. Here, we improve >2-fold spatially and >10-fold temporally the resolution of planar cellular force probing compared to its related conventional modalities by combining fast two-dimensional total internal reflection fluorescence super-resolution structured illumination microscopy and traction force microscopy. This live-cell 2D TIRF-SIM-TFM methodology offers a combination of spatio-temporal resolution enhancement relevant to forces on the nano- and sub-second scales, opening up new aspects of mechanobiology to analysis.
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Grants
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
- 212343/Z/18/Z Wellcome Trust
- 107457 Wellcome Trust
- 100262/Z/12/Z Wellcome Trust
- Wellcome Trust
- 091911 Wellcome Trust
- Medical Research Council
- L.B. would like to acknowledge funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Medical Research Council (EP/L016052/1). M.F., H.C.Y., K.K., and M.L.D. would like to thank the Rosalind Franklin Institute and the Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research (KTRR) for support. M.F., F.S., and H.C.Y. thank the Wellcome Trust (212343/Z/18/Z) and EPSRC (EP/S004459/1). M.L.D. also thank the Wellcome Trust for the Principal Research Fellowship awarded to M.D. (100262/Z/12/Z). Di.L. and D.L. are supported by a grant from the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST: 2017YFA0505301, 2016YFA0500203), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC; 91754202, 31827802), and the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. 2020094). N.K. thanks the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for funding his Feoder Lynen Fellowship. R.A.D acknowledge the Research Council of Norway (grant no. 301401) for funding. The TIRF-SIM platform was built in collaboration with and with funds from Micron (www.micronoxford.com), an Oxford-wide advanced microscopy technology consortium supported by Wellcome Strategic Awards (091911 and 107457) and an MRC/EPSRC/BBSRC next generation imaging award.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Barbieri
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Huw Colin-York
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Kennedy Institute for Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Di Li
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Deanna L Wolfson
- Department of Physics and Technology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Narain Karedla
- Kennedy Institute for Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Rosalind Franklin Institute, Didcot, UK
| | - Falk Schneider
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Kennedy Institute for Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Balpreet S Ahluwalia
- Department of Physics and Technology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Tore Seternes
- Norwegian College of Fishery Science, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Roy A Dalmo
- Norwegian College of Fishery Science, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Michael L Dustin
- Kennedy Institute for Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Dong Li
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Marco Fritzsche
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Kennedy Institute for Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Rosalind Franklin Institute, Didcot, UK.
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14
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Mulligan JA, Ling L, Leartprapun N, Fischbach C, Adie SG. Computational 4D-OCM for label-free imaging of collective cell invasion and force-mediated deformations in collagen. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2814. [PMID: 33531512 PMCID: PMC7854660 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81470-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Traction force microscopy (TFM) is an important family of techniques used to measure and study the role of cellular traction forces (CTFs) associated with many biological processes. However, current standard TFM methods rely on imaging techniques that do not provide the experimental capabilities necessary to study CTFs within 3D collective and dynamic systems embedded within optically scattering media. Traction force optical coherence microscopy (TF-OCM) was developed to address these needs, but has only been demonstrated for the study of isolated cells embedded within optically clear media. Here, we present computational 4D-OCM methods that enable the study of dynamic invasion behavior of large tumor spheroids embedded in collagen. Our multi-day, time-lapse imaging data provided detailed visualizations of evolving spheroid morphology, collagen degradation, and collagen deformation, all using label-free scattering contrast. These capabilities, which provided insights into how stromal cells affect cancer progression, significantly expand access to critical data about biophysical interactions of cells with their environment, and lay the foundation for future efforts toward volumetric, time-lapse reconstructions of collective CTFs with TF-OCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A. Mulligan
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
| | - Lu Ling
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
| | - Nichaluk Leartprapun
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
| | - Claudia Fischbach
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
- Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
| | - Steven G. Adie
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
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15
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Guo J, Simmons DW, Ramahdita G, Munsell MK, Oguntuyo K, Kandalaft B, Rios B, Pear M, Schuftan D, Jiang H, Lake SP, Genin GM, Huebsch N. Elastomer-Grafted iPSC-Derived Micro Heart Muscles to Investigate Effects of Mechanical Loading on Physiology. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 7:2973-2989. [PMID: 34275296 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c00318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical loading plays a critical role in cardiac pathophysiology. Engineered heart tissues derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) allow rigorous investigations of the molecular and pathophysiological consequences of mechanical cues. However, many engineered heart muscle models have complex fabrication processes and require large cell numbers, making it difficult to use them together with iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes to study the influence of mechanical loading on pharmacology and genotype-phenotype relationships. To address this challenge, simple and scalable iPSC-derived micro-heart-muscle arrays (μHM) have been developed. "Dog-bone-shaped" molds define the boundary conditions for tissue formation. Here, we extend the μHM model by forming these tissues on elastomeric substrates with stiffnesses spanning from 5 to 30 kPa. Tissue assembly was achieved by covalently grafting fibronectin to the substrate. Compared to μHM formed on plastic, elastomer-grafted μHM exhibited a similar gross morphology, sarcomere assembly, and tissue alignment. When these tissues were formed on substrates with different elasticity, we observed marked shifts in contractility. Increased contractility was correlated with increases in calcium flux and a slight increase in cell size. This afterload-enhanced μHM system enables mechanical control of μHM and real-time tissue traction force microscopy for cardiac physiology measurements, providing a dynamic tool for studying pathophysiology and pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxuan Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Daniel W Simmons
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States.,NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, McKelvey School of Engineering, 1 Brookings Dr., St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Ghiska Ramahdita
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States.,NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, McKelvey School of Engineering, 1 Brookings Dr., St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Mary K Munsell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Kasoorelope Oguntuyo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Brennan Kandalaft
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Brandon Rios
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Missy Pear
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - David Schuftan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Huanzhu Jiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Spencer P Lake
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Guy M Genin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States.,NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, McKelvey School of Engineering, 1 Brookings Dr., St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Nathaniel Huebsch
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States.,NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, McKelvey School of Engineering, 1 Brookings Dr., St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States.,Center for Cardiovascular Research, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Center for Investigation of Membrane Excitability Diseases, Washington University in Saint Louis, University City, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
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16
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Xu H, Donegan S, Dreher JM, Stark AJ, Canović EP, Stamenović D, Smith ML. Focal adhesion displacement magnitude is a unifying feature of tensional homeostasis. Acta Biomater 2020; 113:372-379. [PMID: 32634483 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.06.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Tensional homeostasis is widely recognized to exist at the length scales of organs and tissues, but the cellular length scale mechanism for tension regulation is not known. In this study, we explored whether tensional homeostasis emerges from the behavior of the individual focal adhesion (FA), which is the subcellular structure that transmits cell stress to the surrounding extracellular matrix. Past studies have suggested that cell contractility builds up until a certain displacement is achieved, and we thus hypothesized that tensional homeostasis may require a threshold level of substrate displacement. Micropattern traction microscopy was used to study a wide range of FA traction forces generated by bovine vascular smooth muscle cells and bovine aortic endothelial cells cultured on substrates of stiffness of 3.6, 6.7, 13.6, and 30 kPa. The most striking feature of FA dynamics observed here is that the substrate displacement resulting from FA traction forces is a unifying feature that determines FA tensional stability. Beyond approximately 1 μm of substrate displacement, FAs, regardless of cell type or substrate stiffness, exhibit a precipitous drop in temporal fluctuations of traction forces. These findings lead us to the conclusion that traction force dynamics collectively determine whether cells or cell ensembles develop tensional homeostasis, and this insight is necessary to fully understand how matrix stiffness impacts cellular behavior in healthy conditions and, more important, in pathological conditions such as cancer or vascular aging, where environmental stiffness is altered. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Tensional homeostasis is widely recognized to exist at the length scales of organs and tissues, but the cellular length scale mechanism for tension regulation is not known. In this study, we explored whether tensional homeostasis emerges from the behavior of the individual focal adhesion (FA), which is the subcellular structure that transmits cell stress to the extracellular matrix. We utilized micropattern traction microscopy to measure time-lapses of FA forces in vascular smooth muscle cells and in endothelial cells. We discovered that the magnitude of the substrate displacement determines whether the FA has low temporal variability of traction forces. This finding is significant since it is the first known feature of tensional homeostasis that is broadly unifying across a range of environmental conditions and cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Stephanie Donegan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, 110 Cummington Mall, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Jordan M Dreher
- Department of Chemistry, Norfolk State University, 700 Park Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 23504, United States
| | - Alicia J Stark
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Elizabeth P Canović
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Dimitrije Stamenović
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States; Division of Material Science and Engineering, Boston University, 15St. Mary's St., Brookline, MA 02446, United States.
| | - Michael L Smith
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States.
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17
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Stamenović D, Smith ML. Tensional homeostasis at different length scales. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:6946-6963. [PMID: 32696799 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00763c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Tensional homeostasis is a phenomenon of fundamental importance in mechanobiology. It refers to the ability of organs, tissues, and cells to respond to external disturbances by maintaining a homeostatic (set point) level of mechanical stress (tension). It is well documented that breakdown in tensional homeostasis is the hallmark of progression of diseases, including cancer and atherosclerosis. In this review, we surveyed quantitative studies of tensional homeostasis with the goal of providing characterization of this phenomenon across a broad range of length scales, from the organ level to the subcellular level. We considered both static and dynamics approaches that have been used in studies of this phenomenon. Results that we found in the literature and that we obtained from our own investigations suggest that tensional homeostasis is an emergent phenomenon driven by collective rheostatic mechanisms associated with focal adhesions, and by a collective action of cells in multicellular forms, whose impact on tensional homeostasis is cell type-dependent and cell microenvironment-dependent. Additionally, the finding that cadherins, adhesion molecules that are important for formation of cell-cell junctions, promote tensional homeostasis even in single cells, demonstrates their relevance as a signaling moiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrije Stamenović
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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18
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Obenaus AM, Mollica MY, Sniadecki NJ. (De)form and Function: Measuring Cellular Forces with Deformable Materials and Deformable Structures. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e1901454. [PMID: 31951099 PMCID: PMC7274881 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201901454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The ability for biological cells to produce mechanical forces is important for the development, function, and homeostasis of tissue. The measurement of cellular forces is not a straightforward task because individual cells are microscopic in size and the forces they produce are at the nanonewton scale. Consequently, studies in cell mechanics rely on advanced biomaterials or flexible structures that permit one to infer these forces by the deformation they impart on the material or structure. Herein, the scientific progression on the use of deformable materials and deformable structures to measure cellular forces are reviewed. The findings and insights made possible with these approaches in the field of cell mechanics are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ava M Obenaus
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Molly Y Mollica
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Nathan J Sniadecki
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
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19
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Li J, Barbone PE, Smith ML, Stamenović D. Effect of correlation between traction forces on tensional homeostasis in clusters of endothelial cells and fibroblasts. J Biomech 2019; 100:109588. [PMID: 31902611 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.109588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The ability of cells to maintain a constant level of cytoskeletal tension in response to external and internal disturbances is referred to as tensional homeostasis. It is essential for the normal physiological function of cells and tissues, and for protection against disease progression, including atherosclerosis and cancer. In previous studies, we defined tensional homeostasis as the ability of cells to maintain a consistent level of cytoskeletal tension with low temporal fluctuations. In those studies, we measured temporal fluctuations of cell-substrate traction forces in clusters of endothelial cells and of fibroblasts. We observed those temporal fluctuations to decrease with increasing cluster size in endothelial cells, but not in fibroblasts. We quantified temporal fluctuation, and thus homeostasis, through the coefficient of variation (CV) of the traction field; the lower the value of CV, the closer the cell is to the state of tensional homeostasis. This metric depends on correlation between individual traction forces. In this study, we analyzed the contribution of correlation between traction forces on traction field CV in clusters of endothelial cells and fibroblasts using experimental data that we had obtained previously. Results of our analysis showed that positive correlation between traction forces was detrimental to homeostasis, and that it was cell type-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanyong Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Paul E Barbone
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Michael L Smith
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Dimitrije Stamenović
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, United States; Division of Material Science and Engineering, Boston University, Brookline, MA 02446, United States.
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20
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Force and Collective Epithelial Activities. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019. [PMID: 31612452 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-17593-1_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Cells apply forces to their surroundings to perform basic biological activities, including division, adhesion, and migration. Similarly, cell populations in epithelial tissues coordinate forces in physiological processes of morphogenesis and repair. These activities are highly regulated to yield the correct development and function of the body. The modification of this order is at the onset of pathological events and malfunctions. Mechanical forces and their translation into biological signals are the focus of an emerging field of research, shaping as a central discipline in the study of life and gathering knowledge at the interface of engineering, physics, biology and medicine. Novel engineering methods are needed to complement the classic instruments developed by molecular biology, physics and medicine. These should enable the measurement of forces at the cellular and multicellular level, and at a temporal and spatial resolution which is fully compatible with the ranges experienced by cells in vivo.
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21
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Stefanelli VL, Choudhury S, Hu P, Liu Y, Schwenzer A, Yeh CR, Chambers DM, von Beck K, Li W, Segura T, Midwood KS, Torres M, Barker TH. Citrullination of fibronectin alters integrin clustering and focal adhesion stability promoting stromal cell invasion. Matrix Biol 2019; 82:86-104. [PMID: 31004743 PMCID: PMC7168757 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment is increasingly implicated in the instruction of pathologically relevant cell behaviors, from aberrant transdifferentation to invasion and beyond. Indeed, pathologic ECMs possess a panoply of alterations that provide deleterious instructions to resident cells. Here we demonstrate the precise manner in which the ECM protein fibronectin (FN) undergoes the posttranslational modification citrullination in response to peptidyl-arginine deiminase (PAD), an enzyme associated with innate immune cell activity and implicated in systemic ECM-centric diseases, like cancer, fibrosis and rheumatoid arthritis. FN can be citrullinated in at least 24 locations, 5 of which reside in FN's primary cell-binding domain. Citrullination of FN alters integrin clustering and focal adhesion stability with a concomitant enhancement in force-triggered integrin signaling along the FAK-Src and ILK-Parvin pathways within fibroblasts. In vitro migration and in vivo wound healing studies demonstrate the ability of citrullinated FN to support a more migratory/invasive phenotype that enables more rapid wound closure. These findings highlight the potential of ECM, particularly FN, to "record" inflammatory insults via post-translational modification by inflammation-associated enzymes that are subsequently "read" by resident tissue fibroblasts, establishing a direct link between inflammation and tissue homeostasis and pathogenesis through the matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ping Hu
- University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA USA
| | | | | | | | - Dwight M. Chambers
- Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA,Emory University, Atlanta GA, USA
| | | | - Wei Li
- Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA,University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA USA
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22
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Mohammed D, Versaevel M, Bruyère C, Alaimo L, Luciano M, Vercruysse E, Procès A, Gabriele S. Innovative Tools for Mechanobiology: Unraveling Outside-In and Inside-Out Mechanotransduction. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2019; 7:162. [PMID: 31380357 PMCID: PMC6646473 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells and tissues can sense and react to the modifications of the physico-chemical properties of the extracellular environment (ECM) through integrin-based adhesion sites and adapt their physiological response in a process called mechanotransduction. Due to their critical localization at the cell-ECM interface, transmembrane integrins are mediators of bidirectional signaling, playing a key role in “outside-in” and “inside-out” signal transduction. After presenting the basic conceptual fundamentals related to cell mechanobiology, we review the current state-of-the-art technologies that facilitate the understanding of mechanotransduction signaling pathways. Finally, we highlight innovative technological developments that can help to advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying nuclear mechanotransduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danahe Mohammed
- Mechanobiology and Soft Matter Group, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Marie Versaevel
- Mechanobiology and Soft Matter Group, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Céline Bruyère
- Mechanobiology and Soft Matter Group, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Laura Alaimo
- Mechanobiology and Soft Matter Group, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Marine Luciano
- Mechanobiology and Soft Matter Group, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Eléonore Vercruysse
- Mechanobiology and Soft Matter Group, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Anthony Procès
- Mechanobiology and Soft Matter Group, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium.,Department of Neurosciences, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Sylvain Gabriele
- Mechanobiology and Soft Matter Group, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
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23
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Polio SR, Stasiak SE, Jamieson RR, Balestrini JL, Krishnan R, Parameswaran H. Extracellular matrix stiffness regulates human airway smooth muscle contraction by altering the cell-cell coupling. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9564. [PMID: 31267003 PMCID: PMC6606622 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45716-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
For an airway or a blood vessel to narrow, there must be a connected path that links the smooth muscle (SM) cells with each other, and transmits forces around the organ, causing it to constrict. Currently, we know very little about the mechanisms that regulate force transmission pathways in a multicellular SM ensemble. Here, we used extracellular matrix (ECM) micropatterning to study force transmission in a two-cell ensemble of SM cells. Using the two-SM cell ensemble, we demonstrate (a) that ECM stiffness acts as a switch that regulates whether SM force is transmitted through the ECM or through cell-cell connections. (b) Fluorescent imaging for adherens junctions and focal adhesions show the progressive loss of cell-cell borders and the appearance of focal adhesions with the increase in ECM stiffness (confirming our mechanical measurements). (c) At the same ECM stiffness, we show that the presence of a cell-cell border substantially decreases the overall contractility of the SM cell ensemble. Our results demonstrate that connectivity among SM cells is a critical factor to consider in the development of diseases such as asthma and hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel R Polio
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Suzanne E Stasiak
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Ryan R Jamieson
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jenna L Balestrini
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ramaswamy Krishnan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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24
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Sridharan Weaver S, Li Y, Foucard L, Majeed H, Bhaduri B, Levine AJ, Kilian KA, Popescu G. Simultaneous cell traction and growth measurements using light. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2019; 12:e201800182. [PMID: 30105846 PMCID: PMC7236521 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201800182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Characterizing the effects of force fields generated by cells on proliferation, migration and differentiation processes is challenging due to limited availability of nondestructive imaging modalities. Here, we integrate a new real-time traction stress imaging modality, Hilbert phase dynamometry (HPD), with spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM) for simultaneous monitoring of cell growth during differentiation processes. HPD uses holographic principles to extract displacement fields from chemically patterned fluorescent grid on deformable substrates. This is converted into forces by solving an elasticity inverse problem. Since HPD uses the epi-fluorescence channel of an inverted microscope, cellular behavior can be concurrently studied in transmission with SLIM. We studied the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and found that cells undergoing osteogenesis and adipogenesis exerted larger and more dynamic stresses than their precursors, with MSCs developing the smallest forces and growth rates. Thus, we develop a powerful means to study mechanotransduction during dynamic processes where the matrix provides context to guide cells toward a physiological or pathological outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamira Sridharan Weaver
- Quantitative Light Imaging Laboratory, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Yanfen Li
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Louis Foucard
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Hassaan Majeed
- Quantitative Light Imaging Laboratory, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Basanta Bhaduri
- Quantitative Light Imaging Laboratory, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Alex J Levine
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Biomathematics, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kristopher A Kilian
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Gabriel Popescu
- Quantitative Light Imaging Laboratory, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
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Zollinger AJ, Xu H, Figueiredo J, Paredes J, Seruca R, Stamenović D, Smith ML. Dependence of Tensional Homeostasis on Cell Type and on Cell-Cell Interactions. Cell Mol Bioeng 2018; 11:175-184. [PMID: 31719884 PMCID: PMC6816663 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-018-0527-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The ability to maintain a homeostatic level of cell tension is essential for many physiological processes. Our group has recently reported that multicellularity is required for tensional homeostasis in endothelial cells. However, other studies have shown that isolated fibroblasts also maintain constant tension over short time scales without the need of cell-cell contacts. Therefore, in this study, our aim was to determine how different cell types regulate tension as isolated cells or in small clustered groupings and to investigate the role of cell-cell adhesion molecules, such as E-cadherin, in this system. METHODS Micropattern traction force microscopy was used to determine how bovine aortic endothelial cells, bovine vascular smooth muscle cells, mouse embryonic fibroblasts, and human gastric adenocarcinoma cells, with or without cell-cell interactions due to E-cadherin, maintain tensional homeostasis over time. Tension temporal fluctuations in single cells and cell clusters were evaluated. RESULTS We found that only endothelial cells require clustering for tensional homeostasis. The same was not verified in fibroblasts or vascular smooth muscle cells. Of relevance, in adenocarcinoma cells, we verified that tensional homeostasis was dependent on the competence of the adhesion molecule E-cadherin at both the single cells and multicellular levels. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that cell-cell contacts may be critical for tensional homeostasis and, potentially, for barrier function of the endothelium. Furthermore, the cell-cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin is an important regulator of tensional homeostasis, even in the absence of cadherin engagement with neighboring cells, which demonstrates its relevance not only as a structural molecule but also as a signaling moiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia J. Zollinger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Han Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Joana Figueiredo
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Porto, Portugal
- The Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Paredes
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Porto, Portugal
- The Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
- Medical Faculty of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel Seruca
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Porto, Portugal
- The Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal
- Medical Faculty of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Dimitrije Stamenović
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215 USA
- Division of Material Science and Engineering, Boston University, Brookline, MA 02446 USA
| | - Michael L. Smith
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215 USA
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26
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Sarker B, Walter C, Pathak A. Direct Micropatterning of Extracellular Matrix Proteins on Functionalized Polyacrylamide Hydrogels Shows Geometric Regulation of Cell–Cell Junctions. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2018; 4:2340-2349. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.8b00331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Bapi Sarker
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Christopher Walter
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Amit Pathak
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
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27
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Win Z, Buksa JM, Steucke KE, Gant Luxton GW, Barocas VH, Alford PW. Cellular Microbiaxial Stretching to Measure a Single-Cell Strain Energy Density Function. J Biomech Eng 2018; 139:2618751. [PMID: 28397957 DOI: 10.1115/1.4036440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The stress in a cell due to extracellular mechanical stimulus is determined by its mechanical properties, and the structural organization of many adherent cells suggests that their properties are anisotropic. This anisotropy may significantly influence the cells' mechanotransductive response to complex loads, and has important implications for development of accurate models of tissue biomechanics. Standard methods for measuring cellular mechanics report linear moduli that cannot capture large-deformation anisotropic properties, which in a continuum mechanics framework are best described by a strain energy density function (SED). In tissues, the SED is most robustly measured using biaxial testing. Here, we describe a cellular microbiaxial stretching (CμBS) method that modifies this tissue-scale approach to measure the anisotropic elastic behavior of individual vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) with nativelike cytoarchitecture. Using CμBS, we reveal that VSMCs are highly anisotropic under large deformations. We then characterize a Holzapfel-Gasser-Ogden type SED for individual VSMCs and find that architecture-dependent properties of the cells can be robustly described using a formulation solely based on the organization of their actin cytoskeleton. These results suggest that cellular anisotropy should be considered when developing biomechanical models, and could play an important role in cellular mechano-adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaw Win
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 312 Church Street SE NHH 7-105, Minneapolis, MN 55455 e-mail:
| | - Justin M Buksa
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 312 Church Street SE NHH 7-105, Minneapolis, MN 55455 e-mail:
| | - Kerianne E Steucke
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 312 Church Street SE NHH 7-105, Minneapolis, MN 55455 e-mail:
| | - G W Gant Luxton
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 420 Washington Avenue SE MCB 4-128, Minneapolis, MN 55455 e-mail:
| | - Victor H Barocas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 312 Church Street SE NHH 7-105, Minneapolis, MN 55455 e-mail:
| | - Patrick W Alford
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 312 Church Street SE NHH 7-105, Minneapolis, MN 55455 e-mail:
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Chopra A, Kutys ML, Zhang K, Polacheck WJ, Sheng CC, Luu RJ, Eyckmans J, Hinson JT, Seidman JG, Seidman CE, Chen CS. Force Generation via β-Cardiac Myosin, Titin, and α-Actinin Drives Cardiac Sarcomere Assembly from Cell-Matrix Adhesions. Dev Cell 2018; 44:87-96.e5. [PMID: 29316444 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2017.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Truncating mutations in the sarcomere protein titin cause dilated cardiomyopathy due to sarcomere insufficiency. However, it remains mechanistically unclear how these mutations decrease sarcomere content in cardiomyocytes. Utilizing human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, CRISPR/Cas9, and live microscopy, we characterize the fundamental mechanisms of human cardiac sarcomere formation. We observe that sarcomerogenesis initiates at protocostameres, sites of cell-extracellular matrix adhesion, where nucleation and centripetal assembly of α-actinin-2-containing fibers provide a template for the fusion of Z-disk precursors, Z bodies, and subsequent striation. We identify that β-cardiac myosin-titin-protocostamere form an essential mechanical connection that transmits forces required to direct α-actinin-2 centripetal fiber assembly and sarcomere formation. Titin propagates diastolic traction stresses from β-cardiac myosin, but not α-cardiac myosin or non-muscle myosin II, to protocostameres during sarcomerogenesis. Ablating protocostameres or decoupling titin from protocostameres abolishes sarcomere assembly. Together these results identify the mechanical and molecular components critical for human cardiac sarcomerogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anant Chopra
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Matthew L Kutys
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kehan Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - William J Polacheck
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Calvin C Sheng
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Rebeccah J Luu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jeroen Eyckmans
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - J Travis Hinson
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA; Cardiology Center, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.
| | - Jonathan G Seidman
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Christine E Seidman
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA.
| | - Christopher S Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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29
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Mulligan JA, Bordeleau F, Reinhart-King CA, Adie SG. Traction Force Microscopy for Noninvasive Imaging of Cell Forces. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1092:319-349. [PMID: 30368759 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-95294-9_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The forces exerted by cells on their surroundings play an integral role in both physiological processes and disease progression. Traction force microscopy is a noninvasive technique that enables the in vitro imaging and quantification of cell forces. Utilizing expertise from a variety of disciplines, recent developments in traction force microscopy are enhancing the study of cell forces in physiologically relevant model systems, and hold promise for further advancing knowledge in mechanobiology. In this chapter, we discuss the methods, capabilities, and limitations of modern approaches for traction force microscopy, and highlight ongoing efforts and challenges underlying future innovations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A Mulligan
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - François Bordeleau
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Qc, Canada
- Départment of Biologie Moléculaire, Biochimie Médicale et Pathologie, Université Laval, Québec, Qc, Canada
| | - Cynthia A Reinhart-King
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Steven G Adie
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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30
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Abdeen AA, Saha K. Manufacturing Cell Therapies Using Engineered Biomaterials. Trends Biotechnol 2017; 35:971-982. [PMID: 28711155 PMCID: PMC5621598 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2017.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Emerging manufacturing processes to generate regenerative advanced therapies can involve extensive genomic and/or epigenomic manipulation of autologous or allogeneic cells. These cell engineering processes need to be carefully controlled and standardized to maximize safety and efficacy in clinical trials. Engineered biomaterials with smart and tunable properties offer an intriguing tool to provide or deliver cues to retain stemness, direct differentiation, promote reprogramming, manipulate the genome, or select functional phenotypes. This review discusses the use of engineered biomaterials to control human cell manufacturing. Future work exploiting engineered biomaterials has the potential to generate manufacturing processes that produce standardized cells with well-defined critical quality attributes appropriate for clinical testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr A Abdeen
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Krishanu Saha
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Medical History and Bioethics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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31
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Steucke KE, Win Z, Stemler TR, Walsh EE, Hall JL, Alford PW. Empirically Determined Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Mechano-Adaptation Law. J Biomech Eng 2017; 139:2619314. [PMID: 28418526 PMCID: PMC5467037 DOI: 10.1115/1.4036454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Revised: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease can alter the mechanical environment of the vascular system, leading to mechano-adaptive growth and remodeling. Predictive models of arterial mechano-adaptation could improve patient treatments and outcomes in cardiovascular disease. Vessel-scale mechano-adaptation includes remodeling of both the cells and extracellular matrix. Here, we aimed to experimentally measure and characterize a phenomenological mechano-adaptation law for vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) within an artery. To do this, we developed a highly controlled and reproducible system for applying a chronic step-change in strain to individual VSMCs with in vivo like architecture and tracked the temporal cellular stress evolution. We found that a simple linear growth law was able to capture the dynamic stress evolution of VSMCs in response to this mechanical perturbation. These results provide an initial framework for development of clinically relevant models of vascular remodeling that include VSMC adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerianne E Steucke
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 312 Church Street SE NHH 7-105, Minneapolis, MN 55455 e-mail:
| | - Zaw Win
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 312 Church Street SE NHH 7-105, Minneapolis, MN 55455 e-mail:
| | - Taylor R Stemler
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 312 Church Street SE NHH 7-105, Minneapolis, MN 55455 e-mail:
| | - Emily E Walsh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 312 Church Street SE NHH 7-105, Minneapolis, MN 55455 e-mail:
| | - Jennifer L Hall
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 2231 6th Street SE CCRB, Minneapolis, MN 55455 e-mail:
| | - Patrick W Alford
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 312 Church Street SE NHH 7-105, Minneapolis, MN 55455 e-mail:
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32
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Long-term imaging of cellular forces with high precision by elastic resonator interference stress microscopy. Nat Cell Biol 2017. [PMID: 28628084 DOI: 10.1038/ncb3561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cellular forces are crucial for many biological processes but current methods to image them have limitations with respect to data analysis, resolution and throughput. Here, we present a robust approach to measure mechanical cell-substrate interactions in diverse biological systems by interferometrically detecting deformations of an elastic micro-cavity. Elastic resonator interference stress microscopy (ERISM) yields stress maps with exceptional precision and large dynamic range (2 nm displacement resolution over a >1 μm range, translating into 1 pN force sensitivity). This enables investigation of minute vertical stresses (<1 Pa) involved in podosome protrusion, protein-specific cell-substrate interaction and amoeboid migration through spatial confinement in real time. ERISM requires no zero-force reference and avoids phototoxic effects, which facilitates force monitoring over multiple days and at high frame rates and eliminates the need to detach cells after measurements. This allows observation of slow processes such as differentiation and further investigation of cells, for example, by immunostaining.
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33
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Nerger BA, Siedlik MJ, Nelson CM. Microfabricated tissues for investigating traction forces involved in cell migration and tissue morphogenesis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2017; 74:1819-1834. [PMID: 28008471 PMCID: PMC5391279 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2439-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Revised: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Cell-generated forces drive an array of biological processes ranging from wound healing to tumor metastasis. Whereas experimental techniques such as traction force microscopy are capable of quantifying traction forces in multidimensional systems, the physical mechanisms by which these forces induce changes in tissue form remain to be elucidated. Understanding these mechanisms will ultimately require techniques that are capable of quantifying traction forces with high precision and accuracy in vivo or in systems that recapitulate in vivo conditions, such as microfabricated tissues and engineered substrata. To that end, here we review the fundamentals of traction forces, their quantification, and the use of microfabricated tissues designed to study these forces during cell migration and tissue morphogenesis. We emphasize the differences between traction forces in two- and three-dimensional systems, and highlight recently developed techniques for quantifying traction forces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan A Nerger
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, 303 Hoyt Laboratory, William Street, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Michael J Siedlik
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, 303 Hoyt Laboratory, William Street, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Celeste M Nelson
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, 303 Hoyt Laboratory, William Street, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, 303 Hoyt Laboratory, William Street, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
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34
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Colomb W, Czerski J, Sau JD, Sarkar SK. Estimation of microscope drift using fluorescent nanodiamonds as fiducial markers. J Microsc 2017; 266:298-306. [PMID: 28328030 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.12539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Fiducial markers are used to correct the microscope drift and should be photostable, be usable at multiple wavelengths and be compatible for multimodal imaging. Fiducial markers such as beads, gold nanoparticles, microfabricated patterns and organic fluorophores lack one or more of these criteria. Moreover, the localization accuracy and drift correction can be degraded by other fluorophores, instrument noise and artefacts due to image processing and tracking algorithms. Estimating mechanical drift by assuming Gaussian distributed noise is not suitable under these circumstances. Here we present a method that uses fluorescent nanodiamonds as fiducial markers and uses an improved maximum likelihood algorithm to estimate the drift with both accuracy and precision within the range 1.55-5.75 nm.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Colomb
- Department of Physics, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, U.S.A
| | - J Czerski
- Department of Physics, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, U.S.A
| | - J D Sau
- Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, U.S.A
| | - S K Sarkar
- Department of Physics, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, U.S.A
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35
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Tam SN, Smith ML, Stamenović D. Modeling tensional homeostasis in multicellular clusters. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2017; 33. [PMID: 27163337 DOI: 10.1002/cnm.2801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2015] [Revised: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Homeostasis of mechanical stress in cells, or tensional homeostasis, is essential for normal physiological function of tissues and organs and is protective against disease progression, including atherosclerosis and cancer. Recent experimental studies have shown that isolated cells are not capable of maintaining tensional homeostasis, whereas multicellular clusters are, with stability increasing with the size of the clusters. Here, we proposed simple mathematical models to interpret experimental results and to obtain insight into factors that determine homeostasis. Multicellular clusters were modeled as one-dimensional arrays of linearly elastic blocks that were either jointed or disjointed. Fluctuating forces that mimicked experimentally measured cell-substrate tractions were obtained from Monte Carlo simulations. These forces were applied to the cluster models, and the corresponding stress field in the cluster was calculated by solving the equilibrium equation. It was found that temporal fluctuations of the cluster stress field became attenuated with increasing cluster size, indicating that the cluster approached tensional homeostasis. These results were consistent with previously reported experimental data. Furthermore, the models revealed that key determinants of tensional homeostasis in multicellular clusters included the cluster size, the distribution of traction forces, and mechanical coupling between adjacent cells. Based on these findings, we concluded that tensional homeostasis was a multicellular phenomenon. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sze Nok Tam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Michael L Smith
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Dimitrije Stamenović
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Division of Material Science and Engineering, Boston University, Brookline, MA 02446, USA
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36
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Myers DR, Qiu Y, Fay ME, Tennenbaum M, Chester D, Cuadrado J, Sakurai Y, Baek J, Tran R, Ciciliano J, Ahn B, Mannino R, Bunting S, Bennett C, Briones M, Fernandez-Nieves A, Smith ML, Brown AC, Sulchek T, Lam WA. Single-platelet nanomechanics measured by high-throughput cytometry. NATURE MATERIALS 2017; 16:230-235. [PMID: 27723740 PMCID: PMC5266633 DOI: 10.1038/nmat4772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Haemostasis occurs at sites of vascular injury, where flowing blood forms a clot, a dynamic and heterogeneous fibrin-based biomaterial. Paramount in the clot's capability to stem haemorrhage are its changing mechanical properties, the major drivers of which are the contractile forces exerted by platelets against the fibrin scaffold. However, how platelets transduce microenvironmental cues to mediate contraction and alter clot mechanics is unknown. This is clinically relevant, as overly softened and stiffened clots are associated with bleeding and thrombotic disorders. Here, we report a high-throughput hydrogel-based platelet-contraction cytometer that quantifies single-platelet contraction forces in different clot microenvironments. We also show that platelets, via the Rho/ROCK pathway, synergistically couple mechanical and biochemical inputs to mediate contraction. Moreover, highly contractile platelet subpopulations present in healthy controls are conspicuously absent in a subset of patients with undiagnosed bleeding disorders, and therefore may function as a clinical diagnostic biophysical biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R. Myers
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322
- Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
- Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
| | - Yongzhi Qiu
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322
- Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
- Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
| | - Meredith E. Fay
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322
- Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
- Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
| | | | - Daniel Chester
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Raleigh, NC 27695
- Comparative Medicine Institute at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Jonas Cuadrado
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332
| | - Yumiko Sakurai
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322
- Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
- Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
| | - Jong Baek
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322
- Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
- Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
| | - Reginald Tran
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322
- Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
- Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
| | - Jordan Ciciliano
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322
- Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
- Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
| | - Byungwook Ahn
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322
- Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
- Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
| | - Robert Mannino
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322
- Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
- Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
| | - Silvia Bunting
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Carolyn Bennett
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Michael Briones
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Alberto Fernandez-Nieves
- Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332
| | - Michael L. Smith
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215
| | - Ashley C. Brown
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Raleigh, NC 27695
- Comparative Medicine Institute at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Todd Sulchek
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332
| | - Wilbur A. Lam
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322
- Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
- Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
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37
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Álvarez-González B, Zhang S, Gómez-González M, Meili R, Firtel RA, Lasheras JC, Del Álamo JC. Two-Layer Elastographic 3-D Traction Force Microscopy. Sci Rep 2017; 7:39315. [PMID: 28074837 PMCID: PMC5225457 DOI: 10.1038/srep39315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular traction force microscopy (TFM) requires knowledge of the mechanical properties of the substratum where the cells adhere to calculate cell-generated forces from measurements of substratum deformation. Polymer-based hydrogels are broadly used for TFM due to their linearly elastic behavior in the range of measured deformations. However, the calculated stresses, particularly their spatial patterns, can be highly sensitive to the substratum's Poisson's ratio. We present two-layer elastographic TFM (2LETFM), a method that allows for simultaneously measuring the Poisson's ratio of the substratum while also determining the cell-generated forces. The new method exploits the analytical solution of the elastostatic equation and deformation measurements from two layers of the substratum. We perform an in silico analysis of 2LETFM concluding that this technique is robust with respect to TFM experimental parameters, and remains accurate even for noisy measurement data. We also provide experimental proof of principle of 2LETFM by simultaneously measuring the stresses exerted by migrating Physarum amoeboae on the surface of polyacrylamide substrata, and the Poisson's ratio of the substrata. The 2LETFM method could be generalized to concurrently determine the mechanical properties and cell-generated forces in more physiologically relevant extracellular environments, opening new possibilities to study cell-matrix interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Begoña Álvarez-González
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego.,Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineeing, University of California, San Diego
| | - Shun Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineeing, University of California, San Diego
| | - Manuel Gómez-González
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineeing, University of California, San Diego
| | - Ruedi Meili
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego.,Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineeing, University of California, San Diego
| | - Richard A Firtel
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego
| | - Juan C Lasheras
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineeing, University of California, San Diego.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego.,Center for Medical Devices and Instrumentation, Institute for Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego
| | - Juan C Del Álamo
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineeing, University of California, San Diego.,Center for Medical Devices and Instrumentation, Institute for Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego
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38
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Grespan E, Martewicz S, Serena E, Le Houerou V, Rühe J, Elvassore N. Analysis of Calcium Transients and Uniaxial Contraction Force in Single Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes on Microstructured Elastic Substrate with Spatially Controlled Surface Chemistries. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2016; 32:12190-12201. [PMID: 27643958 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.6b03138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The mechanical activity of cardiomyocytes is the result of a process called excitation-contraction coupling (ECC). A membrane depolarization wave induces a transient cytosolic calcium concentration increase that triggers activation of calcium-sensitive contractile proteins, leading to cell contraction and force generation. An experimental setup capable of acquiring simultaneously all ECC features would have an enormous impact on cardiac drug development and disease study. In this work, we develop a microengineered elastomeric substrate with tailor-made surface chemistry to measure simultaneously the uniaxial contraction force and the calcium transients generated by single human cardiomyocytes in vitro. Microreplication followed by photocuring is used to generate an array consisting of elastomeric micropillars. A second photochemical process is employed to spatially control the surface chemistry of the elastomeric pillar. As result, human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hESC-CMs) can be confined in rectangular cell-adhesive areas, which induce cell elongation and promote suspended cell anchoring between two adjacent micropillars. In this end-to-end conformation, confocal fluorescence microscopy allows simultaneous detection of calcium transients and micropillar deflection induced by a single-cell uniaxial contraction force. Computational finite elements modeling (FEM) and 3D reconstruction of the cell-pillar interface allow force quantification. The platform is used to follow calcium dynamics and contraction force evolution in hESC-CMs cultures over the course of several weeks. Our results show how a biomaterial-based platform can be a versatile tool for in vitro assaying of cardiac functional properties of single-cell human cardiomyocytes, with applications in both in vitro developmental studies and drug screening on cardiac cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Grespan
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience , Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Sebastian Martewicz
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova , Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine , Via Orus 2, 35129 Padua, Italy
| | - Elena Serena
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova , Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine , Via Orus 2, 35129 Padua, Italy
| | - Vincent Le Houerou
- Institute Charles Sadron, University of Strasbourg , 23 rue du Loess, 84047 Strasbourg, France
| | - Jürgen Rühe
- Department for Microsystems Engineering, University of Freiburg , Georges-Köhler Allee 103, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nicola Elvassore
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova , Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine , Via Orus 2, 35129 Padua, Italy
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39
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Bergert M, Lendenmann T, Zündel M, Ehret AE, Panozzo D, Richner P, Kim DK, Kress SJP, Norris DJ, Sorkine-Hornung O, Mazza E, Poulikakos D, Ferrari A. Confocal reference free traction force microscopy. Nat Commun 2016; 7:12814. [PMID: 27681958 PMCID: PMC5056408 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanical wiring between cells and their surroundings is fundamental to the regulation of complex biological processes during tissue development, repair or pathology. Traction force microscopy (TFM) enables determination of the actuating forces. Despite progress, important limitations with intrusion effects in low resolution 2D pillar-based methods or disruptive intermediate steps of cell removal and substrate relaxation in high-resolution continuum TFM methods need to be overcome. Here we introduce a novel method allowing a one-shot (live) acquisition of continuous in- and out-of-plane traction fields with high sensitivity. The method is based on electrohydrodynamic nanodrip-printing of quantum dots into confocal monocrystalline arrays, rendering individually identifiable point light sources on compliant substrates. We demonstrate the undisrupted reference-free acquisition and quantification of high-resolution continuous force fields, and the simultaneous capability of this method to correlatively overlap traction forces with spatial localization of proteins revealed using immunofluorescence methods. Traction force microscopy is an effective method of measuring forces between cells and their environment, but requires removing the cells to obtain a reference image. Here the authors use nanodrip printing of quantum dots into compliant substrates to provide a regular array of fiducial spots, removing the need for a reference image.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Bergert
- ETH Zurich, Laboratory of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies, Sonneggstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Lendenmann
- ETH Zurich, Laboratory of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies, Sonneggstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Zündel
- ETH Zurich, Institute for Mechanical Systems, Leonhardstrasse 21, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexander E Ehret
- ETH Zurich, Institute for Mechanical Systems, Leonhardstrasse 21, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.,Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Daniele Panozzo
- ETH Zurich, Institute for Visual Computing, Interactive Geometry Lab, Universitätstrasse 6, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.,Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, 719 Broadway, New York 10003, USA
| | - Patrizia Richner
- ETH Zurich, Laboratory of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies, Sonneggstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - David K Kim
- ETH Zurich, Optical Materials Engineering Laboratory, Leonhardstrasse 21, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stephan J P Kress
- ETH Zurich, Optical Materials Engineering Laboratory, Leonhardstrasse 21, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - David J Norris
- ETH Zurich, Optical Materials Engineering Laboratory, Leonhardstrasse 21, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Olga Sorkine-Hornung
- ETH Zurich, Institute for Visual Computing, Interactive Geometry Lab, Universitätstrasse 6, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Edoardo Mazza
- ETH Zurich, Institute for Mechanical Systems, Leonhardstrasse 21, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland.,Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Dimos Poulikakos
- ETH Zurich, Laboratory of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies, Sonneggstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Aldo Ferrari
- ETH Zurich, Laboratory of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies, Sonneggstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
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40
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Canović EP, Zollinger AJ, Tam SN, Smith ML, Stamenović D. Tensional homeostasis in endothelial cells is a multicellular phenomenon. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2016; 311:C528-35. [PMID: 27488661 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00037.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian cells of various types exhibit the remarkable ability to adapt to externally applied mechanical stresses and strains. Because of this adaptation, cells can maintain their endogenous mechanical tension at a preferred (homeostatic) level, which is essential for normal physiological functions of cells and tissues and provides protection against various diseases, including atherosclerosis and cancer. Conventional wisdom is that the cell possesses the ability to maintain tensional homeostasis on its own. Recent findings showed, however, that isolated cells cannot maintain tensional homeostasis. Here we studied the effect of multicellular interactions on tensional homeostasis by measuring traction forces in isolated bovine aortic endothelial cells and in confluent and nonconfluent cell clusters of different sizes. We found that, in isolated cells, the traction field exhibited a highly dynamic and erratic behavior. However, in cell clusters, dynamic fluctuations of the traction field became attenuated with increasing cluster size, at a rate that was faster in nonconfluent than confluent clusters. The driving mechanism of attenuation of traction field fluctuations was statistical averaging of the noise, and the impeding mechanism was nonuniform stress distribution in the clusters, which resulted from intercellular force transmission, known as a "global tug-of-war." These results show that isolated cells could not maintain tensional homeostasis, which confirms previous findings, and that tensional homeostasis is a multicellular phenomenon, which is a novel finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth P Canović
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Alicia J Zollinger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Sze Nok Tam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Michael L Smith
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Dimitrije Stamenović
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts; and Division of Material Science and Engineering, Boston University, Brookline, Massachusetts
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41
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Lourenço T, Paes de Faria J, Bippes CA, Maia J, Lopes-da-Silva JA, Relvas JB, Grãos M. Modulation of oligodendrocyte differentiation and maturation by combined biochemical and mechanical cues. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21563. [PMID: 26879561 PMCID: PMC4754901 DOI: 10.1038/srep21563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins play a key role during oligodendrogenesis. While fibronectin (FN) is involved in the maintenance and proliferation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), merosin (MN) promotes differentiation into oligodendrocytes (OLs). Mechanical properties of the ECM also seem to affect OL differentiation, hence this study aimed to clarify the impact of combined biophysical and biochemical elements during oligodendrocyte differentiation and maturation using synthetic elastic polymeric ECM-like substrates. CG-4 cells presented OPC- or OL-like morphology in response to brain-compliant substrates functionalised with FN or MN, respectively. The expression of the differentiation and maturation markers myelin basic protein — MBP — and proteolipid protein — PLP — (respectively) by primary rat oligodendrocytes was enhanced in presence of MN, but only on brain-compliant conditions, considering the distribution (MBP) or amount (PLP) of the protein. It was also observed that maturation of OLs was attained earlier (by assessing PLP expression) by cells differentiated on MN-functionalised brain-compliant substrates than on standard culture conditions. Moreover, the combination of MN and substrate compliance enhanced the maturation and morphological complexity of OLs. Considering the distinct degrees of stiffness tested ranging within those of the central nervous system, our results indicate that 6.5 kPa is the most suitable rigidity for oligodendrocyte differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tânia Lourenço
- Biocant, Technology Transfer Association, Cantanhede, Portugal.,Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana Paes de Faria
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | | | - João Maia
- Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - João B Relvas
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - Mário Grãos
- Biocant, Technology Transfer Association, Cantanhede, Portugal.,Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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42
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De Mets R, Hennig K, Bureau L, Balland M. Fast and robust fabrication of reusable molds for hydrogel micro-patterning. Biomater Sci 2016; 4:1630-1637. [DOI: 10.1039/c6bm00364h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We present a method to create protein micropatterns onto polyacrylamide hydrogels, in order to control the adhesive confinement of cells in traction force microscopy experiments. The technique is based on patterned polymer brushes that serve as molds that can be re-used without repeating microfabrication steps.
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43
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Li Y, Kilian KA. Bridging the Gap: From 2D Cell Culture to 3D Microengineered Extracellular Matrices. Adv Healthc Mater 2015; 4:2780-96. [PMID: 26592366 PMCID: PMC4780579 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201500427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Revised: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Historically the culture of mammalian cells in the laboratory has been performed on planar substrates with media cocktails that are optimized to maintain phenotype. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that much of biology discerned from 2D studies does not translate well to the 3D microenvironment. Over the last several decades, 2D and 3D microengineering approaches have been developed that better recapitulate the complex architecture and properties of in vivo tissue. Inspired by the infrastructure of the microelectronics industry, lithographic patterning approaches have taken center stage because of the ease in which cell-sized features can be engineered on surfaces and within a broad range of biocompatible materials. Patterning and templating techniques enable precise control over extracellular matrix properties including: composition, mechanics, geometry, cell-cell contact, and diffusion. In this review article we explore how the field of engineered extracellular matrices has evolved with the development of new hydrogel chemistry and the maturation of micro- and nano- fabrication. Guided by the spatiotemporal regulation of cell state in developing tissues, techniques for micropatterning in 2D, pseudo-3D systems, and patterning within 3D hydrogels will be discussed in the context of translating the information gained from 2D systems to synthetic engineered 3D tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfen Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Institute for Genomic Biology, Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL, 61801
| | - Kristopher A. Kilian
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Institute for Genomic Biology, Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL, 61801
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44
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A Review of Cell Adhesion Studies for Biomedical and Biological Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:18149-84. [PMID: 26251901 PMCID: PMC4581240 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160818149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 521] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2015] [Revised: 06/21/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell adhesion is essential in cell communication and regulation, and is of fundamental importance in the development and maintenance of tissues. The mechanical interactions between a cell and its extracellular matrix (ECM) can influence and control cell behavior and function. The essential function of cell adhesion has created tremendous interests in developing methods for measuring and studying cell adhesion properties. The study of cell adhesion could be categorized into cell adhesion attachment and detachment events. The study of cell adhesion has been widely explored via both events for many important purposes in cellular biology, biomedical, and engineering fields. Cell adhesion attachment and detachment events could be further grouped into the cell population and single cell approach. Various techniques to measure cell adhesion have been applied to many fields of study in order to gain understanding of cell signaling pathways, biomaterial studies for implantable sensors, artificial bone and tooth replacement, the development of tissue-on-a-chip and organ-on-a-chip in tissue engineering, the effects of biochemical treatments and environmental stimuli to the cell adhesion, the potential of drug treatments, cancer metastasis study, and the determination of the adhesion properties of normal and cancerous cells. This review discussed the overview of the available methods to study cell adhesion through attachment and detachment events.
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45
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Derricks KE, Trinkaus-Randall V, Nugent MA. Extracellular matrix stiffness modulates VEGF calcium signaling in endothelial cells: individual cell and population analysis. Integr Biol (Camb) 2015; 7:1011-25. [PMID: 26183123 DOI: 10.1039/c5ib00140d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Vascular disease and its associated complications are the number one cause of death in the Western world. Both extracellular matrix stiffening and dysfunctional endothelial cells contribute to vascular disease. We examined endothelial cell calcium signaling in response to VEGF as a function of extracellular matrix stiffness. We developed a new analytical tool to analyze both population based and individual cell responses. Endothelial cells on soft substrates, 4 kPa, were the most responsive to VEGF, whereas cells on the 125 kPa substrates exhibited an attenuated response. Magnitude of activation, not the quantity of cells responding or the number of local maximums each cell experienced distinguished the responses. Individual cell analysis, across all treatments, identified two unique cell clusters. One cluster, containing most of the cells, exhibited minimal or slow calcium release. The remaining cell cluster had a rapid, high magnitude VEGF activation that ultimately defined the population based average calcium response. Interestingly, at low doses of VEGF, the high responding cell cluster contained smaller cells on average, suggesting that cell shape and size may be indicative of VEGF-sensitive endothelial cells. This study provides a new analytical tool to quantitatively analyze individual cell signaling response kinetics, that we have used to help uncover outcomes that are hidden within the average. The ability to selectively identify highly VEGF responsive cells within a population may lead to a better understanding of the specific phenotypic characteristics that define cell responsiveness, which could provide new insight for the development of targeted anti- and pro-angiogenic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey E Derricks
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, 80 E Concord St., Boston, MA 02118, USA
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46
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Suffoletto K, Ye N, Meng F, Verma D, Hua SZ. Intracellular forces during guided cell growth on micropatterns using FRET measurement. J Biomech 2015; 48:627-635. [PMID: 25596631 PMCID: PMC4330124 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2014.12.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Interaction of cells with extracellular matrix (ECM) regulates cell shape, differentiation and polarity. This effect has been widely observed in cells grown on substrates with various patterned features, stiffness and surface chemistry. It has been postulated that mechanical confinement of cells by the substrate causes a redistribution of tension in cytoskeletal proteins resulting in cytoskeletal reorganization through force sensitive pathways. However, the mechanisms for force transduction during reorganization remain unclear. In this study, using FRET based force sensors we have measured tension in an actin cross-linking protein, α-actinin, and followed reorganization of actin cytoskeleton in real time in HEK cells grown on patterned substrates. We show that the patterned substrates cause a redistribution of tension in α-actinin that coincides with cytoskeleton reorganization. Higher tension was observed in portions of cells where they form bridges across inhibited regions of the patterned substrates; the attachment to the substrate is found to release tension. Real time measurements of α-actinin tension and F-actin arrangement show that an increase in tension coincides with formation of F-actin bundles at the cell periphery during cell-spreading across inhibited regions, suggesting that mechanical forces stimulate cytoskeleton enhancement. Rho-ROCK inhibitor (Y27632) causes reduction in actinin tension followed by retraction of bridged regions. Our results demonstrate that changes in cell shape and expansion over patterned surfaces is a force sensitive process that requires actomyosin contractile force involving Rho-ROCK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Suffoletto
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, SUNY-Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
| | - Nannan Ye
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, SUNY-Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
| | - Fanjie Meng
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, SUNY-Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
| | - Deepika Verma
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, SUNY-Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
| | - Susan Z Hua
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, SUNY-Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, SUNY-Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States.
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47
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Mechanisms Underlying Anomalous Diffusion in the Plasma Membrane. CURRENT TOPICS IN MEMBRANES 2015; 75:167-207. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctm.2015.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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48
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Li CC, Kharaziha M, Min C, Maas R, Nikkhah M. Microfabrication of Cell-Laden Hydrogels for Engineering Mineralized and Load Bearing Tissues. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2015; 881:15-31. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-22345-2_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Meehan S, Nain AS. Role of suspended fiber structural stiffness and curvature on single-cell migration, nucleus shape, and focal-adhesion-cluster length. Biophys J 2014; 107:2604-11. [PMID: 25468339 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2014.09.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Revised: 08/31/2014] [Accepted: 09/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been shown that cellular migration, persistence, and associated cytoskeletal arrangement are highly dependent on substrate stiffness (modulus: N/m(2) and independent of geometry), but little is known on how cells respond to subtle changes in local geometry and structural stiffness (N/m). Here, using fibers of varying diameter (400, 700, and 1200 nm) and length (1 and 2 mm) deposited over hollow substrates, we demonstrate that single mouse C2C12 cells attached to single suspended fibers form spindle morphologies that are sensitive to fiber mechanical properties. Over a wide range of increasing structural stiffness (2 to 100+ mN/m), cells exhibited decreases in migration speed and average nucleus shape index of ∼57% (from 58 to 25 μm/h) and ∼26% (from 0.78 to 0.58), respectively, whereas the average paxillin focal-adhesion-cluster (FAC, formed at poles) length increased by ∼38% (from 8 to 11 μm). Furthermore, the increase in structural stiffness directly correlates with cellular persistence, with 60% of cells moving in the direction of increasing structural stiffness. At similar average structural stiffness (25 ± 5 mN/m), cells put out longer FAC lengths on smaller diameters, suggesting a conservation of FAC area, and also exhibited higher nucleus shape index and migration speeds on larger-diameter fibers. Interestingly, cells were observed to deform fibers locally or globally through forces applied through the FAC sites and cells undergoing mitosis were found to be attached to the FAC sites by single filamentous tethers. These varied reactions have implications in developmental and disease biology models as they describe a strong dependence of cellular behavior on the cell's immediate mechanistic environment arising from alignment and geometry of fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Meehan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Amrinder S Nain
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia; Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia.
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Hsiao TW, Tresco PA, Hlady V. Astrocytes alignment and reactivity on collagen hydrogels patterned with ECM proteins. Biomaterials 2014; 39:124-30. [PMID: 25477179 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.10.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2014] [Accepted: 10/19/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
To modulate the surface properties of collagen and subsequent cell-surface interactions, a method was developed to transfer protein patterns from glass coverslips to collagen type I hydrogel surfaces. Two proteins and one proteoglycan found in central nervous system extracellular matrix as well as fibrinogen were patterned in stripes onto collagen hydrogel and astrocytes were cultured on these surfaces. The addition of the stripe protein patterns to hydrogels created astrocyte layers in which cells were aligned with underlying patterns and had reduced chondroitin sulfate expression compared to the cells grown on collagen alone. Protein patterns were covalently cross-linked to the collagen and stable over four days in culture with no visible cellular modifications. The present method can be adapted to transfer other types of protein patterns from glass coverslips to collagen hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony W Hsiao
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Patrick A Tresco
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Vladimir Hlady
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
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