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Sapudom J, Riedl P, Schricker M, Kroy K, Pompe T. Physical network regimes of 3D fibrillar collagen networks trigger invasive phenotypes of breast cancer cells. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2024; 163:213961. [PMID: 39032434 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.213961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
The mechanical characteristics of the extracellular environment are known to significantly influence cancer cell behavior in vivo and in vitro. The structural complexity and viscoelastic dynamics of the extracellular matrix (ECM) pose significant challenges in understanding its impact on cancer cells. Herein, we report distinct regulatory signatures in the invasion of different breast cancer cell lines into three-dimensional (3D) fibrillar collagen networks, caused by systematic modifications of the physical network properties. By reconstituting collagen networks of thin fibrils, we demonstrate that such networks can display network strand flexibility akin to that of synthetic polymer networks, known to exhibit entropic rubber elasticity. This finding contrasts with the predominant description of the mechanics of fibrillar collagen networks by an enthalpic bending elasticity of rod-like fibrils. Mean-squared displacement analysis of free-standing fibrils confirmed a flexible fiber regime in networks of thin fibrils. Furthermore, collagen fibrils in both networks were softened by the adsorption of highly negatively charged sulfonated polymers and colloidal probe force measurements of network elastic modulus again proofed the occurrence of the two different physical network regimes. Our cell assays revealed that the cellular behavior (morphology, clustering, invasiveness, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity) of the 'weakly invasive' MCF-7 and 'highly invasive' MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines is distinctively affected by the physical (enthalpic/entropic) network regime, and cannot be explained by changes of the network elastic modulus, alone. These results highlight an essential pathway, albeit frequently overlooked, how the physical characteristics of fibrillar ECMs affect cellular behavior. Considering the coexistence of diverse physical network regimes of the ECM in vivo, our findings underscore their critical role of ECM's physical network regimes in tumor progression and other cell functions, and moreover emphasize the significance of 3D in vitro collagen network models for quantifying cell responses in both healthy and pathological states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiranuwat Sapudom
- Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Philipp Riedl
- Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maria Schricker
- Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Klaus Kroy
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04009, Germany
| | - Tilo Pompe
- Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
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2
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Asgeirsson DO, Mehta A, Scheeder A, Li F, Wang X, Christiansen MG, Hesse N, Ward R, De Micheli AJ, Ildiz ES, Menghini S, Aceto N, Schuerle S. Magnetically controlled cyclic microscale deformation of in vitro cancer invasion models. Biomater Sci 2023; 11:7541-7555. [PMID: 37855703 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm00583f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical cues play an important role in the metastatic cascade of cancer. Three-dimensional (3D) tissue matrices with tunable stiffness have been extensively used as model systems of the tumor microenvironment for physiologically relevant studies. Tumor-associated cells actively deform these matrices, providing mechanical cues to other cancer cells residing in the tissue. Mimicking such dynamic deformation in the surrounding tumor matrix may help clarify the effect of local strain on cancer cell invasion. Remotely controlled microscale magnetic actuation of such 3D in vitro systems is a promising approach, offering a non-invasive means for in situ interrogation. Here, we investigate the influence of cyclic deformation on tumor spheroids embedded in matrices, continuously exerted for days by cell-sized anisotropic magnetic probes, referred to as μRods. Particle velocimetry analysis revealed the spatial extent of matrix deformation produced in response to a magnetic field, which was found to be on the order of 200 μm, resembling strain fields reported to originate from contracting cells. Intracellular calcium influx was observed in response to cyclic actuation, as well as an influence on cancer cell invasion from 3D spheroids, as compared to unactuated controls. Furthermore, RNA sequencing revealed subtle upregulation of certain genes associated with migration and stress, such as induced through mechanical deformation, for spheroids exposed to actuation vs. controls. Localized actuation at one side of a tumor spheroid tended to result in anisotropic invasion toward the μRods causing the deformation. In summary, our approach offers a strategy to test and control the influence of non-invasive micromechanical cues on cancer cell invasion and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne O Asgeirsson
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Responsive Biomedical Systems Laboratory, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Avni Mehta
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Responsive Biomedical Systems Laboratory, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Anna Scheeder
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Responsive Biomedical Systems Laboratory, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0AS, U.K
| | - Fan Li
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Responsive Biomedical Systems Laboratory, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Xiang Wang
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Responsive Biomedical Systems Laboratory, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Michael G Christiansen
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Responsive Biomedical Systems Laboratory, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Nicolas Hesse
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Responsive Biomedical Systems Laboratory, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Rachel Ward
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Responsive Biomedical Systems Laboratory, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Andrea J De Micheli
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Responsive Biomedical Systems Laboratory, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
- Department of Oncology, Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich 8032, Switzerland
| | - Ece Su Ildiz
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Menghini
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Responsive Biomedical Systems Laboratory, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Nicola Aceto
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simone Schuerle
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Responsive Biomedical Systems Laboratory, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
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3
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Missirlis D, Heckmann L, Haraszti T, Spatz JP. Fibronectin anchoring to viscoelastic poly(dimethylsiloxane) elastomers controls fibroblast mechanosensing and directional motility. Biomaterials 2022; 287:121646. [PMID: 35785752 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The established link between deregulated tissue mechanics and various pathological states calls for the elucidation of the processes through which cells interrogate and interpret the mechanical properties of their microenvironment. In this work, we demonstrate that changes in the presentation of the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin on the surface of viscoelastic silicone elastomers have an overarching effect on cell mechanosensing, that is independent of bulk mechanics. Reduction of surface hydrophilicity resulted in altered fibronectin adsorption strength as monitored using atomic force microscopy imaging and pulling experiments. Consequently, primary human fibroblasts were able to remodel the fibronectin coating, adopt a polarized phenotype and migrate directionally even on soft elastomers, that otherwise were not able to resist the applied traction forces. The findings presented here provide valuable insight on how cellular forces are regulated by ligand presentation and used by cells to probe their mechanical environment, and have implications on biomaterial design for cell guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitris Missirlis
- Department of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Postal Address: Jahnstr. 29, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Lara Heckmann
- Department of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Postal Address: Jahnstr. 29, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tamás Haraszti
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Postal Address: Forkenbeckstr. 50, D-52056, Aachen, Germany
| | - Joachim P Spatz
- Department of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Postal Address: Jahnstr. 29, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry Institute, Heidelberg University, Postal Address: INF 253, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany
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4
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Mao X, Shokef Y. Introduction to force transmission by nonlinear biomaterials. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:10172-10176. [PMID: 34755159 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm90194j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Xiaoming Mao and Yair Shokef introduce the Soft Matter themed collection on force transmission by nonlinear biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Mao
- Department of Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA.
| | - Yair Shokef
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Sackler Center for Computational Molecular and Materials Science, and Center for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel.
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5
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Asgeirsson DO, Christiansen MG, Valentin T, Somm L, Mirkhani N, Nami AH, Hosseini V, Schuerle S. 3D magnetically controlled spatiotemporal probing and actuation of collagen networks from a single cell perspective. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:3850-3862. [PMID: 34505607 PMCID: PMC8507888 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00657f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Cells continuously sense and react to mechanical cues from their surrounding matrix, which consists of a fibrous network of biopolymers that influences their fate and behavior. Several powerful methods employing magnetic control have been developed to assess the micromechanical properties within extracellular matrix (ECM) models hosting cells. However, many of these are limited to in-plane sensing and actuation, which does not allow the matrix to be probed within its full 3D context. Moreover, little attention has been given to factors specific to the model ECM systems that can profoundly influence the cells contained there. Here we present methods to spatiotemporally probe and manipulate extracellular matrix networks at the scale relevant to cells using magnetic microprobes (μRods). Our techniques leverage 3D magnetic field generation, physical modeling, and image analysis to examine and apply mechanical stimuli to fibrous collagen matrices. We determined shear moduli ranging between hundreds of Pa to tens of kPa and modeled the effects of proximity to rigid surfaces and local fiber densification. We analyzed the spatial extent and dynamics of matrix deformation produced in response to magnetic torques on the order of 10 pNm, deflecting fibers over an area spanning tens of micrometers. Finally, we demonstrate 3D actuation and pose extraction of fluorescently labelled μRods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne O Asgeirsson
- Responsive Biomedical Systems Laboratory, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Michael G Christiansen
- Responsive Biomedical Systems Laboratory, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Thomas Valentin
- Responsive Biomedical Systems Laboratory, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Luca Somm
- Responsive Biomedical Systems Laboratory, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Nima Mirkhani
- Responsive Biomedical Systems Laboratory, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Amin Hosseini Nami
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614411, Iran
| | - Vahid Hosseini
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
| | - Simone Schuerle
- Responsive Biomedical Systems Laboratory, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
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6
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Missirlis D, Haraszti T, Heckmann L, Spatz JP. Substrate Resistance to Traction Forces Controls Fibroblast Polarization. Biophys J 2020; 119:2558-2572. [PMID: 33217384 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.10.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanics of fibronectin-rich extracellular matrix regulate cell physiology in a number of diseases, prompting efforts to elucidate cell mechanosensing mechanisms at the molecular and cellular scale. Here, the use of fibronectin-functionalized silicone elastomers that exhibit considerable frequency dependence in viscoelastic properties unveiled the presence of two cellular processes that respond discreetly to substrate mechanical properties. Weakly cross-linked elastomers supported efficient focal adhesion maturation and fibroblast spreading because of an apparent stiff surface layer. However, they did not enable cytoskeletal and fibroblast polarization; elastomers with high cross-linking and low deformability were required for polarization. Our results suggest as an underlying reason for this behavior the inability of soft elastomer substrates to resist traction forces rather than a lack of sufficient traction force generation. Accordingly, mild inhibition of actomyosin contractility rescued fibroblast polarization even on the softer elastomers. Our findings demonstrate differential dependence of substrate physical properties on distinct mechanosensitive processes and provide a premise to reconcile previously proposed local and global models of cell mechanosensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitris Missirlis
- Max-Planck-Institute for Medical Research, Department of Cellular Biophysics, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Tamás Haraszti
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Aachen, Germany; RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Aachen, Germany
| | - Lara Heckmann
- Max-Planck-Institute for Medical Research, Department of Cellular Biophysics, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joachim P Spatz
- Max-Planck-Institute for Medical Research, Department of Cellular Biophysics, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg University, Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry Institute, Heidelberg, Germany
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7
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Nair SK, Basu S, Sen B, Lin MH, Kumar AN, Yuan Y, Cullen PJ, Sarkar D. Colloidal Gels with Tunable Mechanomorphology Regulate Endothelial Morphogenesis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1072. [PMID: 30705322 PMCID: PMC6355882 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37788-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial morphogenesis into capillary networks is dependent on the matrix morphology and mechanical properties. In current 3D gels, these two matrix features are interdependent and their distinct roles in endothelial organization are not known. Thus, it is important to decouple these parameters in the matrix design. Colloidal gels can be engineered to regulate the microstructural morphology and mechanics in an independent manner because colloidal gels are formed by the aggregation of particles into a self-similar 3D network. In this work, gelatin based colloidal gels with distinct mechanomorphology were developed by engineering the electrostatic interaction mediated aggregation of particles. By altering the mode of aggregation, colloidal gels showed either compact dense microstructure or tenuous strand-like networks, and the matrix stiffness was controlled independently by varying the particle fraction. Endothelial Cell (EC) networks were favored in tenuous strand-like microstructure through increased cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions, while compact dense microstructure inhibited the networks. For a given microstructure, as the gel stiffness was increased, the extent of EC network was reduced. This result demonstrates that 3D matrix morphology and mechanics provide distinct signals in a bidirectional manner during EC network formation. Colloidal gels can be used to interrogate the angiogenic responses of ECs and can be developed as a biomaterial for vascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smruti K Nair
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Sukanya Basu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Ballari Sen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Meng-Hsuan Lin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Arati N Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Paul J Cullen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Debanjan Sarkar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA.
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA.
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8
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Müller C, Ansorge M, Espig M, Zschoche S, Schiller J, Pompe T. Covalent Binding of Maleic Anhydride Copolymer Monolayers to Polyacrylamide Hydrogels. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.201800206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Müller
- Institute of Biochemistry; Leipzig University,; Johannisallee 21/23, 04103 Leipzig Germany
| | - Michael Ansorge
- Institute of Biochemistry; Leipzig University,; Johannisallee 21/23, 04103 Leipzig Germany
| | - Martin Espig
- Institute of Biochemistry; Leipzig University,; Johannisallee 21/23, 04103 Leipzig Germany
| | - Stefan Zschoche
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden; Hohe Str. 6, 01069 Dresden Germany
| | - Jürgen Schiller
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics; Leipzig University; Härtelstr. 16-18, 04107 Leipzig Germany
| | - Tilo Pompe
- Institute of Biochemistry; Leipzig University,; Johannisallee 21/23, 04103 Leipzig Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden; Hohe Str. 6, 01069 Dresden Germany
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9
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Biggs MJP, Fernandez M, Thomas D, Cooper R, Palma M, Liao J, Fazio T, Dahlberg C, Wheadon H, Pallipurath A, Pandit A, Kysar J, Wind SJ. The Functional Response of Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Electron-Beam Patterned Elastomeric Surfaces Presenting Micrometer to Nanoscale Heterogeneous Rigidity. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2017; 29:10.1002/adma.201702119. [PMID: 28861921 PMCID: PMC7391933 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201702119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Cells directly probe and respond to the physicomechanical properties of their extracellular environment, a dynamic process which has been shown to play a key role in regulating both cellular adhesive processes and differential cellular function. Recent studies indicate that stem cells show lineage-specific differentiation when cultured on substrates approximating the stiffness profiles of specific tissues. Although tissues are associated with a range of Young's modulus values for bulk rigidity, at the subcellular level, tissues are comprised of heterogeneous distributions of rigidity. Lithographic processes have been widely explored in cell biology for the generation of analytical substrates to probe cellular physicomechanical responses. In this work, it is shown for the first time that that direct-write e-beam exposure can significantly alter the rigidity of elastomeric poly(dimethylsiloxane) substrates and a new class of 2D elastomeric substrates with controlled patterned rigidity ranging from the micrometer to the nanoscale is described. The mechanoresponse of human mesenchymal stem cells to e-beam patterned substrates was subsequently probed in vitro and significant modulation of focal adhesion formation and osteochondral lineage commitment was observed as a function of both feature diameter and rigidity, establishing the groundwork for a new generation of biomimetic material interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manus J. P. Biggs
- Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biosciences Research Building, Newcastle Road, Dangan, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Informatics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Marc Fernandez
- Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biosciences Research Building, Newcastle Road, Dangan, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Informatics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Dilip Thomas
- Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biosciences Research Building, Newcastle Road, Dangan, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
| | - Ryan Cooper
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120 St., New York, NY, USA 10027
| | - Matteo Palma
- The School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Jinyu Liao
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120th St. New York, NY, USA 10027
- Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, 500 West 120 St., New York, NY, USA 10027
| | - Teresa Fazio
- Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, 500 West 120 St., New York, NY, USA 10027
| | - Carl Dahlberg
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120 St., New York, NY, USA 10027
| | - Helen Wheadon
- Leukaemia Research Centre, Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow G11 0YN, UK
| | | | - Abhay Pandit
- Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biosciences Research Building, Newcastle Road, Dangan, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Informatics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Jeffrey Kysar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120 St., New York, NY, USA 10027
| | - Shalom J. Wind
- Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, 500 West 120 St., New York, NY, USA 10027
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10
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Ige EO, Raj MK, Dare AA, Chakraborty S. Micromechanical properties of biomedical hydrogel for application as microchannel elastomer. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2017; 77:217-224. [PMID: 28946052 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2017.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Polymers are believed to be the building blocks for the creation of the next generation of materials and devices in practically all areas of biomedical research. There are a number of polymers that are being employed in varied applications in microfluidic platform due to the tremendous possibilities for soft matter based elastomers especially in biomedical applications. Polymeric hydrogels have been used as building block in micro-confinements and for specified function such as flow control. The need exists to suitably determine the mechanical characteristics of gel-based materials for possible use as a microchannel elastomer. In this investigation, we describe synthesis procedure, morphological, wettability characterization of hydrogel elastomer synthesized by free-radical polymerization crosslinked over varying acrylamide composition for 10% w/v: 25% w/w, 15% w/v: 25% w/w, 20% w/v: 25% w/w and 25% w/v: 25% w/w respectively. Micromechanical properties such as surface morphology, wettability, and micro-rheological behaviour of hydrogel elastomer using standard protocols was undertaken to determine roughness, contact angle, loss modulus and storage modulus over varied cross-linking of the constituent monomers. The impact of these parameters on flow transport and microchannel structural stability is well delineated in this report. We established that polymeric hydrogel could be a candidate for whole microchannel elastomer with suitable application in areas of tissues and biomedical engineering to mimic native biological transport conduits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebenezer O Ige
- Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti 360001, Nigeria; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, India.
| | - M Kiran Raj
- Advanced Technology Development Centre, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - Ademola A Dare
- Department of Mechanical Engineering University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Suman Chakraborty
- Advanced Technology Development Centre, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, India; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, India
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11
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Kofron CM, Mende U. In vitro models of the cardiac microenvironment to study myocyte and non-myocyte crosstalk: bioinspired approaches beyond the polystyrene dish. J Physiol 2017; 595:3891-3905. [PMID: 28116799 DOI: 10.1113/jp273100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The heart is a complex pluricellular organ composed of cardiomyocytes and non-myocytes including fibroblasts, endothelial cells and immune cells. Myocytes are responsible for electrical conduction and contractile force generation, while the other cell types are responsible for matrix deposition, vascularization, and injury response. Myocytes and non-myocytes are known to communicate and exert mutual regulatory effects. In concert, they determine the structural, electrical and mechanical characteristics in the healthy and remodelled myocardium. Dynamic crosstalk between myocytes and non-myocytes plays a crucial role in stress/injury-induced hypertrophy and fibrosis development that can ultimately lead to heart failure and arrhythmias. Investigations of heterocellular communication in the myocardium are hampered by the intricate interspersion of the different cell types and the complexity of the tissue architecture. In vitro models have facilitated investigations of cardiac cells in a direct and controllable manner and have provided important functional and mechanistic insights. However, these cultures often lack regulatory input from the other cell types as well as additional topographical, electrical, mechanical and biochemical cues from the cardiac microenvironment that all contribute to modulating cell differentiation, maturation, alignment, function and survival. Advancements in the development of more complex pluricellular physiological platforms that incorporate diverse cues from the myocardial microenvironment are expected to lead to more physiologically relevant cardiac tissue-like in vitro models for mechanistic biological research, disease modelling, therapeutic target identification, drug testing and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celinda M Kofron
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Institute, Rhode Island Hospital and Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Ulrike Mende
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Institute, Rhode Island Hospital and Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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12
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Todinova S, Komsa-Penkova R, Krumova S, Taneva SG, Golemanov G, Georgieva G, Tonchev P, Tsankov B, Beshev L, Balashev K, Andreeva TD. PlA2 Polymorphism in Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Modulates the Morphology and Nanomechanics of Platelets. Clin Appl Thromb Hemost 2017; 23:951-960. [PMID: 28081621 DOI: 10.1177/1076029616687847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa) is the most abundant platelet surface receptor for fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor. Polymorphism PlA1/A2 in the gene of GPIIb/IIIa is among the risk factors for the development of arterial and venous thrombosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the carriage of PlA1/A2 on the size, topographic features, and membrane stiffness of platelets from healthy controls and patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging and nanoindentation (force-distance curves) were applied to investigate the morphological and nanomechanical properties (Young's modulus) of platelets immobilized on glass surface. The surface roughness ( Ra) and height ( h) of platelets from patients with DVT, carriers of mutant allele PlA2 ( Ra = 30.2 ± 6 nm; h = 766 ± 182 nm) and noncarriers ( Ra = 28.6 ± 6 nm; h = 865 ± 290 nm), were lower than those of healthy carriers of allele PlA2 ( Ra = 48.1 ± 12 nm; h = 1072 ± 338 nm) and healthy noncarriers ( Ra = 49.7 ± 14 nm; h = 1021 ± 433 nm), respectively. Platelets isolated from patients with DVT, both carriers and noncarriers, exhibit much higher degree of stiffness at the stage of spreading ( E = 327 ± 85 kPa and 341 ± 102 kPa, respectively) compared to healthy noncarriers ( E = 198 ± 50 kPa). In addition, more pronounced level of platelet activation was found in polymorphism carriers. In conclusion, the carriage of PlA2 allele modulates the activation state, morphology, and membrane elasticity of platelets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetla Todinova
- 1 Department of Biomacromolecules and Biomolecular Interactions, Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | | | - Sashka Krumova
- 1 Department of Biomacromolecules and Biomolecular Interactions, Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Stefka G Taneva
- 1 Department of Biomacromolecules and Biomolecular Interactions, Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Georgy Golemanov
- 2 Department of Biochemistry, Medical University, Pleven, Bulgaria
| | - Galia Georgieva
- 2 Department of Biochemistry, Medical University, Pleven, Bulgaria
| | - Pencho Tonchev
- 3 Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Pleven, Bulgaria
| | - Boris Tsankov
- 3 Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Pleven, Bulgaria
| | - Lyubomir Beshev
- 3 Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Pleven, Bulgaria
| | - Konstantin Balashev
- 4 Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Sofia University, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Tonya D Andreeva
- 1 Department of Biomacromolecules and Biomolecular Interactions, Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
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13
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Müller C, Pompe T. Distinct impacts of substrate elasticity and ligand affinity on traction force evolution. SOFT MATTER 2016; 12:272-280. [PMID: 26451588 DOI: 10.1039/c5sm01706h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Cell adhesion is regulated by the mechanical characteristics of the cell environment. The influences of different parameters of the adhesive substrates are convoluted in the cell response leading to questions on the underlying mechanisms, like biochemical signaling on the level of adhesion molecules, or viscoelastic properties of substrates and cell. By a time-resolved analysis of traction force generation during early cell adhesion, we wanted to elucidate the contributions of substrate mechanics to the adhesion process, in particular the impact of substrate elasticity and the molecular friction of adhesion ligands on the substrate surface. Both parameters were independently adjusted by (i) an elastic polyacrylamide hydrogel of variable crosslinking degree and (ii) a thin polymer coating of the hydrogel surface controlling the affinity (and the correlated substrate-ligand friction) of the adhesion ligand fibronectin. Our analysis showed two sequential regimes of considerable force generation, whose occurrence was found to be independent of substrate properties. The first regime is characterized by spreading of the cell and a succeeding force increase. After spreading cells enter the second regime with saturated forces. Substrate elasticity and viscosity, namely hydrogel elasticity and ligand affinity, were both found to affect the kinetics and absolute levels of traction force quantities. A faster increase and a higher saturation level of traction forces were observed for a higher substrate stiffness and a higher ligand affinity. The results complement recent modeling approaches on the evolution of forces in cell spreading and contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of cell adhesion on viscoelastic substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Müller
- Faculty of Biosciences, Pharmacy and Psychology, Universität Leipzig, Johannisallee 21-23, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Tilo Pompe
- Faculty of Biosciences, Pharmacy and Psychology, Universität Leipzig, Johannisallee 21-23, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
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14
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Martin S, Wang H, Hartmann L, Pompe T, Schmidt S. Quantification of protein–materials interaction by soft colloidal probe spectroscopy. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2015; 17:3014-8. [DOI: 10.1039/c4cp05484a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The interactions between protein layers and material surfaces with varying hydrophobicity are detected by a novel technique based on soft, mechanically deformable hydrogel particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Martin
- Institute of Biochemistry
- Leipzig University
- 04103 Leipzig
- Germany
| | - Hanqing Wang
- Institute of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry
- Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf
- Düsseldorf
- Germany
| | - Laura Hartmann
- Institute of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry
- Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf
- Düsseldorf
- Germany
| | - Tilo Pompe
- Institute of Biochemistry
- Leipzig University
- 04103 Leipzig
- Germany
| | - Stephan Schmidt
- Institute of Biochemistry
- Leipzig University
- 04103 Leipzig
- Germany
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15
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Janson IA, Putnam AJ. Extracellular matrix elasticity and topography: material-based cues that affect cell function via conserved mechanisms. J Biomed Mater Res A 2014; 103:1246-58. [PMID: 24910444 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.35254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 05/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Chemical, mechanical, and topographic extracellular matrix (ECM) cues have been extensively studied for their influence on cell behavior. These ECM cues alter cell adhesion, cell shape, and cell migration and activate signal transduction pathways to influence gene expression, proliferation, and differentiation. ECM elasticity and topography, in particular, have emerged as material properties of intense focus based on strong evidence these physical cues can partially dictate stem cell differentiation. Cells generate forces to pull on their adhesive contacts, and these tractional forces appear to be a common element of cells' responses to both elasticity and topography. This review focuses on recently published work that links ECM topography and mechanics and their influence on differentiation and other cell behaviors. We also highlight signaling pathways typically implicated in mechanotransduction that are (or may be) shared by cells subjected to topographic cues. Finally, we conclude with a brief discussion of the potential implications of these commonalities for cell based therapies and biomaterial design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac A Janson
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109
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16
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Mousavi SJ, Doweidar MH, Doblaré M. 3D computational modelling of cell migration: a mechano-chemo-thermo-electrotaxis approach. J Theor Biol 2013; 329:64-73. [PMID: 23571009 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2013.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2012] [Revised: 02/14/2013] [Accepted: 03/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Single cell migration constitutes a fundamental phenomenon involved in many biological events such as wound healing, cancer development and tissue regeneration. Several experiments have demonstrated that, besides the mechanical driving force (mechanotaxis), cell migration may be also influenced by chemical, thermal and/or electrical cues. In this paper, we present an extension of a previous model of the same authors adding the effects of chemotaxis, thermotaxis and electrotaxis to the initial mechanotaxis model of cell migration, allowing us to predict cell migration behaviour under different conditions and substrate properties. The present model is based on the balance of effective forces during cell motility in the presence of the several guiding cues. This model has been applied to several numerical experiments to demonstrate the effect of the different drivers onto the cell path and final location within a certain three-dimensional substrate with heterogeneous properties. Our findings indicate that the presence of the chemotaxis, thermotaxis and/or electrotaxis reduce, in general, the random component of cell movement, being this reduction more important in the case of electrotaxis that can be considered a dominating signal during cell migration (besides the underlying mechanical effects). These results are qualitatively in agreement with well-known experimental ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Jamaleddin Mousavi
- Group of Structural Mechanics and Materials Modelling (GEMM), Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, Spain
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17
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Ladoux B, Nicolas A. Physically based principles of cell adhesion mechanosensitivity in tissues. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2012; 75:116601. [PMID: 23085962 DOI: 10.1088/0034-4885/75/11/116601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The minimal structural unit that defines living organisms is a single cell. By proliferating and mechanically interacting with each other, cells can build complex organization such as tissues that ultimately organize into even more complex multicellular living organisms, such as mammals, composed of billions of single cells interacting with each other. As opposed to passive materials, living cells actively respond to the mechanical perturbations occurring in their environment. Tissue cell adhesion to its surrounding extracellular matrix or to neighbors is an example of a biological process that adapts to physical cues. The adhesion of tissue cells to their surrounding medium induces the generation of intracellular contraction forces whose amplitude adapts to the mechanical properties of the environment. In turn, solicitation of adhering cells with physical forces, such as blood flow shearing the layer of endothelial cells in the lumen of arteries, reinforces cell adhesion and impacts cell contractility. In biological terms, the sensing of physical signals is transduced into biochemical signaling events that guide cellular responses such as cell differentiation, cell growth and cell death. Regarding the biological and developmental consequences of cell adaptation to mechanical perturbations, understanding mechanotransduction in tissue cell adhesion appears as an important step in numerous fields of biology, such as cancer, regenerative medicine or tissue bioengineering for instance. Physicists were first tempted to view cell adhesion as the wetting transition of a soft bag having a complex, adhesive interaction with the surface. But surprising responses of tissue cell adhesion to mechanical cues challenged this view. This, however, did not exclude that cell adhesion could be understood in physical terms. It meant that new models and descriptions had to be created specifically for these biological issues, and could not straightforwardly be adapted from dead matter. In this review, we present physical concepts of tissue cell adhesion and the unexpected cellular responses to mechanical cues such as external forces and stiffness sensing. We show how biophysical approaches, both experimentally and theoretically, have contributed to our understanding of the regulation of cellular functions through physical force sensing mechanisms. Finally, we discuss the different physical models that could explain how tissue cell adhesion and force sensing can be coupled to internal mechanosensitive processes within the cell body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoit Ladoux
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes (MSC), CNRS UMR 7057 & Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France.
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18
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Mousavi SJ, Doweidar MH, Doblaré M. Computational modelling and analysis of mechanical conditions on cell locomotion and cell-cell interaction. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin 2012; 17:678-93. [PMID: 22871181 DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2012.710841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Between other parameters, cell migration is partially guided by the mechanical properties of its substrate. Although many experimental works have been developed to understand the effect of substrate mechanical properties on cell migration, accurate 3D cell locomotion models have not been presented yet. In this paper, we present a novel 3D model for cells migration. In the presented model, we assume that a cell follows two main processes: in the first process, it senses its interface with the substrate to determine the migration direction and in the second process, it exerts subsequent forces to move. In the presented model, cell traction forces are considered to depend on cell internal deformation during the sensing step. A random protrusion force is also considered which may change cell migration direction and/or speed. The presented model was applied for many cases of migration of the cells. The obtained results show high agreement with the available experimental and numerical data.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Mousavi
- a Group of Structural Mechanics and Materials Modelling (GEMM), Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza , Zaragoza , Spain
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19
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Nanoscale characterization of cell receptors and binding sites on cell-derived extracellular matrices. Ultramicroscopy 2012; 118:44-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2012.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2011] [Revised: 03/20/2012] [Accepted: 04/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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20
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Shokef Y, Safran SA. Scaling laws for the response of nonlinear elastic media with implications for cell mechanics. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2012; 108:178103. [PMID: 22680908 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.108.178103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We show how strain stiffening affects the elastic response to internal forces, caused either by material defects and inhomogeneities or by active forces that molecular motors generate in living cells. For a spherical force dipole in a material with a strongly nonlinear strain energy density, strains change sign with distance, indicating that, even around a contractile inclusion or molecular motor, there is radial compression; it is only at a long distance that one recovers the linear response in which the medium is radially stretched. Scaling laws with irrational exponents relate the far-field renormalized strain to the near-field strain applied by the inclusion or active force.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yair Shokef
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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21
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Pompe T, Kaufmann M, Kasimir M, Johne S, Glorius S, Renner L, Bobeth M, Pompe W, Werner C. Friction-controlled traction force in cell adhesion. Biophys J 2012; 101:1863-70. [PMID: 22004739 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2011.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2011] [Revised: 08/11/2011] [Accepted: 08/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The force balance between the extracellular microenvironment and the intracellular cytoskeleton controls the cell fate. We report a new (to our knowledge) mechanism of receptor force control in cell adhesion originating from friction between cell adhesion ligands and the supporting substrate. Adherent human endothelial cells have been studied experimentally on polymer substrates noncovalently coated with fluorescent-labeled fibronectin (FN). The cellular traction force correlated with the mobility of FN during cell-driven FN fibrillogenesis. The experimental findings have been explained within a mechanistic two-dimensional model of the load transfer at focal adhesion sites. Myosin motor activity in conjunction with sliding of FN ligands noncovalently coupled to the surface of the polymer substrates is shown to result in a controlled traction force of adherent cells. We conclude that the friction of adhesion ligands on the supporting substrate is important for mechanotransduction and cell development of adherent cells in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tilo Pompe
- Universität Leipzig, Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig, Germany.
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22
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Wong HC, Tang WC. Finite element analysis of the effects of focal adhesion mechanical properties and substrate stiffness on cell migration. J Biomech 2011; 44:1046-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2011.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2010] [Revised: 02/04/2011] [Accepted: 02/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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23
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Cui J, Kratz K, Hiebl B, Jung F, Lendlein A. Soft poly(n
-butyl acrylate) networks with tailored mechanical properties designed as substrates for in vitro
models. POLYM ADVAN TECHNOL 2010. [DOI: 10.1002/pat.1816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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