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Handler C, Testi C, Scarcelli G. Advantages of integrating Brillouin microscopy in multimodal mechanical mapping of cells and tissues. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2024; 88:102341. [PMID: 38471195 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2024.102341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Recent research has highlighted the growing significance of the mechanical properties of cells and tissues in the proper execution of physiological functions within an organism; alterations to these properties can potentially result in various diseases. These mechanical properties can be assessed using various techniques that vary in spatial and temporal resolutions as well as applications. Due to the wide range of mechanical behaviors exhibited by cells and tissues, a singular mapping technique may be insufficient in capturing their complexity and nuance. Consequently, by utilizing a combination of methods-multimodal mechanical mapping-researchers can achieve a more comprehensive characterization of mechanical properties, encompassing factors such as stiffness, modulus, viscoelasticity, and forces. Furthermore, different mapping techniques can provide complementary information and enable the exploration of spatial and temporal variations to enhance our understanding of cellular dynamics and tissue mechanics. By capitalizing on the unique strengths of each method while mitigating their respective limitations, a more precise and holistic understanding of cellular and tissue mechanics can be obtained. Here, we spotlight Brillouin microscopy (BM) as a noncontact, noninvasive, and label-free mechanical mapping modality to be coutilized alongside established mechanical probing methods. This review summarizes some of the most widely adopted individual mechanical mapping techniques and highlights several recent multimodal approaches demonstrating their utility. We envision that future studies aim to adopt multimodal techniques to drive advancements in the broader realm of mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenchen Handler
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Claudia Testi
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; Center for Life Nano- and Neuro- Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Giuliano Scarcelli
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
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2
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Combriat T, Olsen PA, Låstad SB, Malthe-Sørenssen A, Krauss S, Dysthe DK. Acoustic Wave-Induced Stroboscopic Optical Mechanotyping of Adherent Cells. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2307929. [PMID: 38417124 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202307929] [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] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
In this study, a novel, high content technique using a cylindrical acoustic transducer, stroboscopic fast imaging, and homodyne detection to recover the mechanical properties (dynamic shear modulus) of living adherent cells at low ultrasonic frequencies is presented. By analyzing the micro-oscillations of cells, whole populations are simultaneously mechanotyped with sub-cellular resolution. The technique can be combined with standard fluorescence imaging allowing to further cross-correlate biological and mechanical information. The potential of the technique is demonstrated by mechanotyping co-cultures of different cell types with significantly different mechanical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Combriat
- Njord Centre, Department of Physics, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1048 Blindern, Oslo, 0316, Norway
- Hybrid Technology Hub, University of Oslo, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences P.O. Box 1110 Blindern, Oslo, 0317, Norway
- Center for Computing in Science Education, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1048 Blindern, Oslo, 0316, Norway
| | - Petter Angell Olsen
- Hybrid Technology Hub, University of Oslo, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences P.O. Box 1110 Blindern, Oslo, 0317, Norway
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950, Nydalen, Oslo, 0424, Norway
| | - Silja Borring Låstad
- Njord Centre, Department of Physics, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1048 Blindern, Oslo, 0316, Norway
| | - Anders Malthe-Sørenssen
- Njord Centre, Department of Physics, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1048 Blindern, Oslo, 0316, Norway
- Center for Computing in Science Education, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1048 Blindern, Oslo, 0316, Norway
| | - Stefan Krauss
- Hybrid Technology Hub, University of Oslo, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences P.O. Box 1110 Blindern, Oslo, 0317, Norway
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950, Nydalen, Oslo, 0424, Norway
| | - Dag Kristian Dysthe
- Njord Centre, Department of Physics, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1048 Blindern, Oslo, 0316, Norway
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3
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Fouladgar F, Zadeh Moslabeh FG, Kasani YV, Rogozinski N, Torres M, Ecker M, Yang H, Yang Y, Habibi N. Mesenchymal stem cells aligned and stretched in self-assembling peptide hydrogels. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23953. [PMID: 38234902 PMCID: PMC10792194 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The presented research highlights a novel approach using fmoc-protected peptide hydrogels for the encapsulation and stretching of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). This study utilized a custom mechanical stretching device with a PDMS chamber to stretch human MSCs encapsulated in Fmoc hydrogels. The study assessed the influence of various solvents on the self-assembly and mechanical properties of the hydrogels, and MSC viability and alignment. Particularly we focused on fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-diphenylalanine (Fmoc-FF) prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFP), and deionized water (DiH2O). Through molecular self-assembly of the peptide sequence into β-sheets connected by π-π aromatic stacking of F-F groups, the peptide hydrogel was found to form a stiff, hydrated gel with nanofiber morphology and a compressive modulus ranging from 174 to 277 Pa. Therefore, this hydrogel can mimic certain critical features of the extracellular matrix and collagen. Evaluations of MSCs cultured on the peptide hydrogels, including viability, morphology, and alignment assessments using various staining techniques, demonstrated that 3D-cultured MSCs in Fmoc-FF/HFP and Fmoc-FF/DMSO, followed by mechanical stretching, exhibited elongated morphology with distinct microfilament fibers compared to the control cells, which maintained a round and spherical F-actin shape. Notably, peptide gels with a concentration of 5 mM maintained 100 % MSC viability. The findings indicate the potential and specific conditions for successful cell encapsulation and alignment within peptide hydrogels, highlighting a promising tissue engineering platform through the encapsulation of MSCs in peptide nanofibers followed by a stretching process. By enhancing our understanding of MSC-peptide hydrogel interactions, this research contributes to the development of biomaterials tailored for regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Fouladgar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Texas, United States
| | | | - Yashesh Varun Kasani
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Texas, United States
| | - Nick Rogozinski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Texas, United States
| | - Marc Torres
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Texas, United States
| | - Melanie Ecker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Texas, United States
| | - Huaxiao Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Texas, United States
| | - Yong Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Texas, United States
| | - Neda Habibi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, Texas, United States
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4
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Mei Y, Feng X, Jin Y, Kang R, Wang X, Zhao D, Ghosh S, Neu CP, Avril S. Cell nucleus elastography with the adjoint-based inverse solver. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 242:107827. [PMID: 37801883 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2023.107827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The mechanics of the nucleus depends on cellular structures and architecture, and impact a number of diseases. Nuclear mechanics is yet rather complex due to heterogeneous distribution of dense heterochromatin and loose euchromatin domains, giving rise to spatially variable stiffness properties. METHODS In this study, we propose to use the adjoint-based inverse solver to identify for the first time the nonhomogeneous elastic property distribution of the nucleus. Inputs of the inverse solver are deformation fields measured with microscopic imaging in contracting cardiomyocytes. RESULTS The feasibility of the proposed method is first demonstrated using simulated data. Results indicate accurate identification of the assumed heterochromatin region, with a maximum relative error of less than 5%. We also investigate the influence of unknown Poisson's ratio on the reconstruction and find that variations of the Poisson's ratio in the range [0.3-0.5] result in uncertainties of less than 15% in the identified stiffness. Finally, we apply the inverse solver on actual deformation fields acquired within the nuclei of two cardiomyocytes. The obtained results are in good agreement with the density maps obtained from microscopy images. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the proposed approach shows great potential for nuclear elastography, with promising value for emerging fields of mechanobiology and mechanogenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Mei
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Analysis, Optimization and CAE Software for Industrial Equipment, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, China; International Research Center for Computational Mechanics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, China; Ningbo Institute of Dalian University of Technology, No. 26 Yucai Road, Jiangbei District, Ningbo 315016, China
| | - Xuan Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Analysis, Optimization and CAE Software for Industrial Equipment, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, China; International Research Center for Computational Mechanics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Yun Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Analysis, Optimization and CAE Software for Industrial Equipment, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, China; International Research Center for Computational Mechanics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Rongyao Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Analysis, Optimization and CAE Software for Industrial Equipment, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, China; International Research Center for Computational Mechanics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, China
| | - XinYu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Analysis, Optimization and CAE Software for Industrial Equipment, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, China; International Research Center for Computational Mechanics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Dongmei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Analysis, Optimization and CAE Software for Industrial Equipment, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, China; International Research Center for Computational Mechanics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Soham Ghosh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States of America
| | - Corey P Neu
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States of America; Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States of America; BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, United States of America
| | - Stephane Avril
- Mines Saint-Étienne, Univ Jean Monnet, INSERM, U 1059 Sainbiose, F - 42023, Saint-Étienne, France.
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5
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Shen L, Tian Z, Zhang J, Zhu H, Yang K, Li T, Rich J, Upreti N, Hao N, Pei Z, Jin G, Yang S, Liang Y, Chaohui W, Huang TJ. Acousto-dielectric tweezers for size-insensitive manipulation and biophysical characterization of single cells. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 224:115061. [PMID: 36634509 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The intrinsic biophysical properties of cells, such as mechanical, acoustic, and electrical properties, are valuable indicators of a cell's function and state. However, traditional single-cell biophysical characterization methods are hindered by limited measurable properties, time-consuming procedures, and complex system setups. This study presents acousto-dielectric tweezers that leverage the balance between controllable acoustophoretic and dielectrophoretic forces applied on cells through surface acoustic waves and alternating current electric fields, respectively. Particularly, the balanced acoustophoretic and dielectrophoretic forces can trap cells at equilibrium positions independent of the cell size to differentiate between various cell-intrinsic mechanical, acoustic, and electrical properties. Experimental results show our mechanism has the potential for applications in single-cell analysis, size-insensitive cell separation, and cell phenotyping, which are all primarily based on cells' intrinsic biophysical properties. Our results also show the measured equilibrium position of a cell can inversely determine multiple biophysical properties, including membrane capacitance, cytoplasm conductivity, and acoustic contrast factor. With these features, our acousto-dielectric tweezing mechanism is a valuable addition to the resources available for biophysical property-based biological and medical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Shen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA; State Key Laboratory of Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, China
| | - Zhenhua Tian
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
| | - Jinxin Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Haodong Zhu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Kaichun Yang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Teng Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Joseph Rich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Neil Upreti
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Nanjing Hao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Zhichao Pei
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Geonsoo Jin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Shujie Yang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Yaosi Liang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Wang Chaohui
- State Key Laboratory of Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, China.
| | - Tony Jun Huang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
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6
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Mogha P, Iyer S, Majumder A. Extracellular matrix protein gelatin provides higher expansion, reduces size heterogeneity, and maintains cell stiffness in a long-term culture of mesenchymal stem cells. Tissue Cell 2023; 80:101969. [PMID: 36403499 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2022.101969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular matrices (ECM) present in our tissues play a significant role in maintaining tissue homeostasis through various physical and chemical cues such as topology, stiffness, and secretion of biochemicals. They are known to influence the behavior of resident stem cells. It is also known that ECM type and coating density on cell culture plates strongly influence in vitro cellular behavior. However, the influence of ECM protein coating on long-term mesenchymal stem cell expansion has not been studied yet. To address this gap, we cultured bone-marrow derived hMSCs for multiple passages on the tissue culture plastic plates coated with 25 μg/ml of various ECM proteins. We found that cells on plates coated with ECM proteins had much higher proliferation compared to the regular tissue culture plates. Further, gelatin-coated plates helped the cells to grow faster compared to collagen, fibronectin, and laminin coated plates. Additionally, the use of gelatin showed less size heterogeneity among the cells when expanded from passages 3 to 9 (P3 to P9). Gelatin also helped in maintaining cellular stiffness which was not observed across other ECM proteins. In summary, in this research, we have shown that gelatin which is the least expensive compared to other ECM proteins, provides a better platform for mesenchymal stem cell expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Mogha
- Chemical Engineering Department, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400076 India.
| | - Shruti Iyer
- Chemical Engineering Department, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400076 India
| | - Abhijit Majumder
- Chemical Engineering Department, IIT Bombay, Mumbai 400076 India.
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7
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Dabbiru VAS, Manu E, Biedenweg D, Nestler P, Pires RH, Otto O. Cell-surface contacts determine volume and mechanical properties of human embryonic kidney 293 T cells. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2023; 80:21-33. [PMID: 36310101 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in the organization of the cytoskeleton precede the escape of adherent cells from the framework of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions into suspension. With cytoskeletal dynamics being linked to cell mechanical properties, many studies elucidated this relationship under either native adherent or suspended conditions. In contrast, tethered cells that mimic the transition between both states have not been the focus of recent research. Using human embryonic kidney 293 T cells we investigated all three conditions in the light of alterations in cellular shape, volume, as well as mechanical properties and relate these findings to the level, structure, and intracellular localization of filamentous actin (F-actin). For cells adhered to a substrate, our data shows that seeding density affects cell size but does not alter their elastic properties. Removing surface contacts leads to cell stiffening that is accompanied by changes in cell shape, and a reduction in cellular volume but no alterations in F-actin density. Instead, we observe changes in the organization of F-actin indicated by the appearance of blebs in the semi-adherent state. In summary, our work reveals an interplay between molecular and mechanical alterations when cells detach from a surface that is mainly dominated by cell morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkata A S Dabbiru
- Zentrum für Innovationskompetenz: Humorale Immunreaktionen bei kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung e.V. Standort Greifswald, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Institut für Physik, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Emmanuel Manu
- Zentrum für Innovationskompetenz: Humorale Immunreaktionen bei kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung e.V. Standort Greifswald, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Institut für Physik, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Doreen Biedenweg
- Zentrum für Innovationskompetenz: Humorale Immunreaktionen bei kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Institut für Physik, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Peter Nestler
- Zentrum für Innovationskompetenz: Humorale Immunreaktionen bei kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Institut für Physik, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ricardo H Pires
- Zentrum für Innovationskompetenz: Humorale Immunreaktionen bei kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung e.V. Standort Greifswald, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Institut für Physik, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Oliver Otto
- Zentrum für Innovationskompetenz: Humorale Immunreaktionen bei kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung e.V. Standort Greifswald, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Institut für Physik, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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8
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Wubshet NH, Liu AP. Methods to mechanically perturb and characterize GUV-based minimal cell models. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 21:550-562. [PMID: 36659916 PMCID: PMC9816913 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells shield organelles and the cytosol via an active boundary predominantly made of phospholipids and membrane proteins, yet allowing communication between the intracellular and extracellular environment. Micron-sized liposome compartments commonly known as giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) are used to model the cell membrane and encapsulate biological materials and processes in a cell-like confinement. In the field of bottom-up synthetic biology, many have utilized GUVs as substrates to study various biological processes such as protein-lipid interactions, cytoskeletal assembly, and dynamics of protein synthesis. Like cells, it is ideal that GUVs are also mechanically durable and able to stay intact when the inner and outer environment changes. As a result, studies have demonstrated approaches to tune the mechanical properties of GUVs by modulating membrane composition and lumenal material property. In this context, there have been many different methods developed to test the mechanical properties of GUVs. In this review, we will survey various perturbation techniques employed to mechanically characterize GUVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadab H. Wubshet
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Allen P. Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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9
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Chen Y, Guo K, Jiang L, Zhu S, Ni Z, Xiang N. Microfluidic deformability cytometry: A review. Talanta 2022; 251:123815. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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10
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Riquelme-Guzmán C, Beck T, Edwards-Jorquera S, Schlüßler R, Müller P, Guck J, Möllmert S, Sandoval-Guzmán T. In vivo assessment of mechanical properties during axolotl development and regeneration using confocal Brillouin microscopy. Open Biol 2022; 12:220078. [PMID: 35728623 PMCID: PMC9213112 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.220078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In processes such as development and regeneration, where large cellular and tissue rearrangements occur, cell fate and behaviour are strongly influenced by tissue mechanics. While most well-established tools probing mechanical properties require an invasive sample preparation, confocal Brillouin microscopy captures mechanical parameters optically with high resolution in a contact-free and label-free fashion. In this work, we took advantage of this tool and the transparency of the highly regenerative axolotl to probe its mechanical properties in vivo for the first time. We mapped the Brillouin frequency shift with high resolution in developing limbs and regenerating digits, the most studied structures in the axolotl. We detected a gradual increase in the cartilage Brillouin frequency shift, suggesting decreasing tissue compressibility during both development and regeneration. Moreover, we were able to correlate such an increase with the regeneration stage, which was undetected with fluorescence microscopy imaging. The present work evidences the potential of Brillouin microscopy to unravel the mechanical changes occurring in vivo in axolotls, setting the basis to apply this technique in the growing field of epimorphic regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo Riquelme-Guzmán
- CRTD/Center for Regenerative Therapies TU Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany,Department of Internal Medicine 3, Center for Healthy Aging, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Timon Beck
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany,Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light and Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sandra Edwards-Jorquera
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Center for Healthy Aging, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Raimund Schlüßler
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Paul Müller
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany,Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light and Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jochen Guck
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany,Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light and Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephanie Möllmert
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany,Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light and Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tatiana Sandoval-Guzmán
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Center for Healthy Aging, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany,Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden, Helmholtz Centre Munich, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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11
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Nietmann P, Bodenschatz JE, Cordes AM, Gottwald J, Rother-Nöding H, Oswald T, Janshoff A. Epithelial cells fluidize upon adhesion but display mechanical homeostasis in the adherent state. Biophys J 2022; 121:361-373. [PMID: 34998827 PMCID: PMC8822618 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.12.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy is used to study the viscoelastic properties of epithelial cells in three different states. Force relaxation data are acquired from cells in suspension, adhered but single cells, and polarized cells in a confluent monolayer using different indenter geometries comprising flat bars, pyramidal cones, and spheres. We found that the fluidity of cells increased substantially from the suspended to the adherent state. Along this line, the prestress of suspended cells generated by cortical contractility is also greater than that of cells adhering to a surface. Polarized cells that are part of a confluent monolayer form an apical cap that is soft and fluid enough to respond rapidly to mechanical challenges from wounding, changes in the extracellular matrix, osmotic stress, and external deformation. In contrast to adherent cells, cells in the suspended state show a pronounced dependence of fluidity on the external areal strain. With increasing areal strain, the suspended cells become softer and more fluid. We interpret the results in terms of cytoskeletal remodeling that softens cells in the adherent state to facilitate adhesion and spreading by relieving internal active stress. However, once the cells spread on the surface they maintain their mechanical phenotype displaying viscoelastic homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Nietmann
- Georg-August Universität, Institute for Physical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Andrea M. Cordes
- Georg-August Universität, Institute for Physical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jannis Gottwald
- Georg-August Universität, Institute for Physical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Helen Rother-Nöding
- Georg-August Universität, Institute for Physical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tabea Oswald
- Georg-August Universität, Institute for Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Janshoff
- Georg-August Universität, Institute for Physical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany,Corresponding author
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12
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Moghimi N, Peng K, Voloshin A. Biomechanical characterization and modeling of human mesenchymal stem cells under compression. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin 2022; 25:1608-1617. [PMID: 35062850 DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2022.2028777] [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: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The application of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) in biomedical devices has expanded vastly over the last few decades, with MEMS devices being developed to measure different characteristics of cells. The study of cell mechanics offers valuable understanding of cell viability and functionality. Cell biomechanics approaches also facilitate the characterization of important cell and tissue behaviors. In particular, understanding of the biological response of cells to their biomechanical environment would enhance the knowledge of how cellular responses correlate to tissue level characteristics and how some diseases, such as cancer, grow in the body. This study focuses on viscoelastic modeling of the behavior of a single suspended human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC). Mechanical properties of hMSC cells are particularly important in tissue engineering and research for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. We evaluated the elastic and viscoelastic properties of hMSC cells using a miniaturized custom-made BioMEMS device. Our results were compared to the elastic and viscoelastic properties measured by other methods such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and micropipette aspiration. Different approaches were applied to model the experimentally obtained force data, including elastic and Standard Linear Solid (SLS) constitutive models, and the corresponding constants were derived. These values were compared to the ones in literature that were based on micropipette aspiration and AFM methods. We then utilized a tensegrity approach to model major parts of the internal structure of the cell and treat the cell as a network of viscoelastic microtubules and microfilaments, as opposed to a simple spherical blob. The results predicted from the tensegrity model were similar to the recorded experimental data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negar Moghimi
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA
| | - Kaiyuan Peng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA
| | - Arkady Voloshin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA
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13
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Quality control methods in musculoskeletal tissue engineering: from imaging to biosensors. Bone Res 2021; 9:46. [PMID: 34707086 PMCID: PMC8551153 DOI: 10.1038/s41413-021-00167-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue engineering is rapidly progressing toward clinical application. In the musculoskeletal field, there has been an increasing necessity for bone and cartilage replacement. Despite the promising translational potential of tissue engineering approaches, careful attention should be given to the quality of developed constructs to increase the real applicability to patients. After a general introduction to musculoskeletal tissue engineering, this narrative review aims to offer an overview of methods, starting from classical techniques, such as gene expression analysis and histology, to less common methods, such as Raman spectroscopy, microcomputed tomography, and biosensors, that can be employed to assess the quality of constructs in terms of viability, morphology, or matrix deposition. A particular emphasis is given to standards and good practices (GXP), which can be applicable in different sectors. Moreover, a classification of the methods into destructive, noninvasive, or conservative based on the possible further development of a preimplant quality monitoring system is proposed. Biosensors in musculoskeletal tissue engineering have not yet been used but have been proposed as a novel technology that can be exploited with numerous advantages, including minimal invasiveness, making them suitable for the development of preimplant quality control systems.
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14
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Kolb P, Schundner A, Frick M, Gottschalk KE. In Vitro Measurements of Cellular Forces and their Importance in the Lung-From the Sub- to the Multicellular Scale. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:691. [PMID: 34357063 PMCID: PMC8307149 DOI: 10.3390/life11070691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Throughout life, the body is subjected to various mechanical forces on the organ, tissue, and cellular level. Mechanical stimuli are essential for organ development and function. One organ whose function depends on the tightly connected interplay between mechanical cell properties, biochemical signaling, and external forces is the lung. However, altered mechanical properties or excessive mechanical forces can also drive the onset and progression of severe pulmonary diseases. Characterizing the mechanical properties and forces that affect cell and tissue function is therefore necessary for understanding physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms. In recent years, multiple methods have been developed for cellular force measurements at multiple length scales, from subcellular forces to measuring the collective behavior of heterogeneous cellular networks. In this short review, we give a brief overview of the mechanical forces at play on the cellular level in the lung. We then focus on the technological aspects of measuring cellular forces at many length scales. We describe tools with a subcellular resolution and elaborate measurement techniques for collective multicellular units. Many of the technologies described are by no means restricted to lung research and have already been applied successfully to cells from various other tissues. However, integrating the knowledge gained from these multi-scale measurements in a unifying framework is still a major future challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Kolb
- Institute of Experimental Physics, Ulm University, 89069 Ulm, Germany;
| | - Annika Schundner
- Institute of General Physiology, Ulm University, 89069 Ulm, Germany;
| | - Manfred Frick
- Institute of General Physiology, Ulm University, 89069 Ulm, Germany;
| | - Kay-E. Gottschalk
- Institute of Experimental Physics, Ulm University, 89069 Ulm, Germany;
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15
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Schu M, Terriac E, Koch M, Paschke S, Lautenschläger F, Flormann DAD. Scanning electron microscopy preparation of the cellular actin cortex: A quantitative comparison between critical point drying and hexamethyldisilazane drying. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254165. [PMID: 34234360 PMCID: PMC8263306 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular cortex is an approximately 200-nm-thick actin network that lies just beneath the cell membrane. It is responsible for the mechanical properties of cells, and as such, it is involved in many cellular processes, including cell migration and cellular interactions with the environment. To develop a clear view of this dense structure, high-resolution imaging is essential. As one such technique, electron microscopy, involves complex sample preparation procedures. The final drying of these samples has significant influence on potential artifacts, like cell shrinkage and the formation of artifactual holes in the actin cortex. In this study, we compared the three most used final sample drying procedures: critical-point drying (CPD), CPD with lens tissue (CPD-LT), and hexamethyldisilazane drying. We show that both hexamethyldisilazane and CPD-LT lead to fewer artifactual mesh holes within the actin cortex than CPD. Moreover, CPD-LT leads to significant reduction in cell height compared to hexamethyldisilazane and CPD. We conclude that the final drying procedure should be chosen according to the reduction in cell height, and so CPD-LT, or according to the spatial separation of the single layers of the actin cortex, and so hexamethyldisilazane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Schu
- Leibniz Institute for New Materials (INM), Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany
- Center for Biophysics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany
| | - Emmanuel Terriac
- Leibniz Institute for New Materials (INM), Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany
| | - Marcus Koch
- Leibniz Institute for New Materials (INM), Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany
| | - Stephan Paschke
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Franziska Lautenschläger
- Leibniz Institute for New Materials (INM), Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany
- Center for Biophysics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany
| | - Daniel A. D. Flormann
- Leibniz Institute for New Materials (INM), Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany
- Center for Biophysics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany
- * E-mail:
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16
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Wang Z, Zhu X, Cong X. Spatial micro-variation of 3D hydrogel stiffness regulates the biomechanical properties of hMSCs. Biofabrication 2021; 13. [PMID: 34107453 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ac0982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are one of the most promising candidates for cell-based therapeutic products. Nonetheless, their biomechanical phenotype afterin vitroexpansion is still unsatisfactory, for example, restricting the efficiency of microcirculation of delivered hMSCs for further cell therapies. Here, we propose a scheme using maleimide-dextran hydrogel with locally varied stiffness in microscale to modify the biomechanical properties of hMSCs in three-dimensional (3D) niches. We show that spatial micro-variation of stiffness can be controllably generated in the hydrogel with heterogeneously cross-linking via atomic force microscopy measurements. The result of 3D cell culture experiment demonstrates the hydrogels trigger the formation of multicellular spheroids, and the derived hMSCs could be rationally softened via adjustment of the stiffness variation (SV) degree. Importantly,in vitro, the hMSCs modified with the higher SV degree can pass easier through capillary-shaped micro-channels. Further, we discuss the underlying mechanics of the increased cellular elasticity by focusing on the effect of rearranged actin networks, via the proposed microscopic model of biomechanically modified cells. Overall, this work highlights the effectiveness of SV-hydrogels in reprogramming and manufacturing hMSCs with designed biomechanical properties for improved therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Wang
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hohai University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213022, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaolu Zhu
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hohai University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213022, People's Republic of China.,Changzhou Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacture Technology, Hohai University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213022, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Special Robot Technology, Hohai University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213022, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiuli Cong
- Department of Orthopaedics, Zhejiang Hospital, No. 12 Lingyin Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, People's Republic of China
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17
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Fläschner G, Roman CI, Strohmeyer N, Martinez-Martin D, Müller DJ. Rheology of rounded mammalian cells over continuous high-frequencies. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2922. [PMID: 34006873 PMCID: PMC8131594 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23158-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the viscoelastic properties of living cells and their relation to cell state and morphology remains challenging. Low-frequency mechanical perturbations have contributed considerably to the understanding, yet higher frequencies promise to elucidate the link between cellular and molecular properties, such as polymer relaxation and monomer reaction kinetics. Here, we introduce an assay, that uses an actuated microcantilever to confine a single, rounded cell on a second microcantilever, which measures the cell mechanical response across a continuous frequency range ≈ 1-40 kHz. Cell mass measurements and optical microscopy are co-implemented. The fast, high-frequency measurements are applied to rheologically monitor cellular stiffening. We find that the rheology of rounded HeLa cells obeys a cytoskeleton-dependent power-law, similar to spread cells. Cell size and viscoelasticity are uncorrelated, which contrasts an assumption based on the Laplace law. Together with the presented theory of mechanical de-embedding, our assay is generally applicable to other rheological experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gotthold Fläschner
- Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Cosmin I Roman
- Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Nico Strohmeyer
- Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Martinez-Martin
- Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Basel, Switzerland.,The University of Sydney, School of Biomedical Engineering, NSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Daniel J Müller
- Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Basel, Switzerland.
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18
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Gavazzo P, Viti F, Donnelly H, Oliva MAG, Salmeron-Sanchez M, Dalby MJ, Vassalli M. Biophysical phenotyping of mesenchymal stem cells along the osteogenic differentiation pathway. Cell Biol Toxicol 2021; 37:915-933. [PMID: 33420657 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-020-09569-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells represent an important resource, for bone regenerative medicine and therapeutic applications. This review focuses on new advancements and biophysical tools which exploit different physical and chemical markers of mesenchymal stem cell populations, to finely characterize phenotype changes along their osteogenic differentiation process. Special attention is paid to recently developed label-free methods, which allow monitoring cell populations with minimal invasiveness. Among them, quantitative phase imaging, suitable for single-cell morphometric analysis, and nanoindentation, functional to cellular biomechanics investigation. Moreover, the pool of ion channels expressed in cells during differentiation is discussed, with particular interest for calcium homoeostasis.Altogether, a biophysical perspective of osteogenesis is proposed, offering a valuable tool for the assessment of the cell stage, but also suggesting potential physiological links between apparently independent phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Gavazzo
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federica Viti
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Hannah Donnelly
- Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Mariana Azevedo Gonzalez Oliva
- Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment, Division of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Manuel Salmeron-Sanchez
- Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment, Division of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Matthew J Dalby
- Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment, Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Massimo Vassalli
- Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment, Division of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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19
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Kothapalli C, Mahajan G, Farrell K. Substrate stiffness induced mechanotransduction regulates temporal evolution of human fetal neural progenitor cell phenotype, differentiation, and biomechanics. Biomater Sci 2020; 8:5452-5464. [PMID: 32996962 PMCID: PMC8500671 DOI: 10.1039/d0bm01349h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
While the mechanotransduction-induced fate of adult neural stem/progenitor cells (NPCs) is relatively known, how substrate stiffness regulates the temporal evolution of the biomechanics and phenotype of developmentally relevant human fetal NPCs (hNPCs) and their mechanosensing pathways remain unknown. Here, we primed hNPCs on tissue-culture plastic (TCPS) for 3 days in non-differentiating medium before transferring to TCPS or Geltrex™ gels (<1 kPa) for 9-day cultures post-priming, and regularly assessed stemness, differentiation, and cell mechanics (Young's modulus, tether forces, apparent membrane tension, tether radius). hNPCs maintained stemness on TCPS while those on gels co-expressed stemness and neural/glial markers, 3-days post-priming. Biomechanical characteristics remained unchanged in cells on TCPS but were significantly altered in those on gels, 3-days post-priming. However, 9-days post-priming, hNPCs on gels differentiated, with significantly more neurons on softer gels and glia on stiffer gels, while those on TCPS maintained their native stemness. Withdrawal of bFGF and EGF in 9-day cultures induced hNPC differentiation and influenced cell mechanics. Cells on stiffer gels had higher biomechanical properties than those on softer gels throughout the culture period, with NPC-like > neural > glia subtypes. Higher stress fiber density in cells on stiffer gels explains their significantly different biomechanical properties on these gels. Blebbistatin treatment caused cell polarization, lowered elastic modulus, and enhanced tether forces, implicating the role of non-muscle myosin-II in hNPC mechanosensing, adaptability, and thereby mechanics. Such substrate-mediated temporal evolution of hNPCs guide design of smart scaffolds to investigate morphogenesis, disease modeling, stem cell biology, and biomaterials for tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandrasekhar Kothapalli
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA.
| | - Gautam Mahajan
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA.
| | - Kurt Farrell
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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20
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Costa LA, Eiro N, Fraile M, Gonzalez LO, Saá J, Garcia-Portabella P, Vega B, Schneider J, Vizoso FJ. Functional heterogeneity of mesenchymal stem cells from natural niches to culture conditions: implications for further clinical uses. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 78:447-467. [PMID: 32699947 PMCID: PMC7375036 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03600-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are present in all organs and tissues. Several studies have shown the therapeutic potential effect of MSC or their derived products. However, the functional heterogeneity of MSC constitutes an important barrier for transferring these capabilities to the clinic. MSC heterogeneity depends on their origin (biological niche) or the conditions of potential donors (age, diseases or unknown factors). It is accepted that many culture conditions of the artificial niche to which they are subjected, such as O2 tension, substrate and extracellular matrix cues, inflammatory stimuli or genetic manipulations can influence their resulting phenotype. Therefore, to attain a more personalized and precise medicine, a correct selection of MSC is mandatory, based on their functional potential, as well as the need to integrate all the existing information to achieve an optimal improvement of MSC features in the artificial niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A Costa
- Unidad de Investigación, Fundación Hospital de Jove, Avda. Eduardo Castro 161, 33920, Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - Noemi Eiro
- Unidad de Investigación, Fundación Hospital de Jove, Avda. Eduardo Castro 161, 33920, Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - María Fraile
- Unidad de Investigación, Fundación Hospital de Jove, Avda. Eduardo Castro 161, 33920, Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - Luis O Gonzalez
- Unidad de Investigación, Fundación Hospital de Jove, Avda. Eduardo Castro 161, 33920, Gijón, Asturias, Spain.,Department of Anatomical Pathology, Fundación Hospital de Jove, Gijón, Spain
| | - Jorge Saá
- Unidad de Investigación, Fundación Hospital de Jove, Avda. Eduardo Castro 161, 33920, Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - Pablo Garcia-Portabella
- Unidad de Investigación, Fundación Hospital de Jove, Avda. Eduardo Castro 161, 33920, Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - Belén Vega
- Unidad de Investigación, Fundación Hospital de Jove, Avda. Eduardo Castro 161, 33920, Gijón, Asturias, Spain
| | - José Schneider
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Francisco J Vizoso
- Unidad de Investigación, Fundación Hospital de Jove, Avda. Eduardo Castro 161, 33920, Gijón, Asturias, Spain.
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21
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Le NNT, Liu TL, Johnston J, Krutty JD, Templeton KM, Harms V, Dias A, Le H, Gopalan P, Murphy WL. Customized hydrogel substrates for serum-free expansion of functional hMSCs. Biomater Sci 2020; 8:3819-3829. [PMID: 32543628 PMCID: PMC7436193 DOI: 10.1039/d0bm00540a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
We describe a screening approach to identify customized substrates for serum-free human mesenchymal stromal cell (hMSC) culture. In particular, we combine a biomaterials screening approach with design of experiments (DOE) and multivariate analysis (MVA) to understand the effects of substrate stiffness, substrate adhesivity, and media composition on hMSC behavior in vitro. This approach enabled identification of poly(ethylene glycol)-based and integrin binding hydrogel substrate compositions that supported functional hMSC expansion in multiple serum-containing and serum-free media, as well as the expansion of MSCs from multiple, distinct sources. The identified substrates were compatible with standard thaw, seed, and harvest protocols. Finally, we used MVA on the screening data to reveal the importance of serum and substrate stiffness on hMSC expansion, highlighting the need for customized cell culture substrates in optimal hMSC biomanufacturing processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc Nhi T Le
- Materials Science Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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22
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Zhang J, Alisafaei F, Nikolić M, Nou XA, Kim H, Shenoy VB, Scarcelli G. Nuclear Mechanics within Intact Cells Is Regulated by Cytoskeletal Network and Internal Nanostructures. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e1907688. [PMID: 32243075 PMCID: PMC7799396 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201907688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The mechanical properties of the cellular nucleus are extensively studied as they play a critical role in important processes, such as cell migration, gene transcription, and stem cell differentiation. While the mechanical properties of the isolated nucleus have been tested, there is a lack of measurements about the mechanical behavior of the nucleus within intact cells and specifically about the interplay of internal nuclear components with the intracellular microenvironment, because current testing methods are based on contact and only allow studying the nucleus after isolation from a cell or disruption of cytoskeleton. Here, all-optical Brillouin microscopy and 3D chemomechanical modeling are used to investigate the regulation of nuclear mechanics in physiological conditions. It is observed that the nuclear modulus can be modulated by epigenetic regulation targeting internal nuclear nanostructures such as lamin A/C and chromatin. It is also found that nuclear modulus is strongly regulated by cytoskeletal behavior through a robust mechanism conserved in different culturing conditions. Given the active role of cytoskeletal modulation in nearly all cell functions, this work will enable to reveal highly relevant mechanisms of nuclear mechanical regulations in physiological and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitao Zhang
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Farid Alisafaei
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, PA, 19104, USA
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Miloš Nikolić
- Maryland Biophysics Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Xuefei A. Nou
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Hanyoup Kim
- Canon U.S. Life Sciences, Inc., 9800 Medical Center Drive, Suite C-120, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Vivek B. Shenoy
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, PA, 19104, USA
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Giuliano Scarcelli
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Maryland Biophysics Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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23
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Wala J, Das S. Mapping of biomechanical properties of cell lines on altered matrix stiffness using atomic force microscopy. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2020; 19:1523-1536. [DOI: 10.1007/s10237-019-01285-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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24
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Song Y, Soto J, Chen B, Yang L, Li S. Cell engineering: Biophysical regulation of the nucleus. Biomaterials 2020; 234:119743. [PMID: 31962231 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.119743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cells live in a complex and dynamic microenvironment, and a variety of microenvironmental cues can regulate cell behavior. In addition to biochemical signals, biophysical cues can induce not only immediate intracellular responses, but also long-term effects on phenotypic changes such as stem cell differentiation, immune cell activation and somatic cell reprogramming. Cells respond to mechanical stimuli via an outside-in and inside-out feedback loop, and the cell nucleus plays an important role in this process. The mechanical properties of the nucleus can directly or indirectly modulate mechanotransduction, and the physical coupling of the cell nucleus with the cytoskeleton can affect chromatin structure and regulate the epigenetic state, gene expression and cell function. In this review, we will highlight the recent progress in nuclear biomechanics and mechanobiology in the context of cell engineering, tissue remodeling and disease development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Song
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; School of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Jennifer Soto
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Binru Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Li Yang
- School of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Song Li
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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25
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Szydlak R, Majka M, Lekka M, Kot M, Laidler P. AFM-based Analysis of Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E4351. [PMID: 31491893 PMCID: PMC6769989 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20184351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 09/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that can be used in regenerative medicine. However, to reach the high therapeutic efficacy of WJ-MSCs, it is necessary to obtain a large amount of MSCs, which requires their extensive in vitro culturing. Numerous studies have shown that in vitro expansion of MSCs can lead to changes in cell behavior; cells lose their ability to proliferate, differentiate and migrate. One of the important measures of cells' migration potential is their elasticity, determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and quantified by Young's modulus. This work describes the elasticity of WJ-MSCs during in vitro cultivation. To identify the properties that enable transmigration, the deformability of WJ-MSCs that were able to migrate across the endothelial monolayer or Matrigel was analyzed by AFM. We showed that WJ-MSCs displayed differences in deformability during in vitro cultivation. This phenomenon seems to be strongly correlated with the organization of F-actin and reflects the changes characteristic for stem cell maturation. Furthermore, the results confirm the relationship between the deformability of WJ-MSCs and their migration potential and suggest the use of Young's modulus as one of the measures of competency of MSCs with respect to their possible use in therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Szydlak
- Chair of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika 7, 31-034 Krakow, Poland.
| | - Marcin Majka
- Department of Transplantation, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, 30-663 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Lekka
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Radzikowskiego 152, 31-342 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Marta Kot
- Department of Transplantation, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Wielicka 265, 30-663 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Piotr Laidler
- Chair of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika 7, 31-034 Krakow, Poland.
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26
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Zhang S, Gibson LJ, Stilgoe AB, Nieminen TA, Rubinsztein-Dunlop H. Measuring local properties inside a cell-mimicking structure using rotating optical tweezers. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2019; 12:e201900022. [PMID: 30779305 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201900022] [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] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Exploring the rheological properties of intracellular materials is essential for understanding cellular and subcellular processes. Optical traps have been widely used for physical manipulation of micro and nano objects within fluids enabling studies of biological systems. However, experiments remain challenging as it is unclear how the probe particle's mobility is influenced by the nearby membranes and organelles. We use liposomes (unilamellar lipid vesicles) as a simple biomimetic model of living cells, together with a trapped particle rotated by optical tweezers to study mechanical and rheological properties inside a liposome both theoretically and experimentally. Here, we demonstrate that this system has the capacity to predict the hydrodynamic interaction between three-dimensional spatial membranes and internal probe particles within submicron distances, and it has the potential to aid in the design of high resolution optical micro/nanorheology techniques to be used inside living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Zhang
- Department of Physics, School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lachlan J Gibson
- Department of Physics, School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Alexander B Stilgoe
- Department of Physics, School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Timo A Nieminen
- Department of Physics, School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop
- Department of Physics, School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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27
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Terriac E, Schütz S, Lautenschläger F. Vimentin Intermediate Filament Rings Deform the Nucleus During the First Steps of Adhesion. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:106. [PMID: 31263698 PMCID: PMC6590062 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
During cell spreading, cells undergo many changes to their architecture and their mechanical properties. Vimentin, as an integral part of the cell architecture, and its mechanical stability must adapt to the new state of the cell. This study focuses on the structures formed by vimentin during the first steps of cell adhesion. Very early, ball-like structures, or "knots," are seen and often vimentin filaments emerge in the shape of rings around the nucleus. Although intermediate filaments are not known to be associated to motor proteins to form contractile systems, these rings can nonetheless strongly deform the cell nucleus. In the first 6 to 12 h of adhesion, these vimentin knots and rings disappear, and the intermediate filament network returns to the state seen before detachment of the cells. As these vimentin structures are very transient in the early steps of cell spreading, they have rarely been described in the literature. However, they can also be seen during mitosis, which is an event that involves partial detachment and re-spreading of the cells. Interestingly, the turnover dynamics of vimentin are reduced in both the knots and rings, compared to vimentin in the lamellipodia. It remains to define how the force is transmitted from the ball-like structures to the rings, and to measure the impact of such strong nuclear deformation on gene expression during cell re-spreading and the rearrangement of the vimentin network.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Susanne Schütz
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Franziska Lautenschläger
- Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
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28
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Tietze S, Kräter M, Jacobi A, Taubenberger A, Herbig M, Wehner R, Schmitz M, Otto O, List C, Kaya B, Wobus M, Bornhäuser M, Guck J. Spheroid Culture of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Results in Morphorheological Properties Appropriate for Improved Microcirculation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2019; 6:1802104. [PMID: 31016116 PMCID: PMC6469243 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201802104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are used in clinical trials for the treatment of systemic inflammatory diseases due to their regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. However, intravenous administration of MSCs is hampered by cell trapping within the pulmonary capillary networks. Here, it is hypothesized that traditional 2D plastic-adherent cell expansion fails to result in appropriate morphorheological properties required for successful cell circulation. To address this issue, a method to culture MSCs in nonadherent 3D spheroids (mesenspheres) is adapted. The biological properties of mesensphere-cultured MSCs remain identical to conventional 2D cultures. However, morphorheological analyses reveal a smaller size and lower stiffness of mesensphere-derived MSCs compared to plastic-adherent MSCs, measured using real-time deformability cytometry and atomic force microscopy. These properties result in an increased ability to pass through microconstrictions in an ex vivo microcirculation assay. This ability is confirmed in vivo by comparison of cell accumulation in various organ capillary networks after intravenous injection of both types of MSCs in mouse. The findings generally identify cellular morphorheological properties as attractive targets for improving microcirculation and specifically suggest mesensphere culture as a promising approach for optimized MSC-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Tietze
- Biotechnology CenterCenter for Molecular and Cellular BioengineeringTU DresdenTatzberg 47‐4901307DresdenGermany
| | - Martin Kräter
- Biotechnology CenterCenter for Molecular and Cellular BioengineeringTU DresdenTatzberg 47‐4901307DresdenGermany
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light & Max‐Planck‐Zentrum für Physik und MedizinStaudtstraße 291058ErlangenGermany
| | - Angela Jacobi
- Biotechnology CenterCenter for Molecular and Cellular BioengineeringTU DresdenTatzberg 47‐4901307DresdenGermany
| | - Anna Taubenberger
- Biotechnology CenterCenter for Molecular and Cellular BioengineeringTU DresdenTatzberg 47‐4901307DresdenGermany
| | - Maik Herbig
- Biotechnology CenterCenter for Molecular and Cellular BioengineeringTU DresdenTatzberg 47‐4901307DresdenGermany
| | - Rebekka Wehner
- Institute of ImmunologyMedical Faculty Carl Gustav CarusTU DresdenFetscherstraße 7401307DresdenGermany
| | - Marc Schmitz
- Institute of ImmunologyMedical Faculty Carl Gustav CarusTU DresdenFetscherstraße 7401307DresdenGermany
| | - Oliver Otto
- Biotechnology CenterCenter for Molecular and Cellular BioengineeringTU DresdenTatzberg 47‐4901307DresdenGermany
| | - Catrin List
- Medical Clinic IUniversity Hospital Carl Gustav CarusTU DresdenFetscherstraße 7401307DresdenGermany
| | - Berna Kaya
- Medical Clinic IUniversity Hospital Carl Gustav CarusTU DresdenFetscherstraße 7401307DresdenGermany
| | - Manja Wobus
- Medical Clinic IUniversity Hospital Carl Gustav CarusTU DresdenFetscherstraße 7401307DresdenGermany
| | - Martin Bornhäuser
- Medical Clinic IUniversity Hospital Carl Gustav CarusTU DresdenFetscherstraße 7401307DresdenGermany
| | - Jochen Guck
- Biotechnology CenterCenter for Molecular and Cellular BioengineeringTU DresdenTatzberg 47‐4901307DresdenGermany
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light & Max‐Planck‐Zentrum für Physik und MedizinStaudtstraße 291058ErlangenGermany
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29
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Nyberg KD, Bruce SL, Nguyen AV, Chan CK, Gill NK, Kim TH, Sloan EK, Rowat AC. Predicting cancer cell invasion by single-cell physical phenotyping. Integr Biol (Camb) 2019; 10:218-231. [PMID: 29589844 DOI: 10.1039/c7ib00222j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The physical properties of cells are promising biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Here we determine the physical phenotypes that best distinguish human cancer cell lines, and their relationship to cell invasion. We use the high throughput, single-cell microfluidic method, quantitative deformability cytometry (q-DC), to measure six physical phenotypes including elastic modulus, cell fluidity, transit time, entry time, cell size, and maximum strain at rates of 102 cells per second. By training a k-nearest neighbor machine learning algorithm, we demonstrate that multiparameter analysis of physical phenotypes enhances the accuracy of classifying cancer cell lines compared to single parameters alone. We also discover a set of four physical phenotypes that predict invasion; using these four parameters, we generate the physical phenotype model of invasion by training a multiple linear regression model with experimental data from a set of human ovarian cancer cells that overexpress a panel of tumor suppressor microRNAs. We validate the model by predicting invasion based on measured physical phenotypes of breast and ovarian human cancer cell lines that are subject to genetic or pharmacologic perturbations. Taken together, our results highlight how physical phenotypes of single cells provide a biomarker to predict the invasion of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendra D Nyberg
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, 610 Charles E. Young Dr East, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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30
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Schierbaum N, Rheinlaender J, Schäffer TE. Combined atomic force microscopy (AFM) and traction force microscopy (TFM) reveals a correlation between viscoelastic material properties and contractile prestress of living cells. SOFT MATTER 2019; 15:1721-1729. [PMID: 30657157 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm01585f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Living cells exhibit a complex mechanical behavior, whose underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. Emerging from the molecular structure and dynamics of the cytoskeleton, the mechanical behavior comprises "passive" viscoelastic material properties and "active" contractile prestress. To directly investigate the connection between these quantities at the single-cell level, we here present the combination of atomic force microscopy (AFM) with traction force microscopy (TFM). With this combination, we simultaneously measure viscoelastic material parameters (stiffness, fluidity) and contractile prestress of adherent fibroblast and epithelial cells. Although stiffness, fluidity, and contractile prestress greatly vary within a cell population, they are highly correlated: stiffer cells have a lower fluidity and a larger prestress than softer cells. We show that viscoelastic material properties and contractile prestress are both governed by the activity of the actomyosin machinery. Our results underline the connection between a cell's viscoelastic material properties and its contractile prestress and their importance in cell mechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Schierbaum
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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31
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Fregin B, Czerwinski F, Biedenweg D, Girardo S, Gross S, Aurich K, Otto O. High-throughput single-cell rheology in complex samples by dynamic real-time deformability cytometry. Nat Commun 2019; 10:415. [PMID: 30679420 PMCID: PMC6346011 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08370-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In life sciences, the material properties of suspended cells have attained significance close to that of fluorescent markers but with the advantage of label-free and unbiased sample characterization. Until recently, cell rheological measurements were either limited by acquisition throughput, excessive post processing, or low-throughput real-time analysis. Real-time deformability cytometry expanded the application of mechanical cell assays to fast on-the-fly phenotyping of large sample sizes, but has been restricted to single material parameters as the Young's modulus. Here, we introduce dynamic real-time deformability cytometry for comprehensive cell rheological measurements at up to 100 cells per second. Utilizing Fourier decomposition, our microfluidic method is able to disentangle cell response to complex hydrodynamic stress distributions and to determine viscoelastic parameters independent of cell shape. We demonstrate the application of our technology for peripheral blood cells in whole blood samples including the discrimination of B- and CD4+ T-lymphocytes by cell rheological properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bob Fregin
- Zentrum für Innovationskompetenz: Humorale Immunreaktionen bei kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen, Universität Greifswald, Fleischmannstr. 42, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Fabian Czerwinski
- Zentrum für Innovationskompetenz: Humorale Immunreaktionen bei kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen, Universität Greifswald, Fleischmannstr. 42, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Doreen Biedenweg
- Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Fleischmannstr. 8, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Salvatore Girardo
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47/49, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan Gross
- Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Fleischmannstr. 8, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung e.V., Standort Greifswald, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Fleischmannstr. 42, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Konstanze Aurich
- Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Fleischmannstr. 8, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Oliver Otto
- Zentrum für Innovationskompetenz: Humorale Immunreaktionen bei kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen, Universität Greifswald, Fleischmannstr. 42, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
- Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung e.V., Standort Greifswald, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Fleischmannstr. 42, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
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32
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Gupta SK, Li Y, Guo M. Anisotropic mechanics and dynamics of a living mammalian cytoplasm. SOFT MATTER 2019; 15:190-199. [PMID: 30488938 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm01708e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
During physiological processes, cells can undergo morphological changes that can result in a significant redistribution of the cytoskeleton causing anisotropic behavior. Evidence of anisotropy in cells under mechanical stimuli exists; however, the role of cytoskeletal restructuring resulting from changes in cell shape in mechanical anisotropy and its effects remain unclear. In the present study, we examine the role of cell morphology in inducing anisotropy in both intracellular mechanics and dynamics. We change the aspect ratio of cells by confining the cell width and measuring the mechanical properties of the cytoplasm using optical tweezers in both the longitudinal and transverse directions to quantify the degree of mechanical anisotropy. These active microrheology measurements are then combined with intracellular movement to calculate the intracellular force spectrum using force spectrum microscopy (FSM), from which the degree of anisotropy in dynamics and force can be quantified. We find that unrestricted cells with aspect ratio (AR) ∼1 are isotropic; however, when cells break symmetry, they exhibit significant anisotropy in cytoplasmic mechanics and dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish Kumar Gupta
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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33
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Alteration of mesenchymal stem cells polarity by laminar shear stimulation promoting β-catenin nuclear localization. Biomaterials 2019; 190-191:1-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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34
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Analysis of Biomechanical Properties of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Using Real-Time Fluorescence and Deformability Cytometry. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 2017:135-148. [PMID: 31197774 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9574-5_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Stem cell mechanics, determined predominantly by the cell's cytoskeleton, plays an important role in different biological processes such as stem cell differentiation or migration. Several methods to measure mechanical properties of cells are currently available, but most of them are limited in the ability to screen large heterogeneous populations in a robust and efficient manner-a feature required for successful translational applications. With real-time fluorescence and deformability cytometry (RT-FDC), mechanical properties of cells in suspension can be screened continuously at rates of up to 1,000 cells/s-similar to conventional flow cytometers-which makes it a suitable method not only for basic research but also for a clinical setting. In parallel to mechanical characterization, RT-FDC allows to measure specific molecular markers using standard fluorescence labeling. In this chapter, we provide a detailed protocol for the characterization of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in heterogeneous mobilized peripheral blood using RT-FDC and present a specific morpho-rheological fingerprint of HSPCs that allows to distinguish them from all other blood cell types.
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35
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Qian L, Zhao H. Nanoindentation of Soft Biological Materials. MICROMACHINES 2018; 9:E654. [PMID: 30544918 PMCID: PMC6316095 DOI: 10.3390/mi9120654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Nanoindentation techniques, with high spatial resolution and force sensitivity, have recently been moved into the center of the spotlight for measuring the mechanical properties of biomaterials, especially bridging the scales from the molecular via the cellular and tissue all the way to the organ level, whereas characterizing soft biomaterials, especially down to biomolecules, is fraught with more pitfalls compared with the hard biomaterials. In this review we detail the constitutive behavior of soft biomaterials under nanoindentation (including AFM) and present the characteristics of experimental aspects in detail, such as the adaption of instrumentation and indentation response of soft biomaterials. We further show some applications, and discuss the challenges and perspectives related to nanoindentation of soft biomaterials, a technique that can pinpoint the mechanical properties of soft biomaterials for the scale-span is far-reaching for understanding biomechanics and mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Qian
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130025, China.
| | - Hongwei Zhao
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130025, China.
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36
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Basoli F, Giannitelli SM, Gori M, Mozetic P, Bonfanti A, Trombetta M, Rainer A. Biomechanical Characterization at the Cell Scale: Present and Prospects. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1449. [PMID: 30498449 PMCID: PMC6249385 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapidly growing field of mechanobiology demands for robust and reproducible characterization of cell mechanical properties. Recent achievements in understanding the mechanical regulation of cell fate largely rely on technological platforms capable of probing the mechanical response of living cells and their physico–chemical interaction with the microenvironment. Besides the established family of atomic force microscopy (AFM) based methods, other approaches include optical, magnetic, and acoustic tweezers, as well as sensing substrates that take advantage of biomaterials chemistry and microfabrication techniques. In this review, we introduce the available methods with an emphasis on the most recent advances, and we discuss the challenges associated with their implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Basoli
- Department of Engineering, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Manuele Gori
- Department of Engineering, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Pamela Mozetic
- Center for Translational Medicine, International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czechia
| | - Alessandra Bonfanti
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Marcella Trombetta
- Department of Engineering, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Rainer
- Department of Engineering, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy.,Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
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37
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Ding Y, Wang J, Xu GK, Wang GF. Are elastic moduli of biological cells depth dependent or not? Another explanation using a contact mechanics model with surface tension. SOFT MATTER 2018; 14:7534-7541. [PMID: 30152838 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm01216d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has become the most commonly used tool to measure the mechanical properties of biological cells. In AFM indentation experiments, the Hertz and Sneddon models of contact mechanics are usually adopted to extract the elastic modulus by analyzing the load-indent depth curves for spherical and conical tips, respectively. However, the effects of surface tension, neglected in existing contact models, become more significant in indentation responses due to the lower elastic moduli of living cells. Here, we present two simple yet robust relations between load and indent depth considering surface tension effects for spherical and conical indentations, through dimensional analysis and finite element simulations. When the indent depth is smaller than the intrinsic length defined as the ratio of surface tension to elastic modulus, the elastic modulus obtained by classical contact mechanics theories would be overestimated. Contrary to the majority of reported results, we find that the elastic modulus of a cell could be independent of indent depths if surface tension is taken into account. Our model seems to be in agreement with experimental data available. A comprehensive comparison will be done in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Ding
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
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38
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Ding Y, Wang GF, Feng XQ, Yu SW. Micropipette aspiration method for characterizing biological materials with surface energy. J Biomech 2018; 80:32-36. [PMID: 30170840 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2018.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Many soft biological tissues possess a considerable surface stress, which plays a significant role in their biophysical functions, but most previous methods for characterizing their mechanical properties have neglected the effects of surface stress. In this work, we investigate the micropipette aspiration method to measure the mechanical properties of soft tissues and cells with surface effects. The neo-Hookean constitutive model is adopted to describe the hyperelasticity of the measured biological material, and the surface effect is taken into account by the finite element method. It is found that when the pipette radius or aspiration length is comparable to the elastocapillary length, surface energy may distinctly alter the aspiration response. Generally, both the aspiration length and the bulk normal stress decrease with increasing surface energy, and thus neglecting the surface energy would lead to an overestimation of elastic modulus. Through dimensional analysis and numerical simulations, we provide an explicit relation between the imposed pressure and the aspiration length. This method can be applied to determine the mechanical properties of soft biological tissues and organs, e.g., livers, tumors and embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Ding
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, SVL, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Gang-Feng Wang
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, SVL, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Xi-Qiao Feng
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Shou-Wen Yu
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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39
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Urbanska M, Rosendahl P, Kräter M, Guck J. High-throughput single-cell mechanical phenotyping with real-time deformability cytometry. Methods Cell Biol 2018; 147:175-198. [PMID: 30165957 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2018.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mechanical properties of cells can serve as a label-free marker of cell state and function and their alterations have been implicated in processes such as cancer metastasis, leukocyte activation, or stem cell differentiation. Over recent years, new techniques for single-cell mechanical characterization at high throughput have been developed to accelerate discovery in the field of mechanical phenotyping. One such technique is real-time deformability cytometry (RT-DC), a robust technology based on microfluidics that performs continuous mechanical characterization of cells in a contactless manner at rates of up to 1000 cells per second. This tremendous throughput allows for comparison of large sample numbers and precise characterization of heterogeneous cell populations. Additionally, parameters acquired in RT-DC measurements can be used to determine the apparent Young's modulus of individual cells. In this chapter, we present practical aspects important for the implementation of the RT-DC methodology, including a description of the setup, operation principles, and experimental protocols. In the latter, we describe a variety of preparation procedures for samples originating from different sources including 2D and 3D cell cultures as well as blood and tissue-derived primary cells, and discuss obstacles that may arise during their measurements. Finally, we provide insights into standard data analysis procedures and discuss the method's performance in light of other available techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Urbanska
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Philipp Rosendahl
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Kräter
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jochen Guck
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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40
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Xavier M, de Andrés MC, Spencer D, Oreffo ROC, Morgan H. Size and dielectric properties of skeletal stem cells change critically after enrichment and expansion from human bone marrow: consequences for microfluidic cell sorting. J R Soc Interface 2018; 14:rsif.2017.0233. [PMID: 28835540 PMCID: PMC5582119 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2017.0233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The capacity of bone and cartilage to regenerate can be attributed to skeletal stem cells (SSCs) that reside within the bone marrow (BM). Given SSCs are rare and lack specific surface markers, antibody-based sorting has failed to deliver the cell purity required for clinical translation. Microfluidics offers new methods of isolating cells based on biophysical features including, but not limited to, size, electrical properties and stiffness. Here we report the characterization of the dielectric properties of unexpanded SSCs using single-cell microfluidic impedance cytometry (MIC). Unexpanded SSCs had a mean size of 9.0 µm; larger than the majority of BM cells. During expansion, often used to purify and increase the number of SSCs, cell size and membrane capacitance increased significantly, highlighting the importance of characterizing unaltered SSCs. In addition, MIC was used to track the osteogenic differentiation of SSCs and showed an increased membrane capacitance with differentiation. The electrical properties of primary SSCs were indistinct from other BM cells precluding its use as an isolation method. However, the current studies indicate that cell size in combination with another biophysical parameter, such as stiffness, could be used to design label-free devices for sorting SSCs with significant clinical impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Xavier
- Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, and Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.,Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, SO16 6YD Southampton, UK
| | - María C de Andrés
- Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, SO16 6YD Southampton, UK
| | - Daniel Spencer
- Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, and Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Richard O C Oreffo
- Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, SO16 6YD Southampton, UK
| | - Hywel Morgan
- Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, and Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
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41
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Lipowsky HH, Bowers DT, Banik BL, Brown JL. Mesenchymal Stem Cell Deformability and Implications for Microvascular Sequestration. Ann Biomed Eng 2018; 46:640-654. [PMID: 29352448 PMCID: PMC5862759 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-018-1985-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have received considerable attention in regenerative medicine, particularly in light of prospects for targeted delivery by intra-arterial injection. However, little is known about the mechanics of MSC sequestration in the microvasculature and the yield pressure (PY), above which MSCs will pass through microvessels of a given diameter. The objectives of the current study were to delineate the dependency of PY on cell size and the heterogeneity of cell mechanical properties and diameters (DCELL) of cultured MSCs. To this end the transient filtration test was employed to elucidate the mean filtration pressure (〈PY〉) for an ensemble of pores of a given size (DPORE) similar to in vivo microvessels. Cultured MSCs had a log-normal distribution of cell diameters (DCELL) with a mean of 15.8 ± 0.73 SD μm. MSC clearance from track-etched polycarbonate filters was studied for pore diameters of 7.3-15.4 μm. The pressure required to clear cells from filters with 30-85 × 103 pores rose exponentially with the ratio λ = DCELL/DPORE for 1.1 ≤ λ ≤ 2.2. The clearance of cells from each filter was characterized by a log-normal distribution in PY, with a mean filtration pressure of 0.02 ≤ 〈PY〉 ≤ 6.7 cmH2O. For λ ≤ 1.56, the yield pressure (PY) was well represented by the cortical shell model of a cell with a viscous interior encapsulated by a shell under cortical tension τ0 = 0.99 ± 0.42 SD dyn/cm. For λ > 1.56, the 〈PY〉 characteristic of the cell population rose exponentially with λ. Analysis of the mean filtration pressure (〈PY〉) of each sample suggested that the larger diameter cells that skewed the distribution of DCELL contributed to about 20% of the mean filtration pressure. Further, if all cells had the same deformability (i.e., PY as a function of λ) as the average cell population, then 〈PY〉 would have risen an order of magnitude above the average from fivefold at λ = 1.56 to 200-fold at λ = 2.1. Comparison of 〈PY〉 to published microvascular pressures suggested that 〈PY〉 may exceed microvessel pressure drops for λ exceeding 2.1, and rise 14-fold above capillary pressure drop at λ = 3 leading to 100% sequestration. However, due to the large variance of in vivo microvascular pressures entrapment of MSCs may be mitigated. Thus it is suggested that selecting fractions of the MSC population according to cell deformability may permit optimization of entrapment at sites targeted for tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herbert H Lipowsky
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 215 Hallowell Bldg, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Daniel T Bowers
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 215 Hallowell Bldg, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Brittany L Banik
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 215 Hallowell Bldg, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Justin L Brown
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 215 Hallowell Bldg, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
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42
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Mollaeian K, Liu Y, Bi S, Ren J. Atomic force microscopy study revealed velocity-dependence and nonlinearity of nanoscale poroelasticity of eukaryotic cells. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2018; 78:65-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Revised: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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43
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Doolin MT, Stroka KM. Physical confinement alters cytoskeletal contributions towards human mesenchymal stem cell migration. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2018; 75:103-117. [PMID: 29316327 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The in vivo microenvironment is critical for providing physico-chemical signaling cues which ultimately regulate human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) behavior in clinically-relevant applications. hMSCs experience mechanical confinement of the cell body and nucleus in three dimensional (3D) tissues during homing and in porous tissue engineered scaffolds, yet the effects of this mechanical cue on hMSC migration are not known. Here, we use a microchannel device to systematically examine the effect of confinement on hMSC migration and cytoskeletal organization. Notably, we show that hMSC actin and microtubules change from filamentous in unconfined spaces to a more diffuse network in confinement, and that confinement abrogates the presence of paxillin-rich focal adhesions seen in 2D. Furthermore, several morphological parameters of the hMSC body are altered in confinement. Interestingly, hMSC speed displays a biphasic trend as a function of confinement, and increasing hMSC passage number decreases speed in all but the narrowest microchannels. Confinement also alters the relative contributions of cytoskeletal (i.e., actin and microtubule) and contractile (i.e., myosin II and Rho kinase) machinery in hMSC migration in unconfined and confined spaces. These results provide an improved understanding of how hMSCs navigate mechanical confinement, which is a central component of complicated 3D microenvironments. Hence, this work may provide insight towards more effective control of hMSC localization in porous tissue engineered scaffolds and mobilization to distinct tissue sites during homing after clinical therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary T Doolin
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Kimberly M Stroka
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland.,Biophysics Program, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland.,Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland.,Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
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44
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Kolb T, Kraxner J, Skodzek K, Haug M, Crawford D, Maaß KK, Aifantis KE, Whyte G. Optomechanical measurement of the role of lamins in whole cell deformability. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2017; 10:1657-1664. [PMID: 28485113 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201600198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Revised: 03/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
There is mounting evidence that the nuclear envelope, and particularly the lamina, plays a critical role in the mechanical and regulation properties of the cell and changes to the lamina can have implications for the physical properties of the whole cell. In this study we demonstrate that the optical stretcher can measure changes in the time-dependent mechanical properties of living cells with different levels of A-type lamin expression. Results from the optical stretcher shows a decrease in the deformability of cells as the levels of lamin A increases, for cells which grow both adherently and in suspension. Further detail can be probed by combining the optical stretcher with fluorescence microscopy to investigate the nuclear mechanical properties which show a larger decrease in deformability than for the whole cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorsten Kolb
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestrasse 91, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julia Kraxner
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestrasse 91, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kai Skodzek
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK
| | - Michael Haug
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestrasse 91, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Dean Crawford
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK
| | - Kendra K Maaß
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katerina E Aifantis
- Lab of Mechanics and Materials, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Civil Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, University of Arizona, Tuscon, Arizona, 85721
| | - Graeme Whyte
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestrasse 91, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK
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45
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Nyberg KD, Hu KH, Kleinman SH, Khismatullin DB, Butte MJ, Rowat AC. Quantitative Deformability Cytometry: Rapid, Calibrated Measurements of Cell Mechanical Properties. Biophys J 2017; 113:1574-1584. [PMID: 28978449 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2017.06.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Revised: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in methods that determine cell mechanical phenotype, or mechanotype, have demonstrated the utility of biophysical markers in clinical and research applications ranging from cancer diagnosis to stem cell enrichment. Here, we introduce quantitative deformability cytometry (q-DC), a method for rapid, calibrated, single-cell mechanotyping. We track changes in cell shape as cells deform into microfluidic constrictions, and we calibrate the mechanical stresses using gel beads. We observe that time-dependent strain follows power-law rheology, enabling single-cell measurements of apparent elastic modulus, Ea, and power-law exponent, β. To validate our method, we mechanotype human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells and thereby confirm q-DC measurements of Ea = 0.53 ± 0.04 kPa. We also demonstrate that q-DC is sensitive to pharmacological perturbations of the cytoskeleton as well as differences in the mechanotype of human breast cancer cell lines (Ea = 2.1 ± 0.1 and 0.80 ± 0.19 kPa for MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells). To establish an operational framework for q-DC, we investigate the effects of applied stress and cell/pore-size ratio on mechanotype measurements. We show that Ea increases with applied stress, which is consistent with stress stiffening behavior of cells. We also find that Ea increases for larger cell/pore-size ratios, even when the same applied stress is maintained; these results indicate strain stiffening and/or dependence of mechanotype on deformation depth. Taken together, the calibrated measurements enabled by q-DC should advance applications of cell mechanotype in basic research and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendra D Nyberg
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kenneth H Hu
- Department of Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Sara H Kleinman
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | | | - Manish J Butte
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Amy C Rowat
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California; UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California; Broad Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California; Center for Biological Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California.
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46
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Gullekson C, Cojoc G, Schürmann M, Guck J, Pelling A. Mechanical mismatch between Ras transformed and untransformed epithelial cells. SOFT MATTER 2017; 13:8483-8491. [PMID: 29091102 DOI: 10.1039/c7sm01396e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The organization of the actin cytoskeleton plays a key role in regulating cell mechanics. It is fundamentally altered during transformation, affecting how cells interact with their environment. We investigated mechanical properties of cells expressing constitutively active, oncogenic Ras (RasV12) in adherent and suspended states. To do this, we utilized atomic force microscopy and a microfluidic optical stretcher. We found that adherent cells stiffen and suspended cells soften with the expression of constitutively active Ras. The effect on adherent cells was reversed when contractility was inhibited with the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632, resulting in softer RasV12 cells. Our findings suggest that increased ROCK activity as a result of Ras has opposite effects on suspended and adhered cells. Our results also establish the importance of the activation of ROCK by Ras and its effect on cell mechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Gullekson
- Centre for Interdisciplinary NanoPhysics, Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, 598 King Edward, Ottawa, ON, K1N5N5 Canada.
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47
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McLeod C, Mauck R. On the origin and impact of mesenchymal stem cell heterogeneity: new insights and emerging tools for single cell analysis. Eur Cell Mater 2017; 34:217-231. [PMID: 29076514 PMCID: PMC7735381 DOI: 10.22203/ecm.v034a14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) display substantial cell-to-cell variation. This heterogeneity manifests among donors, among tissue sources, and within cell populations. Such pervasive variability complicates the use of MSCs in regenerative applications and may limit their therapeutic efficacy. Most conventional assays measure MSC properties in bulk and, as a consequence, mask this cell-to-cell variation. Recent studies have identified extensive variability amongst and within clonal MSC populations, in dimensions including functional differentiation capacity, molecular state (e.g. epigenetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic status), and biophysical properties. While the origins of these variations remain to be elucidated, potential mechanisms include in vivo micro-anatomical heterogeneity, epigenetic bistability, and transcriptional fluctuations. Emerging tools for single cell analysis of MSC gene and protein expression may yield further insight into the mechanisms and implications of single cell variation amongst these cells, and ultimately improve the clinical utility of MSCs in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. This review outlines the dimensions across which MSC heterogeneity is present, defines some of the known mechanisms that govern this heterogeneity, and highlights emerging technologies that may further refine our understanding and improve our clinical application of this unique cell type.
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Affiliation(s)
- C.M. McLeod
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Translational Musculoskeletal Research Center, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - R.L. Mauck
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,Translational Musculoskeletal Research Center, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Address for correspondence: Robert L. Mauck, PhD, McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, 424 Stemmler Hall, 36th Street and Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA, Telephone: 1-215-898-3294 FAX: 1-215-573-2133
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48
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Ding Y, Xu GK, Wang GF. On the determination of elastic moduli of cells by AFM based indentation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:45575. [PMID: 28368053 PMCID: PMC5377332 DOI: 10.1038/srep45575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been widely used to measure the mechanical properties of biological cells through indentations. In most of existing studies, the cell is supposed to be linear elastic within the small strain regime when analyzing the AFM indentation data. However, in experimental situations, the roles of large deformation and surface tension of cells should be taken into consideration. Here, we use the neo-Hookean model to describe the hyperelastic behavior of cells and investigate the influence of surface tension through finite element simulations. At large deformation, a correction factor, depending on the geometric ratio of indenter radius to cell radius, is introduced to modify the force-indent depth relation of classical Hertzian model. Moreover, when the indent depth is comparable with an intrinsic length defined as the ratio of surface tension to elastic modulus, the surface tension evidently affects the indentation response, indicating an overestimation of elastic modulus by the Hertzian model. The dimensionless-analysis-based theoretical predictions, which include both large deformation and surface tension, are in good agreement with our finite element simulation data. This study provides a novel method to more accurately measure the mechanical properties of biological cells and soft materials in AFM indentation experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Ding
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Guang-Kui Xu
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.,International Center for Applied Mechanics, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Gang-Feng Wang
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
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49
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Bonakdar N, Gerum R, Kuhn M, Spörrer M, Lippert A, Schneider W, Aifantis KE, Fabry B. Mechanical plasticity of cells. NATURE MATERIALS 2016; 15:1090-4. [PMID: 27376682 DOI: 10.1038/nmat4689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Under mechanical loading, most living cells show a viscoelastic deformation that follows a power law in time. After removal of the mechanical load, the cell shape recovers only incompletely to its original undeformed configuration. Here, we show that incomplete shape recovery is due to an additive plastic deformation that displays the same power-law dynamics as the fully reversible viscoelastic deformation response. Moreover, the plastic deformation is a constant fraction of the total cell deformation and originates from bond ruptures within the cytoskeleton. A simple extension of the prevailing viscoelastic power-law response theory with a plastic element correctly predicts the cell behaviour under cyclic loading. Our findings show that plastic energy dissipation during cell deformation is tightly linked to elastic cytoskeletal stresses, which suggests the existence of an adaptive mechanism that protects the cell against mechanical damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navid Bonakdar
- Department of Physics, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Max-Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Richard Gerum
- Department of Physics, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Kuhn
- Department of Physics, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marina Spörrer
- Department of Physics, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anna Lippert
- Department of Physics, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Werner Schneider
- Department of Physics, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Katerina E Aifantis
- Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
| | - Ben Fabry
- Department of Physics, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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50
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Nyberg KD, Scott MB, Bruce SL, Gopinath AB, Bikos D, Mason TG, Kim JW, Choi HS, Rowat AC. The physical origins of transit time measurements for rapid, single cell mechanotyping. LAB ON A CHIP 2016; 16:3330-9. [PMID: 27435631 DOI: 10.1039/c6lc00169f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The mechanical phenotype or 'mechanotype' of cells is emerging as a potential biomarker for cell types ranging from pluripotent stem cells to cancer cells. Using a microfluidic device, cell mechanotype can be rapidly analyzed by measuring the time required for cells to deform as they flow through constricted channels. While cells typically exhibit deformation timescales, or transit times, on the order of milliseconds to tens of seconds, transit times can span several orders of magnitude and vary from day to day within a population of single cells; this makes it challenging to characterize different cell samples based on transit time data. Here we investigate how variability in transit time measurements depends on both experimental factors and heterogeneity in physical properties across a population of single cells. We find that simultaneous transit events that occur across neighboring constrictions can alter transit time, but only significantly when more than 65% of channels in the parallel array are occluded. Variability in transit time measurements is also affected by the age of the device following plasma treatment, which could be attributed to changes in channel surface properties. We additionally investigate the role of variability in cell physical properties. Transit time depends on cell size; by binning transit time data for cells of similar diameters, we reduce measurement variability by 20%. To gain further insight into the effects of cell-to-cell differences in physical properties, we fabricate a panel of gel particles and oil droplets with tunable mechanical properties. We demonstrate that particles with homogeneous composition exhibit a marked reduction in transit time variability, suggesting that the width of transit time distributions reflects the degree of heterogeneity in subcellular structure and mechanical properties within a cell population. Our results also provide fundamental insight into the physical underpinnings of transit measurements: transit time depends strongly on particle elastic modulus, and weakly on viscosity and surface tension. Based on our findings, we present a comprehensive methodology for designing, analyzing, and reducing variability in transit time measurements; this should facilitate broader implementation of transit experiments for rapid mechanical phenotyping in basic research and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendra D Nyberg
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA. and Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Michael B Scott
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
| | - Samuel L Bruce
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
| | - Ajay B Gopinath
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
| | - Dimitri Bikos
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Thomas G Mason
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, USA and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Jin Woong Kim
- Department of Bionano Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, 426-791, Republic of Korea and Department of Applied Chemistry, Hanyang University, Ansan, 426-791, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Sung Choi
- Shinsegae International Co. Ltd, Seoul, 135-954, Republic of Korea
| | - Amy C Rowat
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA. and Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
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