1
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Gong LJ, Lv J, Wang XY, Wu X, Li DW, Qian RC. Analysis of vibrational dynamics in cell-substrate interactions using nanopipette electrochemical sensors. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 259:116385. [PMID: 38759310 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2024.116385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Cell-substrate interaction plays a critical role in determining the mechanical status of living cell membrane. Changes of substrate surface properties can significantly alter the cell mechanical microenvironment, leading to mechanical changes of cell membrane. However, it is still difficult to accurately quantify the influence of the substrate surface properties on the mechanical status of living cell membrane without damage. This study addresses the challenge by using an electrochemical sensor made from an ultrasmall quartz nanopipette. With the tip diameter less than 100 nm, the nanopipette-based sensor achieves highly sensitive, noninvasive and label-free monitoring of the mechanical status of single living cells by collecting stable cyclic membrane oscillatory signals from continuous current versus time traces. The electrochemical signals collected from PC12 cells cultured on three different substrates (bare ITO (indium tin oxides) glass, hydroxyl modified ITO glass, amino modified ITO glass) indicate that the microenvironment more favorable for cell adhesion can increase the membrane stiffness. This work provides a label-free electrochemical approach to accurately quantify the mechanical status of single living cells in real-time, which may help to better understand the relationship between the cell membrane and the extra cellular matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Juan Gong
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint Research Center, Joint International Laboratory for Precision Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology & Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, PR China
| | - Jian Lv
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint Research Center, Joint International Laboratory for Precision Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology & Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, PR China.
| | - Xiao-Yuan Wang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint Research Center, Joint International Laboratory for Precision Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology & Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, PR China
| | - Xue Wu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint Research Center, Joint International Laboratory for Precision Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology & Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, PR China
| | - Da-Wei Li
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint Research Center, Joint International Laboratory for Precision Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology & Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, PR China
| | - Ruo-Can Qian
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Joint Research Center, Joint International Laboratory for Precision Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology & Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, PR China.
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2
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Cheung BCH, Chen X, Davis HJ, Nordmann CS, Toth J, Hodgson L, Segall JE, Shenoy VB, Wu M. Identification of CD44 as a key mediator of cell traction force generation in hyaluronic acid-rich extracellular matrices. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.24.563860. [PMID: 37961689 PMCID: PMC10634813 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.24.563860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) critically regulate a number of important cell functions including growth, differentiation and migration. Type I collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are two primary components of ECMs that contribute to mammalian tissue mechanics, with the collagen fiber network sustaining tension, and GAGs withstanding compression. The architecture and stiffness of the collagen network are known to be important for cell-ECM mechanical interactions via integrin cell surface adhesion receptors. In contrast, studies of GAGs in modulating cell-ECM interactions are limited. Here, we present experimental studies on the roles of hyaluronic acid (HA, an unsulfated GAG) in single tumor cell traction force generation using a recently developed 3D cell traction force microscopy method. Our work reveals that CD44, a cell surface adhesion receptor to HA, is engaged in cell traction force generation in conjunction with β1-integrin. We find that HA significantly modifies the architecture and mechanics of the collagen fiber network, decreasing tumor cells' propensity to remodel the collagen network, attenuating traction force generation, transmission distance, and tumor invasion. Our findings point to a novel role for CD44 in traction force generation, which can be a potential therapeutic target for diseases involving HA rich ECMs such as breast cancer and glioblastoma.
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3
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Wu J, Steward RL. Disturbed fluid flow reinforces endothelial tractions and intercellular stresses. J Biomech 2024; 169:112156. [PMID: 38761747 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2024.112156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Disturbed fluid flow is well understood to have significant ramifications on endothelial function, but the impact disturbed flow has on endothelial biomechanics is not well understood. In this study, we measured tractions, intercellular stresses, and cell velocity of endothelial cells exposed to disturbed flow using a custom-fabricated flow chamber. Our flow chamber exposed cells to disturbed fluid flow within the following spatial zones: zone 1 (inlet; length 0.676-2.027 cm): 0.0037 ± 0.0001 Pa; zone 2 (middle; length 2.027-3.716 cm): 0.0059 ± 0.0005 Pa; and zone 3 (outlet; length 3.716-5.405 cm): 0.0051 ± 0.0025 Pa. Tractions and intercellular stresses were observed to be highest in the middle of the chamber (zone 2) and lowest at the chamber outlet (zone 3), while cell velocity was highest near the chamber inlet (zone 1), and lowest near the middle of the chamber (zone 2). Our findings suggest endothelial biomechanical response to disturbed fluid flow to be dependent on not only shear stress magnitude, but the spatial shear stress gradient as well. We believe our results will be useful to a host of fields including endothelial cell biology, the cardiovascular field, and cellular biomechanics in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Wu
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - R L Steward
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States.
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4
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Manifacier I, Carlin G, Liu D, Vassaux M, Pieuchot L, Luchnikov V, Anselme K, Milan JL. In silico analysis shows that dynamic changes in curvature guide cell migration over long distances. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2024; 23:315-333. [PMID: 37875692 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-023-01777-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
In vitro experiments have shown that cell scale curvatures influence cell migration; cells avoid convex hills and settle in concave valleys. However, it is not known whether dynamic changes in curvature can guide cell migration. This study extends a previous in-silico model to explore the effects over time of changing the substrate curvature on cell migration guidance. By simulating a dynamic surface curvature using traveling wave patterns, we investigate the influence of wave height and speed, and find that long-distance cell migration guidance can be achieved on specific wave patterns. We propose a mechanistic explanation of what we call dynamic curvotaxis and highlight those cellular features that may be involved. Our results open a new area of study for understanding cell mobility in dynamic environments, from single-cell in vitro experiments to multi-cellular in vivo mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Manifacier
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, ISM, Marseille, France
- APHM, Institute for Locomotion, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, St Marguerite Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Gildas Carlin
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, ISM, Marseille, France
- APHM, Institute for Locomotion, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, St Marguerite Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Dongshu Liu
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, ISM, Marseille, France
- APHM, Institute for Locomotion, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, St Marguerite Hospital, Marseille, France
| | - Maxime Vassaux
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, IPR (Institut de Physique de Rennes) - UMR 6251, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Laurent Pieuchot
- Université de Haute-Alsace, CNRS, IS2M UMR 7361, Mulhouse, 68100, France
| | - Valeriy Luchnikov
- Université de Haute-Alsace, CNRS, IS2M UMR 7361, Mulhouse, 68100, France
| | - Karine Anselme
- Université de Haute-Alsace, CNRS, IS2M UMR 7361, Mulhouse, 68100, France
| | - Jean-Louis Milan
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, ISM, Marseille, France.
- APHM, Institute for Locomotion, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, St Marguerite Hospital, Marseille, France.
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5
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Schmitt MS, Colen J, Sala S, Devany J, Seetharaman S, Caillier A, Gardel ML, Oakes PW, Vitelli V. Machine learning interpretable models of cell mechanics from protein images. Cell 2024; 187:481-494.e24. [PMID: 38194965 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.11.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Cellular form and function emerge from complex mechanochemical systems within the cytoplasm. Currently, no systematic strategy exists to infer large-scale physical properties of a cell from its molecular components. This is an obstacle to understanding processes such as cell adhesion and migration. Here, we develop a data-driven modeling pipeline to learn the mechanical behavior of adherent cells. We first train neural networks to predict cellular forces from images of cytoskeletal proteins. Strikingly, experimental images of a single focal adhesion (FA) protein, such as zyxin, are sufficient to predict forces and can generalize to unseen biological regimes. Using this observation, we develop two approaches-one constrained by physics and the other agnostic-to construct data-driven continuum models of cellular forces. Both reveal how cellular forces are encoded by two distinct length scales. Beyond adherent cell mechanics, our work serves as a case study for integrating neural networks into predictive models for cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Schmitt
- James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Physics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Kadanoff Center for Theoretical Physics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jonathan Colen
- James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Physics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Kadanoff Center for Theoretical Physics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Stefano Sala
- Department of Cell & Molecular Physiology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - John Devany
- James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Physics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Shailaja Seetharaman
- James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Physics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Alexia Caillier
- Department of Cell & Molecular Physiology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
| | - Margaret L Gardel
- James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Physics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
| | - Patrick W Oakes
- Department of Cell & Molecular Physiology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA.
| | - Vincenzo Vitelli
- James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Physics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Kadanoff Center for Theoretical Physics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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6
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Mittal N, Michels EB, Massey AE, Qiu Y, Royer-Weeden SP, Smith BR, Cartagena-Rivera AX, Han SJ. Myosin-independent stiffness sensing by fibroblasts is regulated by the viscoelasticity of flowing actin. COMMUNICATIONS MATERIALS 2024; 5:6. [PMID: 38741699 PMCID: PMC11090405 DOI: 10.1038/s43246-024-00444-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The stiffness of the extracellular matrix induces differential tension within integrin-based adhesions, triggering differential mechanoresponses. However, it has been unclear if the stiffness-dependent differential tension is induced solely by myosin activity. Here, we report that in the absence of myosin contractility, 3T3 fibroblasts still transmit stiffness-dependent differential levels of traction. This myosin-independent differential traction is regulated by polymerizing actin assisted by actin nucleators Arp2/3 and formin where formin has a stronger contribution than Arp2/3 to both traction and actin flow. Intriguingly, despite only slight changes in F-actin flow speed observed in cells with the combined inhibition of Arp2/3 and myosin compared to cells with sole myosin inhibition, they show a 4-times reduction in traction than cells with myosin-only inhibition. Our analyses indicate that traditional models based on rigid F-actin are inadequate for capturing such dramatic force reduction with similar actin flow. Instead, incorporating the F-actin network's viscoelastic properties is crucial. Our new model including the F-actin viscoelasticity reveals that Arp2/3 and formin enhance stiffness sensitivity by mechanically reinforcing the F-actin network, thereby facilitating more effective transmission of flow-induced forces. This model is validated by cell stiffness measurement with atomic force microscopy and experimental observation of model-predicted stiffness-dependent actin flow fluctuation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Mittal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
- Health Research Institute, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
| | - Etienne B. Michels
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
| | - Andrew E. Massey
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yunxiu Qiu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Shaina P. Royer-Weeden
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
| | - Bryan R. Smith
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Alexander X. Cartagena-Rivera
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sangyoon J. Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
- Health Research Institute, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
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7
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Emon B, Joy MSH, Lalonde L, Ghrayeb A, Doha U, Ladehoff L, Brockstein R, Saengow C, Ewoldt RH, Saif MTA. Nuclear deformation regulates YAP dynamics in cancer associated fibroblasts. Acta Biomater 2024; 173:93-108. [PMID: 37977292 PMCID: PMC10848212 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Cells cultured on stiff 2D substrates exert high intracellular force, resulting in mechanical deformation of their nuclei. This nuclear deformation (ND) plays a crucial role in the transport of Yes Associated Protein (YAP) from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. However, cells in vivo are in soft 3D environment with potentially much lower intracellular forces. Whether and how cells may deform their nuclei in 3D for YAP localization remains unclear. Here, by culturing human colon cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) on 2D, 2.5D, and 3D substrates, we differentiated the effects of stiffness, force, and ND on YAP localization. We found that nuclear translocation of YAP depends on the degree of ND irrespective of dimensionality, stiffness and total force. ND induced by the perinuclear force, not the total force, and nuclear membrane curvature correlate strongly with YAP activation. Immunostained slices of human tumors further supported the association between ND and YAP nuclear localization, suggesting ND as a potential biomarker for YAP activation in tumors. Additionally, we conducted quantitative analysis of the force dynamics of CAFs on 2D substrates to construct a stochastic model of YAP kinetics. This model revealed that the probability of YAP nuclear translocation, as well as the residence time in the nucleus follow a power law. This study provides valuable insights into the regulatory mechanisms governing YAP dynamics and highlights the significance of threshold activation in YAP localization. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Yes Associated Protein (YAP), a transcription cofactor, has been identified as one of the drivers of cancer progression. High tumor stiffness is attributed to driving YAP to the nucleus, wherein it activates pro-metastatic genes. Here we show, using cancer associated fibroblasts, that YAP translocation to the nucleus depends on the degree of nuclear deformation, irrespective of stiffness. We also identified that perinuclear force induced membrane curvature correlates strongly with YAP nuclear transport. A novel stochastic model of YAP kinetics unveiled a power law relationship between the activation threshold and persistence time of YAP in the nucleus. Overall, this study provides novel insights into the regulatory mechanisms governing YAP dynamics and the probability of activation that is of immense clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Chaimongkol Saengow
- Mechanical Science & Engineering; Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
| | - Randy H Ewoldt
- Mechanical Science & Engineering; Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
| | - M Taher A Saif
- Mechanical Science & Engineering; Bioengineering; Cancer Center at Illinois.
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8
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Schutte SC, Ghosh D, Moset Zupan A, Warwar R, Dawson MR. Differential Response to Mechanical Cues in Uterine Fibroid Versus Paired Myometrial Cells. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:3305-3314. [PMID: 37253935 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01267-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Uterine leiomyomas, or fibroids, are common, benign tumors for which hysterectomy is the only definitive treatment. The extracellular matrix of fibroids is disorganized and stiffer than the surrounding myometrial tissue. To understand how stiffness affects fibroid cells, patient-matched fibroid and myometrial cells were cultured on substrates with stiffnesses varying from 0.2 to 150 kPa. Fibroid cells grew more slowly than myometrial cells overall, and only the myometrial cells altered their growth rate in response to stiffness. In both cell types, cell proliferation decreased with inhibition of PI3K and increased with inhibition of IGF-1. The cellular area was greater for the fibroid cells. The only significant effect of stiffness on the cell area was between the 0.2 and 64 kPa substrates, and this was true for both cell types. To investigate intracellular stiffness, intracellular particle tracking microrheology was used. Fibroid cells exhibited a more than 100-fold increase in elastic modulus at a frequency of 1 Hz in response to the addition of external stress, while myometrial cells showed little change in elastic modulus. Overall, the responses of both cells followed similar trends in response to stiffness and inhibitors, although the response was attenuated in the fibroid cells. The changes that were demonstrated by the change in intracellular stiffness with response to compression suggest that other mechanical forces may provide insight into differences in the two cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- S C Schutte
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - D Ghosh
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - A Moset Zupan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - R Warwar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - M R Dawson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
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9
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Sun F, Li H, Hu Y, Zhang M, Wang W, Chen W, Liu Z. Exploring Mechanical Responses of Cells to Geometric Information Using Micropatterned DNA-Based Molecular Tension Probes. ACS NANO 2023; 17:18584-18595. [PMID: 37713214 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c07088] [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] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
The geometric shape of a cell is strongly influenced by the cytoskeleton, which, in turn, is regulated by integrin-mediated cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions. To investigate the mechanical role of integrin in the geometrical interplay between cells and the ECM, we proposed a single-cell micropatterning technique combined with molecular tension fluorescence microscopy (MTFM), which allows us to characterize the mechanical properties of cells with prescribed geometries. Our results show that the curvature is a key geometric cue for cells to differentiate shapes in a membrane-tension- and actomyosin-dependent manner. Specifically, curvatures affect the size of focal adhesions (FAs) and induce a curvature-dependent density and spatial distribution of strong integrins. In addition, we found that the integrin subunit β1 plays a critical role in the detection of geometric information. Overall, the integration of MTFM and single-cell micropatterning offers a robust approach for investigating the nexus between mechanical cues and cellular responses, holding potential for advancing our understanding of mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Sun
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Hongyun Li
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yuru Hu
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Mengsheng Zhang
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Wenxu Wang
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Wei Chen
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
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10
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Jun M, Lee YL, Zhou T, Maric M, Burke B, Park S, Low BC, Chiam KH. Subcellular Force Imbalance in Actin Bundles Induces Nuclear Repositioning and Durotaxis. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:43387-43402. [PMID: 37674326 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c07546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Durotaxis is a phenomenon in which cells migrate toward substrates of increasing stiffness. However, how cells assimilate substrate stiffness as a directional cue remains poorly understood. In this study, we experimentally show that mouse embryonic fibroblasts can discriminate between different substrate stiffnesses and develop higher traction forces at regions of the cell adhering to the stiffer pillars. In this way, the cells generate a force imbalance between adhesion sites. It is this traction force imbalance that drives durotaxis by providing directionality for cell migration. Significantly, we found that traction forces are transmitted via LINC complexes to the cell nucleus, which serves to maintain the global force imbalance. In this way, LINC complexes play an essential role in anterograde nuclear movement and durotaxis. This conclusion is supported by the fact that LINC complex-deficient cells are incapable of durotaxis and instead migrate randomly on substrates featuring a stiffness gradient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myeongjun Jun
- Bioinformatics institute, A*STAR, Singapore 138671, Singapore
- Department of Biological Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea
| | - Yin Loon Lee
- A*STAR Skin Research Laboratories, A*STAR, Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Tianxun Zhou
- Bioinformatics institute, A*STAR, Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Martina Maric
- A*STAR Skin Research Laboratories, A*STAR, Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Brian Burke
- A*STAR Skin Research Laboratories, A*STAR, Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Sungsu Park
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea
- Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea
| | - Boon Chuan Low
- Department of Biological Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore
- NUS college, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore
| | - Keng-Hwee Chiam
- Bioinformatics institute, A*STAR, Singapore 138671, Singapore
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11
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SubramanianBalachandar V, Islam MM, Steward RL. A machine learning approach to predict cellular mechanical stresses in response to chemical perturbation. Biophys J 2023; 122:3413-3424. [PMID: 37496269 PMCID: PMC10502424 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanical stresses generated at the cell-cell level and cell-substrate level have been suggested to be important in a host of physiological and pathological processes. However, the influence various chemical compounds have on the mechanical stresses mentioned above is poorly understood, hindering the discovery of novel therapeutics, and representing a barrier in the field. To overcome this barrier, we implemented two approaches: 1) monolayer boundary predictor and 2) discretized window predictor utilizing either stepwise linear regression or quadratic support vector machine machine learning model to predict the dose-dependent response of tractions and intercellular stresses to chemical perturbation. We used experimental traction and intercellular stress data gathered from samples subject to 0.2 or 2 μg/mL drug concentrations along with cell morphological properties extracted from the bright-field images as predictors to train our model. To demonstrate the predictive capability of our machine learning models, we predicted tractions and intercellular stresses in response to 0 and 1 μg/mL drug concentrations which were not utilized in the training sets. Results revealed the discretized window predictor trained just with four samples (292 images) to best predict both intercellular stresses and tractions using the quadratic support vector machine and stepwise linear regression models, respectively, for the unseen sample images.
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Affiliation(s)
- VigneshAravind SubramanianBalachandar
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida; Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Md Mydul Islam
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
| | - R L Steward
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida; Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
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12
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Ozu M, Galizia L, Alvear-Arias JJ, Fernández M, Caviglia A, Zimmermann R, Guastaferri F, Espinoza-Muñoz N, Sutka M, Sigaut L, Pietrasanta LI, González C, Amodeo G, Garate JA. Mechanosensitive aquaporins. Biophys Rev 2023; 15:497-513. [PMID: 37681084 PMCID: PMC10480384 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-023-01098-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular systems must deal with mechanical forces to satisfy their physiological functions. In this context, proteins with mechanosensitive properties play a crucial role in sensing and responding to environmental changes. The discovery of aquaporins (AQPs) marked a significant breakthrough in the study of water transport. Their transport capacity and regulation features make them key players in cellular processes. To date, few AQPs have been reported to be mechanosensitive. Like mechanosensitive ion channels, AQPs respond to tension changes in the same range. However, unlike ion channels, the aquaporin's transport rate decreases as tension increases, and the molecular features of the mechanism are unknown. Nevertheless, some clues from mechanosensitive ion channels shed light on the AQP-membrane interaction. The GxxxG motif may play a critical role in the water permeation process associated with structural features in AQPs. Consequently, a possible gating mechanism triggered by membrane tension changes would involve a conformational change in the cytoplasmic extreme of the single file region of the water pathway, where glycine and histidine residues from loop B play a key role. In view of their transport capacity and their involvement in relevant processes related to mechanical forces, mechanosensitive AQPs are a fundamental piece of the puzzle for understanding cellular responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Ozu
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), Universidad de Buenos Aires y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luciano Galizia
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), Universidad de Buenos Aires y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan José Alvear-Arias
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neurosciences of Valparaiso, University of Valparaiso, CINV, 2360102 Valparaíso, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Santiago, Chile
| | - Miguel Fernández
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neurosciences of Valparaiso, University of Valparaiso, CINV, 2360102 Valparaíso, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Santiago, Chile
| | - Agustín Caviglia
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), Universidad de Buenos Aires y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rosario Zimmermann
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), Universidad de Buenos Aires y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Florencia Guastaferri
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), Universidad de Buenos Aires y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Present Address: Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR-CONICET-UNR), Rosario, Argentina
| | - Nicolás Espinoza-Muñoz
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neurosciences of Valparaiso, University of Valparaiso, CINV, 2360102 Valparaíso, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Santiago, Chile
| | - Moira Sutka
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), Universidad de Buenos Aires y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lorena Sigaut
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Física, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires (IFIBA), Universidad de Buenos Aires y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lía Isabel Pietrasanta
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Física, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires (IFIBA), Universidad de Buenos Aires y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos González
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Santiago, Chile
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136 USA
- Present Address: Molecular Bioscience Department, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712 USA
| | - Gabriela Amodeo
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), Universidad de Buenos Aires y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - José Antonio Garate
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neurosciences of Valparaiso, University of Valparaiso, CINV, 2360102 Valparaíso, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Arquitectura y Diseño, Universidad San Sebastián, Bellavista, Santiago, Chile
- Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia y Vida, Universidad San Sebastián, 7750000 Santiago, Chile
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13
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Asciak L, Gilmour L, Williams JA, Foster E, Díaz-García L, McCormick C, Windmill JFC, Mulvana HE, Jackson-Camargo JC, Domingo-Roca R. Investigating multi-material hydrogel three-dimensional printing for in vitro representation of the neo-vasculature of solid tumours: a comprehensive mechanical analysis and assessment of nitric oxide release from human umbilical vein endothelial cells. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:230929. [PMID: 37593713 PMCID: PMC10427827 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Many solid tumours (e.g. sarcoma, carcinoma and lymphoma) form a disorganized neo-vasculature that initiates uncontrolled vessel formation to support tumour growth. The complexity of these environments poses a significant challenge for tumour medicine research. While animal models are commonly used to address some of these challenges, they are time-consuming and raise ethical concerns. In vitro microphysiological systems have been explored as an alternative, but their production typically requires multi-step lithographic processes that limit their production. In this work, a novel approach to rapidly develop multi-material tissue-mimicking, cell-compatible platforms able to represent the complexity of a solid tumour's neo-vasculature is investigated via stereolithography three-dimensional printing. To do so, a series of acrylate resins that yield covalently photo-cross-linked hydrogels with healthy and diseased mechano-acoustic tissue-mimicking properties are designed and characterized. The potential viability of these materials to displace animal testing in preclinical research is assessed by studying the morphology, actin expression, focal adhesions and nitric oxide release of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. These materials are exploited to produce a simplified multi-material three-dimensional printed model of the neo-vasculature of a solid tumour, demonstrating the potential of our approach to replicate the complexity of solid tumours in vitro without the need for animal testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Asciak
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Lauren Gilmour
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Euan Foster
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Lara Díaz-García
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - James F. C. Windmill
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Helen E. Mulvana
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Roger Domingo-Roca
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
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14
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Almeida JA, Mathur J, Lee YL, Sarker B, Pathak A. Mechanically primed cells transfer memory to fibrous matrices for invasion across environments of distinct stiffness and dimensionality. Mol Biol Cell 2023; 34:ar54. [PMID: 36696158 PMCID: PMC10208097 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e22-10-0469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells sense and migrate across mechanically dissimilar environments throughout development and disease progression. However, it remains unclear whether mechanical memory of past environments empowers cells to navigate new, three-dimensional extracellular matrices. Here, we show that cells previously primed on stiff, compared with soft, matrices generate a higher level of forces to remodel collagen fibers and promote invasion. This priming advantage persists in dense or stiffened collagen. We explain this memory-dependent, cross-environment cell invasion through a lattice-based model wherein stiff-primed cellular forces remodel collagen and minimize energy required for future cell invasion. According to our model, cells transfer their mechanical memory to the matrix via collagen alignment and tension, and this remodeled matrix informs future cell invasion. Thus, memory-laden cells overcome mechanosensing of softer or challenging future environments via a cell-matrix transfer of memory. Consistent with model predictions, depletion of yes-associated protein destabilizes the cellular memory required for collagen remodeling before invasion. We release tension in collagen fibers via laser ablation and disable fiber remodeling by lysyl-oxidase inhibition, both of which disrupt cell-to-matrix transfer of memory and hamper cross-environment invasion. These results have implications for cancer, fibrosis, and aging, where a potential cell-to-matrix transfer of mechanical memory of cells may generate a prolonged cellular response.
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Affiliation(s)
- José A. Almeida
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Jairaj Mathur
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Ye Lim Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Bapi Sarker
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Amit Pathak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
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15
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Zambito M, Viti F, Bosio AG, Ceccherini I, Florio T, Vassalli M. The Impact of Experimental Conditions on Cell Mechanics as Measured with Nanoindentation. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:1190. [PMID: 37049284 PMCID: PMC10097320 DOI: 10.3390/nano13071190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The evaluation of cell elasticity is becoming increasingly significant, since it is now known that it impacts physiological mechanisms, such as stem cell differentiation and embryogenesis, as well as pathological processes, such as cancer invasiveness and endothelial senescence. However, the results of single-cell mechanical measurements vary considerably, not only due to systematic instrumental errors but also due to the dynamic and non-homogenous nature of the sample. In this work, relying on Chiaro nanoindenter (Optics11Life), we characterized in depth the nanoindentation experimental procedure, in order to highlight whether and how experimental conditions could affect measurements of living cell stiffness. We demonstrated that the procedure can be quite insensitive to technical replicates and that several biological conditions, such as cell confluency, starvation and passage, significantly impact the results. Experiments should be designed to maximally avoid inhomogeneous scenarios to avoid divergences in the measured phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Zambito
- Dipartimento Medicina Interna, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Genova, viale Benedetto XV 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Federica Viti
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Via De Marini 6, 16149 Genova, Italy
| | - Alessia G Bosio
- Dipartimento Medicina Interna, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Genova, viale Benedetto XV 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Tullio Florio
- Dipartimento Medicina Interna, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Genova, viale Benedetto XV 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Massimo Vassalli
- James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
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16
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Wang Q, Liu Q, Gao J, He J, Zhang H, Ding J. Stereo Coverage and Overall Stiffness of Biomaterial Arrays Underly Parts of Topography Effects on Cell Adhesion. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:6142-6155. [PMID: 36637977 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c19742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Surface topography is a biophysical factor affecting cell behaviors, yet the underlying cues are still not clear. Herein, we hypothesized that stereo coverage and overall stiffness of biomaterial arrays on the scale of single cells underly parts of topography effects on cell adhesion. We fabricated a series of microarrays (micropillar, micropit, and microtube) of poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) using mold casting based on pre-designed templates. The characteristic sizes of array units were less than that of a single cell, and thus, each cell could sense the micropatterns with varied roughness. With human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) as the model cell type, we examined spreading areas and cell viabilities on different surfaces. "Stereo coverage" was defined to quantify the actual cell spreading fraction on a topographic surface. Particularly in the case of high micropillars, cells were confirmed not able to touch the bottom and had to partially hang among the micropillars. Then, in our opinion, a cell sensed the overall stiffness combining the bulk stiffness of the raw material and the stiffness of the culture medium. Spreading area and single cell viability were correlated to coverage and topographic feature of the prepared microarrays in particular with the significantly protruded geometry feather. Cell traction forces exerted on micropillars were also discussed. These findings provide new insights into the surface modifications toward biomedical implants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qunsong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai200438, China
| | - Qingsong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai200438, China
| | - Jingming Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai200438, China
| | - Junhao He
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai200438, China
| | - Hongjie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai200438, China
| | - Jiandong Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai200438, China
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17
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Aparicio-Yuste R, Muenkel M, Clark AG, Gómez-Benito MJ, Bastounis EE. A Stiff Extracellular Matrix Favors the Mechanical Cell Competition that Leads to Extrusion of Bacterially-Infected Epithelial Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:912318. [PMID: 35813215 PMCID: PMC9257086 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.912318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell competition refers to the mechanism whereby less fit cells (“losers”) are sensed and eliminated by more fit neighboring cells (“winners”) and arises during many processes including intracellular bacterial infection. Extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness can regulate important cellular functions, such as motility, by modulating the physical forces that cells transduce and could thus modulate the output of cellular competitions. Herein, we employ a computational model to investigate the previously overlooked role of ECM stiffness in modulating the forceful extrusion of infected “loser” cells by uninfected “winner” cells. We find that increasing ECM stiffness promotes the collective squeezing and subsequent extrusion of infected cells due to differential cell displacements and cellular force generation. Moreover, we discover that an increase in the ratio of uninfected to infected cell stiffness as well as a smaller infection focus size, independently promote squeezing of infected cells, and this phenomenon is more prominent on stiffer compared to softer matrices. Our experimental findings validate the computational predictions by demonstrating increased collective cell extrusion on stiff matrices and glass as opposed to softer matrices, which is associated with decreased bacterial spread in the basal cell monolayer in vitro. Collectively, our results suggest that ECM stiffness plays a major role in modulating the competition between infected and uninfected cells, with stiffer matrices promoting this battle through differential modulation of cell mechanics between the two cell populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Aparicio-Yuste
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering (M2BE), Instituto de Investigación en Ingeniería de Aragón (I3A), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections” (CMFI, EXC 2124), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marie Muenkel
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections” (CMFI, EXC 2124), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andrew G. Clark
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology/Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
- Center for Personalized Medicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - María J. Gómez-Benito
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering (M2BE), Instituto de Investigación en Ingeniería de Aragón (I3A), University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- *Correspondence: María J. Gómez-Benito, ; Effie E. Bastounis,
| | - Effie E. Bastounis
- Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, Cluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections” (CMFI, EXC 2124), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- *Correspondence: María J. Gómez-Benito, ; Effie E. Bastounis,
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18
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Allahyari Z, Casillo SM, Perry SJ, Peredo AP, Gholizadeh S, Gaborski TR. Disrupted Surfaces of Porous Membranes Reduce Nuclear YAP Localization and Enhance Adipogenesis through Morphological Changes. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2022; 8:1791-1798. [PMID: 35363465 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c01472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The disrupted surface of porous membranes, commonly used in tissue-chip and cellular coculture systems, is known to weaken cell-substrate interactions. Here, we investigated whether disrupted surfaces of membranes with micron and submicron scale pores affect yes-associated protein (YAP) localization and differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells. We found that these substrates reduce YAP nuclear localization through decreased cell spreading, consistent with reduced cell-substrate interactions, and in turn enhance adipogenesis while decreasing osteogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Allahyari
- Department of Microsystems Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, 160 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, New York 14623, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, 160 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, New York 14623, United States
| | - Stephanie M Casillo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, 160 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, New York 14623, United States
| | - Spencer J Perry
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, 160 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, New York 14623, United States
| | - Ana P Peredo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, 160 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, New York 14623, United States
| | - Shayan Gholizadeh
- Department of Microsystems Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, 160 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, New York 14623, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, 160 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, New York 14623, United States
| | - Thomas R Gaborski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, 160 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, New York 14623, United States
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19
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Chandurkar MK, Han SJ. Subcellular Force Quantification of Endothelial Cells Using Silicone Pillar Arrays. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2375:229-245. [PMID: 34591312 PMCID: PMC11139549 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1708-3_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Micropillar arrays are one of the tools that quantify the mechanical forces exerted by endothelial cells and any other adherent cell types. This chapter describes the fabrication and usage of the micropillars that reports spatial distribution of traction forces by endothelial cells. The fabrication begins with making a "master" pillar substrate using photolithography, followed by softlithography of the master with polydimethylsiloxane. The pillars can then be printed with an extracellular matrix protein in specific shape using stamp-off technique. Lastly, imaging of the micropillars with cells and the analysis of the traction force using Matlab-based software are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohanish K Chandurkar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
| | - Sangyoon J Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA.
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20
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Mierke CT. Viscoelasticity Acts as a Marker for Tumor Extracellular Matrix Characteristics. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:785138. [PMID: 34950661 PMCID: PMC8691700 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.785138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological materials such as extracellular matrix scaffolds, cancer cells, and tissues are often assumed to respond elastically for simplicity; the viscoelastic response is quite commonly ignored. Extracellular matrix mechanics including the viscoelasticity has turned out to be a key feature of cellular behavior and the entire shape and function of healthy and diseased tissues, such as cancer. The interference of cells with their local microenvironment and the interaction among different cell types relies both on the mechanical phenotype of each involved element. However, there is still not yet clearly understood how viscoelasticity alters the functional phenotype of the tumor extracellular matrix environment. Especially the biophysical technologies are still under ongoing improvement and further development. In addition, the effect of matrix mechanics in the progression of cancer is the subject of discussion. Hence, the topic of this review is especially attractive to collect the existing endeavors to characterize the viscoelastic features of tumor extracellular matrices and to briefly highlight the present frontiers in cancer progression and escape of cancers from therapy. Finally, this review article illustrates the importance of the tumor extracellular matrix mechano-phenotype, including the phenomenon viscoelasticity in identifying, characterizing, and treating specific cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tanja Mierke
- Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Biological Physics Division, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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21
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Cacopardo L, Guazzelli N, Ahluwalia A. Characterising and engineering biomimetic materials for viscoelastic mechanotransduction studies. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS 2021; 28:912-925. [PMID: 34555953 PMCID: PMC9419958 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2021.0151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The mechanical behavior of soft tissue extracellular matrix is time dependent. Moreover, it evolves over time due to physiological processes as well as aging and disease. Measuring and quantifying the time-dependent mechanical behavior of soft tissues and materials pose a challenge, not only because of their labile and hydrated nature but also because of the lack of a common definition of terms and understanding of models for characterizing viscoelasticity. Here, we review the most important measurement techniques and models used to determine the viscoelastic properties of soft hydrated materials—or hydrogels—underlining the difference between viscoelastic behavior and the properties and descriptors used to quantify viscoelasticity. We then discuss the principal factors, which determine tissue viscoelasticity in vivo and summarize what we currently know about cell response to time-dependent materials, outlining fundamental factors that have to be considered when interpreting results. Particular attention is given to the relationship between the different time scales involved (mechanical, cellular and observation time scales), as well as scaling principles, all of which must be considered when designing viscoelastic materials and performing experiments for biomechanics or mechanobiology applications. From this overview, key considerations and directions for furthering insights and applications in the emergent field of cell viscoelastic mechanotransduction are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole Guazzelli
- University of Pisa, 9310, Research Center 'E.Piaggio', Pisa, Italy.,University of Pisa, 9310, Information Engineering Department, Pisa, Italy;
| | - Arti Ahluwalia
- University of Pisa, 9310, Pisa, Italy.,University of Pisa, 9310, Information Engineering Department, Pisa, Toscana, Italy.,Centro 3R (Inter-University Center for the Promotion of the 3Rs Principles in Teaching & Research), Pisa, Italy;
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22
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Vernerey FJ, Lalitha Sridhar S, Muralidharan A, Bryant SJ. Mechanics of 3D Cell-Hydrogel Interactions: Experiments, Models, and Mechanisms. Chem Rev 2021; 121:11085-11148. [PMID: 34473466 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogels are highly water-swollen molecular networks that are ideal platforms to create tissue mimetics owing to their vast and tunable properties. As such, hydrogels are promising cell-delivery vehicles for applications in tissue engineering and have also emerged as an important base for ex vivo models to study healthy and pathophysiological events in a carefully controlled three-dimensional environment. Cells are readily encapsulated in hydrogels resulting in a plethora of biochemical and mechanical communication mechanisms, which recapitulates the natural cell and extracellular matrix interaction in tissues. These interactions are complex, with multiple events that are invariably coupled and spanning multiple length and time scales. To study and identify the underlying mechanisms involved, an integrated experimental and computational approach is ideally needed. This review discusses the state of our knowledge on cell-hydrogel interactions, with a focus on mechanics and transport, and in this context, highlights recent advancements in experiments, mathematical and computational modeling. The review begins with a background on the thermodynamics and physics fundamentals that govern hydrogel mechanics and transport. The review focuses on two main classes of hydrogels, described as semiflexible polymer networks that represent physically cross-linked fibrous hydrogels and flexible polymer networks representing the chemically cross-linked synthetic and natural hydrogels. In this review, we highlight five main cell-hydrogel interactions that involve key cellular functions related to communication, mechanosensing, migration, growth, and tissue deposition and elaboration. For each of these cellular functions, recent experiments and the most up to date modeling strategies are discussed and then followed by a summary of how to tune hydrogel properties to achieve a desired functional cellular outcome. We conclude with a summary linking these advancements and make the case for the need to integrate experiments and modeling to advance our fundamental understanding of cell-matrix interactions that will ultimately help identify new therapeutic approaches and enable successful tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franck J Vernerey
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, 1111 Engineering Drive, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0428, United States.,Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado at Boulder, 4001 Discovery Drive, Boulder, Colorado 80309-613, United States
| | - Shankar Lalitha Sridhar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, 1111 Engineering Drive, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0428, United States
| | - Archish Muralidharan
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado at Boulder, 4001 Discovery Drive, Boulder, Colorado 80309-613, United States
| | - Stephanie J Bryant
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado at Boulder, 4001 Discovery Drive, Boulder, Colorado 80309-613, United States.,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, 3415 Colorado Avenue, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0596, United States.,BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado at Boulder, 3415 Colorado Avenue, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0596, United States
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23
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El-Rashidy AA, El Moshy S, Radwan IA, Rady D, Abbass MMS, Dörfer CE, Fawzy El-Sayed KM. Effect of Polymeric Matrix Stiffness on Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem/Progenitor Cells: Concise Review. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:2950. [PMID: 34502988 PMCID: PMC8434088 DOI: 10.3390/polym13172950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (MSCs) have a multi-differentiation potential into specialized cell types, with remarkable regenerative and therapeutic results. Several factors could trigger the differentiation of MSCs into specific lineages, among them the biophysical and chemical characteristics of the extracellular matrix (ECM), including its stiffness, composition, topography, and mechanical properties. MSCs can sense and assess the stiffness of extracellular substrates through the process of mechanotransduction. Through this process, the extracellular matrix can govern and direct MSCs' lineage commitment through complex intracellular pathways. Hence, various biomimetic natural and synthetic polymeric matrices of tunable stiffness were developed and further investigated to mimic the MSCs' native tissues. Customizing scaffold materials to mimic cells' natural environment is of utmost importance during the process of tissue engineering. This review aims to highlight the regulatory role of matrix stiffness in directing the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, addressing how MSCs sense and respond to their ECM, in addition to listing different polymeric biomaterials and methods used to alter their stiffness to dictate MSCs' differentiation towards the osteogenic lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiah A. El-Rashidy
- Biomaterials Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt;
- Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt; (S.E.M.); (I.A.R.); (D.R.); (M.M.S.A.)
| | - Sara El Moshy
- Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt; (S.E.M.); (I.A.R.); (D.R.); (M.M.S.A.)
- Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Israa Ahmed Radwan
- Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt; (S.E.M.); (I.A.R.); (D.R.); (M.M.S.A.)
- Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Dina Rady
- Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt; (S.E.M.); (I.A.R.); (D.R.); (M.M.S.A.)
- Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Marwa M. S. Abbass
- Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt; (S.E.M.); (I.A.R.); (D.R.); (M.M.S.A.)
- Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Christof E. Dörfer
- Clinic for Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, Christian Albrechts University, 24105 Kiel, Germany;
| | - Karim M. Fawzy El-Sayed
- Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt; (S.E.M.); (I.A.R.); (D.R.); (M.M.S.A.)
- Clinic for Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, Christian Albrechts University, 24105 Kiel, Germany;
- Oral Medicine and Periodontology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
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24
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Tang LJW, Zaseela A, Toh CCM, Adine C, Aydar AO, Iyer NG, Fong ELS. Engineering stromal heterogeneity in cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 175:113817. [PMID: 34087326 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Based on our exponentially increasing knowledge of stromal heterogeneity from advances in single-cell technologies, the notion that stromal cell types exist as a spectrum of unique subpopulations that have specific functions and spatial distributions in the tumor microenvironment has significant impact on tumor modeling for drug development and personalized drug testing. In this Review, we discuss the importance of incorporating stromal heterogeneity and tumor architecture, and propose an overall approach to guide the reconstruction of stromal heterogeneity in vitro for tumor modeling. These next-generation tumor models may support the development of more precise drugs targeting specific stromal cell subpopulations, as well as enable improved recapitulation of patient tumors in vitro for personalized drug testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon Jia Wei Tang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ayshath Zaseela
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Christabella Adine
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore; The N.1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Abdullah Omer Aydar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - N Gopalakrishna Iyer
- National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
| | - Eliza Li Shan Fong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore; The N.1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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25
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Correlation of cellular traction forces and dissociation kinetics of adhesive protein zyxin revealed by multi-parametric live cell microscopy. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251411. [PMID: 33974655 PMCID: PMC8112686 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells exert traction forces on the extracellular matrix to which they are adhered through the formation of focal adhesions. Spatial-temporal regulation of traction forces is crucial in cell adhesion, migration, cellular division, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. By cultivating cells on polyacrylamide hydrogels of different stiffness we were able to investigate the effects of substrate stiffness on the generation of cellular traction forces by Traction Force Microscopy (TFM), and characterize the molecular dynamics of the focal adhesion protein zyxin by Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS) and Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP). As the rigidity of the substrate increases, we observed an increment of both, cellular traction generation and zyxin residence time at the focal adhesions, while its diffusion would not be altered. Moreover, we found a positive correlation between the traction forces exerted by cells and the residence time of zyxin at the substrate elasticities studied. We found that this correlation persists at the subcellular level, even if there is no variation in substrate stiffness, revealing that focal adhesions that exert greater traction present longer residence time for zyxin, i.e., zyxin protein has less probability to dissociate from the focal adhesion.
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26
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Bose S, Dasbiswas K, Gopinath A. Matrix Stiffness Modulates Mechanical Interactions and Promotes Contact between Motile Cells. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9040428. [PMID: 33920918 PMCID: PMC8077938 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9040428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanical micro-environment of cells and tissues influences key aspects of cell structure and function, including cell motility. For proper tissue development, cells need to migrate, interact, and form contacts. Cells are known to exert contractile forces on underlying soft substrates and sense deformations in them. Here, we propose and analyze a minimal biophysical model for cell migration and long-range cell–cell interactions through mutual mechanical deformations of the substrate. We compute key metrics of cell motile behavior, such as the number of cell-cell contacts over a given time, the dispersion of cell trajectories, and the probability of permanent cell contact, and analyze how these depend on a cell motility parameter and substrate stiffness. Our results elucidate how cells may sense each other mechanically and generate coordinated movements and provide an extensible framework to further address both mechanical and short-range biophysical interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhaya Bose
- Department of Physics, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA; (S.B.); (K.D.)
| | - Kinjal Dasbiswas
- Department of Physics, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA; (S.B.); (K.D.)
| | - Arvind Gopinath
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
- Correspondence:
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27
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Han SJ, Azarova EV, Whitewood AJ, Bachir A, Guttierrez E, Groisman A, Horwitz AR, Goult BT, Dean KM, Danuser G. Pre-complexation of talin and vinculin without tension is required for efficient nascent adhesion maturation. eLife 2021; 10:66151. [PMID: 33783351 PMCID: PMC8009661 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Talin and vinculin are mechanosensitive proteins that are recruited early to integrin-based nascent adhesions (NAs). In two epithelial cell systems with well-delineated NA formation, we find these molecules concurrently recruited to the subclass of NAs maturing to focal adhesions. After the initial recruitment under minimal load, vinculin accumulates in maturing NAs at a ~ fivefold higher rate than in non-maturing NAs, and is accompanied by a faster traction force increase. We identify the R8 domain in talin, which exposes a vinculin-binding-site (VBS) in the absence of load, as required for NA maturation. Disruption of R8 domain function reduces load-free vinculin binding to talin, and reduces the rate of additional vinculin recruitment. Taken together, these data show that the concurrent recruitment of talin and vinculin prior to mechanical engagement with integrins is essential for the traction-mediated unfolding of talin, exposure of additional VBSs, further recruitment of vinculin, and ultimately, NA maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangyoon J Han
- Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, United States
| | - Evgenia V Azarova
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | | | - Alexia Bachir
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, United States
| | - Edgar Guttierrez
- Department of Physics, University of California San Diego, San Diego, United States
| | - Alex Groisman
- Department of Physics, University of California San Diego, San Diego, United States
| | - Alan R Horwitz
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, United States
| | - Benjamin T Goult
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin M Dean
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Gaudenz Danuser
- Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States.,Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
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28
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Modeling force application configurations and morphologies required for cancer cell invasion. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2021; 20:1187-1194. [PMID: 33683515 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-021-01441-9] [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: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
We show that cell-applied, normal mechanical stresses are required for cells to penetrate into soft substrates, matching experimental observations in invasive cancer cells, while in-plane traction forces alone reproduce observations in non-cancer/noninvasive cells. Mechanobiological interactions of cells with their microenvironment drive migration and cancer invasion. We have previously shown that invasive cancer cells forcefully and rapidly push into impenetrable, physiological stiffness gels and indent them to cell-scale depths (up to 10 μm); normal, noninvasive cells indent at most to 0.7 μm. Significantly indenting cells signpost increased cancer invasiveness and higher metastatic risk in vitro and in vivo, as verified experimentally in different cancer types, yet the underlying cell-applied, force magnitudes and configurations required to produce the cell-scale gel indentations have yet to be evaluated. Hence, we have developed finite element models of forces applied onto soft, impenetrable gels using experimental cell/gel morphologies, gel mechanics, and force magnitudes. We show that in-plane traction forces can only induce small-scale indentations in soft gels (< 0.7 μm), matching experiments with various single, normal cells. Addition of a normal force (on the scale of experimental traction forces) produced cell-scale indentations that matched observations in invasive cancer cells. We note that normal stresses (force and area) determine the indentation depth, while contact area size and morphology have a minor effect, explaining the origin of experimentally observed cell morphologies. We have thus revealed controlling features facilitating invasive indentations by single cancer cells, which will allow application of our model to complex problems, such as multicellular systems.
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29
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Carthew J, Abdelmaksoud HH, Hodgson‐Garms M, Aslanoglou S, Ghavamian S, Elnathan R, Spatz JP, Brugger J, Thissen H, Voelcker NH, Cadarso VJ, Frith JE. Precision Surface Microtopography Regulates Cell Fate via Changes to Actomyosin Contractility and Nuclear Architecture. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2003186. [PMID: 33747730 PMCID: PMC7967085 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202003186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Cells are able to perceive complex mechanical cues from their microenvironment, which in turn influences their development. Although the understanding of these intricate mechanotransductive signals is evolving, the precise roles of substrate microtopography in directing cell fate is still poorly understood. Here, UV nanoimprint lithography is used to generate micropillar arrays ranging from 1 to 10 µm in height, width, and spacing to investigate the impact of microtopography on mechanotransduction. Using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a model, stark pattern-specific changes in nuclear architecture, lamin A/C accumulation, chromatin positioning, and DNA methyltransferase expression, are demonstrated. MSC osteogenesis is also enhanced specifically on micropillars with 5 µm width/spacing and 5 µm height. Intriguingly, the highest degree of osteogenesis correlates with patterns that stimulated maximal nuclear deformation which is shown to be dependent on myosin-II-generated tension. The outcomes determine new insights into nuclear mechanotransduction by demonstrating that force transmission across the nuclear envelope can be modulated by substrate topography, and that this can alter chromatin organisation and impact upon cell fate. These findings have potential to inform the development of microstructured cell culture substrates that can direct cell mechanotransduction and fate for therapeutic applications in both research and clinical sectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Carthew
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringMonash UniversityWellington RoadClaytonVictoria3800Australia
- Centre to Impact Antimicrobial Resistance – Sustainable SolutionsMonash UniversityClaytonVictoria3800Australia
| | - Hazem H. Abdelmaksoud
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringMonash UniversityWellington RoadClaytonVictoria3800Australia
- Melbourne Centre for NanofabricationVictorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication FacilityClaytonVictoria3168Australia
| | - Margeaux Hodgson‐Garms
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringMonash UniversityWellington RoadClaytonVictoria3800Australia
| | - Stella Aslanoglou
- Melbourne Centre for NanofabricationVictorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication FacilityClaytonVictoria3168Australia
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical SciencesMonash University381 Royal ParadeParkvilleVictoria3052Australia
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)ClaytonVictoria3168Australia
| | - Sara Ghavamian
- Centre to Impact Antimicrobial Resistance – Sustainable SolutionsMonash UniversityClaytonVictoria3800Australia
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringMonash UniversityWellington RoadClaytonVictoria3800Australia
| | - Roey Elnathan
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringMonash UniversityWellington RoadClaytonVictoria3800Australia
- Melbourne Centre for NanofabricationVictorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication FacilityClaytonVictoria3168Australia
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical SciencesMonash University381 Royal ParadeParkvilleVictoria3052Australia
| | - Joachim P. Spatz
- Department of Cellular BiophysicsMax Planck Institute for Medical ResearchJahnstraßeHeidelbergD‐69120Germany
- Heidelberg UniversityInstitute for Molecular Systems Engineering (IMSE)HeidelbergD‐69120Germany
- Max Planck School Matter to LifeGermany
| | - Juergen Brugger
- Microsystems LaboratoryÉcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)Lausanne1015Switzerland
| | - Helmut Thissen
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)ClaytonVictoria3168Australia
| | - Nicolas H. Voelcker
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringMonash UniversityWellington RoadClaytonVictoria3800Australia
- Melbourne Centre for NanofabricationVictorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication FacilityClaytonVictoria3168Australia
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical SciencesMonash University381 Royal ParadeParkvilleVictoria3052Australia
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)ClaytonVictoria3168Australia
| | - Victor J. Cadarso
- Centre to Impact Antimicrobial Resistance – Sustainable SolutionsMonash UniversityClaytonVictoria3800Australia
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringMonash UniversityWellington RoadClaytonVictoria3800Australia
- Melbourne Centre for NanofabricationVictorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication FacilityClaytonVictoria3168Australia
| | - Jessica E. Frith
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringMonash UniversityWellington RoadClaytonVictoria3800Australia
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30
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Song C, Zhang X, Wei W, Ma G. Principles of regulating particle multiscale structures for controlling particle-cell interaction process. Chem Eng Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2020.116343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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31
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Salari A, Appak-Baskoy S, Coe IR, Tsai SSH, Kolios MC. An ultrafast enzyme-free acoustic technique for detaching adhered cells in microchannels. RSC Adv 2021; 11:32824-32829. [PMID: 35493567 PMCID: PMC9042199 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra04875a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adherent cultured cells are widely used biological tools for a variety of biochemical and biotechnology applications, including drug screening and gene expression analysis. One critical step in culturing adherent cells is the dissociation of cell monolayers into single-cell suspensions. Different enzymatic and non-enzymatic methods have been proposed for this purpose. Trypsinization, the most common enzymatic method for dislodging adhered cells, can be detrimental to cells, as it can damage cell membranes and ultimately cause cell death. Additionally, all available techniques require a prolonged treatment duration, typically on the order of minutes (5–10 min). Dissociation of cells becomes even more challenging in microfluidic devices, where, due to the nature of low Reynolds number flow and reduced mixing efficiency, multiple washing steps and prolonged trypsinization may be necessary to treat all cells. Here, we report a novel acoustofluidic method for the detachment of cells adhered onto a microchannel surface without exposing the cells to any enzymatic or non-enzymatic chemicals. This method enables a rapid (i.e., on the order of seconds), cost-effective, and easy-to-operate cell detachment strategy, yielding a detachment efficiency of ∼99% and cellular viability similar to that of the conventional trypsinization method. Also, as opposed to biochemical-based techniques (e.g., enzymatic), in our approach, cells are exposed to the dissociating agent (i.e., substrate-mediated acoustic excitation and microstreaming flow) only for as long as they remain attached to the substrate. After dissociation, the effect of acoustic excitation is reduced to microstreaming flow, therefore, minimizing unwanted effects of the dissociating agent on the cell phenotype. Additionally, our results suggest that cell excitation at acoustic powers lower than that required for complete cell detachment can potentially be employed for probing the adhesion strength of cell–substrate attachment. This novel approach can, therefore, be used for a wide range of lab-on-a-chip applications. We report a novel acoustofluidic method for detaching adhered cells from microchannel surfaces. This method enables a rapid (i.e., on the order of seconds), cost-effective, and easy-to-operate cell detachment strategy with high cellular viability.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Alinaghi Salari
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Sila Appak-Baskoy
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Imogen R. Coe
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
- Molecular Science Graduate Program, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B2K3, Canada
| | - Scott S. H. Tsai
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Michael C. Kolios
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
- Department of Physics, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
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32
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Qiu B, Li G, Du J, Zhang A, Jin Y. A Numerical Model of a Perforated Microcantilever Covered with Cardiomyocytes to Improve the Performance of the Microcantilever Sensor. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 14:ma14010095. [PMID: 33379322 PMCID: PMC7795391 DOI: 10.3390/ma14010095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A few simple polymeric microsystems, such as microcantilever sensors, have recently been developed for the preliminary screening of cardiac toxicity. The microcantilever deflection produced by a change in the cardiomyocyte (CM) contraction force is important for understanding the mechanism of heart failure. In this study, a new numerical model is proposed to analyze the contractile behavior of CMs cultured on a perforated microcantilever surface for improving the performance of the microcantilever sensor. First, the surface traction model is used to investigate the bending displacement of the plain microcantilever. In order to improve the bending effect, a new numerical model is developed to analyze the bending behavior of the perforated microcantilever covered with CMs. Compared with the designed molds, the latter yields better results. Finally, a simulation analysis is proposed based on a finite element method to verify the presence of a preformed mold. Moreover, the effects of various factors on the bending displacement, including microcantilever size, Young's modulus, and porosity factor, are investigated. Both the simulation and numerical results have good consistency, and the maximum error between the numerical and simulation results is not more than 3.4%, even though the porosity factor reaches 0.147. The results show that the developed mold opens new avenues for CM microcantilever sensors to detect cardiac toxicity.
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33
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Devine D, Vijayakumar V, Wong SW, Lenzini S, Newman P, Shin JW. Hydrogel Micropost Arrays with Single Post Tunability to Study Cell Volume and Mechanotransduction. ADVANCED BIOSYSTEMS 2020; 4:e2000012. [PMID: 33053274 PMCID: PMC7704779 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix varies considerably in mechanical properties at the microscale. It remains unclear how cells respond to these properties, in part, due to lack of tools to create precisely defined microenvironments in a discrete manner. Here, freeform stereolithography is leveraged to control the placement and elastic modulus of individual hydrogel microposts that serve as discrete matrix signals to interface with cells. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) located in the interstitial spaces between microposts above a base layer are analyzed. Cell volume is higher when MSCs interact with more microposts. MSCs show higher strain energy when they interact simultaneously with 4-kPa and 20-kPa microposts than with mechanically homogeneous micropost arrays. MSCs are sensitive to pharmacological inhibition of Rho-associated protein kinase in 4-kPa arrays, but resistant when presented together with 20-kPa arrays. Yes-associated protein (YAP) activity increases with higher cell volume and elastic modulus of microposts. Surprisingly, YAP activity becomes less variable with higher cell volume and decreases with higher average force and strain energy per post when MSCs interact with both 4-kPa and 20-kPa microposts simultaneously. Together, these results describe a material system for systematically investigating how the placement and intrinsic properties of discrete matrix signals impact cell volume and mechanotransduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Devine
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Vishwaarth Vijayakumar
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sing Wan Wong
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Stephen Lenzini
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Peter Newman
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jae-Won Shin
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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34
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Tran R, Moraes C, Hoesli CA. Developmentally-Inspired Biomimetic Culture Models to Produce Functional Islet-Like Cells From Pluripotent Precursors. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:583970. [PMID: 33117786 PMCID: PMC7576674 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.583970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin-producing beta cells sourced from pluripotent stem cells hold great potential as a virtually unlimited cell source to treat diabetes. Directed pancreatic differentiation protocols aim to mimic various stimuli present during embryonic development through sequential changes of in vitro culture conditions. This is commonly accomplished by the timed addition of soluble signaling factors, in conjunction with cell-handling steps such as the formation of 3D cell aggregates. Interestingly, when stem cells at the pancreatic progenitor stage are transplanted, they form functional insulin-producing cells, suggesting that in vivo microenvironmental cues promote beta cell specification. Among these cues, biophysical stimuli have only recently emerged in the context of optimizing pancreatic differentiation protocols. This review focuses on studies of cell–microenvironment interactions and their impact on differentiating pancreatic cells when considering cell signaling, cell–cell and cell–ECM interactions. We highlight the development of in vitro cell culture models that allow systematic studies of pancreatic cell mechanobiology in response to extracellular matrix proteins, biomechanical effects, soluble factor modulation of biomechanics, substrate stiffness, fluid flow and topography. Finally, we explore how these new mechanical insights could lead to novel pancreatic differentiation protocols that improve efficiency, maturity, and throughput.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Tran
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Christopher Moraes
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Corinne A Hoesli
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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35
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Rheinlaender J, Dimitracopoulos A, Wallmeyer B, Kronenberg NM, Chalut KJ, Gather MC, Betz T, Charras G, Franze K. Cortical cell stiffness is independent of substrate mechanics. NATURE MATERIALS 2020; 19:1019-1025. [PMID: 32451510 PMCID: PMC7610513 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-020-0684-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Cortical stiffness is an important cellular property that changes during migration, adhesion and growth. Previous atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation measurements of cells cultured on deformable substrates have suggested that cells adapt their stiffness to that of their surroundings. Here we show that the force applied by AFM to a cell results in a significant deformation of the underlying substrate if this substrate is softer than the cell. This 'soft substrate effect' leads to an underestimation of a cell's elastic modulus when analysing data using a standard Hertz model, as confirmed by finite element modelling and AFM measurements of calibrated polyacrylamide beads, microglial cells and fibroblasts. To account for this substrate deformation, we developed a 'composite cell-substrate model'. Correcting for the substrate indentation revealed that cortical cell stiffness is largely independent of substrate mechanics, which has major implications for our interpretation of many physiological and pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Rheinlaender
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Andrea Dimitracopoulos
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Bernhard Wallmeyer
- Centre for Molecular Biology of Inflammation, Institute of Cell Biology, Excellence Cluster Cells in Motion, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nils M Kronenberg
- SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
- Centre for Nanobiophotonics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kevin J Chalut
- Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Malte C Gather
- SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
- Centre for Nanobiophotonics, Department of Chemistry, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Timo Betz
- Centre for Molecular Biology of Inflammation, Institute of Cell Biology, Excellence Cluster Cells in Motion, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Guillaume Charras
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kristian Franze
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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36
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Xu H, Donegan S, Dreher JM, Stark AJ, Canović EP, Stamenović D, Smith ML. Focal adhesion displacement magnitude is a unifying feature of tensional homeostasis. Acta Biomater 2020; 113:372-379. [PMID: 32634483 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.06.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Tensional homeostasis is widely recognized to exist at the length scales of organs and tissues, but the cellular length scale mechanism for tension regulation is not known. In this study, we explored whether tensional homeostasis emerges from the behavior of the individual focal adhesion (FA), which is the subcellular structure that transmits cell stress to the surrounding extracellular matrix. Past studies have suggested that cell contractility builds up until a certain displacement is achieved, and we thus hypothesized that tensional homeostasis may require a threshold level of substrate displacement. Micropattern traction microscopy was used to study a wide range of FA traction forces generated by bovine vascular smooth muscle cells and bovine aortic endothelial cells cultured on substrates of stiffness of 3.6, 6.7, 13.6, and 30 kPa. The most striking feature of FA dynamics observed here is that the substrate displacement resulting from FA traction forces is a unifying feature that determines FA tensional stability. Beyond approximately 1 μm of substrate displacement, FAs, regardless of cell type or substrate stiffness, exhibit a precipitous drop in temporal fluctuations of traction forces. These findings lead us to the conclusion that traction force dynamics collectively determine whether cells or cell ensembles develop tensional homeostasis, and this insight is necessary to fully understand how matrix stiffness impacts cellular behavior in healthy conditions and, more important, in pathological conditions such as cancer or vascular aging, where environmental stiffness is altered. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Tensional homeostasis is widely recognized to exist at the length scales of organs and tissues, but the cellular length scale mechanism for tension regulation is not known. In this study, we explored whether tensional homeostasis emerges from the behavior of the individual focal adhesion (FA), which is the subcellular structure that transmits cell stress to the extracellular matrix. We utilized micropattern traction microscopy to measure time-lapses of FA forces in vascular smooth muscle cells and in endothelial cells. We discovered that the magnitude of the substrate displacement determines whether the FA has low temporal variability of traction forces. This finding is significant since it is the first known feature of tensional homeostasis that is broadly unifying across a range of environmental conditions and cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Stephanie Donegan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, 110 Cummington Mall, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Jordan M Dreher
- Department of Chemistry, Norfolk State University, 700 Park Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 23504, United States
| | - Alicia J Stark
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Elizabeth P Canović
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Dimitrije Stamenović
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States; Division of Material Science and Engineering, Boston University, 15St. Mary's St., Brookline, MA 02446, United States.
| | - Michael L Smith
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States.
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37
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Xia J, Yuan Y, Wu H, Huang Y, Weitz DA. Decoupling the effects of nanopore size and surface roughness on the attachment, spreading and differentiation of bone marrow-derived stem cells. Biomaterials 2020; 248:120014. [PMID: 32276040 PMCID: PMC7262959 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The nanopore size and roughness of nanoporous surface are two critical variables in determining stem cell fate, but little is known about the contribution from each cue individually. To address this gap, we use two-dimensional nanoporous membranes with controlled nanopore size and roughness to culture bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), and study their behaviors such as attachment, spreading and differentiation. We find that increasing the roughness of nanoporous surface has no noticeable effect on cell attachment, and only slightly decreases cell spreading areas and inhibits osteogenic differentiation. However, BMSCs cultured on membranes with larger nanopores have significantly fewer attached cells and larger spreading areas. Moreover, these cells cultured on larger nanopores undergo enhanced osteogenic differentiation by expressing more alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, osteopontin, and secreting more collagen type I. These results suggest that although both nanopore size and roughness can affect BMSCs, nanopore size plays a more significant role than roughness in controlling BMSC behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xia
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Yuan Yuan
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Huayin Wu
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Yuting Huang
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - David A Weitz
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA; Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
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38
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Iendaltseva O, Orlova VV, Mummery CL, Danen EHJ, Schmidt T. Fibronectin Patches as Anchoring Points for Force Sensing and Transmission in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Pericytes. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 14:1107-1122. [PMID: 32470326 PMCID: PMC7355144 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pericytes (PCs) have been reported to contribute to the mechanoregulation of the capillary diameter and blood flow in health and disease. How this is realized remains poorly understood. We designed several models representing basement membrane (BM) in between PCs and endothelial cells (ECs). These models captured a unique protein organization with micron-sized FN patches surrounded by laminin (LM) and allowed to obtain quantitative information on PC morphology and contractility. Using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived PCs, we could address mechanical aspects of mid-capillary PC behavior in vitro. Our results showed that PCs strongly prefer FN patches over LM for adhesion formation, have an optimal stiffness for spreading in the range of EC rigidity, and react in a non-canonical way with increased traction forces and reduced spreading on other stiffness then the optimal. Our approach opens possibilities to further study PC force regulation under well-controlled conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Iendaltseva
- Physics of Life Processes, Leiden Institute of Physics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden, South Holland 2333 CC, the Netherlands; Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden, South Holland 2333 CC, the Netherlands
| | - Valeria V Orlova
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, South Holland, the Netherlands
| | - Christine L Mummery
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, South Holland, the Netherlands
| | - Erik H J Danen
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden, South Holland 2333 CC, the Netherlands.
| | - Thomas Schmidt
- Physics of Life Processes, Leiden Institute of Physics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden, South Holland 2333 CC, the Netherlands.
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39
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Malik AA, Wennberg B, Gerlee P. The Impact of Elastic Deformations of the Extracellular Matrix on Cell Migration. Bull Math Biol 2020; 82:49. [PMID: 32248312 PMCID: PMC7128007 DOI: 10.1007/s11538-020-00721-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix, in particular its stiffness, are known to impact cell migration. In this paper, we develop a mathematical model of a single cell migrating on an elastic matrix, which accounts for the deformation of the matrix induced by forces exerted by the cell, and investigate how the stiffness impacts the direction and speed of migration. We model a cell in 1D as a nucleus connected to a number of adhesion sites through elastic springs. The cell migrates by randomly updating the position of its adhesion sites. We start by investigating the case where the cell springs are constant, and then go on to assuming that they depend on the matrix stiffness, on matrices of both uniform stiffness as well as those with a stiffness gradient. We find that the assumption that cell springs depend on the substrate stiffness is necessary and sufficient for an efficient durotactic response. We compare simulations to recent experimental observations of human cancer cells exhibiting durotaxis, which show good qualitative agreement.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Malik
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology and University of Gothenburg, 412 96, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - B Wennberg
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology and University of Gothenburg, 412 96, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - P Gerlee
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology and University of Gothenburg, 412 96, Gothenburg, Sweden
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40
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Obenaus AM, Mollica MY, Sniadecki NJ. (De)form and Function: Measuring Cellular Forces with Deformable Materials and Deformable Structures. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e1901454. [PMID: 31951099 PMCID: PMC7274881 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201901454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The ability for biological cells to produce mechanical forces is important for the development, function, and homeostasis of tissue. The measurement of cellular forces is not a straightforward task because individual cells are microscopic in size and the forces they produce are at the nanonewton scale. Consequently, studies in cell mechanics rely on advanced biomaterials or flexible structures that permit one to infer these forces by the deformation they impart on the material or structure. Herein, the scientific progression on the use of deformable materials and deformable structures to measure cellular forces are reviewed. The findings and insights made possible with these approaches in the field of cell mechanics are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ava M Obenaus
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Molly Y Mollica
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Nathan J Sniadecki
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
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41
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Sachs L, Denker C, Greinacher A, Palankar R. Quantifying single-platelet biomechanics: An outsider's guide to biophysical methods and recent advances. Res Pract Thromb Haemost 2020; 4:386-401. [PMID: 32211573 PMCID: PMC7086474 DOI: 10.1002/rth2.12313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Platelets are the key cellular components of blood primarily contributing to formation of stable hemostatic plugs at the site of vascular injury, thus preventing excessive blood loss. On the other hand, excessive platelet activation can contribute to thrombosis. Platelets respond to many stimuli that can be of biochemical, cellular, or physical origin. This drives platelet activation kinetics and plays a vital role in physiological and pathological situations. Currently used bulk assays are inadequate for comprehensive biomechanical assessment of single platelets. Individual platelets interact and respond differentially while modulating their biomechanical behavior depending on dynamic changes that occur in surrounding microenvironments. Quantitative description of such a phenomenon at single-platelet regime and up to nanometer resolution requires methodological approaches that can manipulate individual platelets at submicron scales. This review focusses on principles, specific examples, and limitations of several relevant biophysical methods applied to single-platelet analysis such as micropipette aspiration, atomic force microscopy, scanning ion conductance microscopy and traction force microscopy. Additionally, we are introducing a promising single-cell approach, real-time deformability cytometry, as an emerging biophysical method for high-throughput biomechanical characterization of single platelets. This review serves as an introductory guide for clinician scientists and beginners interested in exploring one or more of the above-mentioned biophysical methods to address outstanding questions in single-platelet biomechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sachs
- Institute of Immunology and Transfusion MedicineUniversity Medicine GreifswaldGreifswaldGermany
| | | | - Andreas Greinacher
- Institute of Immunology and Transfusion MedicineUniversity Medicine GreifswaldGreifswaldGermany
| | - Raghavendra Palankar
- Institute of Immunology and Transfusion MedicineUniversity Medicine GreifswaldGreifswaldGermany
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42
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MacKay L, Khadra A. The bioenergetics of integrin-based adhesion, from single molecule dynamics to stability of macromolecular complexes. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:393-416. [PMID: 32128069 PMCID: PMC7044673 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The forces actively generated by motile cells must be transmitted to their environment in a spatiotemporally regulated manner, in order to produce directional cellular motion. This task is accomplished through integrin-based adhesions, large macromolecular complexes that link the actin-cytoskelton inside the cell to its external environment. Despite their relatively large size, adhesions exhibit rapid dynamics, switching between assembly and disassembly in response to chemical and mechanical cues exerted by cytoplasmic biochemical signals, and intracellular/extracellular forces, respectively. While in material science, force typically disrupts adhesive contact, in this biological system, force has a more nuanced effect, capable of causing assembly or disassembly. This initially puzzled experimentalists and theorists alike, but investigation into the mechanisms regulating adhesion dynamics have progressively elucidated the origin of these phenomena. This review provides an overview of recent studies focused on the theoretical understanding of adhesion assembly and disassembly as well as the experimental studies that motivated them. We first concentrate on the kinetics of integrin receptors, which exhibit a complex response to force, and then investigate how this response manifests itself in macromolecular adhesion complexes. We then turn our attention to studies of adhesion plaque dynamics that link integrins to the actin-cytoskeleton, and explain how force can influence the assembly/disassembly of these macromolecular structure. Subsequently, we analyze the effect of force on integrins populations across lengthscales larger than single adhesions. Finally, we cover some theoretical studies that have considered both integrins and the adhesion plaque and discuss some potential future avenues of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent MacKay
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Anmar Khadra
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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43
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Allahyari Z, Gholizadeh S, Chung HH, Delgadillo LF, Gaborski TR. Micropatterned Poly(ethylene glycol) Islands Disrupt Endothelial Cell-Substrate Interactions Differently from Microporous Membranes. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2019; 6:959-968. [PMID: 32582838 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b01584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Porous membranes are ubiquitous in cell co-culture and tissue-on-a-chip studies. These materials are predominantly chosen for their semi-permeable and size exclusion properties to restrict or permit transmigration and cell-cell communication. However, previous studies have shown pore size, spacing and orientation affect cell behavior including extracellular matrix production and migration. The mechanism behind this behavior is not fully understood. In this study, we fabricated micropatterned non-fouling polyethylene glycol (PEG) islands to mimic pore openings in order to decouple the effect of surface discontinuity from potential grip on the vertical contact area provided by pore wall edges. Similar to previous findings on porous membranes, we found that the PEG islands hindered fibronectin fibrillogenesis with cells on patterned substrates producing shorter fibrils. Additionally, cell migration speed over micropatterned PEG islands was greater than unpatterned controls, suggesting that disruption of cell-substrate interactions by PEG islands promoted a more dynamic and migratory behavior, similarly to enhanced cell migration on microporous membranes. Preferred cellular directionality during migration was nearly indistinguishable between substrates with identically patterned PEG islands and previously reported behavior over micropores of the same geometry, further confirming disruption of cell-substrate interactions as a common mechanism behind the cellular responses on these substrates. Interestingly, compared to respective controls, there were differences in cell spreading and a lower increase in migration speed over PEG islands compared prior results on micropores with identical feature size and spacing. This suggests that membrane pores not only disrupt cell-substrate interactions, but also provide additional physical factors that affect cellular response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Allahyari
- Department of Microsystems Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, 160 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, 160 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623, USA
| | - Shayan Gholizadeh
- Department of Microsystems Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, 160 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, 160 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623, USA
| | - Henry H Chung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, 160 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623, USA
| | - Luis F Delgadillo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, 201 Robert B. Goergen Hall, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - Thomas R Gaborski
- Department of Microsystems Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, 160 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, 160 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, 201 Robert B. Goergen Hall, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
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44
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Kohn JC, Abdalrahman T, Sack KL, Reinhart-King CA, Franz T. Cell focal adhesion clustering leads to decreased and homogenized basal strains. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2019; 35:e3260. [PMID: 31484224 DOI: 10.1002/cnm.3260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2019] [Revised: 08/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The subendothelial matrix of the artery is a complex mechanical environment where endothelial cells respond to and affect changes upon the underlying substrate. Our recent work has demonstrated that endothelial cell strain heterogeneity increases on a more heterogeneous underlying subendothelial matrix, and these cells display increased focal adhesion presence on stiffer substrate areas. However, the impact of these grouped focal adhesions on endothelial cell strains has not been explored. Here, we use finite element modeling to investigate the effects of microscale stiffness heterogeneities and focal adhesion location and stiffness on endothelial cell strains. Shear stress applied to the apical cell layer demonstrated a minimal effect on cell strain values, while substrate stretch had a greater effect on cell strain in the cell-substrate model. The addition of focal adhesions into the computational model (cell-FA-substrate model) predicted a decrease and homogenization of the cell strains. For simulations including focal adhesions, stiffer and more distributed adhesions caused increased and more heterogeneous endothelial cell strains. Overall, our data indicate that cells may group focal adhesions to minimize and homogenize their basal strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie C Kohn
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Tamer Abdalrahman
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Julius Wolff Institute for Biomechanics and Musculoskeletal Regeneration, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kevin L Sack
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Cynthia A Reinhart-King
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Thomas Franz
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Bioengineering Science Research Group, Engineering Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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45
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Zhao Q, Wang J, Wang Y, Cui H, Du X. A stage-specific cell-manipulation platform for inducing endothelialization on demand. Natl Sci Rev 2019; 7:629-643. [PMID: 34692082 PMCID: PMC8289041 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwz188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelialization is of great significance for vascular remodeling, as well as for the success of implanted vascular grafts/stents in cardiovascular disease treatment. However, desirable endothelialization on synthetic biomaterials remains greatly challenging owing to extreme difficulty in offering dynamic guidance on endothelial cell (EC) functions resembling the native extracellular matrix-mediated effects. Here, we demonstrate a bilayer platform with near-infrared-triggered transformable topographies, which can alter the geometries and functions of human ECs by tunable topographical cues in a remote-controlled manner, yet cause no damage to the cell viability. The migration and the adhesion/spreading of human ECs are respectively promoted by the temporary anisotropic and permanent isotropic topographies of the platform in turn, which appropriately meet the requirements of stage-specific EC manipulation for endothelialization. In addition to the potential of promoting the development of a new generation of vascular grafts/stents enabling rapid endothelialization, this stage-specific cell-manipulation platform also holds promise in various biomedical fields, since the needs for stepwise control over different cell functions are common in wound healing and various tissue-regeneration processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qilong Zhao
- Institute of Biomedical & Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518035, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Institute of Biomedical & Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518035, China
| | - Yunlong Wang
- Institute of Biomedical & Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518035, China
| | - Huanqing Cui
- Institute of Biomedical & Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518035, China
| | - Xuemin Du
- Institute of Biomedical & Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518035, China
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46
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Characterization of 3D matrix conditions for cancer cell migration with elasticity/porosity-independent tunable microfiber gels. Polym J 2019. [DOI: 10.1038/s41428-019-0283-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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47
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Manifacier I, Beussman KM, Han SJ, Sniadecki NJ, About I, Milan JL. The consequence of substrates of large-scale rigidity on actin network tension in adherent cells. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin 2019; 22:1073-1082. [PMID: 31204851 DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2019.1629428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
There is compelling evidence that substrate stiffness affects cell adhesion as well as cytoskeleton organization and contractile activity. This work was designed to study the cytoskeletal contractile activity of single cells plated on micropost substrates of different stiffness using a numerical model simulating the intracellular tension of individual cells. We allowed cells to adhere onto micropost substrates of various rigidities and used experimental traction force data to infer cell contractility using a numerical model. The model shows that higher substrate stiffness leads to an increase in intracellular tension. The strength of this model is its ability to calculate the mechanical state of each cell in accordance to its individual cytoskeletal structure. This is achieved by regenerating a numerical cytoskeleton based on microscope images of the actin network of each cell. The resulting numerical structure consequently represents pulling characteristics on its environment similar to those generated by the cell in-vivo. From actin imaging we can calculate and better understand how forces are transmitted throughout the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Manifacier
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, ISM , Marseille , France.,Aix Marseille University, APHM, CNRS, ISM, Sainte-Marguerite Hospital, Institute for Locomotion , Marseille , France
| | - Kevin M Beussman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington , Seattle , WA , USA.,Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington , Seattle , WA , USA.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington , Seattle , WA , USA
| | - Sangyoon J Han
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School , Boston , WA , USA.,Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas , Dallas , TX
| | - Nathan J Sniadecki
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington , Seattle , WA , USA.,Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington , Seattle , WA , USA.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington , Seattle , WA , USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington , Seattle , WA, USA
| | - Imad About
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, ISM , Marseille , France
| | - Jean-Louis Milan
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, ISM , Marseille , France.,Aix Marseille University, APHM, CNRS, ISM, Sainte-Marguerite Hospital, Institute for Locomotion , Marseille , France
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48
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Jalal S, Shi S, Acharya V, Huang RYJ, Viasnoff V, Bershadsky AD, Tee YH. Actin cytoskeleton self-organization in single epithelial cells and fibroblasts under isotropic confinement. J Cell Sci 2019; 132:jcs.220780. [PMID: 30787030 PMCID: PMC6432717 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.220780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Actin cytoskeleton self-organization in two cell types, fibroblasts and epitheliocytes, was studied in cells confined to isotropic adhesive islands. In fibroblasts plated onto islands of optimal size, an initially circular actin pattern evolves into a radial pattern of actin bundles that undergo asymmetric chiral swirling before finally producing parallel linear stress fibers. Epitheliocytes, however, did not exhibit succession through all the actin patterns described above. Upon confinement, the actin cytoskeleton in non-keratinocyte epitheliocytes was arrested at the circular stage, while in keratinocytes it progressed as far as the radial pattern but still could not break symmetry. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition pushed actin cytoskeleton development from circular towards radial patterns but remained insufficient to cause chirality. Knockout of cytokeratins also did not promote actin chirality development in keratinocytes. Left–right asymmetric cytoskeleton swirling could, however, be induced in keratinocytes by treatment with small doses of the G-actin sequestering drug, latrunculin A in a transcription-independent manner. Both the nucleus and the cytokeratin network followed the induced chiral swirling. Development of chirality in keratinocytes was controlled by DIAPH1 (mDia1) and VASP, proteins involved in regulation of actin polymerization. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: Epitheliocytes cannot develop the F-actin patterns typically observed in fibroblasts, but can do so after treatments affecting actin polymerization. Regulators of actin polymerization, DIAPH1 and VASP, control this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salma Jalal
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411
| | - Shidong Shi
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411
| | | | - Ruby Yun-Ju Huang
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, National University Hospital, Singapore 119228.,Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599
| | - Virgile Viasnoff
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411.,Centre National Pour la Recherche Scientifique, Singapore 117411.,Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558
| | - Alexander D Bershadsky
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411 .,Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Yee Han Tee
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411
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49
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Hui J, Pang SW. Cell migration on microposts with surface coating and confinement. Biosci Rep 2019; 39:BSR20181596. [PMID: 30674640 PMCID: PMC6379512 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20181596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding cell migration in a 3D microenvironment is essential as most cells encounter complex 3D extracellular matrix (ECM) in vivo Although interactions between cells and ECM have been studied previously on 2D surfaces, cell migration studies in 3D environment are still limited. To investigate cell migration under various degrees of confinements and coating conditions, 3D platforms with micropost arrays and controlled fibronectin (FN) protein coating were developed. MC3T3-E1 cells spread and contacted the top surface of microposts if FN was coated on top. When FN was coated all over the microposts, cells were trapped between microposts with 3 μm spacing and barely moved. As the spacing between microposts increased from 3 to 5 μm, cells became elongated with limited cell movement of 0.18 μm/min, slower than the cell migration speed of 0.40 μm/min when cells moved on top. When cells were trapped in between the microposts, cell nuclei were distorted and actin filaments formed along the sidewalls of microposts. With the addition of a top cover to introduce cell confinement, the cell migration speed was 0.23 and 0.84 μm/min when the channel height was reduced from 20 to 10 μm, respectively. Cell traction force was monitored at on the top and bottom microposts with 10 μm channel height. These results show that the MC3T3-E1 cell morphology, migration speed, and movement position were affected by surface coating and physical confinement, which will provide significant insights for in vivo cell migration within a 3D ECM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianan Hui
- Department of Electronic Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Center for Biosystems, Neuroscience, and Nanotechnology, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Stella W Pang
- Department of Electronic Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Center for Biosystems, Neuroscience, and Nanotechnology, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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50
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Eftekharjoo M, Palmer D, McCoy B, Maruthamuthu V. Fibrillar force generation by fibroblasts depends on formin. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 510:72-77. [PMID: 30660364 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblasts in the extra-cellular matrix (ECM) often adopt a predominantly one-dimensional fibrillar geometry by virtue of their adhesion to the fibrils in the ECM. How much forces such fibrillar fibroblasts exert and how they respond to the extended stiffness of their micro-environment comprising of other ECM components and cells are not clear. We use fibroblasts adherent on fibronectin lines micropatterned onto soft polyacrylamide gels as an in vitro experimental model that maintains fibrillar cell morphology while still letting the cell mechanically interact with a continuous micro-environment of specified stiffness. We find that the exerted traction, quantified as the strain energy or the maximum exerted traction stress, is not a function of cell length. Both the strain energy and the maximum traction stress exerted by fibrillar cells are similar for low (13 kPa) or high (45 kPa) micro-environmental stiffness. Furthermore, we find that fibrillar fibroblasts exhibit prominent linear actin structures. Accordingly, inhibition of the formin family of nucleators strongly decreases the exerted traction forces. Interestingly, fibrillar cell migration is, however, not affected under formin inhibition. Our results suggest that fibrillar cell migration in such soft microenvironments is not dependent on high cellular force exertion in the absence of other topological constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Eftekharjoo
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA
| | - Dakota Palmer
- Department of Biological Sciences and Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA
| | - Breanna McCoy
- Department of Engineering Technology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA
| | - Venkat Maruthamuthu
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA.
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