1
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Chowdhury MM, Zimmerman S, Leeson H, Nefzger CM, Mar JC, Laslett A, Polo JM, Wolvetang E, Cooper-White JJ. Superior Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Generation through Phactr3-Driven Mechanomodulation of Both Early and Late Phases of Cell Reprogramming. Biomater Res 2024; 28:0025. [PMID: 38774128 PMCID: PMC11106629 DOI: 10.34133/bmr.0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Human cell reprogramming traditionally involves time-intensive, multistage, costly tissue culture polystyrene-based cell culture practices that ultimately produce low numbers of reprogrammed cells of variable quality. Previous studies have shown that very soft 2- and 3-dimensional hydrogel substrates/matrices (of stiffnesses ≤ 1 kPa) can drive ~2× improvements in human cell reprogramming outcomes. Unfortunately, these similarly complex multistage protocols lack intrinsic scalability, and, furthermore, the associated underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated, limiting the potential to further maximize reprogramming outcomes. In screening the largest range of polyacrylamide (pAAm) hydrogels of varying stiffness to date (1 kPa to 1.3 MPa), we have found that a medium stiffness gel (~100 kPa) increased the overall number of reprogrammed cells by up to 10-fold (10×), accelerated reprogramming kinetics, improved both early and late phases of reprogramming, and produced induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) having more naïve characteristics and lower remnant transgene expression, compared to the gold standard tissue culture polystyrene practice. Functionalization of these pAAm hydrogels with poly-l-dopamine enabled, for the first-time, continuous, single-step reprogramming of fibroblasts to iPSCs on hydrogel substrates (noting that even the tissue culture polystyrene practice is a 2-stage process). Comparative RNA sequencing analyses coupled with experimental validation revealed that a novel reprogramming regulator, protein phosphatase and actin regulator 3, up-regulated under the gel condition at a very early time point, was responsible for the observed enhanced reprogramming outcomes. This study provides a novel culture protocol and substrate for continuous hydrogel-based cell reprogramming and previously unattained clarity of the underlying mechanisms via which substrate stiffness modulates reprogramming kinetics and iPSC quality outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mahfuz Chowdhury
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN),
The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | | | - Hannah Leeson
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN),
The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | | | - Jessica Cara Mar
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN),
The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Andrew Laslett
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Jose Maria Polo
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute,
Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics and the South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences,
The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Ernst Wolvetang
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN),
The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Justin John Cooper-White
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN),
The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Chemical Engineering, Andrew N. Liveris Building,
The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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2
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Takahashi Y, Ito S, Wang J, Kim J, Matsumoto T, Maeda E. Novel air-liquid interface culture model to investigate stiffness-dependent behaviors of alveolar epithelial cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 708:149791. [PMID: 38518719 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149791] [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: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Pulmonary alveoli are functional units in gas exchange in the lung, and their dysfunctions in lung diseases such as interstitial pneumonia are accompanied by fibrotic changes in structure, elevating the stiffness of extracellular matrix components. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that such changes in alveoli stiffness induce functional alteration of epithelial cell functions, exacerbating lung diseases. For this, we have developed a novel method of culturing alveolar epithelial cells on polyacrylamide gel with different elastic modulus at an air-liquid interface. It was demonstrated that A549 cells on soft gels, mimicking the modulus of a healthy lung, upregulated mRNA expression and protein synthesis of surfactant protein C (SFTPC). By contrast, the cells on stiff gels, mimicking the modulus of the fibrotic lung, exhibited upregulation of SFTPC gene expression but not at the protein level. Cell morphology, as well as cell nucleus volume, were also different between the two types of gels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuto Takahashi
- Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Satoru Ito
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan
| | - Jungfeng Wang
- Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Jeonghyun Kim
- Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Takeo Matsumoto
- Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Eijiro Maeda
- Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
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3
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Cifuentes LP, Athamneh AIM, Efremov Y, Raman A, Kim T, Suter DM. A modified motor-clutch model reveals that neuronal growth cones respond faster to soft substrates. Mol Biol Cell 2024; 35:ar47. [PMID: 38354034 PMCID: PMC11064671 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e23-09-0364] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuronal growth cones sense a variety of cues including chemical and mechanical ones to establish functional connections during nervous system development. Substrate-cytoskeletal coupling is an established model for adhesion-mediated growth cone advance; however, the detailed molecular and biophysical mechanisms underlying the mechanosensing and mechanotransduction process remain unclear. Here, we adapted a motor-clutch model to better understand the changes in clutch and cytoskeletal dynamics, traction forces, and substrate deformation when a growth cone interacts with adhesive substrates of different stiffnesses. Model parameters were optimized using experimental data from Aplysia growth cones probed with force-calibrated glass microneedles. We included a reinforcement mechanism at both motor and clutch level. Furthermore, we added a threshold for retrograde F-actin flow that indicates when the growth cone is strongly coupled to the substrate. Our modeling results are in strong agreement with experimental data with respect to the substrate deformation and the latency time after which substrate-cytoskeletal coupling is strong enough for the growth cone to advance. Our simulations show that it takes the shortest time to achieve strong coupling when substrate stiffness was low at 4 pN/nm. Taken together, these results suggest that Aplysia growth cones respond faster and more efficiently to soft than stiff substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yuri Efremov
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Arvind Raman
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Taeyoon Kim
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Daniel M. Suter
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Purdue Institute for Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
- Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
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4
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Zhang Y, Dai J, Hang R, Yao X, Bai L, Huang D, Hang R. Impact of surface biofunctionalization strategies on key effector cells response in polyacrylamide hydrogels for bone regeneration. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2024; 158:213768. [PMID: 38237320 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.213768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Despite the clinical prevalence of various bone defect repair materials, a full understanding of their influence on bone repair and regeneration remains elusive. This study focuses on poly(acrylamide) (PAAm) hydrogels, popular 2D model substrates, which have regulable mechanical properties within physiological. However, their bio-inert nature requires surface biofunctionalization to enhance cell-material interactions and facilitate the study of bone repair mechanisms. We utilized PAAm hydrogels of varying stiffness (18, 76 and 295 kPa), employed sulfosuccinimidyl-6-(4'-azido-2'-nitropheny-lamino) hexanoate (sulfo-SANPAH) and N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride/N-hydroxysuccinimidyl acrylate (EDC/NHS) as crosslinkers, and cultured macrophages, endothelial cells, and bone mesenchymal stem cells on these hydrogels. Our findings indicated that sulfo-SANPAH's crosslinking efficiency surpassed that of EDC/NHS, irrespective of pore size and stiffness. Importantly, we observed that the stiffness and surface biofunctionalization method of hydrogels significantly impacted cell adhesion and proliferation. The collagen-modified hydrogels by EDC/NHS strategy failed to support the normal biological behavior of bone mesenchymal stem cells and hindered endothelial cell spreading. In contrast, these modified hydrogels by the sulfo-SANPAH method showed good cytocompatibility with the three types of cells. This study underscores the critical role of appropriate conjugation strategies for PAAm hydrogels, providing valuable insights for hydrogel surface modification in bone repair and regeneration research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Biomedical Metal Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Jinjun Dai
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Biomedical Metal Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Ruiyue Hang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Biomedical Metal Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Xiaohong Yao
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Biomedical Metal Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China.
| | - Long Bai
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Di Huang
- Research Center for Nano-Biomaterials & Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China; Shanxi-Zheda Institute of Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering, Taiyuan 030060, China
| | - Ruiqiang Hang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Biomedical Metal Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China.
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5
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Sarkar A, Niraula G, LeVine D, Zhao Y, Tu Y, Mollaeian K, Ren J, Que L, Wang X. Development of a Ratiometric Tension Sensor Exclusively Responding to Integrin Tension Magnitude in Live Cells. ACS Sens 2023; 8:3701-3712. [PMID: 37738233 PMCID: PMC10788086 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.3c00606] [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] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Integrin tensions are critical for cell mechanotransduction. By converting force to fluorescence, molecular tension sensors image integrin tensions in live cells with a high resolution. However, the fluorescence signal intensity results collectively from integrin tension magnitude, tension dwell time, integrin density, sensor accessibility, and so forth, making it highly challenging to specifically monitor the molecular force level of integrin tensions. Here, a ratiometric tension sensor (RTS) was developed to exclusively monitor the integrin tension magnitude. The RTS consists of two tension-sensing units that are coupled in series and always subject to the same integrin tension. These two units are activated by tension to fluoresce in separate spectra and with different activation rates. The ratio of their activation probabilities, reported by fluorescence ratiometric measurement, is solely determined by the local integrin tension magnitude. RTS responded sensitively to the variation of integrin tension magnitude in platelets and focal adhesions due to different cell plating times, actomyosin inhibition, or vinculin knockout. At last, RTS confirmed that integrin tension magnitude in platelets and focal adhesions decreases monotonically with the substrate rigidity, verifying the rigidity dependence of integrin tensions in live cells and suggesting that integrin tension magnitude could be a key biomechanical factor in cell rigidity sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anwesha Sarkar
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Gopal Niraula
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Dana LeVine
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Yuanchang Zhao
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Ying Tu
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Keyvan Mollaeian
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Juan Ren
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Long Que
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Xuefeng Wang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- Hoxworth Blood Center, College of Medicine, The University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219, United States
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6
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Chen Z, Lv X, Lai L, Xu Y, Zhang F. Effects of riboflavin/ultraviolet-A(UVA) scleral crosslinking on the mechanical behavior of the scleral fibroblasts of lens-induced myopia Guinea pigs. Exp Eye Res 2023; 235:109618. [PMID: 37595677 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Myopia is becoming increasingly severe, and studies have shown that the cellular mechanics of scleral fibroblasts are altered following myopia. Scleral UVA-Riboflavin Collagen Crosslinking(sCXL) is a promising treatment for myopia prevention and control of axial growth. Understanding the mechanical properties of scleral fibroblasts is crucial, as it influences the cellular response and limits the extent of molecular deformation triggered. Thus, our study aimed to investigate the effect of mechanical properties of scleral fibroblasts in a lens-induced myopic guinea pig model following sCXL. For this purpose, we performed the 0.1% riboflavin/UVA scleral crosslinking (365 nm,3 mW/cm2,30 min) in the right eyes of guinea pigs in Group CXL. In Group LIM, the right eyes were only administrated negative lens for 6 weeks. No treatment was performed in both eyes of the guinea pigs in group Control. The scleral fibroblasts were isolated and cultured from the scleral tissue at the cross-linking area in Group CXL and the corresponding area in Group LIM and control. The curve of the length of microtubules inhaled by cells under negative pressure was measured by a microaspiration-based isolation technique, and the equilibrium Young's modulus and apparent viscosity of scleral fibroblasts were calculated by formula fitting. The equilibrium Young's modulus of scleral fibroblasts in group CXL was significantly lower than that in the LIM group (P < 0.01, two-sample t-test between pairs), and there was no significant difference between groups CXL and control. The results show that sCXL can effectively moderate the phenomenon that scleral fibroblasts are not easy to deform after myopia. The apparent viscosity modulus in the CXL group was higher than the groups' control and LIM. Taken together, our data demonstrate the biomechanics of the scleral fibroblasts altered after Riboflavin/UVA scleral collagen cross-linking in a lens-induced myopia model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Chen
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Lab, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaotong Lv
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Lab, Beijing, China
| | - Lingbo Lai
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Lab, Beijing, China
| | - Yushan Xu
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Lab, Beijing, China
| | - Fengju Zhang
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Lab, Beijing, China.
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7
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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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8
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Teo YX, Lee KY, Goh CJH, Wang LC, Sobota RM, Chiam KH, Du C, Wan ACA. Fungus-derived protein particles as cell-adhesive matrices for cell-cultivated food. NPJ Sci Food 2023; 7:34. [PMID: 37443321 DOI: 10.1038/s41538-023-00209-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-adhesive factors mediate adhesion of cells to substrates via peptide motifs such as the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence. With the onset of sustainability issues, there is a pressing need to find alternatives to animal-derived cell-adhesive factors, especially for cell-cultivated food applications. In this paper, we show how data mining can be a powerful approach toward identifying fungal-derived cell-adhesive proteins and present a method to isolate and utilize these proteins as extracellular matrices (ECM) to support cell adhesion and culture in 3D. Screening of a protein database for fungal and plant proteins uncovered that ~5.5% of the unique reported proteins contain RGD sequences. A plot of fungi species vs RGD percentage revealed that 98% of the species exhibited an RGD percentage > = 1%. We observed the formation of protein particles in crude extracts isolated from basidiomycete fungi, which could be correlated to their stability towards particle aggregation at different temperatures. These protein particles were incorporated in 3D fiber matrices encapsulating mouse myoblast cells, showing a positive effect on cell alignment. We demonstrated a cell traction stress on the protein particles (from Flammulina velutipes) that was comparable to cells on fibronectin. A snapshot of the RGD-containing proteins in the fungal extracts was obtained by combining SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry of the peptide fragments obtained by enzymatic cleavage. Therefore, a sustainable source of cell-adhesive proteins is widely available in the fungi kingdom. A method has been developed to identify candidate species and produce cell-adhesive matrices, applicable to the cell-cultivated food and healthcare industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Xing Teo
- Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138669, Singapore
| | - Kah Yin Lee
- Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138669, Singapore
| | - Corinna Jie Hui Goh
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138671, Singapore
| | - Loo Chien Wang
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, SingMass National Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Radoslaw M Sobota
- Functional Proteomics Laboratory, SingMass National Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Keng-Hwee Chiam
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138671, Singapore
| | - Chan Du
- Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138669, Singapore.
| | - Andrew C A Wan
- Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 138669, Singapore.
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9
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Solowiej-Wedderburn J, Dunlop CM. Cell-strain-energy costs of active control of contractility. Phys Rev E 2023; 107:L062401. [PMID: 37464714 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.107.l062401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Cell mechanosensing is implicated in the control of a broad range of cell behaviors, with cytoskeletal contractility a key component. Experimentally, it is observed that the contractility of the cell responds to increasing substrate stiffness, showing increased contractile force and changing the distribution of cytoskeletal elements. Here, we show using a theoretical model of active cell contractility that upregulation of contractility need not be energetically expensive, especially when combined with changes in adhesion and contractile distribution. Indeed, we show that a feedback mechanism based on the maintenance of strain energy would require an upregulation in contractile pressure on all but the softest substrates. We consider both the commonly reported substrate strain energy and active work done. We demonstrate substrate strain energy would preferentially select for the experimentally observed clustering of cell adhesions on stiffer substrates which effectively soften the substrate and enable an upregulation of total contractile pressure, while the localization of contractility has the greatest impact on the internal work.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carina M Dunlop
- School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
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10
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Ahmed RK, Abdalrahman T, Davies NH, Vermolen F, Franz T. Mathematical model of mechano-sensing and mechanically induced collective motility of cells on planar elastic substrates. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2023; 22:809-824. [PMID: 36814004 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-022-01682-2] [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: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Cells mechanically interact with their environment to sense, for example, topography, elasticity and mechanical cues from other cells. Mechano-sensing has profound effects on cellular behaviour, including motility. The current study aims to develop a mathematical model of cellular mechano-sensing on planar elastic substrates and demonstrate the model's predictive capabilities for the motility of individual cells in a colony. In the model, a cell is assumed to transmit an adhesion force, derived from a dynamic focal adhesion integrin density, that locally deforms a substrate, and to sense substrate deformation originating from neighbouring cells. The substrate deformation from multiple cells is expressed as total strain energy density with a spatially varying gradient. The magnitude and direction of the gradient at the cell location define the cell motion. Cell-substrate friction, partial motion randomness, and cell death and division are included. The substrate deformation by a single cell and the motility of two cells are presented for several substrate elasticities and thicknesses. The collective motility of 25 cells on a uniform substrate mimicking the closure of a circular wound of 200 µm is predicted for deterministic and random motion. Cell motility on substrates with varying elasticity and thickness is explored for four cells and 15 cells, the latter again mimicking wound closure. Wound closure by 45 cells is used to demonstrate the simulation of cell death and division during migration. The mathematical model can adequately simulate the mechanically induced collective cell motility on planar elastic substrates. The model is suitable for extension to other cell and substrates shapes and the inclusion of chemotactic cues, offering the potential to complement in vitro and in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riham K Ahmed
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human Biology, Biomedical Engineering Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa.
| | - Tamer Abdalrahman
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human Biology, Biomedical Engineering Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Computational Mechanobiology, Julius Wolff Institute for Biomechanics and Musculoskeletal Regeneration, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Neil H Davies
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Chris Barnard Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, MRC IUCHRU, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Fred Vermolen
- Computational Mathematics Group, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Hasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Thomas Franz
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human Biology, Biomedical Engineering Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Bioengineering Science Research Group, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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11
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Mattiassi S, Conner AA, Feng F, Goh ELK, Yim EKF. The Combined Effects of Topography and Stiffness on Neuronal Differentiation and Maturation Using a Hydrogel Platform. Cells 2023; 12:cells12060934. [PMID: 36980275 PMCID: PMC10047827 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Biophysical parameters such as substrate topography and stiffness have been shown independently to elicit profound effects on neuronal differentiation and maturation from neural progenitor cells (NPCs) yet have not been investigated in combination. Here, the effects of various micrograting and stiffness combinations on neuronal differentiation and maturation were investigated using a polyacrylamide and N-acryloyl-6-aminocaproic acid copolymer (PAA-ACA) hydrogel with tunable stiffness. Whole laminin was conjugated onto the PAA-ACA surface indirectly or directly to facilitate long-term mouse and human NPC-derived neuron attachment. Three micrograting dimensions (2-10 µm) were patterned onto gels with varying stiffness (6.1-110.5 kPa) to evaluate the effects of topography, stiffness, and their interaction. The results demonstrate that the extracellular matrix (ECM)-modified PAA-ACA gels support mouse and human neuronal cell attachment throughout the differentiation and maturation stages (14 and 28 days, respectively). The interaction between topography and stiffness is shown to significantly increase the proportion of β-tubulin III (TUJ1) positive neurons and microtubule associated protein-2 (MAP2) positive neurite branching and length. Thus, the effects of topography and stiffness cannot be imparted. These results provide a novel platform for neural mechanobiology studies and emphasize the utility of optimizing numerous biophysical cues for improved neuronal yield in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Mattiassi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Abigail A Conner
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Fan Feng
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Eyleen L K Goh
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Faculty, Lee Kong China School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232, Singapore
| | - Evelyn K F Yim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
- Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
- Center for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
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12
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Ishihara S, Kurosawa H, Haga H. Stiffness-Modulation of Collagen Gels by Genipin-Crosslinking for Cell Culture. Gels 2023; 9:gels9020148. [PMID: 36826318 PMCID: PMC9957210 DOI: 10.3390/gels9020148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The stiffness of extracellular matrices (ECMs) is critical for cellular functions. Therefore, modulating the stiffness of ECMs in vitro is necessary to investigate the role of stiffness in cellular phenomena. Collagen gels are widely used for cell culture matrices in vitro. However, modulation of the stiffness in collagen gels for cell culture is challenging owing to the limited knowledge of the method to increase the stiffness while maintaining low cytotoxicity. Here, we established a novel method to modulate collagen gel stiffness from 0.0292 to 12.5 kPa with low cytotoxicity. We prepared collagens with genipin, a low-cytotoxic crosslinker of amines, at different concentrations and successfully modulated the stiffness of the gels. In addition, on 10 mM genipin-mixed collagen gels (approximately 12.5 kPa), H1299 human lung cancer cells showed spreading morphology and nuclear localization of yes-associated protein (YAP), typical phenomena of cells on stiff ECMs. Mouse mesenchymal stromal cells on 10 mM genipin-mixed collagen gels differentiated to vascular smooth muscle cells. On the other hand, the cells on 0 mM genipin-mixed collagen gels (approximately 0.0292 kPa) differentiated to visceral smooth muscle cells. Our new method provides a novel way to prepare stiffness-modulated collagen gels with low cytotoxicity in cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seiichiro Ishihara
- Department of Advanced Transdisciplinary Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, N10-W8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
- Correspondence: (S.I.); (H.H.)
| | - Haruna Kurosawa
- Division of Soft Matter, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, N10-W8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Hisashi Haga
- Department of Advanced Transdisciplinary Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, N10-W8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
- Correspondence: (S.I.); (H.H.)
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13
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Actin crosslinking by α-actinin averts viscous dissipation of myosin force transmission in stress fibers. iScience 2023; 26:106090. [PMID: 36852278 PMCID: PMC9958379 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Contractile force generated in actomyosin stress fibers (SFs) is transmitted along SFs to the extracellular matrix (ECM), which contributes to cell migration and sensing of ECM rigidity. In this study, we show that efficient force transmission along SFs relies on actin crosslinking by α-actinin. Upon reduction of α-actinin-mediated crosslinks, the myosin II activity induced flows of actin filaments and myosin II along SFs, leading to a decrease in traction force exertion to ECM. The fluidized SFs maintained their cable integrity probably through enhanced actin polymerization throughout SFs. A computational modeling analysis suggested that lowering the density of actin crosslinks caused viscous slippage of actin filaments in SFs and, thereby, dissipated myosin-generated force transmitting along SFs. As a cellular scale outcome, α-actinin depletion attenuated the ECM-rigidity-dependent difference in cell migration speed, which suggested that α-actinin-modulated SF mechanics is involved in the cellular response to ECM rigidity.
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14
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Plaut S. Suggesting a mechanism for acupuncture as a global percutaneous needle fasciotomy that respects tensegrity principles for treating fibromyalgia. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 9:952159. [PMID: 36777160 PMCID: PMC9911817 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.952159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture is a minimally invasive therapeutic method that uses small caliber needles while inserting them through the skin into various areas of the body. Some empirical studies find evidence to support the use of acupuncture as a treatment for certain medical conditions, however, this peculiar practice is widely considered as the domain of alternative and non-evidence-based medicine. Several mechanisms have been suggested in an attempt to explain the therapeutic action of acupuncture, but the way in which acupuncture alleviates chronic non-cancer pain or psychosomatic and psychiatric disorders is not fully understood. A recent study suggested a theoretical model (coined "Fascial Armoring") with a cellular pathway to help explain the pathogenesis of myofascial pain/fibromyalgia syndrome and functional psychosomatic syndromes. It proposes that these syndromes are a spectrum of a single medical entity that involves myofibroblasts with contractile activity in fascia and aberrant extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, which may lead to widespread mechanical tension and compression. This can help explain diverse psycho-somatic manifestations of fibromyalgia-like syndromes. Fascia is a continuous interconnected tissue network that extends throughout the body and has qualities of bio-tensegrity. Previous studies show that a mechanical action by needling induces soft tissue changes and lowers the shear modulus and stiffness in myofascial tissue. This hypothesis and theory paper offers a new mechanism for acupuncture therapy as a global percutaneous needle fasciotomy that respects tensegrity principles (tensegrity-based needling), in light of the theoretical model of "Fascial Armoring." The translation of this model to other medical conditions carries potential to advance therapies. These days opioid overuse and over-prescription are ubiquitous, as well as chronic pain and suffering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiloh Plaut
- *Correspondence: Shiloh Plaut, , ; orcid.org/0000-0001-5823-3390
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15
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Zhang S, Chong LH, Woon JYX, Chua TX, Cheruba E, Yip AK, Li HY, Chiam KH, Koh CG. Zyxin regulates embryonic stem cell fate by modulating mechanical and biochemical signaling interface. Commun Biol 2023; 6:62. [PMID: 36653484 PMCID: PMC9849324 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04421-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Biochemical signaling and mechano-transduction are both critical in regulating stem cell fate. How crosstalk between mechanical and biochemical cues influences embryonic development, however, is not extensively investigated. Using a comparative study of focal adhesion constituents between mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) and their differentiated counterparts, we find while zyxin is lowly expressed in mESCs, its levels increase dramatically during early differentiation. Interestingly, overexpression of zyxin in mESCs suppresses Oct4 and Nanog. Using an integrative biochemical and biophysical approach, we demonstrate involvement of zyxin in regulating pluripotency through actin stress fibres and focal adhesions which are known to modulate cellular traction stress and facilitate substrate rigidity-sensing. YAP signaling is identified as an important biochemical effector of zyxin-induced mechanotransduction. These results provide insights into the role of zyxin in the integration of mechanical and biochemical cues for the regulation of embryonic stem cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songjing Zhang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lor Huai Chong
- Bioinformatics Institute A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore.,School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Jessie Yong Xing Woon
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Theng Xuan Chua
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Ai Kia Yip
- Bioinformatics Institute A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hoi-Yeung Li
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Cheng-Gee Koh
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
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16
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Benvenuti E, Reho GA, Palumbo S, Fraldi M. Pre-strains and buckling in mechanosensitivity of contractile cells and focal adhesions: A tensegrity model. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2022; 135:105413. [PMID: 36057207 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2022.105413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrate that several key aspects of the contractile activity of a cell interacting with the substrate can be captured by means of a non linear elastic tensegrity mechanical system made of a tensile element in parallel with a buckling-prone component, and exchanging forces with the surroundings through an extracellular matrix-focal adhesion complex. Mechanosensitivity of the focal adhesion plaque is triggered by pre-strain-driven buckling of the system induced either by pre-contraction or pre-polymerization of the constituents. The impact of pre-polymerization on the mechanical force and the implications of using linear and nonlinear elasticity for the focal adhesion plaque are assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Benvenuti
- Engineering Department, University of Ferrara, Italy.
| | - G A Reho
- Engineering Department, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - S Palumbo
- Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Napoli Federico II, Italy
| | - M Fraldi
- Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Napoli Federico II, Italy.
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17
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Kurotsu S, Sadahiro T, Harada I, Ieda M. A biomimetic hydrogel culture system to facilitate cardiac reprogramming. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101122. [PMID: 35118430 PMCID: PMC8792284 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct cardiac reprogramming, in which fibroblasts are converted into induced cardiomyocytes (iCMs) with cardiogenic transcription factors, may be a promising approach for myocardial regeneration. Here, we present a protocol for cardiac reprogramming using a handmade hydrogel culture system. This system can recapitulate substrate stiffness comparable to that of the native myocardium. This protocol features improved efficiency of cardiac reprogramming by generating threefold more beating iCMs on the Matrigel-based hydrogel culture system compared to that on conventional polystyrene dishes. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Kurotsu et al. (2020) Protocol for cardiac reprogramming using a soft hydrogel system Generation of beating iCMs with 3% efficiency on hydrogel culture Detailed approaches for generating Matrigel-based hydrogel culture systems
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18
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Missirlis D, Baños M, Lussier F, Spatz JP. Facile and Versatile Method for Micropatterning Poly(acrylamide) Hydrogels Using Photocleavable Comonomers. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:3643-3652. [PMID: 35006666 PMCID: PMC8796170 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c17901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
We here present a micropatterning strategy to introduce small molecules and ligands on patterns of arbitrary shapes on the surface of poly(acrylamide)-based hydrogels. The main advantages of the presented approach are the ease of use, the lack of need to prefabricate photomasks, the use of mild UV light and biocompatible bioconjugation chemistries, and the capacity to pattern low-molecular-weight ligands, such as peptides, peptidomimetics, or DNA fragments. To achieve the above, a monomer containing a caged amine (NVOC group) was co-polymerized in the hydrogel network; upon UV light illumination using a commercially available setup, primary amines were locally deprotected and served as reactive groups for further functionalization. Cell patterning on various cell adhesive ligands was demonstrated, with cells responding to a combination of pattern shape and substrate elasticity. The approach is compatible with standard traction force microscopy (TFM) experimentation and can further be extended to reference-free TFM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitris Missirlis
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max-Planck-Institute
for Medical Research, Jahnstr. 29, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
- . Tel: +49 6221 486430
| | - Miguel Baños
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max-Planck-Institute
for Medical Research, Jahnstr. 29, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Felix Lussier
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max-Planck-Institute
for Medical Research, Jahnstr. 29, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Joachim P. Spatz
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max-Planck-Institute
for Medical Research, Jahnstr. 29, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
- Department
of Biophysical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry Institute, Heidelberg University, INF-253, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
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19
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Yip AK, Zhang S, Chong LH, Cheruba E, Woon JYX, Chua TX, Goh CJH, Yang H, Tay CY, Koh CG, Chiam KH. Zyxin Is Involved in Fibroblast Rigidity Sensing and Durotaxis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:735298. [PMID: 34869319 PMCID: PMC8637444 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.735298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Focal adhesions (FAs) are specialized structures that enable cells to sense their extracellular matrix rigidity and transmit these signals to the interior of the cells, bringing about actin cytoskeleton reorganization, FA maturation, and cell migration. It is known that cells migrate towards regions of higher substrate rigidity, a phenomenon known as durotaxis. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of durotaxis and how different proteins in the FA are involved remain unclear. Zyxin is a component of the FA that has been implicated in connecting the actin cytoskeleton to the FA. We have found that knocking down zyxin impaired NIH3T3 fibroblast's ability to sense and respond to changes in extracellular matrix in terms of their FA sizes, cell traction stress magnitudes and F-actin organization. Cell migration speed of zyxin knockdown fibroblasts was also independent of the underlying substrate rigidity, unlike wild type fibroblasts which migrated fastest at an intermediate substrate rigidity of 14 kPa. Wild type fibroblasts exhibited durotaxis by migrating toward regions of increasing substrate rigidity on polyacrylamide gels with substrate rigidity gradient, while zyxin knockdown fibroblasts did not exhibit durotaxis. Therefore, we propose zyxin as an essential protein that is required for rigidity sensing and durotaxis through modulating FA sizes, cell traction stress and F-actin organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai Kia Yip
- Bioinformatics Institute ASTAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Songjing Zhang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lor Huai Chong
- Bioinformatics Institute ASTAR, Singapore, Singapore.,School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | | | - Jessie Yong Xing Woon
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Theng Xuan Chua
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Haibo Yang
- Mechanobiology Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chor Yong Tay
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.,Environmental Chemistry and Materials Centre, Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.,Energy Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Cheng-Gee Koh
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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20
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Labouesse C, Tan BX, Agley CC, Hofer M, Winkel AK, Stirparo GG, Stuart HT, Verstreken CM, Mulas C, Mansfield W, Bertone P, Franze K, Silva JCR, Chalut KJ. StemBond hydrogels control the mechanical microenvironment for pluripotent stem cells. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6132. [PMID: 34675200 PMCID: PMC8531294 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26236-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies of mechanical signalling are typically performed by comparing cells cultured on soft and stiff hydrogel-based substrates. However, it is challenging to independently and robustly control both substrate stiffness and extracellular matrix tethering to substrates, making matrix tethering a potentially confounding variable in mechanical signalling investigations. Moreover, unstable matrix tethering can lead to poor cell attachment and weak engagement of cell adhesions. To address this, we developed StemBond hydrogels, a hydrogel in which matrix tethering is robust and can be varied independently of stiffness. We validate StemBond hydrogels by showing that they provide an optimal system for culturing mouse and human pluripotent stem cells. We further show how soft StemBond hydrogels modulate stem cell function, partly through stiffness-sensitive ERK signalling. Our findings underline how substrate mechanics impact mechanosensitive signalling pathways regulating self-renewal and differentiation, indicating that optimising the complete mechanical microenvironment will offer greater control over stem cell fate specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Labouesse
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Bao Xiu Tan
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Chibeza C Agley
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Moritz Hofer
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Alexander K Winkel
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Giuliano G Stirparo
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Hannah T Stuart
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Christophe M Verstreken
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Carla Mulas
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
| | - William Mansfield
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Paul Bertone
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
- Department of Medicine, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, IR, USA
| | - Kristian Franze
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, UK
- Institute of Medical Physics, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - José C R Silva
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK.
- Center for Cell Lineage and Atlas, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou International Bio Island, 510005, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Kevin J Chalut
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK.
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK.
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, UK.
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21
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Sirote C, Shokef Y. Mean-field interactions between living cells in linear and nonlinear elastic matrices. Phys Rev E 2021; 104:024411. [PMID: 34525613 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.104.024411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Living cells respond to mechanical changes in the matrix surrounding them by applying contractile forces that are in turn transmitted to distant cells. We consider simple effective geometries for the spatial arrangement of cells, we calculate the mechanical work that each cell performs in order to deform the matrix, and study how that energy changes when a contracting cell is surrounded by other cells with similar properties and behavior. Cells regulating the displacements that they generate are attracted to each other in a manner that does not depend on the cell's rigidity. Whereas cells regulating the active stress that they apply repel each other. This repulsion depends on the cell's bulk modulus in spherical geometry, while in cylindrical geometries the interaction depends also on their shear modulus. In nonlinear, strain-stiffening matrices, for displacement regulation, in the presence of other cells, cell contraction is limited due to the divergence of the shear stress. For stress regulation, the interaction energy drops at the nonlinear stiffening stress. Our theoretical work provides insight into matrix-mediated interactions between contractile cells and on the role of their mechanical regulatory behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaviva Sirote
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Yair Shokef
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.,Sackler Center for Computational Molecular and Materials Science, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.,Center for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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22
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Sensitive detection of cell-derived force and collagen matrix tension in microtissues undergoing large-scale densification. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2106061118. [PMID: 34470821 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2106061118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical forces generated by cells and the tension of the extracellular matrix (ECM) play a decisive role in establishment, homeostasis maintenance, and repair of tissue morphology. However, the dynamic change of cell-derived force during large-scale remodeling of soft tissue is still unknown, mainly because the current techniques of force detection usually produce a nonnegligible and interfering feedback force on the cells during measurement. Here, we developed a method to fabricate highly stretchable polymer-based microstrings on which a microtissue of fibroblasts in collagen was cultured and allowed to contract to mimic the densification of soft tissue. Taking advantage of the low-spring constant and large deflection range of the microstrings, we detected a strain-induced contraction force as low as 5.2 µN without disturbing the irreversible densification. Meanwhile, the microtissues displayed extreme sensitivity to the mechanical boundary within a narrow range of tensile stress. More importantly, results indicated that the cell-derived force did not solely increase with increased ECM stiffness as previous studies suggested. Indeed, the cell-derived force and collagen tension exchanged dramatically in dominating the microtissue strain during the densification, and the proportion of cell-derived force decreased linearly as the microtissue densified, with stiffness increasing to ∼500 Pa. Thus, this study provides insights into the biomechanical cross-talk between the cells and ECM of extremely soft tissue during large-extent densification, which may be important to guide the construction of life-like tissue by applying appropriate mechanical boundary conditions.
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23
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Andreu I, Falcones B, Hurst S, Chahare N, Quiroga X, Le Roux AL, Kechagia Z, Beedle AEM, Elosegui-Artola A, Trepat X, Farré R, Betz T, Almendros I, Roca-Cusachs P. The force loading rate drives cell mechanosensing through both reinforcement and cytoskeletal softening. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4229. [PMID: 34244477 PMCID: PMC8270983 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24383-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell response to force regulates essential processes in health and disease. However, the fundamental mechanical variables that cells sense and respond to remain unclear. Here we show that the rate of force application (loading rate) drives mechanosensing, as predicted by a molecular clutch model. By applying dynamic force regimes to cells through substrate stretching, optical tweezers, and atomic force microscopy, we find that increasing loading rates trigger talin-dependent mechanosensing, leading to adhesion growth and reinforcement, and YAP nuclear localization. However, above a given threshold the actin cytoskeleton softens, decreasing loading rates and preventing reinforcement. By stretching rat lungs in vivo, we show that a similar phenomenon may occur. Our results show that cell sensing of external forces and of passive mechanical parameters (like tissue stiffness) can be understood through the same mechanisms, driven by the properties under force of the mechanosensing molecules involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ion Andreu
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), the Barcelona Institute of Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Sebastian Hurst
- Institute of Cell Biology, Center of Molecular Biology of Inflammation (ZMBE), University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nimesh Chahare
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), the Barcelona Institute of Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Campus Nord, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xarxa Quiroga
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), the Barcelona Institute of Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anabel-Lise Le Roux
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), the Barcelona Institute of Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Zanetta Kechagia
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), the Barcelona Institute of Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Amy E M Beedle
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), the Barcelona Institute of Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Physics, King's College London, Strand, London, UK
| | - Alberto Elosegui-Artola
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), the Barcelona Institute of Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xavier Trepat
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), the Barcelona Institute of Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Passeig de Lluís Companys, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ramon Farré
- Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Timo Betz
- Institute of Cell Biology, Center of Molecular Biology of Inflammation (ZMBE), University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Isaac Almendros
- Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain.
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Pere Roca-Cusachs
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), the Barcelona Institute of Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.
- Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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24
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A Fully Integrated Arduino-Based System for the Application of Stretching Stimuli to Living Cells and Their Time-Lapse Observation: A Do-It-Yourself Biology Approach. Ann Biomed Eng 2021; 49:2243-2259. [PMID: 33728867 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-021-02758-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Mechanobiology has nowadays acquired the status of a topic of fundamental importance in a degree in Biological Sciences. It is inherently a multidisciplinary topic where biology, physics and engineering competences are required. A course in mechanobiology should include lab experiences where students can appreciate how mechanical stimuli from outside affect living cell behaviour. Here we describe all the steps to build a cell stretcher inside an on-stage cell incubator. This device allows exposing living cells to a periodic mechanical stimulus similar to what happens in physiological conditions such as, for example, in the vascular system or in the lungs. The reaction of the cells to the periodic mechanical stretching represents a prototype of a mechanobiological signal integrated by living cells. We also provide the theoretical and experimental aspects related to the calibration of the stretcher apparatus at a level accessible to researchers not used to dealing with topics like continuum mechanics and analysis of deformations. We tested our device by stretching cells of two different lines, U87-MG and Balb-3T3 cells, and we analysed and discussed the effect of the periodic stimulus on both cell reorientation and migration. We also discuss the basic aspects related to the quantitative analysis of the reorientation process and of cell migration. We think that the device we propose can be easily reproduced at low-cost within a project-oriented course in the fields of biology, biotechnology and medical engineering.
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25
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Dwivedi N, Das S, Bellare J, Majumder A. Viscoelastic substrate decouples cellular traction force from other related phenotypes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 543:38-44. [PMID: 33508771 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Survival and maintenance of normal physiological functions depends on continuous interaction of cells with its microenvironment. Cells sense the mechanical properties of underlying substrate by applying force and modulate their behaviour in response to the resistance offered by the substrate. Most of the studies addressing cell-substrate mechanical interactions have been carried out using elastic substrates. Since tissues within our body are viscoelastic in nature, here we explore the effect of substrate's viscoelasticity on various properties of mesenchymal stem cells. Here, we used two sets of polyacrylamide substrates having similar storage modulus (G' = 1.1-1.6 kPa) but different loss modulus (G" = 45 Pa and 300 Pa). We report that human mesenchymal stem cells spread more but apply less force on the viscoelastic substrate (substrate with higher loss modulus). We further investigated the effect of substrate viscoelasticity on the expression of other contractility-associated proteins such as focal adhesion (FA) proteins (Vinculin, Paxillin, Talin), cytoskeletal proteins (actin, mysion, intermediate filaments, and microtubules) and mechano-sensor protein Yes-Associated Protein (YAP). Our results show that substrate viscoelasticity decouples cellular traction from other known traction related phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nehal Dwivedi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB), Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Siddhartha Das
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB), Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Jayesh Bellare
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB), Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Abhijit Majumder
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB), Mumbai, 400076, India.
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26
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Missirlis D, Haraszti T, Heckmann L, Spatz JP. Substrate Resistance to Traction Forces Controls Fibroblast Polarization. Biophys J 2020; 119:2558-2572. [PMID: 33217384 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.10.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanics of fibronectin-rich extracellular matrix regulate cell physiology in a number of diseases, prompting efforts to elucidate cell mechanosensing mechanisms at the molecular and cellular scale. Here, the use of fibronectin-functionalized silicone elastomers that exhibit considerable frequency dependence in viscoelastic properties unveiled the presence of two cellular processes that respond discreetly to substrate mechanical properties. Weakly cross-linked elastomers supported efficient focal adhesion maturation and fibroblast spreading because of an apparent stiff surface layer. However, they did not enable cytoskeletal and fibroblast polarization; elastomers with high cross-linking and low deformability were required for polarization. Our results suggest as an underlying reason for this behavior the inability of soft elastomer substrates to resist traction forces rather than a lack of sufficient traction force generation. Accordingly, mild inhibition of actomyosin contractility rescued fibroblast polarization even on the softer elastomers. Our findings demonstrate differential dependence of substrate physical properties on distinct mechanosensitive processes and provide a premise to reconcile previously proposed local and global models of cell mechanosensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitris Missirlis
- Max-Planck-Institute for Medical Research, Department of Cellular Biophysics, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Tamás Haraszti
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Aachen, Germany; RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Aachen, Germany
| | - Lara Heckmann
- Max-Planck-Institute for Medical Research, Department of Cellular Biophysics, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joachim P Spatz
- Max-Planck-Institute for Medical Research, Department of Cellular Biophysics, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg University, Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry Institute, Heidelberg, Germany
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Takata K, Goto T, Kuroda M, Kimura Y, Harada I, Ueda K, Kawada T, Kioka N. Stiffness of the extracellular matrix regulates differentiation into beige adipocytes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 532:205-210. [PMID: 32859378 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Beige/brite adipocytes, which express high levels of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) to generate heat using stored triglycerides, are induced under specific stimuli such as cold exposure in inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT). Although extracellular microenvironments such as extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness are known to regulate cell behaviors, including cell differentiation into adipocytes, the effect on iWAT cells is unknown. In this study, we show that rigid ECM promotes the cell spreading of iWAT-derived preadipocytes. Furthermore, the expression of UCP1 and other thermogenic genes in iWAT cells is promoted when the cells are cultured on rigid ECM. The expression of mTOR, a kinase known to regulate the differentiation to beige adipocytes, is decreased on rigid substrates. These results suggest that ECM stiffness plays an important role in the differentiation to beige adipocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoko Takata
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Goto
- Division of Food Science and Technology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Uji, 611-0011, Japan
| | - Mito Kuroda
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Yasuhisa Kimura
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Ichiro Harada
- Medical Products Technology Development Center, R&D Headquarters, Canon Inc., Ohta-ku, Tokyo, 146-8501, Japan
| | - Kazumitsu Ueda
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan; Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (WPI-iCeMS), Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Teruo Kawada
- Division of Food Science and Technology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Uji, 611-0011, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Kioka
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan; Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (WPI-iCeMS), Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
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Manipulation of Axonal Outgrowth via Exogenous Low Forces. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218009. [PMID: 33126477 PMCID: PMC7663625 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurons are mechanosensitive cells. The role of mechanical force in the process of neurite initiation, elongation and sprouting; nerve fasciculation; and neuron maturation continues to attract considerable interest among scientists. Force is an endogenous signal that stimulates all these processes in vivo. The axon is able to sense force, generate force and, ultimately, transduce the force in a signal for growth. This opens up fascinating scenarios. How are forces generated and sensed in vivo? Which molecular mechanisms are responsible for this mechanotransduction signal? Can we exploit exogenously applied forces to mimic and control this process? How can these extremely low forces be generated in vivo in a non-invasive manner? Can these methodologies for force generation be used in regenerative therapies? This review addresses these questions, providing a general overview of current knowledge on the applications of exogenous forces to manipulate axonal outgrowth, with a special focus on forces whose magnitude is similar to those generated in vivo. We also review the principal methodologies for applying these forces, providing new inspiration and insights into the potential of this approach for future regenerative therapies.
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Soft Matrix Promotes Cardiac Reprogramming via Inhibition of YAP/TAZ and Suppression of Fibroblast Signatures. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 15:612-628. [PMID: 32857980 PMCID: PMC7486305 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct cardiac reprogramming holds great potential for regenerative medicine. However, it remains inefficient, and induced cardiomyocytes (iCMs) generated in vitro are less mature than those in vivo, suggesting that undefined extrinsic factors may regulate cardiac reprogramming. Previous in vitro studies mainly used hard polystyrene dishes, yet the effect of substrate rigidity on cardiac reprogramming remains unclear. Thus, we developed a Matrigel-based hydrogel culture system to determine the roles of matrix stiffness and mechanotransduction in cardiac reprogramming. We found that soft matrix comparable with native myocardium promoted the efficiency and quality of cardiac reprogramming. Mechanistically, soft matrix enhanced cardiac reprogramming via inhibition of integrin, Rho/ROCK, actomyosin, and YAP/TAZ signaling and suppression of fibroblast programs, which were activated on rigid substrates. Soft substrate further enhanced cardiac reprogramming with Sendai virus vectors via YAP/TAZ suppression, increasing the reprogramming efficiency up to ∼15%. Thus, mechanotransduction could provide new targets for improving cardiac reprogramming. Hydrogel culture reveals the role of mechanotransduction in cardiac reprogramming Soft ECM comparable with native myocardium promotes cardiac reprogramming Soft ECM promotes cardiac reprogramming via YAP/TAZ/fibroblast signaling inhibition Soft ECM promotes Sendai virus vector-mediated cardiac reprogramming
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Ding R, Horie M, Nagasaka S, Ohsumi S, Shimizu K, Honda H, Nagamori E, Fujita H, Kawamoto T. Effect of cell-extracellular matrix interaction on myogenic characteristics and artificial skeletal muscle tissue. J Biosci Bioeng 2020; 130:98-105. [PMID: 32278672 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2020.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Although various types of artificial skeletal muscle tissue have been reported, the contractile forces generated by tissue-engineered artificial skeletal muscles remain to be improved for biological model and clinical applications. In this study, we investigated the effects of extracellular matrix (ECM) and supplementation of a small molecule, which has been reported to enhance α7β1 integrin expression (SU9516), on cell migration speed, cell fusion rate, myoblast (mouse C2C12 cells) differentiation and contractile force generation of tissue-engineered artificial skeletal muscles. When cells were cultured on varying ECM coated-surfaces, we observed significant enhancement in the migration speed, while the myotube formation (differentiation ratio) decreased in all except for cells cultured on Matrigel coated-surfaces. In contrast, SU9516 supplementation resulted in an increase in both the myotube width and differentiation ratio. Following combined culture with a Matrigel-coated surface and SU9516 supplementation, myotube width was further increased. Additionally, contractile forces produced by the tissue-engineered artificial skeletal muscles was augmented following combined culture. These findings indicate that regulation of the cell-ECM interaction is a promising approach to improve the function of tissue-engineered artificial skeletal muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Ding
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-Cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Masanobu Horie
- Division of Biochemical Engineering, Radioisotope Research Center, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-Cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
| | - Sumire Nagasaka
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Saki Ohsumi
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Kazunori Shimizu
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Honda
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan; Innovative Research Center for Preventive Medical Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Eiji Nagamori
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Osaka Institute of Technology, 5-16-1 Omiya, Asahi-ku, Osaka 535-8585, Japan
| | - Hideaki Fujita
- WPI, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Takuo Kawamoto
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-Cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; Division of Biological Chemistry, Radioisotope Research Center, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-Cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
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31
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Intracellular nonequilibrium fluctuating stresses indicate how nonlinear cellular mechanical properties adapt to microenvironmental rigidity. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5902. [PMID: 32246074 PMCID: PMC7125211 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62567-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Living cells are known to be in thermodynamically nonequilibrium, which is largely brought about by intracellular molecular motors. The motors consume chemical energies to generate stresses and reorganize the cytoskeleton for the cell to move and divide. However, since there has been a lack of direct measurements characterizing intracellular stresses, questions remained unanswered on the intricacies of how cells use such stresses to regulate their internal mechanical integrity in different microenvironments. This report describes a new experimental approach by which we reveal an environmental rigidity-dependent intracellular stiffness that increases with intracellular stress - a revelation obtained, surprisingly, from a correlation between the fluctuations in cellular stiffness and that of intracellular stresses. More surprisingly, by varying two distinct parameters, environmental rigidity and motor protein activities, we observe that the stiffness-stress relationship follows the same curve. This finding provides some insight into the intricacies by suggesting that cells can regulate their responses to their mechanical microenvironment by adjusting their intracellular stress.
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32
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Messi Z, Bornert A, Raynaud F, Verkhovsky AB. Traction Forces Control Cell-Edge Dynamics and Mediate Distance Sensitivity during Cell Polarization. Curr Biol 2020; 30:1762-1769.e5. [PMID: 32220324 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.02.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Traction forces are generated by cellular actin-myosin system and transmitted to the environment through adhesions. They are believed to drive cell motion, shape changes, and extracellular matrix remodeling [1-3]. However, most of the traction force analysis has been performed on stationary cells, investigating forces at the level of individual focal adhesions or linking them to static cell parameters, such as area and edge curvature [4-10]. It is not well understood how traction forces are related to shape changes and motion, e.g., forces were reported to either increase or drop prior to cell retraction [11-15]. Here, we analyze the dynamics of traction forces during the protrusion-retraction cycle of polarizing fish epidermal keratocytes and find that forces fluctuate together with the cycle, increasing during protrusion and reaching maximum at the beginning of retraction. We relate force dynamics to the recently discovered phenomenological rule [16] that governs cell-edge behavior during keratocyte polarization: both traction forces and probability of switch from protrusion to retraction increase with the distance from the cell center. Diminishing forces with cell contractility inhibitor leads to decreased edge fluctuations and abnormal polarization, although externally applied force can induce protrusion-retraction switch. These results suggest that forces mediate distance sensitivity of the edge dynamics and organize cell-edge behavior, leading to spontaneous polarization. Actin flow rate did not exhibit the same distance dependence as traction stress, arguing against its role in organizing edge dynamics. Finally, using a simple model of actin-myosin network, we show that force-distance relationship might be an emergent feature of such networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeno Messi
- Laboratory of Physics of Living Matter, EPFL, Route de la Sorge, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland.
| | - Alicia Bornert
- Laboratory of Physics of Living Matter, EPFL, Route de la Sorge, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Franck Raynaud
- Scientific and Parallel Computing Group, Computer Science Department, University of Geneva, Route de Drize, Carouge 1227, Switzerland
| | - Alexander B Verkhovsky
- Laboratory of Physics of Living Matter, EPFL, Route de la Sorge, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland.
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Sugimoto W, Itoh K, Hirata H, Abe Y, Torii T, Mitsui Y, Budirahardja Y, Tanaka N, Kawauchi K. MMP24 as a Target of YAP is a Potential Prognostic Factor in Cancer Patients. Bioengineering (Basel) 2020; 7:bioengineering7010018. [PMID: 32093160 PMCID: PMC7148509 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering7010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding cancer cells becomes stiffer during tumor progression, which influences cancer cell behaviors such as invasion and proliferation through modulation of gene expression as well as remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton. In this study, we show that MMP24 encoding matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-24 is a novel target gene of Yes-associated protein (YAP), a transcription coactivator known as a mechanotransducer. We first examined the effect of substrate stiffness on MMP24 expression in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and showed that the expression of MMP24 was significantly higher in cells grown on stiff substrates than that on soft substrates. The MMP24 expression was significantly reduced by knockdown of YAP. In contrast, the expression of constitutively active YAP increased MMP24 promoter activity. In addition, binding of YAP to the MMP24 promoter was confirmed by the chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. These results show that ECM stiffening promotes YAP activation, thereby inducing MMP24 expression. Based on the Human Protein Atlas database, breast cancer patients with lower MMP24 expression exhibit the worse survival rates overall. Thus, MMP24 may negatively regulate the aggressiveness of cancer cells under the stiff ECM environment during tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wataru Sugimoto
- Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology, Konan University, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; (W.S.); (K.I.); (T.T.); (Y.M.); (Y.B.)
| | - Katsuhiko Itoh
- Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology, Konan University, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; (W.S.); (K.I.); (T.T.); (Y.M.); (Y.B.)
| | - Hiroaki Hirata
- Mechanobiology Laboratory, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan;
| | - Yoshinori Abe
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan;
| | - Takeru Torii
- Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology, Konan University, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; (W.S.); (K.I.); (T.T.); (Y.M.); (Y.B.)
| | - Yasumasa Mitsui
- Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology, Konan University, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; (W.S.); (K.I.); (T.T.); (Y.M.); (Y.B.)
| | - Yemima Budirahardja
- Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology, Konan University, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; (W.S.); (K.I.); (T.T.); (Y.M.); (Y.B.)
| | - Nobuyuki Tanaka
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan;
- Correspondence: (N.T.); (K.K.); Tel.: +81-3-5814-6912 (N.T.); +81-78-303-1346 (K.K.); Fax: +81-3-5814-6792 (N.T.); +81-78-303-1495 (K.K.)
| | - Keiko Kawauchi
- Frontiers of Innovative Research in Science and Technology, Konan University, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; (W.S.); (K.I.); (T.T.); (Y.M.); (Y.B.)
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan;
- Correspondence: (N.T.); (K.K.); Tel.: +81-3-5814-6912 (N.T.); +81-78-303-1346 (K.K.); Fax: +81-3-5814-6792 (N.T.); +81-78-303-1495 (K.K.)
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34
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Bauer J, Emon MAB, Staudacher JJ, Thomas AL, Zessner-Spitzenberg J, Mancinelli G, Krett N, Saif MT, Jung B. Increased stiffness of the tumor microenvironment in colon cancer stimulates cancer associated fibroblast-mediated prometastatic activin A signaling. Sci Rep 2020; 10:50. [PMID: 31919369 PMCID: PMC6952350 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55687-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second deadliest cancer in the US due to its propensity to metastasize. Stromal cells and especially cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) play a critical biophysical role in cancer progression, but the precise pro-metastatic mechanisms are not clear. Activin A, a TGF-β family member, is a strong pro-metastatic cytokine in the context of CRC. Here, we assessed the link between biophysical forces and pro-metastatic signaling by testing the hypothesis that CAF-generated mechanical forces lead to activin A release and associated downstream effects. Consistent with our hypothesis, we first determined that stromal activin A secretion increased with increasing substrate stiffness. Then we found that stromally-secreted activin A induced ligand-dependent CRC epithelial cell migration and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). In addition, serum activin A levels are significantly increased in metastatic (stage IV) CRC patients (1.558 ng/ml versus 0.4179 ng/ml, p < 0.05). We propose that increased tumor microenvironment stiffness leads to stromal cell-mediated TGF-β family signaling relying on the induction and utilization of activin A signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Bauer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Md Abul Bashar Emon
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Jonas J Staudacher
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Charité-University Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexandra L Thomas
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jasmin Zessner-Spitzenberg
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georgina Mancinelli
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Nancy Krett
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - M Taher Saif
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Barbara Jung
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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35
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Makhija EP, Espinosa-Hoyos D, Jagielska A, Van Vliet KJ. Mechanical regulation of oligodendrocyte biology. Neurosci Lett 2019; 717:134673. [PMID: 31838017 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.134673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Oligodendrocytes (OL) are a subset of glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS) comprising the brain and spinal cord. The CNS environment is defined by complex biochemical and biophysical cues during development and response to injury or disease. In the last decade, significant progress has been made in understanding some of the key biophysical factors in the CNS that modulate OL biology, including their key role in myelination of neurons. Taken together, those studies offer translational implications for remyelination therapies, pharmacological research, identification of novel drug targets, and improvements in methods to generate human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) and OLs from donor stem cells in vitro. This review summarizes current knowledge of how various physical and mechanical cues affect OL biology and its implications for disease, therapeutic approaches, and generation of human OPCs and OLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekta P Makhija
- BioSystems & Micromechanics (BioSyM) Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research & Technology (SMART) CREATE, Singapore 138602; Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP) Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research & Technology (SMART) CREATE, 138602, Singapore
| | - Daniela Espinosa-Hoyos
- BioSystems & Micromechanics (BioSyM) Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research & Technology (SMART) CREATE, Singapore 138602; Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
| | - Anna Jagielska
- BioSystems & Micromechanics (BioSyM) Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research & Technology (SMART) CREATE, Singapore 138602; Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA.
| | - Krystyn J Van Vliet
- BioSystems & Micromechanics (BioSyM) Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research & Technology (SMART) CREATE, Singapore 138602; Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP) Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research & Technology (SMART) CREATE, 138602, Singapore; Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA.
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36
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Marin E, Adachi T, Zanocco M, Boschetto F, Rondinella A, Zhu W, Somekawa S, Ashida R, Bock RM, McEntire BJ, Bal BS, Mazda O, Pezzotti G. Enhanced bioactivity of Si 3N 4 through trench-patterning and back-filling with Bioglass®. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2019; 106:110278. [PMID: 31753392 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2019.110278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Using a simple and innovative sandblasting process, disks of monolithic biomedical silicon nitride (β-Si3N4) were texturized with a matrix of regular, discrete square trenches with a total depth in the range of hundreds of microns. The process consisted of sandblasting Si3N4 substrates through a stainless-steel wire-mesh (150 or 200 μm) using abrasive silicon carbide powders (α-SiC, ∼40 μm) under 1,034 kPa (150 psi) of gas pressure. The depth of the porosities could be controlled varying both the treatment time and the distance from the surface. Part of the samples were then filled with 45S5 Bioglass® powders to improve the osteointegration and stimulate the production of bone tissue. Due to the increased macroscopic and microscopic roughness, biological testing using human osteosarcoma cells (SaOS-2) showed improved cell proliferation and greater production of both mineral (hydroxyapatite) and organic (collagen) phases on the patterned surfaces compared to untreated β-Si3N4 or to the biomedical titanium control samples. Both of these effects were further enhanced when the porosities were filled with Bioglass®.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elia Marin
- Ceramic Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Matsugasaki, 606-8585, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan.
| | - Tetsuya Adachi
- Department of Dental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan
| | - Matteo Zanocco
- Ceramic Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Matsugasaki, 606-8585, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Francesco Boschetto
- Ceramic Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Matsugasaki, 606-8585, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Alfredo Rondinella
- Ceramic Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Matsugasaki, 606-8585, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Wenliang Zhu
- Ceramic Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Matsugasaki, 606-8585, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shota Somekawa
- Shinsei, Shijohei Kawanishi Rikobo, Kyoto, 610-0101, Japan
| | - Ryutaro Ashida
- Shinsei, Shijohei Kawanishi Rikobo, Kyoto, 610-0101, Japan
| | - Ryan M Bock
- SINTX Corporation, Salt Lake City, UT, 84119, USA
| | | | - B Sonny Bal
- SINTX Corporation, Salt Lake City, UT, 84119, USA; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Osam Mazda
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Kamigyo-ku, 465 Kajii-cho, Kawaramachi dori, Kyoto, 602-0841, Japan
| | - Giuseppe Pezzotti
- Ceramic Physics Laboratory, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Matsugasaki, 606-8585, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Kamigyo-ku, 465 Kajii-cho, Kawaramachi dori, Kyoto, 602-0841, Japan; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan; The Center for Advanced Medical Engineering and Informatics, Osaka University, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
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37
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Panzetta V, Fusco S, Netti PA. Cell mechanosensing is regulated by substrate strain energy rather than stiffness. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:22004-22013. [PMID: 31570575 PMCID: PMC6825315 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1904660116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of cells to perceive the mechanical identity of extracellular matrix, generally known as mechanosensing, is generally depicted as a consequence of an intricate balance between pulling forces actuated by the actin fibers on the adhesion plaques and the mechanical reaction of the supporting material. However, whether the cell is sensitive to the stiffness or to the energy required to deform the material remains unclear. To address this important issue, here the cytoskeleton mechanics of BALB/3T3 and MC3T3 cells seeded on linearly elastic substrates under different levels of deformation were studied. In particular, the effect of prestrain on cell mechanics was evaluated by seeding cells both on substrates with no prestrain and on substrates with different levels of prestrain. Results indicated that cells recognize the existence of prestrain, exhibiting a stiffer cytoskeleton on stretched material compared to cells seeded on unstretched substrate. Cytoskeleton mechanics of cells seeded on stretched material were, in addition, comparable to those measured after the stretching of the substrate and cells together to the same level of deformation. This observation clearly suggests that cell mechanosensing is not mediated only by the stiffness of the substrate, as widely assumed in the literature, but also by the deformation energy associated with the substrate. Indeed, the clutch model, based on the exclusive dependence of cell mechanics upon substrate stiffness, fails to describe our experimental results. By modifying the clutch model equations to incorporate the dependence on the strain energy, we were able to correctly interpret the experimental evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Panzetta
- Centro di Ricerca Interdipartimentale sui Biomateriali, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80125 Napoli, Italy
| | - Sabato Fusco
- Centro di Ricerca Interdipartimentale sui Biomateriali, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80125 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Paolo A Netti
- Centro di Ricerca Interdipartimentale sui Biomateriali, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80125 Napoli, Italy
- Centre for Advanced Biomaterial for Health Care, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 80125 Napoli, Italy
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38
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Takahashi R, Miyazako H, Tanaka A, Ueno Y. Dynamic Creation of 3D Hydrogel Architectures via Selective Swelling Programmed by Interfacial Bonding. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:28267-28277. [PMID: 31305055 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b05552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The topological features of material surfaces are crucial to the emergence of functions based on characteristic architectures. Among them, the combination of surface architectures and soft materials, which are highly deformable and flexible, has great potential as regards developing functional materials toward providing/enhancing advanced functions such as switchability and variability. Therefore, a simple yet versatile method for creating three-dimensional (3D) architectures based on soft materials is strongly required. In this study, hydrogels are selected as the soft materials and hydrogel film/rigid substrate layer composites are fabricated to obtain a 3D hydrogel architecture based on swelling instability. When a hydrogel film weakly attached to a rigid substrate is exposed to water, swelling-driven compressive stress induces buckle-delamination of the film from the substrate. Utilizing the chemical modification of a rigid substrate and a conventional photolithography technique, the delamination location is successfully controlled, resulting in a high-aspect-ratio folding architecture at an arbitrary position. In addition, we systematically designed the delamination geometry and chemically tuned the swelling ratio of the hydrogel, leading to the discovery of several new morphology transitions and relationships between the morphologies and the controllable parameters. This work provides a new approach to fabricating highly programmable 3D architectures of soft materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riku Takahashi
- NTT Basic Research Laboratories, Bio-Medical Informatics Research Center, NTT Corporation , 3-1 Morinosato-Wakamiya , Atsugi , Kanagawa 243-0198 , Japan
| | - Hiroki Miyazako
- NTT Basic Research Laboratories, Bio-Medical Informatics Research Center, NTT Corporation , 3-1 Morinosato-Wakamiya , Atsugi , Kanagawa 243-0198 , Japan
| | - Aya Tanaka
- NTT Basic Research Laboratories, Bio-Medical Informatics Research Center, NTT Corporation , 3-1 Morinosato-Wakamiya , Atsugi , Kanagawa 243-0198 , Japan
| | - Yuko Ueno
- NTT Basic Research Laboratories, Bio-Medical Informatics Research Center, NTT Corporation , 3-1 Morinosato-Wakamiya , Atsugi , Kanagawa 243-0198 , Japan
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39
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A chemotaxis model to explain WHIM neutrophil accumulation in the bone marrow of WHIM mouse model. BLOOD SCIENCE 2019; 1:102-112. [PMID: 35402788 PMCID: PMC8975054 DOI: 10.1097/bs9.0000000000000019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Neutrophils are essential immune cells that defend the host against pathogenic microbial agents. Neutrophils are produced in the bone marrow and are retained there through CXCR4–CXCL12 signaling. However, patients with the Warts, Hypogammaglobulinemia, Infections, and Myelokathexis (WHIM) syndrome are prone to infections due to increased accumulation of neutrophils in the bone marrow leading to low numbers of circulating neutrophils. How neutrophils accumulate in the bone marrow in this condition is poorly understood. To better understand factors involved in neutrophil accumulation in the bone marrow, neutrophils from wildtype and WHIM mouse models were characterized in their response to CXCL12 stimulation. WHIM neutrophils were found to exert stronger traction forces, formed significantly more lamellipodia-type protrusions and migrated with increased speed and displacement upon CXCL12 stimulation as compared to wildtype cells. Migration speed of WHIM neutrophils showed a larger initial increase upon CXCL12 stimulation, which decayed over a longer time period as compared to wildtype cells. We proposed a computational model based on the chemotactic behavior of neutrophils that indicated increased CXCL12 sensitivity and prolonged CXCR4 internalization adaptation time in WHIM neutrophils as being responsible for increased accumulation in the bone marrow. These findings provide a mechanistic understanding of bone marrow neutrophil accumulation in WHIM condition and novel insights into restoring neutrophil regulation in WHIM patients.
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40
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Yu Y, Liu S, Wu X, Yu Z, Xu Y, Zhao W, Zavodnik I, Zheng J, Li C, Zhao H. Mechanism of Stiff Substrates up-Regulate Cultured Neuronal Network Activity. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2019; 5:3475-3482. [PMID: 33405731 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Our previous work provided compelling evidence showing that substrate stiffness is crucial for regulating synaptic connectivity and excitatory synaptic transmission among neurons in the neuronal network. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In our study, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates with different stiffness have been fabricated to investigate the mechanisms by which the substrate stiffness upregulates the formation and activity of the cultured neuronal network. Here we report that stiff substrate increased both the number of synapses and the efficacy of excitatory synaptic transmission. More colocalization of synaptotagmin and PSD-95 was observed in the neuronal network on stiff substrate, which indicated the synapse number has increased. We also found that the increased synapse number was mediated by Hevin and SPARC that are secreted from astrocyte. The increased efficacy of excitatory synaptic transmission induced by stiff substrate was explored in three aspects. First, stiff substrate enhanced the presynaptic activity through increasing the vesicular release probability (Pr) of neurotransmitters as well as the calcium influx. Second, stiff substrate reduced voltage-dependent Mg2+ blockade to N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) channels, which led to higher postsynaptic activity. Third, our work suggested that the increased excitatory synaptic transmission in the neural network on stiff substrate involved the upregulated synaptic glutamate concentration. Taken together, these findings may provide a molecular mechanism underlying substrate stiffness regulation of excitatory synaptic transmission in the cultured neural network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yu
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, School of Aerospace Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
| | - Sisi Liu
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, School of Aerospace Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoan Wu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, United States
| | - Zhang Yu
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, School of Aerospace Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
| | - Yishi Xu
- Beijing No. 4 High School, Beijing 100034, People's Republic of China
| | - Weijiang Zhao
- Center for Neuroscience, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, People's Republic of China
| | - Ilya Zavodnik
- Department of Biochemistry, Yanka Kupala State University Grodno, Blvd Len Kom 50, Grodno 230030, Belarus
| | - Jinping Zheng
- Department of Physiology, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi 046000, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Physiology, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi 046000, People's Republic of China
| | - Hucheng Zhao
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, School of Aerospace Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
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41
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Hauptmann N, Lian Q, Ludolph J, Rothe H, Hildebrand G, Liefeith K. Biomimetic Designer Scaffolds Made of D,L-Lactide- ɛ-Caprolactone Polymers by 2-Photon Polymerization. TISSUE ENGINEERING. PART B, REVIEWS 2019; 25:167-186. [PMID: 30632460 PMCID: PMC6589497 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2018.0284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
IMPACT STATEMENT In tissue engineering (TE), the establishment of cell targeting materials, which mimic the conditions of the physiological extracellular matrix (ECM), seems to be a mission impossible without advanced materials and fabrication techniques. With this in mind we established a toolbox based on (D,L)-lactide-ɛ-caprolactone methacrylate (LCM) copolymers in combination with a nano-micromaskless lithography technique, the two-photon polymerization (2-PP) to mimic the hierarchical structured and complex milieu of the natural ECM. To demonstrate the versatility of this toolbox, we choose two completely different application scenarios in bone and tumor TE to show the high potential of this concept in therapeutic and diagnostic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Hauptmann
- Department of Biomaterials, Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba), Rosenhof, Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
| | - Qilin Lian
- Department of Biomaterials, Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba), Rosenhof, Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
| | - Johanna Ludolph
- Department of Biomaterials, Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba), Rosenhof, Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
| | - Holger Rothe
- Department of Biomaterials, Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba), Rosenhof, Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
| | - Gerhard Hildebrand
- Department of Biomaterials, Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba), Rosenhof, Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
| | - Klaus Liefeith
- Department of Biomaterials, Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba), Rosenhof, Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
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42
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Cell-Cell Adhesion and Cortical Actin Bending Govern Cell Elongation on Negatively Curved Substrates. Biophys J 2019; 114:1707-1717. [PMID: 29642039 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2018.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Physiologically, cells experience and respond to a variety of mechanical stimuli such as rigidity and topography of the extracellular matrix. However, little is known about the effects of substrate curvature on cell behavior. We developed a novel, to our knowledge, method to fabricate cell culture substrates with semicylindrical grooves of negative curvatures (radius of curvature, Rc = 20-100 μm). We found that negative substrate curvatures induced elongation of mesenchymal and epithelial cells along the cylinder axis. As Rc decreases, mesenchymal National Institutes of Health 3T3 fibroblasts increasingly elongate along the long axis of the grooves, whereas elongation of epithelial Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells is biphasic with maximal cell elongation when Rc = 40 μm. Addition of blebbistatin to MDCK cells to reduce cortical actin rigidity resulted in a decrease in cell elongation across all curvatures while preserving the biphasic trend. However, addition of calyculin A or ethylene glycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, to increase cortical rigidity or reduce intercellular adhesion, respectively, resulted in a monotonic increase in MDCK cell elongation with decreasing Rc. Using an energy minimization model, we showed that cell elongation in epithelial cell sheet is governed by the competition between two energies as Rc decreases: curvature-dependent intercellular adhesion that prevents elongation; and intracellular cortical actin bending that enhances elongation. Therefore, our results of cellular elongation induced by negatively curved substrates offer insights into how tubule elongation or growth of tubular structures such as kidney tubules can be controlled by the substrate curvature in vivo.
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43
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Strain- or Stress-Sensing in Mechanochemical Patterning by the Phytohormone Auxin. Bull Math Biol 2019; 81:3342-3361. [DOI: 10.1007/s11538-019-00600-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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44
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Mantz A, Pannier AK. Biomaterial substrate modifications that influence cell-material interactions to prime cellular responses to nonviral gene delivery. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2019; 244:100-113. [PMID: 30621454 PMCID: PMC6405826 DOI: 10.1177/1535370218821060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPACT STATEMENT This review summarizes how biomaterial substrate modifications (e.g. chemical modifications like natural coatings, ligands, or functional side groups, and/or physical modifications such as topography or stiffness) can prime the cellular response to nonviral gene delivery (e.g. affecting integrin binding and focal adhesion formation, cytoskeletal remodeling, endocytic mechanisms, and intracellular trafficking), to aid in improving gene delivery for applications where a cell-material interface might exist (e.g. tissue engineering scaffolds, medical implants and devices, sensors and diagnostics, wound dressings).
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Mantz
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering,
University
of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583,
USA
| | - Angela K Pannier
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering,
University
of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583,
USA
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45
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Shimizu T, Osanai Y, Tanaka KF, Thai TQ, Abe M, Natsume R, Sakimura K, Ikenaka K. Mechanical regulation of oligodendrocyte morphology and maturation by the mechanosensor p130Cas. J Neurochem 2019; 150:158-172. [PMID: 30589943 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Oligodendrocytes (OLs) are myelinating cells of the central nervous system. Recent studies have shown that mechanical factors influence various cell properties. Mechanical stimulation can be transduced into intracellular biochemical signals through mechanosensors, such as integrin, p130Cas, talin and vinculin. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the mechanical regulation of OLs by mechanosensors remain largely unknown. We found that morphology of OL was affected by knockdown of the mechanosensors p130Cas or talin1. Stretching of OL precursor cells induced the phosphorylation of p130Cas and talin-associated assembly of vinculin. Shear stress decreased the number of OL processes, whereas these effects were mechanically suppressed by dominant-negative (DN) p130Cas, but not by DN-talin1. To investigate the roles of p130Cas in post-natal OLs in vivo, we constructed a novel p130Cas knock-in mouse and found overexpression of p130Cas in vivo affected the number of mature OLs in the cortex. These results indicate that the mechanosensor p130Cas controls both OL morphogenesis and maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Shimizu
- Division of Neurobiology and Bioinformatics, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Aichi, Japan.,Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Sciences, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Osanai
- Division of Neurobiology and Bioinformatics, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Aichi, Japan.,Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Sciences, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Japan
| | - Kenji F Tanaka
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Truc Quynh Thai
- Departments of Anatomy and Molecular Histology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Manabu Abe
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Rie Natsume
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kenji Sakimura
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Ikenaka
- Division of Neurobiology and Bioinformatics, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Aichi, Japan.,Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Sciences, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Japan
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46
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Spontaneous migration of cellular aggregates from giant keratocytes to running spheroids. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:12926-12931. [PMID: 30504144 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1811348115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite extensive knowledge on the mechanisms that drive single-cell migration, those governing the migration of cell clusters, as occurring during embryonic development and cancer metastasis, remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate the collective migration of cell on adhesive gels with variable rigidity, using 3D cellular aggregates as a model system. After initial adhesion to the substrate, aggregates spread by expanding outward a cell monolayer, whose dynamics is optimal in a narrow range of rigidities. Fast expansion gives rise to the accumulation of mechanical tension that leads to the rupture of cell-cell contacts and the nucleation of holes within the monolayer, which becomes unstable and undergoes dewetting like a liquid film. This leads to a symmetry breaking and causes the entire aggregate to move as a single entity. Varying the substrate rigidity modulates the extent of dewetting and induces different modes of aggregate motion: "giant keratocytes," where the lamellipodium is a cell monolayer that expands at the front and retracts at the back; "penguins," characterized by bipedal locomotion; and "running spheroids," for nonspreading aggregates. We characterize these diverse modes of collective migration by quantifying the flows and forces that drive them, and we unveil the fundamental physical principles that govern these behaviors, which underscore the biological predisposition of living material to migrate, independent of length scale.
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47
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Anisotropic traction stresses and focal adhesion polarization mediates topography-induced cell elongation. Biomaterials 2018; 181:103-112. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.07.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 07/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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48
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Ankam S, Teo BKK, Pohan G, Ho SWL, Lim CK, Yim EKF. Temporal Changes in Nucleus Morphology, Lamin A/C and Histone Methylation During Nanotopography-Induced Neuronal Differentiation of Stem Cells. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2018; 6:69. [PMID: 29904629 PMCID: PMC5990852 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2018.00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell differentiation can be regulated by biophysical cues such as nanotopography. It involves sensing and integration of these biophysical cues into their transcriptome with a mechanism that is yet to be discovered. In addition to the cytoskeletal and focal adhesion remodeling, nanotopography has also been shown to modulate nucleus morphology. Here, we studied the effect of nanotopography on the temporal changes in nuclei of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Using a high throughput Multi-architecture (MARC) chip analysis, the circularity of the stem cell nuclei changed significantly on different patterns. Human ESCs and MSCs showed different temporal changes in nucleus morphology, lamin A/C expression and histone methylation during topography-induced neuronal differentiation. In hESCs, the expression of nuclear matrix protein, lamin A/C during neuronal differentiation of hESCs on PDMS samples were weakly detected in the first 7 days of differentiation. The histone 3 trimethylation on Lysine 9 (H3K9me3) decreased after differentiation initiated and showed temporal changes in their expression and organization during neuronal differentiation. In hMSCs, the expression of lamin A/C was significantly increased after the first 24 h of cell culture. The quantitative analysis of histone methylation also showed a significant increase in hMSCs histone methylation on 250 nm anisotropic nanogratings within the first 24 h of seeding. This reiterates the importance of cell-substrate sensing within the first 24 h for adult stem cells. The lamin A/C expression and histone methylation shows a correlation of epigenetic changes in early events of differentiation, giving an insight on how extracellular nanotopographical cues are transduced into nuclear biochemical signals. Collectively, these results provide more understanding into the nuclear regulation of the mechanotransduction of nanotopographical cues in stem cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soneela Ankam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Benjamin K K Teo
- Mechanobiology Institute Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Grace Pohan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Shawn W L Ho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Choon K Lim
- Mechanobiology Institute Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Evelyn K F Yim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Mechanobiology Institute Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.,Department of Surgery, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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49
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Xu GK, Feng XQ, Gao H. Orientations of Cells on Compliant Substrates under Biaxial Stretches: A Theoretical Study. Biophys J 2018; 114:701-710. [PMID: 29414715 PMCID: PMC5985023 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2017.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 11/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical cues from the microenvironments play a regulating role in many physiological and pathological processes, such as stem cell differentiation and cancer cell metastasis. Experiments showed that cells adhered on a compliant substrate may change orientation with an externally applied strain in the substrate. By accounting for actin polymerization, actin retrograde flow, and integrin binding dynamics, here we develop a mechanism-based tensegrity model to study the orientations of polarized cells on a compliant substrate under biaxial stretches. We show that the cell can actively regulate its mechanical state by generating different traction force levels along its polarized direction. Under static or ultralow-frequency cyclic stretches, stretching a softer substrate leads to a higher increase in the traction force and induces a narrower distribution of cell alignment. Compared to static loadings, high-frequency cyclic loadings have a more significant influence on cell reorientation on a stiff substrate. In addition, the width of the cellular angular distribution scales inversely with the stretch amplitude under both static and cyclic stretches. Our results are in agreement with a wide range of experimental observations, and provide fundamental insights into the functioning of cellular mechanosensing systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Kui Xu
- International Center for Applied Mechanics, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Xi-Qiao Feng
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Huajian Gao
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
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Chengappa P, Sao K, Jones TM, Petrie RJ. Intracellular Pressure: A Driver of Cell Morphology and Movement. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2018; 337:185-211. [PMID: 29551161 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular pressure, generated by actomyosin contractility and the directional flow of water across the plasma membrane, can rapidly reprogram cell shape and behavior. Recent work demonstrates that cells can generate intracellular pressure with a range spanning at least two orders of magnitude; significantly, pressure is implicated as an important regulator of cell dynamics, such as cell division and migration. Changes to intracellular pressure can dictate the mechanisms by which single human cells move through three-dimensional environments. In this review, we chronicle the classic as well as recent evidence demonstrating how intracellular pressure is generated and maintained in metazoan cells. Furthermore, we highlight how this potentially ubiquitous physical characteristic is emerging as an important driver of cell morphology and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kimheak Sao
- Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Tia M Jones
- Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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