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Giverso C, Loy N, Lucci G, Preziosi L. Cell orientation under stretch: A review of experimental findings and mathematical modelling. J Theor Biol 2023; 572:111564. [PMID: 37391125 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2023.111564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
The key role of electro-chemical signals in cellular processes had been known for many years, but more recently the interplay with mechanics has been put in evidence and attracted substantial research interests. Indeed, the sensitivity of cells to mechanical stimuli coming from the microenvironment turns out to be relevant in many biological and physiological circumstances. In particular, experimental evidence demonstrated that cells on elastic planar substrates undergoing periodic stretches, mimicking native cyclic strains in the tissue where they reside, actively reorient their cytoskeletal stress fibres. At the end of the realignment process, the cell axis forms a certain angle with the main stretching direction. Due to the importance of a deeper understanding of mechanotransduction, such a phenomenon was studied both from the experimental and the mathematical modelling point of view. The aim of this review is to collect and discuss both the experimental results on cell reorientation and the fundamental features of the mathematical models that have been proposed in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Giverso
- Department of Mathematical Sciences "G.L. Lagrange", Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Turin, 10126, Italy.
| | - Nadia Loy
- Department of Mathematical Sciences "G.L. Lagrange", Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Turin, 10126, Italy.
| | - Giulio Lucci
- Department of Mathematical Sciences "G.L. Lagrange", Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Turin, 10126, Italy.
| | - Luigi Preziosi
- Department of Mathematical Sciences "G.L. Lagrange", Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Turin, 10126, Italy.
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2
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Hagelaars MJ, Rijns L, Dankers PYW, Loerakker S, Bouten CVC. Engineering Strategies to Move from Understanding to Steering Renal Tubulogenesis. TISSUE ENGINEERING. PART B, REVIEWS 2023; 29:203-216. [PMID: 36173101 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2022.0120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Rebuilding the kidney in the context of tissue engineering offers a major challenge as the organ is structurally complex and has a high variety of specific functions. Recreation of kidney function is inherently connected to the formation of tubules since the functional subunit of the kidney, the nephron, is based on tubular structures. In vivo, tubulogenesis culminates in a perfectly shaped, patterned, and functional renal tubule via different morphogenic processes that depend on delicately orchestrated chemical, physical, and mechanical interactions between cells and between cells and their microenvironment. This review summarizes the current understanding of the role of the microenvironment in the morphogenic processes involved in in vivo renal tubulogenesis. We highlight the current state-of-the-art of renal tubular engineering and provide a view on the design elements that can be extracted from these studies. Next, we discuss how computational modeling can aid in specifying and identifying design parameters and provide directions on how these design parameters can be incorporated in biomaterials for the purpose of engineering renal tubulogenesis. Finally, we propose that a step-by-step reciprocal interaction between understanding and engineering is necessary to effectively guide renal tubulogenesis. Impact statement Tubular tissue engineering lies at the foundation of regenerating kidney tissue function, as the functional subunit of the kidney, the nephron, is based on tubular structures. Guiding renal tubulogenesis toward functional renal tubules requires in-depth knowledge of the developmental processes that lead to the formation of native tubules as well as engineering approaches to steer these processes. In this study, we review the role of the microenvironment in the developmental processes that lead to functional renal tubules and give directions how this knowledge can be harnessed for biomaterial-based tubular engineering using computational models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria J Hagelaars
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Rijns
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Patricia Y W Dankers
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Loerakker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Carlijn V C Bouten
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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3
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Feng B, Zhang M, Qin C, Zhai D, Wang Y, Zhou Y, Chang J, Zhu Y, Wu C. 3D printing of conch-like scaffolds for guiding cell migration and directional bone growth. Bioact Mater 2023; 22:127-140. [PMID: 36203957 PMCID: PMC9525999 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Regeneration of severe bone defects remains an enormous challenge in clinic. Developing regenerative scaffolds to directionally guide bone growth is a potential strategy to overcome this hurdle. Conch, an interesting creature widely spreading in ocean, has tough spiral shell that can continuously grow along the spiral direction. Herein, inspired by the physiological features of conches, a conch-like (CL) scaffold based on β-TCP bioceramic material was successfully prepared for guiding directional bone growth via digital light processing (DLP)-based 3D printing. Benefiting from the spiral structure, the CL scaffolds significantly improved cell adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in vitro compared to the conventional 3D scaffolds. Particularly, the spiral structure in the scaffolds could efficiently induce cells to migrate from the bottom to the top of the scaffolds, which was like “cells climbing stairs”. Furthermore, the capability of guiding directional bone growth for the CL scaffolds was demonstrated by a special half-embedded femoral defects model in rabbits. The new bone tissue could consecutively grow into the protruded part of the scaffolds along the spiral cavities. This work provides a promising strategy to construct biomimetic biomaterials for guiding directional bone tissue growth, which offers a new treatment concept for severe bone defects, and even limb regeneration. A conch-like scaffold was firstly developed for guiding directional bone growth. The CL scaffolds efficiently induced cells “climbing stairs”- like-migrating. The CL scaffolds showed improved bioactivities benefited from the spiral structure. This work provided a new treatment concept for severe bone defects.
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Jess R, Ling T, Xiong Y, Wright CJ, Zhao F. Mechanical environment for in vitro cartilage tissue engineering assisted by in silico models. BIOMATERIALS TRANSLATIONAL 2023; 4:18-26. [PMID: 37206302 PMCID: PMC10189812 DOI: 10.12336/biomatertransl.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Mechanobiological study of chondrogenic cells and multipotent stem cells for articular cartilage tissue engineering (CTE) has been widely explored. The mechanical stimulation in terms of wall shear stress, hydrostatic pressure and mechanical strain has been applied in CTE in vitro. It has been found that the mechanical stimulation at a certain range can accelerate the chondrogenesis and articular cartilage tissue regeneration. This review explicitly focuses on the study of the influence of the mechanical environment on proliferation and extracellular matrix production of chondrocytes in vitro for CTE. The multidisciplinary approaches used in previous studies and the need for in silico methods to be used in parallel with in vitro methods are also discussed. The information from this review is expected to direct facial CTE research, in which mechanobiology has not been widely explored yet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob Jess
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
- Zienkiewicz Institute for Modelling, Data and AI, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Tao Ling
- School of System Design and Intelligent Manufacturing, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yi Xiong
- School of System Design and Intelligent Manufacturing, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
- Corresponding authors: Feihu Zhao, ; Yi Xiong,
| | - Chris J. Wright
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Feihu Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
- Zienkiewicz Institute for Modelling, Data and AI, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
- Corresponding authors: Feihu Zhao, ; Yi Xiong,
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5
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Mostert D, Groenen B, Klouda L, Passier R, Goumans MJ, Kurniawan NA, Bouten CVC. Human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes align under cyclic strain when guided by cardiac fibroblasts. APL Bioeng 2022; 6:046108. [PMID: 36567768 PMCID: PMC9771596 DOI: 10.1063/5.0108914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The myocardium is a mechanically active tissue typified by anisotropy of the resident cells [cardiomyocytes (CMs) and cardiac fibroblasts (cFBs)] and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Upon ischemic injury, the anisotropic tissue is replaced by disorganized scar tissue, resulting in loss of coordinated contraction. Efforts to re-establish tissue anisotropy in the injured myocardium are hampered by a lack of understanding of how CM and/or cFB structural organization is affected by the two major physical cues inherent in the myocardium: ECM organization and cyclic mechanical strain. Herein, we investigate the singular and combined effect of ECM (dis)organization and cyclic strain in a two-dimensional human in vitro co-culture model of the myocardial microenvironment. We show that (an)isotropic ECM protein patterning can guide the orientation of CMs and cFBs, both in mono- and co-culture. Subsequent application of uniaxial cyclic strain-mimicking the local anisotropic deformation of beating myocardium-causes no effect when applied parallel to the anisotropic ECM. However, when cultured on isotropic substrates, cFBs, but not CMs, orient away from the direction of cyclic uniaxial strain (strain avoidance). In contrast, CMs show strain avoidance via active remodeling of their sarcomeres only when co-cultured with at least 30% cFBs. Paracrine signaling or N-cadherin-mediated communication between CMs and cFBs was no contributing factor. Our findings suggest that the mechanoresponsive cFBs provide structural guidance for CM orientation and elongation. Our study, therefore, highlights a synergistic mechanobiological interplay between CMs and cFBs in shaping tissue organization, which is of relevance for regenerating functionally organized myocardium.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bart Groenen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Leda Klouda
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | | | - Marie-Jose Goumans
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Center for Biomedical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Senthilkumar I, Howley E, McEvoy E. Thermodynamically-motivated chemo-mechanical models and multicellular simulation to provide new insight into active cell and tumour remodelling. Exp Cell Res 2022; 419:113317. [PMID: 36028058 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113317] [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: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Computational models can shape our understanding of cell and tissue remodelling, from cell spreading, to active force generation, adhesion, and growth. In this mini-review, we discuss recent progress in modelling of chemo-mechanical cell behaviour and the evolution of multicellular systems. In particular, we highlight recent advances in (i) free-energy based single cell models that can provide new fundamental insight into cell spreading, cancer cell invasion, stem cell differentiation, and remodelling in disease, and (ii) mechanical agent-based models to simulate large numbers of discrete interacting cells in proliferative tumours. We describe how new biological understanding has emerged from such theoretical models, and the trade-offs and constraints associated with current approaches. Ultimately, we aim to make a case for why theory should be integrated with an experimental workflow to optimise new in-vitro studies, to predict feedback between cells and their microenvironment, and to deepen understanding of active cell behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irish Senthilkumar
- School of Computer Science, College of Science and Engineering, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland; Biomedical Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
| | - Enda Howley
- School of Computer Science, College of Science and Engineering, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
| | - Eoin McEvoy
- Biomedical Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland.
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7
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Modeling ATP-mediated endothelial cell elongation on line patterns. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2022; 21:1531-1548. [PMID: 35902488 PMCID: PMC9626447 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-022-01604-2] [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: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial cell (EC) migration is crucial for a wide range of processes including vascular wound healing, tumor angiogenesis, and the development of viable endovascular implants. We have previously demonstrated that ECs cultured on 15-μm wide adhesive line patterns exhibit three distinct migration phenotypes: (a) “running” cells that are polarized and migrate continuously and persistently on the adhesive lines with possible spontaneous directional changes, (b) “undecided” cells that are highly elongated and exhibit periodic changes in the direction of their polarization while maintaining minimal net migration, and (c) “tumbling-like” cells that migrate persistently for a certain amount of time but then stop and round up for a few hours before spreading again and resuming migration. Importantly, the three migration patterns are associated with distinct profiles of cell length. Because of the impact of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) on cytoskeletal organization and cell polarization, we hypothesize that the observed differences in EC length among the three different migration phenotypes are driven by differences in intracellular ATP levels. In the present work, we develop a mathematical model that incorporates the interactions between cell length, cytoskeletal (F-actin) organization, and intracellular ATP concentration. An optimization procedure is used to obtain the model parameter values that best fit the experimental data on EC lengths. The results indicate that a minimalist model based on differences in intracellular ATP levels is capable of capturing the different cell length profiles observed experimentally.
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Loerakker S, Ristori T. Computational modeling for cardiovascular tissue engineering: the importance of including cell behavior in growth and remodeling algorithms. CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2020; 15:1-9. [PMID: 33997580 PMCID: PMC8105589 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2019.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Understanding cardiovascular growth and remodeling (G&R) is fundamental for designing robust cardiovascular tissue engineering strategies, which enable synthetic or biological scaffolds to transform into healthy living tissues after implantation. Computational modeling, particularly when integrated with experimental research, is key for advancing our understanding, predicting the in vivo evolution of engineered tissues, and efficiently optimizing scaffold designs. As cells are ultimately the drivers of G&R and known to change their behavior in response to mechanical cues, increasing efforts are currently undertaken to capture (mechano-mediated) cell behavior in computational models. In this selective review, we highlight some recent examples that are relevant in the context of cardiovascular tissue engineering and discuss the current and future biological and computational challenges for modeling cell-mediated G&R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Loerakker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Groene Loper Building 15, 5612 AP, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.,Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Groene Loper Building 7, 5612 AJ, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Tommaso Ristori
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Groene Loper Building 15, 5612 AP, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.,Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Groene Loper Building 7, 5612 AJ, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
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9
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Suresh H, Shishvan SS, Vigliotti A, Deshpande VS. Free-energy-based framework for early forecasting of stem cell differentiation. J R Soc Interface 2019; 16:20190571. [PMID: 31847759 PMCID: PMC6936038 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2019.0571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Commitment of stem cells to different lineages is inherently stochastic but regulated by a range of environmental bio/chemo/mechanical cues. Here, we develop an integrated stochastic modelling framework for predicting the differentiation of hMSCs in response to a range of environmental cues, including sizes of adhesive islands, stiffness of substrates and treatment with ROCK inhibitors in both growth and mixed media. The statistical framework analyses the fluctuations of cell morphologies over approximately a 24 h period after seeding the cells in the specific environment and uses the cytoskeletal free-energy distribution to forecast the lineage the hMSCs will commit to. The cytoskeletal free energy which succinctly parametrizes the biochemical state of the cell is shown to capture hMSC commitment over a range of environments while simple morphological factors such as cell shape, tractions on their own are unable to correlate with lineages hMSCs adopt.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Suresh
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK
| | - S S Shishvan
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK.,Department of Structural Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - A Vigliotti
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK.,Innovative Materials Laboratory, Italian Aerospace Research Centre, Capua 81043, Italy
| | - V S Deshpande
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK
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10
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Aktas OC, Metzger W, Haidar A, Açil Y, Gülses A, Wiltfang J, Sacramento CM, Nothdurft FP. Enhancing adhesion and alignment of human gingival fibroblasts on dental implants. J Craniomaxillofac Surg 2019; 47:661-667. [PMID: 30846326 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcms.2019.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Promoting the directional attachment of gingiva to the dental implant leads to the formation of tight connective tissue which acts as a seal against the penetration of oral bacteria. Such a directional growth is mostly governed by the surface texture. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, three different methods, mechanical structuring, chemical etching and laser treatment, have been explored for their applicability in promoting cellular attachment and alignment of human primary gingival fibroblasts (HGFIBs). RESULTS The effectiveness of mechanical structuring was shown as a simple and a cost-effective method to create patterns to align HGIFIBs. CONCLUSION Combining mechanical structuring with chemical etching enhanced both cellular attachment and the cellular alignment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oral Cenk Aktas
- Institute for Materials Science, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Metzger
- Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg, Saar, Germany
| | - Ayman Haidar
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Dental Materials Sciences, Saarland University, Homburg, Saar, Germany
| | - Yahya Açil
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Christian-Albrecht-Universität zu Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Aydin Gülses
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Christian-Albrecht-Universität zu Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jörg Wiltfang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Christian-Albrecht-Universität zu Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Catharina Marques Sacramento
- Department of Prosthesis and Periodontology, Division of Periodontics, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, Brazil
| | - Frank Philipp Nothdurft
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Dental Materials Sciences, Saarland University, Homburg, Saar, Germany.
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Ristori T, Bouten CVC, Baaijens FPT, Loerakker S. Predicting and understanding collagen remodeling in human native heart valves during early development. Acta Biomater 2018; 80:203-216. [PMID: 30223090 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2018.08.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The hemodynamic functionality of heart valves strongly depends on the distribution of collagen fibers, which are their main load-bearing constituents. It is known that collagen networks remodel in response to mechanical stimuli. Yet, the complex interplay between external load and collagen remodeling is poorly understood. In this study, we adopted a computational approach to simulate collagen remodeling occurring in native fetal and pediatric heart valves. The computational model accounted for several biological phenomena: cellular (re)orientation in response to both mechanical stimuli and topographical cues provided by collagen fibers; collagen deposition and traction forces along the main cellular direction; collagen degradation decreasing with stretch; and cell-mediated collagen prestretch. Importantly, the computational results were well in agreement with previous experimental data for all simulated heart valves. Simulations performed by varying some of the computational parameters suggest that cellular forces and (re)orientation in response to mechanical stimuli may be fundamental mechanisms for the emergence of the circumferential collagen alignment usually observed in native heart valves. On the other hand, the tendency of cells to coalign with collagen fibers is essential to maintain and reinforce that circumferential alignment during development. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The hemodynamic functionality of heart valves is strongly influenced by the alignment of load-bearing collagen fibers. Currently, the mechanisms that are responsible for the development of the circumferential collagen alignment in native heart valves are not fully understood. In the present study, cell-mediated remodeling of native human heart valves during early development was computationally simulated to understand the impact of individual mechanisms on collagen alignment. Our simulations successfully predicted the degree of collagen alignment observed in native fetal and pediatric semilunar valves. The computational results suggest that the circumferential collagen alignment arises from cell traction and cellular (re)orientation in response to mechanical stimuli, and with increasing age is reinforced by the tendency of cells to co-align with pre-existing collagen fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Ristori
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - C V C Bouten
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - F P T Baaijens
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - S Loerakker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
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12
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Modelling The Combined Effects Of Collagen and Cyclic Strain On Cellular Orientation In Collagenous Tissues. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8518. [PMID: 29867153 PMCID: PMC5986791 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26989-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Adherent cells are generally able to reorient in response to cyclic strain. In three-dimensional tissues, however, extracellular collagen can affect this cellular response. In this study, a computational model able to predict the combined effects of mechanical stimuli and collagen on cellular (re)orientation was developed. In particular, a recently proposed computational model (which only accounts for mechanical stimuli) was extended by considering two hypotheses on how collagen influences cellular (re)orientation: collagen contributes to cell alignment by providing topographical cues (contact guidance); or collagen causes a spatial obstruction for cellular reorientation (steric hindrance). In addition, we developed an evolution law to predict cell-induced collagen realignment. The hypotheses were tested by simulating bi- or uniaxially constrained cell-populated collagen gels with different collagen densities, subjected to immediate or delayed uniaxial cyclic strain with varying strain amplitudes. The simulation outcomes are in agreement with previous experimental reports. Taken together, our computational approach is a promising tool to understand and predict the remodeling of collagenous tissues, such as native or tissue-engineered arteries and heart valves.
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