1
|
Walter C, Balouchzadeh R, Garcia KE, Kroenke CD, Pathak A, Bayly PV. Multi-scale measurement of stiffness in the developing ferret brain. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20583. [PMID: 37996465 PMCID: PMC10667369 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47900-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cortical folding is an important process during brain development, and aberrant folding is linked to disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. Changes in cell numbers, size, and morphology have been proposed to exert forces that control the folding process, but these changes may also influence the mechanical properties of developing brain tissue. Currently, the changes in tissue stiffness during brain folding are unknown. Here, we report stiffness in the developing ferret brain across multiple length scales, emphasizing changes in folding cortical tissue. Using rheometry to measure the bulk properties of brain tissue, we found that overall brain stiffness increases with age over the period of cortical folding. Using atomic force microscopy to target the cortical plate, we found that the occipital cortex increases in stiffness as well as stiffness heterogeneity over the course of development and folding. These findings can help to elucidate the mechanics of the cortical folding process by clarifying the concurrent evolution of tissue properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Walter
- Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, USA.
| | - Ramin Balouchzadeh
- Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, USA
| | - Kara E Garcia
- Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Evansville, IN, USA
| | - Christopher D Kroenke
- Advanced Imaging Research Center and Oregon National Primate Research Center Division of Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Amit Pathak
- Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, USA
| | - Philip V Bayly
- Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xin Y, Li K, Huang M, Liang C, Siemann D, Wu L, Tan Y, Tang X. Biophysics in tumor growth and progression: from single mechano-sensitive molecules to mechanomedicine. Oncogene 2023; 42:3457-3490. [PMID: 37864030 PMCID: PMC10656290 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02844-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Evidence from physical sciences in oncology increasingly suggests that the interplay between the biophysical tumor microenvironment and genetic regulation has significant impact on tumor progression. Especially, tumor cells and the associated stromal cells not only alter their own cytoskeleton and physical properties but also remodel the microenvironment with anomalous physical properties. Together, these altered mechano-omics of tumor tissues and their constituents fundamentally shift the mechanotransduction paradigms in tumorous and stromal cells and activate oncogenic signaling within the neoplastic niche to facilitate tumor progression. However, current findings on tumor biophysics are limited, scattered, and often contradictory in multiple contexts. Systematic understanding of how biophysical cues influence tumor pathophysiology is still lacking. This review discusses recent different schools of findings in tumor biophysics that have arisen from multi-scale mechanobiology and the cutting-edge technologies. These findings range from the molecular and cellular to the whole tissue level and feature functional crosstalk between mechanotransduction and oncogenic signaling. We highlight the potential of these anomalous physical alterations as new therapeutic targets for cancer mechanomedicine. This framework reconciles opposing opinions in the field, proposes new directions for future cancer research, and conceptualizes novel mechanomedicine landscape to overcome the inherent shortcomings of conventional cancer diagnosis and therapies.
Collapse
Grants
- R35 GM150812 NIGMS NIH HHS
- This work was financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project no. 11972316, Y.T.), Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission (Project no. JCYJ20200109142001798, SGDX2020110309520303, and JCYJ20220531091002006, Y.T.), General Research Fund of Hong Kong Research Grant Council (PolyU 15214320, Y. T.), Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF18191421, Y.T.), Hong Kong Polytechnic University (1-CD75, 1-ZE2M, and 1-ZVY1, Y.T.), the Cancer Pilot Research Award from UF Health Cancer Center (X. T.), the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award number R35GM150812 (X. T.), the National Science Foundation under grant number 2308574 (X. T.), the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under award number FA9550-23-1-0393 (X. T.), the University Scholar Program (X. T.), UF Research Opportunity Seed Fund (X. T.), the Gatorade Award (X. T.), and the National Science Foundation REU Site at UF: Engineering for Healthcare (Douglas Spearot and Malisa Sarntinoranont). We are deeply grateful for the insightful discussions with and generous support from all members of Tang (UF)’s and Tan (PolyU)’s laboratories and all staff members of the MAE/BME/ECE/Health Cancer Center at UF and BME at PolyU.
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)
- Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xin
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Keming Li
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Miao Huang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Chenyu Liang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Dietmar Siemann
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lizi Wu
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Youhua Tan
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
- Research Institute of Smart Ageing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Xin Tang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Exton J, Higgins JMG, Chen J. Acute brain slice elastic modulus decreases over time. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12826. [PMID: 37550376 PMCID: PMC10406937 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40074-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
A common benchmark in the brain tissue mechanics literature is that the properties of acute brain slices should be measured within 8 h of the experimental animal being sacrificed. The core assumption is that-since there is no substantial protein degradation during this time-there will be no change to elastic modulus. This assumption overlooks the possibility of other effects (such as osmotic swelling) that may influence the mechanical properties of the tissue. To achieve consistent and accurate analysis of brain mechanics, it is important to account for or mitigate these effects. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM), tissue hydration and volume measurements, we find that acute brain slices in oxygenated artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) with a standard osmolarity of 300 mOsm/l experience rapid swelling, softening, and increases in hydration within the first 2 hours after slicing. Reductions in elastic modulus can be partly mitigated by addition of chondroitinase ABC enzyme (CHABC). Increasing aCSF osmolarity to 400 mOsm/l does not prevent softening but may hasten equilibration of samples to a point where measurements of relative elastic modulus are consistent across experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John Exton
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Jonathan M G Higgins
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Jinju Chen
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lee YL, Mathur J, Walter C, Zmuda H, Pathak A. Matrix obstructions cause multiscale disruption in collective epithelial migration by suppressing leader cell function. Mol Biol Cell 2023; 34:ar94. [PMID: 37379202 PMCID: PMC10398892 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e22-06-0226] [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: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
During disease and development, physical changes in extracellular matrix cause jamming, unjamming, and scattering in epithelial migration. However, whether disruptions in matrix topology alter collective cell migration speed and cell-cell coordination remains unclear. We microfabricated substrates with stumps of defined geometry, density, and orientation, which create obstructions for migrating epithelial cells. Here, we show that cells lose their speed and directionality when moving through densely spaced obstructions. Although leader cells are stiffer than follower cells on flat substrates, dense obstructions cause overall cell softening. Through a lattice-based model, we identify cellular protrusions, cell-cell adhesions, and leader-follower communication as key mechanisms for obstruction-sensitive collective cell migration. Our modeling predictions and experimental validations show that cells' obstruction sensitivity requires an optimal balance of cell-cell adhesions and protrusions. Both MDCK (more cohesive) and α-catenin-depleted MCF10A cells were less obstruction sensitive than wild-type MCF10A cells. Together, microscale softening, mesoscale disorder, and macroscale multicellular communication enable epithelial cell populations to sense topological obstructions encountered in challenging environments. Thus, obstruction-sensitivity could define "mechanotype" of cells that collectively migrate yet maintain intercellular communication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ye Lim Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Jairaj Mathur
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Christopher Walter
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Hannah Zmuda
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Amit Pathak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Walter C, Mathur J, Pathak A. Reciprocal intra- and extra-cellular polarity enables deep mechanosensing through layered matrices. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112362. [PMID: 37027304 PMCID: PMC11246724 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112362] [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: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Adherent cells migrate on layered tissue interfaces to drive morphogenesis, wound healing, and tumor invasion. Although stiffer surfaces are known to enhance cell migration, it remains unclear whether cells sense basal stiff environments buried under softer, fibrous matrix. Using layered collagen-polyacrylamide gel systems, we unveil a migration phenotype driven by cell-matrix polarity. Here, cancer (but not normal) cells with stiff base matrix generate stable protrusions, faster migration, and greater collagen deformation because of "depth mechanosensing" through the top collagen layer. Cancer cell protrusions with front-rear polarity produce polarized collagen stiffening and deformations. Disruption of either extracellular or intracellular polarity via collagen crosslinking, laser ablation, or Arp2/3 inhibition independently abrogates depth-mechanosensitive migration of cancer cells. Our experimental findings, validated by lattice-based energy minimization modeling, present a cell migration mechanism whereby polarized cellular protrusions and contractility are reciprocated by mechanical extracellular polarity, culminating in a cell-type-dependent ability to mechanosense through matrix layers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Walter
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jairaj Mathur
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Amit Pathak
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Nanomechanical and Morphological AFM Mapping of Normal Tissues and Tumors on Live Brain Slices Using Specially Designed Embedding Matrix and Laser-Shaped Cantilevers. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10071742. [PMID: 35885046 PMCID: PMC9313344 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071742] [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: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell and tissue nanomechanics has been intriguingly introduced into biomedical research, not only complementing traditional immunophenotyping and molecular analysis, but also bringing unexpected new insights for clinical diagnostics and bioengineering. However, despite the progress in the study of individual cells in culture by atomic force microscopy (AFM), its application for mapping live tissues has a number of technical limitations. Here, we elaborate a new technique to study live slices of normal brain tissue and tumors by combining morphological and nanomechanical AFM mapping in high throughput scanning mode, in contrast to the typically utilized force spectroscopy mode based on single-point probe application. This became possible due to the combined use of an appropriate embedding matrix for vibratomy and originally modified AFM probes. The embedding matrix composition was carefully developed by regulating the amounts of agar and collagen I to reach optimal viscoelastic properties for obtaining high-quality live slices that meet AFM requirements. AFM tips were rounded by irradiating them with focused nanosecond laser pulses, while the resulting tip morphology was verified by scanning electron microscopy. Live slices preparation and AFM investigation take only 55 min and could be combined with a vital cell tracer analysis or immunostaining, thus making it promising for biomedical research and clinical diagnostics.
Collapse
|
7
|
Kumat SS, Shiakolas PS. Design, inverted vat photopolymerization 3D printing, and initial characterization of a miniature force sensor for localized in vivo tissue measurements. 3D Print Med 2022; 8:1. [PMID: 34982295 PMCID: PMC8725558 DOI: 10.1186/s41205-021-00128-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tissue healthiness could be assessed by evaluating its viscoelastic properties through localized contact reaction force measurements to obtain quantitative time history information. To evaluate these properties for hard to reach and confined areas of the human body, miniature force sensors with size constraints and appropriate load capabilities are needed. This research article reports on the design, fabrication, integration, characterization, and in vivo experimentation of a uniaxial miniature force sensor on a human forearm. Methods The strain gauge based sensor components were designed to meet dimensional constraints (diameter ≤3.5mm), safety factor (≥3) and performance specifications (maximum applied load, resolution, sensitivity, and accuracy). The sensing element was fabricated using traditional machining. Inverted vat photopolymerization technology was used to prototype complex components on a Form3 printer; micro-component orientation for fabrication challenges were overcome through experimentation. The sensor performance was characterized using dead weights and a LabVIEW based custom developed data acquisition system. The operational performance was evaluated by in vivo measurements on a human forearm; the relaxation data were used to calculate the Voigt model viscoelastic coefficient. Results The three dimensional (3D) printed components exhibited good dimensional accuracy (maximum deviation of 183μm). The assembled sensor exhibited linear behavior (regression coefficient of R2=0.999) and met desired performance specifications of 3.4 safety factor, 1.2N load capacity, 18mN resolution, and 3.13% accuracy. The in vivo experimentally obtained relaxation data were analyzed using the Voigt model yielding a viscoelastic coefficient τ=12.38sec and a curve-fit regression coefficient of R2=0.992. Conclusions This research presented the successful design, use of 3D printing for component fabrication, integration, characterization, and analysis of initial in vivo collected measurements with excellent performance for a miniature force sensor for the assessment of tissue viscoelastic properties. Through this research certain limitations were identified, however the initial sensor performance was promising and encouraging to continue the work to improve the sensor. This micro-force sensor could be used to obtain tissue quantitative data to assess tissue healthiness for medical care over extended time periods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shashank S Kumat
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, The University of Texas at Arlington, S Nedderman Dr, Arlington, 76019, TX, USA
| | - Panos S Shiakolas
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, The University of Texas at Arlington, S Nedderman Dr, Arlington, 76019, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhang L, Long X, Nijiati M, Zhang T, Li M, Deng Y, Kuang S, Xiao Y, Zhu J, He B, Chen J, Rossman P, Glaser KJ, Venkatesh SK, Ehman RL, Wang J. Tumor stiffness measured by 3D magnetic resonance elastography can help predict the aggressiveness of endometrial carcinoma: preliminary findings. Cancer Imaging 2021; 21:50. [PMID: 34454623 PMCID: PMC8399726 DOI: 10.1186/s40644-021-00420-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preoperative evaluation of aggressiveness, including tumor histological subtype, grade of differentiation, Federation International of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, and depth of myometrial invasion, is significant for treatment planning and prognosis in endometrial carcinoma (EC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) can help predict the aggressiveness of EC. METHODS From August 2015 to January 2019, 82 consecutive patients with suspected uterine tumors underwent pelvic MRI and MRE scans, and 15 patients with confirmed EC after surgical resection were enrolled. According to pathological results (tumor grade, histological subtype, FIGO stage, and myometrial invasiveness), the patients were divided into two subgroups. The independent-samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the stiffness between different groups. The diagnostic performance was determined with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS The stiffness of EC with ≥ 50 % (n = 6) myometrial invasion was significantly higher than that with < 50 % (n = 9) myometrial invasion (3.68 ± 0.59 kPa vs. 2.61 ± 0.72 kPa, p = 0.009). Using a stiffness of 3.04 kPa as a cutoff value resulted in 100 % sensitivity and 77.8 % specificity for differentiating ≥ 50 % myometrial invasion from < 50 % myometrial invasion of EC. The stiffness of poorly differentiated EC (n = 8) was significantly higher than that of well/moderately differentiated EC (n = 7) (3.47 ± 0.64 kPa vs. 2.55 ± 0.82 kPa, p = 0.028). Using a stiffness of 3.04 kPa as a cutoff value resulted in 75 % sensitivity and 71.4 % specificity for differentiating poorly differentiated from well/moderately differentiated EC. The stiffness of FIGO stage II/III EC was significantly higher than that of FIGO stage I EC (3.69 ± 0.65 kPa vs. 2.72 ± 0.76 kPa, p = 0.030). Using a stiffness of 3.04 kPa as a cutoff value resulted in 100 % sensitivity and 70 % specificity for differentiating FIGO stage I EC from FIGO stage II/III EC. The tumor stiffness value in type II (n = 3) EC was higher than that in type I (n = 12) EC (3.67 ± 0.59 kPa vs. 2.88 ± 0.85 kPa), but the difference was not significant (p = 0.136). CONCLUSIONS Tumor stiffness measured by 3D MRE may be potentially useful for predicting tumor grade, FIGO stage and myometrial invasion of EC and can aid in the preoperative risk stratification of EC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linqi Zhang
- Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Long
- Department of Radiology, Meizhou People's Hospital (Huangtang Hospital), Meizhou Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Meizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Mayidili Nijiati
- Department of Radiology, The First People's Hospital of Kashi Area, Kashi, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianhui Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Meizhou People's Hospital (Huangtang Hospital), Meizhou Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Meizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengsi Li
- Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Deng
- Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Sichi Kuang
- Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanqiang Xiao
- Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingjun He
- Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingbiao Chen
- Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Phillip Rossman
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Kevin J Glaser
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | | | - Richard L Ehman
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Radiology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Metalloproteinase 1 downregulation in neurofibromatosis 1: Therapeutic potential of antimalarial hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:513. [PMID: 34011935 PMCID: PMC8134427 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03802-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder caused by mutation in the neurofibromin 1 (NF1) gene. Its hallmarks are cutaneous findings including neurofibromas, benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors. We analyzed the collagen and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) expression in Neurofibromatosis 1 cutaneous neurofibroma and found excessive expression of collagen and reduced expression of MMP1. To identify new therapeutic drugs for neurofibroma, we analyzed phosphorylation of components of the Ras pathway, which underlies NF1 regulation, and applied treatments to block this pathway (PD184352, U0126, and rapamycin) and lysosomal processes (chloroquine (CQ), hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), and bafilomycin A (BafA)) in cultured Neurofibromatosis 1 fibroblasts. We found that downregulation of the MMP1 protein was a key abnormal feature in the neurofibromatosis 1 fibroblasts and that the decreased MMP1 was restored by the lysosomal blockers CQ and HCQ, but not by the blockers of the Ras pathway. Moreover, the MMP1-upregulating activity of those lysosomal blockers was dependent on aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) activation and ERK phosphorylation. Our findings suggest that lysosomal blockers are potential candidates for the treatment of Neurofibromatosis 1 neurofibroma.
Collapse
|
10
|
Liang W, Shi H, Yang X, Wang J, Yang W, Zhang H, Liu L. Recent advances in AFM-based biological characterization and applications at multiple levels. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:8962-8984. [PMID: 32996549 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01106a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has found a wide range of bio-applications in the past few decades due to its ability to measure biological samples in natural environments at a high spatial resolution. AFM has become a key platform in biomedical, bioengineering and drug research fields, enabling mechanical and morphological characterization of live biological systems. Hence, we provide a comprehensive review on recent advances in the use of AFM for characterizing the biomechanical properties of multi-scale biological samples, ranging from molecule, cell to tissue levels. First, we present the fundamental principles of AFM and two AFM-based models for the characterization of biomechanical properties of biological samples, covering key AFM devices and AFM bioimaging as well as theoretical models for characterizing the elasticity and viscosity of biomaterials. Then, we elaborate on a series of new experimental findings through analysis of biomechanics. Finally, we discuss the future directions and challenges. It is envisioned that the AFM technique will enable many remarkable discoveries, and will have far-reaching impacts on bio-related studies and applications in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Liang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang, 110168, China.
| | - Haohao Shi
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang, 110168, China.
| | - Xieliu Yang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang, 110168, China.
| | - Junhai Wang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang, 110168, China.
| | - Wenguang Yang
- School of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Hemin Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The People's Hospital of Liaoning Province, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Lianqing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Walter C, Davis JT, Mathur J, Pathak A. Physical defects in basement membrane-mimicking collagen-IV matrices trigger cellular EMT and invasion. Integr Biol (Camb) 2019; 10:342-355. [PMID: 29790537 DOI: 10.1039/c8ib00034d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In fibrosis and cancer, degradation of basement membrane (BM) and cell invasion are considered as key outcomes of a cellular transformation called epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Here, we pose a converse question - can preexisting physical defects in the BM matrix cause EMT in normal epithelial cells? On a BM-mimicking matrix of collagen-IV-coated polyacrylamide (PA) gel, we have discovered a reverse phenomenon in which preexisting defects trigger EMT in normal epithelial cells. Through spatiotemporal measurements and simulations in silico, we demonstrate that the EMT precedes cellular mechanoactivation on defective matrices, but they occur concurrently on stiff matrices. The defect-dependent EMT caused cell invasion though a stroma-mimicking collagen-I layer, which could be disabled through MMP9 inhibition. Our findings reveal that the known BM degradation caused by cellular EMT and invasion is not a one-way process. Instead, normal epithelial cells can exploit physical defects in the BM matrix to undergo disease-like cellular transformations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Walter
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Sarker B, Walter C, Pathak A. Direct Micropatterning of Extracellular Matrix Proteins on Functionalized Polyacrylamide Hydrogels Shows Geometric Regulation of Cell–Cell Junctions. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2018; 4:2340-2349. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.8b00331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Bapi Sarker
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Christopher Walter
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Amit Pathak
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Pogoda K, Bucki R, Byfield FJ, Cruz K, Lee T, Marcinkiewicz C, Janmey PA. Soft Substrates Containing Hyaluronan Mimic the Effects of Increased Stiffness on Morphology, Motility, and Proliferation of Glioma Cells. Biomacromolecules 2017; 18:3040-3051. [PMID: 28858529 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b00324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Unlike many other cancer cells that grow in tumors characterized by an abnormally stiff collagen-enriched stroma, glioma cells proliferate and migrate in the much softer environment of the brain, which generally lacks the filamentous protein matrix characteristic of breast, liver, colorectal, and other types of cancer. Glial cell-derived tumors and the cells derived from them are highly heterogeneous and variable in their mechanical properties, their response to treatments, and their properties in vitro. Some glioma samples are stiffer than normal brain when measured ex vivo, but even those that are soft in vitro stiffen after deformation by pressure gradients that arise in the tumor environment in vivo. Such mechanical differences can strongly alter the phenotype of cultured glioma cells. Alternatively, chemical signaling might elicit the same phenotype as increased stiffness by activating intracellular messengers common to both initial stimuli. In this study the responses of three different human glioma cell lines to changes in substrate stiffness are compared with their responses on very soft substrates composed of a combination of hyaluronic acid and a specific integrin ligand, either laminin or collagen I. By quantifying cell morphology, stiffness, motility, proliferation, and secretion of the cytokine IL-8, glioma cell responses to increased stiffness are shown to be nearly identically elicited by substrates containing hyaluronic acid, even in the absence of increased stiffness. PI3-kinase activity was required for the response to hyaluronan but not to stiffness. This outcome suggests that hyaluronic acid can trigger the same cellular response, as can be obtained by mechanical force transduced from a stiff environment, and demonstrates that chemical and mechanical features of the tumor microenvironment can achieve equivalent reactions in cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Pogoda
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , 3340 Smith Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences , PL-31342 Krakow, Poland
| | - Robert Bucki
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , 3340 Smith Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Department of Microbiological and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Bialystok , 15-222 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Fitzroy J Byfield
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , 3340 Smith Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Katrina Cruz
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , 3340 Smith Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Tongkeun Lee
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , 3340 Smith Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Cezary Marcinkiewicz
- CoE Department of Bioengineering, Temple University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, United States
| | - Paul A Janmey
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , 3340 Smith Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wyatt RA, Trieu NPV, Crawford BD. Zebrafish Xenograft: An Evolutionary Experiment in Tumour Biology. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:E220. [PMID: 28872594 PMCID: PMC5615353 DOI: 10.3390/genes8090220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 08/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Though the cancer research community has used mouse xenografts for decades more than zebrafish xenografts, zebrafish have much to offer: they are cheap, easy to work with, and the embryonic model is relatively easy to use in high-throughput assays. Zebrafish can be imaged live, allowing us to observe cellular and molecular processes in vivo in real time. Opponents dismiss the zebrafish model due to the evolutionary distance between zebrafish and humans, as compared to mice, but proponents argue for the zebrafish xenograft's superiority to cell culture systems and its advantages in imaging. This review places the zebrafish xenograft in the context of current views on cancer and gives an overview of how several aspects of this evolutionary disease can be addressed in the zebrafish model. Zebrafish are missing homologs of some human proteins and (of particular interest) several members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family of proteases, which are known for their importance in tumour biology. This review draws attention to the implicit evolutionary experiment taking place when the molecular ecology of the xenograft host is significantly different than that of the donor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachael A Wyatt
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada.
| | - Nhu P V Trieu
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada.
| | - Bryan D Crawford
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Bandari NM, Ahmadi R, Hooshiar A, Dargahi J, Packirisamy M. Hybrid piezoresistive-optical tactile sensor for simultaneous measurement of tissue stiffness and detection of tissue discontinuity in robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2017; 22:77002. [PMID: 28734117 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.22.7.077002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
To compensate for the lack of touch during minimally invasive and robotic surgeries, tactile sensors are integrated with surgical instruments. Surgical tools with tactile sensors have been used mainly for distinguishing among different tissues and detecting malignant tissues or tumors. Studies have revealed that malignant tissue is most likely stiffer than normal. This would lead to the formation of a sharp discontinuity in tissue mechanical properties. A hybrid piezoresistive-optical-fiber sensor is proposed. This sensor is investigated for its capabilities in tissue distinction and detection of a sharp discontinuity. The dynamic interaction of the sensor and tissue is studied using finite element method. The tissue is modeled as a two-term Mooney–Rivlin hyperelastic material. For experimental verification, the sensor was microfabricated and tested under the same conditions as of the simulations. The simulation and experimental results are in a fair agreement. The sensor exhibits an acceptable linearity, repeatability, and sensitivity in characterizing the stiffness of different tissue phantoms. Also, it is capable of locating the position of a sharp discontinuity in the tissue. Due to the simplicity of its sensing principle, the proposed hybrid sensor could also be used for industrial applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naghmeh M Bandari
- Concordia University, Optical-Bio Microsystems Laboratory, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Montreal, CanadabConcordia University, Tactile Sensing and Medical Robotics Laboratory, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Montreal, Canada
| | - Roozbeh Ahmadi
- Concordia University, Optical-Bio Microsystems Laboratory, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Montreal, CanadabConcordia University, Tactile Sensing and Medical Robotics Laboratory, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Montreal, Canada
| | - Amir Hooshiar
- Concordia University, Tactile Sensing and Medical Robotics Laboratory, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Montreal, Canada
| | - Javad Dargahi
- Concordia University, Tactile Sensing and Medical Robotics Laboratory, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Montreal, Canada
| | - Muthukumaran Packirisamy
- Concordia University, Optical-Bio Microsystems Laboratory, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Montreal, Canada
| |
Collapse
|