1
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Kim SH, Li ITS. Altering Cell Junctional Tension in Spheroids through E-Cadherin Engagement Modulation. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:3766-3776. [PMID: 38729097 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00142] [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] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Cadherin-mediated tension at adherens junctions (AJs) is fundamental for cell-cell adhesion and maintaining epithelial integrity. Despite the importance of manipulating AJs to dissect cell-cell interactions, existing three-dimensional (3D) multicellular models have not adequately addressed the precise manipulation of these junctions. To fill this gap, we introduce E-cadherin-modified tension gauge tethers (TGTs) at the junctions within spheroids. The system enables both quantification and modulation of junctional tension with specific DNA triggers. Using rupture-induced fluorescence, we successfully measure mechanical forces in 3D spheroids. Furthermore, mechanically strong TGTs can maintain normal E-cadherin-mediated adhesion. Employing toehold-mediated strand displacement allowed us to disrupt E-cadherin-specific cell-cell adhesion, consequently altering intracellular tension within the spheroids. Our methodology offers a robust and precise way to manipulate cell-cell adhesion and intracellular mechanics in spheroid models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Ho Kim
- Department of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia V1 V 1 V7, Canada
| | - Isaac T S Li
- Department of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia V1 V 1 V7, Canada
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2
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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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3
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Ma VPY, Hu Y, Kellner AV, Brockman JM, Velusamy A, Blanchard AT, Evavold BD, Alon R, Salaita K. The magnitude of LFA-1/ICAM-1 forces fine-tune TCR-triggered T cell activation. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabg4485. [PMID: 35213231 PMCID: PMC8880789 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg4485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
T cells defend against cancer and viral infections by rapidly scanning the surface of target cells seeking specific peptide antigens. This key process in adaptive immunity is sparked upon T cell receptor (TCR) binding of antigens within cell-cell junctions stabilized by integrin (LFA-1)/intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) complexes. A long-standing question in this area is whether the forces transmitted through the LFA-1/ICAM-1 complex tune T cell signaling. Here, we use spectrally encoded DNA tension probes to reveal the first maps of LFA-1 and TCR forces generated by the T cell cytoskeleton upon antigen recognition. DNA probes that control the magnitude of LFA-1 force show that F>12 pN potentiates antigen-dependent T cell activation by enhancing T cell-substrate engagement. LFA-1/ICAM-1 mechanical events with F>12 pN also enhance the discriminatory power of the TCR when presented with near cognate antigens. Overall, our results show that T cells integrate multiple channels of mechanical information through different ligand-receptor pairs to tune function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuesong Hu
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Anna V. Kellner
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Joshua M. Brockman
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Arventh Velusamy
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Aaron T. Blanchard
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Brian D. Evavold
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Ronen Alon
- Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Khalid Salaita
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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4
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Sun W, Gao X, Lei H, Wang W, Cao Y. Biophysical Approaches for Applying and Measuring Biological Forces. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2105254. [PMID: 34923777 PMCID: PMC8844594 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202105254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decades, increasing evidence has indicated that mechanical loads can regulate the morphogenesis, proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of living cells. Investigations of how cells sense mechanical stimuli or the mechanotransduction mechanism is an active field of biomaterials and biophysics. Gaining a further understanding of mechanical regulation and depicting the mechanotransduction network inside cells require advanced experimental techniques and new theories. In this review, the fundamental principles of various experimental approaches that have been developed to characterize various types and magnitudes of forces experienced at the cellular and subcellular levels are summarized. The broad applications of these techniques are introduced with an emphasis on the difficulties in implementing these techniques in special biological systems. The advantages and disadvantages of each technique are discussed, which can guide readers to choose the most suitable technique for their questions. A perspective on future directions in this field is also provided. It is anticipated that technical advancement can be a driving force for the development of mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxu Sun
- School of SciencesNantong UniversityNantong226019P. R. China
| | - Xiang Gao
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and IntegrationNational Laboratory of Solid State Microstructureand Department of PhysicsCollaborative Innovation Center of Advanced MicrostructuresNanjing UniversityNanjing210023P. R. China
- Institute of Brain ScienceNanjing UniversityNanjing210023P. R. China
| | - Hai Lei
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and IntegrationNational Laboratory of Solid State Microstructureand Department of PhysicsCollaborative Innovation Center of Advanced MicrostructuresNanjing UniversityNanjing210023P. R. China
- Institute of Brain ScienceNanjing UniversityNanjing210023P. R. China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation CenterNanjing UniversityNanjing210023P. R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and IntegrationNational Laboratory of Solid State Microstructureand Department of PhysicsCollaborative Innovation Center of Advanced MicrostructuresNanjing UniversityNanjing210023P. R. China
- Institute of Brain ScienceNanjing UniversityNanjing210023P. R. China
| | - Yi Cao
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and IntegrationNational Laboratory of Solid State Microstructureand Department of PhysicsCollaborative Innovation Center of Advanced MicrostructuresNanjing UniversityNanjing210023P. R. China
- Institute of Brain ScienceNanjing UniversityNanjing210023P. R. China
- MOE Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and TechnologyDepartment of Polymer Science & EngineeringCollege of Chemistry & Chemical EngineeringNanjing UniversityNanjing210023P. R. China
- Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation CenterNanjing UniversityNanjing210023P. R. China
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5
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Baek KY, Kim S, Koh HR. Molecular Tension Probes to Quantify Cell-Generated Mechanical Forces. Mol Cells 2022; 45:26-32. [PMID: 35114645 PMCID: PMC8819489 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2022.2049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Living cells generate, sense, and respond to mechanical forces through their interaction with neighboring cells or extracellular matrix, thereby regulating diverse cellular processes such as growth, motility, differentiation, and immune responses. Dysregulation of mechanosensitive signaling pathways is found associated with the development and progression of various diseases such as cancer. Yet, little is known about the mechanisms behind mechano-regulation, largely due to the limited availability of tools to study it at the molecular level. The recent development of molecular tension probes allows measurement of cellular forces exerted by single ligandreceptor interaction, which has helped in revealing the hitherto unknown mechanistic details of various mechanosensitive processes in living cells. Here, we provide an introductory overview of two methods based on molecular tension probes, tension gauge tether (TGT), and molecular tension fluorescence microscopy (MTFM). TGT utilizes the irreversible rupture of double-stranded DNA tether upon application of force in the piconewton (pN) range, whereas MTFM utilizes the reversible extension of molecular springs such as polymer or single-stranded DNA hairpin under applied pN forces. Specifically, the underlying principle of how molecular tension probes measure cell-generated mechanical forces and their applications to mechanosensitive biological processes are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Yup Baek
- Department of Chemistry, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
| | - Seohyun Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
| | - Hye Ran Koh
- Department of Chemistry, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Korea
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6
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Beltrán SM, Slepian MJ, Taylor RE. Extending the Capabilities of Molecular Force Sensors via DNA Nanotechnology. Crit Rev Biomed Eng 2021; 48:1-16. [PMID: 32749116 DOI: 10.1615/critrevbiomedeng.2020033450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
At the nanoscale, pushing, pulling, and shearing forces drive biochemical processes in development and remodeling as well as in wound healing and disease progression. Research in the field of mechanobiology investigates not only how these loads affect biochemical signaling pathways but also how signaling pathways respond to local loading by triggering mechanical changes such as regional stiffening of a tissue. This feedback between mechanical and biochemical signaling is increasingly recognized as fundamental in embryonic development, tissue morphogenesis, cell signaling, and disease pathogenesis. Historically, the interdisciplinary field of mechanobiology has been driven by the development of technologies for measuring and manipulating cellular and molecular forces, with each new tool enabling vast new lines of inquiry. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the manufacturing and capabilities of molecular-scale force and strain sensors. We also demonstrate how DNA nanotechnology has been critical to the enhancement of existing techniques and to the development of unique capabilities for future mechanosensor assembly. DNA is a responsive and programmable building material for sensor fabrication. It enables the systematic interrogation of molecular biomechanics with forces at the 1- to 200-pN scale that are needed to elucidate the fundamental means by which cells and proteins transduce mechanical signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana M Beltrán
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Marvin J Slepian
- Department of Medicine and Sarver Heart Center, University of Arizona, Tucson; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson
| | - Rebecca E Taylor
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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7
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Yasunaga AB, Li ITS. Quantification of fast molecular adhesion by fluorescence footprinting. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/34/eabe6984. [PMID: 34407937 PMCID: PMC8373131 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe6984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Rolling adhesion is a unique process in which the adhesion events are short-lived and operate under highly nonequilibrium conditions. These characteristics pose a challenge in molecular force quantification, where in situ measurement of these forces cannot be achieved with molecular force sensors that probe near equilibrium. Here, we demonstrated a quantitative adhesion footprint assay combining DNA-based nonequilibrium force probes and modeling to measure the molecular force involved in fast rolling adhesion. We were able to directly profile the ensemble molecular force distribution in our system during rolling adhesion with a dynamic range between 0 and 18 pN. Our results showed that the shear stress driving bead rolling motility directly controls the molecular tension on the probe-conjugated adhesion complex. Furthermore, the shear stress can steer the dissociation bias of components within the molecular force probe complex, favoring either DNA probe dissociation or receptor-ligand dissociation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam B Yasunaga
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Isaac T S Li
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, Canada.
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8
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Blanchard AT, Salaita K. Multivalent molecular tension probes as anisotropic mechanosensors: concept and simulation. Phys Biol 2021; 18:034001. [PMID: 33316784 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/abd333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Cells use protein-based mechanosensors to measure the physical properties of their surroundings. Synthetic tension sensors made of proteins, DNA, and other molecular building blocks have recently emerged as tools to visualize and perturb the mechanics of these mechanosensors. While almost all synthetic tension sensors are designed to exhibit orientation-independent force responses, recent work has shown that biological mechanosensors often function in a manner that is highly dependent on force orientation. Accordingly, the design of synthetic mechanosensors with orientation-dependent force responses can provide a means to study the role of orientation in mechanosensation. Furthermore, the process of designing anisotropic force responses may yield insight into the physical basis for orientation-dependence in biological mechanosensors. Here, we propose a DNA-based molecular tension sensor design wherein multivalency is used to create an orientation-dependent force response. We apply chemomechanical modeling to show that multivalency can be used to create synthetic mechanosensors with force response thresholds that vary by tens of pN with respect to force orientation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron T Blanchard
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States of America
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9
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Tu Y, Wang X. Recent Advances in Cell Adhesive Force Microscopy. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 20:E7128. [PMID: 33322701 PMCID: PMC7763046 DOI: 10.3390/s20247128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cell adhesive force, exerting on the local matrix or neighboring cells, plays a critical role in regulating many cell functions and physiological processes. In the past four decades, significant efforts have been dedicated to cell adhesive force detection, visualization and quantification. A recent important methodological advancement in cell adhesive force visualization is to adopt force-to-fluorescence conversion instead of force-to-substrate strain conversion, thus greatly improving the sensitivity and resolution of force imaging. This review summarizes the recent development of force imaging techniques (collectively termed as cell adhesive force microscopy or CAFM here), with a particular focus on the improvement of CAFM's spatial resolution and the biomaterial choices for constructing the tension sensors used in force visualization. This review also highlights the importance of DNA-based tension sensors in cell adhesive force imaging and the recent breakthrough in the development of super-resolution CAFM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Tu
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA;
| | - Xuefeng Wang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA;
- Molecular, Cellular, and Development Biology Interdepartmental Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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10
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Saran R, Wang Y, Li ITS. Mechanical Flexibility of DNA: A Quintessential Tool for DNA Nanotechnology. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 20:E7019. [PMID: 33302459 PMCID: PMC7764255 DOI: 10.3390/s20247019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The mechanical properties of DNA have enabled it to be a structural and sensory element in many nanotechnology applications. While specific base-pairing interactions and secondary structure formation have been the most widely utilized mechanism in designing DNA nanodevices and biosensors, the intrinsic mechanical rigidity and flexibility are often overlooked. In this article, we will discuss the biochemical and biophysical origin of double-stranded DNA rigidity and how environmental and intrinsic factors such as salt, temperature, sequence, and small molecules influence it. We will then take a critical look at three areas of applications of DNA bending rigidity. First, we will discuss how DNA's bending rigidity has been utilized to create molecular springs that regulate the activities of biomolecules and cellular processes. Second, we will discuss how the nanomechanical response induced by DNA rigidity has been used to create conformational changes as sensors for molecular force, pH, metal ions, small molecules, and protein interactions. Lastly, we will discuss how DNA's rigidity enabled its application in creating DNA-based nanostructures from DNA origami to nanomachines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runjhun Saran
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, The University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC V1V1V7, Canada;
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Physics, Materials Science and Engineering Program, Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA;
| | - Isaac T. S. Li
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, The University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC V1V1V7, Canada;
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11
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Traeger H, Kiebala DJ, Weder C, Schrettl S. From Molecules to Polymers-Harnessing Inter- and Intramolecular Interactions to Create Mechanochromic Materials. Macromol Rapid Commun 2020; 42:e2000573. [PMID: 33191595 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202000573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The development of mechanophores as building blocks that serve as predefined weak linkages has enabled the creation of mechanoresponsive and mechanochromic polymer materials, which are interesting for a range of applications including the study of biological specimens or advanced security features. In typical mechanophores, covalent bonds are broken when polymers that contain these chemical motifs are exposed to mechanical forces, and changes of the optical properties upon bond scission can be harnessed as a signal that enables the detection of applied mechanical stresses and strains. Similar chromic effects upon mechanical deformation of polymers can also be achieved without relying on the scission of covalent bonds. The dissociation of motifs that feature directional noncovalent interactions, the disruption of aggregated molecules, and conformational changes in molecules or polymers constitute an attractive element for the design of mechanoresponsive and mechanochromic materials. In this article, it is reviewed how such alterations of molecules and polymers can be exploited for the development of mechanochromic materials that signal deformation without breaking covalent bonds. Recent illustrative examples are highlighted that showcase how the use of such mechanoresponsive motifs enables the visual mapping of stresses and damage in a reversible and highly sensitive manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Traeger
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, Fribourg, CH-1700, Switzerland
| | - Derek J Kiebala
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, Fribourg, CH-1700, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Weder
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, Fribourg, CH-1700, Switzerland
| | - Stephen Schrettl
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, Fribourg, CH-1700, Switzerland
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12
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Rao TC, Ma VPY, Blanchard A, Urner TM, Grandhi S, Salaita K, Mattheyses AL. EGFR activation attenuates the mechanical threshold for integrin tension and focal adhesion formation. J Cell Sci 2020; 133:jcs238840. [PMID: 32546532 PMCID: PMC7358133 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.238840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanical forces, growth factors and the extracellular matrix all play crucial roles in cell adhesion. To understand how epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) impacts the mechanics of adhesion, we employed tension gauge tether (TGT) probes displaying the integrin ligand cRGDfK and quantified integrin tension. EGF exposure significantly increased spread area, cell circularity, integrated integrin tension, mechanical rupture density, radial organization and size of focal adhesions in Cos-7 cells on TGT surfaces. These findings suggest that EGFR regulates integrin tension and the spatial organization of focal adhesions. Additionally, we found that the mechanical tension threshold for outside-in integrin activation is tunable by EGFR. Parallel genetic and pharmacologic strategies demonstrated that these phenotypes are driven by ligand-dependent EGFR signaling. Our results establish a novel mechanism whereby EGFR regulates integrin activation and cell adhesion, providing control over cellular responses to the environment.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tejeshwar C Rao
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | | | - Aaron Blanchard
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Tara M Urner
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Shreya Grandhi
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Khalid Salaita
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Alexa L Mattheyses
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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13
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Yasunaga A, Murad Y, Li ITS. Quantifying molecular tension-classifications, interpretations and limitations of force sensors. Phys Biol 2019; 17:011001. [PMID: 31387091 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/ab38ff] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Molecular force sensors (MFSs) have grown to become an important tool to study the mechanobiology of cells and tissues. They provide a minimally invasive means to optically report mechanical interactions at the molecular level. One of the challenges in molecular force sensor studies is the interpretation of the fluorescence readout. In this review, we divide existing MFSs into three classes based on the force-sensing mechanism (reversibility) and the signal output (analog/digital). From single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) perspectives, we provided a critical discussion on how the sensors respond to force and how the different sensor designs affect the interpretation of their fluorescence readout. Lastly, the review focuses on the limitations and attention one must pay in designing MFSs and biological experiments using them; in terms of their tunability, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and perturbation of the biological system under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Yasunaga
- These authors contributed equally to the manuscript (co-first author)
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14
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Ham TR, Collins KL, Hoffman BD. Molecular Tension Sensors: Moving Beyond Force. CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2019; 12:83-94. [PMID: 32864525 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Nearly all cellular processes are sensitive to mechanical inputs, and this plays a major role in diverse physiological processes. Mechanical stimuli are thought to be primarily detected through force-induced changes in protein structure. Approximately a decade ago, molecular tension sensors were created to measure forces across proteins within cells. Since then, an impressive assortment of sensors has been created and provided key insights into mechanotransduction, but comparisons of measurements between various sensors are challenging. In this review, we discuss the different types of molecular tension sensors, provide a system of classification based on their molecular-scale mechanical properties, and highlight how new applications of these sensors are enabling measurements beyond the magnitude of tensile load. We suggest that an expanded understanding of the functionality of these sensors, as well as integration with other techniques, will lead to consensus amongst measurements as well as critical insights into the underlying mechanisms of mechanotransduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor R Ham
- Duke University, Room 1379 CIEMAS, 101 Science Drive, 27710, United States
| | - Kasie L Collins
- Duke University, Room 1379 CIEMAS, 101 Science Drive, 27710, United States
| | - Brenton D Hoffman
- Duke University, Room 1379 CIEMAS, 101 Science Drive, 27710, United States
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15
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Blanchard AT, Bazrafshan AS, Yi J, Eisman JT, Yehl KM, Bian T, Mugler A, Salaita K. Highly Polyvalent DNA Motors Generate 100+ pN of Force via Autochemophoresis. NANO LETTERS 2019; 19:6977-6986. [PMID: 31402671 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b02311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Motor proteins such as myosin, kinesin, and dynein are essential to eukaryotic life and power countless processes including muscle contraction, wound closure, cargo transport, and cell division. The design of synthetic nanomachines that can reproduce the functions of these motors is a longstanding goal in the field of nanotechnology. DNA walkers, which are programmed to "walk" along defined tracks via the burnt bridge Brownian ratchet mechanism, are among the most promising synthetic mimics of these motor proteins. While these DNA-based motors can perform useful tasks such as cargo transport, they have not been shown to be capable of cooperating to generate large collective forces for tasks akin to muscle contraction. In this work, we demonstrate that highly polyvalent DNA motors (HPDMs), which can be viewed as cooperative teams of thousands of DNA walkers attached to a microsphere, can generate and sustain substantial forces in the 100+ pN regime. Specifically, we show that HPDMs can generate forces that can unzip and shear DNA duplexes (∼12 and ∼50 pN, respectively) and rupture biotin-streptavidin bonds (∼100-150 pN). To help explain these results, we present a variant of the burnt-bridge Brownian ratchet mechanism that we term autochemophoresis, wherein many individual force generating units generate a self-propagating chemomechanical gradient that produces large collective forces. In addition, we demonstrate the potential of this work to impact future engineering applications by harnessing HPDM autochemophoresis to deposit "molecular ink" via mechanical bond rupture. This work expands the capabilities of synthetic DNA motors to mimic the force-generating functions of biological motors. Our work also builds upon previous observations of autochemophoresis in bacterial transport processes, indicating that autochemophoresis may be a fundamental mechanism of pN-scale force generation in living systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron T Blanchard
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering , Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia 30322 , United States
| | - Alisina S Bazrafshan
- Department of Chemistry , Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia 30322 , United States
| | - Jacob Yi
- Department of Chemistry , Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia 30322 , United States
| | - Julia T Eisman
- Department of Chemistry , Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia 30322 , United States
| | - Kevin M Yehl
- Department of Chemistry , Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia 30322 , United States
| | - Teng Bian
- Department of Physics , Purdue University , West Lafayette , Indiana 47907 , United States
| | - Andrew Mugler
- Department of Physics , Purdue University , West Lafayette , Indiana 47907 , United States
| | - Khalid Salaita
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering , Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia 30322 , United States
- Department of Chemistry , Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia 30322 , United States
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Ma VPY, Salaita K. DNA Nanotechnology as an Emerging Tool to Study Mechanotransduction in Living Systems. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2019; 15:e1900961. [PMID: 31069945 PMCID: PMC6663650 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201900961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The ease of tailoring DNA nanostructures with sub-nanometer precision has enabled new and exciting in vivo applications in the areas of chemical sensing, imaging, and gene regulation. A new emerging paradigm in the field is that DNA nanostructures can be engineered to study molecular mechanics. This new development has transformed the repertoire of capabilities enabled by DNA to include detection of molecular forces in living cells and elucidating the fundamental mechanisms of mechanotransduction. This Review first describes fundamental aspects of force-induced melting of DNA hairpins and duplexes. This is then followed by a survey of the currently available force sensing DNA probes and different fluorescence-based force readout modes. Throughout the Review, applications of these probes in studying immune receptor signaling, including the T cell receptor and B cell receptor, as well as Notch and integrin signaling, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Khalid Salaita
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
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