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Sun F, Fang C, Shao X, Gao H, Lin Y. A mechanism-based theory of cellular and tissue plasticity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2305375120. [PMID: 37871208 PMCID: PMC10622945 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305375120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Plastic deformation in cells and tissues has been found to play crucial roles in collective cell migration, cancer metastasis, and morphogenesis. However, the fundamental question of how plasticity is initiated in individual cells and then propagates within the tissue remains elusive. Here, we develop a mechanism-based theory of cellular and tissue plasticity that accounts for all key processes involved, including the activation and development of active contraction at different scales as well as the formation of endocytic vesicles on cell junctions and show that this theory achieves quantitative agreement with all existing experiments. Specifically, it reveals that, in response to optical or mechanical stimuli, the myosin contraction and thermal fluctuation-assisted formation and pinching of endocytic vesicles could lead to permanent shortening of cell junctions and that such plastic constriction can stretch neighboring cells and trigger their active contraction through mechanochemical feedbacks and eventually their plastic deformations as well. Our theory predicts that endocytic vesicles with a size around 1 to 2 µm will most likely be formed and a higher irreversible shortening of cell junctions could be achieved if a long stimulation is split into multiple short ones, all in quantitative agreement with experiments. Our analysis also shows that constriction of cells in tissue can undergo elastic/unratcheted to plastic/ratcheted transition as the magnitude and duration of active contraction increases, ultimately resulting in the propagation of plastic deformation waves within the monolayer with a constant speed which again is consistent with experimental observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuqiang Sun
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, Shenzhen518057, China
| | - Chao Fang
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen518055, China
| | - Xueying Shao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, China
| | - Huajian Gao
- College of Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore639798, Singapore
| | - Yuan Lin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, Shenzhen518057, China
- Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, China
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Fang C, Yao J, Zhang Y, Lin Y. Active chemo-mechanical feedbacks dictate the collective migration of cells on patterned surfaces. Biophys J 2022; 121:1266-1275. [PMID: 35183521 PMCID: PMC9034249 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence has demonstrated that, when cultured on micro-patterned surfaces, living cells can move in a coordinated manner and form distinct migration patterns, including flowing chain, suspended propagating bridge, rotating vortex, etc. However, the fundamental question of exactly how and why cells migrate in these fashions remains elusive. Here, we present a theoretical investigation to show that the tight interplay between internal cellular activities, such as chemo-mechanical feedbacks and polarization, and external geometrical constraints are behind these intriguing experimental observations. In particular, on narrow strip patterns, strongly force-dependent cellular contractility and intercellular adhesion were found to be critical for reinforcing the leading edge of the migrating cell monolayer and eventually result in the formation of suspended cell bridges flying over nonadhesive regions. On the other hand, a weak force-contractility feedback led to the movement of cells like a flowing chain along the adhesive strip. Finally, we also showed that the random polarity forces generated in migrating cells are responsible for driving them into rotating vortices on strips with width above a threshold value (~10 times the size of the cell).
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Motz CT, Kabat V, Saxena T, Bellamkonda RV, Zhu C. Neuromechanobiology: An Expanding Field Driven by the Force of Greater Focus. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2100102. [PMID: 34342167 PMCID: PMC8497434 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202100102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The brain processes information by transmitting signals through highly connected and dynamic networks of neurons. Neurons use specific cellular structures, including axons, dendrites and synapses, and specific molecules, including cell adhesion molecules, ion channels and chemical receptors to form, maintain and communicate among cells in the networks. These cellular and molecular processes take place in environments rich of mechanical cues, thus offering ample opportunities for mechanical regulation of neural development and function. Recent studies have suggested the importance of mechanical cues and their potential regulatory roles in the development and maintenance of these neuronal structures. Also suggested are the importance of mechanical cues and their potential regulatory roles in the interaction and function of molecules mediating the interneuronal communications. In this review, the current understanding is integrated and promising future directions of neuromechanobiology are suggested at the cellular and molecular levels. Several neuronal processes where mechanics likely plays a role are examined and how forces affect ligand binding, conformational change, and signal induction of molecules key to these neuronal processes are indicated, especially at the synapse. The disease relevance of neuromechanobiology as well as therapies and engineering solutions to neurological disorders stemmed from this emergent field of study are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara T Motz
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0363, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0363, USA
| | - Victoria Kabat
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0363, USA
| | - Tarun Saxena
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Ravi V Bellamkonda
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Cheng Zhu
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0363, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0363, USA
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0363, USA
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Shao X, Sørensen MH, Fang C, Chang RCC, Chu Z, Lin Y. Maturation of Neural Cells Leads to Enhanced Axon-Extracellular Matrix Adhesion and Altered Injury Response. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 8:621777. [PMID: 33490057 PMCID: PMC7815929 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.621777] [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: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although it is known that stronger cell-extracellular matrix interactions will be developed as neurons mature, how such change influences their response against traumatic injury remains largely unknown. In this report, by transecting axons with a sharp atomic force microscope tip, we showed that the injury-induced retracting motion of axon can be temporarily arrested by tight NCAM (neural cell adhesion molecule) mediated adhesion patches, leading to a retraction curve decorated with sudden bursts. Interestingly, although the size of adhesion clusters (~0.5–1 μm) was found to be more or less the same in mature and immature neurons (after 7- and 3-days of culturing, respectively), the areal density of such clusters is three times higher in mature axons resulting in a much reduced retraction in response to injury. A physical model was also adopted to explain the observed retraction trajectories which suggested that apparent adhesion energy between axon and the substrate increases from ~0.12 to 0.39 mJ/m2 as neural cell matures, in good agreement with our experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueying Shao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Joint Appointment With School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Maja Højvang Sørensen
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Li Ka Shing (LKS) Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chao Fang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, Shenzhen, China
| | - Raymond Chuen Chung Chang
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Li Ka Shing (LKS) Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhiqin Chu
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Joint Appointment With School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuan Lin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, Shenzhen, China
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Lin J, Li X, Yin J, Qian J. Effect of Cyclic Stretch on Neuron Reorientation and Axon Outgrowth. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:597867. [PMID: 33425865 PMCID: PMC7793818 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.597867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The directional alignment and outgrowth of neurons is a critical step of nerve regeneration and functional recovery of nerve systems, where neurons are exposed to a complex mechanical environment with subcellular structures such as stress fibers and focal adhesions acting as the key mechanical transducer. In this paper, we investigate the effects of cyclic stretch on neuron reorientation and axon outgrowth with a feasible stretching device that controls stretching amplitude and frequency. Statistical results indicate an evident frequency and amplitude dependence of neuron reorientation, that is, neurons tend to align away from stretch direction when stretching amplitude and frequency are large enough. On the other hand, axon elongation under cyclic stretch is very close to the reference case where neurons are not stretched. A mechanochemical framework is proposed by connecting the evolution of cellular configuration to the microscopic dynamics of subcellular structures, including stress fiber, focal adhesion, and microtubule, yielding theoretical predictions that are consistent with the experimental observations. The theoretical work provides an explanation of the neuron's mechanical response to cyclic stretch, suggesting that the contraction force generated by stress fiber plays an essential role in both neuron reorientation and axon elongation. This combined experimental and theoretical study on stretch-induced neuron reorientation may have potential applications in neurodevelopment and neuron regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Lin
- Key Laboratory of Soft Machines and Smart Devices of Zhejiang Province, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaokeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Key Laboratory of 3D Printing Process and Equipment of Zhejiang Province, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jin Qian
- Key Laboratory of Soft Machines and Smart Devices of Zhejiang Province, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Shao X, Sørensen MH, Xia X, Fang C, Hui TH, Chang RCC, Chu Z, Lin Y. Beading of injured axons driven by tension- and adhesion-regulated membrane shape instability. J R Soc Interface 2020; 17:20200331. [PMCID: PMC7423423 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2020.0331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 08/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The formation of multiple beads along an injured axon will lead to blockage of axonal transport and eventually neuron death, and this has been widely recognized as a hallmark of nervous system degeneration. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we report a combined experimental and theoretical study to reveal key factors governing axon beading. Specifically, by transecting well-developed axons with a sharp atomic force microscope probe, significant beading of the axons was triggered. We showed that adhesion was not required for beading to occur, although when present strong axon–substrate attachments seemed to set the locations for bead formation. In addition, the beading wavelength, representing the average distance between beads, was found to correlate with the size and cytoskeleton integrity of axon, with a thinner axon or a disrupted actin cytoskeleton both leading to a shorter beading wavelength. A model was also developed to explain these observations which suggest that axon beading originates from the shape instability of the membrane and is driven by the release of work done by axonal tension as well as the reduction of membrane surface energy. The beading wavelength predicted from this theory was in good agreement with our experiments under various conditions. By elucidating the essential physics behind axon beading, the current study could enhance our understanding of how axonal injury and neurodegeneration progress as well as provide insights for the development of possible treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueying Shao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
- HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Maja Højvang Sørensen
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingyu Xia
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
- HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Fang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
- HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Tsz Hin Hui
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Joint Appointment with School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Raymond Chuen Chung Chang
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiqin Chu
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Joint Appointment with School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Lin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
- HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
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