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Gomez-Cruz C, Fernandez-de la Torre M, Lachowski D, Prados-de-Haro M, Del Río Hernández AE, Perea G, Muñoz-Barrutia A, Garcia-Gonzalez D. Mechanical and Functional Responses in Astrocytes under Alternating Deformation Modes Using Magneto-Active Substrates. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2312497. [PMID: 38610101 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
This work introduces NeoMag, a system designed to enhance cell mechanics assays in substrate deformation studies. NeoMag uses multidomain magneto-active materials to mechanically actuate the substrate, transmitting reversible mechanical cues to cells. The system boasts full flexibility in alternating loading substrate deformation modes, seamlessly adapting to both upright and inverted microscopes. The multidomain substrates facilitate mechanobiology assays on 2D and 3D cultures. The integration of the system with nanoindenters allows for precise evaluation of cellular mechanical properties under varying substrate deformation modes. The system is used to study the impact of substrate deformation on astrocytes, simulating mechanical conditions akin to traumatic brain injury and ischemic stroke. The results reveal local heterogeneous changes in astrocyte stiffness, influenced by the orientation of subcellular regions relative to substrate strain. These stiffness variations, exceeding 50% in stiffening and softening, and local deformations significantly alter calcium dynamics. Furthermore, sustained deformations induce actin network reorganization and activate Piezo1 channels, leading to an initial increase followed by a long-term inhibition of calcium events. Conversely, fast and dynamic deformations transiently activate Piezo1 channels and disrupt the actin network, causing long-term cell softening. These findings unveil mechanical and functional alterations in astrocytes during substrate deformation, illustrating the multiple opportunities this technology offers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Gomez-Cruz
- Department of Continuum Mechanics and Structural Analysis, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Avda. de la Universidad 30, 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Avda. de la Universidad 30, 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Fernandez-de la Torre
- Department of Continuum Mechanics and Structural Analysis, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Avda. de la Universidad 30, 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dariusz Lachowski
- Department of Continuum Mechanics and Structural Analysis, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Avda. de la Universidad 30, 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Martin Prados-de-Haro
- Department of Continuum Mechanics and Structural Analysis, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Avda. de la Universidad 30, 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
| | - Armando E Del Río Hernández
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Gertrudis Perea
- Department of Functional and Systems Neurobiology, Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Av. Doctor Arce, 37., 28002, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
| | - Arrate Muñoz-Barrutia
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Avda. de la Universidad 30, 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
- Área de Ingeniería Biomédica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Calle del Doctor Esquerdo 46, Leganés, Madrid, ES28007, Spain
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, Maryland, 21218, USA
| | - Daniel Garcia-Gonzalez
- Department of Continuum Mechanics and Structural Analysis, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Avda. de la Universidad 30, 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
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Sullivan D, Vaglio BJ, Cararo-Lopes MM, Wong RDP, Graudejus O, Firestein BL. Stretch-Induced Injury Affects Cortical Neuronal Networks in a Time- and Severity-Dependent Manner. Ann Biomed Eng 2024; 52:1021-1038. [PMID: 38294641 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-023-03438-0] [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: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of accident-related death and disability in the world and can lead to long-term neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as a decline in cognitive function and neurodegeneration. TBI includes primary and secondary injury, with head trauma and deformation of the brain caused by the physical force of the impact as primary injury, and cellular and molecular cascades that lead to cell death as secondary injury. Currently, there is no treatment for TBI-induced cell damage and neural circuit dysfunction in the brain, and thus, it is important to understand the underlying cellular mechanisms that lead to cell damage. In the current study, we use stretchable microelectrode arrays (sMEAs) to model the primary injury of TBI to study the electrophysiological effects of physically injuring cortical cells. We recorded electrophysiological activity before injury and then stretched the flexible membrane of the sMEAs to injure the cells to varying degrees. At 1, 24, and 72 h post-stretch, we recorded activity to analyze differences in spike rate, Fano factor, burstlet rate, burstlet width, synchrony of firing, local network efficiency, and Q statistic. Our results demonstrate that mechanical injury changes the firing properties of cortical neuron networks in culture in a time- and severity-dependent manner. Our results suggest that changes to electrophysiological properties after stretch are dependent on the strength of synchronization between neurons prior to injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan Sullivan
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Cell and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Brandon J Vaglio
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Marina M Cararo-Lopes
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Cell and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Ruben D Ponce Wong
- BioMedical Sustainable Elastic Electronic Devices (BMSEED), Mesa, AZ, USA
| | - Oliver Graudejus
- BioMedical Sustainable Elastic Electronic Devices (BMSEED), Mesa, AZ, USA
- School of Molecular Science, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Bonnie L Firestein
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854-8082, USA.
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Guo X, Wang Z, Gao L, Zhang C. Parametric optimization of culture chamber for cell mechanobiology research. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2023; 248:1708-1717. [PMID: 37837381 PMCID: PMC10792420 DOI: 10.1177/15353702231198079] [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: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanical signals influence the morphology, function, differentiation, proliferation, and growth of cells. Due to the small size of cells, it is essential to analyze their mechanobiological responses with an in vitro mechanical loading device. Cells are cultured on an elastic silicone membrane substrate, and mechanical signals are transmitted to the cells by the substrate applying mechanical loads. However, large areas of non-uniform strain fields are generated on the elastic membrane, affecting the experiment's accuracy. In the study, finite-element analysis served as the basis of optimization, with uniform strain as the objective. The thickness of the basement membrane and loading constraints were parametrically adjusted. Through finite-element cycle iteration, the "M" profile basement membrane structure of the culture chamber was obtained to enhance the uniform strain field of the membrane. The optimized strain field of culture chamber was confirmed by three-dimensional digital image correlation (3D-DIC) technology. The results showed that the optimized chamber improved the strain uniformity factor. The uniform strain area proportion of the new chamber reached 90%, compared to approximately 70% of the current chambers. The new chamber further improved the uniformity and accuracy of the strain, demonstrating promising application prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xutong Guo
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Advanced Mechatronic System Design and Intelligent Control, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Education, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Ziqi Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Advanced Mechatronic System Design and Intelligent Control, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Education, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Lilan Gao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Advanced Mechatronic System Design and Intelligent Control, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Education, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Chunqiu Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory for Advanced Mechatronic System Design and Intelligent Control, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Education, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
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Cuenca-Ortolá I, Martínez-Rojas B, Moreno-Manzano V, García Castelló M, Monleón Pradas M, Martínez-Ramos C, Más Estellés J. A Strategy for Magnetic and Electric Stimulation to Enhance Proliferation and Differentiation of NPCs Seeded over PLA Electrospun Membranes. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2736. [PMID: 36359255 PMCID: PMC9687775 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) have been shown to serve as an efficient therapeutic strategy in different cell therapy approaches, including spinal cord injury treatment. Despite the reported beneficial effects of NPC transplantation, the low survival and differentiation rates constrain important limitations. Herein, a new methodology has been developed to overcome both limitations by applying a combination of wireless electrical and magnetic stimulation to NPCs seeded on aligned poly(lactic acid) nanofibrous scaffolds for in vitro cell conditioning prior transplantation. Two stimulation patterns were tested and compared, continuous (long stimulus applied once a day) and intermittent (short stimulus applied three times a day). The results show that applied continuous stimulation promotes NPC proliferation and preferential differentiation into oligodendrocytic and neuronal lineages. A neural-like phenotypic induction was observed when compared to unstimulated NPCs. In contrast, intermittent stimulation patterns did not affect NPC proliferation and differentiation to oligodendrocytes or astrocytes morphology with a detrimental effect on neuronal differentiation. This study provides a new approach of using a combination of electric and magnetic stimulation to induce proliferation and further neuronal differentiation, which would improve therapy outcomes in disorders such as spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Cuenca-Ortolá
- Center for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de València, Cno. de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Beatriz Martínez-Rojas
- Neuronal and Tissue Regeneration Laboratory, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, 46012 Valencia, Spain
| | - Victoria Moreno-Manzano
- Neuronal and Tissue Regeneration Laboratory, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe, 46012 Valencia, Spain
| | - Marcos García Castelló
- Center for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de València, Cno. de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Monleón Pradas
- Center for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de València, Cno. de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, CIBER-BBN, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Martínez-Ramos
- Center for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de València, Cno. de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
- Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Universitat Jaume I, Avda/Sos Baynat, s/n, 12071 Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Jorge Más Estellés
- Center for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de València, Cno. de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
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Raj V, Jagadish C, Gautam V. Understanding, engineering, and modulating the growth of neural networks: An interdisciplinary approach. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2021; 2:021303. [PMID: 38505122 PMCID: PMC10903502 DOI: 10.1063/5.0043014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
A deeper understanding of the brain and its function remains one of the most significant scientific challenges. It not only is required to find cures for a plethora of brain-related diseases and injuries but also opens up possibilities for achieving technological wonders, such as brain-machine interface and highly energy-efficient computing devices. Central to the brain's function is its basic functioning unit (i.e., the neuron). There has been a tremendous effort to understand the underlying mechanisms of neuronal growth on both biochemical and biophysical levels. In the past decade, this increased understanding has led to the possibility of controlling and modulating neuronal growth in vitro through external chemical and physical methods. We provide a detailed overview of the most fundamental aspects of neuronal growth and discuss how researchers are using interdisciplinary ideas to engineer neuronal networks in vitro. We first discuss the biochemical and biophysical mechanisms of neuronal growth as we stress the fact that the biochemical or biophysical processes during neuronal growth are not independent of each other but, rather, are complementary. Next, we discuss how utilizing these fundamental mechanisms can enable control over neuronal growth for advanced neuroengineering and biomedical applications. At the end of this review, we discuss some of the open questions and our perspectives on the challenges and possibilities related to controlling and engineering the growth of neuronal networks, specifically in relation to the materials, substrates, model systems, modulation techniques, data science, and artificial intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidur Raj
- Department of Electronic Materials Engineering, Research School of Physics, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | | | - Vini Gautam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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Cell stretchers and the LINC complex in mechanotransduction. Arch Biochem Biophys 2021; 702:108829. [PMID: 33716002 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2021.108829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
How cells respond to mechanical forces from the surrounding environment is critical for cell survival and function. The LINC complex is a central component in the mechanotransduction pathway that transmits mechanical information from the cell surface to the nucleus. Through LINC complex functionality, the nucleus is able to respond to mechanical stress by altering nuclear structure, chromatin organization, and gene expression. The use of specialized devices that apply mechanical strain to cells have been central to investigating how mechanotransduction occurs, how cells respond to mechanical stress, and the role of the LINC complexes in these processes. A large variety of designs have been reported for these devices, with the most common type being cell stretchers. Here we highlight some of the salient features of cell stretchers and suggest some key parameters that should be considered when using these devices. We provide a brief overview of how the LINC complexes contribute to the cellular responses to mechanical strain. And finally, we suggest that stretchers may be a useful tool to study aging.
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Al-Maslamani NA, Khilan AA, Horn HF. Design of a 3D printed, motorized, uniaxial cell stretcher for microscopic and biochemical analysis of mechanotransduction. Biol Open 2021; 10:bio057778. [PMID: 33563607 PMCID: PMC7888744 DOI: 10.1242/bio.057778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells respond to mechanical cues from their environment through a process of mechanosensing and mechanotransduction. Cell stretching devices are important tools to study the molecular pathways responsible for cellular responses to mechanobiological processes. We describe the development and testing of a uniaxial cell stretcher that has applications for microscopic as well as biochemical analyses. By combining simple fabrication techniques with adjustable control parameters, the stretcher is designed to fit a variety of experimental needs. The stretcher can be used for static and cyclic stretching. As a proof of principle, we visualize stretch induced deformation of cell nuclei via incremental static stretch, and changes in IEX1 expression via cyclic stretching. This stretcher is easily modified to meet experimental needs, inexpensive to build, and should be readily accessible for most laboratories with access to 3D printing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor A Al-Maslamani
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences Division, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, P.O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Abdulghani A Khilan
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences Division, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, P.O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Henning F Horn
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences Division, College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, P.O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
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