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Zanetti M, Braidotti N, Khumar M, Montelongo E, Lombardi R, Sbaizero O, Mestroni L, Taylor MRG, Baj G, Lazzarino M, Peña B, Andolfi L. Investigations of cardiac fibrosis rheology by in vitro cardiac tissue modeling with 3D cellular spheroids. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2024; 155:106571. [PMID: 38744118 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2024.106571] [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] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis refers to the abnormal accumulation of extracellular matrix within the cardiac muscle, leading to increased stiffness and impaired heart function. From a rheological standpoint, knowledge about myocardial behavior is still lacking, partially due to a lack of appropriate techniques to investigate the rheology of in vitro cardiac tissue models. 3D multicellular cardiac spheroids are powerful and versatile platforms for modeling healthy and fibrotic cardiac tissue in vitro and studying how their mechanical properties are modulated. In this study, cardiac spheroids were created by co-culturing neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts in definite ratios using the hanging-drop method. The rheological characterization of such models was performed by Atomic Force Microscopy-based stress-relaxation measurements on the whole spheroid. After strain application, a viscoelastic bi-exponential relaxation was observed, characterized by a fast relaxation time (τ1) followed by a slower one (τ2). In particular, spheroids with higher fibroblasts density showed reduction for both relaxation times comparing to control, with a more pronounced decrement of τ1 with respect to τ2. Such response was found compatible with the increased production of extracellular matrix within these spheroids, which recapitulates the main feature of the fibrosis pathophysiology. These results demonstrate how the rheological characteristics of cardiac tissue vary as a function of cellular composition and extracellular matrix, confirming the suitability of such system as an in vitro preclinical model of cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Zanetti
- Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche-Istituto Officina Dei Materiali (CNR-IOM), Area Science Park Basovizza, Strada Statale 14, Km 163,5, 34149, Trieste, Italy; Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via A. Valerio 2, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Nicoletta Braidotti
- Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche-Istituto Officina Dei Materiali (CNR-IOM), Area Science Park Basovizza, Strada Statale 14, Km 163,5, 34149, Trieste, Italy; Department of Physics, University of Trieste, Via A. Valerio 2, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Maydha Khumar
- Bioengineering Department, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, At Bioscience 2 1270 E. Montview Avenue, Suite 100, Aurora, CO, 80045, United States
| | - Efren Montelongo
- Bioengineering Department, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, At Bioscience 2 1270 E. Montview Avenue, Suite 100, Aurora, CO, 80045, United States
| | - Raffaella Lombardi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, At 12700 E.19th Avenue, Bldg. P15, Aurora, CO, 80045, United States; Cardiovascular Institute, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, At 12700 E.19th Avenue, Bldg. P15, Aurora, CO, 80045, United States
| | - Orfeo Sbaizero
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, At 12700 E.19th Avenue, Bldg. P15, Aurora, CO, 80045, United States; Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via A. Valerio 6/A, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Luisa Mestroni
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, At 12700 E.19th Avenue, Bldg. P15, Aurora, CO, 80045, United States; Cardiovascular Institute, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, At 12700 E.19th Avenue, Bldg. P15, Aurora, CO, 80045, United States
| | - Matthew R G Taylor
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, At 12700 E.19th Avenue, Bldg. P15, Aurora, CO, 80045, United States
| | - Gabriele Baj
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 5, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Lazzarino
- Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche-Istituto Officina Dei Materiali (CNR-IOM), Area Science Park Basovizza, Strada Statale 14, Km 163,5, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Brisa Peña
- Bioengineering Department, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, At Bioscience 2 1270 E. Montview Avenue, Suite 100, Aurora, CO, 80045, United States; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, At 12700 E.19th Avenue, Bldg. P15, Aurora, CO, 80045, United States; Cardiovascular Institute, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, At 12700 E.19th Avenue, Bldg. P15, Aurora, CO, 80045, United States
| | - Laura Andolfi
- Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche-Istituto Officina Dei Materiali (CNR-IOM), Area Science Park Basovizza, Strada Statale 14, Km 163,5, 34149, Trieste, Italy
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Towards a Better Understanding of Genotype-Phenotype Correlations and Therapeutic Targets for Cardiocutaneous Genes: The Importance of Functional Studies above Prediction. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810765. [PMID: 36142674 PMCID: PMC9503274 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810765] [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: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic variants in gene-encoding proteins involved in cell−cell connecting structures, such as desmosomes and gap junctions, may cause a skin and/or cardiac phenotype, of which the combination is called cardiocutaneous syndrome. The cardiac phenotype is characterized by cardiomyopathy and/or arrhythmias, while the skin particularly displays phenotypes such as keratoderma, hair abnormalities and skin fragility. The reported variants associated with cardiocutaneous syndrome, in genes DSP, JUP, DSC2, KLHL24, GJA1, are classified by interpretation guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. The genotype−phenotype correlation, however, remains poorly understood. By providing an overview of variants that are assessed for a functional protein pathology, we show that this number (n = 115) is low compared to the number of variants that are assessed by in silico algorithms (>5000). As expected, there is a mismatch between the prediction of variant pathogenicity and the prediction of the functional effect compared to the real functional evidence. Aiding to improve genotype−phenotype correlations, we separate variants into ‘protein reducing’ or ‘altered protein’ variants and provide general conclusions about the skin and heart phenotype involved. We conclude by stipulating that adequate prognoses can only be given, and targeted therapies can only be designed, upon full knowledge of the protein pathology through functional investigation.
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Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) Applications in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073700. [PMID: 35409059 PMCID: PMC8998711 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited heart muscle disorder characterized by progressive replacement of cardiomyocytes by fibrofatty tissue, ventricular dilatation, cardiac dysfunction, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. Interest in molecular biomechanics for these disorders is constantly growing. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a well-established technic to study the mechanobiology of biological samples under physiological and pathological conditions at the cellular scale. However, a review which described all the different data that can be obtained using the AFM (cell elasticity, adhesion behavior, viscoelasticity, beating force, and frequency) is still missing. In this review, we will discuss several techniques that highlight the potential of AFM to be used as a tool for assessing the biomechanics involved in ACM. Indeed, analysis of genetically mutated cells with AFM reveal abnormalities of the cytoskeleton, cell membrane structures, and defects of contractility. The higher the Young’s modulus, the stiffer the cell, and it is well known that abnormal tissue stiffness is symptomatic of a range of diseases. The cell beating force and frequency provide information during the depolarization and repolarization phases, complementary to cell electrophysiology (calcium imaging, MEA, patch clamp). In addition, original data is also presented to emphasize the unique potential of AFM as a tool to assess fibrosis in cardiac tissue.
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Beffagna G, Sommariva E, Bellin M. Mechanotransduction and Adrenergic Stimulation in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: An Overview of in vitro and in vivo Models. Front Physiol 2020; 11:568535. [PMID: 33281612 PMCID: PMC7689294 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.568535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (AC) is a rare inherited heart disease, manifesting with progressive myocardium degeneration and dysfunction, and life-threatening arrhythmic events that lead to sudden cardiac death. Despite genetic determinants, most of AC patients admitted to hospital are athletes or very physically active people, implying the existence of other disease-causing factors. It is recognized that AC phenotypes are enhanced and triggered by strenuous physical activity, while excessive mechanical stretch and load, and repetitive adrenergic stimulation are mechanisms influencing disease penetrance. Different approaches have been undertaken to recapitulate and study both mechanotransduction and adrenergic signaling in AC, including the use of in vitro cellular and tissue models, and the development of in vivo models (particularly rodents but more recently also zebrafish). However, it remains challenging to reproduce mechanical load stimuli and physical activity in laboratory experimental settings. Thus, more work to drive the innovation of advanced AC models is needed to recapitulate these subtle physiological influences. Here, we review the state-of-the-art in this field both in clinical and laboratory-based modeling scenarios. Specific attention will be focused on highlighting gaps in the knowledge and how they may be resolved by utilizing novel research methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Beffagna
- Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Elena Sommariva
- Vascular Biology and Regenerative Medicine Unit, Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Milena Bellin
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padua, Italy.,Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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Puzzi L, Borin D, Gurha P, Lombardi R, Martinelli V, Weiss M, Andolfi L, Lazzarino M, Mestroni L, Marian AJ, Sbaizero O. Knock Down of Plakophillin 2 Dysregulates Adhesion Pathway through Upregulation of miR200b and Alters the Mechanical Properties in Cardiac Cells. Cells 2019; 8:cells8121639. [PMID: 31847412 PMCID: PMC6952926 DOI: 10.3390/cells8121639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Mutations in genes encoding intercalated disk/desmosome proteins, such as plakophilin 2 (PKP2), cause arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM). Desmosomes are responsible for myocyte–myocyte attachment and maintaining mechanical integrity of the myocardium. Methods: We knocked down Pkp2 in HL-1 mouse atrial cardiomyocytes (HL-1Pkp2-shRNA) and characterized their biomechanical properties. Gene expression was analyzed by RNA-Sequencing, microarray, and qPCR. Immunofluorescence was used to detect changes in cytoskeleton and focal adhesion. Antagomirs were used to knock down expression of selected microRNA (miR) in the rescue experiments. Results: Knockdown of Pkp2 was associated with decreased cardiomyocyte stiffness and work of detachment, and increased plasticity index. Altered mechanical properties were associated with impaired actin cytoskeleton in HL-1Pkp2-shRNA cells. Analysis of differentially expressed genes identified focal adhesion and actin cytoskeleton amongst the most dysregulated pathways, and miR200 family (a, b, and 429) as the most upregulated miRs in HL-1Pkp2-shRNA cells. Knockdown of miR-200b but not miR-200a, miR-429, by sequence-specific shRNAs partially rescued integrin-α1 (Itga1) levels, actin organization, cell adhesion (on collagen), and stiffness. Conclusions: PKP2 deficiency alters cardiomyocytes adhesion through a mechanism that involves upregulation of miR-200b and suppression of Itga1 expression. These findings provide new insights into the molecular basis of altered mechanosensing in ACM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Puzzi
- Engineering and Architecture Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (L.P.); (D.B.)
| | - Daniele Borin
- Engineering and Architecture Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (L.P.); (D.B.)
| | - Priyatansh Gurha
- Centre for Cardiovascular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Centre and Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (P.G.); (A.J.M.)
| | - Raffaella Lombardi
- Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, 80138 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Valentina Martinelli
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 34149 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Marek Weiss
- Institute of Physics, Faculty of Technical Physics, Poznan University of Technology, Piotrowo 3, 60965 Poznan, Poland
| | - Laura Andolfi
- CNR-IOM, Area Science Park, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (L.A.); (M.L.)
| | - Marco Lazzarino
- CNR-IOM, Area Science Park, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (L.A.); (M.L.)
| | - Luisa Mestroni
- Cardiovascular Institute, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
| | - Ali J. Marian
- Centre for Cardiovascular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Centre and Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (P.G.); (A.J.M.)
| | - Orfeo Sbaizero
- Engineering and Architecture Department, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (L.P.); (D.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-040-558-3770
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Mobasseri SA, Zijl S, Salameti V, Walko G, Stannard A, Garcia-Manyes S, Watt FM. Patterning of human epidermal stem cells on undulating elastomer substrates reflects differences in cell stiffness. Acta Biomater 2019; 87:256-264. [PMID: 30710711 PMCID: PMC6401207 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2019.01.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In human skin the junction between epidermis and dermis undulates, the width and depth of the undulations varying with age and disease. When primary human epidermal keratinocytes are seeded on collagen-coated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer substrates that mimic the epidermal-dermal interface, the stem cells become patterned by 24 h, resembling their organisation in living skin. We found that cell density and nuclear height were higher at the base than the tips of the PDMS features. Cells on the tips not only expressed higher levels of the stem cell marker β1 integrin but also had elevated E-cadherin, Desmoglein 3 and F-actin than cells at the base. In contrast, levels of the transcriptional cofactor MAL were higher at the base. AFM measurements established that the Young’s modulus of cells on the tips was lower than on the base or cells on flat substrates. The differences in cell stiffness were dependent on Rho kinase activity and intercellular adhesion. On flat substrates the Young’s modulus of calcium-dependent intercellular junctions was higher than that of the cell body, again dependent on Rho kinase. Cell patterning was influenced by the angle of the slope on undulating substrates. Our observations are consistent with the concept that epidermal stem cell patterning is dependent on mechanical forces exerted at intercellular junctions in response to undulations in the epidermal-dermal interface. Statement of significance In human skin the epidermal-dermal junction undulates and epidermal stem cells are patterned according to their position. We previously created collagen-coated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer substrates that mimic the undulations and provide sufficient topographical information for stem cells to cluster on the tips. Here we show that the stiffness of cells on the tips is lower than cells on the base. The differences in cell stiffness depend on Rho kinase activity and intercellular adhesion. We propose that epidermal stem cell patterning is determined by mechanical forces exerted at intercellular junctions in response to the slope of the undulations.
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Favre B, Begré N, Bouameur JE, Lingasamy P, Conover GM, Fontao L, Borradori L. Desmoplakin interacts with the coil 1 of different types of intermediate filament proteins and displays high affinity for assembled intermediate filaments. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205038. [PMID: 30286183 PMCID: PMC6171917 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of intermediate filaments (IFs) with the cell-cell adhesion complexes desmosomes is crucial for cytoskeletal organization and cell resilience in the epidermis and heart. The intracellular desmosomal protein desmoplakin anchors IFs to the cell adhesion complexes predominantly via its four last carboxy-terminal domains (C-terminus). However, it remains unclear why the C-terminus of desmoplakin interacts with different IF types or if there are different binding affinities for each type of IFs that may influence the stability of cell-specific adhesion complexes. By yeast three-hybrid and fluorescence binding assays, we found that the coiled-coil 1 of the conserved central rod domain of the heterodimeric cytokeratins (Ks) 5 and 14 (K5/K14) was required for their interaction with the C-terminus of desmoplakin, while their unique amino head- and C-tail domains were dispensable. Similar findings were obtained in vitro with K1/K10, and the type III IF proteins desmin and vimentin. Binding assays testing the C-terminus of desmoplakin with assembled K5/K14 and desmin IFs yielded an apparent affinity in the nM range. Our findings reveal that the same conserved domain of IF proteins binds to the C-terminus of desmoplakin, which may help explain the previously reported broad binding IF-specificity to desmoplakin. Our data suggest that desmoplakin high-affinity binding to diverse IF proteins ensures robust linkages of IF cytoskeleton and desmosomes that maintain the structural integrity of cellular adhesion complexes. In summary, our results give new insights into the molecular basis of the IF-desmosome association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bertrand Favre
- Department of Dermatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nadja Begré
- Department of Dermatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jamal-Eddine Bouameur
- Department of Dermatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Prakash Lingasamy
- Department of Dermatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gloria M. Conover
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Lionel Fontao
- Department of Dermatology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Luca Borradori
- Department of Dermatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
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