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Gedney JR, Mattia V, Figueroa M, Barksdale C, Fannin E, Silverman J, Xiong Y, Mukherjee R, Jones JA, Ruddy JM. Biomechanical dysregulation of SGK-1 dependent aortic pathologic markers in hypertension. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1359734. [PMID: 38903966 PMCID: PMC11187291 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1359734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction In hypertension (HTN), biomechanical stress may drive matrix remodeling through dysfunctional VSMC activity. Prior evidence has indicated VSMC tension-induced signaling through the serum and glucocorticoid inducible kinase-1 (SGK-1) can impact cytokine abundance. Here, we hypothesize that SGK-1 impacts production of additional aortic pathologic markers (APMs) representing VSMC dysfunction in HTN. Methods Aortic VSMC expression of APMs was quantified by QPCR in cyclic biaxial stretch (Stretch) +/- AngiotensinII (AngII). APMs were selected to represent VSMC dedifferentiated transcriptional activity, specifically Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Cathepsin S (CtsS), Cystatin C (CysC), Osteoprotegerin (OPG), and Tenascin C (TNC). To further assess the effect of tension alone, abdominal aortic rings from C57Bl/6 WT mice were held in a myograph at experimentally derived optimal tension (OT) or OT + 30% +/-AngII. Dependence on SGK-1 was assessed by treating with EMD638683 (SGK-1 inhibitor) and APMs were measured by QPCR. Then, WT and smooth muscle cell specific SGK-1 heterozygous knockout (SMC-SGK-1KO+/-) mice had AngII-induced HTN. Systolic blood pressure and mechanical stress parameters were assessed on Day 0 and Day 21. Plasma was analyzed by ELISA to quantify APMs. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA. Results In cultured aortic VSMCs, expression of all APMs was increased in response to biomechanical stimuli (Stretch +/-AngII,). Integrating the matrix contribution to signal transduction in the aortic rings led to IL-6 and CysC demonstrating SGK-1 dependence in response to elevated tension and interactive effect with concurrent AngII stimulation. CtsS and TNC, on the other hand, primarily responded to AngII, and OPG expression was unaffected in aortic ring experimentation. Both mouse strains had >30% increase in blood pressure with AngII infusion, reduced aortic distensibility and increased PPV, indicating increased aortic stiffness. In WT + AngII mice, IL-6, CtsS, CysC, and TNC plasma levels were significantly elevated, but these APMs were unaffected by HTN in the SMC-SGK-1KO+/- +AngII mice, suggesting SGK-1 plays a major role in VSMC biomechanical signaling to promote dysfunctional production of selected APMs. Conclusion In HTN, changes in the plasma levels of markers associated with aortic matrix homeostasis can reflect remodeling driven by mechanobiologic signaling in dysfunctional VSMCs, potentially through the activity of SGK-1. Further defining these pathways may identify therapeutic targets to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Ryan Gedney
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Victoria Mattia
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Mario Figueroa
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Christian Barksdale
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Ethan Fannin
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Jonah Silverman
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Ying Xiong
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Ralph H Johnson Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Rupak Mukherjee
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Jeffrey A. Jones
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Ralph H Johnson Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Jean Marie Ruddy
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
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Maldonado H, Leyton L. CSK-mediated signalling by integrins in cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1214787. [PMID: 37519303 PMCID: PMC10382208 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1214787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer progression and metastasis are processes heavily controlled by the integrin receptor family. Integrins are cell adhesion molecules that constitute the central components of mechanosensing complexes called focal adhesions, which connect the extracellular environment with the cell interior. Focal adhesions act as key players in cancer progression by regulating biological processes, such as cell migration, invasion, proliferation, and survival. Src family kinases (SFKs) can interplay with integrins and their downstream effectors. SFKs also integrate extracellular cues sensed by integrins and growth factor receptors (GFR), transducing them to coordinate metastasis and cell survival in cancer. The non-receptor tyrosine kinase CSK is a well-known SFK member that suppresses SFK activity by phosphorylating its specific negative regulatory loop (C-terminal Y527 residue). Consequently, CSK may play a pivotal role in tumour progression and suppression by inhibiting SFK oncogenic effects in several cancer types. Remarkably, CSK can localise near focal adhesions when SFKs are activated and even interact with focal adhesion components, such as phosphorylated FAK and Paxillin, among others, suggesting that CSK may regulate focal adhesion dynamics and structure. Even though SFK oncogenic signalling has been extensively described before, the specific role of CSK and its crosstalk with integrins in cancer progression, for example, in mechanosensing, remain veiled. Here, we review how CSK, by regulating SFKs, can regulate integrin signalling, and focus on recent discoveries of mechanotransduction. We additionally examine the cross talk of integrins and GFR as well as the membrane availability of these receptors in cancer. We also explore new pharmaceutical approaches to these signalling pathways and analyse them as future therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Horacio Maldonado
- Receptor Dynamics in Cancer Laboratory, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Lisette Leyton
- Cellular Communication Laboratory, Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Center for Studies on Exercise, Metabolism and Cancer (CEMC), Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Kort-Mascort J, Flores-Torres S, Peza-Chavez O, Jang JH, Pardo LA, Tran SD, Kinsella J. Decellularized ECM hydrogels: prior use considerations, applications, and opportunities in tissue engineering and biofabrication. Biomater Sci 2023; 11:400-431. [PMID: 36484344 DOI: 10.1039/d2bm01273a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Tissue development, wound healing, pathogenesis, regeneration, and homeostasis rely upon coordinated and dynamic spatial and temporal remodeling of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules. ECM reorganization and normal physiological tissue function, require the establishment and maintenance of biological, chemical, and mechanical feedback mechanisms directed by cell-matrix interactions. To replicate the physical and biological environment provided by the ECM in vivo, methods have been developed to decellularize and solubilize tissues which yield organ and tissue-specific bioactive hydrogels. While these biomaterials retain several important traits of the native ECM, the decellularizing process, and subsequent sterilization, and solubilization result in fragmented, cleaved, or partially denatured macromolecules. The final product has decreased viscosity, moduli, and yield strength, when compared to the source tissue, limiting the compatibility of isolated decellularized ECM (dECM) hydrogels with fabrication methods such as extrusion bioprinting. This review describes the physical and bioactive characteristics of dECM hydrogels and their role as biomaterials for biofabrication. In this work, critical variables when selecting the appropriate tissue source and extraction methods are identified. Common manual and automated fabrication techniques compatible with dECM hydrogels are described and compared. Fabrication and post-manufacturing challenges presented by the dECM hydrogels decreased mechanical and structural stability are discussed as well as circumvention strategies. We further highlight and provide examples of the use of dECM hydrogels in tissue engineering and their role in fabricating complex in vitro 3D microenvironments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Omar Peza-Chavez
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Joyce H Jang
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | | | - Simon D Tran
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Joseph Kinsella
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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Jensen LF, Bentzon JF, Albarrán-Juárez J. The Phenotypic Responses of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Exposed to Mechanical Cues. Cells 2021; 10:2209. [PMID: 34571858 PMCID: PMC8469800 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
During the development of atherosclerosis and other vascular diseases, vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) located in the intima and media of blood vessels shift from a contractile state towards other phenotypes that differ substantially from differentiated SMCs. In addition, these cells acquire new functions, such as the production of alternative extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and signal molecules. A similar shift in cell phenotype is observed when SMCs are removed from their native environment and placed in a culture, presumably due to the absence of the physiological signals that maintain and regulate the SMC phenotype in the vasculature. The far majority of studies describing SMC functions have been performed under standard culture conditions in which cells adhere to a rigid and static plastic plate. While these studies have contributed to discovering key molecular pathways regulating SMCs, they have a significant limitation: the ECM microenvironment and the mechanical forces transmitted through the matrix to SMCs are generally not considered. Here, we review and discuss the recent literature on how the mechanical forces and derived biochemical signals have been shown to modulate the vascular SMC phenotype and provide new perspectives about their importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Filt Jensen
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark; (L.F.J.); (J.F.B.)
| | - Jacob Fog Bentzon
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark; (L.F.J.); (J.F.B.)
- Experimental Pathology of Atherosclerosis Laboratory, Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Julian Albarrán-Juárez
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark; (L.F.J.); (J.F.B.)
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Furdella KJ, Higuchi S, Behrangzade A, Kim K, Wagner WR, Vande Geest JP. In-vivo assessment of a tissue engineered vascular graft computationally optimized for target vessel compliance. Acta Biomater 2021; 123:298-311. [PMID: 33482362 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.12.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Tissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) have the ability to be tuned to match a target vessel's compliance, diameter, wall thickness, and thereby prevent compliance mismatch. In this work, TEVG compliance was manipulated by computationally tuning its layered composition or by manipulating a crosslinking agent (genipin). In particular, these three acelluluar TEVGs were compared: a compliance matched graft (CMgel - high gelatin content); a hypocompliant PCL graft (HYPOpcl - high polycaprolactone content); and a hypocompliant genipin graft (HYPOgen - equivalent composition as CMgel but hypocompliant via increased genipin crosslinking). All constructs were implanted interpositionally into the abdominal aorta of 21 Sprague Dawley rats (n=7, males=11, females=10) for 28 days, imaged in-vivo using ultrasound, explanted, and assessed for remodeling using immunofluorescence and two photon excitation fluorescence imaging. Compliance matched grafts remained compliance-matched in-vivo compared to the hypocompliant grafts through 4 weeks (p<0.05). Construct degradation and cellular infiltration was increased in the CMgel and HYPOgen TEVGs. Contractile smooth muscle cell markers in the proximal anastomosis of the graft were increased in the CMgel group compared to the HYPOpcl (p=0.007) and HYPOgen grafts (p=0.04). Both hypocompliant grafts also had an increased pro-inflammatory response (increased ratio of CD163 to CD86 in the mid-axial location) compared to the CMgel group. Our results suggest that compliance matching using a computational optimization approach leads to the improved acute (28 day) remodeling of TEVGs. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first in-vivo rat study investigating TEVGs that have been computationally optimized for target vessel compliance.
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6
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Flores-Torres S, Peza-Chavez O, Kuasne H, Munguia-Lopez JG, Kort-Mascort J, Ferri L, Jiang T, Rajadurai CV, Park M, Sangwan V, Kinsella JM. Alginate-gelatin-Matrigel hydrogels enable the development and multigenerational passaging of patient-derived 3D bioprinted cancer spheroid models. Biofabrication 2021; 13. [PMID: 33440351 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/abdb87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogels consisting of controlled fractions of alginate, gelatin, and Matrigel enable the development of patient-derived bioprinted tissue models that support cancer spheroid growth and expansion. These engineered models can be dissociated to be then reintroduced to new hydrogel solutions and subsequently reprinted to generate multigenerational models. The process of harvesting cells from 3D bioprinted models is possible by chelating the ions that crosslink alginate, causing the gel to weaken. Inclusion of the gelatin and Matrigel fractions to the hydrogel increases the bioactivity by providing cell-matrix binding sites and promoting cross-talk between cancer cells and their microenvironment. Here we show that immortalized triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) and patient-derived gastric adenocarcinoma cells can be reprinted for at least three 21 d culture cycles following bioprinting in the alginate/gelatin/Matrigel hydrogels. Our drug testing results suggest that our 3D bioprinted model can also be used to recapitulatein vivopatient drug response. Furthermore, our results show that iterative bioprinting techniques coupled with alginate biomaterials can be used to maintain and expand patient-derived cancer spheroid cultures for extended periods without compromising cell viability, altering division rates, or disrupting cancer spheroid formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Omar Peza-Chavez
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Hellen Kuasne
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jose G Munguia-Lopez
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Lorenzo Ferri
- Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Intelligent Machinery and Instrument, College of Intelligence Science and Technology, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Charles V Rajadurai
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Morag Park
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Veena Sangwan
- Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Joseph M Kinsella
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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7
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Regulation of SMC traction forces in human aortic thoracic aneurysms. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2021; 20:717-731. [PMID: 33449277 PMCID: PMC7979631 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-020-01412-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) usually express a contractile phenotype in the healthy aorta. However, aortic SMCs have the ability to undergo profound changes in phenotype in response to changes in their extracellular environment, as occurs in ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (ATAA). Accordingly, there is a pressing need to quantify the mechanobiological effects of these changes at single cell level. To address this need, we applied Traction Force Microscopy (TFM) on 759 cells coming from three primary healthy (AoPrim) human SMC lineages and three primary aneurysmal (AnevPrim) human SMC lineages, from age and gender matched donors. We measured the basal traction forces applied by each of these cells onto compliant hydrogels of different stiffness (4, 8, 12, 25 kPa). Although the range of force generation by SMCs suggested some heterogeneity, we observed that: 1. the traction forces were significantly larger on substrates of larger stiffness; 2. traction forces in AnevPrim were significantly higher than in AoPrim cells. We modelled computationally the dynamic force generation process in SMCs using the motor-clutch model and found that it accounts well for the stiffness-dependent traction forces. The existence of larger traction forces in the AnevPrim SMCs were related to the larger size of cells in these lineages. We conclude that phenotype changes occurring in ATAA, which were previously known to reduce the expression of elongated and contractile SMCs (rendering SMCs less responsive to vasoactive agents), tend also to induce stronger SMCs. Future work aims at understanding the causes of this alteration process in aortic aneurysms.
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8
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Specialized Multimaterial Print Heads for 3D Hydrogel Printing: Tissue-Engineering Applications. IEEE NANOTECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE 2020. [DOI: 10.1109/mnano.2020.2966065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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9
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Stylianou A, Gkretsi V, Louca M, Zacharia LC, Stylianopoulos T. Collagen content and extracellular matrix cause cytoskeletal remodelling in pancreatic fibroblasts. J R Soc Interface 2020; 16:20190226. [PMID: 31113335 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2019.0226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In many solid tumours a desmoplastic reaction takes place, which results in tumour tissue stiffening due to the extensive production of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, such as collagen, by stromal cells, mainly fibroblasts (FBs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). In this study, we investigated the effect of collagen stiffness on pancreatic FBs and CAFs, particularly on specific cytoskeleton properties and gene expression involved in tumour invasion. We found that cells become stiffer when they are cultured on stiff substrates and express higher levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Also, it was confirmed that on stiff substrates, CAFs are softer than FBs, while on soft substrates they have comparable Young's moduli. Furthermore, the number of spread FBs and CAFs was higher in stiffer substrates, which was also confirmed by Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 ( RAC1) mRNA expression, which mediates cell spreading. Although stress fibres in FBs become more oriented on stiff substrates, CAFs have oriented stress fibres regardless of substrate stiffness. Subsequently, we demonstrated that cells' invasion has a differential response to stiffness, which was associated with regulation of Ras homologue family member ( RhoA) and Rho-associated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 ( ROCK-1) mRNA expression. Overall, our results demonstrate that collagen stiffness modulates FBs and CAFs cytoskeleton remodelling and alters their invasion properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Stylianou
- 1 Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus , Nicosia 1678 , Cyprus
| | - Vasiliki Gkretsi
- 1 Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus , Nicosia 1678 , Cyprus
| | - Maria Louca
- 1 Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus , Nicosia 1678 , Cyprus
| | - Lefteris C Zacharia
- 2 Department of Life and Health Sciences, School of Sciences and Engineering, University of Nicosia , 1700 Nicosia , Cyprus
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- 1 Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus , Nicosia 1678 , Cyprus
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10
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Horvath AN, Holenstein CN, Silvan U, Snedeker JG. The Protein Mat(ters)-Revealing the Biologically Relevant Mechanical Contribution of Collagen- and Fibronectin-Coated Micropatterns. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:41791-41798. [PMID: 31589401 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b12430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Understanding cell-material interactions requires accurate characterization of the substrate mechanics, which are generally measured by indentation-type atomic force microscopy. To facilitate cell-substrate interaction, model extracellular matrix coatings are used although their tensile mechanical properties are generally unknown. In this study, beyond standard compressive stiffness estimation, we performed a novel tensile mechanical characterization of collagen- and fibronectin-micropatterned polyacrylamide hydrogels. We further demonstrate the impact of the protein mat on the tensile stiffness characterization of adherent cells. To our knowledge, our study is the first to uncover direction-dependent mechanical behavior of the protein coatings and to demonstrate that it affects cellular response relative to substrate mechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aron N Horvath
- Biomechanics Laboratory , University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich , 8008 Zurich , Switzerland
- Institute for Biomechanics , ETH Zurich , 8008 Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Claude N Holenstein
- Biomechanics Laboratory , University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich , 8008 Zurich , Switzerland
- Institute for Biomechanics , ETH Zurich , 8008 Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Unai Silvan
- Biomechanics Laboratory , University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich , 8008 Zurich , Switzerland
- Institute for Biomechanics , ETH Zurich , 8008 Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Jess G Snedeker
- Biomechanics Laboratory , University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zurich , 8008 Zurich , Switzerland
- Institute for Biomechanics , ETH Zurich , 8008 Zurich , Switzerland
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11
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Silk sericin-enhanced microstructured bacterial cellulose as tissue engineering scaffold towards prospective gut repair. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2019; 102:502-510. [PMID: 31147021 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2019.04.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
As a first step towards the production of functional cell sheets applicable for the regeneration of gut muscle layer, microstructured bacterial cellulose (mBC) was assessed for its ability to support the growth of enteric nervous system (ENS) and gut smooth muscle cells (SMCs). To improve the cellular response, mBC was modified with silk sericin (SS) which has renowned abilities in supporting tissue regeneration. While SS did not impair the line structures imparted to BC by PDMS templates, similarly to the patterns, it affected its physical properties, ultimately leading to variations in the behavior of cells cultured onto these substrates. Enabled by the stripes on mBC, both SMCs and ENS cells were aligned in vitro, presenting the in vivo-like morphology essential for peristalsis and gut function. Interestingly, cell growth and differentiation remarkably enhanced upon SS addition to the samples, indicating the promise of the mBC-SS constructs as biomaterial not only for gut engineering, but also for tissues where cellular alignment is required for function, namely the heart, blood vessels, and similars.
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12
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Lin H, Du Q, Li Q, Wang O, Wang Z, Liu K, Akert L, Zhang C, Chung S, Duan B, Lei Y. Differentiating human pluripotent stem cells into vascular smooth muscle cells in three dimensional thermoreversible hydrogels. Biomater Sci 2019; 7:347-361. [PMID: 30483691 DOI: 10.1039/c8bm01128a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are of great value and are needed in large quantities for tissue engineering, drug screening, disease modeling and cell-based therapies. However, getting high quantity VSMCs remains a challenge. Here, we report a method for the scalable manufacturing of VSMCs from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). hPSCs are expanded and differentiated into VSMCs in a three dimensional (3D) thermoreversible hydrogel. The hydrogel not only acts as a 3D scaffold for cells to grow, but also protects cells from hydrodynamic stresses in the culture vessel and prevents cells from excessive aggregation. Together, the hydrogel creates a cell-friendly microenvironment, leading to high culture efficiency. We show that VSMCs can be generated in 10 days with high viability (>90%), high purity (>80%) and high yield (∼2.0 × 107 cells per mL hydrogel) in the hydrogel scaffold. The generated VSMCs have normal functions. Genome-wide gene expression analysis shows VSMCs made in the hydrogel (i.e. 3D-VSMCs) have higher expression of genes related to vasculature development and glycolysis compared to VSMCs made in the conventional 2D cultures (i.e. 2D-VSMCs), while 2D-VSMCs have higher expression of genes related to cell proliferation. This simple, defined and efficient method is scalable for manufacturing hPSC-VSMCs for various biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haishuang Lin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska, USA.
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13
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Lin H, Qiu X, Du Q, Li Q, Wang O, Akert L, Wang Z, Anderson D, Liu K, Gu L, Zhang C, Lei Y. Engineered Microenvironment for Manufacturing Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells. Stem Cell Reports 2019; 12:84-97. [PMID: 30527760 PMCID: PMC6335449 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cell-derived vascular smooth muscle cells (hPSC-VSMCs) are of great value for disease modeling, drug screening, cell therapies, and tissue engineering. However, producing a high quantity of hPSC-VSMCs with current cell culture technologies remains very challenging. Here, we report a scalable method for manufacturing hPSC-VSMCs in alginate hydrogel microtubes (i.e., AlgTubes), which protect cells from hydrodynamic stresses and limit cell mass to <400 μm to ensure efficient mass transport. The tubes provide cells a friendly microenvironment, leading to extremely high culture efficiency. We have shown that hPSC-VSMCs can be generated in 10 days with high viability, high purity, and high yield (∼5.0 × 108 cells/mL). Phenotype and gene expression showed that VSMCs made in AlgTubes and VSMCs made in 2D cultures were similar overall. However, AlgTube-VSMCs had higher expression of genes related to vasculature development and angiogenesis, and 2D-VSMCs had higher expression of genes related to cell death and biosynthetic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haishuang Lin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Xuefeng Qiu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Qian Du
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA; Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Ou Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA; Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Leonard Akert
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Zhanqi Wang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung, and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Dirk Anderson
- Center for Biotechnology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Kan Liu
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Linxia Gu
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Yuguo Lei
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA; Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA; Mary and Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
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14
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Ding Y, Xu X, Sharma S, Floren M, Stenmark K, Bryant SJ, Neu CP, Tan W. Biomimetic soft fibrous hydrogels for contractile and pharmacologically responsive smooth muscle. Acta Biomater 2018; 74:121-130. [PMID: 29753912 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2018.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The ability to assess changes in smooth muscle contractility and pharmacological responsiveness in normal or pathological-relevant vascular tissue environments is critical to enable vascular drug discovery. However, major challenges remain in both capturing the complexity of in vivo vascular remodeling and evaluating cell contractility in complex, tissue-like environments. Herein, we developed a biomimetic fibrous hydrogel with tunable structure, stiffness, and composition to resemble the native vascular tissue environment. This hydrogel platform was further combined with the combinatory protein array technology as well as advanced approaches to measure cell mechanics and contractility, thus permitting evaluation of smooth muscle functions in a variety of tissue-like microenvironments. Our results demonstrated that biomimetic fibrous structure played a dominant role in smooth muscle function, while the presentation of adhesion proteins co-regulated it to various degrees. Specifically, fibre networks enabled cell infiltration and upregulated expression of actomyosin proteins in contrast to flat hydrogels. Remarkably, fibrous structure and physiologically relevant stiffness of hydrogels cooperatively enhanced smooth muscle contractility and pharmacological responses to vasoactive drugs at both the single cell and intact tissue levels. Together, this study is the first to demonstrate alterations of human vascular smooth muscle contractility and pharmacological responsiveness in biomimetic soft, fibrous environments with a cellular array platform. The integrated platform produced here could enable investigations for pathobiology and pharmacological interventions by developing a broad range of patho-physiologically relevant in vitro tissue models. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Engineering functional smooth muscle in vitro holds the great potential for diseased tissue replacement and drug testing. A central challenge is recapitulating the smooth muscle contractility and pharmacological responses given its significant phenotypic plasticity in response to changes in environment. We present a biomimetic fibrous hydrogel with tunable structure, stiffness, and composition that enables the creation of functional smooth muscle tissues in the native-like vascular tissue microenvironment. Such fibrous hydrogel is further combined with the combinatory protein array technology to construct a cellular array for evaluation of smooth muscle phenotype, contraction, and cell mechanics. The integrated platform produced here could be promising for developing a broad range of normal or diseased in vitro tissue models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghui Ding
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Xin Xu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Sadhana Sharma
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Michael Floren
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA; Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Laboratories, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kurt Stenmark
- Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Laboratories, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Stephanie J Bryant
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA; BioFrontiers Institute, Material Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Corey P Neu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Wei Tan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
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15
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Hartman CD, Isenberg BC, Chua SG, Wong JY. Vascular smooth muscle cell durotaxis depends on extracellular matrix composition. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:11190-11195. [PMID: 27647912 PMCID: PMC5056055 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1611324113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanical compliance has been demonstrated to be a key determinant of cell behavior, directing processes such as spreading, migration, and differentiation. Durotaxis, directional migration from softer to more stiff regions of a substrate, has been observed for a variety of cell types. Recent stiffness mapping experiments have shown that local changes in tissue stiffness in disease are often accompanied by an altered ECM composition in vivo. However, the importance of ECM composition in durotaxis has not yet been explored. To address this question, we have developed and characterized a polyacrylamide hydrogel culture platform featuring highly tunable gradients in mechanical stiffness. This feature, together with the ability to control ECM composition, allows us to isolate the effects of mechanical and biological signals on cell migratory behavior. Using this system, we have tracked vascular smooth muscle cell migration in vitro and quantitatively analyzed differences in cell migration as a function of ECM composition. Our results show that vascular smooth muscle cells undergo durotaxis on mechanical gradients coated with fibronectin but not on those coated with laminin. These findings indicate that the composition of the adhesion ligand is a critical determinant of a cell's migratory response to mechanical gradients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brett C Isenberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Samantha G Chua
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Joyce Y Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215
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16
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Timraz SBH, Farhat IAH, Alhussein G, Christoforou N, Teo JCM. In-depth evaluation of commercially available human vascular smooth muscle cells phenotype: Implications for vascular tissue engineering. Exp Cell Res 2016; 343:168-176. [PMID: 27079869 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2016.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Revised: 04/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In vitro research on vascular tissue engineering has extensively used isolated primary human or animal smooth muscle cells (SMC). Research programs that lack such facilities tend towards commercially available primary cells sources. Here, we aim to evaluate the capacity of commercially available human SMC to maintain their contractile phenotype, and determine if dedifferentiation towards the synthetic phenotype occurs in response to conventional cell culture and passaging without any external biochemical or mechanical stimuli. Lower passage SMC adopted a contractile phenotype marked by a relatively slower proliferation rate, higher expression of proteins of the contractile apparatus and smoothelin, elongated morphology, and reduced deposition of collagen types I and III. As the passage number increased, migratory capacity was enhanced, average cell speed, total distance and net distance travelled increased up to passage 8. Through the various assays, corroborative evidence pinpoints SMC at passage 7 as the transition point between the contractile and synthetic phenotypes, while passage 8 distinctly and consistently exhibited characteristics of synthetic phenotype. This knowledge is particularly useful in selecting SMC of appropriate passage number for the target vascular tissue engineering application, for example, a homeostatic vascular graft for blood vessel replacement versus recreating atherosclerotic blood vessel model in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara B H Timraz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Ilyas A H Farhat
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Sciences, Khalifa University, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Ghada Alhussein
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Nicolas Christoforou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
| | - Jeremy C M Teo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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