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Cheung BCH, Abbed RJ, Wu M, Leggett SE. 3D Traction Force Microscopy in Biological Gels: From Single Cells to Multicellular Spheroids. Annu Rev Biomed Eng 2024; 26:93-118. [PMID: 38316064 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-103122-031130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Cell traction force plays a critical role in directing cellular functions, such as proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Current understanding of cell traction force is largely derived from 2D measurements where cells are plated on 2D substrates. However, 2D measurements do not recapitulate a vital aspect of living systems; that is, cells actively remodel their surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM), and the remodeled ECM, in return, can have a profound impact on cell phenotype and traction force generation. This reciprocal adaptivity of living systems is encoded in the material properties of biological gels. In this review, we summarize recent progress in measuring cell traction force for cells embedded within 3D biological gels, with an emphasis on cell-ECM cross talk. We also provide perspectives on tools and techniques that could be adapted to measure cell traction force in complex biochemical and biophysical environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian C H Cheung
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA;
| | - Rana J Abbed
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA;
| | - Mingming Wu
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA;
| | - Susan E Leggett
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA;
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
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Keys J, Cheung BCH, Elpers MA, Wu M, Lammerding J. Rear cortex contraction aids in nuclear transit during confined migration by increasing pressure in the cell posterior. J Cell Sci 2024; 137:jcs260623. [PMID: 38832512 PMCID: PMC11234373 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260623] [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: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
As cells migrate through biological tissues, they must frequently squeeze through micron-sized constrictions in the form of interstitial pores between extracellular matrix fibers and/or other cells. Although it is now well recognized that such confined migration is limited by the nucleus, which is the largest and stiffest organelle, it remains incompletely understood how cells apply sufficient force to move their nucleus through small constrictions. Here, we report a mechanism by which contraction of the cell rear cortex pushes the nucleus forward to mediate nuclear transit through constrictions. Laser ablation of the rear cortex reveals that pushing forces behind the nucleus are the result of increased intracellular pressure in the rear compartment of the cell. The pushing forces behind the nucleus depend on accumulation of actomyosin in the rear cortex and require Rho kinase (ROCK) activity. Collectively, our results suggest a mechanism by which cells generate elevated intracellular pressure in the posterior compartment to facilitate nuclear transit through three-dimensional (3D) constrictions. This mechanism might supplement or even substitute for other mechanisms supporting nuclear transit, ensuring robust cell migrations in confined 3D environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Keys
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Weill Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Brian C. H. Cheung
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Margaret A. Elpers
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Weill Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Mingming Wu
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Jan Lammerding
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Weill Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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Cheung BCH, Chen X, Davis HJ, Nordmann CS, Toth J, Hodgson L, Segall JE, Shenoy VB, Wu M. Identification of CD44 as a key mediator of cell traction force generation in hyaluronic acid-rich extracellular matrices. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.24.563860. [PMID: 37961689 PMCID: PMC10634813 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.24.563860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) critically regulate a number of important cell functions including growth, differentiation and migration. Type I collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are two primary components of ECMs that contribute to mammalian tissue mechanics, with the collagen fiber network sustaining tension, and GAGs withstanding compression. The architecture and stiffness of the collagen network are known to be important for cell-ECM mechanical interactions via integrin cell surface adhesion receptors. In contrast, studies of GAGs in modulating cell-ECM interactions are limited. Here, we present experimental studies on the roles of hyaluronic acid (HA, an unsulfated GAG) in single tumor cell traction force generation using a recently developed 3D cell traction force microscopy method. Our work reveals that CD44, a cell surface adhesion receptor to HA, is engaged in cell traction force generation in conjunction with β1-integrin. We find that HA significantly modifies the architecture and mechanics of the collagen fiber network, decreasing tumor cells' propensity to remodel the collagen network, attenuating traction force generation, transmission distance, and tumor invasion. Our findings point to a novel role for CD44 in traction force generation, which can be a potential therapeutic target for diseases involving HA rich ECMs such as breast cancer and glioblastoma.
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Jin X, Rosenbohm J, Moghaddam AO, Kim E, Seiffert-Sinha K, Leiker M, Zhai H, Baddam SR, Minnick G, Huo Y, Safa BT, Wahl JK, Meng F, Huang C, Lim JY, Conway DE, Sinha AA, Yang R. Desmosomal Cadherin Tension Loss in Pemphigus Vulgaris Mediated by the Inhibition of Active RhoA at Cell-Cell Adhesions. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.03.592394. [PMID: 38766211 PMCID: PMC11100601 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.03.592394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Binding of autoantibodies to keratinocyte surface antigens, primarily desmoglein 3 (Dsg3) of the desmosomal complex, leads to the dissociation of cell-cell adhesion in the blistering disorder pemphigus vulgaris (PV). After the initial disassembly of desmosomes, cell-cell adhesions actively remodel in association with the cytoskeleton and focal adhesions. Growing evidence highlights the role of adhesion mechanics and mechanotransduction at cell-cell adhesions in this remodeling process, as their active participation may direct autoimmune pathogenicity. However, a large part of the biophysical transformations after antibody binding remains underexplored. Specifically, it is unclear how tension in desmosomes and cell-cell adhesions changes in response to antibodies, and how the altered tensional states translate to cellular responses. Here, we showed a tension loss at Dsg3 using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based tension sensors, a tension loss at the entire cell-cell adhesion, and a potentially compensatory increase in junctional traction force at cell-extracellular matrix adhesions after PV antibody binding. Further, our data indicate that this tension loss is mediated by the inhibition of RhoA at cell-cell contacts, and the extent of RhoA inhibition may be crucial in determining the severity of pathogenicity among different PV antibodies. More importantly, this tension loss can be partially restored by altering actomyosin based cell contractility. Collectively, these findings provide previously unattainable details in our understanding of the mechanisms that govern cell-cell interactions under physiological and autoimmune conditions, which may open the window to entirely new therapeutics aimed at restoring physiological balance to tension dynamics that regulates the maintenance of cell-cell adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Jin
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588
| | - Jordan Rosenbohm
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588
| | - Amir Ostadi Moghaddam
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588
| | - Eunju Kim
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588
| | | | - Merced Leiker
- Department of Dermatology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203
| | - Haiwei Zhai
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588
| | - Sindora R. Baddam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23284
| | - Grayson Minnick
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588
| | - Yucheng Huo
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Republic of Singapore
| | - Bahareh Tajvidi Safa
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588
| | - James K. Wahl
- Department of Oral Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Fanben Meng
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588
| | - Changjin Huang
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jung Yul Lim
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588
| | - Daniel E. Conway
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
- The Ohio State University and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Animesh A. Sinha
- Department of Dermatology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203
| | - Ruiguo Yang
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588
- Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Sanchez C, Ramirez A, Hodgson L. Unravelling molecular dynamics in living cells: Fluorescent protein biosensors for cell biology. J Microsc 2024. [PMID: 38357769 PMCID: PMC11324865 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.13270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Genetically encoded, fluorescent protein (FP)-based Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensors are microscopy imaging tools tailored for the precise monitoring and detection of molecular dynamics within subcellular microenvironments. They are characterised by their ability to provide an outstanding combination of spatial and temporal resolutions in live-cell microscopy. In this review, we begin by tracing back on the historical development of genetically encoded FP labelling for detection in live cells, which lead us to the development of early biosensors and finally to the engineering of single-chain FRET-based biosensors that have become the state-of-the-art today. Ultimately, this review delves into the fundamental principles of FRET and the design strategies underpinning FRET-based biosensors, discusses their diverse applications and addresses the distinct challenges associated with their implementation. We place particular emphasis on single-chain FRET biosensors for the Rho family of guanosine triphosphate hydrolases (GTPases), pointing to their historical role in driving our understanding of the molecular dynamics of this important class of signalling proteins and revealing the intricate relationships and regulatory mechanisms that comprise Rho GTPase biology in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colline Sanchez
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Andrea Ramirez
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Louis Hodgson
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
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Scheele CLGJ, Herrmann D, Yamashita E, Celso CL, Jenne CN, Oktay MH, Entenberg D, Friedl P, Weigert R, Meijboom FLB, Ishii M, Timpson P, van Rheenen J. Multiphoton intravital microscopy of rodents. NATURE REVIEWS. METHODS PRIMERS 2022; 2:89. [PMID: 37621948 PMCID: PMC10449057 DOI: 10.1038/s43586-022-00168-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Tissues are heterogeneous with respect to cellular and non-cellular components and in the dynamic interactions between these elements. To study the behaviour and fate of individual cells in these complex tissues, intravital microscopy (IVM) techniques such as multiphoton microscopy have been developed to visualize intact and live tissues at cellular and subcellular resolution. IVM experiments have revealed unique insights into the dynamic interplay between different cell types and their local environment, and how this drives morphogenesis and homeostasis of tissues, inflammation and immune responses, and the development of various diseases. This Primer introduces researchers to IVM technologies, with a focus on multiphoton microscopy of rodents, and discusses challenges, solutions and practical tips on how to perform IVM. To illustrate the unique potential of IVM, several examples of results are highlighted. Finally, we discuss data reproducibility and how to handle big imaging data sets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colinda L. G. J. Scheele
- Laboratory for Intravital Imaging and Dynamics of Tumor Progression, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - David Herrmann
- Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Cancer Department, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St. Vincent’s Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Erika Yamashita
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- WPI-Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Drug Discovery, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Cristina Lo Celso
- Department of Life Sciences and Centre for Hematology, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Sir Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Craig N. Jenne
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Maja H. Oktay
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Integrated Imaging Program, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - David Entenberg
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Integrated Imaging Program, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Peter Friedl
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- David H. Koch Center for Applied Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Roberto Weigert
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Franck L. B. Meijboom
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Sustainable Animal Stewardship, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Faculty of Humanities, Ethics Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Masaru Ishii
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- WPI-Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Drug Discovery, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Paul Timpson
- Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Cancer Department, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St. Vincent’s Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jacco van Rheenen
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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