1
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Coppini A, Falconieri A, Mualem O, Nasrin SR, Roudon M, Saper G, Hess H, Kakugo A, Raffa V, Shefi O. Can repetitive mechanical motion cause structural damage to axons? Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1371738. [PMID: 38912175 PMCID: PMC11191579 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1371738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Biological structures have evolved to very efficiently generate, transmit, and withstand mechanical forces. These biological examples have inspired mechanical engineers for centuries and led to the development of critical insights and concepts. However, progress in mechanical engineering also raises new questions about biological structures. The past decades have seen the increasing study of failure of engineered structures due to repetitive loading, and its origin in processes such as materials fatigue. Repetitive loading is also experienced by some neurons, for example in the peripheral nervous system. This perspective, after briefly introducing the engineering concept of mechanical fatigue, aims to discuss the potential effects based on our knowledge of cellular responses to mechanical stresses. A particular focus of our discussion are the effects of mechanical stress on axons and their cytoskeletal structures. Furthermore, we highlight the difficulty of imaging these structures and the promise of new microscopy techniques. The identification of repair mechanisms and paradigms underlying long-term stability is an exciting and emerging topic in biology as well as a potential source of inspiration for engineers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Oz Mualem
- Faculty of Engineering, Bar Ilan Institute of Nanotechnologies and Advanced Materials, Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Syeda Rubaiya Nasrin
- Graduate School of Science, Division of Physics and Astronomy, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Marine Roudon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Gadiel Saper
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Henry Hess
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Akira Kakugo
- Graduate School of Science, Division of Physics and Astronomy, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Orit Shefi
- Faculty of Engineering, Bar Ilan Institute of Nanotechnologies and Advanced Materials, Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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2
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Zhang Y, Habibovic P. Delivering Mechanical Stimulation to Cells: State of the Art in Materials and Devices Design. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2110267. [PMID: 35385176 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202110267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Biochemical signals, such as growth factors, cytokines, and transcription factors are known to play a crucial role in regulating a variety of cellular activities as well as maintaining the normal function of different tissues and organs. If the biochemical signals are assumed to be one side of the coin, the other side comprises biophysical cues. There is growing evidence showing that biophysical signals, and in particular mechanical cues, also play an important role in different stages of human life ranging from morphogenesis during embryonic development to maturation and maintenance of tissue and organ function throughout life. In order to investigate how mechanical signals influence cell and tissue function, tremendous efforts have been devoted to fabricating various materials and devices for delivering mechanical stimuli to cells and tissues. Here, an overview of the current state of the art in the design and development of such materials and devices is provided, with a focus on their design principles, and challenges and perspectives for future research directions are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonggang Zhang
- Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering, Maastricht University, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229 ER, The Netherlands
| | - Pamela Habibovic
- Department of Instructive Biomaterials Engineering, Maastricht University, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229 ER, The Netherlands
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3
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Procès A, Luciano M, Kalukula Y, Ris L, Gabriele S. Multiscale Mechanobiology in Brain Physiology and Diseases. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:823857. [PMID: 35419366 PMCID: PMC8996382 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.823857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that mechanics play a critical role in regulating brain function at different scales. Downstream integration of mechanical inputs into biochemical signals and genomic pathways causes observable and measurable effects on brain cell fate and can also lead to important pathological consequences. Despite recent advances, the mechanical forces that influence neuronal processes remain largely unexplored, and how endogenous mechanical forces are detected and transduced by brain cells into biochemical and genetic programs have received less attention. In this review, we described the composition of brain tissues and their pronounced microstructural heterogeneity. We discuss the individual role of neuronal and glial cell mechanics in brain homeostasis and diseases. We highlight how changes in the composition and mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix can modulate brain cell functions and describe key mechanisms of the mechanosensing process. We then consider the contribution of mechanobiology in the emergence of brain diseases by providing a critical review on traumatic brain injury, neurodegenerative diseases, and neuroblastoma. We show that a better understanding of the mechanobiology of brain tissues will require to manipulate the physico-chemical parameters of the cell microenvironment, and to develop three-dimensional models that can recapitulate the complexity and spatial diversity of brain tissues in a reproducible and predictable manner. Collectively, these emerging insights shed new light on the importance of mechanobiology and its implication in brain and nerve diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Procès
- Mechanobiology and Biomaterials group, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium.,Neurosciences Department, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Marine Luciano
- Mechanobiology and Biomaterials group, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Yohalie Kalukula
- Mechanobiology and Biomaterials group, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Laurence Ris
- Neurosciences Department, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Sylvain Gabriele
- Mechanobiology and Biomaterials group, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
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4
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Peressotti S, Koehl GE, Goding JA, Green RA. Self-Assembling Hydrogel Structures for Neural Tissue Repair. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:4136-4163. [PMID: 33780230 PMCID: PMC8441975 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogel materials have been employed as biological scaffolds for tissue regeneration across a wide range of applications. Their versatility and biomimetic properties make them an optimal choice for treating the complex and delicate milieu of neural tissue damage. Aside from finely tailored hydrogel properties, which aim to mimic healthy physiological tissue, a minimally invasive delivery method is essential to prevent off-target and surgery-related complications. The specific class of injectable hydrogels termed self-assembling peptides (SAPs), provide an ideal combination of in situ polymerization combined with versatility for biofunctionlization, tunable physicochemical properties, and high cytocompatibility. This review identifies design criteria for neural scaffolds based upon key cellular interactions with the neural extracellular matrix (ECM), with emphasis on aspects that are reproducible in a biomaterial environment. Examples of the most recent SAPs and modification methods are presented, with a focus on biological, mechanical, and topographical cues. Furthermore, SAP electrical properties and methods to provide appropriate electrical and electrochemical cues are widely discussed, in light of the endogenous electrical activity of neural tissue as well as the clinical effectiveness of stimulation treatments. Recent applications of SAP materials in neural repair and electrical stimulation therapies are highlighted, identifying research gaps in the field of hydrogels for neural regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Peressotti
- Department
of Bioengineering and Centre for Neurotechnology, Imperial College London, London SW72AS, United Kingdom
| | - Gillian E. Koehl
- Department
of Bioengineering and Centre for Neurotechnology, Imperial College London, London SW72AS, United Kingdom
| | - Josef A. Goding
- Department
of Bioengineering and Centre for Neurotechnology, Imperial College London, London SW72AS, United Kingdom
| | - Rylie A. Green
- Department
of Bioengineering and Centre for Neurotechnology, Imperial College London, London SW72AS, United Kingdom
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5
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Seo J, Lanara C, Choi JY, Kim J, Cho H, Chang Y, Kang K, Stratakis E, Choi IS. Neuronal Migration on Silicon Microcone Arrays with Different Pitches. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2000583. [PMID: 32815647 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202000583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal migration is a complicated but fundamental process for proper construction and functioning of neural circuits in the brain. Many in vivo studies have suggested the involvement of environmental physical features of a neuron in its migration, but little effort has been made for the in vitro demonstration of topography-driven neuronal migration. This work investigates migratory behaviors of primary hippocampal neurons on a silicon microcone (SiMC) array that presents 14 different pitch domains (pitch: 2.5-7.3 µm). Neuronal migration becomes the maximum at the pitch of around 3 µm, with an upper migration threshold of about 4 µm. Immunocytochemical studies indicate that the speed and direction of migration, as well as its probability of occurrence, are correlated with the morphology of the neuron, which is dictated by the pitch and shape of underlying SiMC structures. In addition to the effects on neuronal migration, the real-time imaging of migrating neurons on the topographical substrate reveals new in vitro modes of neuronal migration, which have not been observed on the conventional flat culture plate, but been suggested by in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeongyeon Seo
- Center for Cell‐Encapsulation Research Department of Chemistry KAIST Daejeon 34141 Korea
| | - Christina Lanara
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH) Nikolaou Plastira 100 Heraklion Crete GR‐70013 Greece
| | - Ji Yu Choi
- Center for Cell‐Encapsulation Research Department of Chemistry KAIST Daejeon 34141 Korea
| | - Jungnam Kim
- Center for Cell‐Encapsulation Research Department of Chemistry KAIST Daejeon 34141 Korea
| | - Hyeoncheol Cho
- Center for Cell‐Encapsulation Research Department of Chemistry KAIST Daejeon 34141 Korea
| | - Young‐Tae Chang
- Department of Chemistry POSTECH Center for Self‐Assembly and Complexity Institute for Basic Science (IBS) Pohang 37673 Korea
| | - Kyungtae Kang
- Department of Applied Chemistry Kyung Hee University Yongin Gyeonggi 17104 Korea
| | - Emmanuel Stratakis
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH) Nikolaou Plastira 100 Heraklion Crete GR‐70013 Greece
| | - Insung S. Choi
- Center for Cell‐Encapsulation Research Department of Chemistry KAIST Daejeon 34141 Korea
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering KAIST Daejeon 34141 Korea
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6
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Zhang Q. The Research Advance of Cell Bridges in vitro. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:609317. [PMID: 33330439 PMCID: PMC7732536 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.609317] [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: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The microenvironment in which cells reside in vivo dictates their biological and mechanical functioning is associated with morphogenetic and regenerative processes and may find implications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. The development of nano- and micro-fabricated technologies, three-dimensional (3D) printing technique, and biomimetic medical materials have enabled researchers to prepare novel advanced substrates mimicking the in vivo microenvironment. Most of the novel morphologies and behaviors of cells, including contact guidance and cell bridges which are observed in vivo but are not perceived in the traditional two-dimensional (2D) culture system, emerged on those novel substrates. Using cell bridges, cell can span over the surface of substrates to maintain mechanical stability and integrity of tissue, as observed in physiological processes, such as wound healing, regeneration and development. Compared to contact guidance, which has received increased attention and is investigated extensively, studies on cell bridges remain scarce. Therefore, in this mini-review, we have comprehensively summarized and classified different kinds of cell bridges formed on various substrates and highlighted possible biophysical mechanisms underlying cell bridge formation for their possible implication in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhang
- College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Functional Application of Fine Polymers, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, China
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7
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Manipulation of Axonal Outgrowth via Exogenous Low Forces. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218009. [PMID: 33126477 PMCID: PMC7663625 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurons are mechanosensitive cells. The role of mechanical force in the process of neurite initiation, elongation and sprouting; nerve fasciculation; and neuron maturation continues to attract considerable interest among scientists. Force is an endogenous signal that stimulates all these processes in vivo. The axon is able to sense force, generate force and, ultimately, transduce the force in a signal for growth. This opens up fascinating scenarios. How are forces generated and sensed in vivo? Which molecular mechanisms are responsible for this mechanotransduction signal? Can we exploit exogenously applied forces to mimic and control this process? How can these extremely low forces be generated in vivo in a non-invasive manner? Can these methodologies for force generation be used in regenerative therapies? This review addresses these questions, providing a general overview of current knowledge on the applications of exogenous forces to manipulate axonal outgrowth, with a special focus on forces whose magnitude is similar to those generated in vivo. We also review the principal methodologies for applying these forces, providing new inspiration and insights into the potential of this approach for future regenerative therapies.
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8
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Moon HC, Choi H, Kikionis S, Seo J, Youn W, Ioannou E, Han SY, Cho H, Roussis V, Choi IS. Fabrication and Characterization of Neurocompatible Ulvan-Based Layer-by-Layer Films. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:11610-11617. [PMID: 32964713 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c02173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Construction of extracellular matrix-mimetic nanofilms has considerable potential in biomedical and nanomedicinal fields. In this work, we fabricated neurocompatible layer-by-layer (LbL) films based on ulvan (ULV), a highly sulfated polysaccharide having compositional similarity to glycosaminoglycans that play important functional roles in the brain. ULV was durably assembled as a film with chitosan, another marine-derived polysaccharide, and the film enabled the stable adhesion of primary hippocampal neurons with high viability, comparable to the conventional poly-d-lysine surface. Notably, the ULV-based LbL films accelerated neurite outgrowth and selectively suppressed the adhesion of astrocytes, highlighting its potential as an advanced platform for neural implants and devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Chul Moon
- Department of Chemistry, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Hyunwoo Choi
- Department of Chemistry, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Stefanos Kikionis
- Section of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, Athens 15771, Greece
| | - Jeongyeon Seo
- Department of Chemistry, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Wongu Youn
- Department of Chemistry, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Efstathia Ioannou
- Section of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, Athens 15771, Greece
| | | | | | - Vassilios Roussis
- Section of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products, Department of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, Athens 15771, Greece
| | - Insung S Choi
- Department of Chemistry, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
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9
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Kumar R, Kumar VB, Gedanken A. Sonochemical synthesis of carbon dots, mechanism, effect of parameters, and catalytic, energy, biomedical and tissue engineering applications. ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2020; 64:105009. [PMID: 32106066 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2020.105009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Carbon-based nanomaterials are gaining more and more interest because of their wide range of applications. Carbon dots (CDs) have shown exclusive interest due to unique and novel physicochemical, optical, electrical, and biological properties. Since their discovery, CDs became a promising material for wide range of research applications from energy to biomedical and tissue engineering applications. At same time several new methods have been developed for the synthesis of CDs. Compared to many of these methods, the sonochemical preparation is a green method with advantages such as facile, mild experimental conditions, green energy sources, and feasibility to formulate CDs and doped CDs with controlled physicochemical properties and lower toxicity. In the last five years, the sonochemically synthesized CDs were extensively studied in a wide range of applications. In this review, we discussed the sonochemical assisted synthesis of CDs, doped CDs and their nanocomposites. In addition to the synthetic route, we will discuss the effect of various experimental parameters on the physicochemical properties of CDs; and their applications in different research areas such as bioimaging, drug delivery, catalysis, antibacterial, polymerization, neural tissue engineering, dye absorption, ointments, electronic devices, lithium ion batteries, and supercapacitors. This review concludes with further research directions to be explored for the applications of sonochemical synthesized CDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj Kumar
- Faculty of Engineering, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel; Bar Ilan Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel
| | - Vijay Bhooshan Kumar
- Bar Ilan Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel; Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel.
| | - Aharon Gedanken
- Bar Ilan Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel; Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel.
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10
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Hacohen A, Jessel HR, Richter-Levin A, Shefi O. Patterning of Particles and Live Cells at Single Cell Resolution. MICROMACHINES 2020; 11:E505. [PMID: 32429308 PMCID: PMC7281171 DOI: 10.3390/mi11050505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The ability to manipulate and selectively position cells into patterns or distinct microenvironments is an important component of many single cell experimental methods and biological engineering applications. Although a variety of particles and cell patterning methods have been demonstrated, most of them deal with the patterning of cell populations, and are either not suitable or difficult to implement for the patterning of single cells. Here, we describe a bottom-up strategy for the micropatterning of cells and cell-sized particles. We have configured a micromanipulator system, in which a pneumatic microinjector is coupled to a holding pipette capable of physically isolating single particles and cells from different types, and positioning them with high accuracy in a predefined position, with a resolution smaller than 10 µm. Complementary DNA sequences were used to stabilize and hold the patterns together. The system is accurate, flexible, and easy-to-use, and can be automated for larger-scale tasks. Importantly, it maintains the viability of live cells. We provide quantitative measurements of the process and offer a file format for such assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adar Hacohen
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel;
| | - Hadass R. Jessel
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel;
| | - Alon Richter-Levin
- The Faculty of Engineering, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel; (A.R.-L.); (O.S.)
- Bar Ilan Institute of Nanotechnologies and Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Orit Shefi
- The Faculty of Engineering, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel; (A.R.-L.); (O.S.)
- Bar Ilan Institute of Nanotechnologies and Advanced Materials, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
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11
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Seo J, Youn W, Choi JY, Cho H, Choi H, Lanara C, Stratakis E, Choi IS. Neuro-taxis: Neuronal movement in gradients of chemical and physical environments. Dev Neurobiol 2020; 80:361-377. [PMID: 32304173 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Environmental chemical and physical cues dynamically interact with migrating neurons and sprouting axons, and in particular, the gradients of environmental cues are regarded as one of the factors intimately involved in the neuronal movement. Since a growth cone was first described by Cajal, more than one century ago, chemical gradients have been suggested as one of the mechanisms by which the neurons determine proper paths and destinations. However, the gradients of physical cues, such as stiffness and topography, which also interact constantly with the neurons and their axons as a component of the extracellular environments, have rarely been noted regarding the guidance of neurons, despite their gradually increasingly reported influences in the case of nonneuronal-cell migration. In this review, we discuss chemical (i.e., chemo- and hapto-) and physical (i.e., duro-) taxis phenomena on the movement of neurons including axonal elongation. In addition, we suggest topotaxis, the most recently proposed physical-taxis phenomenon, as another potential mechanism in the neuronal movement, based on the reports of neuronal recognition of and responses to nanotopography.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wongu Youn
- Department of Chemistry, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Ji Yu Choi
- Department of Chemistry, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea
| | | | | | - Christina Lanara
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Emmanuel Stratakis
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Crete, Greece.,Physics Department, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Insung S Choi
- Department of Chemistry, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea.,Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, Korea
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