1
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Zhang X, Burattini M, Duru J, Chala N, Wyssen N, Cofiño-Fabres C, Rivera-Arbeláez JM, Passier R, Poulikakos D, Ferrari A, Tringides C, Vörös J, Luciani GB, Miragoli M, Zambelli T. Multimodal Mapping of Electrical and Mechanical Latency of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocyte Layers. ACS NANO 2024; 18:24060-24075. [PMID: 39172696 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c03896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
The synchronization of the electrical and mechanical coupling assures the physiological pump function of the heart, but life-threatening pathologies may jeopardize this equilibrium. Recently, human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) have emerged as a model for personalized investigation because they can recapitulate human diseased traits, such as compromised electrical capacity or mechanical circuit disruption. This research avails the model of hiPSC-CMs and showcases innovative techniques to study the electrical and mechanical properties as well as their modulation due to inherited cardiomyopathies. In this work, hiPSC-CMs carrying either Brugada syndrome (BRU) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), were organized in a bilayer configuration to first validate the experimental methods and second mimic the physiological environment. High-density CMOS-based microelectrode arrays (HD-MEA) have been employed to study the electrical activity. Furthermore, mechanical function was investigated via quantitative video-based evaluation, upon stimulation with a β-adrenergic agonist. This study introduces two experimental methods. First, high-throughput mechanical measurements in the hiPSC-CM layers (xy-inspection) are obtained using both a recently developed optical tracker (OPT) and confocal reference-free traction force microscopy (cTFM) aimed to quantify cardiac kinematics. Second, atomic force microscopy (AFM) with FluidFM probes, combined with the xy-inspection methods, supplemented a three-dimensional understanding of cell-cell mechanical coupling (xyz-inspection). This particular combination represents a multi-technique approach to detecting electrical and mechanical latency among the cell layers, examining differences and possible implications following inherited cardiomyopathies. It can not only detect disease characteristics in the proposed in vitro model but also quantitatively assess its response to drugs, thereby demonstrating its feasibility as a scalable tool for clinical and pharmacological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Zhang
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich,Switzerland
| | - Margherita Burattini
- Laboratory of Experimental and Applied Medical Technologies, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Department of Maternity, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Jens Duru
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich,Switzerland
| | - Nafsika Chala
- Laboratory of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zurich,Switzerland
| | - Nino Wyssen
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich,Switzerland
| | - Carla Cofiño-Fabres
- Department of Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherland
| | - José Manuel Rivera-Arbeláez
- Department of Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherland
| | - Robert Passier
- Department of Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherland
| | - Dimos Poulikakos
- Laboratory of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zurich,Switzerland
| | - Aldo Ferrari
- Laboratory of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zurich,Switzerland
- Experimental Continuum Mechanics, EMPA, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Material Science and Technologies, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Christina Tringides
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich,Switzerland
| | - János Vörös
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich,Switzerland
| | | | - Michele Miragoli
- Laboratory of Experimental and Applied Medical Technologies, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
- Humanitas Research Hospital ─ IRCCS, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - Tomaso Zambelli
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich,Switzerland
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2
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Luu N, Bajpai A, Li R, Park S, Noor M, Ma X, Chen W. Aging-associated decline in vascular smooth muscle cell mechanosensation is mediated by Piezo1 channel. Aging Cell 2024; 23:e14036. [PMID: 37941511 PMCID: PMC10861209 DOI: 10.1111/acel.14036] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging of the vasculature is associated with detrimental changes in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) mechanosensitivity to extrinsic forces in their surrounding microenvironment. However, how chronological aging alters VSMCs' ability to sense and adapt to mechanical perturbations remains unexplored. Here, we show defective VSMC mechanosensation in aging measured with ultrasound tweezers-based micromechanical system, force instantaneous frequency spectrum, and transcriptome analyses. The study reveals that aged VSMCs adapt to a relatively inert mechanobiological state with altered actin cytoskeletal integrity, resulting in an impairment in their mechanosensitivity and dynamic mechanoresponse to mechanical perturbations. The aging-associated decline in mechanosensation behaviors is mediated by hyperactivity of Piezo1-dependent calcium signaling. Inhibition of Piezo1 alleviates vascular aging and partially restores the loss in dynamic contractile properties in aged cells. Altogether, our study reveals the signaling pathway underlying aging-associated aberrant mechanosensation in VSMC and identifies Piezo1 as a potential therapeutic mechanobiological target to alleviate vascular aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc Luu
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringNew York UniversityBrooklynNew YorkUSA
| | - Apratim Bajpai
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringNew York UniversityBrooklynNew YorkUSA
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringNew York UniversityBrooklynNew YorkUSA
| | - Seojin Park
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringNew York UniversityBrooklynNew YorkUSA
| | - Mahad Noor
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringNew York UniversityBrooklynNew YorkUSA
| | - Xiao Ma
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringNew York UniversityBrooklynNew YorkUSA
| | - Weiqiang Chen
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringNew York UniversityBrooklynNew YorkUSA
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringNew York UniversityBrooklynNew YorkUSA
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer CenterNYU Langone HealthNew YorkUSA
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3
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Burattini M, Lo Muzio FP, Hu M, Bonalumi F, Rossi S, Pagiatakis C, Salvarani N, Fassina L, Luciani GB, Miragoli M. Unlocking cardiac motion: assessing software and machine learning for single-cell and cardioid kinematic insights. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1782. [PMID: 38245558 PMCID: PMC10799933 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52081-9] [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: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The heart coordinates its functional parameters for optimal beat-to-beat mechanical activity. Reliable detection and quantification of these parameters still represent a hot topic in cardiovascular research. Nowadays, computer vision allows the development of open-source algorithms to measure cellular kinematics. However, the analysis software can vary based on analyzed specimens. In this study, we compared different software performances in in-silico model, in-vitro mouse adult ventricular cardiomyocytes and cardioids. We acquired in-vitro high-resolution videos during suprathreshold stimulation at 0.5-1-2 Hz, adapting the protocol for the cardioids. Moreover, we exposed the samples to inotropic and depolarizing substances. We analyzed in-silico and in-vitro videos by (i) MUSCLEMOTION, the gold standard among open-source software; (ii) CONTRACTIONWAVE, a recently developed tracking software; and (iii) ViKiE, an in-house customized video kinematic evaluation software. We enriched the study with three machine-learning algorithms to test the robustness of the motion-tracking approaches. Our results revealed that all software produced comparable estimations of cardiac mechanical parameters. For instance, in cardioids, beat duration measurements at 0.5 Hz were 1053.58 ms (MUSCLEMOTION), 1043.59 ms (CONTRACTIONWAVE), and 937.11 ms (ViKiE). ViKiE exhibited higher sensitivity in exposed samples due to its localized kinematic analysis, while MUSCLEMOTION and CONTRACTIONWAVE offered temporal correlation, combining global assessment with time-efficient analysis. Finally, machine learning reveals greater accuracy when trained with MUSCLEMOTION dataset in comparison with the other software (accuracy > 83%). In conclusion, our findings provide valuable insights for the accurate selection and integration of software tools into the kinematic analysis pipeline, tailored to the experimental protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Burattini
- Department of Surgery, Dentistry and Maternity, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Lo Muzio
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Deutsches Herzzentrum Der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mirko Hu
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Flavia Bonalumi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefano Rossi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Christina Pagiatakis
- Humanitas Research Hospital, IRCCS, Rozzano (Milan), Italy
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Nicolò Salvarani
- Humanitas Research Hospital, IRCCS, Rozzano (Milan), Italy
- Institute of Genetic and Biomedical Research (IRGB), UOS of Milan, National Research Council of Italy, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Fassina
- Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Michele Miragoli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
- Humanitas Research Hospital, IRCCS, Rozzano (Milan), Italy.
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4
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Viti F, Pramotton FM, Martufi M, Magrassi R, Pedemonte N, Nizzari M, Zanacchi FC, De Michele B, Alampi M, Zambito M, Santamaria G, Bajetto A, Sardar S, Tomati V, Gandullia P, Giampietro C, Florio T, Beltrame F, Vassalli M, Ceccherini I. Patient's dermal fibroblasts as disease markers for visceral myopathy. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2023; 148:213355. [PMID: 36893487 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Visceral myopathy (VSCM) is a rare genetic disease, orphan of pharmacological therapy. VSCM diagnosis is not always straightforward due to symptomatology similarities with mitochondrial or neuronal forms of intestinal pseudo-obstruction. The most prevalent form of VSCM is associates with variants in the gene ACTG2, encoding the protein gamma-2 actin. Overall, VSCM is a mechano-biological disorder, in which different genetic variants lead to similar alterations to the contractile phenotype of enteric smooth muscles, resulting in the emergence of life-threatening symptoms. In this work we analyzed the morpho-mechanical phenotype of human dermal fibroblasts from patients affected with VSCM, demonstrating that they retain a clear signature of the disease when compared with different controls. We evaluated several biophysical traits of fibroblasts, and we show that a measure of cellular traction forces can be used as a non-specific biomarker of the disease. We propose that a simple assay based on traction forces could be designed to provide a valuable support for clinical decision or pre-clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Viti
- Istituto di Biofisica - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via De Marini 16, 16149 Genova, Italy.
| | - Francesca Micaela Pramotton
- EMPA, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; ETH Zurich, The Institute for Mechanical Systems, Leonhardstrasse 21, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Michela Martufi
- Istituto di Biofisica - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via De Marini 16, 16149 Genova, Italy; Dipartimento Medicina Interna, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Genova, viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Raffaella Magrassi
- Istituto di Biofisica - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via De Marini 16, 16149 Genova, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Pedemonte
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Mario Nizzari
- Istituto di Biofisica - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via De Marini 16, 16149 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Benedetta De Michele
- Istituto di Biofisica - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via De Marini 16, 16149 Genova, Italy
| | - Manuela Alampi
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering, University of Genoa, Viale Causa, 13, 16145 Genova, Italy
| | - Martina Zambito
- Dipartimento Medicina Interna, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Genova, viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Santamaria
- UOSD Laboratorio di Genetica e Genomica delle Malattie Rare, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Adriana Bajetto
- Dipartimento Medicina Interna, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Genova, viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Sabah Sardar
- Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment, James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Oakfield avenue, G128LT Glasgow, UK
| | - Valeria Tomati
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Gandullia
- UOC Pediatric Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Costanza Giampietro
- EMPA, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; ETH Zurich, The Institute for Mechanical Systems, Leonhardstrasse 21, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tullio Florio
- Dipartimento Medicina Interna, Sezione di Farmacologia, Università di Genova, viale Benedetto XV, 2, 16132 Genova, Italy; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo rosanna benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Francesco Beltrame
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering, University of Genoa, Viale Causa, 13, 16145 Genova, Italy
| | - Massimo Vassalli
- Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment, James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Oakfield avenue, G128LT Glasgow, UK
| | - Isabella Ceccherini
- UOSD Laboratorio di Genetica e Genomica delle Malattie Rare, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy
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5
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Luu N, Bajpai A, Li R, Park S, Noor M, Ma X, Chen W. Aging-associated Decline in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Mechanosensation is Mediated by Piezo1 Channel. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.27.538557. [PMID: 37163041 PMCID: PMC10168328 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.27.538557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Aging of the vasculature is associated with detrimental changes in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) mechanosensitivity to extrinsic forces in their surrounding microenvironment. However, how chronological aging alters VSMCs' ability to sense and adapt to mechanical perturbations remains unexplored. Here, we show defective VSMC mechanosensation in aging measured with ultrasound tweezers-based micromechanical system, force instantaneous frequency spectrum and transcriptome analyses. The mechanobiological study reveals that aged VSMCs adapt a relatively inert solid-like state with altered actin cytoskeletal integrity, resulting in an impairment in their mechanosensitivity and dynamic mechanoresponse to mechanical perturbations. The aging-associated decline in mechanosensation behaviors is mediated by hyperactivity of Piezo1-dependent calcium signaling. Inhibition of Piezo1 alleviates vascular aging and partially restores the loss in dynamic contractile properties in aged cells. Altogether, our study reveals the novel signaling pathway underlying aging-associated aberrant mechanosensation in VSMC and identifies Piezo1 as a potential therapeutic mechanobiological target to alleviate vascular aging.
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6
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Chala N, Zhang X, Zambelli T, Zhang Z, Schneider T, Panozzo D, Poulikakos D, Ferrari A. 4D Force Detection of Cell Adhesion and Contractility. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:2467-2475. [PMID: 36975035 PMCID: PMC10103301 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c03733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical signals establish two-way communication between mammalian cells and their environment. Cells contacting a surface exert forces via contractility and transmit them at the areas of focal adhesions. External stimuli, such as compressive and pulling forces, typically affect the adhesion-free cell surface. Here, we demonstrate the collaborative employment of Fluidic Force Microscopy and confocal Traction Force Microscopy supported by the Cellogram solver to enable a powerful integrated force probing approach, where controlled vertical forces are applied to the free surface of individual cells, while the concomitant deformations are used to map their transmission to the substrate. Force transmission across human cells is measured with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution, enabling the investigation of the cellular mechanisms involved in the adaptation, or maladaptation, to external mechanical stimuli. Altogether, the system enables facile and precise force interrogation of individual cells, with the capacity to perform population-based analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafsika Chala
- Laboratory
of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies, Department of Mechanical
and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- Laboratory
of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Tomaso Zambelli
- Laboratory
of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Ziyi Zhang
- Courant
Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New
York University, 5th Avenue 60, New York, New York 10011, United
States
| | - Teseo Schneider
- Department
of Computer Science, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Engineering
& Computer Science Building, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Daniele Panozzo
- Courant
Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New
York University, 5th Avenue 60, New York, New York 10011, United
States
| | - Dimos Poulikakos
- Laboratory
of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies, Department of Mechanical
and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Aldo Ferrari
- Laboratory
of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies, Department of Mechanical
and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstrasse 3, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
- Experimental
Continuum Mechanics, EMPA, Swiss Federal
Laboratories for Material Science and Technologies, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Institute
for Mechanical Systems, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Leonhardstrasse 21, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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7
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Poli A, Pennacchio FA, Ghisleni A, di Gennaro M, Lecacheur M, Nastały P, Crestani M, Pramotton FM, Iannelli F, Beznusenko G, Mironov AA, Panzetta V, Fusco S, Sheth B, Poulikakos D, Ferrari A, Gauthier N, Netti PA, Divecha N, Maiuri P. PIP4K2B is mechanoresponsive and controls heterochromatin-driven nuclear softening through UHRF1. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1432. [PMID: 36918565 PMCID: PMC10015053 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37064-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol-5-phosphate (PtdIns5P)-4-kinases (PIP4Ks) are stress-regulated phosphoinositide kinases able to phosphorylate PtdIns5P to PtdIns(4,5)P2. In cancer patients their expression is typically associated with bad prognosis. Among the three PIP4K isoforms expressed in mammalian cells, PIP4K2B is the one with more prominent nuclear localisation. Here, we unveil the role of PIP4K2B as a mechanoresponsive enzyme. PIP4K2B protein level strongly decreases in cells growing on soft substrates. Its direct silencing or pharmacological inhibition, mimicking cell response to softness, triggers a concomitant reduction of the epigenetic regulator UHRF1 and induces changes in nuclear polarity, nuclear envelope tension and chromatin compaction. This substantial rewiring of the nucleus mechanical state drives YAP cytoplasmic retention and impairment of its activity as transcriptional regulator, finally leading to defects in cell spreading and motility. Since YAP signalling is essential for initiation and growth of human malignancies, our data suggest that potential therapeutic approaches targeting PIP4K2B could be beneficial in the control of the altered mechanical properties of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Poli
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy.
| | | | - Andrea Ghisleni
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Paulina Nastały
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Michele Crestani
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca M Pramotton
- EMPA-Materials Science and Technology, Dubenforf, Switzerland
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fabio Iannelli
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Valeria Panzetta
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Centro di Ricerca Interdipartimentale sui Biomateriali CRIB, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, IIT@CRIB, Naples, Italy
| | - Sabato Fusco
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Bhavwanti Sheth
- Inositide Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | | | - Aldo Ferrari
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nils Gauthier
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo A Netti
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Centro di Ricerca Interdipartimentale sui Biomateriali CRIB, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, IIT@CRIB, Naples, Italy
| | - Nullin Divecha
- Inositide Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Paolo Maiuri
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
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8
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Yamaguchi N, Knaut H. Focal adhesion-mediated cell anchoring and migration: from in vitro to in vivo. Development 2022; 149:dev200647. [PMID: 35587444 PMCID: PMC9188754 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cell-extracellular matrix interactions have been studied extensively using cells cultured in vitro. These studies indicate that focal adhesion (FA)-based cell-extracellular matrix interactions are essential for cell anchoring and cell migration. Whether FAs play a similarly important role in vivo is less clear. Here, we summarize the formation and function of FAs in cultured cells and review how FAs transmit and sense force in vitro. Using examples from animal studies, we also describe the role of FAs in cell anchoring during morphogenetic movements and cell migration in vivo. Finally, we conclude by discussing similarities and differences in how FAs function in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Holger Knaut
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
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9
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The transcription factor PREP1(PKNOX1) regulates nuclear stiffness, the expression of LINC complex proteins and mechanotransduction. Commun Biol 2022; 5:456. [PMID: 35550602 PMCID: PMC9098460 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03406-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanosignaling, initiated by extracellular forces and propagated through the intracellular cytoskeletal network, triggers signaling cascades employed in processes as embryogenesis, tissue maintenance and disease development. While signal transduction by transcription factors occurs downstream of cellular mechanosensing, little is known about the cell intrinsic mechanisms that can regulate mechanosignaling. Here we show that transcription factor PREP1 (PKNOX1) regulates the stiffness of the nucleus, the expression of LINC complex proteins and mechanotransduction of YAP-TAZ. PREP1 depletion upsets the nuclear membrane protein stoichiometry and renders nuclei soft. Intriguingly, these cells display fortified actomyosin network with bigger focal adhesion complexes resulting in greater traction forces at the substratum. Despite the high traction, YAP-TAZ translocation is impaired indicating disrupted mechanotransduction. Our data demonstrate mechanosignaling upstream of YAP-TAZ and suggest the existence of a transcriptional mechanism actively regulating nuclear membrane homeostasis and signal transduction through the active engagement/disengagement of the cell from the extracellular matrix. The transcription factor PREP1 binds to promoter regions of SUN1, SUN2 and LAP2 genes and promotes nuclear stiffness, and its depletion results in impaired mechanotransduction.
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10
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Regulagadda K, Gerber J, Schutzius TM, Poulikakos D. Microscale investigation on interfacial slippage and detachment of ice from soft materials. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2022; 9:1222-1231. [PMID: 35179537 PMCID: PMC8978807 DOI: 10.1039/d1mh01993g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Surface icing is detrimental to applications ranging from transportation to biological systems. Soft elastomeric coatings can engender remarkably low ice adhesion strength, but mechanisms at the microscale and resulting ice extraction outcomes need to be understood. Here we investigate dynamic ice-elastomer interfacial events and show that the ice adhesion strength can actually vary by orders of magnitude due to the shear velocity. We study the detailed deformation fields of the elastomer using confocal traction force microscopy and elucidate the underlying mechanism. The elastomer initially undergoes elastic deformation having a shear velocity dependent threshold, followed by partial relaxation at the onset of slip, where velocity dependent "stick-slip" micropulsations are observed. The results of the work provide important information for the design of soft surfaces with respect to removal of ice, and utility to fields exemplified by adhesion, contact mechanics, and biofouling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kartik Regulagadda
- Laboratory of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstrasse 3, Zurich CH-8092, Switzerland.
| | - Julia Gerber
- Laboratory of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstrasse 3, Zurich CH-8092, Switzerland.
| | - Thomas M Schutzius
- Laboratory for Multiphase Thermofluidics and Surface Nanoengineering, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstrasse 3, Zurich CH-8092, Switzerland.
| | - Dimos Poulikakos
- Laboratory of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstrasse 3, Zurich CH-8092, Switzerland.
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11
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Rear traction forces drive adherent tissue migration in vivo. Nat Cell Biol 2022; 24:194-204. [PMID: 35165417 PMCID: PMC8868490 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-00844-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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12
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Microskeletal stiffness promotes aortic aneurysm by sustaining pathological vascular smooth muscle cell mechanosensation via Piezo1. Nat Commun 2022; 13:512. [PMID: 35082286 PMCID: PMC8791986 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27874-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical overload of the vascular wall is a pathological hallmark of life-threatening abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). However, how this mechanical stress resonates at the unicellular level of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) is undefined. Here we show defective mechano-phenotype signatures of VSMC in AAA measured with ultrasound tweezers-based micromechanical system and single-cell RNA sequencing technique. Theoretical modelling predicts that cytoskeleton alterations fuel cell membrane tension of VSMC, thereby modulating their mechanoallostatic responses which are validated by live micromechanical measurements. Mechanistically, VSMC gradually adopt a mechanically solid-like state by upregulating cytoskeleton crosslinker, α-actinin2, in the presence of AAA-promoting signal, Netrin-1, thereby directly powering the activity of mechanosensory ion channel Piezo1. Inhibition of Piezo1 prevents mice from developing AAA by alleviating pathological vascular remodeling. Our findings demonstrate that deviations of mechanosensation behaviors of VSMC is detrimental for AAA and identifies Piezo1 as a novel culprit of mechanically fatigued aorta in AAA.
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13
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Javanmardi Y, Colin-York H, Szita N, Fritzsche M, Moeendarbary E. Quantifying cell-generated forces: Poisson's ratio matters. COMMUNICATIONS PHYSICS 2021; 4:237. [PMID: 34841089 PMCID: PMC7612038 DOI: 10.1038/s42005-021-00740-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Quantifying mechanical forces generated by cellular systems has led to key insights into a broad range of biological phenomena from cell adhesion to immune cell activation. Traction force microscopy (TFM), the most widely employed force measurement methodology, fundamentally relies on knowledge of the force-displacement relationship and mechanical properties of the substrate. Together with the elastic modulus, the Poisson's ratio is a basic material property that to date has largely been overlooked in TFM. Here, we evaluate the sensitivity of TFM to Poisson's ratio by employing a series of computer simulations and experimental data analysis. We demonstrate how applying the correct Poisson's ratio is important for accurate force reconstruction and develop a framework for the determination of error levels resulting from the misestimation of the Poisson's ratio. In addition, we provide experimental estimation of the Poisson's ratios of elastic substrates commonly applied in TFM. Our work thus highlights the role of Poisson's ratio underpinning cellular force quantification studied across many biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousef Javanmardi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 7JE, UK
| | - Huw Colin-York
- Kennedy Institute for Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Nicolas Szita
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Marco Fritzsche
- Kennedy Institute for Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK
- Rosalind Franklin Institute, Harwell Campus, Didcot OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Emad Moeendarbary
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 7JE, UK
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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14
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Ansardamavandi A, Tafazzoli-Shadpour M. The functional cross talk between cancer cells and cancer associated fibroblasts from a cancer mechanics perspective. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2021; 1868:119103. [PMID: 34293346 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2021.119103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The function of biological tissues in health and disease is regulated at cellular level and is highly influenced by the physical microenvironment, through the interaction of forces between cells and ECM, which are perceived through mechanosensing pathways. In cancer, both chemical and physical signaling cascades and their interactions are involved during cell-cell and cell-ECM communications to meet requirements of tumor growth. Among stroma cells, cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play key role in tumor growth and pave the way for cancer cells to initiate metastasis and invasion to other tissues, and without recruitment of CAFs, the process of cancer invasion is dysfunctional. This is through an intense chemical and physical cross talks with tumor cells, and interactive remodeling of ECM. During such interaction CAFs apply traction forces and depending on the mechanical properties, deform ECM and in return receive physical signals from the micromechanical environment. Such interaction leads to ECM remodeling by manipulating ECM structure and its mechanical properties. The results are in form of deposition of extra fibers, stiffening, rearrangement and reorganization of fibrous structure, and degradation which are due to a complex secretion and expression of different markers triggered by mechanosensing of tumor cells, specially CAFs. Such events define cancer progress and invasion of cancer cells. A systemic knowledge of chemical and physical factors provides a holistic view of how cancer process and enhances the current treatment methods to provide more diversity among targets that involves tumor cells and ECM structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arian Ansardamavandi
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
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15
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Chala N, Moimas S, Giampietro C, Zhang X, Zambelli T, Exarchos V, Nazari-Shafti TZ, Poulikakos D, Ferrari A. Mechanical Fingerprint of Senescence in Endothelial Cells. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:4911-4920. [PMID: 34081865 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c00064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial senescence entails alterations of the healthy cell phenotype, which accumulate over time and contribute to cardiovascular disease. Mechanical aspects regulating cell adhesion, force generation, and the response to flow contribute to the senescence-associated drift; however, they remain largely unexplored. Here, we exploit force microscopy to resolve variations of the cell anchoring to the substrate and the tractions generated upon aging in the nanonewton (nN) range. Senescent endothelial cells display a multifold increase in the levels of basal adhesion and force generation supported by mature and strong focal adhesions. The enhanced mechanical interaction with the substrate yields static endothelial monolayers that polarize in response to flow but fail the process of coordinated cell shape remodeling and reorientation. The emerging picture indicates that senescence reinforces the local cell interaction with the substrate and may therefore prevent endothelial denudation; however, it compromises the ability to functionally adapt to the local hemodynamic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafsika Chala
- Laboratory of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstrasse 3, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Moimas
- Laboratory of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstrasse 3, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Costanza Giampietro
- Experimental Continuum Mechanics, EMPA, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Material Science and Technologies, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Leonhardstrasse 21, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tomaso Zambelli
- Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, 8092Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Vasileios Exarchos
- German Heart Center Berlin, Department for Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Timo Z Nazari-Shafti
- German Heart Center Berlin, Department for Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Center for Regenerative Therapies, Föhrer Strasse 15, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dimos Poulikakos
- Laboratory of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstrasse 3, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Aldo Ferrari
- Laboratory of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Sonneggstrasse 3, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
- Experimental Continuum Mechanics, EMPA, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Material Science and Technologies, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Leonhardstrasse 21, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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16
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Bajpai A, Li R, Chen W. The cellular mechanobiology of aging: from biology to mechanics. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1491:3-24. [PMID: 33231326 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Aging is a chronic, complicated process that leads to degenerative physical and biological changes in living organisms. Aging is associated with permanent, gradual physiological cellular decay that affects all aspects of cellular mechanobiological features, including cellular cytoskeleton structures, mechanosensitive signaling pathways, and forces in the cell, as well as the cell's ability to sense and adapt to extracellular biomechanical signals in the tissue environment through mechanotransduction. These mechanobiological changes in cells are directly or indirectly responsible for dysfunctions and diseases in various organ systems, including the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, skin, and immune systems. This review critically examines the role of aging in the progressive decline of the mechanobiology occurring in cells, and establishes mechanistic frameworks to understand the mechanobiological effects of aging on disease progression and to develop new strategies for halting and reversing the aging process. Our review also highlights the recent development of novel bioengineering approaches for studying the key mechanobiological mechanisms in aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apratim Bajpai
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, New York.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Weiqiang Chen
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, New York.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, New York.,Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York
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17
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Role of the nuclear membrane protein Emerin in front-rear polarity of the nucleus. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2122. [PMID: 32358486 PMCID: PMC7195445 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15910-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell polarity refers to the intrinsic asymmetry of cells, including the orientation of the cytoskeleton. It affects cell shape and structure as well as the distribution of proteins and organelles. In migratory cells, front-rear polarity is essential and dictates movement direction. While the link between the cytoskeleton and nucleus is well-studied, we aim to investigate if front-rear polarity can be transmitted to the nucleus. We show that the knock-down of emerin, an integral protein of the nuclear envelope, abolishes preferential localization of several nuclear proteins. We propose that the frontally biased localization of the endoplasmic reticulum, through which emerin reaches the nuclear envelope, is sufficient to generate its observed bias. In primary emerin-deficient myoblasts, its expression partially rescues the polarity of the nucleus. Our results demonstrate that front-rear cell polarity is transmitted to the nucleus and that emerin is an important determinant of nuclear polarity. During cell migration, cells are polarized with distinct front vs. rear regions but whether and how polarity is transmitted to the nucleus is unclear. Here the authors show that frontally-biased endoplasmic reticulum and the nuclear membrane protein Emerin contribute to front-rear nuclear cell polarity.
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18
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Stubb A, Laine RF, Miihkinen M, Hamidi H, Guzmán C, Henriques R, Jacquemet G, Ivaska J. Fluctuation-Based Super-Resolution Traction Force Microscopy. NANO LETTERS 2020; 20:2230-2245. [PMID: 32142297 PMCID: PMC7146861 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b04083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Cellular mechanics play a crucial role in tissue homeostasis and are often misregulated in disease. Traction force microscopy is one of the key methods that has enabled researchers to study fundamental aspects of mechanobiology; however, traction force microscopy is limited by poor resolution. Here, we propose a simplified protocol and imaging strategy that enhances the output of traction force microscopy by increasing i) achievable bead density and ii) the accuracy of bead tracking. Our approach relies on super-resolution microscopy, enabled by fluorescence fluctuation analysis. Our pipeline can be used on spinning-disk confocal or widefield microscopes and is compatible with available analysis software. In addition, we demonstrate that our workflow can be used to gain biologically relevant information and is suitable for fast long-term live measurement of traction forces even in light-sensitive cells. Finally, using fluctuation-based traction force microscopy, we observe that filopodia align to the force field generated by focal adhesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aki Stubb
- Turku
Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and
Åbo Akademi University, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Romain F. Laine
- MRC-Laboratory
for Molecular Cell Biology, University College
London, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
- The
Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, U.K.
| | - Mitro Miihkinen
- Turku
Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and
Åbo Akademi University, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Hellyeh Hamidi
- Turku
Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and
Åbo Akademi University, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Camilo Guzmán
- Turku
Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and
Åbo Akademi University, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Ricardo Henriques
- MRC-Laboratory
for Molecular Cell Biology, University College
London, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.
- The
Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, U.K.
| | - Guillaume Jacquemet
- Turku
Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and
Åbo Akademi University, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
- Faculty
of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Johanna Ivaska
- Turku
Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and
Åbo Akademi University, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Turku, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland
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