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Yang C, Yin D, Zhang H, Badea I, Yang SM, Zhang W. Cell Migration Assays and Their Application to Wound Healing Assays-A Critical Review. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:720. [PMID: 38930690 PMCID: PMC11205366 DOI: 10.3390/mi15060720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, cell migration assays (CMAs) have emerged as a tool to study the migration of cells along with their physiological responses under various stimuli, including both mechanical and bio-chemical properties. CMAs are a generic system in that they support various biological applications, such as wound healing assays. In this paper, we review the development of the CMA in the context of its application to wound healing assays. As such, the wound healing assay will be used to derive the requirements on CMAs. This paper will provide a comprehensive and critical review of the development of CMAs along with their application to wound healing assays. One salient feature of our methodology in this paper is the application of the so-called design thinking; namely we define the requirements of CMAs first and then take them as a benchmark for various developments of CMAs in the literature. The state-of-the-art CMAs are compared with this benchmark to derive the knowledge and technological gap with CMAs in the literature. We will also discuss future research directions for the CMA together with its application to wound healing assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Yang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 200051, China;
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada
| | - Di Yin
- School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (D.Y.); (H.Z.)
| | - Hongbo Zhang
- School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; (D.Y.); (H.Z.)
| | - Ildiko Badea
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada;
| | - Shih-Mo Yang
- School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Wenjun Zhang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 200051, China;
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada
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2
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Wu S, Tang W, Wang Z, Tang Z, Zheng P, Chen Z, Zhu JJ. High Dynamic Range Probing of Single-Molecule Mechanical Force Transitions at Cell-Matrix Adhesion Bonds by a Plasmonic Tension Nanosensor. JACS AU 2024; 4:1155-1165. [PMID: 38559721 PMCID: PMC10976601 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.4c00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Mechanical signals in animal tissues are complex and rapidly changed, and how the force transduction emerges from the single-cell adhesion bonds remains unclear. DNA-based molecular tension sensors (MTS), albeit successful in cellular force probing, were restricted by their detection range and temporal resolution. Here, we introduced a plasmonic tension nanosensor (PTNS) to make straight progress toward these shortcomings. Contrary to the fluorescence-based MTS that only has specific force response thresholds, PTNS enabled the continuous and reversible force measurement from 1.1 to 48 pN with millisecond temporal resolution. We used the PTNS to visualize the high dynamic range single-molecule force transitions at cell-matrix adhesions during adhesion formation and migration. Time-resolved force traces revealed that the lifetime and duration of stepwise force transitions of molecular clutches are strongly modulated by the traction force through filamentous actin. The force probing technique is sensitive, fast, and robust and constitutes a potential tool for single-molecule and single-cell biophysics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ziyi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical
Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Zhuodong Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical
Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Peng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical
Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Zixuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical
Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Jun-Jie Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical
Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
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3
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Suga K, Yamakado T, Saito S. Dual Ratiometric Fluorescence Monitoring of Mechanical Polymer Chain Stretching and Subsequent Strain-Induced Crystallization. J Am Chem Soc 2023. [PMID: 38051032 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c09175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Tracking the behavior of mechanochromic molecules provides valuable insights into force transmission and associated microstructural changes in soft materials under load. Herein, we report a dual ratiometric fluorescence (FL) analysis for monitoring both mechanical polymer chain stretching and strain-induced crystallization (SIC) of polymers. SIC has recently attracted renewed attention as an effective mechanism for improving the mechanical properties of polymers. A polyurethane (PU) film incorporating a trace of a dual-emissive flapping force probe (N-FLAP, 0.008 wt %) exhibited a blue-to-green FL spectral change in a low-stress region (<20 MPa), resulting from conformational planarization of the probe in mechanically stretched polymer chains. More importantly, at higher probe concentrations (∼0.65 wt %), the PU film showed a second spectral change from green to yellow during the SIC growth (20-65 MPa) due to self-absorption of scattered FL in a short wavelength region. The reversibility of these spectral changes was demonstrated by load-unload cycles. With these results in hand, the degrees of the polymer chain stretching and the SIC were quantitatively mapped and monitored by dual ratiometric imaging based on different FL ratios (I525/I470 and I525/I600). Simultaneous analysis of these two mappings revealed a spatiotemporal gap in the distribution of the polymer chain stretching and the SIC. The combinational use of the dual-emissive force probe and the ratiometric FL imaging is a universal approach for the development of soft matter physics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kensuke Suga
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Takuya Yamakado
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Shohei Saito
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
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4
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Lemma ED, Jiang Z, Klein F, Landmann T, Weißenbruch K, Bertels S, Hippler M, Wehrle-Haller B, Bastmeyer M. Adaptation of cell spreading to varying fibronectin densities and topographies is facilitated by β1 integrins. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:964259. [PMID: 36032704 PMCID: PMC9399860 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.964259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells mechanical behaviour in physiological environments is mediated by interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM). In particular, cells can adapt their shape according to the availability of ECM proteins, e.g., fibronectin (FN). Several in vitro experiments usually simulate the ECM by functionalizing the surfaces on which cells grow with FN. However, the mechanisms underlying cell spreading on non-uniformly FN-coated two-dimensional substrates are not clarified yet. In this work, we studied cell spreading on variously functionalized substrates: FN was either uniformly distributed or selectively patterned on flat surfaces, to show that A549, BRL, B16 and NIH 3T3 cell lines are able to sense the overall FN binding sites independently of their spatial arrangement. Instead, only the total amount of available FN influences cells spreading area, which positively correlates to the FN density. Immunocytochemical analysis showed that β1 integrin subunits are mainly responsible for this behaviour, as further confirmed by spreading experiments with β1-deficient cells. In the latter case, indeed, cells areas do not show a dependency on the amount of available FN on the substrates. Therefore, we envision for β1 a predominant role in cells for sensing the number of ECM ligands with respect to other focal adhesion proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Domenico Lemma
- Zoological Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
- *Correspondence: Enrico Domenico Lemma, ; Martin Bastmeyer,
| | - Zhongxiang Jiang
- Zoological Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Franziska Klein
- Zoological Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
- DFG-Center for Functional Nanostructures (CFN), Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Tanja Landmann
- Zoological Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Kai Weißenbruch
- Zoological Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Sarah Bertels
- Zoological Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Marc Hippler
- Zoological Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
- Institute of Applied Physics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | | | - Martin Bastmeyer
- Zoological Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems—Biological Information Processing, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
- *Correspondence: Enrico Domenico Lemma, ; Martin Bastmeyer,
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5
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Kotani R, Yokoyama S, Nobusue S, Yamaguchi S, Osuka A, Yabu H, Saito S. Bridging pico-to-nanonewtons with a ratiometric force probe for monitoring nanoscale polymer physics before damage. Nat Commun 2022; 13:303. [PMID: 35027559 PMCID: PMC8758707 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-27972-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the transmission of nanoscale forces in the pico-to-nanonewton range is important in polymer physics. While physical approaches have limitations in analyzing the local force distribution in condensed environments, chemical analysis using force probes is promising. However, there are stringent requirements for probing the local forces generated before structural damage. The magnitude of those forces corresponds to the range below covalent bond scission (from 200 pN to several nN) and above thermal fluctuation (several pN). Here, we report a conformationally flexible dual-fluorescence force probe with a theoretically estimated threshold of approximately 100 pN. This probe enables ratiometric analysis of the distribution of local forces in a stretched polymer chain network. Without changing the intrinsic properties of the polymer, the force distribution was reversibly monitored in real time. Chemical control of the probe location demonstrated that the local stress concentration is twice as biased at crosslinkers than at main chains, particularly in a strain-hardening region. Due to the high sensitivity, the percentage of the stressed force probes was estimated to be more than 1000 times higher than the activation rate of a conventional mechanophore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Kotani
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Soichi Yokoyama
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Shunpei Nobusue
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, 611-0011, Japan
| | | | - Atsuhiro Osuka
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yabu
- WPI-Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8577, Japan.
| | - Shohei Saito
- Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
- PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
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6
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Beshay PE, Cortes-Medina MG, Menyhert MM, Song JW. The biophysics of cancer: emerging insights from micro- and nanoscale tools. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2022; 2:2100056. [PMID: 35156093 PMCID: PMC8827905 DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202100056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a complex and dynamic disease that is aberrant both biologically and physically. There is growing appreciation that physical abnormalities with both cancer cells and their microenvironment that span multiple length scales are important drivers for cancer growth and metastasis. The scope of this review is to highlight the key advancements in micro- and nano-scale tools for delineating the cause and consequences of the aberrant physical properties of tumors. We focus our review on three important physical aspects of cancer: 1) solid mechanical properties, 2) fluid mechanical properties, and 3) mechanical alterations to cancer cells. Beyond posing physical barriers to the delivery of cancer therapeutics, these properties are also known to influence numerous biological processes, including cancer cell invasion and migration leading to metastasis, and response and resistance to therapy. We comment on how micro- and nanoscale tools have transformed our fundamental understanding of the physical dynamics of cancer progression and their potential for bridging towards future applications at the interface of oncology and physical sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter E. Beshay
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | | | - Miles M. Menyhert
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Jonathan W. Song
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210,The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
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7
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Perez JE, Fage F, Pereira D, Abou-Hassan A, Asnacios S, Asnacios A, Wilhelm C. Transient cell stiffening triggered by magnetic nanoparticle exposure. J Nanobiotechnology 2021; 19:117. [PMID: 33902616 PMCID: PMC8074464 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-021-00790-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The interactions between nanoparticles and the biological environment have long been studied, with toxicological assays being the most common experimental route. In parallel, recent growing evidence has brought into light the important role that cell mechanics play in numerous cell biological processes. However, despite the prevalence of nanotechnology applications in biology, and in particular the increased use of magnetic nanoparticles for cell therapy and imaging, the impact of nanoparticles on the cells’ mechanical properties remains poorly understood. Results Here, we used a parallel plate rheometer to measure the impact of magnetic nanoparticles on the viscoelastic modulus G*(f) of individual cells. We show how the active uptake of nanoparticles translates into cell stiffening in a short time scale (< 30 min), at the single cell level. The cell stiffening effect is however less marked at the cell population level, when the cells are pre-labeled under a longer incubation time (2 h) with nanoparticles. 24 h later, the stiffening effect is no more present. Imaging of the nanoparticle uptake reveals almost immediate (within minutes) nanoparticle aggregation at the cell membrane, triggering early endocytosis, whereas nanoparticles are almost all confined in late or lysosomal endosomes after 2 h of uptake. Remarkably, this correlates well with the imaging of the actin cytoskeleton, with actin bundling being highly prevalent at early time points into the exposure to the nanoparticles, an effect that renormalizes after longer periods. Conclusions Overall, this work evidences that magnetic nanoparticle internalization, coupled to cytoskeleton remodeling, contributes to a change in the cell mechanical properties within minutes of their initial contact, leading to an increase in cell rigidity. This effect appears to be transient, reduced after hours and disappearing 24 h after the internalization has taken place.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose E Perez
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes MSC, UMR 7057, CNRS & University of Paris, 75205, Paris Cedex 13, France.,Institut Curie, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR 168, Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Florian Fage
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes MSC, UMR 7057, CNRS & University of Paris, 75205, Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - David Pereira
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes MSC, UMR 7057, CNRS & University of Paris, 75205, Paris Cedex 13, France
| | - Ali Abou-Hassan
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR 8234, Physico-Chimie Des Électrolytes et Nanosystèmes InterfaciauX (PHENIX), 75005, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Asnacios
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes MSC, UMR 7057, CNRS & University of Paris, 75205, Paris Cedex 13, France. .,Faculty of Science and Engineering, UFR 925 Physics, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.
| | - Atef Asnacios
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes MSC, UMR 7057, CNRS & University of Paris, 75205, Paris Cedex 13, France.
| | - Claire Wilhelm
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes MSC, UMR 7057, CNRS & University of Paris, 75205, Paris Cedex 13, France. .,Institut Curie, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR 168, Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, 75005, Paris, France.
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8
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Pagano S, Lombardo G, Caponi S, Costanzi E, Di Michele A, Bruscoli S, Xhimitiku I, Coniglio M, Valenti C, Mattarelli M, Rossi G, Cianetti S, Marinucci L. Bio-mechanical characterization of a CAD/CAM PMMA resin for digital removable prostheses. Dent Mater 2021; 37:e118-e130. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2020.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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9
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Elayan H, Eckford AW, Adve RS. Information Rates of Controlled Protein Interactions Using Terahertz Communication. IEEE Trans Nanobioscience 2020; 20:9-19. [PMID: 32886612 DOI: 10.1109/tnb.2020.3021825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we present a paradigm bridging electromagnetic (EM) and molecular communication through a stimuli-responsive intra-body model. It has been established that protein molecules, which play a key role in governing cell behavior, can be selectively stimulated using Terahertz (THz) band frequencies. By triggering protein vibrational modes using THz waves, we induce changes in protein conformation, resulting in the activation of a controlled cascade of biochemical and biomechanical events. To analyze such an interaction, we formulate a communication system composed of a nanoantenna transmitter and a protein receiver. We adopt a Markov chain model to account for protein stochasticity with transition rates governed by the nanoantenna force. Both two-state and multi-state protein models are presented to depict different biological configurations. Closed form expressions for the mutual information of each scenario is derived and maximized to find the capacity between the input nanoantenna force and the protein state. The results we obtain indicate that controlled protein signaling provides a communication platform for information transmission between the nanoantenna and the protein with a clear physical significance. The analysis reported in this work should further research into the EM-based control of protein networks.
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10
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Tu Y, Wang X. Recent Advances in Cell Adhesive Force Microscopy. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 20:E7128. [PMID: 33322701 PMCID: PMC7763046 DOI: 10.3390/s20247128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cell adhesive force, exerting on the local matrix or neighboring cells, plays a critical role in regulating many cell functions and physiological processes. In the past four decades, significant efforts have been dedicated to cell adhesive force detection, visualization and quantification. A recent important methodological advancement in cell adhesive force visualization is to adopt force-to-fluorescence conversion instead of force-to-substrate strain conversion, thus greatly improving the sensitivity and resolution of force imaging. This review summarizes the recent development of force imaging techniques (collectively termed as cell adhesive force microscopy or CAFM here), with a particular focus on the improvement of CAFM's spatial resolution and the biomaterial choices for constructing the tension sensors used in force visualization. This review also highlights the importance of DNA-based tension sensors in cell adhesive force imaging and the recent breakthrough in the development of super-resolution CAFM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Tu
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA;
| | - Xuefeng Wang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA;
- Molecular, Cellular, and Development Biology Interdepartmental Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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11
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Hao Y, Cheng S, Tanaka Y, Hosokawa Y, Yalikun Y, Li M. Mechanical properties of single cells: Measurement methods and applications. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 45:107648. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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12
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Traeger H, Kiebala DJ, Weder C, Schrettl S. From Molecules to Polymers-Harnessing Inter- and Intramolecular Interactions to Create Mechanochromic Materials. Macromol Rapid Commun 2020; 42:e2000573. [PMID: 33191595 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202000573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The development of mechanophores as building blocks that serve as predefined weak linkages has enabled the creation of mechanoresponsive and mechanochromic polymer materials, which are interesting for a range of applications including the study of biological specimens or advanced security features. In typical mechanophores, covalent bonds are broken when polymers that contain these chemical motifs are exposed to mechanical forces, and changes of the optical properties upon bond scission can be harnessed as a signal that enables the detection of applied mechanical stresses and strains. Similar chromic effects upon mechanical deformation of polymers can also be achieved without relying on the scission of covalent bonds. The dissociation of motifs that feature directional noncovalent interactions, the disruption of aggregated molecules, and conformational changes in molecules or polymers constitute an attractive element for the design of mechanoresponsive and mechanochromic materials. In this article, it is reviewed how such alterations of molecules and polymers can be exploited for the development of mechanochromic materials that signal deformation without breaking covalent bonds. Recent illustrative examples are highlighted that showcase how the use of such mechanoresponsive motifs enables the visual mapping of stresses and damage in a reversible and highly sensitive manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Traeger
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, Fribourg, CH-1700, Switzerland
| | - Derek J Kiebala
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, Fribourg, CH-1700, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Weder
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, Fribourg, CH-1700, Switzerland
| | - Stephen Schrettl
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, Fribourg, CH-1700, Switzerland
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13
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The mechanobiology of kidney podocytes in health and disease. Clin Sci (Lond) 2020; 134:1245-1253. [PMID: 32501496 DOI: 10.1042/cs20190764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) substantially reduces quality of life and leads to premature death for thousands of people each year. Dialysis and kidney organ transplants remain prevalent therapeutic avenues but carry significant medical, economic and social burden. Podocytes are responsible for blood filtration selectivity in the kidney, where they extend a network of foot processes (FPs) from their cell bodies which surround endothelial cells and interdigitate with those on neighbouring podocytes to form narrow slit diaphragms (SDs). During aging, some podocytes are lost naturally but accelerated podocyte loss is a hallmark of CKD. Insights into the origin of degenerative podocyte loss will help answer important questions about kidney function and lead to substantial health benefits. Here, approaches that uncover insights into podocyte mechanobiology are reviewed, both those that interrogate the biophysical properties of podocytes and how the external physical environment affects podocyte behaviour, and also those that interrogate the biophysical effects that podocytes exert on their surroundings.
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14
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Pradhan S, Banda OA, Farino CJ, Sperduto JL, Keller KA, Taitano R, Slater JH. Biofabrication Strategies and Engineered In Vitro Systems for Vascular Mechanobiology. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e1901255. [PMID: 32100473 PMCID: PMC8579513 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201901255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The vascular system is integral for maintaining organ-specific functions and homeostasis. Dysregulation in vascular architecture and function can lead to various chronic or acute disorders. Investigation of the role of the vascular system in health and disease has been accelerated through the development of tissue-engineered constructs and microphysiological on-chip platforms. These in vitro systems permit studies of biochemical regulation of vascular networks and parenchymal tissue and provide mechanistic insights into the biophysical and hemodynamic forces acting in organ-specific niches. Detailed understanding of these forces and the mechanotransductory pathways involved is necessary to develop preventative and therapeutic strategies targeting the vascular system. This review describes vascular structure and function, the role of hemodynamic forces in maintaining vascular homeostasis, and measurement approaches for cell and tissue level mechanical properties influencing vascular phenomena. State-of-the-art techniques for fabricating in vitro microvascular systems, with varying degrees of biological and engineering complexity, are summarized. Finally, the role of vascular mechanobiology in organ-specific niches and pathophysiological states, and efforts to recapitulate these events using in vitro microphysiological systems, are explored. It is hoped that this review will help readers appreciate the important, but understudied, role of vascular-parenchymal mechanotransduction in health and disease toward developing mechanotherapeutics for treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shantanu Pradhan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Omar A. Banda
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Cindy J. Farino
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - John L. Sperduto
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Keely A. Keller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Ryan Taitano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - John H. Slater
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, 201 DuPont Hall, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- Delaware Biotechnology Institute, 15 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711, USA
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15
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Rice A, Cortes E, Lachowski D, Oertle P, Matellan C, Thorpe SD, Ghose R, Wang H, Lee DA, Plodinec M, del Río Hernández AE. GPER Activation Inhibits Cancer Cell Mechanotransduction and Basement Membrane Invasion via RhoA. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E289. [PMID: 31991740 PMCID: PMC7073197 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The invasive properties of cancer cells are intimately linked to their mechanical phenotype, which can be regulated by intracellular biochemical signalling. Cell contractility, induced by mechanotransduction of a stiff fibrotic matrix, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) promote invasion. Metastasis involves cells pushing through the basement membrane into the stroma-both of which are altered in composition with cancer progression. Agonists of the G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor (GPER), such as tamoxifen, have been largely used in the clinic, and interest in GPER, which is abundantly expressed in tissues, has greatly increased despite a lack of understanding regarding the mechanisms which promote its multiple effects. Here, we show that specific activation of GPER inhibits EMT, mechanotransduction and cell contractility in cancer cells via the GTPase Ras homolog family member A (RhoA). We further show that GPER activation inhibits invasion through an in vitro basement membrane mimic, similar in structure to the pancreatic basement membrane that we reveal as an asymmetric bilayer, which differs in composition between healthy and cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alistair Rice
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (A.R.); (E.C.); (D.L.); (C.M.)
| | - Ernesto Cortes
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (A.R.); (E.C.); (D.L.); (C.M.)
| | - Dariusz Lachowski
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (A.R.); (E.C.); (D.L.); (C.M.)
| | - Philipp Oertle
- Biozentrum and the Swiss Nanoscience Institute, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Carlos Matellan
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (A.R.); (E.C.); (D.L.); (C.M.)
| | - Stephen D. Thorpe
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK; (S.D.T.); (D.A.L.)
| | - Ritobrata Ghose
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (A.R.); (E.C.); (D.L.); (C.M.)
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Haiyun Wang
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China;
| | - David A. Lee
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK; (S.D.T.); (D.A.L.)
| | - Marija Plodinec
- Biozentrum and the Swiss Nanoscience Institute, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Armando E. del Río Hernández
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (A.R.); (E.C.); (D.L.); (C.M.)
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16
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17
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Bregenzer ME, Horst EN, Mehta P, Novak CM, Repetto T, Mehta G. The Role of Cancer Stem Cells and Mechanical Forces in Ovarian Cancer Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1008. [PMID: 31323899 PMCID: PMC6679114 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11071008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is an extremely lethal gynecologic disease; with the high-grade serous subtype predominantly associated with poor survival rates. Lack of early diagnostic biomarkers and prevalence of post-treatment recurrence, present substantial challenges in treating ovarian cancers. These cancers are also characterized by a high degree of heterogeneity and protracted metastasis, further complicating treatment. Within the ovarian tumor microenvironment, cancer stem-like cells and mechanical stimuli are two underappreciated key elements that play a crucial role in facilitating these outcomes. In this review article, we highlight their roles in modulating ovarian cancer metastasis. Specifically, we outline the clinical relevance of cancer stem-like cells, and challenges associated with their identification and characterization and summarize the ways in which they modulate ovarian cancer metastasis. Further, we review the mechanical cues in the ovarian tumor microenvironment, including, tension, shear, compression and matrix stiffness, that influence (cancer stem-like cells and) metastasis in ovarian cancers. Lastly, we outline the challenges associated with probing these important modulators of ovarian cancer metastasis and provide suggestions for incorporating these cues in basic biology and translational research focused on metastasis. We conclude that future studies on ovarian cancer metastasis will benefit from the careful consideration of mechanical stimuli and cancer stem cells, ultimately allowing for the development of more effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael E Bregenzer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Eric N Horst
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Pooja Mehta
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USAeering
| | - Caymen M Novak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Taylor Repetto
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USAeering
| | - Geeta Mehta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USAeering.
- Macromolecular Science and Engineering; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Matellan C, Del Río Hernández AE. Engineering the cellular mechanical microenvironment - from bulk mechanics to the nanoscale. J Cell Sci 2019; 132:132/9/jcs229013. [PMID: 31040223 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.229013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of mechanobiology studies how mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM), such as stiffness, and other mechanical stimuli regulate cell behaviour. Recent advancements in the field and the development of novel biomaterials and nanofabrication techniques have enabled researchers to recapitulate the mechanical properties of the microenvironment with an increasing degree of complexity on more biologically relevant dimensions and time scales. In this Review, we discuss different strategies to engineer substrates that mimic the mechanical properties of the ECM and outline how these substrates have been applied to gain further insight into the biomechanical interaction between the cell and its microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Matellan
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Armando E Del Río Hernández
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
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