1
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Pfeffer PL. The first lineage determination in mammals. Dev Biol 2024; 513:12-30. [PMID: 38761966 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
This review describes in detail the morphological, cytoskeletal and gene expression events leading to the gene regulatory network bifurcation point of trophoblast and inner cell mass cells in a variety of mammalian preimplantation embryos. The interrelated processes of compaction and polarity establishment are discussed in terms of how they affect YAP/WWTR activity and the location and fate of cells. Comparisons between mouse, human, cattle, pig and rabbit embryos suggest a conserved role for YAP/WWTR signalling in trophoblast induction in eutherian animals though the mechanisms for, and timing of, YAP/WWTR activation differs among species. Downstream targets show further differences, with the trophoblast marker GATA3 being a direct target in all examined mammals, while CDX2-positive and SOX2-negative regulation varies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter L Pfeffer
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
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2
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Jin L, Si K, Li Z, He H, Wu L, Ma B, Ren X, Huang B. Multiple collapses of blastocysts after full blastocyst formation is an independent risk factor for aneuploidy - a study based on AI and manual validation. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2024; 22:81. [PMID: 39010092 PMCID: PMC11247853 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-024-01242-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The occurrence of blastocyst collapse may become an indicator of preimplantation embryo quality assessment. It has been reported that collapsing blastocysts can lead to higher rates of aneuploidy and poorer clinical outcomes, but more large-scale studies are needed to explore this relationship. This study explored the characteristics of blastocyst collapse identified and quantified by artificial intelligence and explored the associations between blastocyst collapse and embryo ploidy, morphological quality, and clinical outcomes. METHODS This observational study included data from 3288 biopsied blastocysts in 1071 time-lapse preimplantation genetic testing cycles performed between January 2019 and February 2023 at a single academic fertility center. All transferred blastocysts are euploid blastocysts. The artificial intelligence recognized blastocyst collapse in time-lapse microscopy videos and then registered the collapsing times, and the start time, the recovery duration, the shrinkage percentage of each collapse. The effects of blastocyst collapse and embryo ploidy, pregnancy, live birth, miscarriage, and embryo quality were studied using available data from 1196 euploid embryos and 1300 aneuploid embryos. RESULTS 5.6% of blastocysts collapsed at least once only before the full blastocyst formation (tB), 19.4% collapsed at least once only after tB, and 3.1% collapsed both before and after tB. Multiple collapses of blastocysts after tB (times ≥ 2) are associated with higher aneuploid rates (54.6%, P > 0.05; 70.5%, P < 0.001; 72.5%, P = 0.004; and 71.4%, P = 0.049 in blastocysts collapsed 1, 2, 3 or ≥ 4 times), which remained significant after adjustment for confounders (OR = 2.597, 95% CI 1.464-4.607, P = 0.001). Analysis of the aneuploid embryos showed a higher ratio of collapses and multiple collapses after tB in monosomies and embryos with subchromosomal deletion of segmental nature (P < 0.001). Blastocyst collapse was associated with delayed embryonic development and declined blastocyst quality. There is no significant difference in pregnancy and live birth rates between collapsing and non-collapsing blastocysts. CONCLUSIONS Blastocyst collapse is common during blastocyst development. This study underlined that multiple blastocyst collapses after tB may be an independent risk factor for aneuploidy which should be taken into account by clinicians and embryologists when selecting blastocysts for transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Jin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical Colleine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Keyi Si
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical Colleine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhou Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical Colleine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui He
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical Colleine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical Colleine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingxin Ma
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical Colleine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinling Ren
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical Colleine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Huang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical Colleine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Huang N, Chan BP. A 3D micro-printed single cell micro-niche with asymmetric niche signals - An in vitro model for asymmetric cell division study. Biomaterials 2024; 311:122684. [PMID: 38971120 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Intricate microenvironment signals orchestrate to affect cell behavior and fate during tissue morphogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms on how specific local niche signals influence cell behavior and fate are not fully understood, owing to the lack of in vitro platform able to precisely, quantitatively, spatially, and independently manipulate individual niche signals. Here, microarrays of protein-based 3D single cell micro-niche (3D-SCμN), with precisely engineered biophysical and biochemical niche signals, are micro-printed by a multiphoton microfabrication and micropatterning technology. Mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) is used as the model cell to study how local niche signals affect stem cell behavior and fate. By precisely engineering the internal microstructures of the 3D SCμNs, we demonstrate that the cell division direction can be controlled by the biophysical niche signals, in a cell shape-independent manner. After confining the cell division direction to a dominating axis, single mESCs are exposed to asymmetric biochemical niche signals, specifically, cell-cell adhesion molecule on one side and extracellular matrix on the other side. We demonstrate that, symmetry-breaking (asymmetric) niche signals successfully trigger cell polarity formation and bias the orientation of asymmetric cell division, the mitosis process resulting in two daughter cells with differential fates, in mESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Huang
- Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Biomedical Engineering Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China; Tissue Engineering Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, And Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Barbara Pui Chan
- Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Biomedical Engineering Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China; Tissue Engineering Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, And Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.
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4
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Piszker W, Simunovic M. The fusion of physics and biology in early mammalian embryogenesis. Curr Top Dev Biol 2024; 160:31-64. [PMID: 38937030 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2024.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Biomechanics in embryogenesis is a dynamic field intertwining the physical forces and biological processes that shape the first days of a mammalian embryo. From the first cell fate bifurcation during blastulation to the complex symmetry breaking and tissue remodeling in gastrulation, mechanical cues appear critical in cell fate decisions and tissue patterning. Recent strides in mouse and human embryo culture, stem cell modeling of mammalian embryos, and biomaterial design have shed light on the role of cellular forces, cell polarization, and the extracellular matrix in influencing cell differentiation and morphogenesis. This chapter highlights the essential functions of biophysical mechanisms in blastocyst formation, embryo implantation, and early gastrulation where the interplay between the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix stiffness orchestrates the intricacies of embryogenesis and placenta specification. The advancement of in vitro models like blastoids, gastruloids, and other types of embryoids, has begun to faithfully recapitulate human development stages, offering new avenues for exploring the biophysical underpinnings of early development. The integration of synthetic biology and advanced biomaterials is enhancing the precision with which we can mimic and study these processes. Looking ahead, we emphasize the potential of CRISPR-mediated genomic perturbations coupled with live imaging to uncover new mechanosensitive pathways and the application of engineered biomaterials to fine-tune the mechanical conditions conducive to embryonic development. This synthesis not only bridges the gap between experimental models and in vivo conditions to advancing fundamental developmental biology of mammalian embryogenesis, but also sets the stage for leveraging biomechanical insights to inform regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Piszker
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Mijo Simunovic
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States; Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States.
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5
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Corujo-Simon E, Bates LE, Yanagida A, Jones K, Clark S, von Meyenn F, Reik W, Nichols J. Human trophectoderm becomes multi-layered by internalization at the polar region. Dev Cell 2024:S1534-5807(24)00362-9. [PMID: 38889726 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
To implant in the uterus, mammalian embryos form blastocysts comprising trophectoderm (TE) surrounding an inner cell mass (ICM), confined to the polar region by the expanding blastocoel. The mode of implantation varies between species. Murine embryos maintain a single layered TE until they implant in the characteristic thick deciduum, whereas human blastocysts attach via polar TE directly to the uterine wall. Using immunofluorescence (IF) of rapidly isolated ICMs, blockade of RNA and protein synthesis in whole embryos, or 3D visualization of immunostained embryos, we provide evidence of multi-layering in human polar TE before implantation. This may be required for rapid uterine invasion to secure the developing human embryo and initiate formation of the placenta. Using sequential fluorescent labeling, we demonstrate that the majority of inner TE in human blastocysts arises from existing outer cells, with no evidence of conversion from the ICM in the context of the intact embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Corujo-Simon
- Wellcome - MRC Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK.
| | - Lawrence Edward Bates
- Wellcome - MRC Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Ayaka Yanagida
- Wellcome - MRC Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Kenneth Jones
- Wellcome - MRC Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Stephen Clark
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | | | - Wolf Reik
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Jennifer Nichols
- Wellcome - MRC Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK; Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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6
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Ferrai C, Schulte C. Mechanotransduction in stem cells. Eur J Cell Biol 2024; 103:151417. [PMID: 38729084 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2024.151417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, it is an established concept that the capability to reach a specialised cell identity via differentiation, as in the case of multi- and pluripotent stem cells, is not only determined by biochemical factors, but that also physical aspects of the microenvironment play a key role; interpreted by the cell through a force-based signalling pathway called mechanotransduction. However, the intricate ties between the elements involved in mechanotransduction, such as the extracellular matrix, the glycocalyx, the cell membrane, Integrin adhesion complexes, Cadherin-mediated cell/cell adhesion, the cytoskeleton, and the nucleus, are still far from being understood in detail. Here we report what is currently known about these elements in general and their specific interplay in the context of multi- and pluripotent stem cells. We furthermore merge this overview to a more comprehensive picture, that aims to cover the whole mechanotransductive pathway from the cell/microenvironment interface to the regulation of the chromatin structure in the nucleus. Ultimately, with this review we outline the current picture of the interplay between mechanotransductive cues and epigenetic regulation and how these processes might contribute to stem cell dynamics and fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Ferrai
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Carsten Schulte
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences and Department of Physics "Aldo Pontremoli", University of Milan, Italy.
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7
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Eisenstein M. Push and pull: how to measure the forces that sculpt embryos. Nature 2024; 630:780-782. [PMID: 38886553 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-024-02029-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
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8
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Firmin J, Ecker N, Rivet Danon D, Özgüç Ö, Barraud Lange V, Turlier H, Patrat C, Maître JL. Mechanics of human embryo compaction. Nature 2024; 629:646-651. [PMID: 38693259 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07351-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
The shaping of human embryos begins with compaction, during which cells come into close contact1,2. Assisted reproductive technology studies indicate that human embryos fail compaction primarily because of defective adhesion3,4. On the basis of our current understanding of animal morphogenesis5,6, other morphogenetic engines, such as cell contractility, could be involved in shaping human embryos. However, the molecular, cellular and physical mechanisms driving human embryo morphogenesis remain uncharacterized. Using micropipette aspiration on human embryos donated to research, we have mapped cell surface tensions during compaction. This shows a fourfold increase of tension at the cell-medium interface whereas cell-cell contacts keep a steady tension. Therefore, increased tension at the cell-medium interface drives human embryo compaction, which is qualitatively similar to compaction in mouse embryos7. Further comparison between human and mouse shows qualitatively similar but quantitively different mechanical strategies, with human embryos being mechanically least efficient. Inhibition of cell contractility and cell-cell adhesion in human embryos shows that, whereas both cellular processes are required for compaction, only contractility controls the surface tensions responsible for compaction. Cell contractility and cell-cell adhesion exhibit distinct mechanical signatures when faulty. Analysing the mechanical signature of naturally failing embryos, we find evidence that non-compacting or partially compacting embryos containing excluded cells have defective contractility. Together, our study shows that an evolutionarily conserved increase in cell contractility is required to generate the forces driving the first morphogenetic movement shaping the human body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Firmin
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UMR3215, INSERM U934, Paris, France
- Université de Paris, Paris, France
- Service de Biologie de la Reproduction - CECOS, Paris Centre Hospital, APHP centre, FHU Prema, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Ecker
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, FHU Prema, Paris, France
| | - Diane Rivet Danon
- Service de Biologie de la Reproduction - CECOS, Paris Centre Hospital, APHP centre, FHU Prema, Paris, France
| | - Özge Özgüç
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UMR3215, INSERM U934, Paris, France
| | - Virginie Barraud Lange
- Service de Biologie de la Reproduction - CECOS, Paris Centre Hospital, APHP centre, FHU Prema, Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR1016, Paris, France
| | - Hervé Turlier
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, FHU Prema, Paris, France
| | - Catherine Patrat
- Service de Biologie de la Reproduction - CECOS, Paris Centre Hospital, APHP centre, FHU Prema, Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, Université de Paris, CNRS UMR1016, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Léon Maître
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UMR3215, INSERM U934, Paris, France.
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9
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Azagury M, Buganim Y. Unlocking trophectoderm mysteries: In vivo and in vitro perspectives on human and mouse trophoblast fate induction. Dev Cell 2024; 59:941-960. [PMID: 38653193 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, the pursuit of inducing the trophoblast stem cell (TSC) state has gained prominence as a compelling research objective, illuminating the establishment of the trophoblast lineage and unlocking insights into early embryogenesis. In this review, we examine how advancements in diverse technologies, including in vivo time course transcriptomics, cellular reprogramming to TSC state, chemical induction of totipotent stem-cell-like state, and stem-cell-based embryo-like structures, have enriched our insights into the intricate molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways that define the mouse and human trophectoderm/TSC states. We delve into disparities between mouse and human trophectoderm/TSC fate establishment, with a special emphasis on the intriguing role of pluripotency in this context. Additionally, we re-evaluate recent findings concerning the potential of totipotent-stem-like cells and embryo-like structures to fully manifest the trophectoderm/trophoblast lineage's capabilities. Lastly, we briefly discuss the potential applications of induced TSCs in pregnancy-related disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meir Azagury
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Yosef Buganim
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
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10
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Noom A, Sawitzki B, Knaus P, Duda GN. A two-way street - cellular metabolism and myofibroblast contraction. NPJ Regen Med 2024; 9:15. [PMID: 38570493 PMCID: PMC10991391 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-024-00359-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Tissue fibrosis is characterised by the high-energy consumption associated with myofibroblast contraction. Although myofibroblast contraction relies on ATP production, the role of cellular metabolism in myofibroblast contraction has not yet been elucidated. Studies have so far only focused on myofibroblast contraction regulators, such as integrin receptors, TGF-β and their shared transcription factor YAP/TAZ, in a fibroblast-myofibroblast transition setting. Additionally, the influence of the regulators on metabolism and vice versa have been described in this context. However, this has so far not yet been connected to myofibroblast contraction. This review focuses on the known and unknown of how cellular metabolism influences the processes leading to myofibroblast contraction and vice versa. We elucidate the signalling cascades responsible for myofibroblast contraction by looking at FMT regulators, mechanical cues, biochemical signalling, ECM properties and how they can influence and be influenced by cellular metabolism. By reviewing the existing knowledge on the link between cellular metabolism and the regulation of myofibroblast contraction, we aim to pinpoint gaps of knowledge and eventually help identify potential research targets to identify strategies that would allow switching tissue fibrosis towards tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Noom
- Julius Wolff Institute (JWI), Berlin Institute of Health and Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Birgit Sawitzki
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt University of Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Center of Immunomics, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Petra Knaus
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry - Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Georg N Duda
- Julius Wolff Institute (JWI), Berlin Institute of Health and Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
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11
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Runser S, Vetter R, Iber D. SimuCell3D: three-dimensional simulation of tissue mechanics with cell polarization. NATURE COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE 2024; 4:299-309. [PMID: 38594592 PMCID: PMC11052725 DOI: 10.1038/s43588-024-00620-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
The three-dimensional (3D) organization of cells determines tissue function and integrity, and changes markedly in development and disease. Cell-based simulations have long been used to define the underlying mechanical principles. However, high computational costs have so far limited simulations to either simplified cell geometries or small tissue patches. Here, we present SimuCell3D, an efficient open-source program to simulate large tissues in three dimensions with subcellular resolution, growth, proliferation, extracellular matrix, fluid cavities, nuclei and non-uniform mechanical properties, as found in polarized epithelia. Spheroids, vesicles, sheets, tubes and other tissue geometries can readily be imported from microscopy images and simulated to infer biomechanical parameters. Doing so, we show that 3D cell shapes in layered and pseudostratified epithelia are largely governed by a competition between surface tension and intercellular adhesion. SimuCell3D enables the large-scale in silico study of 3D tissue organization in development and disease at a great level of detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Runser
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Roman Vetter
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dagmar Iber
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE), ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland.
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Basel, Switzerland.
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12
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Yang Y, Han K, Huang S, Wang K, Wang Y, Ding S, Zhang L, Zhang M, Xu B, Ma S, Wang Y, Wu S, Wang X. Revelation of adhesive proteins affecting cellular contractility through reference-free traction force microscopy. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:3249-3261. [PMID: 38466580 DOI: 10.1039/d4tb00065j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Over the past few decades, the critical role played by cellular contractility associated mechanotransduction in the regulation of cell functions has been revealed. In this case, numerous biomaterials have been chemically or structurally designed to manipulate cell behaviors through the regulation of cellular contractility. In particular, adhesive proteins including fibronectin, poly-L-lysine and collagen type I have been widely applied in various biomaterials to improve cell adhesion. Therefore, clarifying the effects of adhesive proteins on cellular contractility has been valuable for the development of biomaterial design. In this study, reference-free traction force microscopy with a well-organized microdot array was designed and prepared to investigate the relationship between adhesive proteins, cellular contractility, and mechanotransduction. The results showed that fibronectin and collagen type I were able to promote the assembly of focal adhesions and further enhance cellular contraction and YAP activity. In contrast, although poly-L-lysine supported cell spreading and elongation, it was inefficient at inducing cell contractility and activating YAP. Additionally, compared with cellular morphogenesis, cellular contraction was essential for YAP activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjun Yang
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, School of Physics & Information Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, P. R. China
- Shanxi-Zheda Institute of Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering, Taiyuan, P. R. China
| | - Kuankuan Han
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, School of Physics & Information Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Siyuan Huang
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, School of Physics & Information Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, P. R. China
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Sichuan Vocational College of Health and Rehabilitation, Zigong, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, School of Physics & Information Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Yuchen Wang
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, School of Physics & Information Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Shukai Ding
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, School of Physics & Information Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Le Zhang
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, School of Physics & Information Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Miao Zhang
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, School of Physics & Information Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Bingshe Xu
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, School of Physics & Information Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, P. R. China
- Shanxi-Zheda Institute of Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering, Taiyuan, P. R. China
- Laboratory of Interface Science and Engineering in Advanced Materials, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Shufang Ma
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, School of Physics & Information Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Yongtao Wang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shengli Wu
- Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Xinlong Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
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13
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de Plater L, Firmin J, Maître JL. Mechanical strengthening of cell-cell adhesion during mouse embryo compaction. Biophys J 2024:S0006-3495(24)00208-X. [PMID: 38528761 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Compaction is the first morphogenetic movement of the eutherian mammals and involves a developmentally regulated adhesion process. Previous studies investigated cellular and mechanical aspects of compaction. During mouse and human compaction, cells spread onto each other as a result of a contractility-mediated increase in surface tension pulling at the edges of their cell-cell contacts. However, how compaction may affect the mechanical stability of cell-cell contacts remains unknown. Here, we used a dual pipette aspiration assay on cell doublets to quantitatively analyze the mechanical stability of compacting mouse embryos. We measured increased mechanical stability of contacts with rupture forces growing from 40 to 70 nN, which was highly correlated with cell-cell contact expansion. Analyzing the dynamic molecular reorganization of cell-cell contacts, we find minimal recruitment of the cell-cell adhesion molecule Cdh1 (also known as E-cadherin) to contacts but we observe its reorganization into a peripheral adhesive ring. However, this reorganization is not associated with increased effective bond density, contrary to previous reports in other adhesive systems. Using genetics, we reduce the levels of Cdh1 or replace it with a chimeric adhesion molecule composed of the extracellular domain of Cdh1 and the intracellular domain of Cdh2 (also known as N-cadherin). We find that reducing the levels of Cdh1 impairs the mechanical stability of cell-cell contacts due to reduced contact growth, which nevertheless show higher effective bond density than wild-type contacts of similar size. On the other hand, chimeric adhesion molecules cannot form large or strong contacts indicating that the intracellular domain of Cdh2 is unable to reorganize contacts and/or is mechanically weaker than the one of Cdh1 in mouse embryos. Together, we find that mouse embryo compaction mechanically strengthens cell-cell adhesion via the expansion of Cdh1 adhesive rings that maintain pre-compaction levels of effective bond density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmilla de Plater
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UMR3215, INSERM U934, Paris, France
| | - Julie Firmin
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UMR3215, INSERM U934, Paris, France; Service de Biologie de la Reproduction - CECOS, Paris Centre Hospital, APHP Centre, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Léon Maître
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UMR3215, INSERM U934, Paris, France.
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14
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Pasquier N, Jaulin F, Peglion F. Inverted apicobasal polarity in health and disease. J Cell Sci 2024; 137:jcs261659. [PMID: 38465512 PMCID: PMC10984280 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261659] [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] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Apicobasal epithelial polarity controls the functional properties of most organs. Thus, there has been extensive research on the molecular intricacies governing the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity. Whereas loss of apicobasal polarity is a well-documented phenomenon associated with multiple diseases, less is known regarding another type of apicobasal polarity alteration - the inversion of polarity. In this Review, we provide a unifying definition of inverted polarity and discuss multiple scenarios in mammalian systems and human health and disease in which apical and basolateral membrane domains are interchanged. This includes mammalian embryo implantation, monogenic diseases and dissemination of cancer cell clusters. For each example, the functional consequences of polarity inversion are assessed, revealing shared outcomes, including modifications in immune surveillance, altered drug sensitivity and changes in adhesions to neighboring cells. Finally, we highlight the molecular alterations associated with inverted apicobasal polarity and provide a molecular framework to connect these changes with the core cell polarity machinery and to explain roles of polarity inversion in health and disease. Based on the current state of the field, failure to respond to extracellular matrix (ECM) cues, increased cellular contractility and membrane trafficking defects are likely to account for most cases of inverted apicobasal polarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Pasquier
- Collective Invasion Team, Inserm U-1279, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif F-94805, France
- Cell Adhesion and Cancer lab, University of Turku, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Fanny Jaulin
- Collective Invasion Team, Inserm U-1279, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif F-94805, France
| | - Florent Peglion
- Collective Invasion Team, Inserm U-1279, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif F-94805, France
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15
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Fluks M, Collier R, Walewska A, Bruce AW, Ajduk A. How great thou ART: biomechanical properties of oocytes and embryos as indicators of quality in assisted reproductive technologies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1342905. [PMID: 38425501 PMCID: PMC10902081 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1342905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) have revolutionized infertility treatment and animal breeding, but their success largely depends on selecting high-quality oocytes for fertilization and embryos for transfer. During preimplantation development, embryos undergo complex morphogenetic processes, such as compaction and cavitation, driven by cellular forces dependent on cytoskeletal dynamics and cell-cell interactions. These processes are pivotal in dictating an embryo's capacity to implant and progress to full-term development. Hence, a comprehensive grasp of the biomechanical attributes characterizing healthy oocytes and embryos is essential for selecting those with higher developmental potential. Various noninvasive techniques have emerged as valuable tools for assessing biomechanical properties without disturbing the oocyte or embryo physiological state, including morphokinetics, analysis of cytoplasmic movement velocity, or quantification of cortical tension and elasticity using microaspiration. By shedding light on the cytoskeletal processes involved in chromosome segregation, cytokinesis, cellular trafficking, and cell adhesion, underlying oogenesis, and embryonic development, this review explores the significance of embryo biomechanics in ART and its potential implications for improving clinical IVF outcomes, offering valuable insights and research directions to enhance oocyte and embryo selection procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Fluks
- Department of Embryology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Rebecca Collier
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Agnieszka Walewska
- Department of Embryology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Alexander W. Bruce
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Anna Ajduk
- Department of Embryology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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16
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Doerr S, Zhou P, Ragkousi K. Origin and development of primary animal epithelia. Bioessays 2024; 46:e2300150. [PMID: 38009581 PMCID: PMC11164562 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300150] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Epithelia are the first organized tissues that appear during development. In many animal embryos, early divisions give rise to a polarized monolayer, the primary epithelium, rather than a random aggregate of cells. Here, we review the mechanisms by which cells organize into primary epithelia in various developmental contexts. We discuss how cells acquire polarity while undergoing early divisions. We describe cases where oriented divisions constrain cell arrangement to monolayers including organization on top of yolk surfaces. We finally discuss how epithelia emerge in embryos from animals that branched early during evolution and provide examples of epithelia-like arrangements encountered in single-celled eukaryotes. Although divergent and context-dependent mechanisms give rise to primary epithelia, here we trace the unifying principles underlying their formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Doerr
- Department of Biology, Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, USA
| | - Phillip Zhou
- Department of Biology, Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
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17
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Schwayer C, Brückner DB. Connecting theory and experiment in cell and tissue mechanics. J Cell Sci 2023; 136:jcs261515. [PMID: 38149871 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261515] [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] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding complex living systems, which are fundamentally constrained by physical phenomena, requires combining experimental data with theoretical physical and mathematical models. To develop such models, collaborations between experimental cell biologists and theoreticians are increasingly important but these two groups often face challenges achieving mutual understanding. To help navigate these challenges, this Perspective discusses different modelling approaches, including bottom-up hypothesis-driven and top-down data-driven models, and highlights their strengths and applications. Using cell mechanics as an example, we explore the integration of specific physical models with experimental data from the molecular, cellular and tissue level up to multiscale input. We also emphasize the importance of constraining model complexity and outline strategies for crosstalk between experimental design and model development. Furthermore, we highlight how physical models can provide conceptual insights and produce unifying and generalizable frameworks for biological phenomena. Overall, this Perspective aims to promote fruitful collaborations that advance our understanding of complex biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Schwayer
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - David B Brückner
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria
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18
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Ichbiah S, Delbary F, McDougall A, Dumollard R, Turlier H. Embryo mechanics cartography: inference of 3D force atlases from fluorescence microscopy. Nat Methods 2023; 20:1989-1999. [PMID: 38057527 PMCID: PMC10703677 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-02084-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Tissue morphogenesis results from a tight interplay between gene expression, biochemical signaling and mechanics. Although sequencing methods allow the generation of cell-resolved spatiotemporal maps of gene expression, creating similar maps of cell mechanics in three-dimensional (3D) developing tissues has remained a real challenge. Exploiting the foam-like arrangement of cells, we propose a robust end-to-end computational method called 'foambryo' to infer spatiotemporal atlases of cellular forces from fluorescence microscopy images of cell membranes. Our method generates precise 3D meshes of cells' geometry and successively predicts relative cell surface tensions and pressures. We validate it with 3D foam simulations, study its noise sensitivity and prove its biological relevance in mouse, ascidian and worm embryos. 3D force inference allows us to recover mechanical features identified previously, but also predicts new ones, unveiling potential new insights on the spatiotemporal regulation of cell mechanics in developing embryos. Our code is freely available and paves the way for unraveling the unknown mechanochemical feedbacks that control embryo and tissue morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sacha Ichbiah
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, College of France, CNRS, INSERM, University of PSL, Paris, France
| | - Fabrice Delbary
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, College of France, CNRS, INSERM, University of PSL, Paris, France
| | - Alex McDougall
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology of the Villefranche-sur-Mer, Institute of Villefranche-sur-Mer, Sorbonne University, CNRS, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
| | - Rémi Dumollard
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology of the Villefranche-sur-Mer, Institute of Villefranche-sur-Mer, Sorbonne University, CNRS, Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
| | - Hervé Turlier
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, College of France, CNRS, INSERM, University of PSL, Paris, France.
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19
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Wakayama S, Kikuchi Y, Soejima M, Hayashi E, Ushigome N, Yamazaki C, Suzuki T, Shimazu T, Yamamori T, Osada I, Sano H, Umehara M, Hasegawa A, Mochida K, Yang LL, Emura R, Kazama K, Imase K, Kurokawa Y, Sato Y, Higashibata A, Matsunari H, Nagashima H, Ogura A, Kohda T, Wakayama T. Effect of microgravity on mammalian embryo development evaluated at the International Space Station. iScience 2023; 26:108177. [PMID: 38107876 PMCID: PMC10725056 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian embryos differentiate into the inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm at the 8-16 cell stage. The ICM forms a single cluster that develops into a single fetus. However, the factors that determine differentiation and single cluster formation are unknown. Here we investigated whether embryos could develop normally without gravity. As the embryos cannot be handled by an untrained astronaut, a new device was developed for this purpose. Using this device, two-cell frozen mouse embryos launched to the International Space Station were thawed and cultured by the astronauts under microgravity for 4 days. The embryos cultured under microgravity conditions developed into blastocysts with normal cell numbers, ICM, trophectoderm, and gene expression profiles similar to those cultured under artificial-1 g control on the International Space Station and ground-1 g control, which clearly demonstrated that gravity had no significant effect on the blastocyst formation and initial differentiation of mammalian embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayaka Wakayama
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Kikuchi
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Mariko Soejima
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Erika Hayashi
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Natsuki Ushigome
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | | | - Tomomi Suzuki
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Tsukuba 305-8505, Japan
| | - Toru Shimazu
- Space Utilization Promotion Department, Japan Space Forum, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Tohru Yamamori
- Space Utilization Promotion Department, Japan Space Forum, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Ikuko Osada
- Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
| | - Hiromi Sano
- Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
| | - Masumi Umehara
- Advanced Engineering Services Co., Ltd, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0032, Japan
| | - Ayumi Hasegawa
- RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Keiji Mochida
- RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Li Ly Yang
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Rina Emura
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Kousuke Kazama
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Kenta Imase
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Yuna Kurokawa
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Sato
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | | | - Hitomi Matsunari
- Laboratory of Developmental Engineering, Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan
- Meiji University International Institute for Bio-Resource Research (MUIIBR), Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nagashima
- Laboratory of Developmental Engineering, Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan
- Meiji University International Institute for Bio-Resource Research (MUIIBR), Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Atsuo Ogura
- RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Takashi Kohda
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Teruhiko Wakayama
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
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20
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Stolpner NJ, Manzi NI, Su T, Dickinson DJ. Apical PAR protein caps orient the mitotic spindle in C. elegans early embryos. Curr Biol 2023; 33:4312-4329.e6. [PMID: 37729910 PMCID: PMC10615879 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.069] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
During embryonic development, oriented cell divisions are important for patterned tissue growth and cell fate specification. Cell division orientation is controlled in part by asymmetrically localized polarity proteins, which establish functional domains of the cell membrane and interact with microtubule regulators to position the mitotic spindle. For example, in the 8-cell mouse embryo, apical polarity proteins form caps on the outside, contact-free surface of the embryo that position the mitotic spindle to execute asymmetric cell division. A similar radial or "inside-outside" polarity is established at an early stage in many other animal embryos, but in most cases, it remains unclear how inside-outside polarity is established and how it influences downstream cell behaviors. Here, we explore inside-outside polarity in C. elegans somatic blastomeres using spatiotemporally controlled protein degradation and live embryo imaging. We show that PAR polarity proteins, which form apical caps at the center of the contact-free membrane, localize dynamically during the cell cycle and contribute to spindle orientation and proper cell positioning. Surprisingly, isolated single blastomeres lacking cell contacts are able to break symmetry and form PAR-3/atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) caps. Polarity caps form independently of actomyosin flows and microtubules and can regulate spindle orientation in cooperation with the key polarity kinase aPKC. Together, our results reveal a role for apical polarity caps in regulating spindle orientation in symmetrically dividing cells and provide novel insights into how these structures are formed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi J Stolpner
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 2415 Speedway, PAT 206, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Nadia I Manzi
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 2415 Speedway, PAT 206, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Thomas Su
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 2415 Speedway, PAT 206, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Daniel J Dickinson
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 2415 Speedway, PAT 206, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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21
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Yamamoto K, Motegi F. Cell polarity: Adapting the PAR cascade to diverse cellular contexts. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R1047-R1049. [PMID: 37875077 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.08.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Two new studies shed light on the intricacies of Caenorhabditis elegans embryo patterning, revealing how the conserved interaction and crosstalk of PAR proteins are adapted to perceive distinct cues, ultimately shaping unique asymmetries in form and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazunori Yamamoto
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 15, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0815, Japan
| | - Fumio Motegi
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 15, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0815, Japan.
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22
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Gao Z, Guo J, Gou B, Gu Z, Jia T, Ma S, Jiang L, Liu W, Zhou L, Gu Q. Microcarriers promote the through interface movement of mouse trophoblast stem cells by regulating stiffness. Bioact Mater 2023; 28:196-205. [PMID: 37250864 PMCID: PMC10220236 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanical force is crucial in the whole process of embryonic development. However, the role of trophoblast mechanics during embryo implantation has rarely been studied. In this study, we constructed a model to explore the effect of stiffness changes in mouse trophoblast stem cells (mTSCs) on implantation: microcarrier was prepared by sodium alginate using a droplet microfluidics system, and mTSCs were attached to the microcarrier surface with laminin modifications, called T(micro). Compared with the spheroid, formed by the self-assembly of mTSCs (T(sph)), we could regulate the stiffness of the microcarrier, making the Young's modulus of mTSCs (367.70 ± 79.81 Pa) similar to that of the blastocyst trophoblast ectoderm (432.49 ± 151.90 Pa). Moreover, T(micro) contributes to improve the adhesion rate, expansion area and invasion depth of mTSCs. Further, T(micro) was highly expressed in tissue migration-related genes due to the activation of the Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) pathway at relatively similar modulus of trophoblast. Overall, our study explores the embryo implantation process with a new perspective, and provides theoretical support for understanding the effect of mechanics on embryo implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zili Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, PR China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Jia Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, PR China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Bo Gou
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, PR China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Zhen Gu
- Department of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology, Beijing, 100083, PR China
| | - Tan Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, PR China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Sinan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, PR China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, PR China
- School of Life Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, PR China
| | - Liyuan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, PR China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, PR China
- School of Life Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, PR China
| | - Wenli Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, PR China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, PR China
| | - Lixun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, PR China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, PR China
| | - Qi Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, PR China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, PR China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
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23
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Zhang Y, Li X, Gao S, Liao Y, Luo Y, Liu M, Bian Y, Xiong H, Yue Y, He A. Genetic reporter for live tracing fluid flow forces during cell fate segregation in mouse blastocyst development. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:1110-1123.e9. [PMID: 37541214 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical forces are known to be important in mammalian blastocyst formation; however, due to limited tools, specific force inputs and how they relay to first cell fate control of inner cell mass (ICM) and/or trophectoderm (TE) remain elusive. Combining in toto live imaging and various perturbation experiments, we demonstrate and measure fluid flow forces existing in the mouse blastocyst cavity and identify Klf2(Krüppel-like factor 2) as a fluid force reporter with force-responsive enhancers. Long-term live imaging and lineage reconstructions reveal that blastomeres subject to higher fluid flow forces adopt ICM cell fates. These are reinforced by internal ferrofluid-induced flow force assays. We also utilize ex vivo fluid flow force mimicking and pharmacological perturbations to confirm mechanosensing specificity. Together, we report a genetically encoded reporter for continuously monitoring fluid flow forces and cell fate decisions and provide a live imaging framework to infer force information enriched lineage landscape during development. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youdong Zhang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Future Technology, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xin Li
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Future Technology, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Shu Gao
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Future Technology, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yuanhui Liao
- School of Software and Microelectronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yingjie Luo
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Future Technology, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Min Liu
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Future Technology, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yunkun Bian
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Future Technology, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Haiqing Xiong
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Future Technology, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yanzhu Yue
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Future Technology, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Department of Cell Fate and Diseases, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130061, China.
| | - Aibin He
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Biomedical Imaging Center, College of Future Technology, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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24
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Domingo-Muelas A, Skory RM, Moverley AA, Ardestani G, Pomp O, Rubio C, Tetlak P, Hernandez B, Rhon-Calderon EA, Navarro-Sánchez L, García-Pascual CM, Bissiere S, Bartolomei MS, Sakkas D, Simón C, Plachta N. Human embryo live imaging reveals nuclear DNA shedding during blastocyst expansion and biopsy. Cell 2023; 186:3166-3181.e18. [PMID: 37413989 PMCID: PMC11170958 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Proper preimplantation development is essential to assemble a blastocyst capable of implantation. Live imaging has uncovered major events driving early development in mouse embryos; yet, studies in humans have been limited by restrictions on genetic manipulation and lack of imaging approaches. We have overcome this barrier by combining fluorescent dyes with live imaging to reveal the dynamics of chromosome segregation, compaction, polarization, blastocyst formation, and hatching in the human embryo. We also show that blastocyst expansion mechanically constrains trophectoderm cells, causing nuclear budding and DNA shedding into the cytoplasm. Furthermore, cells with lower perinuclear keratin levels are more prone to undergo DNA loss. Moreover, applying trophectoderm biopsy, a mechanical procedure performed clinically for genetic testing, increases DNA shedding. Thus, our work reveals distinct processes underlying human development compared with mouse and suggests that aneuploidies in human embryos may not only originate from chromosome segregation errors during mitosis but also from nuclear DNA shedding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Domingo-Muelas
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Igenomix Foundation and Carlos Simon Foundation, Spain
| | - Robin M Skory
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Adam A Moverley
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | | | - Oz Pomp
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Piotr Tetlak
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Blake Hernandez
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Eric A Rhon-Calderon
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | | | - Stephanie Bissiere
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Marisa S Bartolomei
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Carlos Simón
- Igenomix Foundation and Carlos Simon Foundation, Spain; Department of Pediatrics Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Valencia, Valencia 46010, Spain; INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Valencia 46010, Spain; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | - Nicolas Plachta
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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25
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Hartmann J, Mayor R. Self-organized collective cell behaviors as design principles for synthetic developmental biology. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 141:63-73. [PMID: 35450765 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, molecular cell biology has graduated from a mostly analytic science to one with substantial synthetic capability. This success is built on a deep understanding of the structure and function of biomolecules and molecular mechanisms. For synthetic biology to achieve similar success at the scale of tissues and organs, an equally deep understanding of the principles of development is required. Here, we review some of the central concepts and recent progress in tissue patterning, morphogenesis and collective cell migration and discuss their value for synthetic developmental biology, emphasizing in particular the power of (guided) self-organization and the role of theoretical advances in making developmental insights applicable in synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Hartmann
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Roberto Mayor
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
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26
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Skory RM, Moverley AA, Ardestani G, Alvarez Y, Domingo-Muelas A, Pomp O, Hernandez B, Tetlak P, Bissiere S, Stern CD, Sakkas D, Plachta N. The nuclear lamina couples mechanical forces to cell fate in the preimplantation embryo via actin organization. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3101. [PMID: 37248263 PMCID: PMC10226985 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38770-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
During preimplantation development, contractile forces generated at the apical cortex segregate cells into inner and outer positions of the embryo, establishing the inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm. To which extent these forces influence ICM-trophectoderm fate remains unresolved. Here, we found that the nuclear lamina is coupled to the cortex via an F-actin meshwork in mouse and human embryos. Actomyosin contractility increases during development, upregulating Lamin-A levels, but upon internalization cells lose their apical cortex and downregulate Lamin-A. Low Lamin-A shifts the localization of actin nucleators from nucleus to cytoplasm increasing cytoplasmic F-actin abundance. This results in stabilization of Amot, Yap phosphorylation and acquisition of ICM over trophectoderm fate. By contrast, in outer cells, Lamin-A levels increase with contractility. This prevents Yap phosphorylation enabling Cdx2 to specify the trophectoderm. Thus, forces transmitted to the nuclear lamina control actin organization to differentially regulate the factors specifying lineage identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin M Skory
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Adam A Moverley
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- University College London, WC1E 6BT, London, UK
| | | | - Yanina Alvarez
- Universidad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana Domingo-Muelas
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Oz Pomp
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Blake Hernandez
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Piotr Tetlak
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stephanie Bissiere
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Nicolas Plachta
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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27
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Cuvelier M, Vangheel J, Thiels W, Ramon H, Jelier R, Smeets B. Stability of asymmetric cell division: A deformable cell model of cytokinesis applied to C. elegans. Biophys J 2023; 122:1858-1867. [PMID: 37085996 PMCID: PMC10209142 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell division during early embryogenesis is linked to key morphogenic events such as embryo symmetry breaking and tissue patterning. It is thought that the physical surrounding of cells together with cell intrinsic cues act as a mechanical "mold," guiding cell division to ensure these events are robust. To quantify how cell division is affected by the mechanical and geometrical environment, we present a novel computational mechanical model of cytokinesis, the final phase of cell division. Simulations with the model reproduced experimentally observed furrow dynamics and describe the volume ratio of daughter cells in asymmetric cell divisions, based on the position and orientation of the mitotic spindle. For dividing cells in geometrically confined environments, we show how the orientation of confinement relative to the division axis modulates the volume ratio in asymmetric cell division. Further, we quantified how cortex viscosity and surface tension determine the shape of a dividing cell and govern bubble-instabilities in asymmetric cell division. Finally, we simulated the formation of the three body axes via sequential (a)symmetric divisions up until the six-cell stage of early C. elegans development, which proceeds within the confines of an eggshell. We demonstrate how model input parameters spindle position and orientation provide sufficient information to reliably predict the volume ratio of daughter cells during the cleavage phase of development. However, for egg geometries perturbed by compression, the model predicts that a change in confinement alone is insufficient to explain experimentally observed differences in cell volume. This points to an effect of the compression on the spindle positioning mechanism. Additionally, the model predicts that confinement stabilizes asymmetric cell divisions against bubble-instabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Cuvelier
- MeBioS, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium; Prometheus, Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Jef Vangheel
- MeBioS, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium; Prometheus, Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wim Thiels
- CMPG, M2S Department, KU Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Herman Ramon
- MeBioS, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Rob Jelier
- CMPG, M2S Department, KU Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Bart Smeets
- MeBioS, Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium; Prometheus, Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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28
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Stolpner NJ, Manzi NI, Su T, Dickinson DJ. Apical PAR-3 caps orient the mitotic spindle in C. elegans early embryos. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.27.534341. [PMID: 37034756 PMCID: PMC10081169 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.27.534341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
During embryonic development, oriented cell divisions are important for patterned tissue growth and cell fate specification. Cell division orientation is controlled in part by asymmetrically localized polarity proteins, which establish functional domains of the cell membrane and interact with microtubule regulators to position the mitotic spindle. For example, in the 8-cell mouse embryo, apical polarity proteins form caps on the outside, contact-free surface of the embryo that position the mitotic spindle to execute asymmetric cell division. A similar radial or "inside-outside" polarity is established at an early stage in many other animal embryos, but in most cases it remains unclear how inside-outside polarity is established and how it influences downstream cell behaviors. Here, we explore inside-outside polarity in C. elegans somatic blastomeres using spatiotemporally controlled protein degradation and live embryo imaging. We show that PAR polarity proteins, which form apical caps at the center of the contact free membrane, localize dynamically during the cell cycle and contribute to spindle orientation and proper cell positioning. Surprisingly, apical PAR-3 can form polarity caps independently of actomyosin flows and the small GTPase CDC-42, and can regulate spindle orientation in cooperation with the key polarity kinase aPKC. Together, our results reveal a role for apical polarity caps in regulating spindle orientation in symmetrically dividing cells and provide novel insights into how these structures are formed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi J. Stolpner
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 2415 Speedway, PAT 206, Austin, TX 78712
| | - Nadia I. Manzi
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 2415 Speedway, PAT 206, Austin, TX 78712
| | - Thomas Su
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 2415 Speedway, PAT 206, Austin, TX 78712
| | - Daniel J. Dickinson
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 2415 Speedway, PAT 206, Austin, TX 78712
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29
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Espina JA, Cordeiro MH, Barriga EH. Tissue interplay during morphogenesis. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 147:12-23. [PMID: 37002130 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
The process by which biological systems such as cells, tissues and organisms acquire shape has been named as morphogenesis and it is central to a plethora of biological contexts including embryo development, wound healing, or even cancer. Morphogenesis relies in both self-organising properties of the system and in environmental inputs (biochemical and biophysical). The classical view of morphogenesis is based on the study of external biochemical molecules, such as morphogens. However, recent studies are establishing that the mechanical environment is also used by cells to communicate within tissues, suggesting that this mechanical crosstalk is essential to synchronise morphogenetic transitions and self-organisation. In this article we discuss how tissue interaction drive robust morphogenesis, starting from a classical biochemical view, to finalise with more recent advances on how the biophysical properties of a tissue feedback with their surroundings to allow form acquisition. We also comment on how in silico models aid to integrate and predict changes in cell and tissue behaviour. Finally, considering recent advances from the developmental biomechanics field showing that mechanical inputs work as cues that promote morphogenesis, we invite to revisit the concept of morphogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime A Espina
- Mechanisms of Morphogenesis Lab, Gulbenkian Institute of Science (IGC), Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Marilia H Cordeiro
- Mechanisms of Morphogenesis Lab, Gulbenkian Institute of Science (IGC), Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Elias H Barriga
- Mechanisms of Morphogenesis Lab, Gulbenkian Institute of Science (IGC), Oeiras, Portugal.
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30
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Hanel R, Corominas-Murtra B. The Typical Set and Entropy in Stochastic Systems with Arbitrary Phase Space Growth. ENTROPY (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 25:350. [PMID: 36832717 PMCID: PMC9954961 DOI: 10.3390/e25020350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The existence of the typical set is key for data compression strategies and for the emergence of robust statistical observables in macroscopic physical systems. Standard approaches derive its existence from a restricted set of dynamical constraints. However, given its central role underlying the emergence of stable, almost deterministic statistical patterns, a question arises whether typical sets exist in much more general scenarios. We demonstrate here that the typical set can be defined and characterized from general forms of entropy for a much wider class of stochastic processes than was previously thought. This includes processes showing arbitrary path dependence, long range correlations or dynamic sampling spaces, suggesting that typicality is a generic property of stochastic processes, regardless of their complexity. We argue that the potential emergence of robust properties in complex stochastic systems provided by the existence of typical sets has special relevance to biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudolf Hanel
- Complexity Science Hub Vienna, Josefstädter Strasse 39, 1080 Vienna, Austria
- Section for Science of Complex Systems, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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31
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Mohagheghian E, Luo J, Yavitt FM, Wei F, Bhala P, Amar K, Rashid F, Wang Y, Liu X, Ji C, Chen J, Arnold DP, Liu Z, Anseth KS, Wang N. Quantifying stiffness and forces of tumor colonies and embryos using a magnetic microrobot. Sci Robot 2023; 8:eadc9800. [PMID: 36696474 PMCID: PMC10098875 DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.adc9800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Stiffness and forces are two fundamental quantities essential to living cells and tissues. However, it has been a challenge to quantify both 3D traction forces and stiffness (or modulus) using the same probe in vivo. Here, we describe an approach that overcomes this challenge by creating a magnetic microrobot probe with controllable functionality. Biocompatible ferromagnetic cobalt-platinum microcrosses were fabricated, and each microcross (about 30 micrometers) was trapped inside an arginine-glycine-apartic acid-conjugated stiff poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) round microgel (about 50 micrometers) using a microfluidic device. The stiff magnetic microrobot was seeded inside a cell colony and acted as a stiffness probe by rigidly rotating in response to an oscillatory magnetic field. Then, brief episodes of ultraviolet light exposure were applied to dynamically photodegrade and soften the fluorescent nanoparticle-embedded PEG microgel, whose deformation and 3D traction forces were quantified. Using the microrobot probe, we show that malignant tumor-repopulating cell colonies altered their modulus but not traction forces in response to different 3D substrate elasticities. Stiffness and 3D traction forces were measured, and both normal and shear traction force oscillations were observed in zebrafish embryos from blastula to gastrula. Mouse embryos generated larger tensile and compressive traction force oscillations than shear traction force oscillations during blastocyst. The microrobot probe with controllable functionality via magnetic fields could potentially be useful for studying the mechanoregulation of cells, tissues, and embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erfan Mohagheghian
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Junyu Luo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Laboratory for Cellular Biomechanics and Regenerative Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - F. Max Yavitt
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Fuxiang Wei
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Laboratory for Cellular Biomechanics and Regenerative Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Parth Bhala
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Kshitij Amar
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Fazlur Rashid
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Yuzheng Wang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Xingchen Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Chenyang Ji
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Laboratory for Cellular Biomechanics and Regenerative Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Junwei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Laboratory for Cellular Biomechanics and Regenerative Medicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - David P. Arnold
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Zhen Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Kristi S. Anseth
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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32
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Li W, Shu X, Zhang X, Zhang Z, Sun S, Li N, Long M. Potential Roles of YAP/TAZ Mechanotransduction in Spaceflight-Induced Liver Dysfunction. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032197. [PMID: 36768527 PMCID: PMC9917057 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Microgravity exposure during spaceflight causes the disordered regulation of liver function, presenting a specialized mechano-biological coupling process. While YAP/TAZ serves as a typical mechanosensitive pathway involved in hepatocyte metabolism, it remains unclear whether and how it is correlated with microgravity-induced liver dysfunction. Here, we discussed liver function alterations induced by spaceflight or simulated effects of microgravity on Earth. The roles of YAP/TAZ serving as a potential bridge in connecting liver metabolism with microgravity were specifically summarized. Existing evidence indicated that YAP/TAZ target gene expressions were affected by mechanotransductive pathways and phase separation, reasonably speculating that microgravity might regulate YAP/TAZ activation by disrupting these pathways via cytoskeletal remodeling or nuclear deformation, or disturbing condensates formation via diffusion limit, and then breaking liver homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Li
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xinyu Shu
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ziliang Zhang
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Shujin Sun
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ning Li
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Correspondence: (N.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Mian Long
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology and Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Correspondence: (N.L.); (M.L.)
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33
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Scott S, Weiss M, Selhuber-Unkel C, Barooji YF, Sabri A, Erler JT, Metzler R, Oddershede LB. Extracting, quantifying, and comparing dynamical and biomechanical properties of living matter through single particle tracking. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:1513-1537. [PMID: 36546878 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp01384c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
A panoply of new tools for tracking single particles and molecules has led to an explosion of experimental data, leading to novel insights into physical properties of living matter governing cellular development and function, health and disease. In this Perspective, we present tools to investigate the dynamics and mechanics of living systems from the molecular to cellular scale via single-particle techniques. In particular, we focus on methods to measure, interpret, and analyse complex data sets that are associated with forces, materials properties, transport, and emergent organisation phenomena within biological and soft-matter systems. Current approaches, challenges, and existing solutions in the associated fields are outlined in order to support the growing community of researchers at the interface of physics and the life sciences. Each section focuses not only on the general physical principles and the potential for understanding living matter, but also on details of practical data extraction and analysis, discussing limitations, interpretation, and comparison across different experimental realisations and theoretical frameworks. Particularly relevant results are introduced as examples. While this Perspective describes living matter from a physical perspective, highlighting experimental and theoretical physics techniques relevant for such systems, it is also meant to serve as a solid starting point for researchers in the life sciences interested in the implementation of biophysical methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane Scott
- Institute of Physiology, Kiel University, Hermann-Rodewald-Straße 5, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Matthias Weiss
- Experimental Physics I, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, D-95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Christine Selhuber-Unkel
- Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering, Heidelberg University, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Max Planck School Matter to Life, Jahnstraße 29, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Younes F Barooji
- Niels Bohr Institute, Blegdamsvej 17, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Adal Sabri
- Experimental Physics I, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, D-95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Janine T Erler
- BRIC, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Ralf Metzler
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht Str. 24/25, D-14476 Potsdam, Germany.,Asia Pacific Center for Theoretical Physics, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea
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34
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Cockerell A, Wright L, Dattani A, Guo G, Smith A, Tsaneva-Atanasova K, Richards DM. Biophysical models of early mammalian embryogenesis. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:26-46. [PMID: 36630902 PMCID: PMC9860129 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryo development is a critical and fascinating stage in the life cycle of many organisms. Despite decades of research, the earliest stages of mammalian embryogenesis are still poorly understood, caused by a scarcity of high-resolution spatial and temporal data, the use of only a few model organisms, and a paucity of truly multidisciplinary approaches that combine biological research with biophysical modeling and computational simulation. Here, we explain the theoretical frameworks and biophysical processes that are best suited to modeling the early mammalian embryo, review a comprehensive list of previous models, and discuss the most promising avenues for future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaina Cockerell
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Liam Wright
- Department of Mathematics, University of Exeter, North Park Road, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK
| | - Anish Dattani
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Ge Guo
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Austin Smith
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Krasimira Tsaneva-Atanasova
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK; Department of Mathematics, University of Exeter, North Park Road, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK; EPSRC Hub for Quantitative Modelling in Healthcare, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QJ, UK; Department of Bioinformatics and Mathematical Modelling, Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 105 Acad. G. Bonchev Street, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - David M Richards
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Exeter, North Park Road, Exeter EX4 4QL, UK.
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35
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Goissis MD, Cibelli JB. Early Cell Specification in Mammalian Fertilized and Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Embryos. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2647:59-81. [PMID: 37041329 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3064-8_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Early cell specification in mammalian preimplantation embryos is an intricate cellular process that leads to coordinated spatial and temporal expression of specific genes. Proper segregation into the first two cell lineages, the inner cell mass (ICM) and the trophectoderm (TE), is imperative for developing the embryo proper and the placenta, respectively. Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) allows the formation of a blastocyst containing both ICM and TE from a differentiated cell nucleus, which means that this differentiated genome must be reprogrammed to a totipotent state. Although blastocysts can be generated efficiently through SCNT, the full-term development of SCNT embryos is impaired mostly due to placental defects. In this review, we examine the early cell fate decisions in fertilized embryos and compare them to observations in SCNT-derived embryos, in order to understand if these processes are affected by SCNT and could be responsible for the low success of reproductive cloning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo D Goissis
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Jose B Cibelli
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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36
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Tassinari R, Olivi E, Cavallini C, Taglioli V, Zannini C, Marcuzzi M, Fedchenko O, Ventura C. Mechanobiology: A landscape for reinterpreting stem cell heterogeneity and regenerative potential in diseased tissues. iScience 2022; 26:105875. [PMID: 36647385 PMCID: PMC9839966 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical forces play a fundamental role in cellular dynamics from the molecular level to the establishment of complex heterogeneity in somatic and stem cells. Here, we highlight the role of cytoskeletal mechanics and extracellular matrix in generating mechanical forces merging into oscillatory synchronized patterns. We discuss how cellular mechanosensing/-transduction can be modulated by mechanical forces to control tissue metabolism and set the basis for nonpharmacologic tissue rescue. Control of bone anabolic activity and repair, as well as obesity prevention, through a fine-tuning of the stem cell morphodynamics are highlighted. We also discuss the use of mechanical forces in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and heart failure through the fine modulation of stem cell metabolic activity and regenerative potential. We finally focus on the new landscape of delivering specific mechanical stimuli to reprogram tissue-resident stem cells and enhance our self-healing potential, without the need for stem cell or tissue transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Olivi
- ELDOR LAB, via Corticella 183, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Martina Marcuzzi
- NIBB, National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, National Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Stem Cell Engineering, via Corticella 183, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Oleksandra Fedchenko
- NIBB, National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, National Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Stem Cell Engineering, via Corticella 183, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Carlo Ventura
- ELDOR LAB, via Corticella 183, 40129 Bologna, Italy,NIBB, National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, National Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Stem Cell Engineering, via Corticella 183, 40129 Bologna, Italy,Corresponding author
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37
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Torres-Sánchez A, Kerr Winter M, Salbreux G. Interacting active surfaces: A model for three-dimensional cell aggregates. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1010762. [PMID: 36525467 PMCID: PMC9803321 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We introduce a modelling and simulation framework for cell aggregates in three dimensions based on interacting active surfaces. Cell mechanics is captured by a physical description of the acto-myosin cortex that includes cortical flows, viscous forces, active tensions, and bending moments. Cells interact with each other via short-range forces capturing the effect of adhesion molecules. We discretise the model equations using a finite element method, and provide a parallel implementation in C++. We discuss examples of application of this framework to small and medium-sized aggregates: we consider the shape and dynamics of a cell doublet, a planar cell sheet, and a growing cell aggregate. This framework opens the door to the systematic exploration of the cell to tissue-scale mechanics of cell aggregates, which plays a key role in the morphogenesis of embryos and organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Max Kerr Winter
- Theoretical Physics of Biology laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Guillaume Salbreux
- Theoretical Physics of Biology laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Genève, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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38
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Liu W, Chen J, Yang C, Lee KF, Lee YL, Chiu PCN, Zhang Y, Duan YG, Liu K, Yeung WSB. Expression of microRNA let-7 in cleavage embryos modulates cell fate determination and formation of mouse blastocysts†. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:1452-1463. [PMID: 36136742 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
After fertilization, the zygote undergoes cell division. Up to the 8-cell stage, the blastomeres of mouse preimplantation embryos are morphologically identical. The first cell differentiation starts in the morula leading to the formation of trophectoderm cells and inner cell mass cells of the blastocyst. The regulation of the differentiation event and the formation of blastocysts are not fully known. Lethal-7 (let-7) is a family of evolutionarily conserved microRNAs. Here, we showed that the expression of let-7a and let-7g decreased drastically from the 1-cell stage to the 2-cell stage, remained low up to the 8-cell stage and slightly increased after the morula stage of mouse embryos. The expression of let-7 in the inner cell mass was higher than that in the trophectoderm. Forced expression of let-7a in embryos at the 1-cell and 4-cell stage inhibited blastocyst formation and downregulated the expression of CDX2 but maintained that of OCT4 in the trophectoderm. Forced expression of other let-7 isoforms exhibited similar inhibitory action on blastulation. On the other hand, inhibition of let-7a at the 4-cell stage and the 8-cell stage enhanced blastocyst formation. Co-injection of green fluorescent protein (GFP) mRNA (lineage tracer) with either precursor of let-7a (pre-let-7a) or scramble control into one blastomere of 2-cell embryos showed that ~75% of the resulting blastocysts possessed GFP+ cells in their inner cell mass only. The biased development towards the inner cell mass with forced expression of let-7 was reproduced in 2-cell chimeric embryos consisting of one wildtype blastomere and one GFP mRNA-injected blastomere from another 2-cell embryo carrying a doxycycline-inducible let-7g gene. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that Tead4 was a potential target of let-7. Let-7 bound to the 3'UTR of Tead4 and let-7 forced expression downregulated the expression of Tead4 in mouse blastocysts. Co-injection of Tead4 mRNA partially nullified the modulatory roles of let-7a in the inner cell mass cell fate. In conclusion, a high level of let-7 at the 2-cell stage favored the formation of the inner cell mass, whereas a low level of let-7 at the 4-cell to 8-cell stage enhanced blastocyst formation. Tead4 mediated the action of let-7 on the inner cell mass cell-fate determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Reproductive Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Reproductive Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kai-Fai Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yin-Lau Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Philip Chi-Ngong Chiu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yihui Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Reproductive Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yong-Gong Duan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Reproductive Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kui Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Reproductive Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - William Shu-Biu Yeung
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Reproductive Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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39
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Biswas A, Ng BH, Prabhakaran VS, Chan CJ. Squeezing the eggs to grow: The mechanobiology of mammalian folliculogenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1038107. [PMID: 36531957 PMCID: PMC9756970 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1038107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The formation of functional eggs (oocyte) in ovarian follicles is arguably one of the most important events in early mammalian development since the oocytes provide the bulk genetic and cytoplasmic materials for successful reproduction. While past studies have identified many genes that are critical to normal ovarian development and function, recent studies have highlighted the role of mechanical force in shaping folliculogenesis. In this review, we discuss the underlying mechanobiological principles and the force-generating cellular structures and extracellular matrix that control the various stages of follicle development. We also highlight emerging techniques that allow for the quantification of mechanical interactions and follicular dynamics during development, and propose new directions for future studies in the field. We hope this review will provide a timely and useful framework for future understanding of mechano-signalling pathways in reproductive biology and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arikta Biswas
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Boon Heng Ng
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Chii Jou Chan
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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40
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Lodde V, Garcia Barros R, Terzaghi L, Franciosi F, Luciano AM. Insights on the Role of PGRMC1 in Mitotic and Meiotic Cell Division. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235755. [PMID: 36497237 PMCID: PMC9736406 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
During mitosis, chromosome missegregation and cytokinesis defects have been recognized as hallmarks of cancer cells. Cytoskeletal elements composing the spindle and the contractile ring and their associated proteins play crucial roles in the faithful progression of mitotic cell division. The hypothesis that PGRMC1, most likely as a part of a yet-to-be-defined complex, is involved in the regulation of spindle function and, more broadly, the cytoskeletal machinery driving cell division is particularly appealing. Nevertheless, more than ten years after the preliminary observation that PGRMC1 changes its localization dynamically during meiotic and mitotic cell division, this field of research has remained a niche and needs to be fully explored. To encourage research in this fascinating field, in this review, we will recap the current knowledge on PGRMC1 function during mitotic and meiotic cell division, critically highlighting the strengths and limitations of the experimental approaches used so far. We will focus on known interacting partners as well as new putative associated proteins that have recently arisen in the literature and that might support current as well as new hypotheses of a role for PGRMC1 in specific spindle subcompartments, such as the centrosome, kinetochores, and the midzone/midbody.
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41
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Kim YS, Bedzhov I. Mechanisms of formation and functions of the early embryonic cavities. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 131:110-116. [PMID: 35513973 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
As the early mouse embryo develops, fundamental steps include the sequential formation of the first lumens in the murine conceptus. The first cavity established in the pre-implantation embryo is the blastocoel, followed by the emergence of the proamniotic cavity during the peri-implantation stages. The mouse embryo is a dynamic system which switches its modes of lumenogenesis before and after implantation. The blastocoel emerges in between the basolateral membranes, whereas the proamniotic cavity is formed on the apical interface. Defects in the sculpting of these luminal spaces are associated with developmental abnormalities and embryonic lethality. Here, we review the mechanisms by which these early embryonic cavities are formed and discuss the cavities in terms of their common and stage-specific principles of lumenogenesis and their functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung Su Kim
- Embryonic Self-Organization Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Röntgenstraße 20, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Ivan Bedzhov
- Embryonic Self-Organization Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Röntgenstraße 20, 48149 Münster, Germany.
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42
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Osswald M, Barros-Carvalho A, Carmo AM, Loyer N, Gracio PC, Sunkel CE, Homem CCF, Januschke J, Morais-de-Sá E. aPKC regulates apical constriction to prevent tissue rupture in the Drosophila follicular epithelium. Curr Biol 2022; 32:4411-4427.e8. [PMID: 36113470 PMCID: PMC9632327 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.08.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Apical-basal polarity is an essential epithelial trait controlled by the evolutionarily conserved PAR-aPKC polarity network. Dysregulation of polarity proteins disrupts tissue organization during development and in disease, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear due to the broad implications of polarity loss. Here, we uncover how Drosophila aPKC maintains epithelial architecture by directly observing tissue disorganization after fast optogenetic inactivation in living adult flies and ovaries cultured ex vivo. We show that fast aPKC perturbation in the proliferative follicular epithelium produces large epithelial gaps that result from increased apical constriction, rather than loss of apical-basal polarity. Accordingly, we can modulate the incidence of epithelial gaps by increasing and decreasing actomyosin-driven contractility. We traced the origin of these large epithelial gaps to tissue rupture next to dividing cells. Live imaging shows that aPKC perturbation induces apical constriction in non-mitotic cells within minutes, producing pulling forces that ultimately detach dividing and neighboring cells. We further demonstrate that epithelial rupture requires a global increase of apical constriction, as it is prevented by the presence of non-constricting cells. Conversely, a global induction of apical tension through light-induced recruitment of RhoGEF2 to the apical side is sufficient to produce tissue rupture. Hence, our work reveals that the roles of aPKC in polarity and actomyosin regulation are separable and provides the first in vivo evidence that excessive tissue stress can break the epithelial barrier during proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Osswald
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - André Barros-Carvalho
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana M Carmo
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Nicolas Loyer
- Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD5 1EH, UK
| | - Patricia C Gracio
- iNOVA4Health, CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, NMS, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1150-199 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Claudio E Sunkel
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Catarina C F Homem
- iNOVA4Health, CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, NMS, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1150-199 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jens Januschke
- Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD5 1EH, UK
| | - Eurico Morais-de-Sá
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
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43
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Yang L, Baumann C, De La Fuente R, Viveiros MM. Bisphenol Exposure Disrupts Cytoskeletal Organization and Development of Pre-Implantation Embryos. Cells 2022; 11:3233. [PMID: 36291100 PMCID: PMC9600733 DOI: 10.3390/cells11203233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocrine disrupting activity of bisphenol compounds is well documented, but less is known regarding their impact on cell division and early embryo formation. Here, we tested the effects of acute in vitro exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and its common substitute, bisphenol F (BPF), during critical stages of mouse pre-implantation embryo development, including the first mitotic division, cell polarization, as well as morula and blastocyst formation. Timing of initial cleavage was determined by live-cell imaging, while subsequent divisions, cytoskeletal organization and lineage marker labeling were assessed by high-resolution fluorescence microscopy. Our analysis reveals that brief culture with BPA or BPF impeded cell division and disrupted embryo development at all stages tested. Surprisingly, BPF was more detrimental to the early embryo than BPA. Notably, poor embryo development was associated with cytoskeletal disruptions of the actomyosin network, apical domain formation during cell polarization, actin ring zippering for embryo sealing and altered cell lineage marker profiles. These results underscore that bisphenols can disrupt cytoskeletal integrity and remodeling that is vital for early embryo development and raise concerns regarding the use of BPF as a 'safe' BPA substitute.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luhan Yang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Claudia Baumann
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Rabindranath De La Fuente
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Regenerative Biosciences Center (RBC), University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Maria M. Viveiros
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Regenerative Biosciences Center (RBC), University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Abstract
Since the proposal of the differential adhesion hypothesis, scientists have been fascinated by how cell adhesion mediates cellular self-organization to form spatial patterns during development. The search for molecular tool kits with homophilic binding specificity resulted in a diverse repertoire of adhesion molecules. Recent understanding of the dominant role of cortical tension over adhesion binding redirects the focus of differential adhesion studies to the signaling function of adhesion proteins to regulate actomyosin contractility. The broader framework of differential interfacial tension encompasses both adhesion and nonadhesion molecules, sharing the common function of modulating interfacial tension during cell sorting to generate diverse tissue patterns. Robust adhesion-based patterning requires close coordination between morphogen signaling, cell fate decisions, and changes in adhesion. Current advances in bridging theoretical and experimental approaches present exciting opportunities to understand molecular, cellular, and tissue dynamics during adhesion-based tissue patterning across multiple time and length scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Y-C Tsai
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA;
| | - Rikki M Garner
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
| | - Sean G Megason
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
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45
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Alarcon VB, Marikawa Y. Trophectoderm formation: regulation of morphogenesis and gene expressions by RHO, ROCK, cell polarity, and HIPPO signaling. Reproduction 2022; 164:R75-R86. [PMID: 35900353 PMCID: PMC9398960 DOI: 10.1530/rep-21-0478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In brief Trophectoderm is the first tissue to differentiate in the early mammalian embryo and is essential for hatching, implantation, and placentation. This review article discusses the roles of Ras homolog family members (RHO) and RHO-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinases (ROCK) in the molecular and cellular regulation of trophectoderm formation. Abstract The trophectoderm (TE) is the first tissue to differentiate during the preimplantation development of placental mammals. It constitutes the outer epithelial layer of the blastocyst and is responsible for hatching, uterine attachment, and placentation. Thus, its formation is the key initial step that enables the viviparity of mammals. Here, we first describe the general features of TE formation at the morphological and molecular levels. Prospective TE cells form an epithelial layer enclosing an expanding fluid-filled cavity by establishing the apical-basal cell polarity, intercellular junctions, microlumen, and osmotic gradient. A unique set of genes is expressed in TE that encode the transcription factors essential for the development of trophoblasts of the placenta upon implantation. TE-specific gene expressions are driven by the inhibition of HIPPO signaling, which is dependent on the prior establishment of the apical-basal polarity. We then discuss the specific roles of RHO and ROCK as essential regulators of TE formation. RHO and ROCK modulate the actomyosin cytoskeleton, apical-basal polarity, intercellular junctions, and HIPPO signaling, thereby orchestrating the epithelialization and gene expressions in TE. Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying TE formation is crucial for assisted reproductive technologies in human and farm animals, as it provides foundation to help improve procedures for embryo handling and selection to achieve better reproductive outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vernadeth B. Alarcon
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Yusuke Marikawa
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology, University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
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46
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Bermudez A, Gonzalez Z, Zhao B, Salter E, Liu X, Ma L, Jawed MK, Hsieh CJ, Lin NYC. Supracellular measurement of spatially varying mechanical heterogeneities in live monolayers. Biophys J 2022; 121:3358-3369. [PMID: 36028999 PMCID: PMC9515370 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanical properties of tissues have profound impacts on a wide range of biological processes such as embryo development (1,2), wound healing (3-6), and disease progression (7). Specifically, the spatially varying moduli of cells largely influence the local tissue deformation and intercellular interaction. Despite the importance of characterizing such a heterogeneous mechanical property, it has remained difficult to measure the supracellular modulus field in live cell layers with a high-throughput and minimal perturbation. In this work, we developed a monolayer effective modulus measurement by integrating a custom cell stretcher, light microscopy, and AI-based inference. Our approach first quantifies the heterogeneous deformation of a slightly stretched cell layer and converts the measured strain fields into an effective modulus field using an AI inference. This method allowed us to directly visualize the effective modulus distribution of thousands of cells virtually instantly. We characterized the mean value, SD, and correlation length of the effective cell modulus for epithelial cells and fibroblasts, which are in agreement with previous results. We also observed a mild correlation between cell area and stiffness in jammed epithelia, suggesting the influence of cell modulus on packing. Overall, our reported experimental platform provides a valuable alternative cell mechanics measurement tool that can be integrated with microscopy-based characterizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Bermudez
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California.
| | - Zachary Gonzalez
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Bao Zhao
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Ethan Salter
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Xuanqing Liu
- Department of Computer Science, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Leixin Ma
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Mohammad Khalid Jawed
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Cho-Jui Hsieh
- Department of Computer Science, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Neil Y C Lin
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California; Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
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Pernier J, Schauer K. Does the Actin Network Architecture Leverage Myosin-I Functions? BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11070989. [PMID: 36101369 PMCID: PMC9311500 DOI: 10.3390/biology11070989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The actin cytoskeleton plays crucial roles in cell morphogenesis and functions. The main partners of cortical actin are molecular motors of the myosin superfamily. Although our understanding of myosin functions is heavily based on myosin-II and its ability to dimerize, the largest and most ancient class is represented by myosin-I. Class 1 myosins are monomeric, actin-based motors that regulate a wide spectrum of functions, and whose dysregulation mediates multiple human diseases. We highlight the current challenges in identifying the “pantograph” for myosin-I motors: we need to reveal how conformational changes of myosin-I motors lead to diverse cellular as well as multicellular phenotypes. We review several mechanisms for scaling, and focus on the (re-) emerging function of class 1 myosins to remodel the actin network architecture, a higher-order dynamic scaffold that has potential to leverage molecular myosin-I functions. Undoubtfully, understanding the molecular functions of myosin-I motors will reveal unexpected stories about its big partner, the dynamic actin cytoskeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Pernier
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Commissariat à L’Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Université Paris-Saclay, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France;
| | - Kristine Schauer
- Tumor Cell Dynamics Unit, Inserm U1279, Gustave Roussy Institute, Université Paris-Saclay, 94800 Villejuif, France
- Correspondence:
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Mashiko D, Ikeda Z, Tokoro M, Hatano Y, Yao T, Kobayashi TJ, Fukunaga N, Asada Y, Yamagata K. Asynchronous division at 4–8-cell stage of preimplantation embryos affects live birth through ICM/TE differentiation. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9411. [PMID: 35672442 PMCID: PMC9174281 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13646-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
To improve the performance of assisted reproductive technology, it is necessary to find an indicator that can identify and select embryos that will be born or be aborted. We searched for indicators of embryo selection by comparing born/abort mouse embryos. We found that asynchronous embryos during the 4–8-cell stage were predisposed to be aborted. In asynchronous mouse embryos, the nuclear translocation of YAP1 in some blastomeres and compaction were delayed, and the number of ICMs was reduced. Hence, it is possible that asynchronous embryos have abnormal differentiation. When the synchrony of human embryos was observed, it was confirmed that embryos that did not reach clinical pregnancy had asynchrony as in mice. This could make synchrony a universal indicator common to all animal species.
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Gauster M, Moser G, Wernitznig S, Kupper N, Huppertz B. Early human trophoblast development: from morphology to function. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:345. [PMID: 35661923 PMCID: PMC9167809 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04377-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Human pregnancy depends on the proper development of the embryo prior to implantation and the implantation of the embryo into the uterine wall. During the pre-implantation phase, formation of the morula is followed by internalization of blastomeres that differentiate into the pluripotent inner cell mass lineage, while the cells on the surface undergo polarization and differentiate into the trophectoderm of the blastocyst. The trophectoderm mediates apposition and adhesion of the blastocyst to the uterine epithelium. These processes lead to a stable contact between embryonic and maternal tissues, resulting in the formation of a new organ, the placenta. During implantation, the trophectoderm cells start to differentiate and form the basis for multiple specialized trophoblast subpopulations, all of which fulfilling specific key functions in placentation. They either differentiate into polar cells serving typical epithelial functions, or into apolar invasive cells that adapt the uterine wall to progressing pregnancy. The composition of these trophoblast subpopulations is crucial for human placenta development and alterations are suggested to result in placenta-associated pregnancy pathologies. This review article focuses on what is known about very early processes in human reproduction and emphasizes on morphological and functional aspects of early trophoblast differentiation and subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Gauster
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Gerit Moser
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Stefan Wernitznig
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Nadja Kupper
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Berthold Huppertz
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010, Graz, Austria.
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Alvarez Y, Smutny M. Emerging Role of Mechanical Forces in Cell Fate Acquisition. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:864522. [PMID: 35676934 PMCID: PMC9168747 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.864522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical forces are now recognized as key cellular effectors that together with genetic and cellular signals physically shape and pattern tissues and organs during development. Increasing efforts are aimed toward understanding the less explored role of mechanical forces in controlling cell fate decisions in embryonic development. Here we discuss recent examples of how differential forces feedback into cell fate specification and tissue patterning. In particular, we focus on the role of actomyosin-contractile force generation and transduction in affecting tissue morphogenesis and cell fate regulation in the embryo.
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