1
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Su S, Levasseur IN, Alonge KM. Neurocircuit regeneration by extracellular matrix reprogramming. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:2300-2301. [PMID: 39359079 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-24-00506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shengzhang Su
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA (Su S)
| | - Ian N Levasseur
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA (Levasseur IN, Alonge KM)
| | - Kimberly M Alonge
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA (Levasseur IN, Alonge KM)
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medicine Diabetes Institute, Seattle, WA, USA (Alonge KM)
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2
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Jiang D, Zhao J, Zheng J, Zhao Y, Le M, Qin D, Huang Q, Huang J, Zhao Q, Wang L, Dong X. LOX-mediated ECM mechanical stress induces Piezo1 activation in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage and identification of novel inhibitor of LOX. Redox Biol 2024; 76:103346. [PMID: 39260063 PMCID: PMC11414707 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2024.103346] [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: 08/22/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) poses a significant challenge in neonatal medicine, often resulting in profound and lasting neurological deficits. Current therapeutic strategies for hypoxia-ischemia brain damage (HIBD) remain limited. Ferroptosis has been reported to play a crucial role in HIE and serves as a potential therapeutic target. However, the mechanisms underlying ferroptosis in HIBD remain largely unclear. In this study, we found that elevated lysyl oxidase (LOX) expression correlates closely with the severity of HIE, suggesting LOX as a potential biomarker for HIE. LOX expression levels and enzymatic activity were significantly increased in HI-induced neuronal models both in vitro and in vivo. Notably, we discovered that HI-induced brain tissue injury results in increased stiffness and observed a selective upregulation of the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1 in both brain tissue of HIBD and primary cortex neurons. Mechanistically, LOX increases its catalytic substrates, the Collagen I/III components, promoting extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and possibly mediating ECM cross-linking, which leads to increased stiffness at the site of injury and subsequent activation of the Piezo1 channel. Piezo1 senses these stiffness stimuli and then induces neuronal ferroptosis in a GPX4-dependent manner. Pharmacological inhibition of LOX or Piezo1 ameliorated brain neuronal ferroptosis and improved learning and memory impairments. Furthermore, we identified traumatic acid (TA) as a novel LOX inhibitor that effectively suppresses LOX enzymatic activity, mitigating neuronal ferroptosis and promoting synaptic plasticity. In conclusion, our findings elucidate a critical role for LOX-mediated ECM mechanical stress-induced Piezo1 activation in regulating ferroptotic cell death in HIBD. This mechanistic insight provides a basis for developing targeted therapies aimed at ameliorating neurological outcomes in neonates affected by HIBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongya Jiang
- Model Animal Research Center, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, and Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingmin Zhao
- Department of Pediatric, Jingjiang People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, Jingjiang, China
| | - Meini Le
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dani Qin
- Department of Pediatrics, Yixing People's Hospital, Yixing, China
| | - Qiong Huang
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinyu Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Translational Medicine Research Center, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University
| | - Qingshun Zhao
- Model Animal Research Center, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Long Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Translational Medicine Research Center, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Westlake University.
| | - Xiaohua Dong
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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3
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Fowler TE, Bloomquist DT, Glessner C, Patel P, James JN, Bollinger K, McCluskey LP, Bloomquist RF. A novel model of autologous tooth transplantation for the study of nerve recruitment. BMC Oral Health 2024; 24:1141. [PMID: 39334208 PMCID: PMC11438115 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04884-5] [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: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited treatment options exist for damaged nerves and despite impressive advances in tissue engineering, scientists and clinicians have yet to fully replicate nerve development and recruitment. Innervation is a critical feature for normal organ function. While most organs are innervated prior to birth, a rare example of postnatal nerve recruitment occurs in the natural development of secondary teeth during adolescence. Many animals undergo postnatal shedding of deciduous teeth with development and eruption of secondary teeth, a process requiring recruitment of nerve and vasculature to each tooth pulp for viability. Here, the investigators created a novel model for the study of postnatal innervation by exploiting the natural phenomenon of tooth-driven nerve recruitment. METHODS The investigators theorized that developing teeth possess a special capacity to induce innervation which could be harnessed in a clinical setting for nerve regeneration, and hyptothesized that a transplant model could be created to capture this phenomenon. In this descriptive study, a rat model of autologous tooth transplantation and de novo nerve recruitment was developed by surgically transferring whole developing molars to the autologous tibia. RESULTS Downstream histological analysis performed 6 to 14 weeks after surgery demonstrated integration of molar into tibia in 81% of postoperative rats, with progressive pulpal expression of nerve marker ß-tubulin III suggestive of neuronal recruitment. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide a novel model for the study of organ transplantation and support the theory that developing dental tissues may retain nerve-inductive properties postnatally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa E Fowler
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wellstar MCG Health, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Doan T Bloomquist
- Department of Ophthalmology, Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 950 15th Street, Augusta, GA, 30901, USA
| | - Caroline Glessner
- The Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University, 1430 John Wesley Gilbert Drive, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Poonam Patel
- The Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University, 1430 John Wesley Gilbert Drive, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Jeffrey N James
- Department of Surgery, Wellstar MCG Health, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1100 Florida Ave, New Orleans, LA, 70119, USA
| | - Kathryn Bollinger
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wellstar MCG Health, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 950 15th Street, Augusta, GA, 30901, USA
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, 1460 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
- The James and Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Lynnette P McCluskey
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, 1462 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA
| | - Ryan F Bloomquist
- The Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University, 1430 John Wesley Gilbert Drive, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 6311 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC, 29209, USA.
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4
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Delgado-García LM, Ojalvo-Sanz AC, Nakamura TKE, Martín-López E, Porcionatto M, Lopez-Mascaraque L. Dissecting reactive astrocyte responses: lineage tracing and morphology-based clustering. Biol Res 2024; 57:54. [PMID: 39143594 PMCID: PMC11323641 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-024-00532-y] [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: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Brain damage triggers diverse cellular and molecular events, with astrocytes playing a crucial role in activating local neuroprotective and reparative signaling within damaged neuronal circuits. Here, we investigated reactive astrocytes using a multidimensional approach to categorize their responses into different subtypes based on morphology. This approach utilized the StarTrack lineage tracer, single-cell imaging reconstruction and multivariate data analysis. Our findings identified three profiles of reactive astrocyte responses, categorized by their effects on cell size- and shape- related morphological parameters: "moderate", "strong," and "very strong". We also examined the heterogeneity of astrocyte reactivity, focusing on spatial and clonal distribution. Our research revealed a notable enrichment of protoplasmic and fibrous astrocytes within the "strong" and "very strong" response subtypes. Overall, our study contributes to a better understanding of astrocyte heterogeneity in response to an injury. By characterizing the diverse reactive responses among astrocyte subpopulations, we provide insights that could guide future research aimed at identifying novel therapeutic targets to mitigate brain damage and promote neural repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina M Delgado-García
- Departamento de Neurobiología Molecular, Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto Cajal-CSIC, Avenida Dr. Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Rua Pedro de Toledo 669, Sao Paulo, 04039032, Brazil
| | - Ana C Ojalvo-Sanz
- Departamento de Neurobiología Molecular, Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto Cajal-CSIC, Avenida Dr. Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain
| | - Thabatta K E Nakamura
- Departamento de Neurobiología Molecular, Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto Cajal-CSIC, Avenida Dr. Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Rua Pedro de Toledo 669, Sao Paulo, 04039032, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Martín-López
- Departamento de Neurobiología Molecular, Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto Cajal-CSIC, Avenida Dr. Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain
- Departments of Neurosurgery and Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, 310 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Marimelia Porcionatto
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Rua Pedro de Toledo 669, Sao Paulo, 04039032, Brazil
| | - Laura Lopez-Mascaraque
- Departamento de Neurobiología Molecular, Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto Cajal-CSIC, Avenida Dr. Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain.
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5
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Bergs J, Morr AS, Silva RV, Infante‐Duarte C, Sack I. The Networking Brain: How Extracellular Matrix, Cellular Networks, and Vasculature Shape the In Vivo Mechanical Properties of the Brain. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2402338. [PMID: 38874205 PMCID: PMC11336943 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202402338] [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: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Mechanically, the brain is characterized by both solid and fluid properties. The resulting unique material behavior fosters proliferation, differentiation, and repair of cellular and vascular networks, and optimally protects them from damaging shear forces. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a noninvasive imaging technique that maps the mechanical properties of the brain in vivo. MRE studies have shown that abnormal processes such as neuronal degeneration, demyelination, inflammation, and vascular leakage lead to tissue softening. In contrast, neuronal proliferation, cellular network formation, and higher vascular pressure result in brain stiffening. In addition, brain viscosity has been reported to change with normal blood perfusion variability and brain maturation as well as disease conditions such as tumor invasion. In this article, the contributions of the neuronal, glial, extracellular, and vascular networks are discussed to the coarse-grained parameters determined by MRE. This reductionist multi-network model of brain mechanics helps to explain many MRE observations in terms of microanatomical changes and suggests that cerebral viscoelasticity is a suitable imaging marker for brain disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Bergs
- Department of RadiologyCharité – Universitätsmedizin BerlinCharitéplatz 110117BerlinGermany
| | - Anna S. Morr
- Department of RadiologyCharité – Universitätsmedizin BerlinCharitéplatz 110117BerlinGermany
| | - Rafaela V. Silva
- Experimental and Clinical Research Centera cooperation between the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and Charité – Universitätsmedizin BerlinLindenberger Weg 8013125BerlinGermany
- Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinECRC Experimental and Clinical Research CenterCharité – Universitätsmedizin BerlinCharitéplatz 110117BerlinGermany
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC)Robert‐Rössle‐Straße 1013125BerlinGermany
| | - Carmen Infante‐Duarte
- Experimental and Clinical Research Centera cooperation between the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and Charité – Universitätsmedizin BerlinLindenberger Weg 8013125BerlinGermany
- Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt‐Universität zu BerlinECRC Experimental and Clinical Research CenterCharité – Universitätsmedizin BerlinCharitéplatz 110117BerlinGermany
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC)Robert‐Rössle‐Straße 1013125BerlinGermany
| | - Ingolf Sack
- Department of RadiologyCharité – Universitätsmedizin BerlinCharitéplatz 110117BerlinGermany
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6
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C Benincasa J, Madias MI, Kandell RM, Delgado-Garcia LM, Engler AJ, Kwon EJ, Porcionatto MA. Mechanobiological Modulation of In Vitro Astrocyte Reactivity Using Variable Gel Stiffness. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:4279-4296. [PMID: 38870483 PMCID: PMC11234334 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.4c00229] [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: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
After traumatic brain injury, the brain extracellular matrix undergoes structural rearrangement due to changes in matrix composition, activation of proteases, and deposition of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans by reactive astrocytes to produce the glial scar. These changes lead to a softening of the tissue, where the stiffness of the contusion "core" and peripheral "pericontusional" regions becomes softer than that of healthy tissue. Pioneering mechanotransduction studies have shown that soft substrates upregulate intermediate filament proteins in reactive astrocytes; however, many other aspects of astrocyte biology remain unclear. Here, we developed a platform for the culture of cortical astrocytes using polyacrylamide (PA) gels of varying stiffness (measured in Pascal; Pa) to mimic injury-related regions in order to investigate the effects of tissue stiffness on astrocyte reactivity and morphology. Our results show that substrate stiffness influences astrocyte phenotype; soft 300 Pa substrates led to increased GFAP immunoreactivity, proliferation, and complexity of processes. Intermediate 800 Pa substrates increased Aggrecan+, Brevican+, and Neurocan+ astrocytes. The stiffest 1 kPa substrates led to astrocytes with basal morphologies, similar to a physiological state. These results advance our understanding of astrocyte mechanotransduction processes and provide evidence of how substrates with engineered stiffness can mimic the injury microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia C Benincasa
- Department of Biochemistry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04039032, Brazil
| | - Marianne I Madias
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Rebecca M Kandell
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Lina M Delgado-Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04039032, Brazil
| | - Adam J Engler
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Ester J Kwon
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Marimelia A Porcionatto
- Department of Biochemistry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04039032, Brazil
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7
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Keskin-Erdogan Z, Mandakhbayar N, Jin GS, Li YM, Chau DYS, Day RM, Kim HW, Knowles JC. Lithium-loaded GelMA-Phosphate glass fibre constructs: Implications for astrocyte response. J Biomed Mater Res A 2024; 112:1070-1082. [PMID: 38400701 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37686] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Combinations of different biomaterials with their own advantages as well as functionalization with other components have long been implemented in tissue engineering to improve the performance of the overall material. Biomaterials, particularly hydrogel platforms, have shown great potential for delivering compounds such as drugs, growth factors, and neurotrophic factors, as well as cells, in neural tissue engineering applications. In central the nervous system, astrocyte reactivity and glial scar formation are significant and complex challenges to tackle for neural and functional recovery. GelMA hydrogel-based tissue constructs have been developed in this study and combined with two different formulations of phosphate glass fibers (PGFs) (with Fe3+ or Ti2+ oxide) to impose physical and mechanical cues for modulating astrocyte cell behavior. This study was also aimed at investigating the effects of lithium-loaded GelMA-PGFs hydrogels in alleviating astrocyte reactivity and glial scar formation offering novel perspectives for neural tissue engineering applications. The rationale behind introducing lithium is driven by its long-proven therapeutic benefits in mental disorders, and neuroprotective and pronounced anti-inflammatory properties. The optimal concentrations of lithium and LPS were determined in vitro on primary rat astrocytes. Furthermore, qPCR was conducted for gene expression analysis of GFAP and IL-6 markers on primary astrocytes cultured 3D into GelMA and GelMA-PGFs hydrogels with and without lithium and in vitro stimulated with LPS for astrocyte reactivity. The results suggest that the combination of bioactive phosphate-based glass fibers and lithium loading into GelMA structures may impact GFAP expression and early IL-6 expression. Furthermore, GelMA-PGFs (Fe) constructs have shown improved performance in modulating glial scarring over GFAP regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zalike Keskin-Erdogan
- Division of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
- Chemical Engineering Department, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Nandin Mandakhbayar
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Gang Shi Jin
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu-Meng Li
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - David Y S Chau
- Division of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
- UCL Eastman-Korea Dental Medicine Innovation Centre, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Richard M Day
- Centre for Precision Healthcare, UCL Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | - Hae-Won Kim
- Chemical Engineering Department, Imperial College London, London, UK
- UCL Eastman-Korea Dental Medicine Innovation Centre, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jonathan C Knowles
- Division of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
- UCL Eastman-Korea Dental Medicine Innovation Centre, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
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8
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Ti F, Yu C, Li M, Liu S, Lu TJ, Chen X. Cross-scale mechanobiological regulation of cylindrical compressible liquid inclusion via coating. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2024; 36:395101. [PMID: 38906135 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/ad5ace] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
The double-bag theory in modern anatomy suggests that structures with coatings are commonly found in human body at various length scales, such as osteocyte processes covered by pericellular matrix and bones covered by muscle tissue. To understand the mechanical behaviors and physiological responses of such biological structures, we develop an analytical model to quantify surface effects on the deformation of a coated cylindrical compressible liquid inclusion in an elastic matrix subjected to remote loading. Our analytical solution reveals that coating can either amplify or attenuate the volumetric strain of the inclusion, depending on the relative elastic moduli of inclusion, coating, and matrix. For illustration, we utilize this solution to explore amplification/attenuation of volumetric strain in musculoskeletal systems, nerve cells, and vascular tissues. We demonstrate that coating often plays a crucial role in mechanical regulation of the development and repair of human tissues and cells. Our model provides qualitative analysis of cross-scale mechanical response of coated liquid inclusions, helpful for constructing mechanical microenvironment of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Ti
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, People's Republic of China
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Lightweight Materials and Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenlei Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, People's Republic of China
| | - Moxiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, People's Republic of China
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Lightweight Materials and Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaobao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, People's Republic of China
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Lightweight Materials and Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, People's Republic of China
| | - Tian Jian Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control for Aerospace Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, People's Republic of China
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Lightweight Materials and Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Chen
- Xi'an Modern Chemistry Research Institute, Xi'an 710065, People's Republic of China
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9
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Gonsalves N, Sun MK, Chopra P, Latchoumane CF, Bajwa S, Tang R, Patel B, Boons GJ, Karumbaiah L. Neuritogenic glycosaminoglycan hydrogels promote functional recovery after severe traumatic brain injury. J Neural Eng 2024; 21:036058. [PMID: 38806019 PMCID: PMC11209949 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ad5108] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Objective.Severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) induced neuronal loss and brain atrophy contribute significantly to long-term disabilities. Brain extracellular matrix (ECM) associated chondroitin sulfate (CS) glycosaminoglycans promote neural stem cell (NSC) maintenance, and CS hydrogel implants have demonstrated the ability to enhance neuroprotection, in preclinical sTBI studies. However, the ability of neuritogenic chimeric peptide (CP) functionalized CS hydrogels in promoting functional recovery, after controlled cortical impact (CCI) and suction ablation (SA) induced sTBI, has not been previously demonstrated. We hypothesized that neuritogenic (CS)CP hydrogels will promote neuritogenesis of human NSCs, and accelerate brain tissue repair and functional recovery in sTBI rats.Approach.We synthesized chondroitin 4-Osulfate (CS-A)CP, and 4,6-O-sulfate (CS-E)CP hydrogels, using strain promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC), to promote cell adhesion and neuritogenesis of human NSCs,in vitro; and assessed the ability of (CS-A)CP hydrogels in promoting tissue and functional repair, in a novel CCI-SA sTBI model,in vivo. Main results.Results indicated that (CS-E)CP hydrogels significantly enhanced human NSC aggregation and migration via focal adhesion kinase complexes, when compared to NSCs in (CS-A)CP hydrogels,in vitro. In contrast, NSCs encapsulated in (CS-A)CP hydrogels differentiated into neurons bearing longer neurites and showed greater spontaneous activity, when compared to those in (CS-E)CP hydrogels. The intracavitary implantation of (CS-A)CP hydrogels, acutely after CCI-SA-sTBI, prevented neuronal and axonal loss, as determined by immunohistochemical analyses. (CS-A)CP hydrogel implanted animals also demonstrated the significantly accelerated recovery of 'reach-to-grasp' function when compared to sTBI controls, over a period of 5-weeks.Significance.These findings demonstrate the neuritogenic and neuroprotective attributes of (CS)CP 'click' hydrogels, and open new avenues for the development of multifunctional glycomaterials that are functionalized with biorthogonal handles for sTBI repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Gonsalves
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
- Division of Neuroscience, Biomedical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
| | - Min Kyoung Sun
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
- Division of Neuroscience, Biomedical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
| | - Pradeep Chopra
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
| | - Charles-Francois Latchoumane
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
- Edgar L. Rhodes Center for Animal and Dairy Science, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
| | - Simar Bajwa
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
| | - Ruiping Tang
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
- Edgar L. Rhodes Center for Animal and Dairy Science, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
| | - Bianca Patel
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
| | - Geert-Jan Boons
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
- Department of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lohitash Karumbaiah
- Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
- Division of Neuroscience, Biomedical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
- Edgar L. Rhodes Center for Animal and Dairy Science, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States of America
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10
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Najafi H, Farahavar G, Jafari M, Abolmaali SS, Azarpira N, Tamaddon AM. Harnessing the Potential of Self-Assembled Peptide Hydrogels for Neural Regeneration and Tissue Engineering. Macromol Biosci 2024; 24:e2300534. [PMID: 38547473 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202300534] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and neurosurgery procedures usually lead to neural tissue damage. Self-assembled peptide (SAP) hydrogels, a type of innovative hierarchical nanofiber-forming peptide sequences serving as hydrogelators, have emerged as a promising solution for repairing tissue defects and promoting neural tissue regeneration. SAPs possess numerous features, such as adaptable morphologies, biocompatibility, injectability, tunable mechanical stability, and mimicking of the native extracellular matrix. This review explores the capacity of neural cell regeneration and examines the critical aspects of SAPs in neuroregeneration, including their biochemical composition, topology, mechanical behavior, conductivity, and degradability. Additionally, it delves into the latest strategies involving SAPs for central or peripheral neural tissue engineering. Finally, the prospects of SAP hydrogel design and development in the realm of neuroregeneration are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haniyeh Najafi
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71468-64685, Iran
| | - Ghazal Farahavar
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71468-64685, Iran
| | - Mahboobeh Jafari
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71468-64685, Iran
| | - Samira Sadat Abolmaali
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71468-64685, Iran
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71468-64685, Iran
| | - Negar Azarpira
- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71937-11351, Iran
| | - Ali Mohammad Tamaddon
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71468-64685, Iran
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71468-64685, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71468-64685, Iran
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11
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Verstappen K, Klymov A, Cicuéndez M, da Silva DM, Barroca N, Fernández-San-Argimiro FJ, Madarieta I, Casarrubios L, Feito MJ, Diez-Orejas R, Ferreira R, Leeuwenburgh SC, Portolés MT, Marques PA, Walboomers XF. Biocompatible adipose extracellular matrix and reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite for tissue engineering applications. Mater Today Bio 2024; 26:101059. [PMID: 38693996 PMCID: PMC11061343 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101059] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the immense need for effective treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI), no successful repair strategy has yet been clinically implemented. Multifunctional biomaterials, based on porcine adipose tissue-derived extracellular matrix (adECM) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), were recently shown to stimulate in vitro neural stem cell growth and differentiation. Nevertheless, their functional performance in clinically more relevant in vivo conditions remains largely unknown. Before clinical application of these adECM-rGO nanocomposites can be considered, a rigorous assessment of the cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of these biomaterials is required. For instance, xenogeneic adECM scaffolds could still harbour potential immunogenicity following decellularization. In addition, the toxicity of rGO has been studied before, yet often in experimental settings that do not bear relevance to regenerative medicine. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess both the in vitro as well as in vivo safety of adECM and adECM-rGO scaffolds. First, pulmonary, renal and hepato-cytotoxicity as well as macrophage polarization studies showed that scaffolds were benign invitro. Then, a laminectomy was performed at the 10th thoracic vertebra, and scaffolds were implanted directly contacting the spinal cord. For a total duration of 6 weeks, animal welfare was not negatively affected. Histological analysis demonstrated the degradation of adECM scaffolds and subsequent tissue remodeling. Graphene-based scaffolds showed a very limited fibrous encapsulation, while rGO sheets were engulfed by foreign body giant cells. Furthermore, all scaffolds were infiltrated by macrophages, which were largely polarized towards a pro-regenerative phenotype. Lastly, organ-specific histopathology and biochemical analysis of blood did not reveal any adverse effects. In summary, both adECM and adECM-rGO implants were biocompatible upon laminectomy while establishing a pro-regenerative microenvironment, which justifies further research on their therapeutic potential for treatment of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kest Verstappen
- Department of Dentistry-Regenerative Biomaterials, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 EX, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Alexey Klymov
- Department of Dentistry-Regenerative Biomaterials, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 EX, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Mónica Cicuéndez
- Department of Chemistry in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniela M. da Silva
- Centre for Mechanical Technology and Automation (TEMA), Intelligent Systems Associate Laboratory (LASI), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Nathalie Barroca
- Centre for Mechanical Technology and Automation (TEMA), Intelligent Systems Associate Laboratory (LASI), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | | | - Iratxe Madarieta
- TECNALIA, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), E20009, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Laura Casarrubios
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemistry, Complutense University of Madrid, Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - María José Feito
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemistry, Complutense University of Madrid, Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosalía Diez-Orejas
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rita Ferreira
- Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry of the Network of Chemistry and Technology (LAQV-REQUIMTE), Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sander C.G. Leeuwenburgh
- Department of Dentistry-Regenerative Biomaterials, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 EX, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - María Teresa Portolés
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemistry, Complutense University of Madrid, Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula A.A.P. Marques
- Centre for Mechanical Technology and Automation (TEMA), Intelligent Systems Associate Laboratory (LASI), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - X. Frank Walboomers
- Department of Dentistry-Regenerative Biomaterials, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 EX, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Gomez-Cruz C, Fernandez-de la Torre M, Lachowski D, Prados-de-Haro M, Del Río Hernández AE, Perea G, Muñoz-Barrutia A, Garcia-Gonzalez D. Mechanical and Functional Responses in Astrocytes under Alternating Deformation Modes Using Magneto-Active Substrates. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2312497. [PMID: 38610101 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312497] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
This work introduces NeoMag, a system designed to enhance cell mechanics assays in substrate deformation studies. NeoMag uses multidomain magneto-active materials to mechanically actuate the substrate, transmitting reversible mechanical cues to cells. The system boasts full flexibility in alternating loading substrate deformation modes, seamlessly adapting to both upright and inverted microscopes. The multidomain substrates facilitate mechanobiology assays on 2D and 3D cultures. The integration of the system with nanoindenters allows for precise evaluation of cellular mechanical properties under varying substrate deformation modes. The system is used to study the impact of substrate deformation on astrocytes, simulating mechanical conditions akin to traumatic brain injury and ischemic stroke. The results reveal local heterogeneous changes in astrocyte stiffness, influenced by the orientation of subcellular regions relative to substrate strain. These stiffness variations, exceeding 50% in stiffening and softening, and local deformations significantly alter calcium dynamics. Furthermore, sustained deformations induce actin network reorganization and activate Piezo1 channels, leading to an initial increase followed by a long-term inhibition of calcium events. Conversely, fast and dynamic deformations transiently activate Piezo1 channels and disrupt the actin network, causing long-term cell softening. These findings unveil mechanical and functional alterations in astrocytes during substrate deformation, illustrating the multiple opportunities this technology offers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Gomez-Cruz
- Department of Continuum Mechanics and Structural Analysis, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Avda. de la Universidad 30, 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Avda. de la Universidad 30, 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Fernandez-de la Torre
- Department of Continuum Mechanics and Structural Analysis, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Avda. de la Universidad 30, 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dariusz Lachowski
- Department of Continuum Mechanics and Structural Analysis, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Avda. de la Universidad 30, 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Martin Prados-de-Haro
- Department of Continuum Mechanics and Structural Analysis, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Avda. de la Universidad 30, 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
| | - Armando E Del Río Hernández
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Gertrudis Perea
- Department of Functional and Systems Neurobiology, Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Av. Doctor Arce, 37., 28002, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
| | - Arrate Muñoz-Barrutia
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Avda. de la Universidad 30, 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
- Área de Ingeniería Biomédica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Calle del Doctor Esquerdo 46, Leganés, Madrid, ES28007, Spain
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, Maryland, 21218, USA
| | - Daniel Garcia-Gonzalez
- Department of Continuum Mechanics and Structural Analysis, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Avda. de la Universidad 30, 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
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13
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Clain J, Couret D, Bringart M, Lecadieu A, Meilhac O, Lefebvre d'Hellencourt C, Diotel N. Metabolic disorders exacerbate the formation of glial scar after stroke. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:3009-3029. [PMID: 38576159 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16325] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic disorders are risk factors for stroke exacerbating subsequent complications. Rapidly after brain injury, a glial scar forms, preventing excessive inflammation and limiting axonal regeneration. Despite the growing interest in wound healing following brain injury, the formation of a glial scar in the context of metabolic disorders is poorly documented. In this study, we used db/db mice to investigate the impact of metabolic perturbations on brain repair mechanisms, with a focus on glial scarring. First, we confirmed the development of obesity, poor glucose regulation, hyperglycaemia and liver steatosis in these mice. Then, we observed that 3 days after a 30-min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), db/db mice had larger infarct area compared with their control counterparts. We next investigated reactive gliosis and glial scar formation in db/+ and db/db mice. We demonstrated that astrogliosis and microgliosis were exacerbated 3 days after stroke in db/db mice. Furthermore, we also showed that the synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (i.e., chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan, collagen IV and tenascin C) was increased in db/db mice. Consequently, we demonstrated for the first time that metabolic disorders impair reactive gliosis post-stroke and increase ECM deposition. Given that the damage size is known to influence glial scar, this study now raises the question of the direct impact of hyperglycaemia/obesity on reactive gliosis and glia scar. It paves the way to promote the development of new therapies targeting glial scar formation to improve functional recovery after stroke in the context of metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Clain
- Université de la Réunion, INSERM, UMR 1188 Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Saint-Pierre, France
| | - David Couret
- Université de la Réunion, INSERM, UMR 1188 Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Saint-Pierre, France
- CHU de La Réunion, Saint-Denis, France
| | - Matthieu Bringart
- Université de la Réunion, INSERM, UMR 1188 Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Saint-Pierre, France
| | - Arnaud Lecadieu
- Université de la Réunion, INSERM, UMR 1188 Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Saint-Pierre, France
- CHU de La Réunion, Saint-Denis, France
| | - Olivier Meilhac
- Université de la Réunion, INSERM, UMR 1188 Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Saint-Pierre, France
- CHU de La Réunion, Saint-Denis, France
| | - Christian Lefebvre d'Hellencourt
- Université de la Réunion, INSERM, UMR 1188 Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Saint-Pierre, France
| | - Nicolas Diotel
- Université de la Réunion, INSERM, UMR 1188 Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Saint-Pierre, France
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14
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Bi Y, Duan W, Silver J. Collagen I is a critical organizer of scarring and CNS regeneration failure. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.07.592424. [PMID: 38766123 PMCID: PMC11100746 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.07.592424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Although axotomized neurons retain the ability to initiate the formation of growth cones and attempt to regenerate after spinal cord injury, the scar area formed as a result of the lesion in most adult mammals contains a variety of reactive cells that elaborate multiple extracellular matrix and enzyme components that are not suitable for regrowth 1,2 . Newly migrating axons in the vicinity of the scar utilize upregulated LAR family receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases, such as PTPσ, to associate with extracellular chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs), which have been discovered to tightly entrap the regrowing axon tip and transform it into a dystrophic non-growing endball. The scar is comprised of two compartments, one in the lesion penumbra, the glial scar, composed of reactive microglia, astrocytes and OPCs; and the other in the lesion epicenter, the fibrotic scar, which is made up of fibroblasts, pericytes, endothelial cells and inflammatory cells. While the fibrotic scar is known to be strongly inhibitory, even more so than the glial scar, the molecular determinants that curtail axon elongation through the injury core are largely uncharacterized. Here, we show that one sole member of the entire family of collagens, collagen I, creates an especially potent inducer of endball formation and regeneration failure. The inhibitory signaling is mediated by mechanosensitive ion channels and RhoA activation. Staggered systemic administration of two blood-brain barrier permeable-FDA approved drugs, aspirin and pirfenidone, reduced fibroblast incursion into the complete lesion and dramatically decreased collagen I, as well as CSPG deposition which were accompanied by axonal growth and considerable functional recovery. The anatomical substrate for robust axonal regeneration was provided by laminin producing GFAP + and NG2 + bridging cells that spanned the wound. Our results reveal a collagen I-mechanotransduction axis that regulates axonal regrowth in spinal cord injury and raise a promising strategy for rapid clinical application.
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15
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Ortega JA, Soares de Aguiar GP, Chandravanshi P, Levy N, Engel E, Álvarez Z. Exploring the properties and potential of the neural extracellular matrix for next-generation regenerative therapies. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 16:e1962. [PMID: 38723788 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1962] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic and complex network of proteins and molecules that surrounds cells and tissues in the nervous system and orchestrates a myriad of biological functions. This review carefully examines the diverse interactions between cells and the ECM, as well as the transformative chemical and physical changes that the ECM undergoes during neural development, aging, and disease. These transformations play a pivotal role in shaping tissue morphogenesis and neural activity, thereby influencing the functionality of the central nervous system (CNS). In our comprehensive review, we describe the diverse behaviors of the CNS ECM in different physiological and pathological scenarios and explore the unique properties that make ECM-based strategies attractive for CNS repair and regeneration. Addressing the challenges of scalability, variability, and integration with host tissues, we review how advanced natural, synthetic, and combinatorial matrix approaches enhance biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and functional recovery. Overall, this review highlights the potential of decellularized ECM as a powerful tool for CNS modeling and regenerative purposes and sets the stage for future research in this exciting field. This article is categorized under: Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanotechnology in Tissue Repair and Replacement Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Neurological Disease Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and Implants.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Alberto Ortega
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet del Llobregat, Spain
| | - Gisele P Soares de Aguiar
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet del Llobregat, Spain
| | - Palash Chandravanshi
- Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Natacha Levy
- Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Engel
- IMEM-BRT Group, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, EEBE, Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), Barcelona, Spain
- Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, CIBER-BBN, Madrid, Spain
| | - Zaida Álvarez
- Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, CIBER-BBN, Madrid, Spain
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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16
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Hendrickson AS, Francis KL, Kumar A, Le JP, Scarlett JM, Keene CD, Tovar DA, Alonge KM. Assessing translational applicability of perineuronal net dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease across species. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1396101. [PMID: 38745932 PMCID: PMC11091253 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1396101] [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: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
In the context of aging and age-associated neurodegenerative disorders, the brain's extracellular matrix (ECM) serves as a critical regulator for neuronal health and cognitive function. Within the extracellular space, proteoglycans and their glycosaminoglycan attachments play essential roles in forming, stabilizing, and protecting neural circuits throughout neurodevelopment and adulthood. Recent studies in rodents reveal that chondroitin sulfate-glycosaminoglycan (CS-GAG) containing perineuronal nets (PNNs) exhibit both structural and compositional differences throughout the brain. While animal studies are illuminating, additional research is required to translate these interregional PNN/CS-GAG variations to human brain tissue. In this perspective article, we first investigate the translational potential for interregional CS-GAG variances across species as novel targets for region-specific therapeutic development. We specifically focus on the observation that alterations in brain PNN-associated CS-GAGs have been linked with the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology in humans, but these changes have not been fully recapitulated in rodent models of this disease. A second highlight of this perspective article investigates whether AD-associated shifts in CS-GAGs in humans may be dependent on region-specific baseline differences in CS-GAG sulfation patterning. The current findings begin to disentangle the intricate relationships between the interregional differences in brain PNN/CS-GAG matrices across species, while emphasizing the need to better understand the close relationship between dementia and changes in brain CS-GAG sulfation patterns in patients with AD and related dementias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarun S. Hendrickson
- Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medicine Diabetes Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Kendra L. Francis
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medicine Diabetes Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Asmit Kumar
- Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medicine Diabetes Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jaden P. Le
- Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medicine Diabetes Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jarrad M. Scarlett
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medicine Diabetes Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - C. Dirk Keene
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - David A. Tovar
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Kimberly M. Alonge
- Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medicine Diabetes Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
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17
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Jiu J, Liu H, Li D, Li J, Liu L, Yang W, Yan L, Li S, Zhang J, Li X, Li JJ, Wang B. 3D bioprinting approaches for spinal cord injury repair. Biofabrication 2024; 16:032003. [PMID: 38569491 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad3a13] [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: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Regenerative healing of spinal cord injury (SCI) poses an ongoing medical challenge by causing persistent neurological impairment and a significant socioeconomic burden. The complexity of spinal cord tissue presents hurdles to successful regeneration following injury, due to the difficulty of forming a biomimetic structure that faithfully replicates native tissue using conventional tissue engineering scaffolds. 3D bioprinting is a rapidly evolving technology with unmatched potential to create 3D biological tissues with complicated and hierarchical structure and composition. With the addition of biological additives such as cells and biomolecules, 3D bioprinting can fabricate preclinical implants, tissue or organ-like constructs, andin vitromodels through precise control over the deposition of biomaterials and other building blocks. This review highlights the characteristics and advantages of 3D bioprinting for scaffold fabrication to enable SCI repair, including bottom-up manufacturing, mechanical customization, and spatial heterogeneity. This review also critically discusses the impact of various fabrication parameters on the efficacy of spinal cord repair using 3D bioprinted scaffolds, including the choice of printing method, scaffold shape, biomaterials, and biological supplements such as cells and growth factors. High-quality preclinical studies are required to accelerate the translation of 3D bioprinting into clinical practice for spinal cord repair. Meanwhile, other technological advances will continue to improve the regenerative capability of bioprinted scaffolds, such as the incorporation of nanoscale biological particles and the development of 4D printing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Jiu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanxi Medical University Second Affiliated Hospital, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Haifeng Liu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanxi Medical University Second Affiliated Hospital, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Dijun Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanxi Medical University Second Affiliated Hospital, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiarong Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and IT, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Lu Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and IT, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Wenjie Yang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and IT, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Lei Yan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanxi Medical University Second Affiliated Hospital, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Songyan Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Emergency Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoke Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanxi Medical University Second Affiliated Hospital, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiao Jiao Li
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and IT, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
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18
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Kiss C, Wurth S, Heschl B, Khalil M, Gattringer T, Enzinger C, Ropele S. Low-frequency MR elastography reveals altered deep gray matter viscoelasticity in multiple sclerosis. Neuroimage Clin 2024; 42:103606. [PMID: 38669859 PMCID: PMC11068637 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2024.103606] [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: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Brain viscoelasticity as assessed by magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) has been discussed as a promising surrogate of microstructural alterations due to neurodegenerative processes. Existing studies indicate that multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with a global reduction in brain stiffness. However, no study to date systematically investigated the MS-related characteristics of brain viscoelasticity separately in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM), deep gray matter (DGM) and T2-hyperintense white matter (WM) lesions. METHODS 70 MS patients and 42 healthy volunteers underwent whole-cerebral MRE using a stimulated echo sequence (DENSE) with a low-frequency mechanical excitation at 20 Hertz. The magnitude |G∗| (Pa) and phase angle φ (rad) of the complex shear modulus G∗ were reconstructed by multifrequency dual elasto-visco (MDEV) inversion and related to structural imaging and clinical parameters. RESULTS We observed φ in the thalamus to be higher by 4.3 % in patients relative to healthy controls (1.11 ± 0.07 vs. 1.06 ± 0.07, p < 0.0001). Higher Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores were negatively associated with φ in the basal ganglia (p = 0.01). We measured φ to be lower in MS lesions compared to surrounding NAWM (p = 0.001), which was most prominent for lesions in the temporal lobe (1.01 ± 0.22 vs. 1.06 ± 0.19, p = 0.003). Age was associated with lower values of |G∗| (p = 0.04) and φ (p = 0.004) in the thalamus of patients. No alteration in NAWM stiffness relative to WM in healthy controls was observed. CONCLUSION Low-frequency elastography in MS patients reveals age-independent alterations in the viscoelasticity of deep gray matter at early stages of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Kiss
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Austria.
| | - Sebastian Wurth
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Austria.
| | - Bettina Heschl
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Austria.
| | - Michael Khalil
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Austria.
| | | | | | - Stefan Ropele
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Austria; Neuroimaging Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Austria.
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Huang J, Hu X, Chen Z, Ouyang F, Li J, Hu Y, Zhao Y, Wang J, Yao F, Jing J, Cheng L. Fascin-1 limits myosin activity in microglia to control mechanical characterization of the injured spinal cord. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:88. [PMID: 38600569 PMCID: PMC11005239 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03089-5] [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: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mechanical softening of the glial scar region regulates axonal regeneration to impede neurological recovery in central nervous system (CNS) injury. Microglia, a crucial cellular component of the glial scar, facilitate neuronal survival and neurological recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the critical mechanical characterization of injured spinal cord that harmonizes neuroprotective function of microglia remains poorly understood. METHODS Spinal cord tissue stiffness was assessed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in a mouse model of crush injury. Pharmacological depletion of microglia using PLX5622 was used to explore the effect of microglia on mechanical characterization. Conditional knockout of Fascin-1 in microglia (Fascin-1 CKO) alone or in combination with inhibition of myosin activity was performed to delve into relevant mechanisms of microglia regulating mechanical signal. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to evaluate the related protein levels, inflammatory cells, and neuron survival after SCI. The Basso mouse scale score was calculated to assess functional recovery. RESULTS Spinal cord tissue significantly softens after SCI. Microglia depletion or Fascin-1 knockout in microglia limits tissue softening and alters mechanical characterization, which leads to increased tissue pathology and impaired functional recovery. Mechanistically, Fascin-1 inhibits myosin activation to promote microglial migration and control mechanical characterization after SCI. CONCLUSIONS We reveal that Fascin-1 limits myosin activity to regulate mechanical characterization after SCI, and this mechanical signal should be considered in future approaches for the treatment of CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxin Huang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
- Institute of Orthopaedics, Research Center for Translational Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Xuyang Hu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
- Institute of Orthopaedics, Research Center for Translational Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Zeqiang Chen
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
- Institute of Orthopaedics, Research Center for Translational Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Fangru Ouyang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
- Institute of Orthopaedics, Research Center for Translational Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Jianjian Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
- Institute of Orthopaedics, Research Center for Translational Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Yixue Hu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
- Institute of Orthopaedics, Research Center for Translational Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Yuanzhe Zhao
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
- Institute of Orthopaedics, Research Center for Translational Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Jingwen Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
- Institute of Orthopaedics, Research Center for Translational Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Fei Yao
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China.
- Institute of Orthopaedics, Research Center for Translational Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China.
| | - Juehua Jing
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China.
- Institute of Orthopaedics, Research Center for Translational Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China.
| | - Li Cheng
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China.
- Institute of Orthopaedics, Research Center for Translational Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China.
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20
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Jin C, Wang K, Ren Y, Li Y, Wang Z, Cheng L, Xie N. Role of durotomy on function outcome, tissue sparing, inflammation, and tissue stiffness after spinal cord injury in rats. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e530. [PMID: 38576458 PMCID: PMC10993870 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.530] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Currently, there is a lack of effective treatments for spinal cord injury (SCI), a debilitating medical condition associated with enduring paralysis and irreversible neuronal damage. Extradural decompression of osseous as well as soft tissue components has historically been the principal objective of surgical procedures. Nevertheless, this particular surgical procedure fails to tackle the intradural compressive alterations that contribute to secondary SCI. Here, we propose an early intrathecal decompression strategy and evaluate its role on function outcome, tissue sparing, inflammation, and tissue stiffness after SCI. Durotomy surgery significantly promoted recovery of hindlimb locomotor function in an open-field test. Radiological analysis suggested that lesion size and tissue edema were significantly reduced in animals that received durotomy. Relative to the group with laminectomy alone, the animals treated with a durotomy had decreased cavitation, scar formation, and inflammatory responses at 4 weeks after SCI. An examination of the mechanical properties revealed that durotomy facilitated an expeditious restoration of the injured tissue's elastic rigidity. In general, early decompressive durotomy could serve as a significant strategy to mitigate the impairments caused by secondary injury and establish a more conducive microenvironment for prospective cellular or biomaterial transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Jin
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of EducationOrthopaedic Department of Tongji HospitalSchool of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
- Department of OrthopedicsTongren HospitalShanghai Jiaotong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Kaiwei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of EducationOrthopaedic Department of Tongji HospitalSchool of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yilong Ren
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of EducationOrthopaedic Department of Tongji HospitalSchool of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
- Department of OrthopedicsShanghai General HospitalShanghai Jiaotong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Yi Li
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of EducationOrthopaedic Department of Tongji HospitalSchool of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Zhanwei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of EducationOrthopaedic Department of Tongji HospitalSchool of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Liming Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of EducationOrthopaedic Department of Tongji HospitalSchool of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Ning Xie
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of EducationOrthopaedic Department of Tongji HospitalSchool of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
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21
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Liu S, Han Y, Kong L, Wang G, Ye Z. Atomic force microscopy in disease-related studies: Exploring tissue and cell mechanics. Microsc Res Tech 2024; 87:660-684. [PMID: 38063315 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24471] [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: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Despite significant progress in human medicine, certain diseases remain challenging to promptly diagnose and treat. Hence, the imperative lies in the development of more exhaustive criteria and tools. Tissue and cellular mechanics exhibit distinctive traits in both normal and pathological states, suggesting that "force" represents a promising and distinctive target for disease diagnosis and treatment. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) holds great promise as a prospective clinical medical device due to its capability to concurrently assess surface morphology and mechanical characteristics of biological specimens within a physiological setting. This review presents a comprehensive examination of the operational principles of AFM and diverse mechanical models, focusing on its applications in investigating tissue and cellular mechanics associated with prevalent diseases. The findings from these studies lay a solid groundwork for potential clinical implementations of AFM. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: By examining the surface morphology and assessing tissue and cellular mechanics of biological specimens in a physiological setting, AFM shows promise as a clinical device to diagnose and treat challenging diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuaiyuan Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yibo Han
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lingwen Kong
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Central Hospital of Chongqing University, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Guixue Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- JinFeng Laboratory, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhiyi Ye
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- JinFeng Laboratory, Chongqing, China
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22
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Zheng S, Banerji R, LeBourdais R, Zhang S, DuBois E, O’Shea T, Nia HT. Alteration of mechanical stresses in the murine brain by age and hemorrhagic stroke. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae141. [PMID: 38659974 PMCID: PMC11042661 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Residual mechanical stresses, also known as solid stresses, emerge during rapid differential growth or remodeling of tissues, as observed in morphogenesis and tumor growth. While residual stresses typically dissipate in most healthy adult organs, as the growth rate decreases, high residual stresses have been reported in mature, healthy brains. However, the origins and consequences of residual mechanical stresses in the brain across health, aging, and disease remain poorly understood. Here, we utilized and validated a previously developed method to map residual mechanical stresses in the brains of mice across three age groups: 5-7 days, 8-12 weeks, and 22 months. We found that residual solid stress rapidly increases from 5-7 days to 8-12 weeks and remains high in mature 22 months mice brains. Three-dimensional mapping revealed unevenly distributed residual stresses from the anterior to posterior coronal brain sections. Since the brain is rich in negatively charged hyaluronic acid, we evaluated the contribution of charged extracellular matrix (ECM) constituents in maintaining solid stress levels. We found that lower ionic strength leads to elevated solid stresses, consistent with its unshielding effect and the subsequent expansion of charged ECM components. Lastly, we demonstrated that hemorrhagic stroke, accompanied by loss of cellular density, resulted in decreased residual stress in the murine brain. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of spatiotemporal alterations of residual solid stresses in healthy and diseased brains, a crucial step toward uncovering the biological and immunological consequences of this understudied mechanical phenotype in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyi Zheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rohin Banerji
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rob LeBourdais
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sue Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric DuBois
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Timothy O’Shea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hadi T Nia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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23
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Doulames VM, Marquardt LM, Hefferon ME, Baugh NJ, Suhar RA, Wang AT, Dubbin KR, Weimann JM, Palmer TD, Plant GW, Heilshorn SC. Custom-engineered hydrogels for delivery of human iPSC-derived neurons into the injured cervical spinal cord. Biomaterials 2024; 305:122400. [PMID: 38134472 PMCID: PMC10846596 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122400] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Cervical damage is the most prevalent type of spinal cord injury clinically, although few preclinical research studies focus on this anatomical region of injury. Here we present a combinatorial therapy composed of a custom-engineered, injectable hydrogel and human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived deep cortical neurons. The biomimetic hydrogel has a modular design that includes a protein-engineered component to allow customization of the cell-adhesive peptide sequence and a synthetic polymer component to allow customization of the gel mechanical properties. In vitro studies with encapsulated iPSC-neurons were used to select a bespoke hydrogel formulation that maintains cell viability and promotes neurite extension. Following injection into the injured cervical spinal cord in a rat contusion model, the hydrogel biodegraded over six weeks without causing any adverse reaction. Compared to cell delivery using saline, the hydrogel significantly improved the reproducibility of cell transplantation and integration into the host tissue. Across three metrics of animal behavior, this combinatorial therapy significantly improved sensorimotor function by six weeks post transplantation. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that design of a combinatorial therapy that includes a gel customized for a specific fate-restricted cell type can induce regeneration in the injured cervical spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- V M Doulames
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - L M Marquardt
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - M E Hefferon
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - N J Baugh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - R A Suhar
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - A T Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - K R Dubbin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - J M Weimann
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - T D Palmer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - G W Plant
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - S C Heilshorn
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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24
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Yin Z, Ge L, Cha Z, Gao H, A L, Zeng Y, Huang X, Cheng X, Yao K, Tao Z, Xu H. Identifying Hmga2 preserving visual function by promoting a shift of Müller glia cell fate in mice with acute retinal injury. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:54. [PMID: 38414051 PMCID: PMC10900711 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03657-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Unlike in lower vertebrates, Müller glia (MG) in adult mammalian retinas lack the ability to reprogram into neurons after retinal injury or degeneration and exhibit reactive gliosis instead. Whether a transition in MG cell fate from gliosis to reprogramming would help preserve photoreceptors is still under exploration. METHODS A mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) was established using MG cell lineage tracing mice by intraperitoneal injection of sodium iodate (SI). The critical time point for the fate determination of MG gliosis was determined through immunohistochemical staining methods. Then, bulk-RNA and single-cell RNA seq techniques were used to elucidate the changes in RNA transcription of the retina and MG at that time point, and new genes that may determine the fate transition of MG were screened. Finally, the selected gene was specifically overexpressed in MG cells through adeno-associated viruses (AAV) in the mouse RP model. Bulk-RNA seq technique, immunohistochemical staining methods, and visual function testing were used to elucidate and validate the mechanism of new genes function on MG cell fate transition and retinal function. RESULTS Here, we found the critical time point for MG gliosis fate determination was 3 days post SI injection. Hmga2 was screened out as a candidate regulator for the cell fate transition of MG. After retinal injury caused by SI, the Hmga2 protein is temporarily and lowly expressed in MG cells. Overexpression of Hmga2 in MG down-regulated glial cell related genes and up-regulated photoreceptor related genes. Besides, overexpressing Hmga2 exclusively to MG reduced MG gliosis, made MG obtain cone's marker, and retained visual function in mice with acute retinal injury. CONCLUSION Our results suggested the unique reprogramming properties of Hmga2 in regulating the fate transition of MG and neuroprotective effects on the retina with acute injury. This work uncovers the reprogramming ability of epigenetic factors in MG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Yin
- Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration and Restoration of Chongqing, Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Chongqing, 400038, China
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Lingling Ge
- Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration and Restoration of Chongqing, Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Zhe Cha
- Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration and Restoration of Chongqing, Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Chongqing, 400038, China
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Hui Gao
- Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration and Restoration of Chongqing, Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Luodan A
- Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration and Restoration of Chongqing, Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yuxiao Zeng
- Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration and Restoration of Chongqing, Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xiaona Huang
- Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration and Restoration of Chongqing, Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xuan Cheng
- Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration and Restoration of Chongqing, Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Kai Yao
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430065, China.
| | - Zui Tao
- Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China.
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration and Restoration of Chongqing, Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Haiwei Xu
- Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China.
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration and Restoration of Chongqing, Southwest Eye Hospital, Southwest Hospital, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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25
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Pillai EK, Franze K. Mechanics in the nervous system: From development to disease. Neuron 2024; 112:342-361. [PMID: 37967561 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Physical forces are ubiquitous in biological processes across scales and diverse contexts. This review highlights the significance of mechanical forces in nervous system development, homeostasis, and disease. We provide an overview of mechanical signals present in the nervous system and delve into mechanotransduction mechanisms translating these mechanical cues into biochemical signals. During development, mechanical cues regulate a plethora of processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, network formation, and cortex folding. Forces then continue exerting their influence on physiological processes, such as neuronal activity, glial cell function, and the interplay between these different cell types. Notably, changes in tissue mechanics manifest in neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumors, potentially offering new diagnostic and therapeutic target opportunities. Understanding the role of cellular forces and tissue mechanics in nervous system physiology and pathology adds a new facet to neurobiology, shedding new light on many processes that remain incompletely understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva K Pillai
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK; Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstraße 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany; Developmental Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstraße 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Kristian Franze
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK; Institute of Medical Physics and Microtissue Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestraße 91, 91052 Erlangen, Germany; Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Kussmaulallee 1, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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26
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Mahmoudi N, Mohamed E, Dehnavi SS, Aguilar LMC, Harvey AR, Parish CL, Williams RJ, Nisbet DR. Calming the Nerves via the Immune Instructive Physiochemical Properties of Self-Assembling Peptide Hydrogels. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2303707. [PMID: 38030559 PMCID: PMC10837390 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202303707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Current therapies for the devastating damage caused by traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are limited. This is in part due to poor drug efficacy to modulate neuroinflammation, angiogenesis and/or promoting neuroprotection and is the combined result of challenges in getting drugs across the blood brain barrier, in a targeted approach. The negative impact of the injured extracellular matrix (ECM) has been identified as a factor in restricting post-injury plasticity of residual neurons and is shown to reduce the functional integration of grafted cells. Therefore, new strategies are needed to manipulate the extracellular environment at the subacute phase to enhance brain regeneration. In this review, potential strategies are to be discussed for the treatment of TBI by using self-assembling peptide (SAP) hydrogels, fabricated via the rational design of supramolecular peptide scaffolds, as an artificial ECM which under the appropriate conditions yields a supramolecular hydrogel. Sequence selection of the peptides allows the tuning of these hydrogels' physical and biochemical properties such as charge, hydrophobicity, cell adhesiveness, stiffness, factor presentation, degradation profile and responsiveness to (external) stimuli. This review aims to facilitate the development of more intelligent biomaterials in the future to satisfy the parameters, requirements, and opportunities for the effective treatment of TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negar Mahmoudi
- Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterialsthe John Curtin School of Medical ResearchAustralian National UniversityCanberraACT2601Australia
- ANU College of Engineering & Computer ScienceAustralian National UniversityCanberraACT2601Australia
- The Graeme Clark InstituteThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVIC3010Australia
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringFaculty of Engineering and Information TechnologyThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVIC3010Australia
| | - Elmira Mohamed
- Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterialsthe John Curtin School of Medical ResearchAustralian National UniversityCanberraACT2601Australia
| | - Shiva Soltani Dehnavi
- Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterialsthe John Curtin School of Medical ResearchAustralian National UniversityCanberraACT2601Australia
- ANU College of Engineering & Computer ScienceAustralian National UniversityCanberraACT2601Australia
| | - Lilith M. Caballero Aguilar
- Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterialsthe John Curtin School of Medical ResearchAustralian National UniversityCanberraACT2601Australia
- The Graeme Clark InstituteThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVIC3010Australia
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringFaculty of Engineering and Information TechnologyThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVIC3010Australia
| | - Alan R. Harvey
- School of Human SciencesThe University of Western Australiaand Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational SciencePerthWA6009Australia
| | - Clare L. Parish
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthThe University of MelbourneParkvilleMelbourneVIC3010Australia
| | | | - David R. Nisbet
- Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterialsthe John Curtin School of Medical ResearchAustralian National UniversityCanberraACT2601Australia
- The Graeme Clark InstituteThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVIC3010Australia
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringFaculty of Engineering and Information TechnologyThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVIC3010Australia
- Melbourne Medical SchoolFaculty of MedicineDentistry and Health ScienceThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVIC3010Australia
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27
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Chandrakumar S, Santiago Tierno I, Agarwal M, Lessieur EM, Du Y, Tang J, Kiser J, Yang X, Rodriguez A, Kern TS, Ghosh K. Mechanical Regulation of Retinal Vascular Inflammation and Degeneration in Diabetes. Diabetes 2024; 73:280-291. [PMID: 37986627 PMCID: PMC10796303 DOI: 10.2337/db23-0584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Vascular inflammation is known to cause degeneration of retinal capillaries in early diabetic retinopathy (DR), a major microvascular complication of diabetes. Past studies investigating these diabetes-induced retinal vascular abnormalities have focused primarily on the role of molecular or biochemical cues. Here we show that retinal vascular inflammation and degeneration in diabetes are also mechanically regulated by the increase in retinal vascular stiffness caused by overexpression of the collagen-cross-linking enzyme lysyl oxidase (LOX). Treatment of diabetic mice with LOX inhibitor β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) prevented the increase in retinal capillary stiffness, vascular intracellular adhesion molecule-1 overexpression, and leukostasis. Consistent with these anti-inflammatory effects, BAPN treatment of diabetic mice blocked the upregulation of proapoptotic caspase-3 in retinal vessels, which concomitantly reduced retinal capillary degeneration, pericyte ghost formation, and the diabetes-induced loss of contrast sensitivity in these mice. Finally, our in vitro studies indicate that retinal capillary stiffening is sufficient to increase the adhesiveness and neutrophil elastase-induced death of retinal endothelial cells. By uncovering a link between LOX-dependent capillary stiffening and the development of retinal vascular and functional defects in diabetes, these findings offer a new insight into DR pathogenesis that has important translational potential. ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
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Affiliation(s)
- Sathishkumar Chandrakumar
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA
| | - Irene Santiago Tierno
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology Interdepartmental PhD Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Mahesh Agarwal
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA
| | - Emma M. Lessieur
- Department of Ophthalmology, Center for Translational Vision Research, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, CA
| | - Yunpeng Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, Center for Translational Vision Research, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, CA
| | - Jie Tang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Jianying Kiser
- Department of Ophthalmology, Center for Translational Vision Research, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, CA
| | - Xiao Yang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA
| | | | - Timothy S. Kern
- Department of Ophthalmology, Center for Translational Vision Research, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, CA
| | - Kaustabh Ghosh
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
- Doheny Eye Institute, Pasadena, CA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology Interdepartmental PhD Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
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28
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Wareham LK, Baratta RO, Del Buono BJ, Schlumpf E, Calkins DJ. Collagen in the central nervous system: contributions to neurodegeneration and promise as a therapeutic target. Mol Neurodegener 2024; 19:11. [PMID: 38273335 PMCID: PMC10809576 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-024-00704-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix is a richly bioactive composition of substrates that provides biophysical stability, facilitates intercellular signaling, and both reflects and governs the physiological status of the local microenvironment. The matrix in the central nervous system (CNS) is far from simply an inert scaffold for mechanical support, instead conducting an active role in homeostasis and providing broad capacity for adaptation and remodeling in response to stress that otherwise would challenge equilibrium between neuronal, glial, and vascular elements. A major constituent is collagen, whose characteristic triple helical structure renders mechanical and biochemical stability to enable bidirectional crosstalk between matrix and resident cells. Multiple members of the collagen superfamily are critical to neuronal maturation and circuit formation, axon guidance, and synaptogenesis in the brain. In mature tissue, collagen interacts with other fibrous proteins and glycoproteins to sustain a three-dimensional medium through which complex networks of cells can communicate. While critical for matrix scaffolding, collagen in the CNS is also highly dynamic, with multiple binding sites for partnering matrix proteins, cell-surface receptors, and other ligands. These interactions are emerging as critical mediators of CNS disease and injury, particularly regarding changes in matrix stiffness, astrocyte recruitment and reactivity, and pro-inflammatory signaling in local microenvironments. Changes in the structure and/or deposition of collagen impact cellular signaling and tissue biomechanics in the brain, which in turn can alter cellular responses including antigenicity, angiogenesis, gliosis, and recruitment of immune-related cells. These factors, each involving matrix collagen, contribute to the limited capacity for regeneration of CNS tissue. Emerging therapeutics that attempt to rebuild the matrix using peptide fragments, including collagen-enriched scaffolds and mimetics, hold great potential to promote neural repair and regeneration. Recent evidence from our group and others indicates that repairing protease-degraded collagen helices with mimetic peptides helps restore CNS tissue and promote neuronal survival in a broad spectrum of degenerative conditions. Restoration likely involves bolstering matrix stiffness to reduce the potential for astrocyte reactivity and local inflammation as well as repairing inhibitory binding sites for immune-signaling ligands. Facilitating repair rather than endogenous replacement of collagen degraded by disease or injury may represent the next frontier in developing therapies based on protection, repair, and regeneration of neurons in the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren K Wareham
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute , Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1161 21st Avenue S, 37232, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Robert O Baratta
- Stuart Therapeutics, Inc., 411 SE Osceola St, 34994, Stuart, FL, USA
| | - Brian J Del Buono
- Stuart Therapeutics, Inc., 411 SE Osceola St, 34994, Stuart, FL, USA
| | - Eric Schlumpf
- Stuart Therapeutics, Inc., 411 SE Osceola St, 34994, Stuart, FL, USA
| | - David J Calkins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute , Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1161 21st Avenue S, 37232, Nashville, TN, USA
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29
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Czyżewski W, Mazurek M, Sakwa L, Szymoniuk M, Pham J, Pasierb B, Litak J, Czyżewska E, Turek M, Piotrowski B, Torres K, Rola R. Astroglial Cells: Emerging Therapeutic Targets in the Management of Traumatic Brain Injury. Cells 2024; 13:148. [PMID: 38247839 PMCID: PMC10813911 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020148] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) represents a significant health concern, necessitating advanced therapeutic interventions. This detailed review explores the critical roles of astrocytes, key cellular constituents of the central nervous system (CNS), in both the pathophysiology and possible rehabilitation of TBI. Following injury, astrocytes exhibit reactive transformations, differentiating into pro-inflammatory (A1) and neuroprotective (A2) phenotypes. This paper elucidates the interactions of astrocytes with neurons, their role in neuroinflammation, and the potential for their therapeutic exploitation. Emphasized strategies encompass the utilization of endocannabinoid and calcium signaling pathways, hormone-based treatments like 17β-estradiol, biological therapies employing anti-HBGB1 monoclonal antibodies, gene therapy targeting Connexin 43, and the innovative technique of astrocyte transplantation as a means to repair damaged neural tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Czyżewski
- Department of Didactics and Medical Simulation, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland;
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland; (M.M.); (R.R.)
| | - Marek Mazurek
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland; (M.M.); (R.R.)
| | - Leon Sakwa
- Student Scientific Society, Kazimierz Pulaski University of Radom, 26-600 Radom, Poland;
| | - Michał Szymoniuk
- Student Scientific Association, Department of Neurosurgery and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Jennifer Pham
- Student Scientific Society, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland; (J.P.); (M.T.)
| | - Barbara Pasierb
- Department of Dermatology, Radom Specialist Hospital, 26-600 Radom, Poland;
| | - Jakub Litak
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Ewa Czyżewska
- Department of Otolaryngology, Mazovian Specialist Hospital, 26-617 Radom, Poland;
| | - Michał Turek
- Student Scientific Society, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland; (J.P.); (M.T.)
| | - Bartłomiej Piotrowski
- Institute of Automatic Control and Robotics, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-661 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Kamil Torres
- Department of Didactics and Medical Simulation, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Radosław Rola
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Medical University of Lublin, 20-954 Lublin, Poland; (M.M.); (R.R.)
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30
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Stranahan AM, Tabet A, Anikeeva P. Region-specific targeting of microglia in vivo using direct delivery of tamoxifen metabolites via microfluidic polymer fibers. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 115:131-142. [PMID: 37820974 PMCID: PMC10842189 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.09.021] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Region-specific genetic manipulation of glial cells remains challenging due to the lack of anatomically selective transgenic models. Although local transduction is achievable with viral vectors, uniform recombination can be challenging in larger brain regions. We investigated the efficacy of intraparenchymal delivery of the tamoxifen metabolite endoxifen using inducible cre reporter mice. After observing localized reporter induction following stereotaxic injections of endoxifen in CX3CR1creERT2 mice, we carried out chronic delivery via osmotic pumps attached to bilateral cannulas made of stainless steel or microfluidic polymer fibers. Analysis of reporter expression in sections or iDISCO-cleared brains from TMEM119creERT2 mice revealed widespread induction following chronic infusion. Neuronal damage and gliosis were more prevalent around steel cannulas than polymer fibers, and glial reactivity was further attenuated when devices were implanted two months before drug delivery. In summary, region-specific recombination is achievable in glia with minimal tissue damage after endoxifen delivery via microfluidic polymer implants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis M Stranahan
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1120 15th St, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
| | - Anthony Tabet
- Research Laboratory of Electronics and McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307, USA
| | - Polina Anikeeva
- Research Laboratory of Electronics and McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307, USA; Departments of Materials Science & Engineering and Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307, USA
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31
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Caçoilo A, Dortdivanlioglu B, Rusinek H, Weickenmeier J. A multiphysics model to predict periventricular white matter hyperintensity growth during healthy brain aging. BRAIN MULTIPHYSICS 2023; 5:100072. [PMID: 37546181 PMCID: PMC10399513 DOI: 10.1016/j.brain.2023.100072] [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] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Periventricular white matter hyperintensities (WMH) are a common finding in medical images of the aging brain and are associated with white matter damage resulting from cerebral small vessel disease, white matter inflammation, and a degeneration of the lateral ventricular wall. Despite extensive work, the etiology of periventricular WMHs remains unclear. We pose that there is a strong coupling between age-related ventricular expansion and the degeneration of the ventricular wall which leads to a dysregulated fluid exchange across this brain-fluid barrier. Here, we present a multiphysics model that couples cerebral atrophy-driven ventricular wall loading with periventricular WMH formation and progression. We use patient data to create eight 2D finite element models and demonstrate the predictive capabilities of our damage model. Our simulations show that we accurately capture the spatiotemporal features of periventricular WMH growth. For one, we observe that damage appears first in both the anterior and posterior horns and then spreads into deeper white matter tissue. For the other, we note that it takes up to 12 years before periventricular WMHs first appear and derive an average annualized periventricular WMH damage growth rate of 15.2 ± 12.7 mm2/year across our models. A sensitivity analysis demonstrated that our model parameters provide sufficient sensitivity to rationalize subject-specific differences with respect to onset time and damage growth. Moreover, we show that the septum pellucidum, a membrane that separates the left and right lateral ventricles, delays the onset of periventricular WMHs at first, but leads to a higher WMH load in the long-term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Caçoilo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, United States of America
| | - Berkin Dortdivanlioglu
- Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America
| | - Henry Rusinek
- Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States of America
| | - Johannes Weickenmeier
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, United States of America
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32
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Bou Ghanem GO, Koktysh D, Baratta RO, Del Buono BJ, Schlumpf E, Wareham LK, Calkins DJ. Collagen Mimetic Peptides Promote Repair of MMP-1-Damaged Collagen in the Rodent Sclera and Optic Nerve Head. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17031. [PMID: 38069354 PMCID: PMC10707085 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The structural and biomechanical properties of collagen-rich ocular tissues, such as the sclera, are integral to ocular function. The degradation of collagen in such tissues is associated with debilitating ophthalmic diseases such as glaucoma and myopia, which often lead to visual impairment. Collagen mimetic peptides (CMPs) have emerged as an effective treatment to repair damaged collagen in tissues of the optic projection, such as the retina and optic nerve. In this study, we used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to assess the potential of CMPs in restoring tissue stiffness in the optic nerve head (ONH), including the peripapillary sclera (PPS) and the glial lamina. Using rat ONH tissue sections, we induced collagen damage with MMP-1, followed by treatment with CMP-3 or vehicle. MMP-1 significantly reduced the Young's modulus of both the PPS and the glial lamina, indicating tissue softening. Subsequent CMP-3 treatment partially restored tissue stiffness in both the PPS and the glial lamina. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed reduced collagen fragmentation after MMP-1 digestion in CMP-3-treated tissues compared to vehicle controls. In summary, these results demonstrate the potential of CMPs to restore collagen stiffness and structure in ONH tissues following enzymatic damage. CMPs may offer a promising therapeutic avenue for preserving vision in ocular disorders involving collagen remodeling and degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghazi O. Bou Ghanem
- Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA;
| | - Dmitry Koktysh
- Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
| | | | | | - Eric Schlumpf
- Stuart Therapeutics, Inc., Stuart, FL 34994, USA; (R.O.B.); (E.S.)
| | - Lauren K. Wareham
- Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA;
| | - David J. Calkins
- Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA;
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33
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Carnicer-Lombarte A, Barone DG, Wronowski F, Malliaras GG, Fawcett JW, Franze K. Regenerative capacity of neural tissue scales with changes in tissue mechanics post injury. Biomaterials 2023; 303:122393. [PMID: 37977006 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122393] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injuries have devastating consequences for humans, as mammalian neurons of the central nervous system (CNS) cannot regenerate. In the peripheral nervous system (PNS), however, neurons may regenerate to restore lost function following injury. While mammalian CNS tissue softens after injury, how PNS tissue mechanics changes in response to mechanical trauma is currently poorly understood. Here we characterised mechanical rat nerve tissue properties before and after in vivo crush and transection injuries using atomic force microscopy-based indentation measurements. Unlike CNS tissue, PNS tissue significantly stiffened after both types of tissue damage. This nerve tissue stiffening strongly correlated with an increase in collagen I levels. Schwann cells, which crucially support PNS regeneration, became more motile and proliferative on stiffer substrates in vitro, suggesting that changes in tissue stiffness may play a key role in facilitating or impeding nervous system regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Carnicer-Lombarte
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK; Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, UK; Electrical Engineering Division, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0FA, UK.
| | - Damiano G Barone
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK
| | - Filip Wronowski
- Electrical Engineering Division, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0FA, UK
| | - George G Malliaras
- Electrical Engineering Division, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0FA, UK
| | - James W Fawcett
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK; Centre for Reconstructive Neuroscience, Institute for Experimental Medicine CAS, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kristian Franze
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, UK; Institute of Medical Physics and Micro-Tissue Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91052, Erlangen, Germany; Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
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34
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Kolb J, Tsata V, John N, Kim K, Möckel C, Rosso G, Kurbel V, Parmar A, Sharma G, Karandasheva K, Abuhattum S, Lyraki O, Beck T, Müller P, Schlüßler R, Frischknecht R, Wehner A, Krombholz N, Steigenberger B, Beis D, Takeoka A, Blümcke I, Möllmert S, Singh K, Guck J, Kobow K, Wehner D. Small leucine-rich proteoglycans inhibit CNS regeneration by modifying the structural and mechanical properties of the lesion environment. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6814. [PMID: 37884489 PMCID: PMC10603094 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42339-7] [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: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition after central nervous system (CNS) injury leads to inhibitory scarring in humans and other mammals, whereas it facilitates axon regeneration in the zebrafish. However, the molecular basis of these different fates is not understood. Here, we identify small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) as a contributing factor to regeneration failure in mammals. We demonstrate that the SLRPs chondroadherin, fibromodulin, lumican, and prolargin are enriched in rodent and human but not zebrafish CNS lesions. Targeting SLRPs to the zebrafish injury ECM inhibits axon regeneration and functional recovery. Mechanistically, we find that SLRPs confer mechano-structural properties to the lesion environment that are adverse to axon growth. Our study reveals SLRPs as inhibitory ECM factors that impair axon regeneration by modifying tissue mechanics and structure, and identifies their enrichment as a feature of human brain and spinal cord lesions. These findings imply that SLRPs may be targets for therapeutic strategies to promote CNS regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Kolb
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Biology, Animal Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Vasiliki Tsata
- Experimental Surgery, Clinical and Translational Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Nora John
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Biology, Animal Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kyoohyun Kim
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Conrad Möckel
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gonzalo Rosso
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Veronika Kurbel
- Department of Neuropathology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Asha Parmar
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gargi Sharma
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Medicine 1, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kristina Karandasheva
- Department of Neuropathology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Shada Abuhattum
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Olga Lyraki
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Biology, Animal Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Timon Beck
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Paul Müller
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Raimund Schlüßler
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Renato Frischknecht
- Department of Biology, Animal Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anja Wehner
- Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Nicole Krombholz
- Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Barbara Steigenberger
- Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Dimitris Beis
- Experimental Surgery, Clinical and Translational Research Center, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Aya Takeoka
- VIB-Neuroelectronics Research Flanders, 3001, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neuroscience and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ingmar Blümcke
- Department of Neuropathology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephanie Möllmert
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kanwarpal Singh
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jochen Guck
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Katja Kobow
- Department of Neuropathology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Daniel Wehner
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058, Erlangen, Germany.
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91058, Erlangen, Germany.
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35
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Mozhdehbakhsh Mofrad Y, Shamloo A. The effect of conductive aligned fibers in an injectable hydrogel on nerve tissue regeneration. Int J Pharm 2023; 645:123419. [PMID: 37717716 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Injectable hydrogels are a promising treatment option for nervous system injuries due to the difficulty to replace lost cells and nervous factors but research on injectable conductive hydrogels is limited and these scaffolds have poor electromechanical properties. This study developed a chitosan/beta-glycerophosphate/salt hydrogel and added conductive aligned nanofibers (polycaprolactone/gelatin/single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT)) for the first time and inspired by natural nerve tissue to improve their biochemical and biophysical properties. The results showed that the degradation rate of hydrogels is proportional to the regrowth of axons and these hydrogels' mechanical (hydrogels without nanofibers or SWCNTs and hydrogels containing these additions have the same Young's modulus as the brain and spinal cord or peripheral nerves, respectively) and electrical properties, and the interconnective structure of the scaffolds have the ability to support cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasaman Mozhdehbakhsh Mofrad
- Nano-Bio Engineering Lab, School of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran 11155-9161, Iran; Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran 11155-9161, Iran
| | - Amir Shamloo
- Nano-Bio Engineering Lab, School of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran 11155-9161, Iran; Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran 11155-9161, Iran.
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36
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Sáez P, Borau C, Antonovaite N, Franze K. Brain tissue mechanics is governed by microscale relations of the tissue constituents. Biomaterials 2023; 301:122273. [PMID: 37639974 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122273] [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: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Local mechanical tissue properties are a critical regulator of cell function in the central nervous system (CNS) during development and disorder. However, we still don't fully understand how the mechanical properties of individual tissue constituents, such as cell nuclei or myelin, determine tissue mechanics. Here we developed a model predicting local tissue mechanics, which induces non-affine deformations of the tissue components. Using the mouse hippocampus and cerebellum as model systems, we show that considering individual tissue components alone, as identified by immunohistochemistry, is not sufficient to reproduce the local mechanical properties of CNS tissue. Our results suggest that brain tissue shows a universal response to applied forces that depends not only on the amount and stiffness of the individual tissue constituents but also on the way how they assemble. Our model may unify current incongruences between the mechanics of soft biological tissues and the underlying constituents and facilitate the design of better biomedical materials and engineered tissues. To this end, we provide a freely-available platform to predict local tissue elasticity upon providing immunohistochemistry images and stiffness values for the constituents of the tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Sáez
- Laboratori de Càlcul Numèric (LaCàN), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Mathematics of UPC-BarcelonaTech (IMTech), Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Borau
- Multiscale in Mechanical and Biological Engineering, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - N Antonovaite
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and LaserLab Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - K Franze
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, UK; Institute of Medical Physics and Microtissue Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91052, Erlangen, Germany; Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
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37
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Hariharan P, Gluski J, Sondheimer J, Petroj A, Jea A, Whitehead WE, Del Bigio MR, Marupudi NI, McAllister JP, Limbrick DD, Rocque BG, Harris CA. Exploration of clinical predictors of the degree of ventricular catheter obstruction: a multicenter retrospective study. J Neurosurg Pediatr 2023; 32:447-454. [PMID: 37503917 PMCID: PMC10416264 DOI: 10.3171/2023.5.peds22552] [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: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore how clinical factors, including the number of lifetime revision surgeries and the duration of implantation, affect the degree of obstruction and failure rates of ventricular catheters (VCs) used to manage hydrocephalus. METHODS A total of 343 VCs and their associated clinical data, including patient demographics, medical history, and surgical details, were collected from 5 centers and used for this analysis. Each VC was classified by the degree of obstruction after macroscopic analysis. Univariate, multivariate, and binned analyses were conducted to test for associations between clinical data and degree of VC obstruction. RESULTS VCs from patients with 0 to 2 lifetime revisions had a larger proportion of VC holes obstructed than VCs from patients with 10 or more revisions (p = 0.0484). VCs implanted for less than 3 months had fewer obstructed holes with protruding tissue aggregates than VCs implanted for 13 months or longer (p = 0.0225). Neither duration of implantation nor the number of lifetime revisions was a significant predictor of the degree of VC obstruction in the regression models. In the multinomial regression model, contact of the VCs with the ventricular wall robustly predicted the overall obstruction status of a VC (p = 0.005). In the mixed-effects model, the age of the patient at their first surgery emerged as a significant predictor of obstruction by protruding tissue aggregates (p = 0.002). VCs implanted through the parietal entry site were associated with more holes with nonobstructive growth and fewer empty holes than VCs implanted via other approaches (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The number of lifetime revisions and duration of implantation are correlated with the degree of VC obstruction but do not predict it. Contact of the VC with the ventricular wall and the age of the patient at their first surgery are predictors of the degree of VC obstruction, while the entry site of the VC correlates with it.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jacob Gluski
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Jeffrey Sondheimer
- Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Alexandra Petroj
- Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Andrew Jea
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - William E. Whitehead
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Marc R. Del Bigio
- Department of Pathology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Neena I. Marupudi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, Michigan
| | - James P. McAllister
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; and
| | - David D. Limbrick
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; and
| | - Brandon G. Rocque
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Carolyn A. Harris
- Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
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Wang C, Feng L, Zhu L, Wu L, Chen B, Cui C, Yang M, Gao Y, Jiang P. Cerebral endothelial cell-derived extracellular vesicles regulate microglial polarization and promote autophagy via delivery of miR-672-5p. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:643. [PMID: 37773169 PMCID: PMC10541416 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06173-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
The interaction between cerebral endothelial cells (CEC) and brain parenchymal cells is critical to maintain neurovascular homeostasis, whereas extracellular vesicles (EVs) are essential to mediate the cell-cell communication. Previous researches demonstrated that CEC-derived EVs (CEC-EVs) confer neuroprotective actions. However, the molecular mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we isolated EVs from CEC and assessed their immune-regulatory actions in microglial cells and mice following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure. We found that CEC-EVs treatment significantly ameliorated LPS-induced inflammatory activation, shifting microglial polarization from pro-inflammatory phenotype to anti-inflammatory phenotype. Meanwhile, microglial cells can effectively internalize CEC-EVs and this process was further enhanced by immune activation. Next, the miRNA microarray analysis revealed that CEC-EVs increased expression of miR-672-5p, which was demonstrated to be the cargo of CEC-EVs. TGFβ-activated kinase 1 (TAK1)-binding proteins 2 (TAB2) was identified to be the target of miR-672-5p. Through inhibiting TAB2, miR-672-5p derived from CEC-EVs suppressed TAK1-TAB signaling and thereby mitigating the downstream NF-κB activation. Furthermore, we found that by delivering miR-672-5p, CEC-EVs promoted autophagy and hence stimulating autophagic degradation of NLRP3 inflammasome. Our work firstly revealed the neuroimmune-modulating actions of CEC-EVs and further demonstrated that miR-672-5p secreted from CEC-EVs inhibits microglial pro-inflammatory polarization and facilitates autophagic process via targeting TAB2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changshui Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272000, China
| | - Lei Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, 272000, China
| | - Li Zhu
- Translational Pharmaceutical Laboratory, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, 272000, China
| | - Linlin Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tengzhou Central People's Hospital, Jining Medical University, Zaozhuang, 277500, China
| | - Beibei Chen
- ADFA School of Science, University of New South Wales, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Changmeng Cui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272000, China.
| | - Mengqi Yang
- Translational Pharmaceutical Laboratory, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, 272000, China
| | - Yahao Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272000, China
| | - Pei Jiang
- Translational Pharmaceutical Laboratory, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, 272000, China.
- Institute of Translational Pharmacy, Jining Medical Research Academy, Jining, 272000, China.
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Tang S, Weiner B, Taraballi F, Haase C, Stetco E, Mehta SM, Shajudeen P, Hogan M, De Rosa E, Horner PJ, Grande-Allen KJ, Shi Z, Karmonik C, Tasciotti E, Righetti R. Assessment of spinal cord injury using ultrasound elastography in a rabbit model in vivo. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15323. [PMID: 37714920 PMCID: PMC10504274 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41172-8] [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: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The effect of the mechanical micro-environment on spinal cord injury (SCI) and treatment effectiveness remains unclear. Currently, there are limited imaging methods that can directly assess the localized mechanical behavior of spinal cords in vivo. In this study, we apply new ultrasound elastography (USE) techniques to assess SCI in vivo at the site of the injury and at the time of one week post injury, in a rabbit animal model. Eleven rabbits underwent laminectomy procedures. Among them, spinal cords of five rabbits were injured during the procedure. The other six rabbits were used as control. Two neurological statuses were achieved: non-paralysis and paralysis. Ultrasound data were collected one week post-surgery and processed to compute strain ratios. Histologic analysis, mechanical testing, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography and MRI diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were performed to validate USE results. Strain ratios computed via USE were found to be significantly different in paralyzed versus non-paralyzed rabbits. The myelomalacia histologic score and spinal cord Young's modulus evaluated in selected animals were in good qualitative agreement with USE assessment. It is feasible to use USE to assess changes in the spinal cord of the presented animal model. In the future, with more experimental data available, USE may provide new quantitative tools for improving SCI diagnosis and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songyuan Tang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Bradley Weiner
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Francesca Taraballi
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Center for Musculoskeletal Regeneration, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Candice Haase
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Center for Musculoskeletal Regeneration, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eliana Stetco
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Center for Musculoskeletal Regeneration, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Peer Shajudeen
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Matthew Hogan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Enrica De Rosa
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Center for Musculoskeletal Regeneration, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Philip J Horner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Zhaoyue Shi
- Translational Imaging Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christof Karmonik
- Translational Imaging Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ennio Tasciotti
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma Open University and IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, 00166, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaella Righetti
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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40
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Lana D, Branca JJV, Delfino G, Giovannini MG, Casamenti F, Nardiello P, Bucciantini M, Stefani M, Zach P, Zecchi-Orlandini S, Nosi D. Morphofunctional Investigation in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease: Non-Reactive Astrocytes Are Involved in Aβ Load and Reactive Astrocytes in Plaque Build-Up. Cells 2023; 12:2258. [PMID: 37759482 PMCID: PMC10526848 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182258] [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: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The term neuroinflammation defines the reactions of astrocytes and microglia to alterations in homeostasis in the diseased central nervous system (CNS), the exacerbation of which contributes to the neurodegenerative effects of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Local environmental conditions, such as the presence of proinflammatory molecules, mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and local cell-cell interactions, are determinants of glial cell phenotypes. In AD, the load of the cytotoxic/proinflammatory amyloid β (Aβ) peptide is a microenvironmental component increasingly growing in the CNS, imposing time-evolving challenges on resident cells. This study aimed to investigate the temporal and spatial variations of the effects produced by this process on astrocytes and microglia, either directly or by interfering in their interactions. Ex vivo confocal analyses of hippocampal sections from the mouse model TgCRND8 at different ages have shown that overproduction of Aβ peptide induced early and time-persistent disassembly of functional astroglial syncytium and promoted a senile phenotype of reactive microglia, hindering Aβ clearance. In the late stages of the disease, these patterns were altered in the presence of Aβ-plaques, surrounded by typically reactive astrocytes and microglia. Morphofunctional characterization of peri-plaque gliosis revealed a direct contribution of astrocytes in plaque buildup that might result in shielding Aβ-peptide cytotoxicity and, as a side effect, in exacerbating neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Lana
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (D.L.); (M.G.G.)
| | - Jacopo Junio Valerio Branca
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (J.J.V.B.); (S.Z.-O.)
| | - Giovanni Delfino
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy;
| | - Maria Grazia Giovannini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (D.L.); (M.G.G.)
| | - Fiorella Casamenti
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Pamela Nardiello
- General Laboratory, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Monica Bucciantini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.B.); (M.S.)
| | - Massimo Stefani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.B.); (M.S.)
| | - Petr Zach
- Department of Anatomy, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Sandra Zecchi-Orlandini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (J.J.V.B.); (S.Z.-O.)
| | - Daniele Nosi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (J.J.V.B.); (S.Z.-O.)
- DMSC Imaging Platform, 50134 Florence, Italy
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41
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Manesco C, Saavedra-Villanueva O, Martin M, de Lizaraga J, Varga B, Cloitre T, Gerber YN, Perrin FE, Gergely C. Organization of collagen fibers and tissue hardening: Markers of fibrotic scarring after spinal cord injury in mice revealed by multiphoton-atomic force microscopy imaging. NANOMEDICINE : NANOTECHNOLOGY, BIOLOGY, AND MEDICINE 2023; 53:102699. [PMID: 37572769 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2023.102699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury is a dramatic disease leading to severe motor, sensitive and autonomic impairments. After injury the axonal regeneration is partly inhibited by the glial scar, acting as a physical and chemical barrier. The scarring process involves microglia, astrocytes and extracellular matrix components, such as collagen, constructing the fibrotic component of the scar. To investigate the role of collagen, we used a multimodal label-free imaging approach combining multiphoton and atomic force microscopy. The second harmonic generation signal exhibited by fibrillar collagen enabled to specifically monitor it as a biomarker of the lesion. An increase in collagen density and the formation of more tortuous fibers over time after injury are observed. Nano-mechanical investigations revealed a noticeable hardening of the injured area, correlated with collagen fibers' formation. These observations indicate the concomitance of important structural and mechanical modifications during the fibrotic scar evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marta Martin
- L2C, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Béla Varga
- L2C, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Yannick Nicolas Gerber
- MMDN, Univ Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, Montpellier, France; IUF, Intitut Universitaire de, France, Paris
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42
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Zheng Q, Liu H, Yu W, Dong Y, Zhou L, Deng W, Hua F. Mechanical properties of the brain: Focus on the essential role of Piezo1-mediated mechanotransduction in the CNS. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e3136. [PMID: 37366640 PMCID: PMC10498085 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3136] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The brain is a highly mechanosensitive organ, and changes in the mechanical properties of brain tissue influence many physiological and pathological processes. Piezo type mechanosensitive ion channel component 1 (Piezo1), a protein found in metazoans, is highly expressed in the brain and involved in sensing changes of the mechanical microenvironment. Numerous studies have shown that Piezo1-mediated mechanotransduction is closely related to glial cell activation and neuronal function. However, the precise role of Piezo1 in the brain requires further elucidation. OBJECTIVE This review first discusses the roles of Piezo1-mediated mechanotransduction in regulating the functions of a variety of brain cells, and then briefly assesses the impact of Piezo1-mediated mechanotransduction on the progression of brain dysfunctional disorders. CONCLUSIONS Mechanical signaling contributes significantly to brain function. Piezo1-mediated mechanotransduction regulates processes such as neuronal differentiation, cell migration, axon guidance, neural regeneration, and oligodendrocyte axon myelination. Additionally, Piezo1-mediated mechanotransduction plays significant roles in normal aging and brain injury, as well as the development of various brain diseases, including demyelinating diseases, Alzheimer's disease, and brain tumors. Investigating the pathophysiological mechanisms through which Piezo1-mediated mechanotransduction affects brain function will give us a novel entry point for the diagnosis and treatment of numerous brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingcui Zheng
- Department of Anesthesiologythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiP. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi ProvinceThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiP. R. China
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Molecular MedicineThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiP. R. China
| | - Hailin Liu
- Department of Anesthesiologythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiP. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi ProvinceThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiP. R. China
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Molecular MedicineThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiP. R. China
| | - Wen Yu
- Department of Anesthesiologythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiP. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi ProvinceThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiP. R. China
| | - Yao Dong
- Department of Anesthesiologythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiP. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi ProvinceThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiP. R. China
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Molecular MedicineThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiP. R. China
| | - Lanqian Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiologythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiP. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi ProvinceThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiP. R. China
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Molecular MedicineThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiP. R. China
| | - Wenze Deng
- Department of Anesthesiologythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiP. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi ProvinceThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiP. R. China
| | - Fuzhou Hua
- Department of Anesthesiologythe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiP. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi ProvinceThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangJiangxiP. R. China
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Feng X, Li GY, Yun SH. Ultra-wideband optical coherence elastography from acoustic to ultrasonic frequencies. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4949. [PMID: 37587178 PMCID: PMC10432526 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40625-y] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Visualizing viscoelastic waves in materials and tissues through noninvasive imaging is valuable for analyzing their mechanical properties and detecting internal anomalies. However, traditional elastography techniques have been limited by a maximum wave frequency below 1-10 kHz, which hampers temporal and spatial resolution. Here, we introduce an optical coherence elastography technique that overcomes the limitation by extending the frequency range to MHz. Our system can measure the stiffness of hard materials including bones and extract viscoelastic shear moduli for polymers and hydrogels in conventionally inaccessible ranges between 100 Hz and 1 MHz. The dispersion of Rayleigh surface waves across the ultrawide band allowed us to profile depth-dependent shear modulus in cartilages ex vivo and human skin in vivo with sub-mm anatomical resolution. This technique holds immense potential as a noninvasive measurement tool for material sciences, tissue engineering, and medical diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Feng
- Harvard Medical School and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Blossom St. BAR-8, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Guo-Yang Li
- Harvard Medical School and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Blossom St. BAR-8, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Seok-Hyun Yun
- Harvard Medical School and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Blossom St. BAR-8, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
- Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
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44
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Exton J, Higgins JMG, Chen J. Acute brain slice elastic modulus decreases over time. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12826. [PMID: 37550376 PMCID: PMC10406937 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40074-z] [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: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
A common benchmark in the brain tissue mechanics literature is that the properties of acute brain slices should be measured within 8 h of the experimental animal being sacrificed. The core assumption is that-since there is no substantial protein degradation during this time-there will be no change to elastic modulus. This assumption overlooks the possibility of other effects (such as osmotic swelling) that may influence the mechanical properties of the tissue. To achieve consistent and accurate analysis of brain mechanics, it is important to account for or mitigate these effects. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM), tissue hydration and volume measurements, we find that acute brain slices in oxygenated artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) with a standard osmolarity of 300 mOsm/l experience rapid swelling, softening, and increases in hydration within the first 2 hours after slicing. Reductions in elastic modulus can be partly mitigated by addition of chondroitinase ABC enzyme (CHABC). Increasing aCSF osmolarity to 400 mOsm/l does not prevent softening but may hasten equilibration of samples to a point where measurements of relative elastic modulus are consistent across experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Exton
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Jonathan M G Higgins
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Jinju Chen
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK.
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45
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Hall CM, Lasli S, Serwinski B, Djordjevic B, Sheridan GK, Moeendarbary E. Hippocampus of the APP NL-G-F mouse model of Alzheimer's disease exhibits region-specific tissue softening concomitant with elevated astrogliosis. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1212212. [PMID: 37547743 PMCID: PMC10398960 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1212212] [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: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Widespread neurodegeneration, enlargement of cerebral ventricles, and atrophy of cortical and hippocampal brain structures are classic hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Prominent macroscopic disturbances to the cytoarchitecture of the AD brain occur alongside changes in the mechanical properties of brain tissue, as reported in recent magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) measurements of human brain mechanics. Whilst MRE has many advantages, a significant shortcoming is its spatial resolution. Higher resolution "cellular scale" assessment of the mechanical alterations to brain regions involved in memory formation, such as the hippocampus, could provide fresh new insight into the etiology of AD. Characterization of brain tissue mechanics at the cellular length scale is the first stepping-stone to understanding how mechanosensitive neurons and glia are impacted by neurodegenerative disease-associated changes in their microenvironment. To provide insight into the microscale mechanics of aging brain tissue, we measured spatiotemporal changes in the mechanical properties of the hippocampus using high resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation tests on acute brain slices from young and aged wild-type mice and the APPNL-G-F mouse model. Several hippocampal regions in APPNL-G-F mice are significantly softer than age-matched wild-types, notably the dentate granule cell layer and the CA1 pyramidal cell layer. Interestingly, regional softening coincides with an increase in astrocyte reactivity, suggesting that amyloid pathology-mediated alterations to the mechanical properties of brain tissue may impact the function of mechanosensitive astrocytes. Our data also raise questions as to whether aberrant mechanotransduction signaling could impact the susceptibility of neurons to cellular stressors in their microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe M. Hall
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Soufian Lasli
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bianca Serwinski
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- 199 Biotechnologies Ltd., London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Northeastern University London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Boris Djordjevic
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- 199 Biotechnologies Ltd., London, United Kingdom
| | - Graham K. Sheridan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Emad Moeendarbary
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Llido JP, Fioriti E, Pascut D, Giuffrè M, Bottin C, Zanconati F, Tiribelli C, Gazzin S. Bilirubin-Induced Transcriptomic Imprinting in Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:834. [PMID: 37372119 DOI: 10.3390/biology12060834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Recent findings indicated aberrant epigenetic control of the central nervous system (CNS) development in hyperbilirubinemic Gunn rats as an additional cause of cerebellar hypoplasia, the landmark of bilirubin neurotoxicity in rodents. Because the symptoms in severely hyperbilirubinemic human neonates suggest other regions as privileged targets of bilirubin neurotoxicity, we expanded the study of the potential impact of bilirubin on the control of postnatal brain development to regions correlating with human symptoms. Histology, transcriptomic, gene correlation, and behavioral studies were performed. The histology revealed widespread perturbation 9 days after birth, restoring in adulthood. At the genetic level, regional differences were noticed. Bilirubin affected synaptogenesis, repair, differentiation, energy, extracellular matrix development, etc., with transient alterations in the hippocampus (memory, learning, and cognition) and inferior colliculi (auditory functions) but permanent changes in the parietal cortex. Behavioral tests confirmed the presence of a permanent motor disability. The data correlate well both with the clinic description of neonatal bilirubin-induced neurotoxicity, as well as with the neurologic syndromes reported in adults that suffered neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. The results pave the way for better deciphering the neurotoxic features of bilirubin and evaluating deeply the efficacy of new therapeutic approaches against the acute and long-lasting sequels of bilirubin neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Paul Llido
- Liver Brain Unit "Rita Moretti", Fondazione Italiana Fegato-Onlus, Bldg. Q, AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Italy
- Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, Bicutan, Taguig City 1631, Philippines
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34139 Trieste, Italy
| | - Emanuela Fioriti
- Liver Brain Unit "Rita Moretti", Fondazione Italiana Fegato-Onlus, Bldg. Q, AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Italy
| | - Devis Pascut
- Liver Cancer Unit, Fondazione Italiana Fegato-Onlus, Bldg. Q, AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Italy
| | - Mauro Giuffrè
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Cristina Bottin
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy
| | - Claudio Tiribelli
- Liver Brain Unit "Rita Moretti", Fondazione Italiana Fegato-Onlus, Bldg. Q, AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Italy
| | - Silvia Gazzin
- Liver Brain Unit "Rita Moretti", Fondazione Italiana Fegato-Onlus, Bldg. Q, AREA Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Italy
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47
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Hsia CR, Melters DP, Dalal Y. The Force is Strong with This Epigenome: Chromatin Structure and Mechanobiology. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:168019. [PMID: 37330288 PMCID: PMC10567996 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
All life forms sense and respond to mechanical stimuli. Throughout evolution, organisms develop diverse mechanosensing and mechanotransduction pathways, leading to fast and sustained mechanoresponses. Memory and plasticity characteristics of mechanoresponses are thought to be stored in the form of epigenetic modifications, including chromatin structure alterations. These mechanoresponses in the chromatin context share conserved principles across species, such as lateral inhibition during organogenesis and development. However, it remains unclear how mechanotransduction mechanisms alter chromatin structure for specific cellular functions, and if altered chromatin structure can mechanically affect the environment. In this review, we discuss how chromatin structure is altered by environmental forces via an outside-in pathway for cellular functions, and the emerging concept of how chromatin structure alterations can mechanically affect nuclear, cellular, and extracellular environments. This bidirectional mechanical feedback between chromatin of the cell and the environment can potentially have important physiological implications, such as in centromeric chromatin regulation of mechanobiology in mitosis, or in tumor-stroma interactions. Finally, we highlight the current challenges and open questions in the field and provide perspectives for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chieh-Ren Hsia
- Chromatin Structure and Epigenetic Mechanisms, Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States. https://twitter.com/JeremiahHsia
| | - Daniël P Melters
- Chromatin Structure and Epigenetic Mechanisms, Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States. https://twitter.com/dpmelters
| | - Yamini Dalal
- Chromatin Structure and Epigenetic Mechanisms, Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States. https://twitter.com/NCIYaminiDalal
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48
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Akcay G, Luttge R. Microenvironments Matter: Advances in Brain-on-Chip. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:551. [PMID: 37232912 PMCID: PMC10216565 DOI: 10.3390/bios13050551] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
To highlight the particular needs with respect to modeling the unique and complex organization of the human brain structure, we reviewed the state-of-the-art in devising brain models with engineered instructive microenvironments. To acquire a better perspective on the brain's working mechanisms, we first summarize the importance of regional stiffness gradients in brain tissue, varying per layer and the cellular diversities of the layers. Through this, one can acquire an understanding of the essential parameters in emulating the brain in vitro. In addition to the brain's organizational architecture, we addressed also how the mechanical properties have an impact on neuronal cell responses. In this respect, advanced in vitro platforms emerged and profoundly changed the methods of brain modeling efforts from the past, mainly focusing on animal or cell line research. The main challenges in imitating features of the brain in a dish are with regard to composition and functionality. In neurobiological research, there are now methods that aim to cope with such challenges by the self-assembly of human-derived pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), i.e., brainoids. Alternatively, these brainoids can be used stand-alone or in conjunction with Brain-on-Chip (BoC) platform technology, 3D-printed gels, and other types of engineered guidance features. Currently, advanced in vitro methods have made a giant leap forward regarding cost-effectiveness, ease-of-use, and availability. We bring these recent developments together into one review. We believe our conclusions will give a novel perspective towards advancing instructive microenvironments for BoCs and the understanding of the brain's cellular functions either in modeling healthy or diseased states of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulden Akcay
- Neuro-Nanoscale Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering/Microsystems, Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
| | - Regina Luttge
- Neuro-Nanoscale Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering/Microsystems, Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
- Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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49
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Weickenmeier J. Exploring the multiphysics of the brain during development, aging, and in neurological diseases. BRAIN MULTIPHYSICS 2023; 4:100068. [PMID: 37476409 PMCID: PMC10358452 DOI: 10.1016/j.brain.2023.100068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The human brain remains an endless source of wonder and represents an intruiging scientific frontier. Multiphysics approaches naturally lend themselves to combine our extensive knowledge about the neurobiology of aging and diseases with mechanics to better capture the multiscale behavior of the brain. Our group uses experimental methods, medical image analysis, and constitutive modeling to develop better disease models with the long-term goal to improve diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately enable prevention of many prevalent age- and disease-related brain changes. In the present perspective, we outline on-going work related to neurodevelopment, aging, and neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Weickenmeier
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, United States of America
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50
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Wen S, Yin A, Furlanello T, Perich MG, Miller LE, Itti L. Rapid adaptation of brain-computer interfaces to new neuronal ensembles or participants via generative modelling. Nat Biomed Eng 2023; 7:546-558. [PMID: 34795394 PMCID: PMC9114171 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-021-00811-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
For brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), obtaining sufficient training data for algorithms that map neural signals onto actions can be difficult, expensive or even impossible. Here we report the development and use of a generative model-a model that synthesizes a virtually unlimited number of new data distributions from a learned data distribution-that learns mappings between hand kinematics and the associated neural spike trains. The generative spike-train synthesizer is trained on data from one recording session with a monkey performing a reaching task and can be rapidly adapted to new sessions or monkeys by using limited additional neural data. We show that the model can be adapted to synthesize new spike trains, accelerating the training and improving the generalization of BCI decoders. The approach is fully data-driven, and hence, applicable to applications of BCIs beyond motor control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shixian Wen
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | | | | | - M G Perich
- University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - L E Miller
- Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Laurent Itti
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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