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Thekkethil N, Köry J, Guo M, Stewart PS, Hill NA, Luo X. Modelling the rheology of living cell cytoplasm: poroviscoelasticity and fluid-to-solid transition. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2024; 23:1551-1569. [PMID: 38976113 PMCID: PMC11436441 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-024-01854-2] [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: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Eukaryotic cell rheology has important consequences for vital processes such as adhesion, migration, and differentiation. Experiments indicate that cell cytoplasm can exhibit both elastic and viscous characteristics in different regimes, while the transport of fluid (cytosol) through the cross-linked filamentous scaffold (cytoskeleton) is reminiscent of mass transfer by diffusion through a porous medium. To gain insights into this complex rheological behaviour, we construct a computational model for the cell cytoplasm as a poroviscoelastic material formulated on the principles of nonlinear continuum mechanics, where we model the cytoplasm as a porous viscoelastic scaffold with an embedded viscous fluid flowing between the pores to model the cytosol. Baseline simulations (neglecting the viscosity of the cytosol) indicate that the system exhibits seven different regimes across the parameter space spanned by the viscoelastic relaxation timescale of the cytoskeleton and the poroelastic diffusion timescale; these regimes agree qualitatively with experimental measurements. Furthermore, the theoretical model also allows us to elucidate the additional role of pore fluid viscosity, which enters the system as a distinct viscous timescale. We show that increasing this viscous timescale hinders the passage of the pore fluid (reducing the poroelastic diffusion) and makes the cytoplasm rheology increasingly incompressible, shifting the phase boundaries between the regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namshad Thekkethil
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Jakub Köry
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Ming Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA
| | - Peter S Stewart
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Nicholas A Hill
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Xiaoyu Luo
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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2
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Chang Z, Zhou Y, Dong L, Qiao LR, Yang H, Xu GK. Deciphering the complex mechanics of atherosclerotic plaques: A hybrid hierarchical theory-microrheology approach. Acta Biomater 2024:S1742-7061(24)00545-2. [PMID: 39307259 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 09/14/2024] [Accepted: 09/17/2024] [Indexed: 10/07/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the viscoelastic properties of atherosclerotic plaques at rupture-prone scales is crucial for assessing their vulnerability. Here, we develop a Hybrid Hierarchical theory-Microrheology (HHM) approach, enabling the analysis of multiscale mechanical variations and distribution changes in regional tissue viscoelasticity within plaques across different spatial scales. We disclose a universal two-stage power-law rheology in plaques, characterized by distinct power-law exponents (αshort and αlong), which serve as mechanical indexes for plaque components and assessing mechanical gradients. We further propose a self-similar hierarchical theory that effectively delineates plaque heterogeneity from the cytoplasm, cell, to tissue levels. Moreover, our proposed multi-layer perceptron model addresses the viscoelastic heterogeneity and gradients within plaques, offering a promising diagnostic strategy for identifying unstable plaques. These findings not only advance our understanding of plaque mechanics but also pave the way for innovative diagnostic approaches in cardiovascular disease management. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Our study pioneers a Hybrid Hierarchical theory-Microrheology (HHM) approach to dissect the intricate viscoelasticity of atherosclerotic plaques, focusing on distinct components including cap fibrosis, lipid pools, and intimal fibrosis. We unveil a universal two-stage power-law rheology capturing mechanical variations across plaque structures. The proposed hierarchical model adeptly captures viscoelasticity changes from cytoplasm, cell to tissue levels. Based on the newly proposed markers, we further develop a machine learning (ML) diagnostic model that sets precise criteria for evaluating plaque components and heterogeneity. This work not only reveals the comprehensive mechanical heterogeneity within plaques but also introduces a mechanical marker-based ML strategy for assessing plaque conditions, offering a significant leap towards understanding and diagnosing atherosclerotic risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Chang
- Laboratory for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, Department of Engineering Mechanics, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Yidan Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710000, China
| | - Le Dong
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, China
| | - Lin-Ru Qiao
- Laboratory for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, Department of Engineering Mechanics, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Hui Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710000, China.
| | - Guang-Kui Xu
- Laboratory for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, Department of Engineering Mechanics, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
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3
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Thomas-Chemin O, Séverac C, Moumen A, Martinez-Rivas A, Vieu C, Le Lann MV, Trevisiol E, Dague E. Automated Bio-AFM Generation of Large Mechanome Data Set and Their Analysis by Machine Learning to Classify Cancerous Cell Lines. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:44504-44517. [PMID: 39162348 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c09218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
Mechanobiological measurements have the potential to discriminate healthy cells from pathological cells. However, a technology frequently used to measure these properties, i.e., atomic force microscopy (AFM), suffers from its low output and lack of standardization. In this work, we have optimized AFM mechanical measurement on cell populations and developed a technology combining cell patterning and AFM automation that has the potential to record data on hundreds of cells (956 cells measured for publication). On each cell, 16 force curves (FCs) and seven features/FC, constituting the mechanome, were calculated. All of the FCs were then classified using machine learning tools with a statistical approach based on a fuzzy logic algorithm, trained to discriminate between nonmalignant and cancerous cells (training base, up to 120 cells/cell line). The proof of concept was first made on prostate nonmalignant (RWPE-1) and cancerous cell lines (PC3-GFP), then on nonmalignant (Hs 895.Sk) and cancerous (Hs 895.T) skin fibroblast cell lines, and demonstrated the ability of our method to classify correctly 73% of the cells (194 cells in the database/cell line) despite the very high degree of similarity of the whole set of measurements (79-100% similarity).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Childérick Séverac
- LAAS-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, 31031 Toulouse, France
- RESTORE Research Center, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, EFS, ENVT, Université P. Sabatier, 31100 Toulouse, France
| | | | | | - Christophe Vieu
- LAAS-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, 31031 Toulouse, France
| | | | - Emmanuelle Trevisiol
- LAAS-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, 31031 Toulouse, France
- TBI, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Etienne Dague
- LAAS-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, 31031 Toulouse, France
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4
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Rajput SS, Singh SB, Subramanyam D, Patil S. Soft glassy rheology of single cells with pathogenic protein aggregates. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:6266-6274. [PMID: 39054893 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00595c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
A correlation between the mechanical properties of cells and various diseases has been emerging in recent years. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been widely used to measure a single cell's apparent Young's modulus by treating it as a fully elastic object. More recently, quantitative characterization of the complete viscoelasticity of single cells has become possible. We performed AFM-based nano-indentation experiments on hemocytes isolated from third instar larvae to determine their viscoelasticity and found that live hemocytes, like many other cells, follow a scale-free power-law rheology (PLR) akin to soft glasses. Further, we examined the changes in the rheological response of hemocytes in the presence of pathogenic protein aggregates known to cause neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's disorder and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Our results show that cells lose their fluidity and appear more solid-like in the presence of certain aggregates, in a manner correlated to actin reorganization. More solid-like cells also display reduced intracellular transport through clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME). However, the cell's rheology remains largely unaffected and is similar to that of wild-type (WT) hemocytes, if aggregates do not perturb the actin organization and CME. Moreover, the fluid-like nature was significantly recovered when actin organization was rescued by overexpressing specific actin interacting proteins or chaperones. Our study, for the first time, underscores a direct correlation between parameters governing glassy dynamics, actin organization and CME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shatruhan Singh Rajput
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune 411008, India
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK
| | - Surya Bansi Singh
- National Centre for Cell Science, SP Pune University Campus, Pune 411007, India.
- SP Pune University, Pune 411007, India
| | - Deepa Subramanyam
- National Centre for Cell Science, SP Pune University Campus, Pune 411007, India.
| | - Shivprasad Patil
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune 411008, India.
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5
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Chang Z, Li LY, Shi ZJ, Liu W, Xu GK. Beyond stiffness: Multiscale viscoelastic features as biomechanical markers for assessing cell types and states. Biophys J 2024; 123:1869-1881. [PMID: 38835167 PMCID: PMC11267428 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell mechanics are pivotal in regulating cellular activities, diseases progression, and cancer development. However, the understanding of how cellular viscoelastic properties vary in physiological and pathological stimuli remains scarce. Here, we develop a hybrid self-similar hierarchical theory-microrheology approach to accurately and efficiently characterize cellular viscoelasticity. Focusing on two key cell types associated with livers fibrosis-the capillarized liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and activated hepatic stellate cells-we uncover a universal two-stage power-law rheology characterized by two distinct exponents, αshort and αlong. The mechanical profiles derived from both exponents exhibit significant potential for discriminating among diverse cells. This finding suggests a potential common dynamic creep characteristic across biological systems, extending our earlier observations in soft tissues. Using a tailored hierarchical model for cellular mechanical structures, we discern significant variations in the viscoelastic properties and their distribution profiles across different cell types and states from the cytoplasm (elastic stiffness E1 and viscosity η), to a single cytoskeleton fiber (elastic stiffness E2), and then to the cell level (transverse expansion stiffness E3). Importantly, we construct a logistic-regression-based machine-learning model using the dynamic parameters that outperforms conventional cell-stiffness-based classifiers in assessing cell states, achieving an area under the curve of 97% vs. 78%. Our findings not only advance a robust framework for monitoring intricate cell dynamics but also highlight the crucial role of cellular viscoelasticity in discerning cell states across a spectrum of liver diseases and prognosis, offering new avenues for developing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies based on cellular viscoelasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Chang
- Laboratory for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, Department of Engineering Mechanics, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Li-Ya Li
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhi-Jun Shi
- Laboratory for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, Department of Engineering Mechanics, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenjia Liu
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Guang-Kui Xu
- Laboratory for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, Department of Engineering Mechanics, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
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6
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Guo F, Luo Z, Zhou W. Considering Joule heating in coupled electroporation and electrodeformation modeling of glioblastoma cells. Comput Biol Med 2024; 177:108678. [PMID: 38833796 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.108678] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Cells exposed to a pulsed electric field undergo electroporation(EP) and electrodeformation(ED) under electric field stress, and a coupled model of EP and ED of glioblastoma(GBM) taking into account Joule heating is proposed. The model geometry is extracted from real cell boundaries, and the effects of Joule heating-induced temperature rise on the EP and ED processes are considered. The results show that the temperature rise will increase the cell's local conductivity, leading to a decrease in the transmembrane potential(TMP). The temperature rise also causes a decrease in the dynamic Young's modulus of the cell membrane, making the cell less resistant to deformation. In addition, GBM cells are more susceptible to EP in the middle portion of the cell and ED in the three tentacle portions under pulsed electric fields, and the cells undergo significant positional shifts. The ED of the nucleus is similar to spherical cells, but the degree of ED is smaller.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Guo
- Institute of Ecological Safety, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, 400065, China.
| | - Zhijun Luo
- Institute of Ecological Safety, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, 400065, China
| | - Weina Zhou
- Institute of Ecological Safety, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, 400065, China
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7
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Joshi K, York HM, Wright CS, Biswas RR, Arumugam S, Iyer-Biswas S. Emergent Spatiotemporal Organization in Stochastic Intracellular Transport Dynamics. Annu Rev Biophys 2024; 53:193-220. [PMID: 38346244 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biophys-030422-044448] [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] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
The interior of a living cell is an active, fluctuating, and crowded environment, yet it maintains a high level of coherent organization. This dichotomy is readily apparent in the intracellular transport system of the cell. Membrane-bound compartments called endosomes play a key role in carrying cargo, in conjunction with myriad components including cargo adaptor proteins, membrane sculptors, motor proteins, and the cytoskeleton. These components coordinate to effectively navigate the crowded cell interior and transport cargo to specific intracellular locations, even though the underlying protein interactions and enzymatic reactions exhibit stochastic behavior. A major challenge is to measure, analyze, and understand how, despite the inherent stochasticity of the constituent processes, the collective outcomes show an emergent spatiotemporal order that is precise and robust. This review focuses on this intriguing dichotomy, providing insights into the known mechanisms of noise suppression and noise utilization in intracellular transport processes, and also identifies opportunities for future inquiry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunaal Joshi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA;
| | - Harrison M York
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia;
| | - Charles S Wright
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA;
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia;
| | - Rudro R Biswas
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA;
| | - Senthil Arumugam
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Single Molecule Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia;
- European Molecular Biological Laboratory Australia (EMBL Australia), Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Srividya Iyer-Biswas
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA;
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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8
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Urbanska M, Guck J. Single-Cell Mechanics: Structural Determinants and Functional Relevance. Annu Rev Biophys 2024; 53:367-395. [PMID: 38382116 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biophys-030822-030629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The mechanical phenotype of a cell determines its ability to deform under force and is therefore relevant to cellular functions that require changes in cell shape, such as migration or circulation through the microvasculature. On the practical level, the mechanical phenotype can be used as a global readout of the cell's functional state, a marker for disease diagnostics, or an input for tissue modeling. We focus our review on the current knowledge of structural components that contribute to the determination of the cellular mechanical properties and highlight the physiological processes in which the mechanical phenotype of the cells is of critical relevance. The ongoing efforts to understand how to efficiently measure and control the mechanical properties of cells will define the progress in the field and drive mechanical phenotyping toward clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Urbanska
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Erlangen, Germany; ,
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jochen Guck
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Erlangen, Germany; ,
- Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
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9
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Sakai K, Kondo Y, Goto Y, Aoki K. Cytoplasmic fluidization contributes to breaking spore dormancy in fission yeast. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2405553121. [PMID: 38889144 PMCID: PMC11214080 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2405553121] [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: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The cytoplasm is a complex, crowded environment that influences myriad cellular processes including protein folding and metabolic reactions. Recent studies have suggested that changes in the biophysical properties of the cytoplasm play a key role in cellular homeostasis and adaptation. However, it still remains unclear how cells control their cytoplasmic properties in response to environmental cues. Here, we used fission yeast spores as a model system of dormant cells to elucidate the mechanisms underlying regulation of the cytoplasmic properties. By tracking fluorescent tracer particles, we found that particle mobility decreased in spores compared to vegetative cells and rapidly increased at the onset of dormancy breaking upon glucose addition. This cytoplasmic fluidization depended on glucose-sensing via the cyclic adenosine monophosphate-protein kinase A pathway. PKA activation led to trehalose degradation through trehalase Ntp1, thereby increasing particle mobility as the amount of trehalose decreased. In contrast, the rapid cytoplasmic fluidization did not require de novo protein synthesis, cytoskeletal dynamics, or cell volume increase. Furthermore, the measurement of diffusion coefficients with tracer particles of different sizes suggests that the spore cytoplasm impedes the movement of larger protein complexes (40 to 150 nm) such as ribosomes, while allowing free diffusion of smaller molecules (~3 nm) such as second messengers and signaling proteins. Our experiments have thus uncovered a series of signaling events that enable cells to quickly fluidize the cytoplasm at the onset of dormancy breaking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichiro Sakai
- Quantitative Biology Research Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi444-8787, Japan
- Division of Quantitative Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi444-8787, Japan
| | - Yohei Kondo
- Quantitative Biology Research Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi444-8787, Japan
- Division of Quantitative Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi444-8787, Japan
- Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi444-8787, Japan
- Division of Integrated Life Science, Department of Gene Mechanisms, Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto606-8315, Japan
- Center for Living Systems Information Science, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto606-8315, Japan
| | - Yuhei Goto
- Quantitative Biology Research Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi444-8787, Japan
- Division of Quantitative Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi444-8787, Japan
- Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi444-8787, Japan
- Division of Integrated Life Science, Department of Gene Mechanisms, Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto606-8315, Japan
- Center for Living Systems Information Science, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto606-8315, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Aoki
- Quantitative Biology Research Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi444-8787, Japan
- Division of Quantitative Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi444-8787, Japan
- Department of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Myodaiji-cho, Okazaki, Aichi444-8787, Japan
- Division of Integrated Life Science, Department of Gene Mechanisms, Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto606-8315, Japan
- Center for Living Systems Information Science, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto606-8315, Japan
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10
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Shen Y, Ori-McKenney KM. Microtubule-associated protein MAP7 promotes tubulin posttranslational modifications and cargo transport to enable osmotic adaptation. Dev Cell 2024; 59:1553-1570.e7. [PMID: 38574732 PMCID: PMC11187767 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.03.022] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Cells remodel their cytoskeletal networks to adapt to their environment. Here, we analyze the mechanisms utilized by the cell to tailor its microtubule landscape in response to changes in osmolarity that alter macromolecular crowding. By integrating live-cell imaging, ex vivo enzymatic assays, and in vitro reconstitution, we probe the impact of cytoplasmic density on microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) and tubulin posttranslational modifications (PTMs). We find that human epithelial cells respond to fluctuations in cytoplasmic density by modulating microtubule acetylation, detyrosination, or MAP7 association without differentially affecting polyglutamylation, tyrosination, or MAP4 association. These MAP-PTM combinations alter intracellular cargo transport, enabling the cell to respond to osmotic challenges. We further dissect the molecular mechanisms governing tubulin PTM specification and find that MAP7 promotes acetylation and inhibits detyrosination. Our data identify MAP7 in modulating the tubulin code, resulting in microtubule cytoskeleton remodeling and alteration of intracellular transport as an integrated mechanism of cellular adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusheng Shen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Kassandra M Ori-McKenney
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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11
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Pinchiaroli J, Saldanha R, Patteson AE, Robertson-Anderson RM, Gurmessa BJ. Switchable microscale stress response of actin-vimentin composites emerges from scale-dependent interactions. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.07.597906. [PMID: 38895280 PMCID: PMC11185688 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.07.597906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The mechanical properties of the mammalian cell regulate many cellular functions and are largely dictated by the cytoskeleton, a composite network of protein filaments, including actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. Interactions between these distinct filaments give rise to emergent mechanical properties that are difficult to generate synthetically, and recent studies have made great strides in advancing our understanding of the mechanical interplay between actin and microtubule filaments. While intermediate filaments play critical roles in the stress response of cells, their effect on the rheological properties of the composite cytoskeleton remains poorly understood. Here, we use optical tweezers microrheology to measure the linear viscoelastic properties and nonlinear stress response of composites of actin and vimentin with varying molar ratios of actin to vimentin. We reveal a surprising, nearly opposite effect of actin-vimentin network mechanics compared to single-component networks in the linear versus nonlinear regimes. Namely, the linear elastic plateau modulus and zero-shear viscosity are markedly reduced in composites compared to single-component networks of actin or vimentin, whereas the initial response force and stiffness are maximized in composites versus single-component networks in the nonlinear regime. While these emergent trends are indicative of distinct interactions between actin and vimentin, nonlinear stiffening and longtime stress response appear to both be dictated primarily by actin, at odds with previous bulk rheology studies. We demonstrate that these complex, scale-dependent effects arise from the varied contributions of network density, filament stiffness, non-specific interactions, and poroelasticity to the mechanical response at different spatiotemporal scales. Cells may harness this complex behavior to facilitate distinct stress responses at different scales and in response to different stimuli to allow for their hallmark multifunctionality.
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12
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Seraj H, Nazari MA, Atai AA, Amanpour S, Azadi M. A Review: Biomechanical Aspects of the Fallopian Tube Relevant to its Function in Fertility. Reprod Sci 2024; 31:1456-1485. [PMID: 38472710 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-024-01479-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
The fallopian tube (FT) plays a crucial role in the reproductive process by providing an ideal biomechanical and biochemical environment for fertilization and early embryo development. Despite its importance, the biomechanical functions of the FT that originate from its morphological aspects, and ultrastructural aspects, as well as the mechanical properties of FT, have not been studied nor used sufficiently, which limits the understanding of fertilization, mechanotrasduction, and mechanobiology during embryo development, as well as the replication of the FT in laboratory settings for infertility treatments. This paper reviews and revives valuable information on human FT reported in medical literature in the past five decades relevant to the biomechanical aspects of FT. In this review, we summarized the current state of knowledge concerning the morphological, ultrastructural aspects, and mechanical properties of the human FT. We also investigate the potential arising from a thorough consideration of the biomechanical functions and exploring often neglected mechanical aspects. Our investigation encompasses both macroscopic measurements (such as length, diameter, and thickness) and microscopic measurements (including the height of epithelial cells, the percentage of ciliated cells, cilia structure, and ciliary beat frequency). Our primary focus has been on healthy women of reproductive age. We have examined various measurement techniques, encompassing conventional metrology, 2D histological data as well as new spatial measurement techniques such as micro-CT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Seraj
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Nazari
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Speech and Cognition, CNRS UMR 5216, Grenoble Institute of Technology, Grenoble, France.
| | - Ali Asghar Atai
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeid Amanpour
- Vali-E-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Cancer Biology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Azadi
- School of Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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13
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Siboni H, Ruseska I, Zimmer A. Atomic Force Microscopy for the Study of Cell Mechanics in Pharmaceutics. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:733. [PMID: 38931854 PMCID: PMC11207904 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell mechanics is gaining attraction in drug screening, but the applicable methods have not yet become part of the standardized norm. This review presents the current state of the art for atomic force microscopy, which is the most widely available method. The field is first motivated as a new way of tracking pharmaceutical effects, followed by a basic introduction targeted at pharmacists on how to measure cellular stiffness. The review then moves on to the current state of the knowledge in terms of experimental results and supplementary methods such as fluorescence microscopy that can give relevant additional information. Finally, rheological approaches as well as the theoretical interpretations are presented before ending on additional methods and outlooks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Siboni
- Pharmaceutical Technology & Biopharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (H.S.); (I.R.)
- Single Molecule Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Ivana Ruseska
- Pharmaceutical Technology & Biopharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (H.S.); (I.R.)
| | - Andreas Zimmer
- Pharmaceutical Technology & Biopharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (H.S.); (I.R.)
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14
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Li M. Harnessing atomic force microscopy-based single-cell analysis to advance physical oncology. Microsc Res Tech 2024; 87:631-659. [PMID: 38053519 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24467] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Single-cell analysis is an emerging and promising frontier in the field of life sciences, which is expected to facilitate the exploration of fundamental laws of physiological and pathological processes. Single-cell analysis allows experimental access to cell-to-cell heterogeneity to reveal the distinctive behaviors of individual cells, offering novel opportunities to dissect the complexity of severe human diseases such as cancers. Among the single-cell analysis tools, atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a powerful and versatile one which is able to nondestructively image the fine topographies and quantitatively measure multiple mechanical properties of single living cancer cells in their native states under aqueous conditions with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. Over the past few decades, AFM has been widely utilized to detect the structural and mechanical behaviors of individual cancer cells during the process of tumor formation, invasion, and metastasis, yielding numerous unique insights into tumor pathogenesis from the biomechanical perspective and contributing much to the field of cancer mechanobiology. Here, the achievements of AFM-based analysis of single cancer cells to advance physical oncology are comprehensively summarized, and challenges and future perspectives are also discussed. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Achievements of AFM in characterizing the structural and mechanical behaviors of single cancer cells are summarized, and future directions are discussed. AFM is not only capable of visualizing cellular fine structures, but can also measure multiple cellular mechanical properties as well as cell-generated mechanical forces. There is still plenty of room for harnessing AFM-based single-cell analysis to advance physical oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Institutes for Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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15
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Yang T, Xue T, Mao J, Chen Y, Tian H, Bartolome A, Xia H, Yao X, Kumar CV, Cheng J, Lin Y. Tailoring Synthetic Polypeptide Design for Directed Fibril Superstructure Formation and Enhanced Hydrogel Properties. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:5823-5833. [PMID: 38174701 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c10762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The biological significance of self-assembled protein filament networks and their unique mechanical properties have sparked interest in the development of synthetic filament networks that mimic these attributes. Building on the recent advancement of autoaccelerated ring-opening polymerization of amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs), this study strategically explores a series of random copolymers comprising multiple amino acids, aiming to elucidate the core principles governing gelation pathways of these purpose-designed copolypeptides. Utilizing glutamate (Glu) as the primary component of copolypeptides, two targeted pathways were pursued: first, achieving a fast fibrillation rate with lower interaction potential using serine (Ser) as a comonomer, facilitating the creation of homogeneous fibril networks; and second, creating more rigid networks of fibril clusters by incorporating alanine (Ala) and valine (Val) as comonomers. The selection of amino acids played a pivotal role in steering both the morphology of fibril superstructures and their assembly kinetics, subsequently determining their potential to form sample-spanning networks. Importantly, the viscoelastic properties of the resulting supramolecular hydrogels can be tailored according to the specific copolypeptide composition through modulations in filament densities and lengths. The findings enhance our understanding of directed self-assembly in high molecular weight synthetic copolypeptides, offering valuable insights for the development of synthetic fibrous networks and biomimetic supramolecular materials with custom-designed properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianjian Yang
- Polymer Program, Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Tianrui Xue
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Jianan Mao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Yingying Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Huidi Tian
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Arlene Bartolome
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Hongwei Xia
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Xudong Yao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Challa V Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Jianjun Cheng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Yao Lin
- Polymer Program, Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
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16
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Hadzipasic M, Zhang S, Huang Z, Passaro R, Sten MS, Shankar GM, Nia HT. Emergence of nanoscale viscoelasticity from single cancer cells to established tumors. Biomaterials 2024; 305:122431. [PMID: 38169188 PMCID: PMC10837793 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Tumors are complex materials whose physical properties dictate growth and treatment outcomes. Recent evidence suggests time-dependent physical properties, such as viscoelasticity, are crucial, distinct mechanical regulators of cancer progression and malignancy, yet the genesis and consequences of tumor viscoelasticity are poorly understood. Here, using Wide-bandwidth AFM-based ViscoElastic Spectroscopy (WAVES) coupled with mathematical modeling, we probe the origins of tumor viscoelasticity. From single carcinoma cells to increasingly sized carcinoma spheroids to established tumors, we describe a stepwise evolution of dynamic mechanical properties that create a nanorheological signature of established tumors: increased stiffness, decreased rate-dependent stiffening, and reduced energy dissipation. We dissect this evolution of viscoelasticity by scale, and show established tumors use fluid-solid interactions as the dominant mechanism of mechanical energy dissipation as opposed to fluid-independent intrinsic viscoelasticity. Additionally, we demonstrate the energy dissipation mechanism in spheroids and established tumors is negatively correlated with the cellular density, and this relationship strongly depends on an intact actin cytoskeleton. These findings define an emergent and targetable signature of the physical tumor microenvironment, with potential for deeper understanding of tumor pathophysiology and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhamed Hadzipasic
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sue Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhuoying Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rachel Passaro
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University Boston, MA, USA
| | - Margaret S Sten
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ganesh M Shankar
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hadi T Nia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University Boston, MA, USA.
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17
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Fujii Y, Ikenouchi J. Cytoplasmic zoning in membrane blebs. J Biochem 2024; 175:133-140. [PMID: 37943501 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvad084] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Blebs are membrane structures formed by the detachment of the plasma membrane from the underlying actin cytoskeleton. It is now clear that a wide variety of cells, including cancer cells, actively form blebs for cell migration and cell survival. The expansion of blebs has been regarded as the passive ballooning of the plasma membrane by an abrupt increase in intracellular pressure. However, recent studies revealed the importance of 'cytoplasmic zoning', i.e. local changes in the hydrodynamic properties and the ionic and protein content of the cytoplasm. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind cytoplasmic zoning and its role in bleb expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Fujii
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Kyushu University, Nishi-Ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Junichi Ikenouchi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Kyushu University, Nishi-Ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
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18
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Yang X, Yang Y, Zhang Z, Li M. Deep Learning Image Recognition-Assisted Atomic Force Microscopy for Single-Cell Efficient Mechanics in Co-culture Environments. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:837-852. [PMID: 38154137 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based force spectroscopy assay has become an important method for characterizing the mechanical properties of single living cells under aqueous conditions, but a disadvantage is its reliance on manual operation and experience as well as the resulting low throughput. Particularly, providing a capacity to accurately identify the type of the cell grown in co-culture environments without the need of fluorescent labeling will further facilitate the applications of AFM in life sciences. Here, we present a study of deep learning image recognition-assisted AFM, which not only enables fluorescence-independent recognition of the identity of single co-cultured cells but also allows efficient downstream AFM force measurements of the identified cells. With the use of the deep learning-based image recognition model, the viability and type of individual cells grown in co-culture environments were identified directly from the optical bright-field images, which were confirmed by the following cell growth and fluorescent labeling results. Based on the image recognition results, the positional relationship between the AFM probe and the targeted cell was automatically determined, allowing the precise movement of the AFM probe to the target cell to perform force measurements. The experimental results show that the presented method was applicable not only to the conventional (microsphere-modified) AFM probe used in AFM indentation assay for measuring the Young's modulus of single co-cultured cells but also to the single-cell probe used in AFM-based single-cell force spectroscopy (SCFS) assay for measuring the adhesion forces of single co-cultured cells. The study illustrates deep learning imaging recognition-assisted AFM as a promising approach for label-free and high-throughput detection of single-cell mechanics under co-culture conditions, which will facilitate unraveling the mechanical cues involved in cell-cell interactions in their native states at the single-cell level and will benefit the field of mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuliang Yang
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang 110870, China
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yanqi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
- Institutes for Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110169, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhihui Zhang
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang 110870, China
| | - Mi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
- Institutes for Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110169, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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19
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Livne G, Gat S, Armon S, Bernheim-Groswasser A. Self-assembled active actomyosin gels spontaneously curve and wrinkle similar to biological cells and tissues. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2309125121. [PMID: 38175871 PMCID: PMC10786314 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2309125121] [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: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Living systems adopt a diversity of curved and highly dynamic shapes. These diverse morphologies appear on many length scales, from cells to tissues and organismal scales. The common driving force for these dynamic shape changes are contractile stresses generated by myosin motors in the cell cytoskeleton, that converts chemical energy into mechanical work. A good understanding of how contractile stresses in the cytoskeleton arise into different three-dimensional (3D) shapes and what are the shape selection rules that determine their final configurations is still lacking. To obtain insight into the relevant physical mechanisms, we recreate the actomyosin cytoskeleton in vitro, with precisely controlled composition and initial geometry. A set of actomyosin gel discs, intrinsically identical but of variable initial geometry, dynamically self-organize into a family of 3D shapes, such as domes and wrinkled shapes, without the need for specific preprogramming or additional regulation. Shape deformation is driven by the spontaneous emergence of stress gradients driven by myosin and is encoded in the initial disc radius to thickness aspect ratio, which may indicate shaping scalability. Our results suggest that while the dynamical pathways may depend on the detailed interactions between the different microscopic components within the gel, the final selected shapes obey the general theory of elastic deformations of thin sheets. Altogether, our results emphasize the importance for the emergence of active stress gradients for buckling-driven shape deformations and provide insights on the mechanically induced spontaneous shape transitions in contractile active matter, revealing potential shared mechanisms with living systems across scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gefen Livne
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva84105, Israel
| | - Shachar Gat
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva84105, Israel
| | - Shahaf Armon
- Department of Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot76100, Israel
| | - Anne Bernheim-Groswasser
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva84105, Israel
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20
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Parent SE, Luu O, Bruce AEE, Winklbauer R. Two-phase kinetics and cell cortex elastic behavior in Xenopus gastrula cell-cell adhesion. Dev Cell 2024; 59:141-155.e6. [PMID: 38091998 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.11.014] [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: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Morphogenetic movements during animal development involve repeated making and breaking of cell-cell contacts. Recent biophysical models of cell-cell adhesion integrate adhesion molecule interactions and cortical cytoskeletal tension modulation, describing equilibrium states for established contacts. We extend this emerging unified concept of adhesion to contact formation kinetics, showing that aggregating Xenopus embryonic cells rapidly achieve Ca2+-independent low-contact states. Subsequent transitions to cadherin-dependent high-contact states show rapid decreases in contact cortical F-actin levels but slow contact area growth. We developed a biophysical model that predicted contact growth quantitatively from known cellular and cytoskeletal parameters, revealing that elastic resistance to deformation and cytoskeletal network turnover are essential determinants of adhesion kinetics. Characteristic time scales of contact growth to low and high states differ by an order of magnitude, being at a few minutes and tens of minutes, respectively, thus providing insight into the timescales of cell-rearrangement-dependent tissue movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serge E Parent
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G5, Canada.
| | - Olivia Luu
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Ashley E E Bruce
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G5, Canada.
| | - Rudolf Winklbauer
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G5, Canada.
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21
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Feng J, Sun Q, Chen P, Ren K, Zhang Y, Shi Y, Gao S, Song Z, Wang J, Liao F, Han D. Characterization of Cancer Cell Mechanics by Measuring Active Deformation Behavior. SMALL METHODS 2024; 8:e2300520. [PMID: 37775303 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300520] [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: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Active deformation behavior reflects cell structural dynamics adapting to varying environmental constraints during malignancy progression. In most cases, cell mechanics is characterized by modeling using static equilibrium systems, which fails to comprehend cell deformation behavior leading to inaccuracies in distinguishing cancer cells from normal cells. Here, a method is introduced to measure the active deformation behavior of cancer cells using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the newly developed deformation behavior cytometry (DBC). During the measurement, cells are deformed and allows a long timescale relaxation (≈5 s). Two parameters are derived to represent deformation behavior: apparent Poisson's ratio for adherent cells, which is measured with AFM and refers to the ratio of the lateral strain to the longitudinal strain of the cell, and shape recovery for suspended cells, which is measured with DBC. Active deformation behavior defines cancer cell mechanics better than traditional mechanical parameters (e.g., stiffness, diffusion, and viscosity). Additionally, aquaporins are essential for promoting the deformation behavior, while the actin cytoskeleton acts as a downstream effector. Therefore, the potential application of the cancer cell active deformation behavior as a biomechanical marker or therapeutic target in cancer treatment should be evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiantao Feng
- Artemisinin Research Center and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Quanmei Sun
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Peipei Chen
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Keli Ren
- The Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Yahong Shi
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Songkun Gao
- Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100006, China
| | - Zhiwei Song
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Jigang Wang
- Artemisinin Research Center and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Fulong Liao
- Artemisinin Research Center and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Dong Han
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
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22
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Atia L, Fredberg JJ. A life off the beaten track in biomechanics: Imperfect elasticity, cytoskeletal glassiness, and epithelial unjamming. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2023; 4:041304. [PMID: 38156333 PMCID: PMC10751956 DOI: 10.1063/5.0179719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Textbook descriptions of elasticity, viscosity, and viscoelasticity fail to account for certain mechanical behaviors that typify soft living matter. Here, we consider three examples. First, strong empirical evidence suggests that within lung parenchymal tissues, the frictional stresses expressed at the microscale are fundamentally not of viscous origin. Second, the cytoskeleton (CSK) of the airway smooth muscle cell, as well as that of all eukaryotic cells, is more solid-like than fluid-like, yet its elastic modulus is softer than the softest of soft rubbers by a factor of 104-105. Moreover, the eukaryotic CSK expresses power law rheology, innate malleability, and fluidization when sheared. For these reasons, taken together, the CSK of the living eukaryotic cell is reminiscent of the class of materials called soft glasses, thus likening it to inert materials such as clays, pastes slurries, emulsions, and foams. Third, the cellular collective comprising a confluent epithelial layer can become solid-like and jammed, fluid-like and unjammed, or something in between. Esoteric though each may seem, these discoveries are consequential insofar as they impact our understanding of bronchospasm and wound healing as well as cancer cell invasion and embryonic development. Moreover, there are reasons to suspect that certain of these phenomena first arose in the early protist as a result of evolutionary pressures exerted by the primordial microenvironment. We have hypothesized, further, that each then became passed down virtually unchanged to the present day as a conserved core process. These topics are addressed here not only because they are interesting but also because they track the journey of one laboratory along a path less traveled by.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lior Atia
- Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
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23
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Cho DH, Aguayo S, Cartagena-Rivera AX. Atomic force microscopy-mediated mechanobiological profiling of complex human tissues. Biomaterials 2023; 303:122389. [PMID: 37988897 PMCID: PMC10842832 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Tissue mechanobiology is an emerging field with the overarching goal of understanding the interplay between biophysical and biochemical responses affecting development, physiology, and disease. Changes in mechanical properties including stiffness and viscosity have been shown to describe how cells and tissues respond to mechanical cues and modify critical biological functions. To quantitatively characterize the mechanical properties of tissues at physiologically relevant conditions, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has emerged as a highly versatile biomechanical technology. In this review, we describe the fundamental principles of AFM, typical AFM modalities used for tissue mechanics, and commonly used elastic and viscoelastic contact mechanics models to characterize complex human tissues. Furthermore, we discuss the application of AFM-based mechanobiology to characterize the mechanical responses within complex human tissues to track their developmental, physiological/functional, and diseased states, including oral, hearing, and cancer-related tissues. Finally, we discuss the current outlook and challenges to further advance the field of tissue mechanobiology. Altogether, AFM-based tissue mechanobiology provides a mechanistic understanding of biological processes governing the unique functions of tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Cho
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sebastian Aguayo
- Dentistry School, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Schools of Engineering, Medicine, and Biological Sciences, Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexander X Cartagena-Rivera
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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24
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Johnstone BH, Gu D, Lin CH, Du J, Woods EJ. Identification of a fundamental cryoinjury mechanism in MSCs and its mitigation through cell-cycle synchronization prior to freezing. Cryobiology 2023; 113:104592. [PMID: 37827209 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2023.104592] [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: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Clinical development of cellular therapies, including mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) treatments, has been hindered by ineffective cryopreservation methods that result in substantial loss of post-thaw cell viability and function. Proposed solutions to generate high potency MSC for clinical testing include priming cells with potent cytokines such as interferon gamma (IFNγ) prior to cryopreservation, which has been shown to enhance post-thaw function, or briefly culturing to allow recovery from cryopreservation injury prior to administering to patients. However, both solutions have disadvantages: cryorecovery increases the complexity of manufacturing and distribution logistics, while the pleiotropic effects of IFNγ may have uncharacterized and unintended consequences on MSC function. To determine specific cellular functions impacted by cryoinjury, we first evaluated cell cycle status. It was discovered that S phase MSC are exquisitely sensitive to cryoinjury, demonstrating heightened levels of delayed apoptosis post-thaw and reduced immunomodulatory function. Blocking cell cycle progression at G0/G1 by growth factor deprivation (commonly known as serum starvation) greatly reduced post-thaw dysfunction of MSC by preventing apoptosis induced by double-stranded breaks in labile replicating DNA that form during the cryopreservation and thawing processes. Viability, clonal growth and T cell suppression function were preserved at pre-cryopreservation levels and were no different than cells prior to freezing or frozen after priming with IFNγ. Thus, we have developed a robust and effective strategy to enhance post-thaw recovery of therapeutic MSC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dongsheng Gu
- Ossium Health, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Chieh-Han Lin
- Ossium Health, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Jianguang Du
- Ossium Health, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Erik J Woods
- Ossium Health, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, United States.
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25
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Li SH, Xu GK. Topological mechanism in the nonlinear power-law relaxation of cell cortex. Phys Rev E 2023; 108:064408. [PMID: 38243511 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.108.064408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Different types of cells exhibit a universal power-law rheology, but the mechanism underneath is still unclear. Based on the exponential distribution of actin filament length, we treat the cell cortex as a collection of chains of crosslinkers with exponentially distributed binding energy, and show that the power-law exponent of its stress relaxation should scale with the chain length. Through this model, we are able to explain how the exponent can be regulated by the crosslinker number and imposed strain during cortex relaxation. Network statistics show that the average length of filament-crosslinker chains decreases with the crosslinker number, which endows a denser network with lower exponent. Due to gradual molecular alignment with the stretch direction, the number of effectively stretched crosslinkers in the network is found to increase with the imposed strain. This effective growth in network density diminishes the exponent under large strain. By incorporating the inclined angle of crosslinkers into the model without in-series structure, we show that the exponent cannot be altered by crosslinker rotation directly, refining our previous conjectures. This work may help to understand cellular mechanics from the molecular perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Heng Li
- Laboratory for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, Department of Engineering Mechanics, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Guang-Kui Xu
- Laboratory for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, Department of Engineering Mechanics, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
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26
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Mascheroni P, Penta R, Merodio J. The impact of vascular volume fraction and compressibility of the interstitial matrix on vascularised poroelastic tissues. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2023; 22:1901-1917. [PMID: 37587330 PMCID: PMC10613172 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-023-01742-1] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
In this work we address the role of the microstructural properties of a vascularised poroelastic material, characterised by the coupling between a poroelastic matrix and a viscous fluid vessels network, on its overall response in terms of pressures, velocities and stress maps. We embrace the recently developed model (Penta and Merodio in Meccanica 52(14):3321-3343, 2017) as a theoretical starting point and present the results obtained by solving the full interplay between the microscale, represented by the intervessels' distance, and the macroscale, representing the size of the overall tissue. We encode the influence of the vessels' density and the poroelastic matrix compressibility in the poroelastic coefficients of the model, which are obtained by solving appropriate periodic cell problem at the microscale. The double-poroelastic model (Penta and Merodio 2017) is then solved at the macroscale in the context of vascular tumours, for different values of vessels' walls permeability. The results clearly indicate that improving the compressibility of the matrix and decreasing the vessels' density enhances the transvascular pressure difference and hence transport of fluid and drug within a tumour mass after a transient time. Our results suggest to combine vessel and interstitial normalization in tumours to allow for better drug delivery into the lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Mascheroni
- Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire de Physique, Université Grenoble Alpes, 140, Rue de la Physique, 38402, Saint Martin d'Héres, France
| | - Raimondo Penta
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Glasgow, University Place, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - José Merodio
- Departamento de Matemática Aplicada a las TIC ETS de Ingeniería de Sistemas Informáticos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28031, Madrid, Spain
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27
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Thomas-Chemin O, Séverac C, Trévisiol E, Dague E. Indentation of living cells by AFM tips may not be what we thought! Micron 2023; 174:103523. [PMID: 37595406 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2023.103523] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
The models used to calculate Young's moduli from atomic force microscopy (AFM) force curves consider the shape of the indentation. It is then assumed that the geometry of the indentation is identical to the geometry of the indenter, which has been verified for hard materials (E > 1 MPa). Based on this assumption, the force curves calculated by these models, for the same object with a given Young's modulus, are different if the indenter geometry is different. On the contrary, we observe experimentally that the force curves recorded on soft living cells, with pyramidal, spherical, or tipless indenters, are almost similar. This indicates that this basic assumption on the indentation geometry does not work for soft materials (E of the order of 5 kPa or less). This means that, in this case, the shape of the indentation is therefore different from the shape of the indenter. Indentation of living cells by AFM is not what we thought!
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Childérick Séverac
- RESTORE Research Center, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, EFS, ENVT, Université P. Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Etienne Dague
- LAAS-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France.
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28
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Ren K, Feng J, Bi H, Sun Q, Li X, Han D. AFM-Based Poroelastic@Membrane Analysis of Cells and its Opportunities for Translational Medicine. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2303610. [PMID: 37403276 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202303610] [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: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Cell mechanics is an emerging field of research for translational medicine. Here, the cell is modeled as poroelastic cytoplasm wrapped by tensile membrane (poroelastic@membrane model) and is characterized by the atomic force microscopy (AFM). The parameters of cytoskeleton network modulus EC , cytoplasmic apparent viscosity ηC , and cytoplasmic diffusion coefficient DC are used to describe the mechanical behavior of cytoplasm, and membrane tension γ is used to evaluate the cell membrane. Poroelastic@membrane analysis of breast cells and urothelial cells show that non-cancer cells and cancer cells have different distribution regions and distribution trends in the four-dimensional space composed of EC , ηC . From non-cancer to cancer cells, there is often a trend of γ, EC , ηC decreases and DC increases. Patients with urothelial carcinoma at different malignant stages can be distinguished at high sensitivity and specificity by analyzing the urothelial cells from tissue or urine. However, sampling directly from tumor tissues is an invasive method, may lead to undesirable consequences. Thus, AFM-based poroelastic@membrane analysis of urothelial cells from urine may provide a non-invasive and no-bio-label method to detecting urothelial carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keli Ren
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, No.11 ZhongGuanCun BeiYiTiao, Haidian, Beijing, 100191, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.1 Yanqihu East Rd, Huairou Distric, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Jiantao Feng
- Artemisinin Research Center and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No.16, Nanxiao street, Dongzhimen, Dongcheng, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Hai Bi
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Rd., Haidian, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Quanmei Sun
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, No.11 ZhongGuanCun BeiYiTiao, Haidian, Beijing, 100191, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.1 Yanqihu East Rd, Huairou Distric, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Xiang Li
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, No.11 ZhongGuanCun BeiYiTiao, Haidian, Beijing, 100191, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.1 Yanqihu East Rd, Huairou Distric, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Dong Han
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, No.11 ZhongGuanCun BeiYiTiao, Haidian, Beijing, 100191, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.1 Yanqihu East Rd, Huairou Distric, Beijing, 100190, China
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29
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Chen MB, Javanmardi Y, Shahreza S, Serwinski B, Aref A, Djordjevic B, Moeendarbary E. Mechanobiology in oncology: basic concepts and clinical prospects. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1239749. [PMID: 38020912 PMCID: PMC10644154 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1239749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The interplay between genetic transformations, biochemical communications, and physical interactions is crucial in cancer progression. Metastasis, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, involves a series of steps, including invasion, intravasation, circulation survival, and extravasation. Mechanical alterations, such as changes in stiffness and morphology, play a significant role in all stages of cancer initiation and dissemination. Accordingly, a better understanding of cancer mechanobiology can help in the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Targeting the physical properties of tumours and their microenvironment presents opportunities for intervention. Advancements in imaging techniques and lab-on-a-chip systems enable personalized investigations of tumor biomechanics and drug screening. Investigation of the interplay between genetic, biochemical, and mechanical factors, which is of crucial importance in cancer progression, offers insights for personalized medicine and innovative treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle B. Chen
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Yousef Javanmardi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Somayeh Shahreza
- 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
- Northeastern University London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amir Aref
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Boris Djordjevic
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- 199 Biotechnologies Ltd., London, United Kingdom
| | - Emad Moeendarbary
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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30
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Hernández-López C, Puliafito A, Xu Y, Lu Z, Di Talia S, Vergassola M. Two-fluid dynamics and micron-thin boundary layers shape cytoplasmic flows in early Drosophila embryos. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2302879120. [PMID: 37878715 PMCID: PMC10622894 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2302879120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytoplasmic flows are widely emerging as key functional players in development. In early Drosophila embryos, flows drive the spreading of nuclei across the embryo. Here, we combine hydrodynamic modeling with quantitative imaging to develop a two-fluid model that features an active actomyosin gel and a passive viscous cytosol. Gel contractility is controlled by the cell cycle oscillator, the two fluids being coupled by friction. In addition to recapitulating experimental flow patterns, our model explains observations that remained elusive and makes a series of predictions. First, the model captures the vorticity of cytosolic flows, which highlights deviations from Stokes' flow that were observed experimentally but remained unexplained. Second, the model reveals strong differences in the gel and cytosol motion. In particular, a micron-sized boundary layer is predicted close to the cortex, where the gel slides tangentially while the cytosolic flow cannot slip. Third, the model unveils a mechanism that stabilizes the spreading of nuclei with respect to perturbations of their initial positions. This self-correcting mechanism is argued to be functionally important for proper nuclear spreading. Fourth, we use our model to analyze the effects of flows on the transport of the morphogen Bicoid and the establishment of its gradients. Finally, the model predicts that the flow strength should be reduced if the shape of the domain is more round, which is experimentally confirmed in Drosophila mutants. Thus, our two-fluid model explains flows and nuclear positioning in early Drosophila, while making predictions that suggest novel future experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yitong Xu
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC27710
| | - Ziqi Lu
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC27710
| | - Stefano Di Talia
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC27710
| | - Massimo Vergassola
- Department of Physics, École Normale Supérieure, Paris75005, France
- Department of Physics, University of California, San Diego, CA92075
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31
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Chang Z, Zhang L, Hang JT, Liu W, Xu GK. Viscoelastic Multiscale Mechanical Indexes for Assessing Liver Fibrosis and Treatment Outcomes. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:9618-9625. [PMID: 37793647 PMCID: PMC10603793 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c03341] [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: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Understanding liver tissue mechanics, particularly in the context of liver pathologies like fibrosis, cirrhosis, and carcinoma, holds pivotal significance for assessing disease severity and prognosis. Although the static mechanical properties of livers have been gradually studied, the intricacies of their dynamic mechanics remain enigmatic. Here, we characterize the dynamic creep responses of healthy, fibrotic, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-treated fibrotic lives. Strikingly, we unearth a ubiquitous two-stage power-law rheology of livers across different time scales with the exponents and their distribution profiles highly correlated to liver status. Moreover, our self-similar hierarchical theory effectively captures the delicate changes in the dynamical mechanics of livers. Notably, the viscoelastic multiscale mechanical indexes (i.e., power-law exponents and elastic stiffnesses of different hierarchies) and their distribution characteristics prominently vary with liver fibrosis and MSCs therapy. This study unveils the viscoelastic characteristics of livers and underscores the potential of proposed mechanical criteria for assessing disease evolution and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Chang
- Laboratory
for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, Department of Engineering
Mechanics, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical
Structures, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
| | - Liqiang Zhang
- Institute
for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710004, China
| | - Jiu-Tao Hang
- Laboratory
for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, Department of Engineering
Mechanics, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical
Structures, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
| | - Wenjia Liu
- Institute
for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710004, China
| | - Guang-Kui Xu
- Laboratory
for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, Department of Engineering
Mechanics, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical
Structures, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
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32
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Jebane C, Varlet AA, Karnat M, Hernandez- Cedillo LM, Lecchi A, Bedu F, Desgrouas C, Vigouroux C, Vantyghem MC, Viallat A, Rupprecht JF, Helfer E, Badens C. Enhanced cell viscosity: A new phenotype associated with lamin A/C alterations. iScience 2023; 26:107714. [PMID: 37701573 PMCID: PMC10494210 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Lamin A/C is a well-established key contributor to nuclear stiffness and its role in nucleus mechanical properties has been extensively studied. However, its impact on whole-cell mechanics has been poorly addressed, particularly concerning measurable physical parameters. In this study, we combined microfluidic experiments with theoretical analyses to quantitatively estimate the whole-cell mechanical properties. This allowed us to characterize the mechanical changes induced in cells by lamin A/C alterations and prelamin A accumulation resulting from atazanavir treatment or lipodystrophy-associated LMNA R482W pathogenic variant. Our results reveal a distinctive increase in long-time viscosity as a signature of cells affected by lamin A/C alterations. Furthermore, they show that the whole-cell response to mechanical stress is driven not only by the nucleus but also by the nucleo-cytoskeleton links and the microtubule network. The enhanced cell viscosity assessed with our microfluidic assay could serve as a valuable diagnosis marker for lamin-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Jebane
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CINAM, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | | | - Marc Karnat
- Aix Marseille Univ, Université de Toulon, CNRS, CPT, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Corinne Vigouroux
- Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Saint-Antoine Hospital, National Reference Centre for Rares diseases of Insulin-Secretion and Insulin-Sensitivity (PRISIS), Department of Endocrinology, Paris, France
- Sorbonne University, Saint-Antoine Research Centre, Inserm UMR_S938, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Christine Vantyghem
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism Department, Inserm U1190, EGID, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Annie Viallat
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CINAM, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-François Rupprecht
- Aix Marseille Univ, Université de Toulon, CNRS, CPT, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Emmanuèle Helfer
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CINAM, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Catherine Badens
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, MMG, Marseille, France
- AP-HM, Laboratoire de Biochimie, Marseille, France
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33
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Cochard A, Safieddine A, Combe P, Benassy M, Weil D, Gueroui Z. Condensate functionalization with microtubule motors directs their nucleation in space and allows manipulating RNA localization. EMBO J 2023; 42:e114106. [PMID: 37724036 PMCID: PMC10577640 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023114106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The localization of RNAs in cells is critical for many cellular processes. Whereas motor-driven transport of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) condensates plays a prominent role in RNA localization in cells, their study remains limited by the scarcity of available tools allowing to manipulate condensates in a spatial manner. To fill this gap, we reconstitute in cellula a minimal RNP transport system based on bioengineered condensates, which were functionalized with kinesins and dynein-like motors, allowing for their positioning at either the cell periphery or centrosomes. This targeting mostly occurs through the active transport of the condensate scaffolds, which leads to localized nucleation of phase-separated condensates. Then, programming the condensates to recruit specific mRNAs is able to shift the localization of these mRNAs toward the cell periphery or the centrosomes. Our method opens novel perspectives for examining the role of RNA localization as a driver of cellular functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Cochard
- Department of Chemistry, École Normale SupérieurePSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRSParisFrance
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris‐Seine (IBPS), Laboratoire de Biologie du DéveloppementParisFrance
| | - Adham Safieddine
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris‐Seine (IBPS), Laboratoire de Biologie du DéveloppementParisFrance
| | - Pauline Combe
- Department of Chemistry, École Normale SupérieurePSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRSParisFrance
| | - Marie‐Noëlle Benassy
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris‐Seine (IBPS), Laboratoire de Biologie du DéveloppementParisFrance
| | - Dominique Weil
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris‐Seine (IBPS), Laboratoire de Biologie du DéveloppementParisFrance
| | - Zoher Gueroui
- Department of Chemistry, École Normale SupérieurePSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRSParisFrance
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34
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Son YJ, Keum C, Kim M, Jeong G, Jin S, Hwang HW, Kim H, Lee K, Jeon H, Kim H, Pahk KJ, Jang HW, Sun JY, Han HS, Lee KH, Ok MR, Kim YC, Jeong Y. Selective Cell-Cell Adhesion Regulation via Cyclic Mechanical Deformation Induced by Ultrafast Nanovibrations. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023. [PMID: 37751467 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c08941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
The adoption of dynamic mechanomodulation to regulate cellular behavior is an alternative to the use of chemical drugs, allowing spatiotemporal control. However, cell-selective targeting of mechanical stimuli is challenging due to the lack of strategies with which to convert macroscopic mechanical movements to different cellular responses. Here, we designed a nanoscale vibrating surface that controls cell behavior via selective repetitive cell deformation based on a poroelastic cell model. The vibrating indentations induce repetitive water redistribution in the cells with water redistribution rates faster than the vibrating rate; however, in the opposite case, cells perceive the vibrations as a one-time stimulus. The selective regulation of cell-cell adhesion through adjusting the frequency of nanovibration was demonstrated by suppression of cadherin expression in smooth muscle cells (fast water redistribution rate) with no change in vascular endothelial cells (slow water redistribution rate). This technique may provide a new strategy for cell-type-specific mechanical stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Ju Son
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Changjoon Keum
- Center for Advanced Biomolecular Recognition, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Minsoo Kim
- Center for Advanced Biomolecular Recognition, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Goeen Jeong
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Soyeong Jin
- Center for Advanced Biomolecular Recognition, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Won Hwang
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyewon Kim
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungwoo Lee
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Hojeong Jeon
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Hojun Kim
- Center for Advanced Biomolecular Recognition, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Joo Pahk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Won Jang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Yun Sun
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Seop Han
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwan Hyi Lee
- Center for Advanced Biomolecular Recognition, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Myoung-Ryul Ok
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu-Chan Kim
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngdo Jeong
- Center for Advanced Biomolecular Recognition, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of HY-KIST Bio-convergence, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
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35
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Shu T, Mitra G, Alberts J, Viana MP, Levy ED, Hocky GM, Holt LJ. Mesoscale molecular assembly is favored by the active, crowded cytoplasm. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.19.558334. [PMID: 37781612 PMCID: PMC10541124 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.19.558334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
The mesoscale organization of molecules into membraneless biomolecular condensates is emerging as a key mechanism of rapid spatiotemporal control in cells1. Principles of biomolecular condensation have been revealed through in vitro reconstitution2. However, intracellular environments are much more complex than test-tube environments: They are viscoelastic, highly crowded at the mesoscale, and are far from thermodynamic equilibrium due to the constant action of energy-consuming processes3. We developed synDrops, a synthetic phase separation system, to study how the cellular environment affects condensate formation. Three key features enable physical analysis: synDrops are inducible, bioorthogonal, and have well-defined geometry. This design allows kinetic analysis of synDrop assembly and facilitates computational simulation of the process. We compared experiments and simulations to determine that macromolecular crowding promotes condensate nucleation but inhibits droplet growth through coalescence. ATP-dependent cellular activities help overcome the frustration of growth. In particular, actomyosin dynamics potentiate droplet growth by reducing confinement and elasticity in the mammalian cytoplasm, thereby enabling synDrop coarsening. Our results demonstrate that mesoscale molecular assembly is favored by the combined effects of crowding and active matter in the cytoplasm. These results move toward a better predictive understanding of condensate formation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Shu
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Gaurav Mitra
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | | | | | - Emmanuel D. Levy
- Department of Chemical and Structural Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Glen M. Hocky
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, New York, USA
- Simons Center for Computational Physical Chemistry, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Liam J. Holt
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
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36
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Saintyves B, Pic R, Mahadevan L, Bischofberger I. Evaporation-Driven Cellular Patterns in Confined Hyperelastic Hydrogels. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 131:118202. [PMID: 37774285 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.131.118202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
When a hyperelastic hydrogel confined between two parallel glass plates begins to dry from a lateral boundary, the volume lost by evaporation is accommodated by an inward displacement of the air-hydrogel interface that induces an elastic deformation of the hydrogel. Once a critical front displacement is reached, we observe intermittent fracture events initiated by a geometric instability resulting in localized bursts at the interface. These bursts relax the stresses and irreversibly form air cavities that lead to cellular networks. We show that the spatial extent of the strain field prior to a burst, influenced by the air-hydrogel interfacial tension and the confinement of the gel, determines the characteristic size of the cavities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baudouin Saintyves
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- James Franck Institute and Department of Physics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Romain Pic
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - L Mahadevan
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Department of Physics, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
| | - Irmgard Bischofberger
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
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37
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Kumar R, Dzikonski D, Bekker E, Vornhusen R, Vitali V, Imbrock J, Denz C. Fabrication and mechanical characterization of hydrogel-based 3D cell-like structures. OPTICS EXPRESS 2023; 31:29174-29186. [PMID: 37710723 DOI: 10.1364/oe.496888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
In this article, we demonstrate the fabrication of 3D cell-like structures using a femtosecond laser-based two-photon polymerization technique. By employing poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate monomers as a precursor solution, we fabricate 3D hemispheres that resemble morphological and biomechanical characteristics of natural cells. We employ an optical tweezers-based microrheology technique to measure the viscoelastic properties of the precursor solutions inside and outside the structures. In addition, we demonstrate the interchangeability of the precursor solution within fabricated structures without impairing the microstructures. The combination of two-photon polymerization and microrheological measurements by optical tweezers demonstrated here represents a powerful toolbox for future investigations into cell mimic and artificial cell studies.
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38
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Chang Z, Zhang J, Liu Y, Gao H, Xu GK. New Mechanical Markers for Tracking the Progression of Myocardial Infarction. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:7350-7357. [PMID: 37580044 PMCID: PMC10450805 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c01712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
The mechanical properties of soft tissues can often be strongly correlated with the progression of various diseases, such as myocardial infarction (MI). However, the dynamic mechanical properties of cardiac tissues during MI progression remain poorly understood. Herein, we investigate the rheological responses of cardiac tissues at different stages of MI (i.e., early-stage, mid-stage, and late-stage) with atomic force microscopy-based microrheology. Surprisingly, we discover that all cardiac tissues exhibit a universal two-stage power-law rheological behavior at different time scales. The experimentally found power-law exponents can capture an inconspicuous initial rheological change, making them particularly suitable as markers for early-stage MI diagnosis. We further develop a self-similar hierarchical model to characterize the progressive mechanical changes from subcellular to tissue scales. The theoretically calculated mechanical indexes are found to markedly vary among different stages of MI. These new mechanical markers are applicable for tracking the subtle changes of cardiac tissues during MI progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Chang
- Laboratory
for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, State Key Laboratory
for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, School of Aerospace
Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department
of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated
Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, China
| | - Yilun Liu
- Laboratory
for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, State Key Laboratory
for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, School of Aerospace
Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
| | - Huajian Gao
- School
of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
- Institute
of High Performance Computing, A*STAR, Singapore 138632, Singapore
| | - Guang-Kui Xu
- Laboratory
for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, State Key Laboratory
for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, School of Aerospace
Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
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39
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Zhang S, Weng Z, Wang Z, Wang B, Zeng Y, Li J, Hu C. Attenuation of alcohol-induced hepatocyte damage by ginsenoside Rg1 evaluated using atomic force microscopy. Microsc Res Tech 2023; 86:1037-1046. [PMID: 37382340 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24381] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Alcoholic liver disease is an important cause of death worldwide. Hepatocyte apoptosis is commonly observed in alcoholic liver disease. In this study, we investigated the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 (G-Rg1), an organic component of ginseng, on the alcohol-induced morphological and biophysical properties of hepatocytes. Human hepatocytes (HL-7702) were treated in vitro with alcohol and G-Rg1. The cell morphology was observed using scanning electron microscopy. Cell height, roughness, adhesion, and elastic modulus were detected using atomic force microscopy. We found that alcohol significantly induced hepatocyte apoptosis, whereas G-Rg1 attenuated the alcohol-induced hepatocyte damage. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that alcohol-induced significant morphological changes in hepatocytes, including decreased cell contraction, roundness, and pseudopods, whereas G-Rg1 inhibited these negative changes. Atomic force microscopy revealed that alcohol increased the cell height and decreased the adhesion and elastic modulus of hepatocytes. Following treatment with G-Rg1, the cell height, adhesion, and elastic modulus of alcohol-injured hepatocytes were all similar to those of normal cells. Thus, G-Rg1 can attenuate the alcohol-induced damage to hepatocytes by modulating the morphology and biomechanics of the cells. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: In this study, the morphological characteristics of hepatocytes were observed using SEM. The changes in hepatocyte three-dimensional images and biomechanical action caused by alcohol and G-Rg1 were examined at the nanoscale using AFM under near-physiological conditions. Alcohol-induced hepatocytes showed abnormal morphology and biophysical properties. G-Rg1 attenuated the alcohol-induced damage to hepatocytes by modulating the morphology and biomechanics of the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengli Zhang
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Cross-Scale Micro and Nano Manufacturing, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
| | - Zhankun Weng
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Cross-Scale Micro and Nano Manufacturing, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
| | - Zuobin Wang
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Cross-Scale Micro and Nano Manufacturing, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
- JR3CN & IRAC, University of Bedfordshire, Luton, UK
| | - Bowei Wang
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Cross-Scale Micro and Nano Manufacturing, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
| | - Yi Zeng
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Cross-Scale Micro and Nano Manufacturing, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
| | - Jiani Li
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Cross-Scale Micro and Nano Manufacturing, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
| | - Cuihua Hu
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Cross-Scale Micro and Nano Manufacturing, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
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40
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Kumar A, Quint DA, Dasbiswas K. Range and strength of mechanical interactions of force dipoles in elastic fiber networks. SOFT MATTER 2023. [PMID: 37470114 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00381g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical forces generated by myosin II molecular motors drive diverse cellular processes, most notably shape change, division and locomotion. These forces may be transmitted over long range through the cytoskeletal medium - a disordered, viscoelastic network of biopolymers. The resulting cell size scale force chains can in principle mediate mechanical interactions between distant actomyosin units, leading to self-organized structural order in the cell cytoskeleton. Inspired by such force transmission through elastic structures in the cytoskeleton, we consider a percolated fiber lattice network, where fibers are represented as linear elastic elements that can both bend and stretch, and the contractile activity of myosin motors is represented by force dipoles. Then, by using a variety of metrics, we show how two such contractile force dipoles interact with each other through their mutual mechanical deformations of the elastic fiber network. As a prelude to two-dipole interactions, we quantify how forces propagate through the network from a single anisotropic force dipole by analyzing clusters of nodes connected by highly strained bonds, as well as through the decay rate of strain energy with distance from a force dipole. We show that predominant fiber bending screens out force propagation, resulting in reduced and strongly network configuration-dependent dipole interactions. On the other hand, stretching-dominated networks support longer-ranged inter-dipole interactions that recapitulate the predictions of linear elasticity theory. By characterizing the differences between tensile and compressive force propagation in the fiber network, we show how inter-dipole interaction depends on the dipoles' mutual separation and orientation. The resulting elastic interaction energy may mediate a force between multiple distant dipoles, leading to their self-organization into ordered configurations. This provides a potential pathway for active mechanical force-driven structural order in elastic biopolymer networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinav Kumar
- Department of Physics, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA.
| | - David A Quint
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - Kinjal Dasbiswas
- Department of Physics, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA.
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41
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Harrellson SG, DeLay MS, Chen X, Cavusoglu AH, Dworkin J, Stone HA, Sahin O. Hydration solids. Nature 2023; 619:500-505. [PMID: 37286609 PMCID: PMC10530534 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06144-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Hygroscopic biological matter in plants, fungi and bacteria make up a large fraction of Earth's biomass1. Although metabolically inert, these water-responsive materials exchange water with the environment and actuate movement2-5 and have inspired technological uses6,7. Despite the variety in chemical composition, hygroscopic biological materials across multiple kingdoms of life exhibit similar mechanical behaviours including changes in size and stiffness with relative humidity8-13. Here we report atomic force microscopy measurements on the hygroscopic spores14,15 of a common soil bacterium and develop a theory that captures the observed equilibrium, non-equilibrium and water-responsive mechanical behaviours, finding that these are controlled by the hydration force16-18. Our theory based on the hydration force explains an extreme slowdown of water transport and successfully predicts a strong nonlinear elasticity and a transition in mechanical properties that differs from glassy and poroelastic behaviours. These results indicate that water not only endows biological matter with fluidity but also can-through the hydration force-control macroscopic properties and give rise to a 'hydration solid' with unusual properties. A large fraction of biological matter could belong to this distinct class of solid matter.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael S DeLay
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ahmet-Hamdi Cavusoglu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Merck Digital Sciences Studio (MDSS), Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Jonathan Dworkin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Howard A Stone
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Ozgur Sahin
- Department of Physics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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42
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Shen Y, Ori-McKenney KM. Macromolecular Crowding Tailors the Microtubule Cytoskeleton Through Tubulin Modifications and Microtubule-Associated Proteins. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.14.544846. [PMID: 37398431 PMCID: PMC10312695 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.14.544846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Cells remodel their cytoskeletal networks to adapt to their environment. Here, we analyze the mechanisms utilized by the cell to tailor its microtubule landscape in response to changes in osmolarity that alter macromolecular crowding. By integrating live cell imaging, ex vivo enzymatic assays, and in vitro reconstitution, we probe the impact of acute perturbations in cytoplasmic density on microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) and tubulin posttranslational modifications (PTMs), unraveling the molecular underpinnings of cellular adaptation via the microtubule cytoskeleton. We find that cells respond to fluctuations in cytoplasmic density by modulating microtubule acetylation, detyrosination, or MAP7 association, without differentially affecting polyglutamylation, tyrosination, or MAP4 association. These MAP-PTM combinations alter intracellular cargo transport, enabling the cell to respond to osmotic challenges. We further dissect the molecular mechanisms governing tubulin PTM specification, and find that MAP7 promotes acetylation by biasing the conformation of the microtubule lattice, and directly inhibits detyrosination. Acetylation and detyrosination can therefore be decoupled and utilized for distinct cellular purposes. Our data reveal that the MAP code dictates the tubulin code, resulting in remodeling of the microtubule cytoskeleton and alteration of intracellular transport as an integrated mechanism of cellular adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusheng Shen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Kassandra M Ori-McKenney
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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43
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Li Z, Zou J, Chen X. In Response to Precision Medicine: Current Subcellular Targeting Strategies for Cancer Therapy. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2209529. [PMID: 36445169 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202209529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Emerging as a potent anticancer treatment, subcellular targeted cancer therapy has drawn increasing attention, bringing great opportunities for clinical application. Here, two targeting strategies for four main subcellular organelles (mitochondria, lysosome, endoplasmic reticulum, and nucleus), including molecule- and nanomaterial (inorganic nanoparticles, micelles, organic polymers, and others)-based targeted delivery or therapeutic strategies, are summarized. Phototherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and "all-in-one" combination therapy are among the strategies covered in detail. Such materials are constructed based on the specific properties and relevant mechanisms of organelles, enabling the elimination of tumors by inducing dysfunction in the corresponding organelles or destroying specific structures. The challenges faced by organelle-targeting cancer therapies are also summarized. Looking forward, a paradigm for organelle-targeting therapy with enhanced therapeutic efficacy compared to current clinical approaches is envisioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Li
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, NUS Center for Nanomedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Jianhua Zou
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, NUS Center for Nanomedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Xiaoyuan Chen
- Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Surgery, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Program, NUS Center for Nanomedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore, 138673, Singapore
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44
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Kim J. Characterization of Biocompatibility of Functional Bioinks for 3D Bioprinting. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:bioengineering10040457. [PMID: 37106644 PMCID: PMC10135811 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10040457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting with suitable bioinks has become a critical tool for fabricating 3D biomimetic complex structures mimicking physiological functions. While enormous efforts have been devoted to developing functional bioinks for 3D bioprinting, widely accepted bioinks have not yet been developed because they have to fulfill stringent requirements such as biocompatibility and printability simultaneously. To further advance our knowledge of the biocompatibility of bioinks, this review presents the evolving concept of the biocompatibility of bioinks and standardization efforts for biocompatibility characterization. This work also briefly reviews recent methodological advances in image analyses to characterize the biocompatibility of bioinks with regard to cell viability and cell-material interactions within 3D constructs. Finally, this review highlights a number of updated contemporary characterization technologies and future perspectives to further advance our understanding of the biocompatibility of functional bioinks for successful 3D bioprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinku Kim
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Hongik University, Sejong 30016, Republic of Korea
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45
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López CH, Puliafito A, Xu Y, Lu Z, Di Talia S, Vergassola M. Two-fluid dynamics and micron-thin boundary layers shape cytoplasmic flows in early Drosophila embryos. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.16.532979. [PMID: 36993669 PMCID: PMC10055070 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.16.532979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Cytoplasmic flows are widely emerging as key functional players in development. In early Drosophila embryos, flows drive the spreading of nuclei across the embryo. Here, we combine hydrodynamic modeling with quantitative imaging to develop a two-fluid model that features an active actomyosin gel and a passive viscous cytosol. Gel contractility is controlled by the cell cycle oscillator, the two fluids being coupled by friction. In addition to recapitulating experimental flow patterns, our model explains observations that remained elusive, and makes a series of new predictions. First, the model captures the vorticity of cytosolic flows, which highlights deviations from Stokes' flow that were observed experimentally but remained unexplained. Second, the model reveals strong differences in the gel and cytosol motion. In particular, a micron-sized boundary layer is predicted close to the cortex, where the gel slides tangentially whilst the cytosolic flow cannot slip. Third, the model unveils a mechanism that stabilizes the spreading of nuclei with respect to perturbations of their initial positions. This self-correcting mechanism is argued to be functionally important for proper nuclear spreading. Fourth, we use our model to analyze the effects of flows on the transport of the morphogen Bicoid, and the establishment of its gradients. Finally, the model predicts that the flow strength should be reduced if the shape of the domain is more round, which is experimentally confirmed in Drosophila mutants. Thus, our two-fluid model explains flows and nuclear positioning in early Drosophila, while making predictions that suggest novel future experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alberto Puliafito
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10060 Candiolo, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS, Str. Prov. 142, km 3.95, 10060 Candiolo, Italy
| | - Yitong Xu
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710 USA and
| | - Ziqi Lu
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710 USA and
| | - Stefano Di Talia
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710 USA and
| | - Massimo Vergassola
- École Normale Supérieure, 75005 Paris, France
- Department of Physics, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92075, USA
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46
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Lee S, Jung I, Lee S, Shin J, Cho E, Jung S, Ih S, Kim YG, Hong S, Choi YL, Park S. Plasmonic-Magnetic Active Nanorheology for Intracellular Viscosity. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:2031-2038. [PMID: 36695563 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c04761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate active plasmonic systems where plasmonic signals are repeatedly modulated by changing the orientation of nanoprobes under an external magnetic field, which is a prerequisite for in situ active nanorheology in intracellular viscosity measurements. Au/Ni/Au nanorods act as "nanotransmitters", which transmit the mechanical motion of nanorods to an electromagnetic radiation signal as a periodic sine function. This fluctuating optical response is transduced to frequency peaks via Fourier transform surface plasmon resonance (FTSPR). As a driving frequency of the external magnetic field applied to the Au/Ni/Au nanorods increases and reaches above a critical threshold, there is a transition from the synchronous motion of nanorods to asynchronous responses, leading to the disappearance of the FTSPR peak, which allows us to measure the local viscosity of the complex fluids. Using this ensemble-based method with plasmonic functional nanomaterials, we measure the intracellular viscosity of cancer cells and normal cells in a reliable and reproducible manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungwoo Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Basic Science, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Insub Jung
- Department of Chemistry, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Basic Science, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Soohyun Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Junghyun Shin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Institute of Applied Physics, Seoul National University (SNU), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunbyeol Cho
- Department of Chemistry, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangbaek Jung
- Department of Chemistry, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongkeun Ih
- Department of Chemistry, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Yang-Gyun Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Seunghun Hong
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Institute of Applied Physics, Seoul National University (SNU), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon-La Choi
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Seoul 06355, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pathology and Translational Genomics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungho Park
- Department of Chemistry, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
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47
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Garner RM, Molines AT, Theriot JA, Chang F. Vast heterogeneity in cytoplasmic diffusion rates revealed by nanorheology and Doppelgänger simulations. Biophys J 2023; 122:767-783. [PMID: 36739478 PMCID: PMC10027447 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.01.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The cytoplasm is a complex, crowded, actively driven environment whose biophysical characteristics modulate critical cellular processes such as cytoskeletal dynamics, phase separation, and stem cell fate. Little is known about the variance in these cytoplasmic properties. Here, we employed particle-tracking nanorheology on genetically encoded multimeric 40 nm nanoparticles (GEMs) to measure diffusion within the cytoplasm of individual fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) cellscells. We found that the apparent diffusion coefficients of individual GEM particles varied over a 400-fold range, while the differences in average particle diffusivity among individual cells spanned a 10-fold range. To determine the origin of this heterogeneity, we developed a Doppelgänger simulation approach that uses stochastic simulations of GEM diffusion that replicate the experimental statistics on a particle-by-particle basis, such that each experimental track and cell had a one-to-one correspondence with their simulated counterpart. These simulations showed that the large intra- and inter-cellular variations in diffusivity could not be explained by experimental variability but could only be reproduced with stochastic models that assume a wide intra- and inter-cellular variation in cytoplasmic viscosity. The simulation combining intra- and inter-cellular variation in viscosity also predicted weak nonergodicity in GEM diffusion, consistent with the experimental data. To probe the origin of this variation, we found that the variance in GEM diffusivity was largely independent of factors such as temperature, the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons, cell-cyle stage, and spatial locations, but was magnified by hyperosmotic shocks. Taken together, our results provide a striking demonstration that the cytoplasm is not "well-mixed" but represents a highly heterogeneous environment in which subcellular components at the 40 nm size scale experience dramatically different effective viscosities within an individual cell, as well as in different cells in a genetically identical population. These findings carry significant implications for the origins and regulation of biological noise at cellular and subcellular levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rikki M Garner
- Biophysics Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
| | - Arthur T Molines
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
| | - Julie A Theriot
- Biophysics Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts
| | - Fred Chang
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts
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48
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Liu S, Li Y, Hong Y, Wang M, Zhang H, Ma J, Qu K, Huang G, Lu TJ. Mechanotherapy in oncology: Targeting nuclear mechanics and mechanotransduction. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 194:114722. [PMID: 36738968 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Mechanotherapy is proposed as a new option for cancer treatment. Increasing evidence suggests that characteristic differences are present in the nuclear mechanics and mechanotransduction of cancer cells compared with those of normal cells. Recent advances in understanding nuclear mechanics and mechanotransduction provide not only further insights into the process of malignant transformation but also useful references for developing new therapeutic approaches. Herein, we present an overview of the alterations of nuclear mechanics and mechanotransduction in cancer cells and highlight their implications in cancer mechanotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaobao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, PR China; MIIT Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Lightweight Materials and Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics, Nanjing 210016, PR China
| | - Yuan Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Yuan Hong
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Ming Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, PR China; MIIT Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Lightweight Materials and Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics, Nanjing 210016, PR China
| | - Jinlu Ma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China
| | - Kai Qu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China
| | - Guoyou Huang
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, School of Civil Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, PR China.
| | - Tian Jian Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, PR China; MIIT Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Lightweight Materials and Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics, Nanjing 210016, PR China.
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49
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Zhu X, Qin R, Qu K, Wang Z, Zhao X, Xu W. Atomic force microscopy-based assessment of multimechanical cellular properties for classification of graded bladder cancer cells and cancer early diagnosis using machine learning analysis. Acta Biomater 2023; 158:358-373. [PMID: 36581006 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.12.035] [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: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cellular mechanical properties (CMPs) have been frequently reported as biomarkers for cell cancerization to assist objective cytology, compared to the current subjective method dependent on cytomorphology. However, single or dual CMPs cannot always successfully distinguish every kind of malignant cell from its benign counterpart. In this work, we extract 4 CMPs of four different graded bladder cancer (BC) cell lines by AFM (atomic force microscopy)-based nanoindentation to generate a CMP database, which is used to train a cancerization-grade classifier by machine learning. The classifier is tested on 4 categories of BC cells at different cancer grades. The classification shows split-independent robustness and an accuracy of 91.25% with an AUC-ROC (ROC stands for receiver operating characteristic, and ROC curve is a graphical plot which illustrates the performance of a binary classifier system as its discrimination threshold is varied) value of 97.98%. Finally, we also compare our proposed method with traditional invasive diagnosis and noninvasive cancer diagnosis relying on cytomorphology, in terms of accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. Unlike former studies focusing on the discrimination between normal and cancerous cells, our study fulfills the classification of 4 graded cell lines at different cancerization stages, and thus provides a potential method for early detection of cancerization. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: We measured four cellular mechanical properties (CMPs) of 4 graded bladder cancer (BC) cell lines using AFM (atomic force microscopy). We found that single or dual CMPs cannot fulfill the task of BC cell classification. Instead, we employ MLA (Machine Learning Algorithm)-based analysis whose inputs are BC CMPs. Compared with traditional cytomorphology-based prognoses, the non-invasive method proposed in this study has higher accuracy but with many fewer cellular properties as inputs. The proposed non-invasive prognosis is characterized with high sensitivity and specificity, and thus provides a potential tumor-grading means to identify cancer cells with different metastatic potential. Moreover, our study proposes an objective grading method based on quantitative characteristics desirable for avoiding misdiagnosis induced by ambiguous subjectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyao Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Mechanism Theory and Equipment Design of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Rui Qin
- Key Laboratory of Mechanism Theory and Equipment Design of Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Kaige Qu
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China; JR3CN & IRAC, University of Bedfordshire, Luton LU1 3JU, UK
| | - Zuobin Wang
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China; JR3CN & IRAC, University of Bedfordshire, Luton LU1 3JU, UK
| | - Xuexia Zhao
- College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030000, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guilford GU2 7XH, UK
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50
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Najafi J, Dmitrieff S, Minc N. Size- and position-dependent cytoplasm viscoelasticity through hydrodynamic interactions with the cell surface. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2216839120. [PMID: 36802422 PMCID: PMC9992773 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2216839120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Many studies of cytoplasm rheology have focused on small components in the submicrometer scale. However, the cytoplasm also baths large organelles like nuclei, microtubule asters, or spindles that often take significant portions of cells and move across the cytoplasm to regulate cell division or polarization. Here, we translated passive components of sizes ranging from few up to ~50 percents of the cell diameter, through the vast cytoplasm of live sea urchin eggs, with calibrated magnetic forces. Creep and relaxation responses indicate that for objects larger than the micron size, the cytoplasm behaves as a Jeffreys material, viscoelastic at short timescales, and fluidizing at longer times. However, as component size approached that of cells, cytoplasm viscoelastic resistance increased in a nonmonotonic manner. Flow analysis and simulations suggest that this size-dependent viscoelasticity emerges from hydrodynamic interactions between the moving object and the static cell surface. This effect also yields to position-dependent viscoelasticity with objects initially closer to the cell surface being harder to displace. These findings suggest that the cytoplasm hydrodynamically couples large organelles to the cell surface to restrain their motion, with important implications for cell shape sensing and cellular organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Najafi
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod,75006Paris, France
- Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 75013Paris, France
| | - Serge Dmitrieff
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod,75006Paris, France
- Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 75013Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Minc
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod,75006Paris, France
- Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 75013Paris, France
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