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Son DO, Benitez R, Diao L, Hinz B. How to Keep Myofibroblasts under Control: Culture of Mouse Skin Fibroblasts on Soft Substrates. J Invest Dermatol 2024; 144:1923-1934. [PMID: 39078357 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2024.05.033] [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: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
During the physiological healing of skin wounds, fibroblasts recruited from the uninjured adjacent dermis and deeper subcutaneous fascia layers are transiently activated into myofibroblasts to first secrete and then contract collagen-rich extracellular matrix into a mechanically resistant scar. Scar tissue restores skin integrity after damage but comes at the expense of poor esthetics and loss of tissue function. Stiff scar matrix also mechanically activates various precursor cells into myofibroblasts in a positive feedback loop. Persistent myofibroblast activation results in pathologic accumulation of fibrous collagen and hypertrophic scarring, called fibrosis. Consequently, the mechanisms of fibroblast-to-myofibroblast activation and persistence are studied to develop antifibrotic and prohealing treatments. Mechanistic understanding often starts in a plastic cell culture dish. This can be problematic because contact of fibroblasts with tissue culture plastic or glass surfaces invariably generates myofibroblast phenotypes in standard culture. We describe a straight-forward method to produce soft cell culture surfaces for fibroblast isolation and continued culture and highlight key advantages and limitations of the approach. Adding a layer of elastic silicone polymer tunable to the softness of normal skin and the stiffness of pathologic scars allows to control mechanical fibroblast activation while preserving the simplicity of conventional 2-dimensional cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Ok Son
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Raquel Benitez
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Li Diao
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Boris Hinz
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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Moro-López M, Farré R, Otero J, Sunyer R. Trusting the forces of our cell lines. Cells Dev 2024; 179:203931. [PMID: 38852676 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdev.2024.203931] [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: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Cells isolated from their native tissues and cultured in vitro face different selection pressures than those cultured in vivo. These pressures induce a profound transformation that reshapes the cell, alters its genome, and transforms the way it senses and generates forces. In this perspective, we focus on the evidence that cells cultured on conventional polystyrene substrates display a fundamentally different mechanobiology than their in vivo counterparts. We explore the role of adhesion reinforcement in this transformation and to what extent it is reversible. We argue that this mechanoadaptation is often understood as a mechanical memory. We propose some strategies to mitigate the effects of on-plastic culture on mechanobiology, such as organoid-inspired protocols or mechanical priming. While isolating cells from their native tissues and culturing them on artificial substrates has revolutionized biomedical research, it has also transformed cellular forces. Only by understanding and controlling them, we can improve their truthfulness and validity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Moro-López
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramon Farré
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBER-RES), Barcelona, Spain; Institut Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jorge Otero
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBER-RES), Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raimon Sunyer
- Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería (CIBER-BBN), Barcelona, Spain.
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3
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Madl CM, Wang YX, Holbrook CA, Su S, Shi X, Byfield FJ, Wicki G, Flaig IA, Blau HM. Hydrogel biomaterials that stiffen and soften on demand reveal that skeletal muscle stem cells harbor a mechanical memory. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2406787121. [PMID: 39163337 PMCID: PMC11363279 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2406787121] [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: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Muscle stem cells (MuSCs) are specialized cells that reside in adult skeletal muscle poised to repair muscle tissue. The ability of MuSCs to regenerate damaged tissues declines markedly with aging and in diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but the underlying causes of MuSC dysfunction remain poorly understood. Both aging and disease result in dramatic increases in the stiffness of the muscle tissue microenvironment from fibrosis. MuSCs are known to lose their regenerative potential if cultured on stiff plastic substrates. We sought to determine whether MuSCs harbor a memory of their past microenvironment and if it can be overcome. We tested MuSCs in situ using dynamic hydrogel biomaterials that soften or stiffen on demand in response to light and found that freshly isolated MuSCs develop a persistent memory of substrate stiffness characterized by loss of proliferative progenitors within the first three days of culture on stiff substrates. MuSCs cultured on soft hydrogels had altered cytoskeletal organization and activity of Rho and Rac guanosine triphosphate hydrolase (GTPase) and Yes-associated protein mechanotransduction pathways compared to those on stiff hydrogels. Pharmacologic inhibition identified RhoA activation as responsible for the mechanical memory phenotype, and single-cell RNA sequencing revealed a molecular signature of the mechanical memory. These studies highlight that microenvironmental stiffness regulates MuSC fate and leads to MuSC dysfunction that is not readily reversed by changing stiffness. Our results suggest that stiffness can be circumvented by targeting downstream signaling pathways to overcome stem cell dysfunction in aged and disease states with aberrant fibrotic tissue mechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M. Madl
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Baxter Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Yu Xin Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Baxter Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Colin A. Holbrook
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Baxter Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Shiqi Su
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Baxter Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
| | - Xuechen Shi
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine and Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Fitzroy J. Byfield
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine and Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Gwendoline Wicki
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Baxter Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Institute of Bioengineering, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, LausanneCH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Iris A. Flaig
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Baxter Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, LausanneCH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Helen M. Blau
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Baxter Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA94305
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4
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Jang JW, Capaldi E, Smith T, Verma P, Varga J, Ho KJ. Trimethylamine N-oxide: a meta-organismal axis linking the gut and fibrosis. Mol Med 2024; 30:128. [PMID: 39180015 PMCID: PMC11344357 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-024-00895-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tissue fibrosis is a common pathway to failure in many organ systems and is the cellular and molecular driver of myriad chronic diseases that are incompletely understood and lack effective treatment. Recent studies suggest that gut microbe-dependent metabolites might be involved in the initiation and progression of fibrosis in multiple organ systems. MAIN BODY OF THE MANUSCRIPT In a meta-organismal pathway that begins in the gut, gut microbiota convert dietary precursors such as choline, phosphatidylcholine, and L-carnitine into trimethylamine (TMA), which is absorbed and subsequently converted to trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) via the host enzyme flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) in the liver. Chronic exposure to elevated TMAO appears to be associated with vascular injury and enhanced fibrosis propensity in diverse conditions, including chronic kidney disease, heart failure, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, and systemic sclerosis. CONCLUSION Despite the high prevalence of fibrosis, little is known to date about the role of gut dysbiosis and of microbe-dependent metabolites in its pathogenesis. This review summarizes recent important advances in the understanding of the complex metabolism and functional role of TMAO in pathologic fibrosis and highlights unanswered questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Woong Jang
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 North St. Clair Street, Suite 650, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Emma Capaldi
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 North St. Clair Street, Suite 650, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Tracy Smith
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 North St. Clair Street, Suite 650, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Priyanka Verma
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Floor 3, Reception A, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - John Varga
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Floor 3, Reception A, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Karen J Ho
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 North St. Clair Street, Suite 650, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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Pharoun J, Berro J, Sobh J, Abou-Younes MM, Nasr L, Majed A, Khalil A, Joseph, Stephan, Faour WH. Mesenchymal stem cells biological and biotechnological advances: Implications for clinical applications. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 977:176719. [PMID: 38849038 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176719] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that are able to differentiate into multiple lineages including bone, cartilage, muscle and fat. They hold immunomodulatory properties and therapeutic ability to treat multiple diseases, including autoimmune and chronic degenerative diseases. In this article, we reviewed the different biological properties, applications and clinical trials of MSCs. Also, we discussed the basics of manufacturing conditions, quality control, and challenges facing MSCs in the clinical setting. METHODS Extensive review of the literature was conducted through the databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane. Papers published since 2015 and covering the clinical applications and research of MSC therapy were considered. Furthermore, older papers were considered when referring to pioneering studies in the field. RESULTS The most widely studied stem cells in cell therapy and tissue repair are bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Adipose tissue-derived stem cells became more common and to a lesser extent other stem cell sources e.g., foreskin derived MSCs. MSCs therapy were also studied in the setting of COVID-19 infections, ischemic strokes, autoimmune diseases, tumor development and graft rejection. Multiple obstacles, still face the standardization and optimization of MSC therapy such as the survival and the immunophenotype and the efficiency of transplanted cells. MSCs used in clinical settings displayed heterogeneity in their function despite their extraction from healthy donors and expression of similar surface markers. CONCLUSION Mesenchymal stem cells offer a rising therapeutic promise in various diseases. However, their potential use in clinical applications requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Pharoun
- Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, LAU, Byblos, Lebanon, P.O. Box 36
| | - Jana Berro
- Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, LAU, Byblos, Lebanon, P.O. Box 36
| | - Jeanine Sobh
- Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, LAU, Byblos, Lebanon, P.O. Box 36
| | | | - Leah Nasr
- Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, LAU, Byblos, Lebanon, P.O. Box 36
| | - Ali Majed
- Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, LAU, Byblos, Lebanon, P.O. Box 36
| | - Alia Khalil
- Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, LAU, Byblos, Lebanon, P.O. Box 36
| | - Joseph
- Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, LAU, Byblos, Lebanon, P.O. Box 36
| | - Stephan
- Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, LAU, Byblos, Lebanon, P.O. Box 36
| | - Wissam H Faour
- Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, LAU, Byblos, Lebanon, P.O. Box 36.
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Younesi FS, Hinz B. The Myofibroblast Fate of Therapeutic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: Regeneration, Repair, or Despair? Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8712. [PMID: 39201399 PMCID: PMC11354465 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25168712] [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: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can be isolated from various tissues of healthy or patient donors to be retransplanted in cell therapies. Because the number of MSCs obtained from biopsies is typically too low for direct clinical application, MSC expansion in cell culture is required. However, ex vivo amplification often reduces the desired MSC regenerative potential and enhances undesired traits, such as activation into fibrogenic myofibroblasts. Transiently activated myofibroblasts restore tissue integrity after organ injury by producing and contracting extracellular matrix into scar tissue. In contrast, persistent myofibroblasts cause excessive scarring-called fibrosis-that destroys organ function. In this review, we focus on the relevance and molecular mechanisms of myofibroblast activation upon contact with stiff cell culture plastic or recipient scar tissue, such as hypertrophic scars of large skin burns. We discuss cell mechanoperception mechanisms such as integrins and stretch-activated channels, mechanotransduction through the contractile actin cytoskeleton, and conversion of mechanical signals into transcriptional programs via mechanosensitive co-transcription factors, such as YAP, TAZ, and MRTF. We further elaborate how prolonged mechanical stress can create persistent myofibroblast memory by direct mechanotransduction to the nucleus that can evoke lasting epigenetic modifications at the DNA level, such as histone methylation and acetylation. We conclude by projecting how cell culture mechanics can be modulated to generate MSCs, which epigenetically protected against myofibroblast activation and transport desired regeneration potential to the recipient tissue environment in clinical therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fereshteh Sadat Younesi
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1G6, Canada;
- Keenan Research Institute for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Boris Hinz
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1G6, Canada;
- Keenan Research Institute for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
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7
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Younesi FS, Miller AE, Barker TH, Rossi FMV, Hinz B. Fibroblast and myofibroblast activation in normal tissue repair and fibrosis. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024; 25:617-638. [PMID: 38589640 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-024-00716-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The term 'fibroblast' often serves as a catch-all for a diverse array of mesenchymal cells, including perivascular cells, stromal progenitor cells and bona fide fibroblasts. Although phenotypically similar, these subpopulations are functionally distinct, maintaining tissue integrity and serving as local progenitor reservoirs. In response to tissue injury, these cells undergo a dynamic fibroblast-myofibroblast transition, marked by extracellular matrix secretion and contraction of actomyosin-based stress fibres. Importantly, whereas transient activation into myofibroblasts aids in tissue repair, persistent activation triggers pathological fibrosis. In this Review, we discuss the roles of mechanical cues, such as tissue stiffness and strain, alongside cell signalling pathways and extracellular matrix ligands in modulating myofibroblast activation and survival. We also highlight the role of epigenetic modifications and myofibroblast memory in physiological and pathological processes. Finally, we discuss potential strategies for therapeutically interfering with these factors and the associated signal transduction pathways to improve the outcome of dysregulated healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fereshteh Sadat Younesi
- Keenan Research Institute for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew E Miller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Thomas H Barker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Fabio M V Rossi
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Boris Hinz
- Keenan Research Institute for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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8
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Rashid F, Kabbo SA, Wang N. Mechanomemory of nucleoplasm and RNA polymerase II after chromatin stretching by a microinjected magnetic nanoparticle force. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114462. [PMID: 39002538 PMCID: PMC11289711 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114462] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that the mechanics of chromatin and nucleoplasm regulate gene transcription and nuclear function. However, how the chromatin and nucleoplasm sense and respond to forces remains elusive. Here, we employed a strategy of applying forces directly to the chromatin of a cell via a microinjected 200-nm anti-H2B-antibody-coated ferromagnetic nanoparticle (FMNP) and an anti-immunoglobulin G (IgG)-antibody-coated or an uncoated FMNP. The chromatin behaved as a viscoelastic gel-like structure and the nucleoplasm was a softer viscoelastic structure at loading frequencies of 0.1-5 Hz. Protein diffusivity of the chromatin, nucleoplasm, and RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) and RNA Pol II activity were upregulated in a chromatin-stretching-dependent manner and stayed upregulated for tens of minutes after force cessation. Chromatin stiffness increased, but the mechanomemory duration of chromatin diffusivity decreased, with substrate stiffness. These findings may provide a mechanomemory mechanism of transcription upregulation and have implications on cell and nuclear functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fazlur Rashid
- The Institute for Mechanobiology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Sadia Amin Kabbo
- The Institute for Mechanobiology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ning Wang
- The Institute for Mechanobiology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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9
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Boraldi F, Lofaro FD, Bonacorsi S, Mazzilli A, Garcia-Fernandez M, Quaglino D. The Role of Fibroblasts in Skin Homeostasis and Repair. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1586. [PMID: 39062158 PMCID: PMC11274439 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts are typical mesenchymal cells widely distributed throughout the human body where they (1) synthesise and maintain the extracellular matrix, ensuring the structural role of soft connective tissues; (2) secrete cytokines and growth factors; (3) communicate with each other and with other cell types, acting as signalling source for stem cell niches; and (4) are involved in tissue remodelling, wound healing, fibrosis, and cancer. This review focuses on the developmental heterogeneity of dermal fibroblasts, on their ability to sense changes in biomechanical properties of the surrounding extracellular matrix, and on their role in aging, in skin repair, in pathologic conditions and in tumour development. Moreover, we describe the use of fibroblasts in different models (e.g., in vivo animal models and in vitro systems from 2D to 6D cultures) for tissue bioengineering and the informative potential of high-throughput assays for the study of fibroblasts under different disease contexts for personalized healthcare and regenerative medicine applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Boraldi
- Department of Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (F.D.L.); (S.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Francesco Demetrio Lofaro
- Department of Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (F.D.L.); (S.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Susanna Bonacorsi
- Department of Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (F.D.L.); (S.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Alessia Mazzilli
- Department of Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (F.D.L.); (S.B.); (A.M.)
| | - Maria Garcia-Fernandez
- Department of Human Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Investigation (IBIMA), University of Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain;
| | - Daniela Quaglino
- Department of Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (F.D.L.); (S.B.); (A.M.)
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Roodnat AW, Callaghan B, Doyle C, Vallabh NA, Atkinson SD, Willoughby CE. Genome-wide RNA sequencing of ocular fibroblasts from glaucomatous and normal eyes: Implications for glaucoma management. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0307227. [PMID: 38990974 PMCID: PMC11239048 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307227] [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: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Primary open angle glaucoma is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness which is commonly treated with drugs or laser but may require surgery. Tenon's ocular fibroblasts are involved in wound-healing after glaucoma filtration surgery and may compromise a favourable outcome of glaucoma surgery by contributing to fibrosis. To investigate changes in gene expression and key pathways contributing to the glaucomatous state we performed genome-wide RNA sequencing. Human Tenon's ocular fibroblasts were cultured from normal and glaucomatous human donors undergoing eye surgery (n = 12). mRNA was extracted and RNA-Seq performed on the Illumina platform. Differentially expressed genes were identified using a bioinformatics pipeline consisting of FastQC, STAR, FeatureCounts and edgeR. Changes in biological functions and pathways were determined using Enrichr and clustered using Cytoscape. A total of 5817 genes were differentially expressed between Tenon's ocular fibroblasts from normal versus glaucomatous eyes. Enrichment analysis showed 787 significantly different biological functions and pathways which were clustered into 176 clusters. Tenon's ocular fibroblasts from glaucomatous eyes showed signs of fibrosis with fibroblast to myofibroblast transdifferentiation and associated changes in mitochondrial fission, remodeling of the extracellular matrix, proliferation, unfolded protein response, inflammation and apoptosis which may relate to the pathogenesis of glaucoma or the detrimental effects of topical glaucoma therapies. Altered gene expression in glaucomatous Tenon's ocular fibroblasts may contribute to an unfavourable outcome of glaucoma filtration surgery. This work presents a genome-wide transcriptome of glaucomatous versus normal Tenon's ocular fibroblasts which may identify genes or pathways of therapeutic value to improve surgical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton W. Roodnat
- Centre for Genomic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Breedge Callaghan
- Centre for Genomic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Chelsey Doyle
- Centre for Genomic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Neeru A. Vallabh
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Insitute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- St. Paul’s Eye Unit, Liverpool University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah D. Atkinson
- Centre for Genomic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Colin E. Willoughby
- Centre for Genomic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
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11
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Zhang S, Du Y, Liang T, Zhang X, Guo Y, Yang J, Li X, Niu G. Diagnostic efficiency of intravoxel incoherent motion-based virtual magnetic resonance elastography in pulmonary neoplasms. Cancer Imaging 2024; 24:88. [PMID: 38971790 PMCID: PMC11227719 DOI: 10.1186/s40644-024-00728-1] [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: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of the study were as below. (1) To investigate the feasibility of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM)-based virtual magnetic resonance elastography (vMRE) to provide quantitative estimates of tissue stiffness in pulmonary neoplasms. (2) To verify the diagnostic performance of shifted apparent diffusion coefficient (sADC) and reconstructed virtual stiffness values in distinguishing neoplasm nature. METHODS This study enrolled 59 patients (37 males, 22 females) with one pulmonary neoplasm who underwent computed tomography-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) with pathological diagnosis (26 adenocarcinoma, 10 squamous cell carcinoma, 3 small cell carcinoma, 4 tuberculosis and 16 non-specific benign; mean age, 60.81 ± 9.80 years). IVIM was performed on a 3 T magnetic resonance imaging scanner before biopsy. sADC and virtual shear stiffness maps reflecting lesion stiffness were reconstructed. sADC and virtual stiffness values of neoplasm were extracted, and the diagnostic performance of vMRE in distinguishing benign and malignant and detailed pathological type were explored. RESULTS Compared to benign neoplasms, malignant ones had a significantly lower sADC and a higher virtual stiffness value (P < 0.001). Subsequent subtype analyses showed that the sADC values of adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma groups were significantly lower than non-specific benign group (P = 0.013 and 0.001, respectively). Additionally, virtual stiffness values of the adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma subtypes were significantly higher than non-specific benign group (P = 0.008 and 0.001, respectively). However, no significant correlation was found among other subtype groups. CONCLUSIONS Non-invasive vMRE demonstrated diagnostic efficiency in differentiating the nature of pulmonary neoplasm. vMRE is promising as a new method for clinical diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Zhang
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 Yanta West Road, Yanta District, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China
| | - Yonghao Du
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 Yanta West Road, Yanta District, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China
| | - Ting Liang
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 Yanta West Road, Yanta District, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China
| | - Xuyin Zhang
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 Yanta West Road, Yanta District, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China
| | - Yinxia Guo
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 Yanta West Road, Yanta District, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 Yanta West Road, Yanta District, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China
| | - Xianjun Li
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 Yanta West Road, Yanta District, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China.
| | - Gang Niu
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 Yanta West Road, Yanta District, Xi'an, 710061, P.R. China.
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12
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Major GS, Doan VK, Longoni A, Bilek MMM, Wise SG, Rnjak-Kovacina J, Yeo GC, Lim KS. Mapping the microcarrier design pathway to modernise clinical mesenchymal stromal cell expansion. Trends Biotechnol 2024; 42:859-876. [PMID: 38320911 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Microcarrier expansion systems show exciting potential to revolutionise mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-based clinical therapies by providing an opportunity for economical large-scale expansion of donor- and patient-derived cells. The poor reproducibility and efficiency of cell expansion on commercial polystyrene microcarriers have driven the development of novel microcarriers with tuneable physical, mechanical, and cell-instructive properties. These new microcarriers show innovation toward improving cell expansion outcomes, although their limited biological characterisation and compatibility with dynamic culture systems suggest the need to realign the microcarrier design pathway. Clear headway has been made toward developing infrastructure necessary for scaling up these technologies; however, key challenges remain in characterising the wholistic effects of microcarrier properties on the biological fate and function of expanded MSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gretel S Major
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Vinh K Doan
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Alessia Longoni
- Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marcela M M Bilek
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; School of Physics, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Sydney Nano Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Steven G Wise
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jelena Rnjak-Kovacina
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Tyree Institute of Health Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Giselle C Yeo
- Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Khoon S Lim
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Sydney Nano Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
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13
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Guo S, Wang D. Novel insights into the potential applications of stem cells in pulmonary hypertension therapy. Respir Res 2024; 25:237. [PMID: 38849894 PMCID: PMC11162078 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-024-02865-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) refers to a group of deadly lung diseases characterized by vascular lesions in the microvasculature and a progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. The prevalence of PH has increased over time. Currently, the treatment options available for PH patients have limited efficacy, and none of them can fundamentally reverse pulmonary vascular remodeling. Stem cells represent an ideal seed with proven efficacy in clinical studies focusing on liver, cardiovascular, and nerve diseases. Since the potential therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on PH was first reported in 2006, many studies have demonstrated the efficacy of stem cells in PH animal models and suggested that stem cells can help slow the deterioration of lung tissue. Existing PH treatment studies basically focus on the paracrine action of stem cells, including protein regulation, exosome pathway, and cell signaling; however, the specific mechanisms have not yet been clarified. Apoptotic and afunctional pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) and alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) are two fundamental promoters of PH although they have not been extensively studied by researchers. This review mainly focuses on the supportive communication and interaction between PMVECs and AECs as well as the potential restorative effect of stem cells on their injury. In the future, more studies are needed to prove these effects and explore more radical cures for PH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijia Guo
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
| | - Dachun Wang
- Stem Cell Laboratory, Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the prevention of Human Diseases, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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14
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Ranjan P, Dutta RK, Colin K, Li J, Zhang Q, Lal H, Qin G, Verma SK. Bone marrow-fibroblast progenitor cell-derived small extracellular vesicles promote cardiac fibrosis via miR-21-5p and integrin subunit αV signalling. JOURNAL OF EXTRACELLULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 3:e152. [PMID: 38947170 PMCID: PMC11212340 DOI: 10.1002/jex2.152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is the hallmark of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is leading cause of death worldwide. Previously, we have shown that interleukin-10 (IL10) reduces pressure overload (PO)-induced cardiac fibrosis by inhibiting the recruitment of bone marrow fibroblast progenitor cells (FPCs) to the heart. However, the precise mechanism of FPC involvement in cardiac fibrosis remains unclear. Recently, exosomes and small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) have been linked to CVD progression. Thus, we hypothesized that pro-fibrotic miRNAs enriched in sEV-derived from IL10 KO FPCs promote cardiac fibrosis in pressure-overloaded myocardium. Small EVs were isolated from FPCs cultured media and characterized as per MISEV-2018 guidelines. Small EV's miRNA profiling was performed using Qiagen fibrosis-associated miRNA profiler kit. For functional analysis, sEVs were injected in the heart following TAC surgery. Interestingly, TGFβ-treated IL10-KO-FPCs sEV increased profibrotic genes expression in cardiac fibroblasts. The exosomal miRNA profiling identified miR-21a-5p as the key player, and its inhibition with antagomir prevented profibrotic signalling and fibrosis. At mechanistic level, miR-21a-5p binds and stabilizes ITGAV (integrin av) mRNA. Finally, miR-21a-5p-silenced in sEV reduced PO-induced cardiac fibrosis and improved cardiac function. Our study elucidates the mechanism by which inflammatory FPC-derived sEV exacerbate cardiac fibrosis through the miR-21a-5p/ITGAV/Col1α signalling pathway, suggesting miR-21a-5p as a potential therapeutic target for treating hypertrophic cardiac remodelling and heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhat Ranjan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular DiseaseThe University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Roshan Kumar Dutta
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular DiseaseThe University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Karen Colin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular DiseaseThe University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
- UAB School of Health ProfessionsThe University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular DiseaseThe University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Qinkun Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular DiseaseThe University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Hind Lal
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular DiseaseThe University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Gangjian Qin
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringThe University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Suresh Kumar Verma
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular DiseaseThe University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringThe University of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
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15
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Filipe EC, Velayuthar S, Philp A, Nobis M, Latham SL, Parker AL, Murphy KJ, Wyllie K, Major GS, Contreras O, Mok ETY, Enriquez RF, McGowan S, Feher K, Quek L, Hancock SE, Yam M, Tran E, Setargew YFI, Skhinas JN, Chitty JL, Phimmachanh M, Han JZR, Cadell AL, Papanicolaou M, Mahmodi H, Kiedik B, Junankar S, Ross SE, Lam N, Coulson R, Yang J, Zaratzian A, Da Silva AM, Tayao M, Chin IL, Cazet A, Kansara M, Segara D, Parker A, Hoy AJ, Harvey RP, Bogdanovic O, Timpson P, Croucher DR, Lim E, Swarbrick A, Holst J, Turner N, Choi YS, Kabakova IV, Philp A, Cox TR. Tumor Biomechanics Alters Metastatic Dissemination of Triple Negative Breast Cancer via Rewiring Fatty Acid Metabolism. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2307963. [PMID: 38602451 PMCID: PMC11186052 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202307963] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
In recent decades, the role of tumor biomechanics on cancer cell behavior at the primary site has been increasingly appreciated. However, the effect of primary tumor biomechanics on the latter stages of the metastatic cascade, such as metastatic seeding of secondary sites and outgrowth remains underappreciated. This work sought to address this in the context of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), a cancer type known to aggressively disseminate at all stages of disease progression. Using mechanically tuneable model systems, mimicking the range of stiffness's typically found within breast tumors, it is found that, contrary to expectations, cancer cells exposed to softer microenvironments are more able to colonize secondary tissues. It is shown that heightened cell survival is driven by enhanced metabolism of fatty acids within TNBC cells exposed to softer microenvironments. It is demonstrated that uncoupling cellular mechanosensing through integrin β1 blocking antibody effectively causes stiff primed TNBC cells to behave like their soft counterparts, both in vitro and in vivo. This work is the first to show that softer tumor microenvironments may be contributing to changes in disease outcome by imprinting on TNBC cells a greater metabolic flexibility and conferring discrete cell survival advantages.
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16
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Lee JWN, Holle AW. Engineering approaches for understanding mechanical memory in cancer metastasis. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:021503. [PMID: 38605886 PMCID: PMC11008915 DOI: 10.1063/5.0194539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding cancer metastasis is crucial for advancing therapeutic strategies and improving clinical outcomes. Cancer cells face dynamic changes in their mechanical microenvironment that occur on timescales ranging from minutes to years and exhibit a spectrum of cellular transformations in response to these mechanical cues. A crucial facet of this adaptive response is the concept of mechanical memory, in which mechanosensitive cell behavior and function persists even when mechanical cues are altered. This review explores the evolving mechanical landscape during metastasis, emphasizing the significance of mechanical memory and its influence on cell behavior. We then focus on engineering techniques that are being utilized to probe mechanical memory of cancer cells. Finally, we highlight promising translational approaches poised to harness mechanical memory for new therapies, thereby advancing the frontiers of bioengineering applications in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wen Nicole Lee
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 117411 Singapore, Singapore
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17
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Ross R, Guo Y, Walker RN, Bergamaschi D, Shaw TJ, Connelly JT. Biomechanical Activation of Keloid Fibroblasts Promotes Lysosomal Remodeling and Exocytosis. J Invest Dermatol 2024:S0022-202X(24)00374-9. [PMID: 38763173 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2024.04.015] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Keloids are a severe form of scarring for which the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood, and treatment options are limited or inconsistent. Although biomechanical forces are potential drivers of keloid scarring, the direct cellular responses to mechanical cues have yet to be defined. The aim of this study was to examine the distinct responses of normal dermal fibroblasts and keloid-derived fibroblasts (KDFs) to changes in extracellular matrix stiffness. When cultured on hydrogels mimicking the elasticity of normal or scarred skin, KDFs displayed greater stiffness-dependent increases in cell spreading, F-actin stress fiber formation, and focal adhesion assembly. Elevated actomyosin contractility in KDFs disrupted the normal mechanical regulation of extracellular matrix deposition and conferred resistance on myosin inhibitors. Transcriptional profiling identified mechanically regulated pathways in normal dermal fibroblasts and KDFs, including the actin cytoskeleton, Hippo signaling, and autophagy. Further analysis of the autophagy pathway revealed that autophagic flux was intact in both fibroblast populations and depended on actomyosin contractility. However, KDFs displayed marked changes in lysosome organization and an increase in lysosomal exocytosis, which was mediated by actomyosin contractility. Together, these findings demonstrate that KDFs possess an intrinsic increase in cytoskeletal tension, which heightens the response to extracellular matrix mechanics and promotes lysosomal exocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie Ross
- Centre for Cell Biology and Cutaneous Research, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom; Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yiyang Guo
- Centre for Cell Biology and Cutaneous Research, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca N Walker
- Centre for Cell Biology and Cutaneous Research, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniele Bergamaschi
- Centre for Cell Biology and Cutaneous Research, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tanya J Shaw
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - John T Connelly
- Centre for Cell Biology and Cutaneous Research, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.
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18
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Tian A, Baidouri H, Kim S, Li J, Cheng X, Li Y, Chen R, Raghunathan V. To be or not to be - Decoding the Trabecular Meshwork Cell Identity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.26.591346. [PMID: 38746421 PMCID: PMC11092480 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.26.591346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The trabecular meshwork within the conventional outflow apparatus is critical in maintaining intraocular pressure homeostasis. In vitro studies employing primary cell cultures of the human trabecular meshwork (hTM) have conventionally served as surrogates for investigating the pathobiology of TM dysfunction. Despite its abundant use, translation of outcomes from in vitro studies to ex vivo and/or in vivo studies remains a challenge. Given the cell heterogeneity, performing single-cell RNA sequencing comparing primary hTM cell cultures to hTM tissue may provide important insights on cellular identity and translatability, as such an approach has not been reported before. In this study, we assembled a total of 14 primary hTM in vitro samples across passages 1-4, including 4 samples from individuals diagnosed with glaucoma. This dataset offers a comprehensive transcriptomic resource of primary hTM in vitro scRNA-seq data to study global changes in gene expression in comparison to cells in tissue in situ. We have performed extensive preprocessing and quality control, allowing the research community to access and utilize this public resource.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Tian
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Hasna Baidouri
- University of Houston, College of Optomtery, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Sangbae Kim
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Jin Li
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Xuesen Cheng
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Yumei Li
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Rui Chen
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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19
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Qiu H, Fu Y, Guo Z, Zhang X, Wang X, Wu H. Dysregulated microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs associated with extracellular matrix stiffness. Exp Cell Res 2024; 437:114014. [PMID: 38547959 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2024.114014] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness regulates development and homeostasis in vivo and affects both physiological and pathological processes. A variety of studies have demonstrated that mRNAs, such as Piezo1, integrin β1, and Yes-associated protein (YAP)/tafazzin (TAZ), can sense the mechanical signals induced by ECM stiffness and transmit them from the extracellular space into the cytoplasm. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), have been reported to play important roles in various cellular processes. Therefore, the interactions between ncRNAs and ECM stiffness, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms, have become intriguing. In this review, we summarize recent findings on miRNAs and lncRNAs that interact with ECM stiffness. Several miRNAs and lncRNAs are involved in the progression of liver cancer, breast cancer, osteosarcoma, and cardiovascular diseases under the regulation of ECM stiffness. Through these ncRNAs, cellular behaviors including cell differentiation, proliferation, adhesion, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are affected by ECM stiffness. We also integrate the ncRNA signaling pathways associated with ECM stiffness, in which typical signaling pathways like integrin β1/TGFβ1, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/AKT, and EMT are involved. Although our understanding of the relationships between ncRNAs and ECM stiffness is still limited, further investigations may provide new insights for disease treatment. ECM-associated ncRNAs may serve as disease biomarkers or be targeted by drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Qiu
- School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Yangpu, 200093, Shanghai, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedicine, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Pudong, 201318, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yi Fu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedicine, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Pudong, 201318, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zhinan Guo
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedicine, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Pudong, 201318, Shanghai, China; School of Sports and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Yangpu, 200438, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xinjia Zhang
- School of Medical Instruments, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Pudong, 201318, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xinyue Wang
- School of Medical Instruments, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Pudong, 201318, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hailong Wu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedicine, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Pudong, 201318, Shanghai, China.
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20
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Atkins D, Rosas JM, Månsson LK, Shahverdi N, Dey SS, Pitenis AA. Survival-Associated Cellular Response Maintained in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) Switched Between Soft and Stiff 3D Microgel Culture. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:2177-2187. [PMID: 38466617 PMCID: PMC11005012 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c01079] [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: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounts for about 90% of all pancreatic cancer cases. Five-year survival rates have remained below 12% since the 1970s, in part due to the difficulty in detection prior to metastasis (migration and invasion into neighboring organs and glands). Mechanical memory is a concept that has emerged over the past decade that may provide a path toward understanding how invading PDAC cells "remember" the mechanical properties of their diseased ("stiff", elastic modulus, E ≈ 10 kPa) microenvironment even while invading a healthy ("soft", E ≈ 1 kPa) microenvironment. Here, we investigated the role of mechanical priming by culturing a dilute suspension of PDAC (FG) cells within a 3D, rheologically tunable microgel platform from hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties. We conducted a suite of acute (short-term) priming studies where we cultured PDAC cells in either a soft (E ≈ 1 kPa) or stiff (E ≈ 10 kPa) environment for 6 h, then removed and placed them into a new soft or stiff 3D environment for another 18 h. Following these steps, we conducted RNA-seq analyses to quantify gene expression. Initial priming in the 3D culture showed persistent gene expression for the duration of the study, regardless of the subsequent environments (stiff or soft). Stiff 3D culture was associated with the downregulation of tumor suppressors (LATS1, BCAR3, CDKN2C), as well as the upregulation of cancer-associated genes (RAC3). Immunofluorescence staining (BCAR3, RAC3) further supported the persistence of this cellular response, with BCAR3 upregulated in soft culture and RAC3 upregulated in stiff-primed culture. Stiff-primed genes were stratified against patient data found in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Upregulated genes in stiff-primed 3D culture were associated with decreased survival in patient data, suggesting a link between patient survival and mechanical priming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dixon
J. Atkins
- Department
of Biomolecular Science and Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Jonah M. Rosas
- Department
of Biomolecular Science and Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Lisa K. Månsson
- Materials
Department, University of California Santa
Barbara, Santa
Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Nima Shahverdi
- Molecular,
Cellular, and Developmental Biology Department, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Siddharth S. Dey
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, University
of California Santa Barbara, Santa
Barbara, California 93106, United States
- Department
of Bioengineering, University of California
Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Angela A. Pitenis
- Materials
Department, University of California Santa
Barbara, Santa
Barbara, California 93106, United States
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21
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Chitturi P, Leask A. The role of positional information in determining dermal fibroblast diversity. Matrix Biol 2024; 128:31-38. [PMID: 38423396 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2024.02.009] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
The largest mammalian organ, skin, consisting of a dermal connective tissue layer that underlies and supports the epidermis, acts as a protective barrier that excludes external pathogens and disseminates sensory signals emanating from the local microenvironment. Dermal connective tissue is comprised of a collagen-rich extracellular matrix (ECM) that is produced by connective tissue fibroblasts resident within the dermis. When wounded, a tissue repair program is induced whereby fibroblasts, in response to alterations in the microenvironment, produce new ECM components, resulting in the formation of a scar. Failure to terminate the normal tissue repair program causes fibrotic conditions including: hypertrophic scars, keloids, and the systemic autoimmune connective tissue disease scleroderma (systemic sclerosis, SSc). Histological and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) studies have revealed that fibroblasts are heterogeneous and highly plastic. Understanding how this diversity contributes to dermal homeostasis, wounding, fibrosis, and cancer may ultimately result in novel anti-fibrotic therapies and personalized medicine. This review summarizes studies supporting this concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratyusha Chitturi
- College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, 105 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Andrew Leask
- College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, 105 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
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22
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Davis EER, Manzoni TJ, Bianchi VJ, Weber JF, Wu PH, Regmi SC, Waldman SD, Schmidt TA, Su AW, Kandel RA, Parreno J. Passaged Articular Chondrocytes From the Superficial Zone and Deep Zone Can Regain Zone-Specific Properties After Redifferentiation. Am J Sports Med 2024; 52:1075-1087. [PMID: 38419462 DOI: 10.1177/03635465241230031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bioengineered cartilage is a developing therapeutic to repair cartilage defects. The matrix must be rich in collagen type II and aggrecan and mechanically competent, withstanding compressive and shearing loads. Biomechanical properties in native articular cartilage depend on the zonal architecture consisting of 3 zones: superficial, middle, and deep. The superficial zone chondrocytes produce lubricating proteoglycan-4, whereas the deep zone chondrocytes produce collagen type X, which allows for integration into the subchondral bone. Zonal and chondrogenic expression is lost after cell number expansion. Current cell-based therapies have limited capacity to regenerate the zonal structure of native cartilage. HYPOTHESIS Both passaged superficial and deep zone chondrocytes at high density can form bioengineered cartilage that is rich in collagen type II and aggrecan; however, only passaged superficial zone-derived chondrocytes will express superficial zone-specific proteoglycan-4, and only passaged deep zone-derived chondrocytes will express deep zone-specific collagen type X. STUDY DESIGN Controlled laboratory study. METHODS Superficial and deep zone chondrocytes were isolated from bovine joints, and zonal subpopulations were separately expanded in 2-dimensional culture. At passage 2, superficial and deep zone chondrocytes were seeded, separately, in scaffold-free 3-dimensional culture within agarose wells and cultured in redifferentiation media. RESULTS Monolayer expansion resulted in loss of expression for proteoglycan-4 and collagen type X in passaged superficial and deep zone chondrocytes, respectively. By passage 2, superficial and deep zone chondrocytes had similar expression for dedifferentiated molecules collagen type I and tenascin C. Redifferentiation of both superficial and deep zone chondrocytes led to the expression of collagen type II and aggrecan in both passaged chondrocyte populations. However, only redifferentiated deep zone chondrocytes expressed collagen type X, and only redifferentiated superficial zone chondrocytes expressed and secreted proteoglycan-4. Additionally, redifferentiated deep zone chondrocytes produced a thicker and more robust tissue compared with superficial zone chondrocytes. CONCLUSION The recapitulation of the primary phenotype from passaged zonal chondrocytes introduces a novel method of functional bioengineering of cartilage that resembles the zone-specific biological properties of native cartilage. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The recapitulation of the primary phenotype in zonal chondrocytes could be a possible method to tailor bioengineered cartilage to have zone-specific expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth E R Davis
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thomas J Manzoni
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Vanessa J Bianchi
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joanna F Weber
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Po Han Wu
- Department of Human Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Suresh C Regmi
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Stephen D Waldman
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tannin A Schmidt
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Alvin W Su
- Nemours Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nemours Children's Hospital, Wilmington, Delaware, USA
| | - Rita A Kandel
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Justin Parreno
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
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23
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Cambria E, Coughlin MF, Floryan MA, Offeddu GS, Shelton SE, Kamm RD. Linking cell mechanical memory and cancer metastasis. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:216-228. [PMID: 38238471 PMCID: PMC11146605 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00656-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Metastasis causes most cancer-related deaths; however, the efficacy of anti-metastatic drugs is limited by incomplete understanding of the biological mechanisms that drive metastasis. Focusing on the mechanics of metastasis, we propose that the ability of tumour cells to survive the metastatic process is enhanced by mechanical stresses in the primary tumour microenvironment that select for well-adapted cells. In this Perspective, we suggest that biophysical adaptations favourable for metastasis are retained via mechanical memory, such that the extent of memory is influenced by both the magnitude and duration of the mechanical stress. Among the mechanical cues present in the primary tumour microenvironment, we focus on high matrix stiffness to illustrate how it alters tumour cell proliferation, survival, secretion of molecular factors, force generation, deformability, migration and invasion. We particularly centre our discussion on potential mechanisms of mechanical memory formation and retention via mechanotransduction and persistent epigenetic changes. Indeed, we propose that the biophysical adaptations that are induced by this process are retained throughout the metastatic process to improve tumour cell extravasation, survival and colonization in the distant organ. Deciphering mechanical memory mechanisms will be key to discovering a new class of anti-metastatic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Cambria
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Mark F Coughlin
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Marie A Floryan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Giovanni S Offeddu
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sarah E Shelton
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Roger D Kamm
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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24
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Veres T, Kerestély M, Kovács BM, Keresztes D, Schulc K, Seitz E, Vassy Z, Veres DV, Csermely P. Cellular forgetting, desensitisation, stress and ageing in signalling networks. When do cells refuse to learn more? Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:97. [PMID: 38372750 PMCID: PMC10876757 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05112-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Recent findings show that single, non-neuronal cells are also able to learn signalling responses developing cellular memory. In cellular learning nodes of signalling networks strengthen their interactions e.g. by the conformational memory of intrinsically disordered proteins, protein translocation, miRNAs, lncRNAs, chromatin memory and signalling cascades. This can be described by a generalized, unicellular Hebbian learning process, where those signalling connections, which participate in learning, become stronger. Here we review those scenarios, where cellular signalling is not only repeated in a few times (when learning occurs), but becomes too frequent, too large, or too complex and overloads the cell. This leads to desensitisation of signalling networks by decoupling signalling components, receptor internalization, and consequent downregulation. These molecular processes are examples of anti-Hebbian learning and 'forgetting' of signalling networks. Stress can be perceived as signalling overload inducing the desensitisation of signalling pathways. Ageing occurs by the summative effects of cumulative stress downregulating signalling. We propose that cellular learning desensitisation, stress and ageing may be placed along the same axis of more and more intensive (prolonged or repeated) signalling. We discuss how cells might discriminate between repeated and unexpected signals, and highlight the Hebbian and anti-Hebbian mechanisms behind the fold-change detection in the NF-κB signalling pathway. We list drug design methods using Hebbian learning (such as chemically-induced proximity) and clinical treatment modalities inducing (cancer, drug allergies) desensitisation or avoiding drug-induced desensitisation. A better discrimination between cellular learning, desensitisation and stress may open novel directions in drug design, e.g. helping to overcome drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Veres
- Department of Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Márk Kerestély
- Department of Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Borbála M Kovács
- Department of Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dávid Keresztes
- Department of Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Klára Schulc
- Department of Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Erik Seitz
- Department of Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Vassy
- Department of Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dániel V Veres
- Department of Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Turbine Ltd, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Peter Csermely
- Department of Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
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25
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Zhu L, Gou W, Ou L, Liu B, Liu M, Feng H. Role and new insights of microfibrillar-associated protein 4 in fibrotic diseases. APMIS 2024; 132:55-67. [PMID: 37957836 DOI: 10.1111/apm.13358] [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: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis is one of the most worrisome complications of chronic inflammatory diseases, leading to tissue damage, organ failure, and ultimately, death. The most notable pathological characteristic of fibrosis is the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as collagen and fibronectin adjacent to foci of inflammation or damage. The human microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP4), an important member of the superfamily of fibrinogen-related proteins, is considered to have an extremely important role in ECM transformation of fibrogenesis. This review summarizes the structure, characteristics, and physiological functions of MFAP4 and the importance of MFAP4 in various fibrotic diseases. Meanwhile, we elaborated the underlying actions and mechanisms of MFAP4 in the development of fibrosis, suggesting that a better understand of MFAP4 broadens novel perspective for early screening, diagnosis, prognostic risk assessment, and treatment of fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Zhu
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Oral Major Diseases and Oral Health, Changsha, China
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Changsha, China
- Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenqun Gou
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Oral Major Diseases and Oral Health, Changsha, China
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Changsha, China
- Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Changsha Stomatological Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Lijia Ou
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Oral Major Diseases and Oral Health, Changsha, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Binjie Liu
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Oral Major Diseases and Oral Health, Changsha, China
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Changsha, China
- Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Manyi Liu
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Changsha, China
- Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hui Feng
- Hunan Clinical Research Center of Oral Major Diseases and Oral Health, Changsha, China
- Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Changsha, China
- Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, China
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26
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Kureel SK, Blair B, Sheetz MP. Recent Advancement in Elimination Strategies and Potential Rejuvenation Targets of Senescence. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024; 8:e2300461. [PMID: 37857532 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202300461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Cellular senescence is a state of exiting the cell cycle, resisting apoptosis, and changing phenotype. Senescent cells (SCs) can be identified by large, distorted morphology and irreversible inability to replicate. In early development, senescence has beneficial roles like tissue patterning and wound healing, where SCs are cleared by the immune system. However, there is a steep rise in SC number as organisms age. The issue with SC accumulation stems from the loss of cellular function, alterations of the microenvironment, and secretions of pro-inflammatory molecules, consisting of cytokines, chemokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), interleukins, and extracellular matrix (ECM)-associated molecules. This secreted cocktail is referred to as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), a hallmark of cellular senescence. The SASP promotes inflammation and displays a bystander effect where paracrine signaling turns proliferating cells into senescent states. To alleviate age-associated diseases, researchers have developed novel methods and techniques to selectively eliminate SCs in aged individuals. Although studies demonstrated that selectively killing SCs improves age-related disorders, there are drawbacks to SC removal. Considering favorable aspects of senescence in the body, this paper reviews recent advancements in elimination strategies and potential rejuvenation targets of senescence to bring researchers in the field up to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Kumar Kureel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Brandon Blair
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Michael P Sheetz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
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27
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Sumey JL, Harrell AM, Johnston PC, Caliari SR. Serial Passaging Affects Stromal Cell Mechanosensitivity on Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels. Macromol Biosci 2024; 24:e2300110. [PMID: 37747449 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202300110] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
There is a tremendous interest in developing hydrogels as tunable in vitro cell culture platforms to study cell response to mechanical cues in a controlled manner. However, little is known about how common cell culture techniques, such as serial expansion on tissue culture plastic, affect subsequent cell behavior when cultured on hydrogels. In this work, a methacrylated hyaluronic acid hydrogel platform is leveraged to study stromal cell mechanotransduction. Hydrogels are first formed through thiol-Michael addition to model normal soft tissue (e.g., lung) stiffness (E ≈ 1 kPa). Secondary cross-linking via radical photopolymerization of unconsumed methacrylates allows matching of early- (E ≈ 6 kPa) and late-stage fibrotic tissue (E ≈ 50 kPa). Early passage (P1) human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) display increased spreading, myocardin-related transcription factor-A (MRTF-A) nuclear localization, and focal adhesion size with increasing hydrogel stiffness. However, late passage (P5) hMSCs show reduced sensitivity to substrate mechanics with lower MRTF-A nuclear translocation and smaller focal adhesions on stiffer hydrogels compared to early passage hMSCs. Similar trends are observed in an immortalized human lung fibroblast line. Overall, this work highlights the implications of standard cell culture practices on investigating cell response to mechanical signals using in vitro hydrogel models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna L Sumey
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Abigail M Harrell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Peyton C Johnston
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Steven R Caliari
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
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28
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Bonnevie ED, Scanzello CR, Mauck RL. Modulating mechanobiology as a therapeutic target for synovial fibrosis to restore joint lubrication. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2024; 32:41-51. [PMID: 37866546 PMCID: PMC10880438 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2023.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Fibroses are disorders linked to persistence of myofibroblasts due to biochemical (e.g., Transforming growth factor-β) and biophysical cues (e.g., a stiff microenvironment). In the context of osteoarthritis, fibrotic changes in the joint-lining synovium have been linked with disease progression. The objective of this study was to probe synovial fibroblast mechanobiology and how essential functions (i.e., lubrication) are altered in fibrotic environments. DESIGN Both ex vivo and in vitro synovium models were assessed for fibrotic and lubrication biomarkers to better understand the role of mechanobiology and lubrication. Additionally, in vitro, work on small molecules targeting mechanobiology was assessed. RESULTS Our results indicated that modulating mechanobiology could rescue the fibrotic phenotype instigated by stiffening microenvironment that resulted in altered lubricant expression. A small molecule therapeutic, fasudil, blocked ROCK-mediated contractility and this inhibition of the fibrotic mechano-response of synovial fibroblasts restored proper lubrication function, providing insight into mechanisms of disease progression as well as a new avenue for therapeutic development. CONCLUSION This study identifies synovial fibrosis as a condition that potentially has joint-wide deficits through inhibiting lubrication. Additionally, modulating mechanobiology (i.e., ROCK-mediated contractility) may pose a potential target for small molecule therapies that can be delivered to the joint space. CLASSIFICATION Applied Biological Sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward D Bonnevie
- Translational Musculoskeletal Research Center, CMC VA Medical Center, United States; McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, United States.
| | - Carla R Scanzello
- Translational Musculoskeletal Research Center, CMC VA Medical Center, United States; Division of Rheumatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Robert L Mauck
- Translational Musculoskeletal Research Center, CMC VA Medical Center, United States; McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, United States; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, United States.
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29
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Chen Z, Ezzo M, Zondag B, Rakhshani F, Ma Y, Hinz B, Kumacheva E. Intrafibrillar Crosslinking Enables Decoupling of Mechanical Properties and Structure of a Composite Fibrous Hydrogel. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2305964. [PMID: 37671420 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202305964] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
The fibrous network of an extracellular matrix (ECM) possesses mechanical properties that convey critical biological functions in cell mechanotransduction. Engineered fibrous hydrogels show promise in emulating key aspects of ECM structure and functions. However, varying hydrogel mechanics without changing its architecture remains a challenge. A composite fibrous hydrogel is developed to vary gel stiffness without affecting its structure by controlling intrafibrillar crosslinking. The hydrogel is formed from aldehyde-modified cellulose nanocrystals and gelatin methacryloyl that provide the capability of intrafibrillar photocrosslinking. By varying the degree of gelatin functionalization with methacryloyl groups and/or photoirradiation time, the hydrogel's elastic modulus is changed by more than an order of magnitude, while preserving the same fiber diameter and pore size. The hydrogel is used to seed primary mouse lung fibroblasts and test the role of ECM stiffness on fibroblast contraction and activation. Increasing hydrogel stiffness by stronger intrafibrillar crosslinking results in enhanced fibroblast activation and increased fibroblast contraction force, yet at a reduced contraction speed. The developed approach enables the fabrication of biomimetic hydrogels with decoupled structural and mechanical properties, facilitating studies of ECM mechanics on tissue development and disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengkun Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Maya Ezzo
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E2, Canada
- Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Benjamen Zondag
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Faeze Rakhshani
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Yingshan Ma
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Boris Hinz
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E2, Canada
- Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Eugenia Kumacheva
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H6, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E5, Canada
- The Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
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30
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Faour S, Farahat M, Aijaz A, Jeschke MG. Fibrosis in burns: an overview of mechanisms and therapies. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 325:C1545-C1557. [PMID: 37811732 PMCID: PMC10881229 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00254.2023] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Scar development remains a common occurrence and a major healthcare challenge affecting the lives of millions of patients annually. Severe injuries to the skin, such as burns can lead to pathological wound healing patterns, often characterized by dermal fibrosis or excessive scarring, and chronic inflammation. The two most common forms of fibrotic diseases following burn trauma are hypertrophic scars (HSCs) and keloids, which severely impact the patient's quality of life. Although the cellular and molecular mechanisms are similar, HSC and keloids have several distinct differences. In this review, we discuss the different forms of fibrosis that occur postburn injury, emphasizing how the extent of burn influences scar development. Moreover, we highlight how a systemic response induced by a burn injury drives wound fibrosis, including both the role of the inflammatory response, as well as the fate of fibroblast during skin healing. Finally, we list potential therapeutics aimed at alleviating pathological scar formation. An understanding of the mechanisms of postburn fibrosis will allow us to effectively move studies from bench to bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Faour
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- TaARI, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mahmoud Farahat
- TaARI, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ayesha Aijaz
- TaARI, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marc G Jeschke
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- TaARI, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Hamilton General Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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31
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Basalova N, Alexandrushkina N, Grigorieva O, Kulebyakina M, Efimenko A. Fibroblast Activation Protein Alpha (FAPα) in Fibrosis: Beyond a Perspective Marker for Activated Stromal Cells? Biomolecules 2023; 13:1718. [PMID: 38136590 PMCID: PMC10742035 DOI: 10.3390/biom13121718] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of tissue fibrosis is a complex process involving the interaction of multiple cell types, which makes the search for antifibrotic agents rather challenging. So far, myofibroblasts have been considered the key cell type that mediated the development of fibrosis and thus was the main target for therapy. However, current strategies aimed at inhibiting myofibroblast function or eliminating them fail to demonstrate sufficient effectiveness in clinical practice. Therefore, today, there is an unmet need to search for more reliable cellular targets to contribute to fibrosis resolution or the inhibition of its progression. Activated stromal cells, capable of active proliferation and invasive growth into healthy tissue, appear to be such a target population due to their more accessible localization in the tissue and their high susceptibility to various regulatory signals. This subpopulation is marked by fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAPα). For a long time, FAPα was considered exclusively a marker of cancer-associated fibroblasts. However, accumulating data are emerging on the diverse functions of FAPα, which suggests that this protein is not only a marker but also plays an important role in fibrosis development and progression. This review aims to summarize the current data on the expression, regulation, and function of FAPα regarding fibrosis development and identify promising advances in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliya Basalova
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Educational Centre, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia (O.G.); (A.E.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Natalya Alexandrushkina
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Educational Centre, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia (O.G.); (A.E.)
| | - Olga Grigorieva
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Educational Centre, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia (O.G.); (A.E.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Maria Kulebyakina
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Anastasia Efimenko
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Educational Centre, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia (O.G.); (A.E.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia;
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32
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Dudaryeva OY, Bernhard S, Tibbitt MW, Labouesse C. Implications of Cellular Mechanical Memory in Bioengineering. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:5985-5998. [PMID: 37797187 PMCID: PMC10646820 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c01007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
The ability to maintain and differentiate cells in vitro is critical to many advances in the field of bioengineering. However, on traditional, stiff (E ≈ GPa) culture substrates, cells are subjected to sustained mechanical stress that can lead to phenotypic changes. Such changes may remain even after transferring the cells to another scaffold or engrafting them in vivo and bias the outcomes of the biological investigation or clinical treatment. This persistence─or mechanical memory─was initially observed for sustained myofibroblast activation of pulmonary fibroblasts after culturing them on stiff (E ≈ 100 kPa) substrates. Aspects of mechanical memory have now been described in many in vitro contexts. In this Review, we discuss the stiffness-induced effectors of mechanical memory: structural changes in the cytoskeleton and activity of transcription factors and epigenetic modifiers. We then focus on how mechanical memory impacts cell expansion and tissue regeneration outcomes in bioengineering applications relying on prolonged 2D plastic culture, such as stem cell therapies and disease models. We propose that alternatives to traditional cell culture substrates can be used to mitigate or erase mechanical memory and improve the efficiency of downstream cell-based bioengineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oksana Y Dudaryeva
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
- Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht 3584, Netherlands
| | - Stéphane Bernhard
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Mark W Tibbitt
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Céline Labouesse
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
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33
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Beedle AE, Jaganathan A, Albajar-Sigalés A, Yavitt FM, Bera K, Andreu I, Granero-Moya I, Zalvidea D, Kechagia Z, Wiche G, Trepat X, Ivaska J, Anseth KS, Shenoy VB, Roca-Cusachs P. Fibrillar adhesion dynamics govern the timescales of nuclear mechano-response via the vimentin cytoskeleton. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.08.566191. [PMID: 37986921 PMCID: PMC10659263 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.08.566191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The cell nucleus is continuously exposed to external signals, of both chemical and mechanical nature. To ensure proper cellular response, cells need to regulate not only the transmission of these signals, but also their timing and duration. Such timescale regulation is well described for fluctuating chemical signals, but if and how it applies to mechanical signals reaching the nucleus is still unknown. Here we demonstrate that the formation of fibrillar adhesions locks the nucleus in a mechanically deformed conformation, setting the mechanical response timescale to that of fibrillar adhesion remodelling (~1 hour). This process encompasses both mechanical deformation and associated mechanotransduction (such as via YAP), in response to both increased and decreased mechanical stimulation. The underlying mechanism is the anchoring of the vimentin cytoskeleton to fibrillar adhesions and the extracellular matrix through plectin 1f, which maintains nuclear deformation. Our results reveal a mechanism to regulate the timescale of mechanical adaptation, effectively setting a low pass filter to mechanotransduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E.M. Beedle
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Physics, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Anuja Jaganathan
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Aina Albajar-Sigalés
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - F. Max Yavitt
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303 USA
| | - Kaustav Bera
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303 USA
| | - Ion Andreu
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Instituto Biofisika (UPV/EHU, CSIC), University of the Basque Country, E-48940, Leioa, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Ignasi Granero-Moya
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dobryna Zalvidea
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Zanetta Kechagia
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gerhard Wiche
- Max Perutz Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Xavier Trepat
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Johanna Ivaska
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
- InFLAMES Research Flagship Center, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Foundation for the Finnish Cancer Institute, Tukholmankatu 8, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kristi S. Anseth
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303 USA
| | - Vivek B. Shenoy
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Pere Roca-Cusachs
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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Marinkovic M, Tran ON, Wang H, Abdul-Azees P, Dean DD, Chen XD, Yeh CK. Extracellular matrix turnover in salivary gland disorders and regenerative therapies: Obstacles and opportunities. J Oral Biol Craniofac Res 2023; 13:693-703. [PMID: 37719063 PMCID: PMC10502366 DOI: 10.1016/j.jobcr.2023.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Salivary gland (SG) extracellular matrix (ECM) has a major influence on tissue development, homeostasis, and tissue regeneration after injury. During aging, disease, and physical insult, normal remodeling of the SG microenvironment (i.e. ECM) becomes dysregulated, leading to alterations in matrix composition which disrupt tissue architecture/structure, alter cell activity, and negatively impact gland function. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a large and diverse family of metalloendopeptidases which play a major role in matrix degradation and are intimately involved in regulating development and cell function; dysregulation of these enzymes leads to the production of a fibrotic matrix. In the SG this altered fibrotic ECM (or cell microenvironment) negatively impacts normal cell function and the effectiveness of gene and stem cell therapies which serve as a foundation for many SG regenerative therapies. For this reason, prospective regenerative strategies should prioritize the maintenance and/or restoration of a healthy SG ECM. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have great potential for mitigating damage to the SG microenvironment by ameliorating inflammation, reducing fibrosis, and repairing the damaged milieu of extracellular regulatory cues, including the matrix. This review addresses our current understanding of the impact of aging and disease on the SG microenvironment and suggests critical deficiencies and opportunities in ECM-targeted therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milos Marinkovic
- Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
- Research Service, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, 78229-4404, USA
| | - Olivia N. Tran
- Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
| | - Hanzhou Wang
- Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
| | - Parveez Abdul-Azees
- Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
- Research Service, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, 78229-4404, USA
| | - David D. Dean
- Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - Xiao-Dong Chen
- Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
- Research Service, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, 78229-4404, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - Chih-Ko Yeh
- Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, 78229-4404, USA
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35
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Zou X, Zhang H, Benson JM, Gao H, Burris DL, Fox JM, Jia X. Modeling the Maturation of the Vocal Fold Lamina Propria Using a Bioorthogonally Tunable Hydrogel Platform. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2301701. [PMID: 37530909 PMCID: PMC10834846 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202301701] [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: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Toward the goal of establishing an engineered model of the vocal fold lamina propria (LP), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are encapsulated in hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogels employing tetrazine ligation with strained alkenes. To mimic matrix stiffening during LP maturation, diffusion-controlled interfacial bioorthogonal crosslinking is carried out on the soft cellular construct using HA modified with a ferocious dienophile, trans-cyclooctene (TCO). Cultures are maintained in MSC growth media for 14 days to afford a model of a newborn LP that is homogeneously soft (nLP), a homogeneously stiffened construct zero (sLP0) or 7 days (sLP7) post cell encapsulation, and a mature LP model (mLP) with a stiff top layer and a soft bottom layer. Installation of additional HA crosslinks restricts cell spreading. Compared to the nLP controls, sLP7 conditions upregulate the expression of fibrous matrix proteins (Col I, DCN, and FN EDA), classic fibroblastic markers (TNC, FAP, and FSP1), and matrix remodeling enzymes (MMP2, TIMP1, and HAS3). Day 7 stiffening also upregulates the catabolic activities, enhances ECM turnover, and promotes YAP expression. Overall, in situ delayed matrix stiffening promotes a fibroblast transition from MSCs and enhances YAP-regulated mechanosensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zou
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - He Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Jamie M. Benson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Hanyuan Gao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - David L. Burris
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Joseph. M. Fox
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Xinqiao Jia
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
- Delaware Biotechnology Institute, 590 Avenue 1743, Newark, Delaware, USA
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Choi S, Whitman MA, Shimpi AA, Sempertegui ND, Chiou AE, Druso JE, Verma A, Lux SC, Cheng Z, Paszek M, Elemento O, Estroff LA, Fischbach C. Bone-matrix mineralization dampens integrin-mediated mechanosignalling and metastatic progression in breast cancer. Nat Biomed Eng 2023; 7:1455-1472. [PMID: 37550422 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01077-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
In patients with breast cancer, lower bone mineral density increases the risk of bone metastasis. Although the relationship between bone-matrix mineralization and tumour-cell phenotype in breast cancer is not well understood, mineralization-induced rigidity is thought to drive metastatic progression via increased cell-adhesion forces. Here, by using collagen-based matrices with adjustable intrafibrillar mineralization, we show that, unexpectedly, matrix mineralization dampens integrin-mediated mechanosignalling and induces a less proliferative stem-cell-like phenotype in breast cancer cells. In mice with xenografted decellularized physiological bone matrices seeded with human breast tumour cells, the presence of bone mineral reduced tumour growth and upregulated a gene-expression signature that is associated with longer metastasis-free survival in patients with breast cancer. Our findings suggest that bone-matrix changes in osteogenic niches regulate metastatic progression in breast cancer and that in vitro models of bone metastasis should integrate organic and inorganic matrix components to mimic physiological and pathologic mineralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyoung Choi
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Matthew A Whitman
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Adrian A Shimpi
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Nicole D Sempertegui
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Aaron E Chiou
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Joseph E Druso
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Akanksha Verma
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephanie C Lux
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Zhu Cheng
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Matthew Paszek
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Olivier Elemento
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lara A Estroff
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
- Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Claudia Fischbach
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
- Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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37
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Wu D, Wu J, Liu H, Shi S, Wang L, Huang Y, Yu X, Lei Z, Ouyang T, Shen J, Wu G, Wang S. A biomimetic renal fibrosis progression model on-chip evaluates anti-fibrotic effects longitudinally in a dynamic fibrogenic niche. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:4708-4725. [PMID: 37840380 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00393k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Although renal fibrosis can advance chronic kidney disease and progressively lead to end-stage renal failure, no effective anti-fibrotic drugs have been clinically approved. To aid drug development, we developed a biomimetic renal fibrosis progression model on-chip to evaluate anti-fibrotic effects of natural killer cell-derived extracellular vesicles and pirfenidone (PFD) across different fibrotic stages. First, the dynamic interplay between fibroblasts and kidney-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) resembling the fibrogenic niche on-chip demonstrated that myofibroblasts induced by stiff ECM in 3 days were reversed to fibroblasts by switching to soft ECM, which was within 2, but not 7 days. Second, PFD significantly down-regulated the expression of α-SMA in NRK-49F in medium ECM, as opposed to stiff ECM. Third, a study in rats showed that early administration of PFD significantly inhibited renal fibrosis in terms of the expression levels of α-SMA and YAP. Taken together, both on-chip and animal models indicate the importance of early anti-fibrotic intervention for checking the progression of renal fibrosis. Therefore, this renal fibrosis progression on-chip with a feature of recapitulating dynamic biochemical and biophysical cues can be readily used to assess anti-fibrotic candidates and to explore the tipping point when the fibrotic fate can be rescued for better medical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wu
- Institute for Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310029, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Rare Diseases, Endocrinology and Metabolism Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, and, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471003, China
- Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, City of Future Medicine, Chengdu, 641400, China
| | - Jianguo Wu
- Institute for Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310029, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Institute for Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310029, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
- Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Shengyu Shi
- Institute for Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310029, China
| | - Liangwen Wang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yixiao Huang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
- Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Xiaorui Yu
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
- Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Zhuoyue Lei
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
- Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Tanliang Ouyang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
- Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Jia Shen
- Kidney Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310029, China
| | - Guohua Wu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Rare Diseases, Endocrinology and Metabolism Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, and, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471003, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
- Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, City of Future Medicine, Chengdu, 641400, China
| | - Shuqi Wang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310029, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
- Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
- Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, City of Future Medicine, Chengdu, 641400, China
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38
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Liu C, Chen X, Liu Y, Sun L, Yu Z, Ren Y, Zeng C, Li Y. Engineering Extracellular Matrix-Bound Nanovesicles Secreted by Three-Dimensional Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2301112. [PMID: 37225144 PMCID: PMC10723826 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202301112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) in the human tissue contains vesicles, which are defined as matrix-bound nanovesicles (MBVs). MBVs serve as one of the functional components in ECM, recapitulating part of the regulatory roles and in vivo microenvironment. In this study, extracellular vesicles from culture supernatants (SuEVs) and MBVs are isolated from the conditioned medium or ECM, respectively, of 3D human mesenchymal stem cells. Nanoparticle tracking analysis shows that MBVs are smaller than SuEVs (100-150 nm). Transmission electron microscopy captures the typical cup shape morphology for both SuEVs and MBVs. Western blot reveals that MBVs have low detection of some SuEV markers such as syntenin-1. miRNA analysis of MBVs shows that 3D microenvironment enhances the expression of miRNAs such as miR-19a and miR-21. In vitro functional analysis shows that MBVs can facilitate human pluripotent stem cell-derived forebrain organoid recovery after starvation and promote high passage fibroblast proliferation. In macrophage polarization, 2D MBVs tend to suppress the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-12β, while 3D MBVs tend to enhance the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. This study has the significance in advancing the understanding of the bio-interface of nanovesicles with human tissue and the design of cell-free therapy for treating neurological disorders such as ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University
| | - Xingchi Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University
- High Performance Materials Institute, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University
| | - Yuan Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University
| | - Li Sun
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University
| | - Zhibin Yu
- High Performance Materials Institute, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University
- Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University
| | - Yi Ren
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University
| | - Changchun Zeng
- High Performance Materials Institute, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University
- Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University
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39
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Szczesny SE, Corr DT. Tendon cell and tissue culture: Perspectives and recommendations. J Orthop Res 2023; 41:2093-2104. [PMID: 36794495 DOI: 10.1002/jor.25532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
The wide variety of cell and tissue culture systems used to study and engineer tendons can make it difficult to choose the best approach and "optimal" culture conditions to test a given hypothesis. Therefore, a breakout session was organized at the 2022 ORS Tendon Section Meeting that focused on establishing a set of guidelines for conducting cell and tissue culture studies of tendon. This paper summarizes the outcomes of that discussion and presents recommendations for future studies. In the case of studying tendon cell behavior, cell and tissue culture systems are reductionist models in which the culture conditions should be strictly defined to approximate the in vivo condition as closely as possible. In contrast, for tissue engineering tendon replacements, the culture conditions do not need to replicate native tendon, but the outcome measures for success should be narrowly defined for the specific clinical application. Common recommendations for both applications are that researchers should perform a baseline phenotypic characterization of the cells that are ultimately used for experimentation. For models of tendon cell behavior, culture conditions should be well justified by existing literature and meticulously reported, tissue explant viability should be assessed, and comparisons to in vivo conditions should be made to determine baseline physiological relevance. For tissue engineering applications, the functional/structural/compositional outcome targets should be defined by the specific tendons they seek to replace, with key biologic and material properties prioritized for construct assessment. Lastly, when engineering tendon replacements, researchers should utilize clinically approved cGMP materials to facilitate clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer E Szczesny
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David T Corr
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA
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40
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Beedle AE, Roca-Cusachs P. The reversibility of cellular mechano-activation. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2023; 84:102229. [PMID: 37633090 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2023.102229] [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: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
The cellular microenvironment is highly heterogeneous and dynamic. Therefore, cells must be equipped with molecular tools to adapt and respond to constantly fluctuating inputs. One such input is mechanical force, which activates signalling and regulates cell behaviour in the process of mechanotransduction. Whereas the mechanisms activating mechanotransduction are well studied, the reversibility of this process, whereby cells disassemble and reverse force-activated signalling pathways upon cessation of mechanical stimulation is far less understood. In this review we will outline some of the key experimental techniques to investigate the reversibility of mechanical signalling, and key discoveries arising from them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Em Beedle
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Department of Physics, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK.
| | - Pere Roca-Cusachs
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain; University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
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41
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Lemmon EA, Bonnevie ED, Patel JM, Miller LM, Mauck RL. Transient inhibition of meniscus cell migration following acute inflammatory challenge. J Orthop Res 2023; 41:2055-2064. [PMID: 36866823 PMCID: PMC10750267 DOI: 10.1002/jor.25545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Meniscus tears represent a common orthopedic injury that often requires surgery to restore pain-free function. The need for surgical intervention is due, in part, to the inflammatory and catabolic environment that inhibits meniscus healing after injury. In other organ systems, healing is dependent on the migration of cells to the site of injury; however, in the meniscus, it is currently unknown how the microenvironment dictates cell migration in the postinjury inflamed setting. Here, we investigated how inflammatory cytokines alter meniscal fibrochondrocyte (MFC) migration and sensation of microenvironmental stiffness. We further tested whether an FDA approved interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra; Anakinra) could rescue migratory deficits caused by inflammatory challenge. When cultured in the presence of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α] or interleukin-1β [IL-1β]) for 1 day, MFC migration was inhibited for 3 days before returning to control levels at Day 7. This migratory deficit was clear in three-dimensional as well, where fewer MFCs exposed to inflammatory cytokines migrated from a living meniscal explant compared with control. Notably, addition of IL-1Ra to MFCs previously exposed to IL-1β restored migration to baseline levels. This study demonstrates that joint inflammation can have negative impacts on meniscus cell migration and mechanosensation, affecting their potential for repair, and that resolution of this inflammation with concurrent anti-inflammatories can reverse these deficits. Future work will apply these findings to mitigate the negative consequences of joint inflammation and promote repair in a clinically relevant meniscus injury model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth A. Lemmon
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Edward D. Bonnevie
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jay M. Patel
- Department of Orthopaedics, Emory University, Decatur, Georgia, USA
| | - Liane M. Miller
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Robert L. Mauck
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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42
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Wen D, Gao Y, Liu Y, Ho C, Sun J, Huang L, Liu Y, Li Q, Zhang Y. Matrix stiffness-induced α-tubulin acetylation is required for skin fibrosis formation through activation of Yes-associated protein. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e319. [PMID: 37457658 PMCID: PMC10338853 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Skin fibrosis, a pathological process featured by fibroblast activation and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, makes a significant contribution to morbidity. Studies have identified biomechanics as the central element in the complex network of fibrogenesis that drives the profibrotic feedback loop. In this study, we found that the acetylation of α-tubulin at lysine 40 (K40) was augmented in fibrotic skin tissues. Further analysis showed that α-tubulin acetylation is required for fibroblast activation, including contraction, migration, and ECM deposition. More importantly, we revealed that biomechanics-induced upregulation of K40 acetylation promotes fibrosis by mediating mechanosensitive Yes-associated protein S127 dephosphorylation and its cytoplasm nucleus shuttle. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the knockdown of α-tubulin acetyltransferase 1 could rescue the K40 acetylation upregulation caused by increased matrix rigidity and ameliorate skin fibrosis both in vivo and in vitro. Herein, we highlight the critical role of α-tubulin acetylation in matrix stiffness-induced skin fibrosis and clarify a possible molecular mechanism. Our research suggests α-tubulin acetylation as a potential target for drug design and therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongsheng Wen
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Ya Gao
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Yangdan Liu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Chiakang Ho
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Jiaming Sun
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Lu Huang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Yuxin Liu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Qingfeng Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Yifan Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
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43
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Nataliya B, Mikhail A, Vladimir P, Olga G, Maksim V, Ivan Z, Ekaterina N, Georgy S, Natalia D, Pavel M, Andrey C, Maria S, Maxim K, Anastasiya T, Uliana D, Zhanna A, Vsevolod T, Natalia K, Anastasiya E. Mesenchymal stromal cells facilitate resolution of pulmonary fibrosis by miR-29c and miR-129 intercellular transfer. Exp Mol Med 2023:10.1038/s12276-023-01017-w. [PMID: 37394579 PMCID: PMC10393964 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01017-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
To date, pulmonary fibrosis remains an unmet medical need. In this study, we evaluated the potency of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) secretome components to prevent pulmonary fibrosis development and facilitate fibrosis resolution. Surprisingly, the intratracheal application of extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) or the vesicle-depleted secretome fraction (MSC-SF) was not able to prevent lung fibrosis when applied immediately after the injury caused by bleomycin instillation in mice. However, MSC-EV administration induced the resolution of established pulmonary fibrosis, whereas the vesicle-depleted fraction did not. The application of MSC-EVs caused a decrease in the numbers of myofibroblasts and FAPa+ progenitors without affecting their apoptosis. Such a decrease likely occurred due to their dedifferentiation caused by microRNA (miR) transfer by MSC-EVs. Using a murine model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, we confirmed the contribution of specific miRs (miR-29c and miR-129) to the antifibrotic effect of MSC-EVs. Our study provides novel insights into possible antifibrotic therapy based on the use of the vesicle-enriched fraction of the MSC secretome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basalova Nataliya
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation.
| | - Arbatskiy Mikhail
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Popov Vladimir
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Grigorieva Olga
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Vigovskiy Maksim
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Zaytsev Ivan
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Novoseletskaya Ekaterina
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Sagaradze Georgy
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Danilova Natalia
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Medical Research and Education Centre, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Malkov Pavel
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Medical Research and Education Centre, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Cherniaev Andrey
- Division of Fundamental Medicine of Federal State Budgetary Institution "Pulmonology Scientific Research Institute under Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russian Federation", Moscow, Russian Federation
- Research Institute of Human Morphology, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Samsonova Maria
- Division of Fundamental Medicine of Federal State Budgetary Institution "Pulmonology Scientific Research Institute under Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russian Federation", Moscow, Russian Federation
- Research Institute of Human Morphology, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Karagyaur Maxim
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Tolstoluzhinskaya Anastasiya
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Dyachkova Uliana
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Akopyan Zhanna
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Tkachuk Vsevolod
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Kalinina Natalia
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Efimenko Anastasiya
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
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44
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Yeo RW, Zhou OY, Zhong BL, Sun ED, Navarro Negredo P, Nair S, Sharmin M, Ruetz TJ, Wilson M, Kundaje A, Dunn AR, Brunet A. Chromatin accessibility dynamics of neurogenic niche cells reveal defects in neural stem cell adhesion and migration during aging. NATURE AGING 2023; 3:866-893. [PMID: 37443352 PMCID: PMC10353944 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-023-00449-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
The regenerative potential of brain stem cell niches deteriorates during aging. Yet the mechanisms underlying this decline are largely unknown. Here we characterize genome-wide chromatin accessibility of neurogenic niche cells in vivo during aging. Interestingly, chromatin accessibility at adhesion and migration genes decreases with age in quiescent neural stem cells (NSCs) but increases with age in activated (proliferative) NSCs. Quiescent and activated NSCs exhibit opposing adhesion behaviors during aging: quiescent NSCs become less adhesive, whereas activated NSCs become more adhesive. Old activated NSCs also show decreased migration in vitro and diminished mobilization out of the niche for neurogenesis in vivo. Using tension sensors, we find that aging increases force-producing adhesions in activated NSCs. Inhibiting the cytoskeletal-regulating kinase ROCK reduces these adhesions, restores migration in old activated NSCs in vitro, and boosts neurogenesis in vivo. These results have implications for restoring the migratory potential of NSCs and for improving neurogenesis in the aged brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin W Yeo
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Olivia Y Zhou
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Biophysics Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Medical Scientist Training Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Brian L Zhong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Eric D Sun
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Biomedical Informatics Graduate Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Surag Nair
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mahfuza Sharmin
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Tyson J Ruetz
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mikaela Wilson
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Anshul Kundaje
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alexander R Dunn
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Anne Brunet
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Glenn Laboratories for the Biology of Aging, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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45
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Madl CM. Accelerating aging with dynamic biomaterials: Recapitulating aged tissue phenotypes in engineered platforms. iScience 2023; 26:106825. [PMID: 37250776 PMCID: PMC10213044 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is characterized by progressive decline in tissue function and represents the greatest risk factor for many diseases. Nevertheless, many fundamental mechanisms driving human aging remain poorly understood. Aging studies using model organisms are often limited in their applicability to humans. Mechanistic studies of human aging rely on relatively simple cell culture models that fail to replicate mature tissue function, making them poor surrogates for aged tissues. These culture systems generally lack well-controlled cellular microenvironments that capture the changes in tissue mechanics and microstructure that occur during aging. Biomaterial platforms presenting dynamic, physiologically relevant mechanical, structural, and biochemical cues can capture the complex changes in the cellular microenvironment in a well-defined manner, accelerating the process of cellular aging in model laboratory systems. By enabling selective tuning of relevant microenvironmental parameters, these biomaterials systems may enable identification of new therapeutic approaches to slow or reverse the detrimental effects of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M. Madl
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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46
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Lee SS, Vũ TT, Weiss AS, Yeo GC. Stress-induced senescence in mesenchymal stem cells: Triggers, hallmarks, and current rejuvenation approaches. Eur J Cell Biol 2023; 102:151331. [PMID: 37311287 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as promising cell-based therapies in the treatment of degenerative and inflammatory conditions. However, despite accumulating evidence of the breadth of MSC functional potency, their broad clinical translation is hampered by inconsistencies in therapeutic efficacy, which is at least partly due to the phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of MSC populations as they progress towards senescence in vitro. MSC senescence, a natural response to aging and stress, gives rise to altered cellular responses and functional decline. This review describes the key regenerative properties of MSCs; summarises the main triggers, mechanisms, and consequences of MSC senescence; and discusses current cellular and extracellular strategies to delay the onset or progression of senescence, or to rejuvenate biological functions lost to senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunny Shinchen Lee
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Thu Thuy Vũ
- Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Anthony S Weiss
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Giselle C Yeo
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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47
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Papalamprou A, Yu V, Chen A, Stefanovic T, Kaneda G, Salehi K, Castaneda CM, Gertych A, Glaeser JD, Sheyn D. Directing iPSC differentiation into iTenocytes using combined scleraxis overexpression and cyclic loading. J Orthop Res 2023; 41:1148-1161. [PMID: 36203346 PMCID: PMC10076443 DOI: 10.1002/jor.25459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Regenerative therapies for tendon are falling behind other tissues due to the lack of an appropriate and potent cell therapeutic candidate. This study aimed to induce tenogenesis using stable Scleraxis (Scx) overexpression in combination with uniaxial mechanical stretch of iPSC-derived mesenchymal stromal-like cells (iMSCs). Scx is the single direct molecular regulator of tendon differentiation known to date. Bone marrow-derived (BM-)MSCs were used as reference. Scx overexpression alone resulted in significantly higher upregulation of tenogenic markers in iMSCs compared to BM-MSCs. Mechanoregulation is known to be a central element guiding tendon development and healing. Mechanical stimulation combined with Scx overexpression resulted in morphometric and cytoskeleton-related changes, upregulation of early and late tendon markers, and increased extracellular matrix deposition and alignment, and tenomodulin perinuclear localization in iMSCs. Our findings suggest that these cells can be differentiated into tenocytes and might be a better candidate for tendon cell therapy applications than BM-MSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Papalamprou
- Orthopaedic Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Victoria Yu
- Orthopaedic Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Angel Chen
- Orthopaedic Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Tina Stefanovic
- Orthopaedic Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Giselle Kaneda
- Orthopaedic Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Khosrowdad Salehi
- Orthopaedic Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Chloe M. Castaneda
- Orthopaedic Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Arkadiusz Gertych
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Juliane D. Glaeser
- Orthopaedic Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Orthopedics, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Dmitriy Sheyn
- Orthopaedic Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Orthopedics, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
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48
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Almeida JA, Mathur J, Lee YL, Sarker B, Pathak A. Mechanically primed cells transfer memory to fibrous matrices for invasion across environments of distinct stiffness and dimensionality. Mol Biol Cell 2023; 34:ar54. [PMID: 36696158 PMCID: PMC10208097 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e22-10-0469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells sense and migrate across mechanically dissimilar environments throughout development and disease progression. However, it remains unclear whether mechanical memory of past environments empowers cells to navigate new, three-dimensional extracellular matrices. Here, we show that cells previously primed on stiff, compared with soft, matrices generate a higher level of forces to remodel collagen fibers and promote invasion. This priming advantage persists in dense or stiffened collagen. We explain this memory-dependent, cross-environment cell invasion through a lattice-based model wherein stiff-primed cellular forces remodel collagen and minimize energy required for future cell invasion. According to our model, cells transfer their mechanical memory to the matrix via collagen alignment and tension, and this remodeled matrix informs future cell invasion. Thus, memory-laden cells overcome mechanosensing of softer or challenging future environments via a cell-matrix transfer of memory. Consistent with model predictions, depletion of yes-associated protein destabilizes the cellular memory required for collagen remodeling before invasion. We release tension in collagen fibers via laser ablation and disable fiber remodeling by lysyl-oxidase inhibition, both of which disrupt cell-to-matrix transfer of memory and hamper cross-environment invasion. These results have implications for cancer, fibrosis, and aging, where a potential cell-to-matrix transfer of mechanical memory of cells may generate a prolonged cellular response.
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Affiliation(s)
- José A. Almeida
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Jairaj Mathur
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Ye Lim Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Bapi Sarker
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Amit Pathak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
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49
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Alisafaei F, Moheimani H, Elson EL, Genin GM. A nuclear basis for mechanointelligence in cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2303569120. [PMID: 37126697 PMCID: PMC10175757 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303569120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Farid Alisafaei
- NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering MechanoBiology and Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ07102
| | - Hamidreza Moheimani
- NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering MechanoBiology, and Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO63130
| | - Elliot L. Elson
- NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering MechanoBiology, and Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO63130
| | - Guy M. Genin
- NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering MechanoBiology, and Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO63130
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50
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Scott AK, Casas E, Schneider SE, Swearingen AR, Van Den Elzen CL, Seelbinder B, Barthold JE, Kugel JF, Stern JL, Foster KJ, Emery NC, Brumbaugh J, Neu CP. Mechanical memory stored through epigenetic remodeling reduces cell therapeutic potential. Biophys J 2023; 122:1428-1444. [PMID: 36871159 PMCID: PMC10147835 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding how cells remember previous mechanical environments to influence their fate, or mechanical memory, informs the design of biomaterials and therapies in medicine. Current regeneration therapies, such as cartilage regeneration procedures, require 2D cell expansion processes to achieve large cell populations critical for the repair of damaged tissues. However, the limit of mechanical priming for cartilage regeneration procedures before inducing long-term mechanical memory following expansion processes is unknown, and mechanisms defining how physical environments influence the therapeutic potential of cells remain poorly understood. Here, we identify a threshold to mechanical priming separating reversible and irreversible effects of mechanical memory. After 16 population doublings in 2D culture, expression levels of tissue-identifying genes in primary cartilage cells (chondrocytes) are not recovered when transferred to 3D hydrogels, while expression levels of these genes were recovered for cells only expanded for eight population doublings. Additionally, we show that the loss and recovery of the chondrocyte phenotype correlates with a change in chromatin architecture, as shown by structural remodeling of the trimethylation of H3K9. Efforts to disrupt the chromatin architecture by suppressing or increasing levels of H3K9me3 reveal that only with increased levels of H3K9me3 did the chromatin architecture of the native chondrocyte phenotype partially return, along with increased levels of chondrogenic gene expression. These results further support the connection between the chondrocyte phenotype and chromatin architecture, and also reveal the therapeutic potential of inhibitors of epigenetic modifiers as disruptors of mechanical memory when large numbers of phenotypically suitable cells are required for regeneration procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne K Scott
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Eduard Casas
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Stephanie E Schneider
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Alison R Swearingen
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Courtney L Van Den Elzen
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Benjamin Seelbinder
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Jeanne E Barthold
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Jennifer F Kugel
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Josh Lewis Stern
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado; Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Kyla J Foster
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Nancy C Emery
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Justin Brumbaugh
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Corey P Neu
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado; Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado; BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado.
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