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Fu D, Reif J. A biomimetic branching signal-passing tile assembly model with dynamic growth and disassembly. J R Soc Interface 2024; 21:20230755. [PMID: 39163031 PMCID: PMC11335017 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural biological branching processes can form tree-like structures at all scales and, moreover, can perform various functions to achieve specific goals; these include receiving stimuli, performing two-way communication along their branches, and dynamically reforming (extending or retracting branches). They underlie many biological systems with considerable diversity, frequency, and geometric complexity; these include networks of neurons, organ tissue, mycorrhizal fungal networks, plant growth, foraging networks, etc. This paper presents a biomimetic DNA tile assembly model (Y-STAM) to implement dynamic branching processes. The Y-STAM is a relatively compact mathematical model providing a design space where complex, biomimetic branch-like growth and behaviour can emerge from the appropriate parametrization of the model. We also introduce a class of augmented models (Y-STAM+) that provide time- and space-dependent modulations of tile glue strengths, which enable further diverse behaviours that are not possible in the Y-STAM; these additional behaviours include refinement of network assemblies, obstacle avoidance, and programmable growth patterns. We perform and discuss extensive simulations of the Y-STAM and the Y-STAM+. We envision that these models could be applied at the mesoscale and the molecular scale to dynamically assemble branching DNA nanostructures and offer insights into complex biological self-assembly processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Fu
- Department of Computer Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - John Reif
- Department of Computer Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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2
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Kong L, Gao X, Yao X, Xie H, Kang Q, Sun W, You Z, Qian Y, Fan C. Multilevel neurium-mimetic individualized graft via additive manufacturing for efficient tissue repair. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6428. [PMID: 39079956 PMCID: PMC11289102 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49980-w] [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: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Complicated peripheral nerve injuries or defects, especially at branching sites, remain a prominent clinical challenge after the application of different treatment strategies. Current nerve grafts fail to match the expected shape and size for delicate and precise branched nerve repair on a case-by-case basis, and there is a lack of geometrical and microscale regenerative navigation. In this study, we develop a sugar painting-inspired individualized multilevel epi-/peri-/endoneurium-mimetic device (SpinMed) to customize natural cues, featuring a selectively protective outer sheath and an instructive core, to support rapid vascular reconstruction and consequent efficient neurite extension along the defect area. The biomimetic perineurium dictates host-guest crosslinking in which new vessels secrete multimerin 1 binding to the fibroin filler surface as an anchor, contributing to the biological endoneurium that promotes Schwann cell homing and remyelination. SpinMed implantation into rat sciatic nerve defects yields a satisfactory outcome in terms of structural reconstruction, with sensory and locomotive function restoration. We further customize SpinMed grafts based on anatomy and digital imaging, achieving rapid repair of the nerve trunk and branches superior to that achieved by autografts and decellularized grafts in a specific beagle nerve defect model, with reliable biosafety. Overall, this intelligent art-inspired biomimetic design offers a facile way to customize sophisticated high-performance nerve grafts and holds great potential for application in translational regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingchi Kong
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200233, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Research Base of Textile Materials for Flexible Electronics and Biomedical Applications (China Textile Engineering Society), Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, 201620, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangyun Yao
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200233, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Orthopaedic Material Innovation and Tissue Regeneration, 201306, Shanghai, China
| | - Haijiao Xie
- Hangzhou Yanqu Information Technology Co.Ltd., 310003, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qinglin Kang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200233, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Research Base of Textile Materials for Flexible Electronics and Biomedical Applications (China Textile Engineering Society), Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, 201620, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zhengwei You
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Research Base of Textile Materials for Flexible Electronics and Biomedical Applications (China Textile Engineering Society), Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, 201620, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yun Qian
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200233, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Orthopaedic Material Innovation and Tissue Regeneration, 201306, Shanghai, China.
| | - Cunyi Fan
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200233, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Orthopaedic Material Innovation and Tissue Regeneration, 201306, Shanghai, China.
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3
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Babenko I, Kröger N, Friedrich BM. Mechanism of branching morphogenesis inspired by diatom silica formation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2309518121. [PMID: 38422023 PMCID: PMC10927588 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2309518121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The silica-based cell walls of diatoms are prime examples of genetically controlled, species-specific mineral architectures. The physical principles underlying morphogenesis of their hierarchically structured silica patterns are not understood, yet such insight could indicate novel routes toward synthesizing functional inorganic materials. Recent advances in imaging nascent diatom silica allow rationalizing possible mechanisms of their pattern formation. Here, we combine theory and experiments on the model diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana to put forward a minimal model of branched rib patterns-a fundamental feature of the silica cell wall. We quantitatively recapitulate the time course of rib pattern morphogenesis by accounting for silica biochemistry with autocatalytic formation of diffusible silica precursors followed by conversion into solid silica. We propose that silica deposition releases an inhibitor that slows down up-stream precursor conversion, thereby implementing a self-replicating reaction-diffusion system different from a classical Turing mechanism. The proposed mechanism highlights the role of geometrical cues for guided self-organization, rationalizing the instructive role for the single initial pattern seed known as the primary silicification site. The mechanism of branching morphogenesis that we characterize here is possibly generic and may apply also in other biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iaroslav Babenko
- CUBE - Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence 'Physics of Life', Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Nils Kröger
- CUBE - Center for Molecular Bioengineering, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence 'Physics of Life', Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden 01062, Germany
| | - Benjamin M Friedrich
- Cluster of Excellence 'Physics of Life', Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
- Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden 01069, Germany
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4
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Rojek KO, Wrzos A, Żukowski S, Bogdan M, Lisicki M, Szymczak P, Guzowski J. Long-term day-by-day tracking of microvascular networks sprouting in fibrin gels: From detailed morphological analyses to general growth rules. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:016106. [PMID: 38327714 PMCID: PMC10849774 DOI: 10.1063/5.0180703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding and controlling of the evolution of sprouting vascular networks remains one of the basic challenges in tissue engineering. Previous studies on the vascularization dynamics have typically focused only on the phase of intense growth and often lacked spatial control over the initial cell arrangement. Here, we perform long-term day-by-day analysis of tens of isolated microvasculatures sprouting from endothelial cell-coated spherical beads embedded in an external fibrin gel. We systematically study the topological evolution of the sprouting networks over their whole lifespan, i.e., for at least 14 days. We develop a custom image analysis toolkit and quantify (i) the overall length and area of the sprouts, (ii) the distributions of segment lengths and branching angles, and (iii) the average number of branch generations-a measure of network complexity. We show that higher concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) lead to earlier sprouting and more branched networks, yet without significantly affecting the speed of growth of individual sprouts. We find that the mean branching angle is weakly dependent on VEGF and typically in the range of 60°-75°, suggesting that, by comparison with the available diffusion-limited growth models, the bifurcating tips tend to follow local VEGF gradients. At high VEGF concentrations, we observe exponential distributions of segment lengths, which signify purely stochastic branching. Our results-due to their high statistical relevance-may serve as a benchmark for predictive models, while our new image analysis toolkit, offering unique features and high speed of operation, could be exploited in future angiogenic drug tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna O. Rojek
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Antoni Wrzos
- Institute of Theoretical Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Michał Bogdan
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Lisicki
- Institute of Theoretical Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Szymczak
- Institute of Theoretical Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jan Guzowski
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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5
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Liu S, Gao L, Chen J, Yan J. Single-neuron analysis of axon arbors reveals distinct presynaptic organizations between feedforward and feedback projections. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113590. [PMID: 38127620 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113590] [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: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The morphology and spatial distribution of axon arbors and boutons are crucial for neuron presynaptic functions. However, the principles governing their whole-brain organization at the single-neuron level remain unclear. We developed a machine-learning method to separate axon arbors from passing axons in single-neuron reconstruction from fluorescence micro-optical sectioning tomography imaging data and obtained 62,374 axon arbors that displayed distinct morphology, spatial patterns, and scaling laws dependent on neuron types and targeted brain areas. Focusing on the axon arbors in the thalamus and cortex, we revealed the segregated spatial distributions and distinct morphology but shared topographic gradients between feedforward and feedback projections. Furthermore, we uncovered an association between arbor complexity and microglia density. Finally, we found that the boutons on terminal arbors show branch-specific clustering with a log-normal distribution that again differed between feedforward and feedback terminal arbors. Together, our study revealed distinct presynaptic structural organizations underlying diverse functional innervation of single projection neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
| | - Le Gao
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jiu Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jun Yan
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China; Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai 201210, China.
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6
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Chalmers SB, van der Wal T, Fre S, Jonkers J. Fourteenth Annual ENBDC Workshop: Methods in Mammary Gland Biology and Breast Cancer. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2023; 28:22. [PMID: 37801168 PMCID: PMC10558360 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-023-09549-7] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The fourteenth annual workshop of the European Network for Breast Development and Cancer (ENBDC) on Methods in Mammary Gland Biology and Breast Cancer was held on April 26th - 29th in Weggis, Switzerland. For the first time, early career researchers organised and took part in an additional ECR workshop on the 26th of April, which was received with great enthusiasm. The topics of the main workshop included mammary branching and morphogenesis, novel experimental systems (model organisms), systemic influences on tumour progression and the tumour microenvironment. Novel and recent findings were shared across excellent oral and poster presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tanne van der Wal
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Silvia Fre
- Department of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Institut Curie, INSERM U934, CNRS UMR3215, Paris, France
| | - Jos Jonkers
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Oncode Institute, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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7
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Uçar MC, Hannezo E, Tiilikainen E, Liaqat I, Jakobsson E, Nurmi H, Vaahtomeri K. Self-organized and directed branching results in optimal coverage in developing dermal lymphatic networks. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5878. [PMID: 37735168 PMCID: PMC10514270 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41456-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Branching morphogenesis is a ubiquitous process that gives rise to high exchange surfaces in the vasculature and epithelial organs. Lymphatic capillaries form branched networks, which play a key role in the circulation of tissue fluid and immune cells. Although mouse models and correlative patient data indicate that the lymphatic capillary density directly correlates with functional output, i.e., tissue fluid drainage and trafficking efficiency of dendritic cells, the mechanisms ensuring efficient tissue coverage remain poorly understood. Here, we use the mouse ear pinna lymphatic vessel network as a model system and combine lineage-tracing, genetic perturbations, whole-organ reconstructions and theoretical modeling to show that the dermal lymphatic capillaries tile space in an optimal, space-filling manner. This coverage is achieved by two complementary mechanisms: initial tissue invasion provides a non-optimal global scaffold via self-organized branching morphogenesis, while VEGF-C dependent side-branching from existing capillaries rapidly optimizes local coverage by directionally targeting low-density regions. With these two ingredients, we show that a minimal biophysical model can reproduce quantitatively whole-network reconstructions, across development and perturbations. Our results show that lymphatic capillary networks can exploit local self-organizing mechanisms to achieve tissue-scale optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Can Uçar
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria), Am Campus 1, 3400, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Edouard Hannezo
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria), Am Campus 1, 3400, Klosterneuburg, Austria.
| | - Emmi Tiilikainen
- Translational Cancer Medicine Research Program, University of Helsinki, Biomedicum Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Inam Liaqat
- Translational Cancer Medicine Research Program, University of Helsinki, Biomedicum Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Emma Jakobsson
- Translational Cancer Medicine Research Program, University of Helsinki, Biomedicum Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Harri Nurmi
- Translational Cancer Medicine Research Program, University of Helsinki, Biomedicum Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
- Wihuri Research Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kari Vaahtomeri
- Translational Cancer Medicine Research Program, University of Helsinki, Biomedicum Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290, Helsinki, Finland.
- Wihuri Research Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00290, Helsinki, Finland.
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8
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Kato M, De Schutter E. Models of Purkinje cell dendritic tree selection during early cerebellar development. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1011320. [PMID: 37486917 PMCID: PMC10399850 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigate the relationship between primary dendrite selection of Purkinje cells and migration of their presynaptic partner granule cells during early cerebellar development. During postnatal development, each Purkinje cell grows more than three dendritic trees, from which a primary tree is selected for development, whereas the others completely retract. Experimental studies suggest that this selection process is coordinated by physical and synaptic interactions with granule cells, which undergo a massive migration at the same time. However, technical limitations hinder continuous experimental observation of multiple cell populations. To explore possible mechanisms underlying this selection process, we constructed a computational model using a new computational framework, NeuroDevSim. The study presents the first computational model that simultaneously simulates Purkinje cell growth and the dynamics of granule cell migrations during the first two postnatal weeks, allowing exploration of the role of physical and synaptic interactions upon dendritic selection. The model suggests that interaction with parallel fibers is important to establish the distinct planar morphology of Purkinje cell dendrites. Specific rules to select which dendritic trees to keep or retract result in larger winner trees with more synaptic contacts than using random selection. A rule based on afferent synaptic activity was less effective than rules based on dendritic size or numbers of synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mizuki Kato
- Computational Neuroscience Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Tancha, Okinawa, Japan
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Erik De Schutter
- Computational Neuroscience Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Tancha, Okinawa, Japan
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9
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Bordeu I, Chatzeli L, Simons BD. Inflationary theory of branching morphogenesis in the mouse salivary gland. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3422. [PMID: 37296120 PMCID: PMC10256724 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39124-x] [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: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms that regulate the patterning of branched epithelia remain a subject of long-standing debate. Recently, it has been proposed that the statistical organization of multiple ductal tissues can be explained through a local self-organizing principle based on the branching-annihilating random walk (BARW) in which proliferating tips drive a process of ductal elongation and stochastic bifurcation that terminates when tips encounter maturing ducts. Here, applied to mouse salivary gland, we show the BARW model struggles to explain the large-scale organization of tissue. Instead, we propose that the gland develops as a tip-driven branching-delayed random walk (BDRW). In this framework, a generalization of the BARW, tips inhibited through steric interaction with proximate ducts may continue their branching program as constraints become alleviated through the persistent expansion of the surrounding tissue. This inflationary BDRW model presents a general paradigm for branching morphogenesis when the ductal epithelium grows cooperatively with the domain into which it expands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Bordeu
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Physics, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lemonia Chatzeli
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Benjamin D Simons
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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10
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Urciuolo A, Giobbe GG, Dong Y, Michielin F, Brandolino L, Magnussen M, Gagliano O, Selmin G, Scattolini V, Raffa P, Caccin P, Shibuya S, Scaglioni D, Wang X, Qu J, Nikolic M, Montagner M, Galea GL, Clevers H, Giomo M, De Coppi P, Elvassore N. Hydrogel-in-hydrogel live bioprinting for guidance and control of organoids and organotypic cultures. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3128. [PMID: 37253730 PMCID: PMC10229611 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37953-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional hydrogel-based organ-like cultures can be applied to study development, regeneration, and disease in vitro. However, the control of engineered hydrogel composition, mechanical properties and geometrical constraints tends to be restricted to the initial time of fabrication. Modulation of hydrogel characteristics over time and according to culture evolution is often not possible. Here, we overcome these limitations by developing a hydrogel-in-hydrogel live bioprinting approach that enables the dynamic fabrication of instructive hydrogel elements within pre-existing hydrogel-based organ-like cultures. This can be achieved by crosslinking photosensitive hydrogels via two-photon absorption at any time during culture. We show that instructive hydrogels guide neural axon directionality in growing organotypic spinal cords, and that hydrogel geometry and mechanical properties control differential cell migration in developing cancer organoids. Finally, we show that hydrogel constraints promote cell polarity in liver organoids, guide small intestinal organoid morphogenesis and control lung tip bifurcation according to the hydrogel composition and shape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Urciuolo
- Dept. of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica, Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Giuseppe Giobbe
- GOSICH Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, London, UK
| | - Yixiao Dong
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Federica Michielin
- GOSICH Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, London, UK
| | - Luca Brandolino
- Dept. of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Michael Magnussen
- GOSICH Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, London, UK
| | - Onelia Gagliano
- Dept. of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Giulia Selmin
- GOSICH Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Paolo Raffa
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica, Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
| | - Paola Caccin
- Dept. of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Soichi Shibuya
- GOSICH Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dominic Scaglioni
- GOSICH Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, London, UK
| | - Xuechun Wang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ju Qu
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies (SIAIS), ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Marko Nikolic
- GOSICH Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, London, UK
| | - Marco Montagner
- Dept. of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Gabriel L Galea
- GOSICH Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, London, UK
| | - Hans Clevers
- Hubrecht Institute, KNAW and University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED) of Roche, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Monica Giomo
- Dept. of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo De Coppi
- GOSICH Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, London, UK
- Dept. of Specialist Neonatal and Paediatric Surgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Nicola Elvassore
- GOSICH Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, University College London, London, UK.
- Dept. of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy.
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11
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Lin C, Xu F, Zhang Y. Brain-wide dendrites in a near-optimal performance of dynamic range and information transmission. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7488. [PMID: 37160938 PMCID: PMC10170161 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34454-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Dendrites receive and process signals from other neurons. The range of signal intensities that can be robustly distinguished by dendrites is quantified by the dynamic range. We investigate the dynamic range and information transmission efficiency of dendrites in relation to dendritic morphology. We model dendrites in a neuron as multiple excitable binary trees connected to the soma where each node in a tree can be excited by external stimulus or by receiving signals transmitted from adjacent excited nodes. It has been known that larger dendritic trees have a higher dynamic range. We show that for dendritic tress of the same number of nodes, the dynamic range increases with the number of somatic branches and decreases with the asymmetry of dendrites, and the information transmission is more efficient for dendrites with more somatic branches. Moreover, our simulated data suggest that there is an exponential association (decay resp.) of overall relative energy consumption (dynamic range resp.) in relation to the number of somatic branches. This indicates that further increasing the number of somatic branches (e.g. beyond 10 somatic branches) has limited ability to improve the transmission efficiency. With brain-wide neuron digital reconstructions of the pyramidal cells, 90% of neurons have no more than 10 dendrites. These suggest that actual brain-wide dendritic morphology is near optimal in terms of both dynamic range and information transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congping Lin
- School of Mathematics and Statistics and Center for Mathematical Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Lab of Engineering Modeling and Scientific Computing, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fan Xu
- School of Mathematics and Statistics and Center for Mathematical Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yiwei Zhang
- Department of Mathematics, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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12
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Hannezo E, Scheele CLGJ. A Guide Toward Multi-scale and Quantitative Branching Analysis in the Mammary Gland. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2608:183-205. [PMID: 36653709 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2887-4_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The mammary gland consists of a bilayered epithelial structure with an extensively branched morphology. The majority of this epithelial tree is laid down during puberty, during which actively proliferating terminal end buds repeatedly elongate and bifurcate to form the basic structure of the ductal tree. Mammary ducts consist of a basal and luminal cell layer with a multitude of identified sub-lineages within both layers. The understanding of how these different cell lineages are cooperatively driving branching morphogenesis is a problem of crossing multiple scales, as this requires information on the macroscopic branched structure of the gland, as well as data on single-cell dynamics driving the morphogenic program. Here we describe a method to combine genetic lineage tracing with whole-gland branching analysis. Quantitative data on the global organ structure can be used to derive a model for mammary gland branching morphogenesis and provide a backbone on which the dynamics of individual cell lineages can be simulated and compared to lineage-tracing approaches. Eventually, these quantitative models and experiments allow to understand the couplings between the macroscopic shape of the mammary gland and the underlying single-cell dynamics driving branching morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edouard Hannezo
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST), Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Colinda L G J Scheele
- VIB Center for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium. .,Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Paramore SV, Goodwin K, Nelson CM. How to build an epithelial tree. Phys Biol 2022; 19. [DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/ac9e38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Nature has evolved a variety of mechanisms to build epithelial trees of diverse architectures within different organs and across species. Epithelial trees are elaborated through branch initiation and extension, and their morphogenesis ends with branch termination. Each of these steps of the branching process can be driven by the actions of epithelial cells themselves (epithelial-intrinsic mechanisms) or by the cells of their surrounding tissues (epithelial-extrinsic mechanisms). Here, we describe examples of how these mechanisms drive each stage of branching morphogenesis, drawing primarily from studies of the lung, kidney, salivary gland, mammary gland, and pancreas, all of which contain epithelial trees that form through collective cell behaviors. Much of our understanding of epithelial branching comes from experiments using mice, but we also include examples here from avian and reptilian models. Throughout, we highlight how distinct mechanisms are employed in different organs and species to build epithelial trees. We also highlight how similar morphogenetic motifs are used to carry out conserved developmental programs or repurposed to support novel ones. Understanding the unique strategies used by nature to build branched epithelia from across the tree of life can help to inspire creative solutions to problems in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
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Spatiotemporal dynamics of self-organized branching in pancreas-derived organoids. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5219. [PMID: 36064947 PMCID: PMC9445099 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32806-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The development dynamics and self-organization of glandular branched epithelia is of utmost importance for our understanding of diverse processes ranging from normal tissue growth to the growth of cancerous tissues. Using single primary murine pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells embedded in a collagen matrix and adapted media supplementation, we generate organoids that self-organize into highly branched structures displaying a seamless lumen connecting terminal end buds, replicating in vivo PDAC architecture. We identify distinct morphogenesis phases, each characterized by a unique pattern of cell invasion, matrix deformation, protein expression, and respective molecular dependencies. We propose a minimal theoretical model of a branching and proliferating tissue, capturing the dynamics of the first phases. Observing the interaction of morphogenesis, mechanical environment and gene expression in vitro sets a benchmark for the understanding of self-organization processes governing complex organoid structure formation processes and branching morphogenesis. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) exhibit complex morphologies challenging to capture in organoid models. Here, the authors develop PDAC organoids that can recreate branched structures and, with the use of a minimal mathematical model, shed light to pathways and processes directing the dynamics of self-organization and branching morphogenesis.
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Shree S, Sutradhar S, Trottier O, Tu Y, Liang X, Howard J. Dynamic instability of dendrite tips generates the highly branched morphologies of sensory neurons. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn0080. [PMID: 35767611 PMCID: PMC9242452 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn0080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The highly ramified arbors of neuronal dendrites provide the substrate for the high connectivity and computational power of the brain. Altered dendritic morphology is associated with neuronal diseases. Many molecules have been shown to play crucial roles in shaping and maintaining dendrite morphology. However, the underlying principles by which molecular interactions generate branched morphologies are not understood. To elucidate these principles, we visualized the growth of dendrites throughout larval development of Drosophila sensory neurons and found that the tips of dendrites undergo dynamic instability, transitioning rapidly and stochastically between growing, shrinking, and paused states. By incorporating these measured dynamics into an agent-based computational model, we showed that the complex and highly variable dendritic morphologies of these cells are a consequence of the stochastic dynamics of their dendrite tips. These principles may generalize to branching of other neuronal cell types, as well as to branching at the subcellular and tissue levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonal Shree
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Sabyasachi Sutradhar
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Olivier Trottier
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Physics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Yuhai Tu
- IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598, USA
| | - Xin Liang
- Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, 100084 Beijing, China
| | - Jonathon Howard
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Physics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Quantitative Biology Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
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