Mechanical regulation of cell adhesion

Remodeling of the focal adhesion complex by hydrogen-peroxide-induced senescence

Cellular senescence is a phenotype characterized by cessation of cell division, which can be caused by exhaustive replication or environmental stress. It is involved in age-related pathophysiological conditions and affects both the cellular cytoskeleton and the prime cellular mechanosensors, focal adhesion complexes. While the size of focal adhesions increases during senescence, it is unknown if and how this is accompanied by a remodeling of the internal focal adhesion structure. Our study uses metal-induced energy transfer to study the axial dimension of focal adhesion proteins from oxidative-stress-induced senescent cells with nanometer precision, and compares these to unstressed cells. We influenced cytoskeletal tension and the functioning of mechanosensitive ion channels using drugs and studied the combined effect of senescence and drug intervention on the focal adhesion structure. We found that H2O2-induced restructuring of the focal adhesion complex indicates a loss of tension and altered talin complexation. Mass spectroscopy-based proteomics confirmed the differential regulation of several cytoskeletal proteins induced by H2O2 treatment.

On the Measurement of Energy Dissipation of Adhered Cells with the Quartz Microbalance with Dissipation Monitoring

We previously reported the finding of a linear correlation between the change of energy dissipation (Δ D) of adhered cells measured with the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) and the level of focal adhesions of the cells. To account for this correlation, we have developed a theoretical framework for assessing the Δ D-response of adhered cells. We rationalized that the mechanical energy of an oscillating QCM-D sensor coupled with a cell monolayer is dissipated through three main processes: the interfacial friction through the dynamic restructuring (formation and rupture) of cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) bonds, the interfacial viscous damping by the liquid trapped between the QCM-D sensor and the basal membrane of the cell layer, and the intracellular viscous damping through the viscous slip between the cytoplasm and stress fibers as well as among stress fibers themselves. Our modeling study shows that the interfacial viscous damping by the trapped liquid is the primary process for energy dissipation during the early stage of the cell adhesion, whereas the dynamic restructuring of cell-ECM bonds becomes more prevalent during the later stage of the cell adhesion. Our modeling study also establishes a positive linear correlation between the Δ D-response and the level of cell adhesion quantified with the number of cell-ECM bonds, which corroborates our previous experimental finding. This correlation with a wide well-defined linear dynamic range provides a much needed theoretical validation of the dissipation monitoring function of the QCM-D as a powerful quantitative analytical tool for cell study.

Stamping vital cells - a force-based ligand receptor assay

Gaining information about receptor profiles on cells, and subsequently finding the most efficient ligands for these signaling receptors, remain challenging tasks in stem cell and cancer research as well as drug development. We introduce a live-cell method with great potential in both screening for surface receptors and analysing binding forces of different ligands. The technique is based on the molecular force assay, a parallel-format, high-throughput experiment on a single-molecule level. On human red blood cells, we demonstrate the detection of the interaction of N-acetyl-α-D-galactosaminyl residues with the lectin helix pomatia agglutinine and of the CD47 receptor with its antibody. The measurements are performed under nearly physiological conditions and still provide a highly specific binding signal. Moreover, with a detailed comparative force analysis on two cell types with different morphology, we show that our method even allows the determination of a DNA force equivalent for the interaction of the CD47 receptor and its antibody.

The glycophorin A transmembrane sequence within integrin αvβ3 creates a non-signaling integrin with low basal affinity that is strongly adhesive under force

Integrin heterodimeric cell adhesion and signaling receptors bind ligands of the extracellular matrix and relay signals bidirectionally across cell membranes. Thereby, integrins adopt multiple conformational and functional states that control ligand binding affinity and linkage to cytosolic/cytoskeletal proteins. Here, we designed an integrin chimera encompassing the strongly dimerizing transmembrane domain (TMD) of glycophorin A (GpA) in the context of the otherwise unaltered integrin αvβ3. We hypothesized that this chimera should have a low basal affinity to soluble ligand but should be force-activatable. By cellular expression of this chimera, we found a decreased integrin affinity to a soluble peptide ligand and inhibited intracellular signaling. However, under external forces applied by an atomic force microscope or by a spinning disc device causing shear forces, the mutant caused stronger cell adhesion than the wild-type integrin. Our results demonstrate that the signaling- and migration-incapable integrin αvβ3-TMD mutant TMD-GpA shows the characteristics of a primed integrin state, which is of low basal affinity in the absence of forces, but may form strong bonds in the presence of forces. Thus, TMD-GpA may mimic a force-activatable signaling intermediate.

AFM studies of cellular mechanics during osteogenic differentiation of human amniotic fluid-derived stem cells

Amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (AFSCs) are becoming an important source of cells for regenerative medicine given with apparent advantages of accessibility, renewal capacity and multipotentiality. In this study, the mechanical properties of human amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (hAFSCs), such as the average Young's modulus, were determined by atomic force microscopy (3.97 ± 0.53 kPa for hAFSCs vs. 1.52 ± 0.63 kPa for fully differentiated osteoblasts). These differences in cell elasticity result primarily from differential actin cytoskeleton organization in these two cell types. Furthermore, ultrastructures, nanostructural details on the surface of cell, were visualized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). It was clearly shown that surface of osteoblasts were covered by mineralized particles, and the histogram of particles size showed that most of the particles on the surface of osteoblasts distributed from 200 to 400 nm in diameter, while the diameter of hAFSCs particles ranged from 100 to 200 nm. In contrast, there were some dips on the surface of hAFSCs, and particles were smaller than that of osteoblasts. Additionally, as osteogenic differentiation of hAFSCs progressed, more and more stress fibers were replaced by a thinner actin network which is characteristic of mature osteoblasts. These results can improve our understanding of the mechanical properties of hAFSCs during osteogenic differentiation. AFM can be used as a powerful tool for detecting ultrastructures and mechanical properties.

Measuring cell adhesion forces: theory and principles

Cell adhesion is an essential prerequisite for survival, communication, and navigation of cells in organisms. It is maintained by the organized binding of molecules from the cell membrane to the extracellular space. This chapter focuses on direct measurements of cellular binding strength at the level of single adhesion molecules. Using atomic force microscopy-based force measurements, adhesion strength can be monitored as a function of adhesion time and environmental conditions. In this way, cellular adhesion strategies like changes in affinity and avidity of adhesion molecules (e.g., integrins) are characterized as well as the molecular arrangement of adhesion molecules in the cell membrane (e.g., molecular clusters, focal adhesion spots, and linkage to the cytoskeleton or tether). Some prominent values for the data evaluation are presented as well as constraints and preparative techniques for successful cell adhesion force experiments.

Temperature modulation of integrin-mediated cell adhesion

In response to external stimuli, cells modulate their adhesive state by regulating the number and intrinsic affinity of receptor/ligand bonds. A number of studies have shown that cell adhesion is dramatically reduced at room or lower temperatures as compared with physiological temperature. However, the underlying mechanism that modulates adhesion is still unclear. Here, we investigated the adhesion of the monocytic cell line THP-1 to a surface coated with intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) as a function of temperature. THP-1 cells express the integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), a receptor for ICAM-1. Direct force measurements of cell adhesion and cell elasticity were carried out by atomic force microscopy. Force measurements revealed an increase of the work of de-adhesion with temperature that was coupled to a gradual decrease in cellular stiffness. Of interest, single-molecule measurements revealed that the rupture force of the LFA-1/ICAM-1 complex decreased with temperature. A detailed analysis of the force curves indicated that temperature-modulated cell adhesion was mainly due to the enhanced ability of cells to deform and to form a greater number of longer membrane tethers at physiological temperatures. Together, these results emphasize the importance of cell mechanics and membrane-cytoskeleton interaction on the modulation of cell adhesion.

Bilayer edges catalyze supported lipid bilayer formation

Supported lipid bilayers (SLB) are important for the study of membrane-based phenomena and as coatings for biosensors. Nevertheless, there is a fundamental lack of understanding of the process by which they form from vesicles in solution. We report insights into the mechanism of SLB formation by vesicle adsorption using temperature-controlled time-resolved fluorescence microscopy at low vesicle concentrations. First, lipid accumulates on the surface at a constant rate up to approximately 0.8 of SLB coverage. Then, as patches of SLB nucleate and spread, the rate of accumulation increases. At a coverage of approximately 1.5 x SLB, excess vesicles desorb as SLB patches rapidly coalesce into a continuous SLB. Variable surface fluorescence immediately before SLB patch formation argues against the existence of a critical vesicle density necessary for rupture. The accelerating rate of accumulation and the widespread, abrupt loss of vesicles coincide with the emergence and disappearance of patch edges. We conclude that SLB edges enhance vesicle adhesion to the surface and induce vesicle rupture, thus playing a key role in the formation of continuous SLB.

The morphological and biomechanical changes of keratocytes cultured on modified p (HEMA-MMA) hydrogel studied by AFM

The poor integration with host cornea tissue and the low mechanical properties of pHEMA hydrogel for artificial cornea remains a difficult problem to solve. A modified pHEMA hydrogel, MMA copolymerized and type-I collagen and bFGF immobilized, was previously prepared in an attempt to solve the problems. In this study, the cytotoxicity of Col/bFGF-p (HEMA-MMA) and p (HEMA-MMA) was studied by cell adhesion assay and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results of cell adhesion assay show that the attachment of keratocytes on the modified membrane is much higher than that of the unmodified membrane. This indicates that the material after modification have better cell-material interaction. The AFM images reveal that the morphology of keratocytes cultured on different substrate is obviously different. The cell cultured on modified membrane presented a completely elongated and spindle-shape morphology. The force-distance indicates that the biomechanical of keratocytes changes significantly after culturing on different substrates. The adhesion force (2328+/-523 pN) and Young's modulus (0.51+/-0.125 kPa) of the cell cultured on modified membrane are much higher, and the stiffness (0.08+/-0.022 mN/m) is lower than those of the cell cultured on unmodified membrane. These results show that the cytotoxicity of Col/bFGF-p (HEMA-MMA) for keratocytes is much improved.

Conformational changes and signaling in cell and matrix physics

Physical factors drive evolution and play important roles in motility and attachment as well as in differentiation. As animal cells adhere to survive, they generate force and 'feel' various mechanical features of their surroundings, with mechanosensory mechanisms based in part on force-induced conformational changes. Single-molecule methods for in vitro nano-manipulation, together with new in situ proteomic approaches that exploit mass spectrometry, are helping to identify and characterize the molecules and mechanics of structural transitions within cells and matrices. Given the diversity of cell and molecular responses, networks of biomolecules with conformations and interactions sculpted by force seem more likely than singular mechanosensors. Elaboration of the proteins that unfold and change structure in the extracellular matrix and in cells is needed - particularly with regard to the force-driven kinetics - in order to understand the systems biology of signaling in development, differentiation, and disease.

Nanostructure and nanomechanics analysis of lymphocyte using AFM: from resting, activated to apoptosis

The ultrastructural and mechanical properties of single resting, activated and apoptosis lymphocyte have been investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Using topographic imaging, we showed that the surface of the resting lymphocyte is smooth, while lymphocyte activation and apoptosis are often accompanied by changes in cell morphology. The apoptosis lymphocyte is rougher than those of the two other morphotypes, and coated with many big particles. Using spatially resolved force-distance curves, we found that the valve of the activated lymphocyte is about two to three times stiffer (Young's modulus of approximately 20 kPa) than those of the two other morphotypes (5-11 kPa). These results can improve our understanding of the mechanical properties of cells during growth and differentiation.