1
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Doherty EL, Krohn G, Warren EC, Patton A, Whitworth CP, Rathod M, Biehl A, Aw WY, Freytes DO, Polacheck WJ. Human Cell-Derived Matrix Composite Hydrogels with Diverse Composition for Use in Vasculature-on-chip Models. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2400192. [PMID: 38518808 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202400192] [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: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Microphysiological and organ-on-chip platforms seek to address critical gaps in human disease models and drug development that underlie poor rates of clinical success for novel interventions. While the fabrication technology and model cells used to synthesize organs-on-chip have advanced considerably, most platforms rely on animal-derived or synthetic extracellular matrix as a cell substrate, limiting mimicry of human physiology and precluding use in modeling diseases in which matrix dynamics play a role in pathogenesis. Here, the development of human cell-derived matrix (hCDM) composite hydrogels for use in 3D microphysiologic models of the vasculature is reported. hCDM composite hydrogels are derived from human donor fibroblasts and maintain a complex milieu of basement membrane, proteoglycans, and nonfibrillar matrix components. The use of hCDM composite hydrogels as 2D and 3D cell culture substrates is demonstrated, and hCDM composite hydrogels are patterned to form engineered human microvessels. Interestingly, hCDM composite hydrogels are enriched in proteins associated with vascular morphogenesis as determined by mass spectrometry, and functional analysis demonstrates proangiogenic signatures in human endothelial cells cultured in these hydrogels. In conclusion, this study suggests that human donor-derived hCDM composite hydrogels could address technical gaps in human organs-on-chip development and serve as substrates to promote vascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth L Doherty
- The Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, 10010 Mary Ellen Jones Building, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Grace Krohn
- The Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, 10010 Mary Ellen Jones Building, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Emily C Warren
- The Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, 10010 Mary Ellen Jones Building, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Alexandra Patton
- The Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, 10010 Mary Ellen Jones Building, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Chloe P Whitworth
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, 130 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, Carolina, NC 27599, USA
| | - Mitesh Rathod
- The Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, 10010 Mary Ellen Jones Building, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Andreea Biehl
- The Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, 10010 Mary Ellen Jones Building, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Wen Yih Aw
- The Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, 10010 Mary Ellen Jones Building, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Donald O Freytes
- The Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, 10010 Mary Ellen Jones Building, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - William J Polacheck
- The Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, 10010 Mary Ellen Jones Building, 116 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, 111 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, Carolina, NC 27599, USA
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2
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Ferre-Torres J, Noguera-Monteagudo A, Lopez-Canosa A, Romero-Arias JR, Barrio R, Castaño O, Hernandez-Machado A. Modelling of chemotactic sprouting endothelial cells through an extracellular matrix. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1145550. [PMID: 37362221 PMCID: PMC10285466 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1145550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Sprouting angiogenesis is a core biological process critical to vascular development. Its accurate simulation, relevant to multiple facets of human health, is of broad, interdisciplinary appeal. This study presents an in-silico model replicating a microfluidic assay where endothelial cells sprout into a biomimetic extracellular matrix, specifically, a large-pore, low-concentration fibrin-based porous hydrogel, influenced by chemotactic factors. We introduce a novel approach by incorporating the extracellular matrix and chemotactic factor effects into a unified term using a single parameter, primarily focusing on modelling sprouting dynamics and morphology. This continuous model naturally describes chemotactic-induced sprouting with no need for additional rules. In addition, we extended our base model to account for matrix sensing and degradation, crucial aspects of angiogenesis. We validate our model via a hybrid in-silico experimental method, comparing the model predictions with experimental results derived from the microfluidic setup. Our results underscore the intricate relationship between the extracellular matrix structure and angiogenic sprouting, proposing a promising method for predicting the influence of the extracellular matrix on angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep Ferre-Torres
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Adrian Lopez-Canosa
- Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
- Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Spain
| | - J. Roberto Romero-Arias
- Institute for Research in Applied Mathematics and Systems, National Autonomous University of Mexico , Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rafael Barrio
- Institute of Physics, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Oscar Castaño
- Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
- Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Spain
- Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB), University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aurora Hernandez-Machado
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB), University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
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3
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Flournoy J, Ashkanani S, Chen Y. Mechanical regulation of signal transduction in angiogenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:933474. [PMID: 36081909 PMCID: PMC9447863 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.933474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Biophysical and biochemical cues work in concert to regulate angiogenesis. These cues guide angiogenesis during development and wound healing. Abnormal cues contribute to pathological angiogenesis during tumor progression. In this review, we summarize the known signaling pathways involved in mechanotransduction important to angiogenesis. We discuss how variation in the mechanical microenvironment, in terms of stiffness, ligand availability, and topography, can modulate the angiogenesis process. We also present an integrated view on how mechanical perturbations, such as stretching and fluid shearing, alter angiogenesis-related signal transduction acutely, leading to downstream gene expression. Tissue engineering-based approaches to study angiogenesis are reviewed too. Future directions to aid the efforts in unveiling the comprehensive picture of angiogenesis are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Flournoy
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Institute for NanoBio Technology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Shahad Ashkanani
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Institute for NanoBio Technology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Institute for NanoBio Technology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Yun Chen,
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4
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Gao J, Yang C, Li J, Liu S, Ao Z, Han D. Interfacial Curvature as a Potential Index for Prognosis of Colon Adenocarcinoma. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2021; 5:e1900277. [PMID: 33729697 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201900277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Tumor invasion and metastasis are complex interfacial mechanical processes between the tumor and its surrounding tissue, with the interfacial curvature of tumor playing an important role in cancer progression. In this study, the potential role of interfacial curvature in the prognosis of patients with colon adenocarcinoma is investigated. The front edge interfacial curvature of adenocarcinoma from biopsies of patients in different tumor, lymph node, and metastasis (TNM) stages are calculated and compared, and prognosis assessment is conducted using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. Results reveal that patients with larger interfacial curvature of adenocarcinoma are more likely to belong to higher TNM stages. Concomitantly, in the same TNM stage, patients with increased adenocarcinoma interfacial curvature show worse prognosis with higher recurrence and lower survival rates. Besides, interfacial curvature is an independent prognostic factor for cause-specific survival and relapse-free survival among all selected patients. Mechanical models of colon adenocarcinoma invasion and metastasis are established to better understand the close association between interfacial curvature and tumor progression. The results together with hematoxylin and eosin staining indicate that metastasis in stages T3N0M0 and T3N1M0 may be linked to large interfacial curvatures. Therefore, interfacial curvature may serve as a potential index for predicting prognosis in patients with colon adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Chongqing Yang
- Pathology Department, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, 100730, P. R. China
| | - Jianjun Li
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Sidi Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Zhuo Ao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Dong Han
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
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5
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Duan Y, Li X, Zuo X, Shen T, Yu S, Deng L, Gao C. Migration of endothelial cells and mesenchymal stem cells into hyaluronic acid hydrogels with different moduli under induction of pro-inflammatory macrophages. J Mater Chem B 2020; 7:5478-5489. [PMID: 31415053 DOI: 10.1039/c9tb01126a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The design of hyaluronic acid (HA)-based and stimuli-responsive hydrogels to elicit highly controlled and tunable cell response and behaviors is a major field of interest in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The pH-responsive hydrogel can respond to pH variation during wound healing, which may in turn regulate the tissue regeneration process. In this study, a double-network hydrogel cross-linked with vinyl double bonds and Schiff base was prepared, whose properties were further adjusted by incubation in pH 7.4 and pH 5 buffers. The endothelial cells (ECs) migrated much deeper into the softer HA hydrogel pre-treated with pH 5 buffer than the stiffer hydrogel. By contrast, the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) migrated easily into the stiffer hydrogel. The ECs highly expressed RhoA and non-muscle myosin (NM) II genes in the softer hydrogel, which may facilitate amoeboid migration. Meanwhile, the MSCs were stiffer than the ECs, and highly expressed Rac1, RhoA, vinculin, NM II, hyaluronidase (HYAL) 2 and CD44 genes in the stiffer hydrogel, which facilitate mesenchymal migration. These results provide important clues for revealing the different migration strategies of the ECs and MSCs in HA hydrogels with different stiffness, and suggest that the mechanical properties and the network structure of hydrogels play an important role in regulating the three-dimensional migration process of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyuan Duan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
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6
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Cao W, Li X, Zuo X, Gao C. Migration of endothelial cells into photo-responsive hydrogels with tunable modulus under the presence of pro-inflammatory macrophages. Regen Biomater 2019; 6:259-267. [PMID: 31616563 PMCID: PMC6783701 DOI: 10.1093/rb/rbz025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell migration in three-dimensional environment is extremely important for tissue regeneration and other biological processes. In this work, a model system was developed to study how endothelial cells (ECs) migrate into photo-responsive hydrogels under the presence of pro-inflammatory macrophages. The hydrogel was synthesized from hyaluronic acid grafted with coumarin and methacrylate moieties by both carbon-carbon covalent linking and coumarin dimerization under UV irradiation at 365 nm. The structure of the hydrogel was conveniently modulated by UV irradiation at 254 nm to decompose the coumarin dimers, leading to the significant decrease of modulus and increase of swelling ratio and mesh size. Under the presence of M1 macrophages, ECs were induced to migrate into the hydrogels with a different degree. A significant larger net displacement of ECs was found in the softer hydrogel obtained by irradiation with UV at 254 nm than in the stiffer original one at day 7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wangbei Cao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuguang Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xingang Zuo
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Changyou Gao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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7
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Hu Y, Feng B, Zhang W, Yan C, Yao Q, Shao C, Yu F, Li F, Fu Y. Electrospun gelatin/PCL and collagen/PCL scaffolds for modulating responses of bone marrow endothelial progenitor cells. Exp Ther Med 2019; 17:3717-3726. [PMID: 30988757 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.7387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The determination of potential transplantable substrates and substitution cells for corneal endothelium transplantation may compensate for the shortage of cornea donors. Appropriate biodegradable and biocompatible tissue-engineered substratum with seed cells for endothelial keratoplasty has been increasingly studied. In the present study, electrospun gelatin/polycaprolactone (PCL) and collagen/PCL scaffolds were successfully established. Bone marrow endothelial progenitor cells (BEPCs) were cultured on these scaffolds to determine whether the scaffolds may promote the proliferation of BEPCs as well as maintain stem cell characteristics. Two variations of hybrid scaffolds, collagen/PCL (70% collagen and 30% PCL) and gelatin/PCL (70% gelatin and 30% PCL), were established via electrospinning. Microscopic structure, hydrophilicity and wettability of the two scaffolds were subsequently investigated. BEPCs were separately cultured on the scaffolds and were also seeded on glass slides to establish the control group. Furthermore, cell morphology; adherence, as determined by investigation of F-actin expression levels; proliferation, as determined via Cell Counting Kit-8 assays, Ki-67 staining and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) staining; and stem cell markers, as determined by cluster of differentiation (CD)-34 and CD-133 protein expression levels; were investigated. In addition, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to determine gene expression. The two nanofiber scaffolds were established using electrospun techniques with expected hydrophilicity, wettability and biocompatibility. BEPCs were revealed to spread well on and strongly adhere to the collagen/PCL (70:30) and gelatin/PCL (70:30) scaffolds. Furthermore, Ki-67 and BrdU staining results revealed greater levels of positive dots on the two hybrid scaffolds compared with the control group. CD-34 and CD-133 protein staining demonstrated increased levels of fluorescence intensity on scaffolds compared with the control group. Furthermore, increased expression levels of differentiation markers, such as ATP binding cassette subfamily G member 2, leucine rich repeat containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 and CD166, were detected on both scaffolds. RT-qPCR results demonstrated that the expression of caspase-3, which is associated with apoptosis, was decreased on the two scaffolds compared with in the control group. The expression of inflammatory factors, including interleukin (IL)-1, exhibited a significant decrease on the gelatin/PCL scaffold compared with in the control group; whereas the difference between the expression level of IL-1 exhibited by the collagen/PCL group and the control group were not markedly different. Electrospun collagen/PCL and gelatin/PCL scaffolds exhibited the potential to enhance the adherence and proliferation of BEPCs. BEPCs cultured on the two scaffolds demonstrated increased stem cell characteristics and differentiation potential. Electrospun gelatin/PCL and collagen/PCL scaffolds may represent a promising substratum in tissue-engineered corneal endothelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Disease and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Bei Feng
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, P.R. China
| | - Weijie Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Disease and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Chenxi Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Disease and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Qinke Yao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Disease and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Chunyi Shao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Disease and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Fei Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Disease and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
| | - Fen Li
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, P.R. China
| | - Yao Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Disease and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200011, P.R. China
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8
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Islam MM, Steward RL. Probing Endothelial Cell Mechanics Through Connexin 43 Disruption. EXPERIMENTAL MECHANICS 2019; 59:327-336. [PMID: 31543522 PMCID: PMC6753957 DOI: 10.1007/s11340-018-00445-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The endothelium has been established to generate intercellular stresses and suggested to transmit these intercellular stresses through cell-cell junctions, such as VE-Cadherin and ZO-1, for example. Although the previously mentioned molecules reflect the appreciable contributions both adherens junctions and tight junctions are believed to have in endothelial cell intercellular stresses, in doing so they also reveal the obscure relationship that exists between gap junctions and intercellular stresses. Therefore, to bring clarity to this relationship we disrupted expression of the endothelial gap junction connexin 43 (Cx43) by exposing confluent human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to a low (0.2 μg/mL) and high (2 μg/mL) concentration of 2,5-dihydroxychalcone (chalcone), a known Cx43 inhibitor. To evaluate the impact Cx43 disruption had on endothelial cell mechanics we utilized traction force microscopy and monolayer stress microscopy to measure cell-substrate tractions and cell-cell intercellular stresses, respectively. HUVEC monolayers exposed to a low concentration of chalcone produced average normal intercellular stresses that were on average 17% higher relative to control, while exposure to a high concentration of chalcone yielded average normal intercellular stresses that were on average 55% lower when compared to control HUVEC monolayers. HUVEC maximum shear intercellular stresses were observed to decrease by 16% (low chalcone concentration) and 66% (high chalcone concentration), while tractions exhibited an almost 2-fold decrease under high chalcone concentration. In addition, monolayer cell velocities were observed to decrease by 19% and 35% at low chalcone and high chalcone concentrations, respectively. Strain energies were also observed to decrease by 32% and 85% at low and high concentration of chalcone treatment, respectively, when compared to control. The findings we present here reveal for the first time the contribution Cx43 has to endothelial biomechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. M. Islam
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
| | - R. L. Steward
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
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9
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James BD, Allen JB. Vascular Endothelial Cell Behavior in Complex Mechanical Microenvironments. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2018; 4:3818-3842. [PMID: 33429612 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.8b00628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The vascular mechanical microenvironment consists of a mixture of spatially and temporally changing mechanical forces. This exposes vascular endothelial cells to both hemodynamic forces (fluid flow, cyclic stretching, lateral pressure) and vessel forces (basement membrane mechanical and topographical properties). The vascular mechanical microenvironment is "complex" because these forces are dynamic and interrelated. Endothelial cells sense these forces through mechanosensory structures and transduce them into functional responses via mechanotransduction pathways, culminating in behavior directly affecting vascular health. Recent in vitro studies have shown that endothelial cells respond in nuanced and unique ways to combinations of hemodynamic and vessel forces as compared to any single mechanical force. Understanding the interactive effects of the complex mechanical microenvironment on vascular endothelial behavior offers the opportunity to design future biomaterials and biomedical devices from the bottom-up by engineering for the cellular response. This review describes and defines (1) the blood vessel structure, (2) the complex mechanical microenvironment of the vascular endothelium, (3) the process in which vascular endothelial cells sense mechanical forces, and (4) the effect of mechanical forces on vascular endothelial cells with specific attention to recent works investigating the influence of combinations of mechanical forces. We conclude this review by providing our perspective on how the field can move forward to elucidate the effects of the complex mechanical microenvironment on vascular endothelial cell behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan D James
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Florida, 100 Rhines Hall, PO Box 116400, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States.,Institute for Computational Engineering, University of Florida, 300 Weil Hall, PO Box 116550, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Josephine B Allen
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Florida, 100 Rhines Hall, PO Box 116400, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States.,Institute for Cell and Tissue Science and Engineering, 300 Weil Hall, PO Box 116550, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
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10
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Treiber JM, Steed TC, Brandel MG, Patel KS, Dale AM, Carter BS, Chen CC. Molecular physiology of contrast enhancement in glioblastomas: An analysis of The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA). J Clin Neurosci 2018; 55:86-92. [PMID: 29934058 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2018.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The physiologic processes underlying MRI contrast enhancement in glioblastoma patients remain poorly understood. MRIs of 148 glioblastoma subjects from The Cancer Imaging Archive were segmented using Iterative Probabilistic Voxel Labeling (IPVL). Three aspects of contrast enhancement (CE) were parametrized: the mean intensity of all CE voxels (CEi), the intensity heterogeneity in CE (CEh), and volumetric ratio of CE to necrosis (CEr). Associations between these parameters and patterns of gene expression were analyzed using DAVID functional enrichment analysis. Glioma CpG island methylator phenotype (G-CIMP) glioblastomas were poorly enhancing. Otherwise, no differences in CE parameters were found between proneural, neural, mesenchymal, and classical glioblastomas. High CEi was associated with expression of genes that mediate inflammatory responses. High CEh was associated with increased expression of genes that regulate remodeling of extracellular matrix (ECM) and endothelial permeability. High CEr was associated with increased expression of genes that mediate cellular response to stressful metabolic states, including hypoxia and starvation. Our results indicate that CE in glioblastoma is associated with distinct biological processes involved in inflammatory response and tissue hypoxia. Integrative analysis of these CE parameters may yield meaningful information pertaining to the biologic state of glioblastomas and guide future therapeutic paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M Treiber
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Tyler C Steed
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Michael G Brandel
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Kunal S Patel
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Anders M Dale
- Multimodal Imaging Laboratory, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Bob S Carter
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Clark C Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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11
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McCoy MG, Wei JM, Choi S, Goerger JP, Zipfel W, Fischbach C. Collagen Fiber Orientation Regulates 3D Vascular Network Formation and Alignment. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2018; 4:2967-2976. [PMID: 33435017 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.8b00384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Alignment of collagen type I fibers is a hallmark of both physiological and pathological tissue remodeling. However, the effects of collagen fiber orientation on endothelial cell behavior and vascular network formation are poorly understood because of a lack of model systems that allow studying these potential functional connections. By casting collagen type I into prestrained (0, 10, 25, 50% strain), poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-based microwells and releasing the mold strain following polymerization, we have created collagen gels with varying fiber alignment as confirmed by structural analysis. Endothelial cells embedded within the different gels responded to increased collagen fiber orientation by assembling into 3D vascular networks that consisted of thicker, more aligned branches and featured elevated collagen IV deposition and lumen formation relative to control conditions. These substrate-dependent changes in microvascular network formation were associated with altered cell division and migration patterns and related to enhanced mechanosignaling. Our studies indicate that collagen fiber alignment can directly regulate vascular network formation and that culture models with aligned collagen may be used to investigate the underlying mechanisms ultimately advancing our understanding of tissue development, homeostasis, and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G McCoy
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Jane M Wei
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.,Biological Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Siyoung Choi
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Julian Palacios Goerger
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Warren Zipfel
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Claudia Fischbach
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.,Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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12
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Yan F, Sun X, Xu C. Protective effects of resveratrol improve cardiovascular function in rats with diabetes. Exp Ther Med 2017; 15:1728-1734. [PMID: 29434758 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.5537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Resveratrol is a flavonoid with a stilbene structure that is able to suppress acute pulmonary thromboembolism-induced pulmonary artery hypertension. Furthermore, it possesses anti-cancer and antioxidant properties, is able to regulate blood lipids and increase life expectancy. In the present study, it was evaluated whether the protective effect of resveratrol was able to improve cardiovascular function in rats with diabetes. The effects of resveratrol on blood glucose, body weight, heart/body weight ratio, plasma triglyceride levels, heart rate, aspartate transaminase (AST)/alanine transaminase (ALT) ratio and total plasma insulin were evaluated. Levels of inflammation and oxidative stress were also evaluated using ELISA kits, and the expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and phosphorylated (p)-p38 protein were evaluated via western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that administration of resveratrol in rats with diabetes-related myocardial infarction (DRMI) significantly reduced blood glucose, body weight, plasma triglyceride levels, heart rate and AST/ALT ratio (all P<0.01) and significantly increased total plasma insulin (P<0.01). Furthermore, resveratrol significantly reduced levels of inflammation factors (P<0.01) and malondialdehyde, a marker for oxidative stress, in rats with DRMI (P<0.01). Resveratrol significantly increased the expression of eNOS (P<0.01) and suppressed the expression of VEGF and p-p38 (both P<0.01) in rats with DRMI. These results suggest that treatment with resveratrol is able to improve cardiovascular function via inhibition of eNOS and VEGF, and suppression of p38 phosphorylation in rats with DRMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuqin Yan
- Department of Pharmacy, China Armed Police General Hospital, Beijing 100039, P.R. China
| | - Xiaomeng Sun
- Department of Endocrinology, China Armed Police General Hospital, Beijing 100039, P.R. China
| | - Chun Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, China Armed Police General Hospital, Beijing 100039, P.R. China
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13
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Dong J, Yuan X, Xie W. Pentoxifylline exerts anti-inflammatory effects on cerebral ischemia reperfusion‑induced injury in a rat model via the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Mol Med Rep 2017; 17:1141-1147. [PMID: 29115594 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.7953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Pentoxifylline exhibits complex functions with extensive pharmacological effects and is used therapeutically due to its therapeutic effects and rapid metabolism in the body, with no cumulative effects and few side effects. The present study investigated the effects of pentoxifylline on cerebral ischemia reperfusion‑induced injury (IRI) through suppression of inflammation in rats. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to evaluate the number of neurocytes, and ELISAs were applied to measure tumor necrosis factor‑α, interleukin‑6, malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase activities. Treatment with pentoxifylline significantly recovered the cerebral ischemia reperfusion‑induced neurological deficit score and cerebral infarct volume in rats. In addition, pentoxifylline treatment significantly reversed the cerebral ischemia reperfusion‑induced interleukin‑6, tumor necrosis factor‑α, malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase levels in vivo. Furthermore, pentoxifylline significantly inhibited cyclooxygenase‑2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA and protein expression in cerebral IRI mice. Treatment with pentoxifylline also significantly suppressed the expression of cleaved caspase‑3 and p38 mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK) protein in cerebral IRI mice. These results indicate that the protective effects of pentoxifylline on cerebral IRI may occur via the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqing Dong
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Zhangqiu People's Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250200, P.R. China
| | - Xinmei Yuan
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Zhangqiu People's Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250200, P.R. China
| | - Weiwei Xie
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Zhangqiu People's Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250200, P.R. China
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14
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Xia T, Liu W, Yang L. A review of gradient stiffness hydrogels used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. J Biomed Mater Res A 2017; 105:1799-1812. [DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.36034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Revised: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Xia
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College; Chongqing University; Chongqing 400044 China
| | - Wanqian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College; Chongqing University; Chongqing 400044 China
| | - Li Yang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College; Chongqing University; Chongqing 400044 China
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15
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Ghuman H, Massensini AR, Donnelly J, Kim SM, Medberry CJ, Badylak SF, Modo M. ECM hydrogel for the treatment of stroke: Characterization of the host cell infiltrate. Biomaterials 2016; 91:166-181. [PMID: 27031811 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2016] [Revised: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Brain tissue loss following stroke is irreversible with current treatment modalities. The use of an acellular extracellular matrix (ECM), formulated to produce a hydrogel in situ within the cavity formed by a stroke, was investigated as a method to replace necrotic debris and promote the infiltration of host brain cells. Based on magnetic resonance imaging measurements of lesion location and volume, different concentrations of ECM (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 mg/mL) were injected at a volume equal to that of the cavity (14 days post-stroke). Retention of ECM within the cavity occurred at concentrations >3 mg/mL. A significant cell infiltration into the ECM material in the lesion cavity occurred with an average of ∼36,000 cells in the 8 mg/mL concentration within 24 h. An infiltration of cells with distances of >1500 μm into the ECM hydrogel was observed, but the majority of cells were at the tissue/hydrogel boundary. Cells were typically of a microglia, macrophage, or neural and oligodendrocyte progenitor phenotype. At the 8 mg/mL concentration, ∼60% of infiltrating cells were brain-derived phenotypes and 30% being infiltrating peripheral macrophages, polarizing toward an M2-like anti-inflammatory phenotype. These results suggest that an 8 mg/mL ECM concentration promotes a significant acute endogenous repair response that could potentially be exploited to treat stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harmanvir Ghuman
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Andre R Massensini
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Julia Donnelly
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sung-Min Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Christopher J Medberry
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Stephen F Badylak
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Michel Modo
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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