1
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Sapudom J, Riedl P, Schricker M, Kroy K, Pompe T. Physical network regimes of 3D fibrillar collagen networks trigger invasive phenotypes of breast cancer cells. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2024; 163:213961. [PMID: 39032434 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.213961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
The mechanical characteristics of the extracellular environment are known to significantly influence cancer cell behavior in vivo and in vitro. The structural complexity and viscoelastic dynamics of the extracellular matrix (ECM) pose significant challenges in understanding its impact on cancer cells. Herein, we report distinct regulatory signatures in the invasion of different breast cancer cell lines into three-dimensional (3D) fibrillar collagen networks, caused by systematic modifications of the physical network properties. By reconstituting collagen networks of thin fibrils, we demonstrate that such networks can display network strand flexibility akin to that of synthetic polymer networks, known to exhibit entropic rubber elasticity. This finding contrasts with the predominant description of the mechanics of fibrillar collagen networks by an enthalpic bending elasticity of rod-like fibrils. Mean-squared displacement analysis of free-standing fibrils confirmed a flexible fiber regime in networks of thin fibrils. Furthermore, collagen fibrils in both networks were softened by the adsorption of highly negatively charged sulfonated polymers and colloidal probe force measurements of network elastic modulus again proofed the occurrence of the two different physical network regimes. Our cell assays revealed that the cellular behavior (morphology, clustering, invasiveness, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity) of the 'weakly invasive' MCF-7 and 'highly invasive' MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines is distinctively affected by the physical (enthalpic/entropic) network regime, and cannot be explained by changes of the network elastic modulus, alone. These results highlight an essential pathway, albeit frequently overlooked, how the physical characteristics of fibrillar ECMs affect cellular behavior. Considering the coexistence of diverse physical network regimes of the ECM in vivo, our findings underscore their critical role of ECM's physical network regimes in tumor progression and other cell functions, and moreover emphasize the significance of 3D in vitro collagen network models for quantifying cell responses in both healthy and pathological states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiranuwat Sapudom
- Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Philipp Riedl
- Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maria Schricker
- Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Klaus Kroy
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04009, Germany
| | - Tilo Pompe
- Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
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2
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Cheung BCH, Chen X, Davis HJ, Nordmann CS, Toth J, Hodgson L, Segall JE, Shenoy VB, Wu M. Identification of CD44 as a key mediator of cell traction force generation in hyaluronic acid-rich extracellular matrices. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.24.563860. [PMID: 37961689 PMCID: PMC10634813 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.24.563860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) critically regulate a number of important cell functions including growth, differentiation and migration. Type I collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are two primary components of ECMs that contribute to mammalian tissue mechanics, with the collagen fiber network sustaining tension, and GAGs withstanding compression. The architecture and stiffness of the collagen network are known to be important for cell-ECM mechanical interactions via integrin cell surface adhesion receptors. In contrast, studies of GAGs in modulating cell-ECM interactions are limited. Here, we present experimental studies on the roles of hyaluronic acid (HA, an unsulfated GAG) in single tumor cell traction force generation using a recently developed 3D cell traction force microscopy method. Our work reveals that CD44, a cell surface adhesion receptor to HA, is engaged in cell traction force generation in conjunction with β1-integrin. We find that HA significantly modifies the architecture and mechanics of the collagen fiber network, decreasing tumor cells' propensity to remodel the collagen network, attenuating traction force generation, transmission distance, and tumor invasion. Our findings point to a novel role for CD44 in traction force generation, which can be a potential therapeutic target for diseases involving HA rich ECMs such as breast cancer and glioblastoma.
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3
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Goren S, Ergaz B, Barak D, Sorkin R, Lesman A. Micro-tensile rheology of fibrous gels quantifies strain-dependent anisotropy. Acta Biomater 2024; 181:272-281. [PMID: 38685460 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Semiflexible fiber gels such as collagen and fibrin have unique nonlinear mechanical properties that play an important role in tissue morphogenesis, wound healing, and cancer metastasis. Optical tweezers microrheology has greatly contributed to the understanding of the mechanics of fibrous gels at the microscale, including its heterogeneity and anisotropy. However, the explicit relationship between micromechanical properties and gel deformation has been largely overlooked. We introduce a unique gel-stretching apparatus and employ it to study the relationship between microscale strain and stiffening in fibrin and collagen gels, focusing on the development of anisotropy in the gel. We find that gels stretched by as much as 15 % stiffen significantly both in parallel and perpendicular to the stretching axis, and that the parallel axis is 2-3 times stiffer than the transverse axis. We also measure the stiffening and anisotropy along bands of aligned fibers created by aggregates of cancer cells, and find similar effects as in gels stretched with the tensile apparatus. Our results illustrate that the extracellular microenvironment is highly sensitive to deformation, with implications for tissue homeostasis and pathology. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The inherent fibrous architecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM) gives rise to unique strain-stiffening mechanics. The micromechanics of fibrous networks has been studied extensively, but the deformations involved in its stiffening at the microscale were not quantified. Here we introduce an apparatus that enables measuring the deformations in the gel as it is being stretched while simultaneously using optical tweezers to measure its microscale anisotropic stiffness. We reveal that fibrin and collagen both stiffen dramatically already at ∼10 % deformation, accompanied by the emergence of significant, yet moderate anisotropy. We measure similar stiffening and anisotropy in the matrix remodeled by the tensile apparatus to those found between cancer cell aggregates. Our results emphasize that small strains are enough to introduce substantial stiffening and anisotropy. These have been shown to result in directional cell migration and enhanced force propagation, and possibly control processes like morphogenesis and cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahar Goren
- School of Chemistry, Raymond & Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel; School of Mechanical Engineering, the Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Israel; Center for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Bar Ergaz
- School of Mechanical Engineering, the Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Israel; Center for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Daniel Barak
- School of Mechanical Engineering, the Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Raya Sorkin
- School of Chemistry, Raymond & Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel; Center for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
| | - Ayelet Lesman
- School of Mechanical Engineering, the Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Israel; Center for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
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4
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Ouyang M, Zhang Q, Zhu Y, Luo M, Bu B, Deng L. α-Catenin and Piezo1 Mediate Cell Mechanical Communication via Cell Adhesions. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:357. [PMID: 38785839 PMCID: PMC11118126 DOI: 10.3390/biology13050357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Cell-to-cell distant mechanical communication has been demonstrated using in vitro and in vivo models. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying long-range cell mechanoresponsive interactions remain to be fully elucidated. This study further examined the roles of α-Catenin and Piezo1 in traction force-induced rapid branch assembly of airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells on a Matrigel hydrogel containing type I collagen. Our findings demonstrated that siRNA-mediated downregulation of α-Catenin or Piezo1 expression or chemical inhibition of Piezo1 activity significantly reduced both directional cell movement and branch assembly. Regarding the role of N-cadherin in regulating branch assembly but not directional migration, our results further confirmed that siRNA-mediated downregulation of α-Catenin expression caused a marked reduction in focal adhesion formation, as assessed by focal Paxillin and Integrin α5 localization. These observations imply that mechanosensitive α-Catenin is involved in both cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions. Additionally, Piezo1 partially localized in focal adhesions, which was inhibited by siRNA-mediated downregulation of α-Catenin expression. This result provides insights into the Piezo1-mediated mechanosensing of traction force on a hydrogel. Collectively, our findings highlight the significance of α-Catenin in the regulation of cell-matrix interactions and provide a possible interpretation of Piezo1-mediated mechanosensing activity at focal adhesions during cell-cell mechanical communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Ouyang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences, School of Medical and Health Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China (M.L.); (B.B.)
| | - Qingyu Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences, School of Medical and Health Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China (M.L.); (B.B.)
- School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China
| | - Yiming Zhu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences, School of Medical and Health Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China (M.L.); (B.B.)
- School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China
| | - Mingzhi Luo
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences, School of Medical and Health Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China (M.L.); (B.B.)
| | - Bing Bu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences, School of Medical and Health Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China (M.L.); (B.B.)
| | - Linhong Deng
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences, School of Medical and Health Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164, China (M.L.); (B.B.)
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5
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Han IS, Hua J, White JS, O’Connor JT, Nassar LS, Tro KJ, Page-McCaw A, Hutson MS. After wounding, a G-protein coupled receptor promotes the restoration of tension in epithelial cells. Mol Biol Cell 2024; 35:ar66. [PMID: 38536445 PMCID: PMC11151093 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e23-05-0204] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The maintenance of epithelial barrier function involves cellular tension, with cells pulling on their neighbors to maintain epithelial integrity. Wounding interrupts cellular tension, which may serve as an early signal to initiate epithelial repair. To characterize how wounds alter cellular tension we used a laser-recoil assay to map cortical tension around wounds in the epithelial monolayer of the Drosophila pupal notum. Within a minute of wounding, there was widespread loss of cortical tension along both radial and tangential directions. This tension loss was similar to levels observed with Rok inactivation. Tension was subsequently restored around the wound, first in distal cells and then in proximal cells, reaching the wound margin ∼10 min after wounding. Restoring tension required the GPCR Mthl10 and the IP3 receptor, indicating the importance of this calcium signaling pathway known to be activated by cellular damage. Tension restoration correlated with an inward-moving contractile wave that has been previously reported; however, the contractile wave itself was not affected by Mthl10 knockdown. These results indicate that cells may transiently increase tension and contract in the absence of Mthl10 signaling, but that pathway is critical for fully resetting baseline epithelial tension after it is disrupted by wounding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivy S. Han
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240
| | - Junmin Hua
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240
| | - James S. White
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240
| | - James T. O’Connor
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240
| | - Lila S. Nassar
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240
| | - Kaden J. Tro
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240
| | - Andrea Page-McCaw
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240
| | - M. Shane Hutson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240
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6
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Jorba I, Gussenhoven S, van der Pol A, Groenen BG, van Zon M, Goumans MJ, Kurniawan NA, Ristori T, Bouten CV. Steering cell orientation through light-based spatiotemporal modulation of the mechanical environment. Biofabrication 2024; 16:035011. [PMID: 38574554 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad3aa6] [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: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
The anisotropic organization of cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential for the physiological function of numerous biological tissues, including the myocardium. This organization changes gradually in space and time, during disease progression such as myocardial infarction. The role of mechanical stimuli has been demonstrated to be essential in obtaining, maintaining and de-railing this organization, but the underlying mechanisms are scarcely known. To enable the study of the mechanobiological mechanisms involved,in vitrotechniques able to spatiotemporally control the multiscale tissue mechanical environment are thus necessary. Here, by using light-sensitive materials combined with light-illumination techniques, we fabricated 2D and 3Din vitromodel systems exposing cells to multiscale, spatiotemporally resolved stiffness anisotropies. Specifically, spatial stiffness anisotropies spanning from micron-sized (cellular) to millimeter-sized (tissue) were achieved. Moreover, the light-sensitive materials allowed to introduce the stiffness anisotropies at defined timepoints (hours) after cell seeding, facilitating the study of their temporal effects on cell and tissue orientation. The systems were tested using cardiac fibroblasts (cFBs), which are known to be crucial for the remodeling of anisotropic cardiac tissue. We observed that 2D stiffness micropatterns induced cFBs anisotropic alignment, independent of the stimulus timing, but dependent on the micropattern spacing. cFBs exhibited organized alignment also in response to 3D stiffness macropatterns, dependent on the stimulus timing and temporally followed by (slower) ECM co-alignment. In conclusion, the developed model systems allow improved fundamental understanding of the underlying mechanobiological factors that steer cell and ECM orientation, such as stiffness guidance and boundary constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignasi Jorba
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Unitat de Biofísica i Bioenginyeria, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sil Gussenhoven
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Atze van der Pol
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Gw Groenen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten van Zon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Marie José Goumans
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nicholas A Kurniawan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Tommaso Ristori
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Carlijn Vc Bouten
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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7
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Crossley RM, Johnson S, Tsingos E, Bell Z, Berardi M, Botticelli M, Braat QJS, Metzcar J, Ruscone M, Yin Y, Shuttleworth R. Modeling the extracellular matrix in cell migration and morphogenesis: a guide for the curious biologist. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1354132. [PMID: 38495620 PMCID: PMC10940354 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1354132] [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: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a highly complex structure through which biochemical and mechanical signals are transmitted. In processes of cell migration, the ECM also acts as a scaffold, providing structural support to cells as well as points of potential attachment. Although the ECM is a well-studied structure, its role in many biological processes remains difficult to investigate comprehensively due to its complexity and structural variation within an organism. In tandem with experiments, mathematical models are helpful in refining and testing hypotheses, generating predictions, and exploring conditions outside the scope of experiments. Such models can be combined and calibrated with in vivo and in vitro data to identify critical cell-ECM interactions that drive developmental and homeostatic processes, or the progression of diseases. In this review, we focus on mathematical and computational models of the ECM in processes such as cell migration including cancer metastasis, and in tissue structure and morphogenesis. By highlighting the predictive power of these models, we aim to help bridge the gap between experimental and computational approaches to studying the ECM and to provide guidance on selecting an appropriate model framework to complement corresponding experimental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M. Crossley
- Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel Johnson
- Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Erika Tsingos
- Computational Developmental Biology Group, Institute of Biodynamics and Biocomplexity, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Zoe Bell
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Massimiliano Berardi
- LaserLab, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Optics11 life, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Quirine J. S. Braat
- Department of Applied Physics and Science Education, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - John Metzcar
- Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
- Department of Informatics, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | | | - Yuan Yin
- Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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8
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Han I, Hua J, White JS, O'Connor JT, Nassar LS, Tro KJ, Page-McCaw A, Hutson MS. After wounding, a G-protein coupled receptor promotes the restoration of tension in epithelial cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.05.31.543122. [PMID: 37398151 PMCID: PMC10312550 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.31.543122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
The maintenance of epithelial barrier function involves cellular tension, with cells pulling on their neighbors to maintain epithelial integrity. Wounding interrupts cellular tension, which may serve as an early signal to initiate epithelial repair. To characterize how wounds alter cellular tension, we used a laser-recoil assay to map cortical tension around wounds in the epithelial monolayer of the Drosophila pupal notum. Within a minute of wounding, there was widespread loss of cortical tension along both radial and tangential directions. This tension loss was similar to levels observed with Rok inactivation. Tension was subsequently restored around the wound, first in distal cells and then in proximal cells, reaching the wound margin about 10 minutes after wounding. Restoring tension required the GPCR Mthl10 and the IP3 receptor, indicating the importance of this calcium signaling pathway known to be activated by cellular damage. Tension restoration correlated with an inward-moving contractile wave that has been previously reported; however, the contractile wave itself was not affected by Mthl10 knockdown. These results indicate that cells may transiently increase tension and contract in the absence of Mthl10 signaling, but that pathway is critical for fully resetting baseline epithelial tension after it is disrupted by wounding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivy Han
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University
| | - Junmin Hua
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University
| | - James S White
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University
| | - James T O'Connor
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University
| | - Lila S Nassar
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, Vanderbilt University
| | - Kaden J Tro
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, Vanderbilt University
| | | | - M Shane Hutson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, Vanderbilt University
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9
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Sasihithlu K, Scholes GD. Vibrational Dipole-Dipole Coupling and Long-Range Forces between Macromolecules. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:1205-1208. [PMID: 38289630 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c08251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Long-range interactions between biomacromolecules are considered important for directing intracellular processes. Recent studies have posited that interactions between oscillating dipoles are well-suited to mediating long-range forces because they are weakly screened by a dielectric environment. Here, we extend these studies and present a quantum electrodynamic mechanism for resonant interactions between vibrational transition dipole moments of molecules. We explicitly consider the molecular charge density oscillations as IR transition dipoles. This gives a physical, molecular assignment to the idea of oscillating dipoles and allows us to develop explicit expressions for the interactions that can be quantified using parameters known from experiment. Moreover, in the same framework, we can describe van der Waals forces. We use numerical calculations to estimate the strength of resonant vibrational dipole-dipole interactions over long distances and compare these estimates to the van der Waals interaction. We find that the resonant vibrational dipole-dipole interactions dominate over the long range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthik Sasihithlu
- Department of Energy Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai 400076, India
| | - Gregory D Scholes
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
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10
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Davidson CD, Midekssa FS, DePalma SJ, Kamen JL, Wang WY, Jayco DKP, Wieger ME, Baker BM. Mechanical Intercellular Communication via Matrix-Borne Cell Force Transmission During Vascular Network Formation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2306210. [PMID: 37997199 PMCID: PMC10797481 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202306210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Intercellular communication is critical to the formation and homeostatic function of all tissues. Previous work has shown that cells can communicate mechanically via the transmission of cell-generated forces through their surrounding extracellular matrix, but this process is not well understood. Here, mechanically defined, synthetic electrospun fibrous matrices are utilized in conjunction with a microfabrication-based cell patterning approach to examine mechanical intercellular communication (MIC) between endothelial cells (ECs) during their assembly into interconnected multicellular networks. It is found that cell force-mediated matrix displacements in deformable fibrous matrices underly directional extension and migration of neighboring ECs toward each other prior to the formation of stable cell-cell connections enriched with vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin). A critical role is also identified for calcium signaling mediated by focal adhesion kinase and mechanosensitive ion channels in MIC that extends to multicellular assembly of 3D vessel-like networks when ECs are embedded within fibrin hydrogels. These results illustrate a role for cell-generated forces and ECM mechanical properties in multicellular assembly of capillary-like EC networks and motivates the design of biomaterials that promote MIC for vascular tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Firaol S. Midekssa
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Samuel J. DePalma
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Jordan L. Kamen
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - William Y. Wang
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | | | - Megan E. Wieger
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Brendon M. Baker
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
- Department of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
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11
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Ergaz B, Goren S, Lesman A. Micropatterning the organization of multicellular structures in 3D biological hydrogels; insights into collective cellular mechanical interactions. Biofabrication 2023; 16:015012. [PMID: 37906963 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad0849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Control over the organization of cells at the microscale level within supporting biomaterials can push forward the construction of complex tissue architectures for tissue engineering applications and enable fundamental studies of how tissue structure relates to its function. While cells patterning on 2D substrates is a relatively established and available procedure, micropatterning cells in biomimetic 3D hydrogels has been more challenging, especially with micro-scale resolution, and currently relies on sophisticated tools and protocols. We present a robust and accessible 'peel-off' method to micropattern large arrays of individual cells or cell-clusters of precise sizes in biological 3D hydrogels, such as fibrin and collagen gels, with control over cell-cell separation distance and neighboring cells position. We further demonstrate partial control over cell position in thez-dimension by stacking two layers in varying distances between the layers. To demonstrate the potential of the micropatterning gel platform, we study the matrix-mediated mechanical interaction between array of cells that are accurately separated in defined distances. A collective process of intense cell-generated densified bands emerging in the gel between near neighbors was identified, along which cells preferentially migrate, a process relevant to tissue morphogenesis. The presented 3D gel micropatterning method can be used to reveal fundamental morphogenetic processes, and to reconstruct any tissue geometry with micrometer resolution in 3D biomimetic gel environments, leveraging the engineering of tissues in complex architectures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bar Ergaz
- School of Mechanical Engineering, The Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Shahar Goren
- School of Chemistry, Raymond & Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Center for Chemistry and Physics of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ayelet Lesman
- School of Mechanical Engineering, The Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Center for Chemistry and Physics of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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12
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Peng X, Huang Y, Genin GM. The fibrous character of pericellular matrix mediates cell mechanotransduction. JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICS AND PHYSICS OF SOLIDS 2023; 180:105423. [PMID: 38559448 PMCID: PMC10978028 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmps.2023.105423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Cells in solid tissues sense and respond to mechanical signals that are transmitted through extracellular matrix (ECM) over distances that are many times their size. This long-range force transmission is known to arise from strain-stiffening and buckling in the collagen fiber ECM network, but must also pass through the denser pericellular matrix (PCM) that cells form by secreting and compacting nearby collagen. However, the role of the PCM in the transmission of mechanical signals is still unclear. We therefore studied an idealized computational model of cells embedded within fibrous collagen ECM and PCM. Our results suggest that the smaller network pore sizes associated with PCM attenuates tension-driven collagen-fiber alignment, undermining long-range force transmission and shielding cells from mechanical stress. However, elongation of the cell body or anisotropic cell contraction can compensate for these effects to enable long distance force transmission. Results are consistent with recent experiments that highlight an effect of PCM on shielding cells from high stresses. Results have implications for the transmission of mechanical signaling in development, wound healing, and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangjun Peng
- U.S. National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130 United States
| | - Yuxuan Huang
- U.S. National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130 United States
| | - Guy M. Genin
- U.S. National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130 United States
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13
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Kumar A, Quint DA, Dasbiswas K. Range and strength of mechanical interactions of force dipoles in elastic fiber networks. SOFT MATTER 2023. [PMID: 37470114 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00381g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical forces generated by myosin II molecular motors drive diverse cellular processes, most notably shape change, division and locomotion. These forces may be transmitted over long range through the cytoskeletal medium - a disordered, viscoelastic network of biopolymers. The resulting cell size scale force chains can in principle mediate mechanical interactions between distant actomyosin units, leading to self-organized structural order in the cell cytoskeleton. Inspired by such force transmission through elastic structures in the cytoskeleton, we consider a percolated fiber lattice network, where fibers are represented as linear elastic elements that can both bend and stretch, and the contractile activity of myosin motors is represented by force dipoles. Then, by using a variety of metrics, we show how two such contractile force dipoles interact with each other through their mutual mechanical deformations of the elastic fiber network. As a prelude to two-dipole interactions, we quantify how forces propagate through the network from a single anisotropic force dipole by analyzing clusters of nodes connected by highly strained bonds, as well as through the decay rate of strain energy with distance from a force dipole. We show that predominant fiber bending screens out force propagation, resulting in reduced and strongly network configuration-dependent dipole interactions. On the other hand, stretching-dominated networks support longer-ranged inter-dipole interactions that recapitulate the predictions of linear elasticity theory. By characterizing the differences between tensile and compressive force propagation in the fiber network, we show how inter-dipole interaction depends on the dipoles' mutual separation and orientation. The resulting elastic interaction energy may mediate a force between multiple distant dipoles, leading to their self-organization into ordered configurations. This provides a potential pathway for active mechanical force-driven structural order in elastic biopolymer networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinav Kumar
- Department of Physics, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA.
| | - David A Quint
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA
| | - Kinjal Dasbiswas
- Department of Physics, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA.
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14
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Tsingos E, Bakker BH, Keijzer KAE, Hupkes HJ, Merks RMH. Hybrid cellular Potts and bead-spring modeling of cells in fibrous extracellular matrix. Biophys J 2023; 122:2609-2622. [PMID: 37183398 PMCID: PMC10397577 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanical interaction between cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) is fundamental to coordinate collective cell behavior in tissues. Relating individual cell-level mechanics to tissue-scale collective behavior is a challenge that cell-based models such as the cellular Potts model (CPM) are well-positioned to address. These models generally represent the ECM with mean-field approaches, which assume substrate homogeneity. This assumption breaks down with fibrous ECM, which has nontrivial structure and mechanics. Here, we extend the CPM with a bead-spring model of ECM fiber networks modeled using molecular dynamics. We model a contractile cell pulling with discrete focal adhesion-like sites on the fiber network and demonstrate agreement with experimental spatiotemporal fiber densification and displacement. We show that at high network cross-linking, contractile cell forces propagate over at least eight cell diameters, decaying with distance with power law exponent n= 0.35 - 0.65 typical of viscoelastic ECMs. Further, we use in silico atomic force microscopy to measure local cell-induced network stiffening consistent with experiments. Our model lays the foundation for investigating how local and long-ranged cell-ECM mechanobiology contributes to multicellular morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Tsingos
- Mathematical Institute, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | | | - Koen A E Keijzer
- Mathematical Institute, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Roeland M H Merks
- Mathematical Institute, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands; Institute for Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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15
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Lerner E, Bouchbinder E. Anomalous linear elasticity of disordered networks. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:1076-1080. [PMID: 36661121 PMCID: PMC9906635 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01253g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Continuum elasticity is a powerful tool applicable in a broad range of physical systems and phenomena. Yet, understanding how and on what scales material disorder may lead to the breakdown of continuum elasticity is not fully understood. We show, based on recent theoretical developments and extensive numerical computations, that disordered elastic networks near a critical rigidity transition, such as strain-stiffened fibrous biopolymer networks that are abundant in living systems, reveal an anomalous long-range linear elastic response below a correlation length. This emergent anomalous elasticity, which is non-affine in nature, is shown to feature a qualitatively different multipole expansion structure compared to ordinary continuum elasticity, and a slower spatial decay of perturbations. The potential degree of universality of these results, their implications (e.g. for cell-cell communication through biological extracellular matrices) and open questions are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edan Lerner
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam 1098 XH, The Netherlands.
| | - Eran Bouchbinder
- Chemical and Biological Physics Department, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
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16
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Syed S, MacKintosh FC, Shivers JL. Structural Features and Nonlinear Rheology of Self-Assembled Networks of Cross-Linked Semiflexible Polymers. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:10741-10749. [PMID: 36475770 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c05439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Disordered networks of semiflexible filaments are common support structures in biology. Familiar examples include fibrous matrices in blood clots, bacterial biofilms, and essential components of cells and tissues of plants, animals, and fungi. Despite the ubiquity of these networks in biomaterials, we have only a limited understanding of the relationship between their structural features and their highly strain-sensitive mechanical properties. In this work, we perform simulations of three-dimensional networks produced by the irreversible formation of cross-links between linker-decorated semiflexible filaments. We characterize the structure of networks formed by a simple diffusion-dependent assembly process and measure their associated steady-state rheological features at finite temperature over a range of applied prestrains that encompass the strain-stiffening transition. We quantify the dependence of network connectivity on cross-linker availability and detail the associated connectivity dependence of both linear elasticity and nonlinear strain-stiffening behavior, drawing comparisons with prior experimental measurements of the cross-linker concentration-dependent elasticity of actin gels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saamiya Syed
- College of Technology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States.,Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Fred C MacKintosh
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States.,Department of Physics & Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Jordan L Shivers
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
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17
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Ouyang M, Zhu Y, Wang J, Zhang Q, Hu Y, Bu B, Guo J, Deng L. Mechanical communication-associated cell directional migration and branching connections mediated by calcium channels, integrin β1, and N-cadherin. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:942058. [PMID: 36051439 PMCID: PMC9424768 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.942058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell–cell mechanical communications at a large spatial scale (above hundreds of micrometers) have been increasingly recognized in recent decade, which shows importance in tissue-level assembly and morphodynamics. The involved mechanosensing mechanism and resulted physiological functions are still to be fully understood. Recent work showed that traction force sensation in the matrix induces cell communications for self-assembly. Here, based on the experimental model of cell directional migration on Matrigel hydrogel, containing 0.5 mg/ml type I collagen, we studied the mechano-responsive pathways for cell distant communications. Airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells assembled network structure on the hydrogel, whereas stayed isolated individually when cultured on glass without force transmission. Cell directional migration, or network assembly was significantly attenuated by inhibited actomyosin activity, or inhibition of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) calcium channel or SERCA pump on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane, or L-type calcium channel on the plasma membrane. Inhibition of integrin β1 with siRNA knockdown reduced cell directional migration and branching assembly, whereas inhibition of cell junctional N-cadherin with siRNA had little effect on distant attractions but blocked branching assembly. Our work demonstrated that the endoplasmic reticulum calcium channels and integrin are mechanosensing signals for cell mechanical communications regulated by actomyosin activity, while N-cadherin is responsible for traction force-induced cell stable connections in the assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Linhong Deng
- *Correspondence: Mingxing Ouyang, ; Linhong Deng,
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18
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Liu K, Wiendels M, Yuan H, Ruan C, Kouwer PH. Cell-matrix reciprocity in 3D culture models with nonlinear elasticity. Bioact Mater 2022; 9:316-331. [PMID: 34820573 PMCID: PMC8586441 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) matrix models using hydrogels are powerful tools to understand and predict cell behavior. The interactions between the cell and its matrix, however is highly complex: the matrix has a profound effect on basic cell functions but simultaneously, cells are able to actively manipulate the matrix properties. This (mechano)reciprocity between cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) is central in regulating tissue functions and it is fundamentally important to broadly consider the biomechanical properties of the in vivo ECM when designing in vitro matrix models. This manuscript discusses two commonly used biopolymer networks, i.e. collagen and fibrin gels, and one synthetic polymer network, polyisocyanide gel (PIC), which all possess the characteristic nonlinear mechanics in the biological stress regime. We start from the structure of the materials, then address the uses, advantages, and limitations of each material, to provide a guideline for tissue engineers and biophysicists in utilizing current materials and also designing new materials for 3D cell culture purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaizheng Liu
- Research Center for Human Tissue and Organs Degeneration, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
- Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Maury Wiendels
- Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Hongbo Yuan
- Institute of Biophysics, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, PR China
- Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Chemistry Department, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Changshun Ruan
- Research Center for Human Tissue and Organs Degeneration, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Paul H.J. Kouwer
- Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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19
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Mao X, Shokef Y. Introduction to force transmission by nonlinear biomaterials. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:10172-10176. [PMID: 34755159 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm90194j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Xiaoming Mao and Yair Shokef introduce the Soft Matter themed collection on force transmission by nonlinear biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Mao
- Department of Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA.
| | - Yair Shokef
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Sackler Center for Computational Molecular and Materials Science, and Center for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel.
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20
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Ciferri A. Critical issues in molecular recognition: the enzyme-substrate association. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:8585-8589. [PMID: 34553206 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00470k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Chemical and shape recognition are the main assembling mechanisms of complex bio-structures. A refined assessment of relevant thermodynamic parameters includes the consideration of a variety of contributions from different molecular motions and electronic interactions. An additional refinement includes the analysis of recognition involving multiple distant partners. This perspective note highlights some of the above issues in the cases of fibrillogenesis, and enzyme-substrate and antigen-antibody associations. Translational motions are found to be particularly relevant to the fibrillogenesis process. The assembly of enzyme-substrate complexes is discussed in terms of a dynamic equilibrium process.
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21
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Toughening of Bioceramic Composites for Bone Regeneration. JOURNAL OF COMPOSITES SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/jcs5100259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Bioceramics are widely considered as elective materials for the regeneration of bone tissue, due to their compositional mimicry with bone inorganic components. However, they are intrinsically brittle, which limits their capability to sustain multiple biomechanical loads, especially in the case of load-bearing bone districts. In the last decades, intense research has been dedicated to combining processes to enhance both the strength and toughness of bioceramics, leading to bioceramic composite scaffolds. This review summarizes the recent approaches to this purpose, particularly those addressed to limiting the propagation of cracks to prevent the sudden mechanical failure of bioceramic composites.
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22
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Sirote C, Shokef Y. Mean-field interactions between living cells in linear and nonlinear elastic matrices. Phys Rev E 2021; 104:024411. [PMID: 34525613 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.104.024411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Living cells respond to mechanical changes in the matrix surrounding them by applying contractile forces that are in turn transmitted to distant cells. We consider simple effective geometries for the spatial arrangement of cells, we calculate the mechanical work that each cell performs in order to deform the matrix, and study how that energy changes when a contracting cell is surrounded by other cells with similar properties and behavior. Cells regulating the displacements that they generate are attracted to each other in a manner that does not depend on the cell's rigidity. Whereas cells regulating the active stress that they apply repel each other. This repulsion depends on the cell's bulk modulus in spherical geometry, while in cylindrical geometries the interaction depends also on their shear modulus. In nonlinear, strain-stiffening matrices, for displacement regulation, in the presence of other cells, cell contraction is limited due to the divergence of the shear stress. For stress regulation, the interaction energy drops at the nonlinear stiffening stress. Our theoretical work provides insight into matrix-mediated interactions between contractile cells and on the role of their mechanical regulatory behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaviva Sirote
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Yair Shokef
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.,Sackler Center for Computational Molecular and Materials Science, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.,Center for Physics and Chemistry of Living Systems, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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23
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Photoreceptor cKO of OTX2 Enhances OTX2 Intercellular Transfer in the Retina and Causes Photophobia. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0229-21.2021. [PMID: 34475267 PMCID: PMC8496205 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0229-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In the mature mouse retina, Otx2 is expressed in both retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptor (PR) cells, and Otx2 knock-out (KO) in the RPE alone results in PR degeneration. To study the cell-autonomous function of OTX2 in PRs, we performed PR-specific Otx2 KO (cKO) in adults. As expected, the protein disappears completely from PR nuclei but is still observed in PR inner and outer segments while its level concomitantly decreases in the RPE, suggesting a transfer of OTX2 from RPE to PRs in response to Otx2 ablation in PRs. The ability of OTX2 to transfer from RPE to PRs was verified by viral expression of tagged-OTX2 in the RPE. Transferred OTX2 distributed across the PR cytoplasm, suggesting functions distinct from nuclear transcription regulation. PR-specific Otx2 cKO did not alter the structure of the retina but impaired the translocation of PR arrestin-1 on illumination changes, making mice photophobic. RNA-seq analyses following Otx2 KO revealed downregulation of genes involved in the cytoskeleton that might account for the arrestin-1 translocation defect, and of genes involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) and signaling factors that may participate in the enhanced transfer of OTX2. Interestingly, several RPE-specific OTX2 target genes involved in melanogenesis were downregulated, lending weight to a decrease of OTX2 levels in the RPE following PR-specific Otx2 cKO. Our study reveals a new role of endogenous OTX2 in PR light adaptation and demonstrates the existence of OTX2 transfer from RPE to PR cells, which is increased on PR-specific Otx2 ablation and might participate in PR neuroprotection.
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24
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Fleury V, Peaucelle A, Abourachid A, Plateau O. Second-order division in sectors as a prepattern for sensory organs in vertebrate development. Theory Biosci 2021; 141:141-163. [PMID: 34128197 DOI: 10.1007/s12064-021-00350-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We present in vivo observations of chicken embryo development which show that the early chicken embryo presents a principal structure made out of concentric rings and a secondary structure composed of radial sectors. During development, physical forces deform the main rings into axially directed, antero-posterior tubes, while the sectors roll up to form cylinders that are perpendicular to the antero-posterior axis. As a consequence, the basic structure of the chicken embryo is a series of encased antero-posterior tubes (gut, neural tube, body envelope, amnion, chorion) decorated with smaller orifices (ear duct, eye stalk, nasal duct, gills, mouth) forming at right angles to the main body axis. We argue that the second-order divisions reflect the early pattern of cell cleavage, and that the transformation of radial and orthoradial lines into a body with sensory organs is a generic biophysical mechanism more general than the chicken embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Fleury
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes, UMR 7057, Université de Paris/CNRS, 10 rue Alice Domont et Léonie Duquet, 75013, Paris, France.
| | - Alexis Peaucelle
- UMR 1318, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78000, Versailles, France
| | - Anick Abourachid
- Laboratoire Mécanismes Adaptatifs et Evolution, UMR 7179 MNHN, CNRS, CP 55, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231, Paris cedex 05, France
| | - Olivia Plateau
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes, UMR 7057, Université de Paris/CNRS, 10 rue Alice Domont et Léonie Duquet, 75013, Paris, France.,Laboratoire Mécanismes Adaptatifs et Evolution, UMR 7179 MNHN, CNRS, CP 55, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231, Paris cedex 05, France.,Département de Géosciences, Université de Fribourg, Ch. du Musée 6, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
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25
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Shi N, Li Y, Chang L, Zhao G, Jin G, Lyu Y, Genin GM, Ma Y, Xu F. A 3D, Magnetically Actuated, Aligned Collagen Fiber Hydrogel Platform Recapitulates Physical Microenvironment of Myoblasts for Enhancing Myogenesis. SMALL METHODS 2021; 5:e2100276. [PMID: 34927916 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202100276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Many cell responses that underlie the development, maturation, and function of tissues are guided by the architecture and mechanical loading of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Because mechanical stimulation must be transmitted through the ECM architecture, the synergy between these two factors is important. However, recapitulating the synergy of these physical microenvironmental cues in vitro remains challenging. To address this, a 3D magnetically actuated collagen hydrogel platform is developed that enables combined control of ECM architecture and mechanical stimulation. With this platform, it is demonstrated how these factors synergistically promote cell alignment of C2C12 myoblasts and enhance myogenesis. This promotion is driven in part by the dynamics of Yes-associated protein and structure of cellular microtubule networks. This facile platform holds great promises for regulating cell behavior and fate, generating a broad range of engineered physiologically representative microtissues in vitro, and quantifying the mechanobiology underlying their functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nianyuan Shi
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Yuhui Li
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Le Chang
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Guoxu Zhao
- School of Material Science and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an, 710021, China
| | - Guorui Jin
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Yi Lyu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Institute of Advanced Surgical Technology and Engineering, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Guy M Genin
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
- NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering MechanoBiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Yufei Ma
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Feng Xu
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
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26
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Lipowsky R, Dimova R. Introduction to remodeling of biomembranes. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:214-221. [PMID: 33406179 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm90234a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In general, biomembranes and giant vesicles can respond to cues in their aqueous environment by remodeling their molecular composition, shape, or topology. This themed collection focuses on remodeling of membrane shape which is intimately related to membrane curvature. In this introductory contribution, we clarify the different notions of curvature and describe the general nanoscopic mechanisms for curvature generation and membrane scaffolding. At the end, we give a brief outlook on membrane tension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinhard Lipowsky
- Theory and Bio-Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14424 Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Rumiana Dimova
- Theory and Bio-Systems, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14424 Potsdam, Germany.
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