Early responses of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts to cyclic and static mechanical stretching

Challenges of Periodontal Tissue Engineering: Increasing Biomimicry through 3D Printing and Controlled Dynamic Environment

In recent years, tissue engineering studies have proposed several approaches to regenerate periodontium based on the use of three-dimensional (3D) tissue scaffolds alone or in association with periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs). The rapid evolution of bioprinting has sped up classic regenerative medicine, making the fabrication of multilayered scaffolds-which are essential in targeting the periodontal ligament (PDL)-conceivable. Physiological mechanical loading is fundamental to generate this complex anatomical structure ex vivo. Indeed, loading induces the correct orientation of the fibers forming the PDL and maintains tissue homeostasis, whereas overloading or a failure to adapt to mechanical load can be at least in part responsible for a wrong tissue regeneration using PDLSCs. This review provides a brief overview of the most recent achievements in periodontal tissue engineering, with a particular focus on the use of PDLSCs, which are the best choice for regenerating PDL as well as alveolar bone and cementum. Different scaffolds associated with various manufacturing methods and data derived from the application of different mechanical loading protocols have been analyzed, demonstrating that periodontal tissue engineering represents a proof of concept with high potential for innovative therapies in the near future.

Mechanical Stretch Induced Skin Regeneration: Molecular and Cellular Mechanism in Skin Soft Tissue Expansion

Skin soft tissue expansion is one of the most basic and commonly used techniques in plastic surgery to obtain excess skin for a variety of medical uses. However, skin soft tissue expansion is faced with many problems, such as long treatment process, poor skin quality, high retraction rate, and complications. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of skin soft tissue expansion is needed. The key to skin soft tissue expansion lies in the mechanical stretch applied to the skin by an inflatable expander. Mechanical stimulation activates multiple signaling pathways through cellular adhesion molecules and regulates gene expression profiles in cells. Meanwhile, various types of cells contribute to skin expansion, including keratinocytes, dermal fibroblasts, and mesenchymal stem cells, which are also regulated by mechanical stretch. This article reviews the molecular and cellular mechanisms of skin regeneration induced by mechanical stretch during skin soft tissue expansion.

Effect of Different Parameters of In Vitro Static Tensile Strain on Human Periodontal Ligament Cells Simulating the Tension Side of Orthodontic Tooth Movement

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different magnitudes and durations of static tensile strain on human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs), focusing on osteogenesis, mechanosensing and inflammation. Static tensile strain magnitudes of 0%, 3%, 6%, 10%, 15% and 20% were applied to hPDLCs for 1, 2 and 3 days. Cell viability was confirmed via live/dead cell staining. Reference genes were tested by reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and assessed. The expressions of TNFRSF11B, ALPL, RUNX2, BGLAP, SP7, FOS, IL6, PTGS2, TNF, IL1B, IL8, IL10 and PGE2 were analyzed by RT-qPCR and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ALPL and RUNX2 both peaked after 1 day, reaching their maximum at 3%, whereas BGLAP peaked after 3 days with its maximum at 10%. SP7 peaked after 1 day at 6%, 10% and 15%. FOS peaked after 3 days with its maximum at 3%, 6% and 15%. The expressions of IL6 and PTGS2 both peaked after 1 day, with their minimum at 10%. PGE2 peaked after 1 day (maximum at 20%). The ELISA of IL6 peaked after 3 days, with the minimum at 10%. In summary, the lower magnitudes promoted osteogenesis and caused less inflammation, while the higher magnitudes inhibited osteogenesis and enhanced inflammation. Among all magnitudes, 10% generally caused a lower level of inflammation with a higher level of osteogenesis.

Effect of Tension on Human Periodontal Ligament Cells: Systematic Review and Network Analysis

Orthodontic tooth movement is based on the remodeling of tooth-surrounding tissues in response to mechanical stimuli. During this process, human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) play a central role in mechanosensing and mechanotransduction. Various in vitro models have been introduced to investigate the effect of tension on hPDLCs. They provide a valuable body of knowledge on how tension influences relevant genes, proteins, and metabolites. However, no systematic review summarizing these findings has been conducted so far. Aim of this systematic review was to identify all related in vitro studies reporting tension application on hPDLCs and summarize their findings regarding force parameters, including magnitude, frequency and duration. Expression data of genes, proteins, and metabolites was extracted and summarized. Studies' risk of bias was assessed using tailored risk of bias tools. Signaling pathways were identified by protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks using STRING and GeneAnalytics. According to our results, Flexcell Strain Unit^® and other silicone-plate or elastic membrane-based apparatuses were mainly adopted. Frequencies of 0.1 and 0.5 Hz were predominantly applied for dynamic equibiaxial and uniaxial tension, respectively. Magnitudes of 10 and 12% were mostly employed for dynamic tension and 2.5% for static tension. The 10 most commonly investigated genes, proteins and metabolites identified, were mainly involved in osteogenesis, osteoclastogenesis or inflammation. Gene-set enrichment analysis and PPI networks gave deeper insight into the involved signaling pathways. This review represents a brief summary of the massive body of knowledge in this field, and will also provide suggestions for future researches on this topic.

Accelerated tooth movement in Rsk2-deficient mice with impaired cementum formation

Coffin–Lowry–Syndrome (CLS) is a X-linked mental retardation characterized by skeletal dysplasia and premature tooth loss. We and others have previously demonstrated that the ribosomal S6 kinase RSK2, mutated in CLS, is essential for bone and cementum formation; however, it remains to be established whether RSK2 plays also a role in mechanically induced bone remodeling during orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). We, therefore, performed OTM in wild-type (WT) mice and Rsk2-deficient mice using Nitinol tension springs that were fixed between the upper left molars and the incisors. The untreated contralateral molars served as internal controls. After 12 days of OTM, the jaws were removed and examined by micro-computed tomography (µCT), decalcified histology, and immunohistochemistry. Our analysis of the untreated teeth confirmed that the periodontal phenotype of Rsk2-deficient mice is characterized by alveolar bone loss and hypoplasia of root cementum. Quantification of OTM using µCT revealed that OTM was more than two-fold faster in Rsk2-deficient mice as compared to WT. We also observed that OTM caused alveolar bone loss and root resorptions in WT and Rsk2-deficient mice. However, quantification of these orthodontic side effects revealed no differences between WT and Rsk2-deficient mice. Taken together, Rsk2 loss-of-function accelerates OTM in mice without causing more side effects.

Regulators of cardiac fibroblast cell state

Fibroblasts are the primary regulator of cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM). In response to disease stimuli cardiac fibroblasts undergo cell state transitions to a myofibroblast phenotype, which underlies the fibrotic response in the heart and other organs. Identifying regulators of fibroblast state transitions would inform which pathways could be therapeutically modulated to tactically control maladaptive extracellular matrix remodeling. Indeed, a deeper understanding of fibroblast cell state and plasticity is necessary for controlling its fate for therapeutic benefit. p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), which is part of the noncanonical transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) pathway, is a central regulator of fibroblast to myofibroblast cell state transitions that is activated by chemical and mechanical stress signals. Fibroblast intrinsic signaling, local and global cardiac mechanics, and multicellular interactions individually and synergistically impact these state transitions and hence the ECM, which will be reviewed here in the context of cardiac fibrosis.

Reacquisition of a spindle cell shape does not lead to the restoration of a youthful state in senescent human skin fibroblasts

Senescent fibroblasts are characterized by their inability to proliferate and by a pro-inflammatory and catabolic secretory phenotype, which contributes to age-related pathologies. Furthermore, senescent fibroblasts when cultured under classical conditions in vitro are also characterized by striking morphological changes, i.e. they lose the youthful spindle-like appearance and become enlarged and flattened, while their nuclei from elliptical become oversized and highly lobulated. Knowing the strong relation between cell shape and function, we cultured human senescent fibroblasts on photolithographed Si/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) micro-patterned surfaces in order to restore the classical spindle-like geometry and subsequently to investigate whether the changes in senescent cells' morphology are the cause of their functional alterations. Interestingly, under these conditions senescent cells' nuclei do not revert to the classical elliptical phenotype. Furthermore, enforced spindle-shaped senescent cells retained their deteriorated proliferative ability, and maintained the increased gene expression of the cell cycle inhibitors p16^Ink4a and p21^Waf1. In addition, Si/PVA-patterned-grown senescent fibroblasts preserved their senescence-associated phenotype, as evidenced by the overexpression of inflammatory and catabolic genes such as IL6, IL8, ICAM1 and MMP1 and MMP9 respectively, which was further manifested by an intense downregulation of fibroblasts' most abundant extracellular matrix component Col1A, compared to their young counterparts. These data indicate that the restoration of the spindle-like shape in senescent human fibroblasts is not able to directly alter major functional traits and restore the youthful phenotype.

Regulation of Stem Cell Function in an Engineered Vocal Fold-Mimetic Environment

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have been proposed as therapeutic cells for the treatment of vocal fold (VF) scarring. Although functional recovery was observed in animal models after stem cell injection, it is not clear how injected stem cells interact locally with the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the lamina propria (LP) and how such interactions affect stem cell behaviors to improve function. Herein, we developed an in vitro cell culture platform where hMSCs were encapsulated in a LP-mimetic matrix, derived from hyaluronic acid (HA), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and collagen, and cultured dynamically in a custom-designed VF bioreactor. The cell culture system was characterized by oscillatory shear rheology, laser doppler vibrometry (LDV), and digital image correlation (DIC). A constitutive finite element analysis (FEA) model was further developed to predict vibratory responses of the hydrogel. LDV analysis demonstrated an average displacement of 47 μm in the center of the hydrogel construct at 200 Hz applied frequency without any harmonics. The predicted strains throughout the hydrogel ranged from 0 to 0.03, in good agreement with reported values for the VF. The 3D cellular construct was subjected to vibrational stimulations at 200 Hz for an optimized duration of 1 h, as confirmed by a maximal c-Fos upregulation at the transcript level. Vibrational culture over a 3-day period with a 1h-on/1h-off pattern did not compromise the overall cell viability, but resulted in a significant downregulation of fibrogenic markers and diminished staining for alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA). Collectively, high frequency mechanical loading resulted in the loss of myofibrogenic potential and a shift away from a fibrotic phenotype.

Effect of static compressive force on in vitro cultured PDL fibroblasts: monitoring of viability and gene expression over 6 days

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to investigate the impact of static compressive force (CF) application on human PDL-derived fibroblasts (HPDF) in vitro for up to 6 days on the expression of specific genes and to monitor cell growth and cell viability.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CF of 2 g/cm² was applied on HPDFs for 1-6 days. On each day, gene expression (cFOS, HB-GAM, COX2, IL6, TNFα, RUNX2, and P2RX2) and secretion (TNFα, PGE₂) were determined by RT-qPCR and ELISA, respectively. Cell growth and cell viability were monitored daily.

RESULTS

In comparison with controls, significant upregulation of cFOS in compressed HPDFs was observed. HB-GAM showed no changes in expression, except on day 5 (P < 0.001). IL6 expression was significantly upregulated from day 2-5, reaching the maximum on day 3 (P < 0.001). TNFα expression was upregulated on all but day 2. COX2 showed upregulation, reaching the plateau from day 3 (P < 0.001) until day 4 (P < 0.001), and returning to the initial state till day 6. P2RX7 was downregulated on days 2 and 4 to 6 (P < 0.001). RUNX2 was downregulated on days 2 and 5 (both P < 0.001). Cells in both groups were proliferating, and no negative effect on cell viability was observed.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest high molecular activity up to 6 days, therefore introducing further need for in vitro studies with a longer duration that would explain other genes and metabolites involved in orthodontic tooth movement (OTM).

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Extension of an established in vitro force application system for prolonged force application (6 days) simulating the initial phase of OTM.

Single-cell stabilization method identifies gonadotrope transcriptional dynamics and pituitary cell type heterogeneity

Immediate-early response genes (IEGs) are rapidly and transiently induced following an extracellular signal. Elucidating the IEG response patterns in single cells (SCs) requires assaying large numbers of timed samples at high accuracy while minimizing handling effects. To achieve this, we developed and validated RNA stabilization Buffer for Examination of Single-cell Transcriptomes (RNA-Best), a versatile single-step cell and tissue preservation protocol that stabilizes RNA in intact SCs without perturbing transcription patterns. We characterize for the first time SC heterogeneity in IEG responses to pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimuli in pituitary gonadotrope cells. Our study identifies a gene-specific hierarchical pattern of all-or-none transcript induction elicited by increasing concentrations of GnRH. This quantal pattern of gene activation raises the possibility that IEG activation, when accurately resolved at the SC level, may be mediated by gene bits that behave as pure binary switches.

Accelerated construction of an in vitro model of human periodontal ligament tissue: vacuum plasma combined with fibronectin coating and a polydimethylsiloxane matrix

Tying shape memory wires to crowded teeth causes the wires to deform according to the dental arch. This deformation results in a resilient force that is delivered to the tooth. The appropriate amount of force can activate the osteogenetic and osteoclastic ability of the periodontal ligament (PDL) and the tooth can be moved. This is the biological basis of orthodontic treatment. To achieve further insight into the mechanisms underlying orthodontic treatment, we examined whether accelerated construction of an in vitro human PDL fibroblast (HPdLF) stretching model can be achieved by combining fibronectin coating and vacuum plasma treatment with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) cell-culture chambers. Each chamber was randomly assigned to a no-surface modification (NN), fibronectin coating (FN), vacuum plasma treatment (PN), or vacuum plasma treatment followed by a fibronectin coating (PF) treatment protocol. The physical and chemical features and ability to promote cellular proliferation of the PDMS chamber surfaces were evaluated. Cellular adhesion of four materials were evaluated and two best-proliferated groups were considered as better model-constructing surfaces and used in subsequent experiments and used in subsequent experiments. HPdLFs were cultured on these two kinds of chambers without stretching for 3 days, then with stretching for 7 days. Time-course gene expression cellular morphology were evaluated. Chambers in the PN group had high wettability and surface component changes. The FN and PF chambers had high cellular proliferation ability. They were selected into subsequent experiments. After 3 days of culturing HPdLFs on the PF and PN chambers, the cells in the PF chambers had significantly higher levels of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx-2) and osteocalcin (OCN) gene expression compared with the cells in the PN chambers. After cyclic stretch application to the cells in the PN and PF chambers, expression of the type-3 collagen (COL-3) gene in PF group continued to increase for 7 days and was significantly higher than that in the PN group from day 5 onwards. The HPdLFs in the PF group showed parallel alignment from days 3 to 7 after imposition of cyclic stretch, while those in the PN group aligned in parallel from day 5 on. Our results suggested that applying a fibronectin coating to a PDMS chamber after plasma treatment can accelerate establishment of an in vitro PDL stretching model.

Effect of Weightlessness on the 3D Structure Formation and Physiologic Function of Human Cancer Cells

With the rapid development of modern medical technology and the deterioration of living environments, cancer, the most important disease that threatens human health, has attracted increasing concerns. Although remarkable achievements have been made in tumor research during the past several decades, a series of problems such as tumor metastasis and drug resistance still need to be solved. Recently, relevant physiological changes during space exploration have attracted much attention. Thus, space exploration might provide some inspiration for cancer research. Using on ground different methods in order to simulate microgravity, structure and function of cancer cells undergo many unique changes, such as cell aggregation to form 3D spheroids, cell-cycle inhibition, and changes in migration ability and apoptosis. Although numerous better experiments have been conducted on this subject, the results are not consistent. The reason might be that different methods for simulation have been used, including clinostats, random positioning machine (RPM) and rotating wall vessel (RWV) and so on. Therefore, we review the relevant research and try to explain novel mechanisms underlying tumor cell changes under weightlessness.

Periodontal cell mechanotransduction

The periodontium is a structurally and functionally complex tissue that facilitates the anchorage of teeth in jaws. The periodontium consists of various cell types including stem cells, fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Cells of the periodontium are constantly exposed to mechanical stresses generated by biological processes such as the chewing motions of teeth, by flows generated by tongue motions and by forces generated by implants. Mechanical stresses modulate the function of cells in the periodontium, and may play a significant role in the development of periodontal disease. Here, we review the literature on the effect of mechanical forces on periodontal cells in health and disease with an emphasis on molecular and cellular mechanisms.

Effects of the Highly COX-2-Selective Analgesic NSAID Etoricoxib on Human Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts during Compressive Orthodontic Mechanical Strain

Human periodontal ligament (hPDL) fibroblasts play a major role during periodontitis and orthodontic tooth movement, mediating periodontal inflammation, osteoclastogenesis, and collagen synthesis. The highly COX-2-selective NSAID etoricoxib has a favorable systemic side effect profile and high analgesic efficacy, particularly for orthodontic pain. In this in vitro study, we investigated possible side effects of two clinically relevant etoricoxib concentrations on the expression pattern of mechanically strained hPDL fibroblasts and associated osteoclastogenesis in a model of simulated orthodontic compressive strain occurring during orthodontic tooth movement. hPDL fibroblasts were incubated for 72 h under physiological conditions with etoricoxib at 0 μM, 3.29 μM, and 5.49 μM, corresponding to clinically normal and subtoxic dosages, with and without mechanical strain by compression (2 g/cm²) for the final 48 h, simulating conditions during orthodontic tooth movement in compressive areas of the periodontal ligament. We then determined gene and/or protein expression of COX-2, IL-6, PG-E₂, RANK-L, OPG, ALPL, VEGF-A, P4HA1, COL1A2, and FN1 via RT-qPCR, ELISA, and Western blot analyses as well as apoptosis, necrosis, cell viability, and cytotoxicity via FACS, MTT, and LDH assays. In addition, hPDL fibroblast-mediated osteoclastogenesis was assessed by TRAP staining in coculture with RAW267.4 cells for another 72 h. Gene and protein expression of all evaluated factors was significantly induced by the mechanical compressive strain applied. Etoricoxib at 3.29 μM and 5.49 μM significantly inhibited PG-E₂ synthesis, but not COX-2 and IL-6 gene expression nor RANK-L-/OPG-mediated osteoclastogenesis or angiogenesis (VEGF-A). Extracellular matrix remodeling (COL1A2, FN1) and bone anabolism (ALPL), by contrast, were significantly stimulated particularly at 5.49 μM. In general, no adverse etoricoxib effects on hPDL fibroblasts regarding apoptosis, necrosis, cell viability, or cytotoxicity were detected. Clinically dosed etoricoxib, that is, a highly selective COX-2 inhibition, did not have substantial effects on hPDL fibroblast-mediated periodontal inflammation, extracellular matrix remodeling, RANK-L/OPG expression, and osteoclastogenesis during simulated orthodontic compressive strain.

An Electromagnetically Actuated Double-Sided Cell-Stretching Device for Mechanobiology Research

Cellular response to mechanical stimuli is an integral part of cell homeostasis. The interaction of the extracellular matrix with the mechanical stress plays an important role in cytoskeleton organisation and cell alignment. Insights from the response can be utilised to develop cell culture methods that achieve predefined cell patterns, which are critical for tissue remodelling and cell therapy. We report the working principle, design, simulation, and characterisation of a novel electromagnetic cell stretching platform based on the double-sided axial stretching approach. The device is capable of introducing a cyclic and static strain pattern on a cell culture. The platform was tested with fibroblasts. The experimental results are consistent with the previously reported cytoskeleton reorganisation and cell reorientation induced by strain. Our observations suggest that the cell orientation is highly influenced by external mechanical cues. Cells reorganise their cytoskeletons to avoid external strain and to maintain intact extracellular matrix arrangements.

Different gene response to mechanical loading during early and late phases of rat Achilles tendon healing

Mechanical loading stimulates tendon healing both when applied in the inflammatory phase and in the early remodeling phase of the process, although not necessarily via the same mechanisms. We investigated the gene response to mechanical loading in these two phases of tendon healing. The right Achilles tendon in rats was transected, and the hindlimbs were unloaded by tail suspension. The rats were exposed to 5 min of treadmill running 3 or 14 days after tendon transection. Thereafter, they were resuspended for 15 min or 3 h until euthanasia. The controls were suspended continuously. Gene analysis was first performed by microarray analysis followed by quantitative RT-PCR on selected genes, focusing on inflammation. Fifteen minutes after loading, the most important genes seemed to be the transcription factors EGR1 and C-FOS, regardless of healing phase. These transcription factors might promote tendon cell proliferation and differentiation, stimulate collagen production, and regulate inflammation. Three hours after loading on day 3, inflammation was strongly affected. Seven inflammation-related genes were upregulated according to PCR: CCL20, CCL7, IL-6, NFIL3, PTX3, SOCS1, and TLR2. These genes can be connected to macrophages, T cells, and recruitment of leukocytes. According to Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, the recruitment of leukocytes was increased by loading on day 3, which also was confirmed by histology. This inflammation-related gene response was not seen on day 14 Our results suggest that the immediate gene response after mechanical loading is similar in the early and late phases of healing but the late gene response is different.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study investigates the direct effect of mechanical loading on gene expression during different healing phases in tendon healing. One isolated episode of mechanical loading was studied in otherwise unloaded healing tendons. This enabled us to study a time sequence, i.e., which genes were the first ones to be regulated after the loading episode.