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Noom A, Sawitzki B, Knaus P, Duda GN. A two-way street - cellular metabolism and myofibroblast contraction. NPJ Regen Med 2024; 9:15. [PMID: 38570493 PMCID: PMC10991391 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-024-00359-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Tissue fibrosis is characterised by the high-energy consumption associated with myofibroblast contraction. Although myofibroblast contraction relies on ATP production, the role of cellular metabolism in myofibroblast contraction has not yet been elucidated. Studies have so far only focused on myofibroblast contraction regulators, such as integrin receptors, TGF-β and their shared transcription factor YAP/TAZ, in a fibroblast-myofibroblast transition setting. Additionally, the influence of the regulators on metabolism and vice versa have been described in this context. However, this has so far not yet been connected to myofibroblast contraction. This review focuses on the known and unknown of how cellular metabolism influences the processes leading to myofibroblast contraction and vice versa. We elucidate the signalling cascades responsible for myofibroblast contraction by looking at FMT regulators, mechanical cues, biochemical signalling, ECM properties and how they can influence and be influenced by cellular metabolism. By reviewing the existing knowledge on the link between cellular metabolism and the regulation of myofibroblast contraction, we aim to pinpoint gaps of knowledge and eventually help identify potential research targets to identify strategies that would allow switching tissue fibrosis towards tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Noom
- Julius Wolff Institute (JWI), Berlin Institute of Health and Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Birgit Sawitzki
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt University of Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Center of Immunomics, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Petra Knaus
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry - Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Georg N Duda
- Julius Wolff Institute (JWI), Berlin Institute of Health and Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
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2
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Di X, Gao X, Peng L, Ai J, Jin X, Qi S, Li H, Wang K, Luo D. Cellular mechanotransduction in health and diseases: from molecular mechanism to therapeutic targets. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:282. [PMID: 37518181 PMCID: PMC10387486 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01501-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular mechanotransduction, a critical regulator of numerous biological processes, is the conversion from mechanical signals to biochemical signals regarding cell activities and metabolism. Typical mechanical cues in organisms include hydrostatic pressure, fluid shear stress, tensile force, extracellular matrix stiffness or tissue elasticity, and extracellular fluid viscosity. Mechanotransduction has been expected to trigger multiple biological processes, such as embryonic development, tissue repair and regeneration. However, prolonged excessive mechanical stimulation can result in pathological processes, such as multi-organ fibrosis, tumorigenesis, and cancer immunotherapy resistance. Although the associations between mechanical cues and normal tissue homeostasis or diseases have been identified, the regulatory mechanisms among different mechanical cues are not yet comprehensively illustrated, and no effective therapies are currently available targeting mechanical cue-related signaling. This review systematically summarizes the characteristics and regulatory mechanisms of typical mechanical cues in normal conditions and diseases with the updated evidence. The key effectors responding to mechanical stimulations are listed, such as Piezo channels, integrins, Yes-associated protein (YAP) /transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), and transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4). We also reviewed the key signaling pathways, therapeutic targets and cutting-edge clinical applications of diseases related to mechanical cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingpeng Di
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoshuai Gao
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Liao Peng
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Jianzhong Ai
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Xi Jin
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Shiqian Qi
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Kunjie Wang
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China.
| | - Deyi Luo
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China.
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3
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Light-driven biological actuators to probe the rheology of 3D microtissues. Nat Commun 2023; 14:717. [PMID: 36759504 PMCID: PMC9911700 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36371-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanical properties of biological tissues are key to their physical integrity and function. Although external loading or biochemical treatments allow the estimation of these properties globally, it remains difficult to assess how such external stimuli compare with cell-generated contractions. Here we engineer microtissues composed of optogenetically-modified fibroblasts encapsulated within collagen. Using light to control the activity of RhoA, a major regulator of cellular contractility, we induce local contractions within microtissues, while monitoring microtissue stress and strain. We investigate the regulation of these local contractions and their spatio-temporal distribution. We demonstrate the potential of our technique for quantifying tissue elasticity and strain propagation, before examining the possibility of using light to create and map local anisotropies in mechanically heterogeneous microtissues. Altogether, our results open an avenue to guide the formation of tissues while non-destructively charting their rheology in real time, using their own constituting cells as internal actuators.
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4
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Allen BJ, Frye H, Ramanathan R, Caggiano LR, Tabima DM, Chesler NC, Philip JL. Biomechanical and Mechanobiological Drivers of the Transition From PostCapillary Pulmonary Hypertension to Combined Pre-/PostCapillary Pulmonary Hypertension. J Am Heart Assoc 2023; 12:e028121. [PMID: 36734341 PMCID: PMC9973648 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.122.028121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Combined pre-/postcapillary pulmonary hypertension (Cpc-PH), a complication of left heart failure, is associated with higher mortality rates than isolated postcapillary pulmonary hypertension alone. Currently, knowledge gaps persist on the mechanisms responsible for the progression of isolated postcapillary pulmonary hypertension (Ipc-PH) to Cpc-PH. Here, we review the biomechanical and mechanobiological impact of left heart failure on pulmonary circulation, including mechanotransduction of these pathological forces, which lead to altered biological signaling and detrimental remodeling, driving the progression to Cpc-PH. We focus on pathologically increased cyclic stretch and decreased wall shear stress; mechanotransduction by endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and pulmonary arterial fibroblasts; and signaling-stimulated remodeling of the pulmonary veins, capillaries, and arteries that propel the transition from Ipc-PH to Cpc-PH. Identifying biomechanical and mechanobiological mechanisms of Cpc-PH progression may highlight potential pharmacologic avenues to prevent right heart failure and subsequent mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty J. Allen
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWI
| | - Hailey Frye
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWI
| | - Rasika Ramanathan
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWI
| | - Laura R. Caggiano
- Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Cardiovascular Innovation and Research Center and Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCA
| | - Diana M. Tabima
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWI
| | - Naomi C. Chesler
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWI
- Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Cardiovascular Innovation and Research Center and Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCA
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5
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Coeyman SJ, Zhang Y, Baicu CF, Zile MR, Bradshaw AD, Richardson WJ. In vitro bioreactor for mechanical control and characterization of tissue constructs. J Biomech 2023; 147:111458. [PMID: 36682211 PMCID: PMC9946176 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is a key contributor to the onset and progression of heart failure and occurs from extracellular matrix accumulation via activated cardiac fibroblasts. Cardiac fibroblasts activate in response to mechanical stress and have been studied in the past by applying forces and deformations to three-dimensional, cell-seeded gels and tissue constructs in vitro. Unfortunately, previous stretching platforms have traditionally not enabled mechanical property assessment to be performed with an efficient throughput, thereby limiting the full potential of in vitro mechanobiology studies. We have developed a novel in vitro platform to study cell-populated tissue constructs under dynamic mechanical stimulation while also performing repeatable, non-destructive stress-strain tests in living constructs. Additionally, this platform can perform these tests across all constructs in a multi-well plate simultaneously, providing exciting potential for direct, functional readouts in future screening applications. In our pilot application, we showed that cyclically stretching cell-populated tissue constructs composed of murine cardiac fibroblasts within a 3D fibrin matrix leads to collagen accumulation and increased tissue stiffness over a three-day time course. Results of this study validate our platform's ability to apply mechanical loads to tissues while performing live mechanical analyses to observe cell-mediated tissue remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuhua Zhang
- Gazes Cardiac Research Institute, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina
| | - Catalin F. Baicu
- Gazes Cardiac Research Institute, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina,,Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Michael R. Zile
- Gazes Cardiac Research Institute, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina,,Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Amy D. Bradshaw
- Gazes Cardiac Research Institute, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina,,Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
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6
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Liu H, Fan P, Jin F, Huang G, Guo X, Xu F. Dynamic and static biomechanical traits of cardiac fibrosis. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1042030. [PMID: 36394025 PMCID: PMC9659743 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1042030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is a common pathology in cardiovascular diseases which are reported as the leading cause of death globally. In recent decades, accumulating evidence has shown that the biomechanical traits of fibrosis play important roles in cardiac fibrosis initiation, progression and treatment. In this review, we summarize the four main distinct biomechanical traits (i.e., stretch, fluid shear stress, ECM microarchitecture, and ECM stiffness) and categorize them into two different types (i.e., static and dynamic), mainly consulting the unique characteristic of the heart. Moreover, we also provide a comprehensive overview of the effect of different biomechanical traits on cardiac fibrosis, their transduction mechanisms, and in-vitro engineered models targeting biomechanical traits that will aid the identification and prediction of mechano-based therapeutic targets to ameliorate cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Liu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases Co-Constructed by Henan Province and Education Ministry of China, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Pengbei Fan
- Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases Co-Constructed by Henan Province and Education Ministry of China, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fanli Jin
- Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases Co-Constructed by Henan Province and Education Ministry of China, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guoyou Huang
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, School of Civil Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Guoyou Huang, ; Xiaogang Guo, ; Feng Xu,
| | - Xiaogang Guo
- The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Guoyou Huang, ; Xiaogang Guo, ; Feng Xu,
| | - Feng Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Guoyou Huang, ; Xiaogang Guo, ; Feng Xu,
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7
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Sanketi BD, Zuela-Sopilniak N, Bundschuh E, Gopal S, Hu S, Long J, Lammerding J, Hopyan S, Kurpios NA. Pitx2 patterns an accelerator-brake mechanical feedback through latent TGFβ to rotate the gut. Science 2022; 377:eabl3921. [PMID: 36137018 PMCID: PMC10089252 DOI: 10.1126/science.abl3921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The vertebrate intestine forms by asymmetric gut rotation and elongation, and errors cause lethal obstructions in human infants. Rotation begins with tissue deformation of the dorsal mesentery, which is dependent on left-sided expression of the Paired-like transcription factor Pitx2. The conserved morphogen Nodal induces asymmetric Pitx2 to govern embryonic laterality, but organ-level regulation of Pitx2 during gut asymmetry remains unknown. We found Nodal to be dispensable for Pitx2 expression during mesentery deformation. Intestinal rotation instead required a mechanosensitive latent transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ), tuning a second wave of Pitx2 that induced reciprocal tissue stiffness in the left mesentery as mechanical feedback with the right side. This signaling regulator, an accelerator (right) and brake (left), combines biochemical and biomechanical inputs to break gut morphological symmetry and direct intestinal rotation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhargav D Sanketi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Noam Zuela-Sopilniak
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Elizabeth Bundschuh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Sharada Gopal
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Shing Hu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Joseph Long
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Jan Lammerding
- Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Sevan Hopyan
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Natasza A Kurpios
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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8
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BMP3 inhibits TGFβ2-mediated myofibroblast differentiation during wound healing of the embryonic cornea. NPJ Regen Med 2022; 7:36. [PMID: 35879352 PMCID: PMC9314337 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-022-00232-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Often acute damage to the cornea initiates drastic tissue remodeling, resulting in fibrotic scarring that disrupts light transmission and precedes vision impairment. Very little is known about the factors that can mitigate fibrosis and promote scar-free cornea wound healing. We previously described transient myofibroblast differentiation during non-fibrotic repair in an embryonic cornea injury model. Here, we sought to elucidate the mechanistic regulation of myofibroblast differentiation during embryonic cornea wound healing. We found that alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA)-positive myofibroblasts are superficial and their presence inversely correlates with wound closure. Expression of TGFβ2 and nuclear localization of pSMAD2 were elevated during myofibroblast induction. BMP3 and BMP7 were localized in the corneal epithelium and corresponded with pSMAD1/5/8 activation and absence of myofibroblasts in the healing stroma. In vitro analyses with corneal fibroblasts revealed that BMP3 inhibits the persistence of TGFβ2-induced myofibroblasts by promoting disassembly of focal adhesions and αSMA fibers. This was confirmed by the expression of vinculin and pFAK. Together, these data highlight a mechanism to inhibit myofibroblast persistence during cornea wound repair.
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9
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Olutoye Ii OO, Short WD, Gilley J, Hammond Ii JD, Belfort MA, Lee TC, King A, Espinoza J, Joyeux L, Lingappan K, Gleghorn JP, Keswani SG. The Cellular and Molecular Effects of Fetoscopic Endoluminal Tracheal Occlusion in Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:925106. [PMID: 35865706 PMCID: PMC9294219 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.925106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a complex disease associated with pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension. Great strides have been made in our ability to care for CDH patients, specifically in the prenatal improvement of lung volume and morphology with fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion (FETO). While the anatomic effects of FETO have been described in-depth, the changes it induces at the cellular and molecular level remain a budding area of CDH research. This review will delve into the cellular and molecular effects of FETO in the developing lung, emphasize areas in which further research may improve our understanding of CDH, and highlight opportunities to optimize the FETO procedure for improved postnatal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluyinka O Olutoye Ii
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.,Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Walker D Short
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.,Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jamie Gilley
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - J D Hammond Ii
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Michael A Belfort
- Texas Children's Fetal Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Timothy C Lee
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.,Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Texas Children's Fetal Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Alice King
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.,Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Texas Children's Fetal Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jimmy Espinoza
- Texas Children's Fetal Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Luc Joyeux
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.,Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Texas Children's Fetal Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Krithika Lingappan
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jason P Gleghorn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Sundeep G Keswani
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.,Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Texas Children's Fetal Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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10
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Xu Q, Miao Y, Ren J, Sun Y, Li C, Cai X, Wang Z. Silencing of Nesprin-2 inhibits the differentiation of myofibroblasts from fibroblasts induced by mechanical stretch. Int Wound J 2021; 19:978-986. [PMID: 34558192 PMCID: PMC9284660 DOI: 10.1111/iwj.13694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical force plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of hypertrophic scar (HTS). Dermal fibroblasts and myofibroblasts are the key cells involved in HTS. Myofibroblasts in HTS possess different biochemical and biophysical characteristics by which myofibroblasts are often distinguished from fibroblasts. The role of mechanotransducers outside the nucleus in the pathogenesis of HTS has been reported in many studies. However, the role of Nesprin‐2 in HTS is not clear. Hence, we aim to construct a cell model of HTS and explore the role of Nesprin‐2 in this process. Myofibroblasts and fibroblasts were isolated from HTS and healthy skin tissues of the same patient. Fibroblasts were exposed to cyclic stretch with 10% magnitude and a frequency of 0.1 Hz for 3 days, 5 days, and 7 days, respectively. After the cell model was confirmed, fibroblasts transfected with siRNA targeting human Nesprin‐2 were exposed to cyclic stretch. The mechanical behaviour and biochemical reaction of the dermal fibroblasts were analysed. The stretched fibroblasts at day 5 showed the same mechanotransductive and biochemical features as unstretched myofibroblasts. Mechanical strain could induce the myofibroblasts differentiation and a cell model of HTS was established successfully at day 5. The expressions of lamin A/C, alpha‐smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor beta 1, and collagen type I in fibroblasts were reduced by the silencing of Nesprin‐2. Mechanical strain could induce the myofibroblasts differentiation and silencing of Nesprin‐2 could block the mechanical stimulation of terminal myofibroblasts differentiation. Nesprin‐2 might be a potential target to treat the HTS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quanchen Xu
- Department of Stomatology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yuanxin Miao
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jizheng Ren
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Cong Li
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xia Cai
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhiguo Wang
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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11
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D'Urso M, Kurniawan NA. Mechanical and Physical Regulation of Fibroblast-Myofibroblast Transition: From Cellular Mechanoresponse to Tissue Pathology. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:609653. [PMID: 33425874 PMCID: PMC7793682 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.609653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts are cells present throughout the human body that are primarily responsible for the production and maintenance of the extracellular matrix (ECM) within the tissues. They have the capability to modify the mechanical properties of the ECM within the tissue and transition into myofibroblasts, a cell type that is associated with the development of fibrotic tissue through an acute increase of cell density and protein deposition. This transition from fibroblast to myofibroblast-a well-known cellular hallmark of the pathological state of tissues-and the environmental stimuli that can induce this transition have received a lot of attention, for example in the contexts of asthma and cardiac fibrosis. Recent efforts in understanding how cells sense their physical environment at the micro- and nano-scales have ushered in a new appreciation that the substrates on which the cells adhere provide not only passive influence, but also active stimulus that can affect fibroblast activation. These studies suggest that mechanical interactions at the cell-substrate interface play a key role in regulating this phenotype transition by changing the mechanical and morphological properties of the cells. Here, we briefly summarize the reported chemical and physical cues regulating fibroblast phenotype. We then argue that a better understanding of how cells mechanically interact with the substrate (mechanosensing) and how this influences cell behaviors (mechanotransduction) using well-defined platforms that decouple the physical stimuli from the chemical ones can provide a powerful tool to control the balance between physiological tissue regeneration and pathological fibrotic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko D'Urso
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Nicholas A. Kurniawan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
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12
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Zhang W, Huang G, Xu F. Engineering Biomaterials and Approaches for Mechanical Stretching of Cells in Three Dimensions. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:589590. [PMID: 33154967 PMCID: PMC7591716 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.589590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical stretch is widely experienced by cells of different tissues in the human body and plays critical roles in regulating their behaviors. Numerous studies have been devoted to investigating the responses of cells to mechanical stretch, providing us with fruitful findings. However, these findings have been mostly observed from two-dimensional studies and increasing evidence suggests that cells in three dimensions may behave more closely to their in vivo behaviors. While significant efforts and progresses have been made in the engineering of biomaterials and approaches for mechanical stretching of cells in three dimensions, much work remains to be done. Here, we briefly review the state-of-the-art researches in this area, with focus on discussing biomaterial considerations and stretching approaches. We envision that with the development of advanced biomaterials, actuators and microengineering technologies, more versatile and predictive three-dimensional cell stretching models would be available soon for extensive applications in such fields as mechanobiology, tissue engineering, and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Zhang
- Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Guoyou Huang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, School of Civil Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Feng Xu
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
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