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Dong H, Hu F, Ma X, Yang J, Pan L, Xu J. Collective Cell Radial Ordered Migration in Spatial Confinement. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2307487. [PMID: 38520715 PMCID: PMC11132034 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202307487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Collective cells, a typical active matter system, exhibit complex coordinated behaviors fundamental for various developmental and physiological processes. The present work discovers a collective radial ordered migration behavior of NIH3T3 fibroblasts that depends on persistent top-down regulation with 2D spatial confinement. Remarkably, individual cells move in a weak-oriented, diffusive-like rather than strong-oriented ballistic manner. Despite this, the collective movement is spatiotemporal heterogeneous and radial ordering at supracellular scale, manifesting as a radial ordered wavefront originated from the boundary and propagated toward the center of pattern. Combining bottom-up cell-to-extracellular matrix (ECM) interaction strategy, numerical simulations based on a developed mechanical model well reproduce and explain above observations. The model further predicts the independence of geometric features on this ordering behavior, which is validated by experiments. These results together indicate such radial ordered collective migration is ascribed to the couple of top-down regulation with spatial restriction and bottom-up cellular endogenous nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Dong
- The Key Laboratory of Weak‐Light Nonlinear Photonics of Education MinistrySchool of Physics and TEDA Institute of Applied PhysicsNankai UniversityTianjin300071China
| | - Fen Hu
- The Key Laboratory of Weak‐Light Nonlinear Photonics of Education MinistrySchool of Physics and TEDA Institute of Applied PhysicsNankai UniversityTianjin300071China
| | - Xuehe Ma
- The Key Laboratory of Weak‐Light Nonlinear Photonics of Education MinistrySchool of Physics and TEDA Institute of Applied PhysicsNankai UniversityTianjin300071China
| | - Jianyu Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Weak‐Light Nonlinear Photonics of Education MinistrySchool of Physics and TEDA Institute of Applied PhysicsNankai UniversityTianjin300071China
| | - Leiting Pan
- The Key Laboratory of Weak‐Light Nonlinear Photonics of Education MinistrySchool of Physics and TEDA Institute of Applied PhysicsNankai UniversityTianjin300071China
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical BiologyFrontiers Science Center for Cell ResponsesCollege of Life SciencesNankai UniversityTianjin300071China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nankai UniversityShenzhenGuangdong518083China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme OpticsShanxi UniversityTaiyuanShanxi030006China
| | - Jingjun Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Weak‐Light Nonlinear Photonics of Education MinistrySchool of Physics and TEDA Institute of Applied PhysicsNankai UniversityTianjin300071China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nankai UniversityShenzhenGuangdong518083China
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2
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Linde-Medina M, Smit TH. Molecular and Mechanical Cues for Somite Periodicity. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:753446. [PMID: 34901002 PMCID: PMC8663771 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.753446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Somitogenesis refers to the segmentation of the paraxial mesoderm, a tissue located on the back of the embryo, into regularly spaced and sized pieces, i.e., the somites. This periodicity is important to assure, for example, the formation of a functional vertebral column. Prevailing models of somitogenesis are based on the existence of a gene regulatory network capable of generating a striped pattern of gene expression, which is subsequently translated into periodic tissue boundaries. An alternative view is that the pre-pattern that guides somitogenesis is not chemical, but of a mechanical origin. A striped pattern of mechanical strain can be formed in physically connected tissues expanding at different rates, as it occurs in the embryo. Here we argue that both molecular and mechanical cues could drive somite periodicity and suggest how they could be integrated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Theodoor H. Smit
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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McDonough RC, Price C. Targeted Activation of GPCR-Mediated Ca 2+ Signaling Drives Enhanced Cartilage-Like Matrix Formation. Tissue Eng Part A 2021; 28:405-419. [PMID: 34693731 PMCID: PMC9271335 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2021.0078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) signaling is a critical regulator of chondrogenesis, chondrocyte differentiation, and cartilage development. Calcium (Ca2+) signaling is known to direct processes that govern chondrocyte gene expression, protein synthesis, cytoskeletal remodeling, and cell fate. Control of chondrocyte/chondroprogenitor Ca2+ signaling has been attempted through mechanical and/or pharmacological activation of endogenous Ca2+ signaling transducers; however, such approaches can lack specificity and/or precision regarding Ca2+ activation mechanisms. Synthetic signaling platforms permitting precise and selective Ca2+ signal transduction can improve dissection of the roles that [Ca2+]i signaling play in chondrocyte behavior. One such platform is the chemogenetic hM3Dq DREADD (designer receptor exclusively activated by designer drugs) that activates [Ca2+]i signaling via the Gαq-PLCβ-IP3-ER pathway upon clozapine N-oxide (CNO) administration. We previously demonstrated hM3Dq's ability to precisely and synthetically initiate robust [Ca2+]i transients and oscillatory [Ca2+]i signaling in chondrocyte-like ATDC5 cells. Here, we investigate the effects that long-term CNO stimulatory culture have on hM3Dq [Ca2+]i signaling dynamics, proliferation, and protein deposition in 2D ATDC5 cultures. Long-term culturing under repeated CNO stimulation modified the temporal dynamics of hM3Dq [Ca2+]i signaling, increased cell proliferation, and enhanced matrix production in a CNO dose- and frequency-dependent manner, and triggered the formation of cell condensations that developed aligned, anisotropic neotissue structures rich in cartilaginous proteoglycans and collagens, all in the absence of differentiation inducers. This study demonstrated Gαq-GPCR-mediated [Ca2+]i signaling involvement in chondroprogenitor proliferation and cartilage-like matrix production, and established hM3Dq as a powerful tool for elucidating the role of GPCR-mediated Ca2+ signaling in chondrogenesis and chondrocyte differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C McDonough
- University of Delaware, 5972, Biomedical Engineering, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, Delaware, United States, 19716-5600;
| | - Christopher Price
- University of Delaware, 5972, Biomedical Engineering, Newark, Delaware, United States;
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Xie T, St Pierre SR, Olaranont N, Brown LE, Wu M, Sun Y. Condensation tendency and planar isotropic actin gradient induce radial alignment in confined monolayers. eLife 2021; 10:e60381. [PMID: 34542405 PMCID: PMC8478414 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A monolayer of highly motile cells can establish long-range orientational order, which can be explained by hydrodynamic theory of active gels and fluids. However, it is less clear how cell shape changes and rearrangement are governed when the monolayer is in mechanical equilibrium states when cell motility diminishes. In this work, we report that rat embryonic fibroblasts (REF), when confined in circular mesoscale patterns on rigid substrates, can transition from the spindle shapes to more compact morphologies. Cells align radially only at the pattern boundary when they are in the mechanical equilibrium. This radial alignment disappears when cell contractility or cell-cell adhesion is reduced. Unlike monolayers of spindle-like cells such as NIH-3T3 fibroblasts with minimal intercellular interactions or epithelial cells like Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) with strong cortical actin network, confined REF monolayers present an actin gradient with isotropic meshwork, suggesting the existence of a stiffness gradient. In addition, the REF cells tend to condense on soft substrates, a collective cell behavior we refer to as the 'condensation tendency'. This condensation tendency, together with geometrical confinement, induces tensile prestretch (i.e. an isotropic stretch that causes tissue to contract when released) to the confined monolayer. By developing a Voronoi-cell model, we demonstrate that the combined global tissue prestretch and cell stiffness differential between the inner and boundary cells can sufficiently define the cell radial alignment at the pattern boundary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianfa Xie
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of MassachusettsAmherstUnited States
| | - Sarah R St Pierre
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of MassachusettsAmherstUnited States
| | - Nonthakorn Olaranont
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Worcester Polytechnic InstituteWorcesterUnited States
| | - Lauren E Brown
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of MassachusettsAmherstUnited States
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Worcester Polytechnic InstituteWorcesterUnited States
| | - Yubing Sun
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of MassachusettsAmherstUnited States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of MassachusettsAmherstUnited States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of MassachusettsAmherstUnited States
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Onesto V, Barrell WB, Okesola M, Amato F, Gentile F, Liu KJ, Chiappini C. A quantitative approach for determining the role of geometrical constraints when shaping mesenchymal condensations. Biomed Microdevices 2019; 21:44. [PMID: 30963305 PMCID: PMC6453869 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-019-0390-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In embryogenesis, mesenchymal condensation is a critical event during the formation of many organ systems, including cartilage and bone. During organ formation, mesenchymal cells aggregate and undergo compaction while activating developmental programmes. The final three-dimensional form of the organ, as well as cell fates, can be influenced by the size and shape of the forming condensation. This process is hypothesized to result from multiscale cell interactions within mesenchymal microenvironments; however, these are complex to investigate in vivo. Three-dimensional in vitro models that recapitulate key phenotypes can contribute to our understanding of the microenvironment interactions regulating this fundamental developmental process. Here we devise such models by using image analysis to guide the design of polydimethylsiloxane 3D microstructures as cell culture substrates. These microstructures establish geometrically constrained micromass cultures of mouse embryonic skeletal progenitor cells which influence the development of condensations. We first identify key phenotypes differentiating face and limb bud micromass cultures by linear discriminant analysis of the shape descriptors for condensation morphology, which are used to guide the rational design of a micropatterned polydimethylsiloxane substrate. High-content imaging analysis highlights that the geometry of the microenvironment affects the establishment and growth of condensations. Further, cells commit to establish condensations within the first 5 h; condensations reach their full size within 17 h; following which they increase cell density while maintaining size for at least 7 days. These findings elucidate the value of our model in dissecting key aspects of mesenchymal condensation development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Onesto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Magna Graecia, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for HealthCare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Basanti e Matteucci 53, 80125, Naples, Italy
| | - William B Barrell
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, Dental Institute, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Mary Okesola
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, Dental Institute, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Francesco Amato
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Magna Graecia, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesco Gentile
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Karen J Liu
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, Dental Institute, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Ciro Chiappini
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, Dental Institute, King's College London, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
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Dikina AD, Alt DS, Herberg S, McMillan A, Strobel HA, Zheng Z, Cao M, Lai BP, Jeon O, Petsinger VI, Cotton CU, Rolle MW, Alsberg E. A Modular Strategy to Engineer Complex Tissues and Organs. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2018; 5:1700402. [PMID: 29876200 PMCID: PMC5978945 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201700402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Currently, there are no synthetic or biologic materials suitable for long-term treatment of large tracheal defects. A successful tracheal replacement must (1) have radial rigidity to prevent airway collapse during respiration, (2) contain an immunoprotective respiratory epithelium, and (3) integrate with the host vasculature to support epithelium viability. Herein, biopolymer microspheres are used to deliver chondrogenic growth factors to human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) seeded in a custom mold that self-assemble into cartilage rings, which can be fused into tubes. These rings and tubes can be fabricated with tunable wall thicknesses and lumen diameters with promising mechanical properties for airway collapse prevention. Epithelialized cartilage is developed by establishing a spatially defined composite tissue composed of human epithelial cells on the surface of an hMSC-derived cartilage sheet. Prevascular rings comprised of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and hMSCs are fused with cartilage rings to form prevascular-cartilage composite tubes, which are then coated with human epithelial cells, forming a tri-tissue construct. When prevascular- cartilage tubes are implanted subcutaneously in mice, the prevascular structures anastomose with host vasculature, demonstrated by their ability to be perfused. This microparticle-cell self-assembly strategy is promising for engineering complex tissues such as a multi-tissue composite trachea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna D. Dikina
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringCase Western Reserve University10900 Euclid AveClevelandOH44106USA
| | - Daniel S. Alt
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringCase Western Reserve University10900 Euclid AveClevelandOH44106USA
| | - Samuel Herberg
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringCase Western Reserve University10900 Euclid AveClevelandOH44106USA
| | - Alexandra McMillan
- Department of PathologyCase Western Reserve University10900 Euclid AveClevelandOH44106USA
| | - Hannah A. Strobel
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringWorcester Polytechnic Institute100 Institute RoadWorcesterMA01609USA
| | - Zijie Zheng
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringCase Western Reserve University10900 Euclid AveClevelandOH44106USA
| | - Meng Cao
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringCase Western Reserve University10900 Euclid AveClevelandOH44106USA
| | - Bradley P. Lai
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringCase Western Reserve University10900 Euclid AveClevelandOH44106USA
| | - Oju Jeon
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringCase Western Reserve University10900 Euclid AveClevelandOH44106USA
| | - Victoria Ivy Petsinger
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringCase Western Reserve University10900 Euclid AveClevelandOH44106USA
| | - Calvin U. Cotton
- Department of PediatricsDepartment of Physiology and BiophysicsCase Western Reserve University10900 Euclid AveClevelandOH44106USA
| | - Marsha W. Rolle
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringWorcester Polytechnic Institute100 Institute RoadWorcesterMA01609USA
| | - Eben Alsberg
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringCase Western Reserve University10900 Euclid AveClevelandOH44106USA
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryNational Center for Regenerative MedicineCase Western Reserve University10900 Euclid AveClevelandOH44106USA
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Lunova M, Zablotskii V, Dempsey NM, Devillers T, Jirsa M, Syková E, Kubinová Š, Lunov O, Dejneka A. Modulation of collective cell behaviour by geometrical constraints. Integr Biol (Camb) 2017; 8:1099-1110. [PMID: 27738682 DOI: 10.1039/c6ib00125d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular and extracellular mechanical forces play a crucial role during tissue growth, modulating nuclear shape and function and resulting in complex collective cell behaviour. However, the mechanistic understanding of how the orientation, shape, symmetry and homogeneity of cells are affected by environmental geometry is still lacking. Here we investigate cooperative cell behaviour and patterns under geometric constraints created by topographically patterned substrates. We show how cells cooperatively adopt their geometry, shape, positioning of the nucleus and subsequent proliferation activity. Our findings indicate that geometric constraints induce significant squeezing of cells and nuclei, cytoskeleton reorganization, drastic condensation of chromatin resulting in a change in the cell proliferation rate and the anisotropic growth of cultures. Altogether, this work not only demonstrates complex non-trivial collective cellular responses to geometrical constraints but also provides a tentative explanation of the observed cell culture patterns grown on different topographically patterned substrates. These findings provide important fundamental knowledge, which could serve as a basis for better controlled tissue growth and cell-engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariia Lunova
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Medicine (IKEM), Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vitalii Zablotskii
- Institute of Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, 18221, Czech Republic.
| | - Nora M Dempsey
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inst NEEL, F-38042 Grenoble, France and CNRS, Inst NEEL, F-38042 Grenoble, France
| | - Thibaut Devillers
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inst NEEL, F-38042 Grenoble, France and CNRS, Inst NEEL, F-38042 Grenoble, France
| | - Milan Jirsa
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Medicine (IKEM), Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Syková
- Institute of Experimental Medicine AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Šárka Kubinová
- Institute of Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, 18221, Czech Republic. and Institute of Experimental Medicine AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Oleg Lunov
- Institute of Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, 18221, Czech Republic.
| | - Alexandr Dejneka
- Institute of Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, 18221, Czech Republic.
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8
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Kuo CT, Wang JY, Wo AM, Chen BPC, Lee H. ParaStamp and Its Applications to Cell Patterning, Drug Synergy Screening, and Rewritable Devices for Droplet Storage. ADVANCED BIOSYSTEMS 2017; 1:1700048. [PMID: 30294665 PMCID: PMC6171521 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201700048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Engineered materials have been employed as versatile tools to explore the fundamental cell biology/drug development as well as to approach the intelligent device, thereby becoming the key components in modern technology. Herein, a ParaStamp technique has been revealed to possess applications for cell patterning, drug screening, and rewritable functional patterning. The ParaStamp includes a micropatterned PDMS master and a liquid-phased paraffin oil generated at high temperature, which can transfer the patterned paramembrane onto varied material surfaces, such as glass, polystyrene, and flexible foil. This technique is simple and cost-effective to meet the high-throughput requirement for industries. Taken together, our findings herein should have general insights in cell biology, biodetection, and development of smart hydrophobic surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Te Kuo
- Division of Molecular Radiation Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Jong-Yueh Wang
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Andrew M Wo
- Institute of Applied Mechanics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Benjamin P C Chen
- Division of Molecular Radiation Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Hsinyu Lee
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, R.O.C
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Klumpers DD, Mooney DJ, Smit TH. From Skeletal Development to Tissue Engineering: Lessons from the Micromass Assay. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS 2015; 21:427-37. [PMID: 25946390 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2014.0704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Damage and degeneration of the skeletal elements due to disease, trauma, and aging lead to a significant health and economical burden. To reduce this burden, skeletal tissue engineering strategies aim to regenerate functional bone and cartilage in the adult body. However, challenges still exist. Such challenges involve the identification of the external cues that determine differentiation, how to control chondrocyte hypertrophy, and how to achieve specific tissue patterns and boundaries. To address these issues, it could be insightful to look at skeletal development, a robust morphogenetic process that takes place during embryonic development and is commonly modeled in vitro by the micromass assay. In this review, we investigate what the tissue engineering field can learn from this assay. By comparing embryonic skeletal precursor cells from different anatomic locations and developmental stages in micromass, the external cues that guide lineage commitment can be identified. The signaling pathways regulating chondrocyte hypertrophy, and the cues required for tissue patterning, can be elucidated by combining the micromass assay with genetic, molecular, and engineering tools. The lessons from the micromass assay are limited by two major differences between developmental and regenerative skeletogenesis: cell type and scale. We highlight an important difference between embryonic and adult skeletal progenitor cells, in that adult progenitors are not able to form mesenchymal condensations spontaneously. Also, the mechanisms of tissue patterning need to be adjusted to the larger tissue engineering constructs. In conclusion, mechanistic insights of skeletal tissue generation gained from the micromass model could lead to improved tissue engineering strategies and constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darinka D Klumpers
- 1 School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts.,2 Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University , Boston, Massachusetts.,3 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, VU University Medical Centre MOVE Research Institute , Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David J Mooney
- 1 School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts.,2 Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Theo H Smit
- 3 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, VU University Medical Centre MOVE Research Institute , Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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10
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The effect of growth-mimicking continuous strain on the early stages of skeletal development in micromass culture. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0124948. [PMID: 25915898 PMCID: PMC4411057 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic skeletogenesis involves proliferation, condensation and subsequent chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal precursor cells, and the strains and stresses inherent to these processes have been hypothesized to influence skeletal development. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of growth-mimicking strain on the process of early skeletal development in vitro. To this end, we applied continuous uniaxial strain to embryonic skeletal precursor cells in micromass culture. Strain was applied at different times of culture to specifically address the effect of mechanical loading on the sequential stages of cellular proliferation, condensation and differentiation. We found that growth-mimicking strain at all three times did not affect proliferation or chondrogenic differentiation under the tested conditions. However, the timing of the applied strain did play a role in the density of mesenchymal condensations. This finding suggests that a mechanically dynamic environment, and specifically strain, can influence skeletal patterning. The growth-mimicking micromass model presented here may be a useful tool for further studies into the role of mechanical loading in early skeletal development.
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11
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Gilchrist CL, Ruch DS, Little D, Guilak F. Micro-scale and meso-scale architectural cues cooperate and compete to direct aligned tissue formation. Biomaterials 2014; 35:10015-24. [PMID: 25263687 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.08.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Tissue and biomaterial microenvironments provide architectural cues that direct important cell behaviors including cell shape, alignment, migration, and resulting tissue formation. These architectural features may be presented to cells across multiple length scales, from nanometers to millimeters in size. In this study, we examined how architectural cues at two distinctly different length scales, "micro-scale" cues on the order of ∼1-2 μm, and "meso-scale" cues several orders of magnitude larger (>100 μm), interact to direct aligned neo-tissue formation. Utilizing a micro-photopatterning (μPP) model system to precisely arrange cell-adhesive patterns, we examined the effects of substrate architecture at these length scales on human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) organization, gene expression, and fibrillar collagen deposition. Both micro- and meso-scale architectures directed cell alignment and resulting tissue organization, and when combined, meso cues could enhance or compete against micro-scale cues. As meso boundary aspect ratios were increased, meso-scale cues overrode micro-scale cues and controlled tissue alignment, with a characteristic critical width (∼500 μm) similar to boundary dimensions that exist in vivo in highly aligned tissues. Meso-scale cues acted via both lateral confinement (in a cell-density-dependent manner) and by permitting end-to-end cell arrangements that yielded greater fibrillar collagen deposition. Despite large differences in fibrillar collagen content and organization between μPP architectural conditions, these changes did not correspond with changes in gene expression of key matrix or tendon-related genes. These findings highlight the complex interplay between geometric cues at multiple length scales and may have implications for tissue engineering strategies, where scaffold designs that incorporate cues at multiple length scales could improve neo-tissue organization and resulting functional outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David S Ruch
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Dianne Little
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Farshid Guilak
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
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