1
|
Solowiej-Wedderburn J, Dunlop CM. Cell-strain-energy costs of active control of contractility. Phys Rev E 2023; 107:L062401. [PMID: 37464714 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.107.l062401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Cell mechanosensing is implicated in the control of a broad range of cell behaviors, with cytoskeletal contractility a key component. Experimentally, it is observed that the contractility of the cell responds to increasing substrate stiffness, showing increased contractile force and changing the distribution of cytoskeletal elements. Here, we show using a theoretical model of active cell contractility that upregulation of contractility need not be energetically expensive, especially when combined with changes in adhesion and contractile distribution. Indeed, we show that a feedback mechanism based on the maintenance of strain energy would require an upregulation in contractile pressure on all but the softest substrates. We consider both the commonly reported substrate strain energy and active work done. We demonstrate substrate strain energy would preferentially select for the experimentally observed clustering of cell adhesions on stiffer substrates which effectively soften the substrate and enable an upregulation of total contractile pressure, while the localization of contractility has the greatest impact on the internal work.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Carina M Dunlop
- School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cheng B, Li M, Wan W, Guo H, Genin GM, Lin M, Xu F. Predicting YAP/TAZ nuclear translocation in response to ECM mechanosensing. Biophys J 2023; 122:43-53. [PMID: 36451545 PMCID: PMC9822792 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.11.2943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells translate mechanical cues from the extracellular matrix (ECM) into signaling that can affect the nucleus. One pathway by which such nuclear mechanotransduction occurs is a signaling axis that begins with integrin-ECM bonds and continues through a cascade of chemical reactions and structural changes that lead to nuclear translocation of YAP/TAZ. This signaling axis is self-reinforcing, with stiff ECM promoting integrin binding and thus facilitating polymerization and tension in the cytoskeletal contractile apparatus, which can compress nuclei, open nuclear pore channels, and enhance nuclear accumulation of YAP/TAZ. We previously developed a computational model of this mechanosensing axis for the linear elastic ECM by assuming that there is a linear relationship between the nucleocytoplasmic ratio of YAP/TAZ and nuclear flattening. Here, we extended our previous model to more general ECM behaviors (e.g., viscosity, viscoelasticity, and viscoplasticity) and included detailed YAP/TAZ translocation dynamics based on nuclear deformation. This model was predictive of diverse mechanosensing responses in a broad range of cells. Results support the hypothesis that diverse mechanosensing phenomena across many cell types arise from a simple, unified set of mechanosensing pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Cheng
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P.R. China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Moxiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, China.
| | - Wanting Wan
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Hui Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Guy M Genin
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P.R. China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P.R. China; NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Min Lin
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P.R. China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - 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, P.R. China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P.R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Das S, Ippolito A, McGarry P, Deshpande VS. Cell reorientation on a cyclically strained substrate. PNAS NEXUS 2022; 1:pgac199. [PMID: 36712366 PMCID: PMC9802216 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic strain avoidance, the phenomenon of cell and cytoskeleton alignment perpendicular to the direction of cyclic strain of the underlying 2D substrate, is an important characteristic of the adherent cell organization. This alignment has typically been attributed to the stress-fiber reorganization although observations clearly show that stress-fiber reorganization under cyclic loading is closely coupled to cell morphology and reorientation of the cells. Here, we develop a statistical mechanics framework that couples the cytoskeletal stress-fiber organization with cell morphology under imposed cyclic straining and make quantitative comparisons with observations. The framework accurately predicts that cyclic strain avoidance stems primarily from cell reorientation away from the cyclic straining rather than cytoskeletal reorganization within the cell. The reorientation of the cell is a consequence of the cell lowering its free energy by largely avoiding the imposed cyclic straining. Furthermore, we investigate the kinetics of the cyclic strain avoidance mechanism and demonstrate that it emerges primarily due to the rigid body rotation of the cell rather than via a trajectory involving cell straining. Our results provide clear physical insights into the coupled dynamics of cell morphology and stress-fibers, which ultimately leads to cellular organization in cyclically strained tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuvrangsu Das
- Department of Engineering, Cambridge University, Trumpington St, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK
| | - Alberto Ippolito
- Department of Engineering, Cambridge University, Trumpington St, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK
| | - Patrick McGarry
- Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, National University of Ireland, University Road, Galway H91 CF50, Ireland
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Senthilkumar I, Howley E, McEvoy E. Thermodynamically-motivated chemo-mechanical models and multicellular simulation to provide new insight into active cell and tumour remodelling. Exp Cell Res 2022; 419:113317. [PMID: 36028058 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113317] [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: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Computational models can shape our understanding of cell and tissue remodelling, from cell spreading, to active force generation, adhesion, and growth. In this mini-review, we discuss recent progress in modelling of chemo-mechanical cell behaviour and the evolution of multicellular systems. In particular, we highlight recent advances in (i) free-energy based single cell models that can provide new fundamental insight into cell spreading, cancer cell invasion, stem cell differentiation, and remodelling in disease, and (ii) mechanical agent-based models to simulate large numbers of discrete interacting cells in proliferative tumours. We describe how new biological understanding has emerged from such theoretical models, and the trade-offs and constraints associated with current approaches. Ultimately, we aim to make a case for why theory should be integrated with an experimental workflow to optimise new in-vitro studies, to predict feedback between cells and their microenvironment, and to deepen understanding of active cell behaviour.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irish Senthilkumar
- School of Computer Science, College of Science and Engineering, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland; Biomedical Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
| | - Enda Howley
- School of Computer Science, College of Science and Engineering, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
| | - Eoin McEvoy
- Biomedical Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Buskermolen AB, Ristori T, Mostert D, van Turnhout MC, Shishvan SS, Loerakker S, Kurniawan NA, Deshpande VS, Bouten CV. Cellular Contact Guidance Emerges from Gap Avoidance. CELL REPORTS. PHYSICAL SCIENCE 2020; 1:100055. [PMID: 32685934 PMCID: PMC7357833 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2020.100055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In the presence of anisotropic biochemical or topographical patterns, cells tend to align in the direction of these cues-a widely reported phenomenon known as "contact guidance." To investigate the origins of contact guidance, here, we created substrates micropatterned with parallel lines of fibronectin with dimensions spanning multiple orders of magnitude. Quantitative morphometric analysis of our experimental data reveals two regimes of contact guidance governed by the length scale of the cues that cannot be explained by enforced alignment of focal adhesions. Adopting computational simulations of cell remodeling on inhomogeneous substrates based on a statistical mechanics framework for living cells, we show that contact guidance emerges from anisotropic cell shape fluctuation and "gap avoidance," i.e., the energetic penalty of cell adhesions on non-adhesive gaps. Our findings therefore point to general biophysical mechanisms underlying cellular contact guidance, without the necessity of invoking specific molecular pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonetta B.C. Buskermolen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Tommaso Ristori
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Dylan Mostert
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Mark C. van Turnhout
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Siamak S. Shishvan
- Department of Structural Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sandra Loerakker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Nicholas A. Kurniawan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
- Corresponding author
| | - Vikram S. Deshpande
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Carlijn V.C. Bouten
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
- Corresponding author
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang J, Alisafaei F, Nikolić M, Nou XA, Kim H, Shenoy VB, Scarcelli G. Nuclear Mechanics within Intact Cells Is Regulated by Cytoskeletal Network and Internal Nanostructures. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e1907688. [PMID: 32243075 PMCID: PMC7799396 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201907688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The mechanical properties of the cellular nucleus are extensively studied as they play a critical role in important processes, such as cell migration, gene transcription, and stem cell differentiation. While the mechanical properties of the isolated nucleus have been tested, there is a lack of measurements about the mechanical behavior of the nucleus within intact cells and specifically about the interplay of internal nuclear components with the intracellular microenvironment, because current testing methods are based on contact and only allow studying the nucleus after isolation from a cell or disruption of cytoskeleton. Here, all-optical Brillouin microscopy and 3D chemomechanical modeling are used to investigate the regulation of nuclear mechanics in physiological conditions. It is observed that the nuclear modulus can be modulated by epigenetic regulation targeting internal nuclear nanostructures such as lamin A/C and chromatin. It is also found that nuclear modulus is strongly regulated by cytoskeletal behavior through a robust mechanism conserved in different culturing conditions. Given the active role of cytoskeletal modulation in nearly all cell functions, this work will enable to reveal highly relevant mechanisms of nuclear mechanical regulations in physiological and pathological conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jitao Zhang
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Farid Alisafaei
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, PA, 19104, USA
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Miloš Nikolić
- Maryland Biophysics Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Xuefei A. Nou
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Hanyoup Kim
- Canon U.S. Life Sciences, Inc., 9800 Medical Center Drive, Suite C-120, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Vivek B. Shenoy
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, PA, 19104, USA
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Giuliano Scarcelli
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Maryland Biophysics Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| |
Collapse
|