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Kean EA, Adeleke OA. Geriatric drug delivery - barriers, current technologies and the road ahead. J Drug Target 2024:1-21. [PMID: 39076049 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2024.2386626] [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: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
The geriatric population encompasses the largest part of the health care system worldwide. Chronic medical conditions are highly prevalent in the elderly, consequently, due to their complex health needs, there is a significant rate of multi-drug therapy. Despite the high numbers of medications prescribed, geriatric patients face several barriers when it comes to successful drug delivery including alterations in cognitive and physical function. The current review highlights the impact of chronic diseases on the ageing population along with how changes in drug pharmacokinetics could impact drug efficacy and safety. Also discussed are applications of administration routes in the geriatric population and complications that could arise. A focus is placed on the traditional and upcoming drug delivery advancements being employed in seniors with a focus addressing obstacles faced by this patient category. Nanomedicines, three-dimensional printing, long-acting formulations, transdermal systems, orally disintegrating tablets, and shape/taste modification technologies are discussed. Several barriers to drug delivery in the elderly have been identified in literature and directions for future studies should focus on addressing these gaps for geriatric drug formulation development including personalised medicine, insights into novel drug delivery systems like nanomedicines, methods for decreasing pill burden and shape/size modifications.ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTSTypically, senior citizens take more medications than any other patient population, yet most drug delivery technologies are not tailored to address the specific cognitive and physical barriers that these individuals encounter.The safety of drug delivery systems in the elderly patients should be prioritised with considerations on changes in pharmacokinetics with age, use of non-toxic excipients, and selecting drugs with minimal off-target side effects.Several commercialised and upcoming drug delivery technologies have begun to address the current limitations that the ageing population faces.Future research should focus on applying novel strategies like 3D printing, personalised medicine, and long-acting formulations to improve drug delivery to elderly patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma A Kean
- Preclinical Laboratory for Drug Delivery Innovations, College of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Oluwatoyin A Adeleke
- Preclinical Laboratory for Drug Delivery Innovations, College of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Diorio TC, Abderezzai J, Nauman E, Kurt M, Tong Y, Rayz VL. MRI-based quantification of cardiac-driven brain biomechanics for early detection of neurological disorders. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.01.606246. [PMID: 39149257 PMCID: PMC11326150 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.01.606246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
We present a pipeline to quantify biomechanical environment of the brain using solely MRI-derived data in order to elucidate the role of biomechanical factors in neurodegenerative disorders. Neurological disorders, like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, are associated with physical changes, including the accumulation of amyloid-β and tau proteins, damage to the cerebral vasculature, hypertension, atrophy of the cortical gray matter, and lesions of the periventricular white matter. Alterations in the external mechanical environment of cells can trigger pathological processes, and it is known that AD causes reduced stiffness in the brain tissue during degeneration. However, there appears to be a significant lag time between microscale changes and macroscale obstruction of neurological function in the brain. Here, we present a pipeline to quantify the whole brain biomechanical environment to bridge the gap in understanding how underlying brain changes affect macroscale brain biomechanics. This pipeline enables image-based quantification of subject-specific displacement field of the whole brain to subject-specific strain, strain rate, and stress across 133 labeled functional brain regions. We have focused our development efforts on utilizing solely MRI-derived data to facilitate clinical applicability of our approach and have emphasized automation in all aspects of our methods to reduce operator dependance. Our pipeline has the potential to improve early detection of neurological disorders and facilitate the identification of disease before widespread, irreversible damage has occurred.
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Mathes TG, Monirizad M, Ermis M, de Barros NR, Rodriguez M, Kraatz HB, Jucaud V, Khademhosseini A, Falcone N. Effects of amyloid-β-mimicking peptide hydrogel matrix on neuronal progenitor cell phenotype. Acta Biomater 2024; 183:89-100. [PMID: 38801867 PMCID: PMC11239292 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Self-assembling peptide-based hydrogels have become a highly attractive scaffold for three-dimensional (3D) in vitro disease modeling as they provide a way to create tunable matrices that can resemble the extracellular matrix (ECM) of various microenvironments. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an exceptionally complex neurodegenerative condition; however, our understanding has advanced due to the transition from two-dimensional (2D) to 3D in vitro modeling. Nonetheless, there is a current gap in knowledge regarding the role of amyloid structures, and previously developed models found long-term difficulty in creating an appropriate model involving the ECM and amyloid aggregates. In this report, we propose a multi-component self-assembling peptide-based hydrogel scaffold to mimic the amyloid-beta (β) containing microenvironment. Characterization of the amyloid-β-mimicking hydrogel (Col-HAMA-FF) reveals the formation of β-sheet structures as a result of the self-assembling properties of phenylalanine (Phe, F) through π-π stacking of the residues, thus mimicking the amyloid-β protein nanostructures. We investigated the effect of the amyloid-β-mimicking microenvironment on healthy neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs) compared to a natural-mimicking matrix (Col-HAMA). Our results demonstrated higher levels of neuroinflammation and apoptosis markers when NPCs were cultured in the amyloid-like matrix compared to a natural brain matrix. Here, we provided insights into the impact of amyloid-like structures on NPC phenotypes and behaviors. This foundational work, before progressing to more complex plaque models, provides a promising scaffold for future investigations on AD mechanisms and drug testing. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this study, we engineered two multi-component hydrogels: one to mimic the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) of the brain and one to resemble an amyloid-like microenvironment using a self-assembling peptide hydrogel. The self-assembling peptide mimics β-amyloid fibrils seen in amyloid-β protein aggregates. We report on the culture of neuronal progenitor cells within the amyloid-mimicking ECM scaffold to study the impact through marker expressions related to inflammation and DNA damage. This foundational work, before progressing to more complex plaque models, offers a promising scaffold for future investigations on AD mechanisms and drug testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tess Grett Mathes
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mahsa Monirizad
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Menekse Ermis
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA; BIOMATEN, Center of Excellence in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Middle East Technical University, Ankara 06800, Turkey
| | - Natan Roberto de Barros
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marco Rodriguez
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Heinz-Bernhard Kraatz
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 2E4, Canada; Department of Physical and Environmental Science, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Vadim Jucaud
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Natashya Falcone
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), 1018 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Liu SF, Li MJ, Liang B, Sun W, Shao Y, Hu X, Xing D. Breaking the barrier: Nanoparticle-enhanced radiotherapy as the new vanguard in brain tumor treatment. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1394816. [PMID: 39021831 PMCID: PMC11252536 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1394816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The pursuit of effective treatments for brain tumors has increasingly focused on the promising area of nanoparticle-enhanced radiotherapy (NERT). This review elucidates the context and significance of NERT, with a particular emphasis on its application in brain tumor therapy-a field where traditional treatments often encounter obstacles due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and tumor cells' inherent resistance. The aims of this review include synthesizing recent advancements, analyzing action mechanisms, and assessing the clinical potential and challenges associated with nanoparticle (NP) use in radiotherapy enhancement. Preliminary preclinical studies have established a foundation for NERT, demonstrating that nanoparticles (NPs) can serve as radiosensitizers, thereby intensifying radiotherapy's efficacy. Investigations into various NP types, such as metallic, magnetic, and polymeric, have each unveiled distinct interactions with ionizing radiation, leading to an augmented destruction of tumor cells. These interactions, encompassing physical dose enhancement and biological and chemical radio sensitization, are crucial to the NERT strategy. Although clinical studies are in their early phases, initial trials have shown promising results in terms of tumor response rates and survival, albeit with mindful consideration of toxicity profiles. This review examines pivotal studies affirming NERT's efficacy and safety. NPs have the potential to revolutionize radiotherapy by overcoming challenges in targeted delivery, reducing off-target effects, and harmonizing with other modalities. Future directions include refining NP formulations, personalizing therapies, and navigating regulatory pathways. NERT holds promise to transform brain tumor treatment and provide hope for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi feng Liu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Meng Jiao Li
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Bing Liang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Wenshe Sun
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yingchun Shao
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaokun Hu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Dongming Xing
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Qingdao Cancer Institute, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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Pramotton FM, Spitz S, Kamm RD. Challenges and Future Perspectives in Modeling Neurodegenerative Diseases Using Organ-on-a-Chip Technology. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2403892. [PMID: 38922799 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202403892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) affect more than 50 million people worldwide, posing a significant global health challenge as well as a high socioeconomic burden. With aging constituting one of the main risk factors for some NDDs such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), this societal toll is expected to rise considering the predicted increase in the aging population as well as the limited progress in the development of effective therapeutics. To address the high failure rates in clinical trials, legislative changes permitting the use of alternatives to traditional pre-clinical in vivo models are implemented. In this regard, microphysiological systems (MPS) such as organ-on-a-chip (OoC) platforms constitute a promising tool, due to their ability to mimic complex and human-specific tissue niches in vitro. This review summarizes the current progress in modeling NDDs using OoC technology and discusses five critical aspects still insufficiently addressed in OoC models to date. Taking these aspects into consideration in the future MPS will advance the modeling of NDDs in vitro and increase their translational value in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Michela Pramotton
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Sarah Spitz
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Roger D Kamm
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
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Bergs J, Morr AS, Silva RV, Infante-Duarte C, Sack I. The Networking Brain: How Extracellular Matrix, Cellular Networks, and Vasculature Shape the In Vivo Mechanical Properties of the Brain. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2402338. [PMID: 38874205 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202402338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Mechanically, the brain is characterized by both solid and fluid properties. The resulting unique material behavior fosters proliferation, differentiation, and repair of cellular and vascular networks, and optimally protects them from damaging shear forces. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a noninvasive imaging technique that maps the mechanical properties of the brain in vivo. MRE studies have shown that abnormal processes such as neuronal degeneration, demyelination, inflammation, and vascular leakage lead to tissue softening. In contrast, neuronal proliferation, cellular network formation, and higher vascular pressure result in brain stiffening. In addition, brain viscosity has been reported to change with normal blood perfusion variability and brain maturation as well as disease conditions such as tumor invasion. In this article, the contributions of the neuronal, glial, extracellular, and vascular networks are discussed to the coarse-grained parameters determined by MRE. This reductionist multi-network model of brain mechanics helps to explain many MRE observations in terms of microanatomical changes and suggests that cerebral viscoelasticity is a suitable imaging marker for brain disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Bergs
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna S Morr
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rafaela V Silva
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation between the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125, Berlin, Germany
- Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, ECRC Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carmen Infante-Duarte
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a cooperation between the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125, Berlin, Germany
- Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, ECRC Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ingolf Sack
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
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Wang G, Guasp R, Salam S, Chuang E, Morera A, Smart AJ, Jimenez D, Shekhar S, Friedman E, Melentijevic I, Nguyen KC, Hall DH, Grant BD, Driscoll M. Mechanical force of uterine occupation enables large vesicle extrusion from proteostressed maternal neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.11.13.565361. [PMID: 38014134 PMCID: PMC10680645 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.13.565361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Large vesicle extrusion from neurons may contribute to spreading pathogenic protein aggregates and promoting inflammatory responses, two mechanisms leading to neurodegenerative disease. Factors that regulate extrusion of large vesicles, such as exophers produced by proteostressed C. elegans touch neurons, are poorly understood. Here we document that mechanical force can significantly potentiate exopher extrusion from proteostressed neurons. Exopher production from the C. elegans ALMR neuron peaks at adult day 2 or 3, coinciding with the C. elegans reproductive peak. Genetic disruption of C. elegans germline, sperm, oocytes, or egg/early embryo production can strongly suppress exopher extrusion from the ALMR neurons during the peak period. Conversely, restoring egg production at the late reproductive phase through mating with males or inducing egg retention via genetic interventions that block egg-laying can strongly increase ALMR exopher production. Overall, genetic interventions that promote ALMR exopher production are associated with expanded uterus lengths and genetic interventions that suppress ALMR exopher production are associated with shorter uterus lengths. In addition to the impact of fertilized eggs, ALMR exopher production can be enhanced by filling the uterus with oocytes, dead eggs, or even fluid, supporting that distention consequences, rather than the presence of fertilized eggs, constitute the exopher-inducing stimulus. We conclude that the mechanical force of uterine occupation potentiates exopher extrusion from proximal proteostressed maternal neurons. Our observations draw attention to the potential importance of mechanical signaling in extracellular vesicle production and in aggregate spreading mechanisms, making a case for enhanced attention to mechanobiology in neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqiang Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Nelson Biological Laboratories, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Ryan Guasp
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Nelson Biological Laboratories, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Sangeena Salam
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Nelson Biological Laboratories, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Edward Chuang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Nelson Biological Laboratories, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Andrés Morera
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Nelson Biological Laboratories, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Anna J Smart
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Nelson Biological Laboratories, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - David Jimenez
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Nelson Biological Laboratories, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Sahana Shekhar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Nelson Biological Laboratories, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Emily Friedman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Nelson Biological Laboratories, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Ilija Melentijevic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Nelson Biological Laboratories, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Ken C Nguyen
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
| | - David H Hall
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
| | - Barth D Grant
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Nelson Biological Laboratories, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Monica Driscoll
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Nelson Biological Laboratories, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
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Li B, Zhao A, Tian T, Yang X. Mechanobiological insight into brain diseases based on mechanosensitive channels: Common mechanisms and clinical potential. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14809. [PMID: 38923822 PMCID: PMC11197048 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As physical signals, mechanical cues regulate the neural cells in the brain. The mechanosensitive channels (MSCs) perceive the mechanical cues and transduce them by permeating specific ions or molecules across the plasma membrane, and finally trigger a series of intracellular bioelectrical and biochemical signals. Emerging evidence supports that wide-distributed, high-expressed MSCs like Piezo1 play important roles in several neurophysiological processes and neurological disorders. AIMS To systematically conclude the functions of MSCs in the brain and provide a novel mechanobiological perspective for brain diseases. METHOD We summarized the mechanical cues and MSCs detected in the brain and the research progress on the functional roles of MSCs in physiological conditions. We then concluded the pathological activation and downstream pathways triggered by MSCs in two categories of brain diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and place-occupying damages. Finally, we outlined the methods for manipulating MSCs and discussed their medical potential with some crucial outstanding issues. RESULTS The MSCs present underlying common mechanisms in different brain diseases by acting as the "transportation hubs" to transduce the distinct signal patterns: the upstream mechanical cues and the downstream intracellular pathways. Manipulating the MSCs is feasible to alter the complicated downstream processes, providing them promising targets for clinical treatment. CONCLUSIONS Recent research on MSCs provides a novel insight into brain diseases. The common mechanisms mediated by MSCs inspire a wide range of therapeutic potentials targeted on MSCs in different brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bolong Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced TechnologyChinese Academy of SciencesShenzhenGuangdongChina
- College of Life SciencesUniversity of Chinese Academy of ScienceBeijingChina
| | - An‐ran Zhao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced TechnologyChinese Academy of SciencesShenzhenGuangdongChina
- College of Life SciencesUniversity of Chinese Academy of ScienceBeijingChina
- Faculty of Life and Health SciencesShenzhen University of Advanced TechnologyShenzhenGuangdongChina
| | - Tian Tian
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced TechnologyChinese Academy of SciencesShenzhenGuangdongChina
- Faculty of Life and Health SciencesShenzhen University of Advanced TechnologyShenzhenGuangdongChina
| | - Xin Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, the Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced TechnologyChinese Academy of SciencesShenzhenGuangdongChina
- Faculty of Life and Health SciencesShenzhen University of Advanced TechnologyShenzhenGuangdongChina
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Gomez-Cruz C, Fernandez-de la Torre M, Lachowski D, Prados-de-Haro M, Del Río Hernández AE, Perea G, Muñoz-Barrutia A, Garcia-Gonzalez D. Mechanical and Functional Responses in Astrocytes under Alternating Deformation Modes Using Magneto-Active Substrates. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2312497. [PMID: 38610101 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312497] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
This work introduces NeoMag, a system designed to enhance cell mechanics assays in substrate deformation studies. NeoMag uses multidomain magneto-active materials to mechanically actuate the substrate, transmitting reversible mechanical cues to cells. The system boasts full flexibility in alternating loading substrate deformation modes, seamlessly adapting to both upright and inverted microscopes. The multidomain substrates facilitate mechanobiology assays on 2D and 3D cultures. The integration of the system with nanoindenters allows for precise evaluation of cellular mechanical properties under varying substrate deformation modes. The system is used to study the impact of substrate deformation on astrocytes, simulating mechanical conditions akin to traumatic brain injury and ischemic stroke. The results reveal local heterogeneous changes in astrocyte stiffness, influenced by the orientation of subcellular regions relative to substrate strain. These stiffness variations, exceeding 50% in stiffening and softening, and local deformations significantly alter calcium dynamics. Furthermore, sustained deformations induce actin network reorganization and activate Piezo1 channels, leading to an initial increase followed by a long-term inhibition of calcium events. Conversely, fast and dynamic deformations transiently activate Piezo1 channels and disrupt the actin network, causing long-term cell softening. These findings unveil mechanical and functional alterations in astrocytes during substrate deformation, illustrating the multiple opportunities this technology offers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Gomez-Cruz
- Department of Continuum Mechanics and Structural Analysis, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Avda. de la Universidad 30, 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Avda. de la Universidad 30, 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Fernandez-de la Torre
- Department of Continuum Mechanics and Structural Analysis, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Avda. de la Universidad 30, 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dariusz Lachowski
- Department of Continuum Mechanics and Structural Analysis, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Avda. de la Universidad 30, 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Martin Prados-de-Haro
- Department of Continuum Mechanics and Structural Analysis, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Avda. de la Universidad 30, 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
| | - Armando E Del Río Hernández
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Gertrudis Perea
- Department of Functional and Systems Neurobiology, Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Av. Doctor Arce, 37., 28002, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
| | - Arrate Muñoz-Barrutia
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Avda. de la Universidad 30, 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
- Área de Ingeniería Biomédica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Calle del Doctor Esquerdo 46, Leganés, Madrid, ES28007, Spain
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, Maryland, 21218, USA
| | - Daniel Garcia-Gonzalez
- Department of Continuum Mechanics and Structural Analysis, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Avda. de la Universidad 30, 28911, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
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10
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Handler C, Testi C, Scarcelli G. Advantages of integrating Brillouin microscopy in multimodal mechanical mapping of cells and tissues. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2024; 88:102341. [PMID: 38471195 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2024.102341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Recent research has highlighted the growing significance of the mechanical properties of cells and tissues in the proper execution of physiological functions within an organism; alterations to these properties can potentially result in various diseases. These mechanical properties can be assessed using various techniques that vary in spatial and temporal resolutions as well as applications. Due to the wide range of mechanical behaviors exhibited by cells and tissues, a singular mapping technique may be insufficient in capturing their complexity and nuance. Consequently, by utilizing a combination of methods-multimodal mechanical mapping-researchers can achieve a more comprehensive characterization of mechanical properties, encompassing factors such as stiffness, modulus, viscoelasticity, and forces. Furthermore, different mapping techniques can provide complementary information and enable the exploration of spatial and temporal variations to enhance our understanding of cellular dynamics and tissue mechanics. By capitalizing on the unique strengths of each method while mitigating their respective limitations, a more precise and holistic understanding of cellular and tissue mechanics can be obtained. Here, we spotlight Brillouin microscopy (BM) as a noncontact, noninvasive, and label-free mechanical mapping modality to be coutilized alongside established mechanical probing methods. This review summarizes some of the most widely adopted individual mechanical mapping techniques and highlights several recent multimodal approaches demonstrating their utility. We envision that future studies aim to adopt multimodal techniques to drive advancements in the broader realm of mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenchen Handler
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Claudia Testi
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; Center for Life Nano- and Neuro- Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Giuliano Scarcelli
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
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Marinaro G, Bruno L, Pirillo N, Coluccio ML, Nanni M, Malara N, Battista E, Bruno G, De Angelis F, Cancedda L, Di Mascolo D, Gentile F. The role of elasticity on adhesion and clustering of neurons on soft surfaces. Commun Biol 2024; 7:617. [PMID: 38778159 PMCID: PMC11111731 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06329-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The question of whether material stiffness enhances cell adhesion and clustering is still open to debate. Results from the literature are seemingly contradictory, with some reports illustrating that adhesion increases with surface stiffness and others suggesting that the performance of a system of cells is curbed by high values of elasticity. To address the role of elasticity as a regulator in neuronal cell adhesion and clustering, we investigated the topological characteristics of networks of neurons on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surfaces - with values of elasticity (E) varying in the 0.55-2.65 MPa range. Results illustrate that, as elasticity increases, the number of neurons adhering on the surface decreases. Notably, the small-world coefficient - a topological measure of networks - also decreases. Numerical simulations and functional multi-calcium imaging experiments further indicated that the activity of neuronal cells on soft surfaces improves for decreasing E. Experimental findings are supported by a mathematical model, that explains adhesion and clustering of cells on soft materials as a function of few parameters - including the Young's modulus and roughness of the material. Overall, results indicate that - in the considered elasticity interval - increasing the compliance of a material improves adhesion, improves clustering, and enhances communication of neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Marinaro
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM), University of Liège, Quartier Hôpital, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Luigi Bruno
- Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036, Rende, Italy
| | - Noemi Pirillo
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Coluccio
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Marina Nanni
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | - Natalia Malara
- Department of Health Science, University of "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Edmondo Battista
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine & Dentistry, University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giulia Bruno
- Plasmon Nanotechnologies, Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesco De Angelis
- Plasmon Nanotechnologies, Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | - Laura Cancedda
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniele Di Mascolo
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Italian Institute of Technology, 16163, Genoa, Italy.
- Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, Polytechnic University of Bari, 70126, Bari, Italy.
| | - Francesco Gentile
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
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12
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Li W, Guo J, Hobson EC, Xue X, Li Q, Fu J, Deng CX, Guo Z. Metabolic-Glycoengineering-Enabled Molecularly Specific Acoustic Tweezing Cytometry for Targeted Mechanical Stimulation of Cell Surface Sialoglycans. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202401921. [PMID: 38498603 PMCID: PMC11073901 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202401921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we developed a novel type of dibenzocyclooctyne (DBCO)-functionalized microbubbles (MBs) and validated their attachment to azide-labelled sialoglycans on human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) generated by metabolic glycoengineering (MGE). This enabled the application of mechanical forces to sialoglycans on hPSCs through molecularly specific acoustic tweezing cytometry (mATC), that is, displacing sialoglycan-anchored MBs using ultrasound (US). It was shown that subjected to the acoustic radiation forces of US pulses, sialoglycan-anchored MBs exhibited significantly larger displacements and faster, more complete recovery after each pulse than integrin-anchored MBs, indicating that sialoglycans are more stretchable and elastic than integrins on hPSCs in response to mechanical force. Furthermore, stimulating sialoglycans on hPSCs using mATC reduced stage-specific embryonic antigen-3 (SSEA-3) and GD3 expression but not OCT4 and SOX2 nuclear localization. Conversely, stimulating integrins decreased OCT4 nuclear localization but not SSEA-3 and GD3 expression, suggesting that mechanically stimulating sialoglycans and integrins initiated distinctive mechanoresponses during the early stages of hPSC differentiation. Taken together, these results demonstrated that MGE-enabled mATC uncovered not only different mechanical properties of sialoglycans on hPSCs and integrins but also their different mechanoregulatory impacts on hPSC differentiation, validating MGE-based mATC as a new, powerful tool for investigating the roles of glycans and other cell surface biomolecules in mechanotransduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiping Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jiatong Guo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Eric C. Hobson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Xufeng Xue
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Qingjiang Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
| | - Jianping Fu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Cheri X. Deng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Zhongwu Guo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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13
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Huber RE, Babbitt C, Peyton SR. Heterogeneity of brain extracellular matrix and astrocyte activation. J Neurosci Res 2024; 102:e25356. [PMID: 38773875 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
From the blood brain barrier to the synaptic space, astrocytes provide structural, metabolic, ionic, and extracellular matrix (ECM) support across the brain. Astrocytes include a vast array of subtypes, their phenotypes and functions varying both regionally and temporally. Astrocytes' metabolic and regulatory functions poise them to be quick and sensitive responders to injury and disease in the brain as revealed by single cell sequencing. Far less is known about the influence of the local healthy and aging microenvironments on these astrocyte activation states. In this forward-looking review, we describe the known relationship between astrocytes and their local microenvironment, the remodeling of the microenvironment during disease and injury, and postulate how they may drive astrocyte activation. We suggest technology development to better understand the dynamic diversity of astrocyte activation states, and how basal and activation states depend on the ECM microenvironment. A deeper understanding of astrocyte response to stimuli in ECM-specific contexts (brain region, age, and sex of individual), paves the way to revolutionize how the field considers astrocyte-ECM interactions in brain injury and disease and opens routes to return astrocytes to a healthy quiescent state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E Huber
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Courtney Babbitt
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shelly R Peyton
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
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14
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Ortega JA, Soares de Aguiar GP, Chandravanshi P, Levy N, Engel E, Álvarez Z. Exploring the properties and potential of the neural extracellular matrix for next-generation regenerative therapies. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 16:e1962. [PMID: 38723788 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1962] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic and complex network of proteins and molecules that surrounds cells and tissues in the nervous system and orchestrates a myriad of biological functions. This review carefully examines the diverse interactions between cells and the ECM, as well as the transformative chemical and physical changes that the ECM undergoes during neural development, aging, and disease. These transformations play a pivotal role in shaping tissue morphogenesis and neural activity, thereby influencing the functionality of the central nervous system (CNS). In our comprehensive review, we describe the diverse behaviors of the CNS ECM in different physiological and pathological scenarios and explore the unique properties that make ECM-based strategies attractive for CNS repair and regeneration. Addressing the challenges of scalability, variability, and integration with host tissues, we review how advanced natural, synthetic, and combinatorial matrix approaches enhance biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and functional recovery. Overall, this review highlights the potential of decellularized ECM as a powerful tool for CNS modeling and regenerative purposes and sets the stage for future research in this exciting field. This article is categorized under: Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanotechnology in Tissue Repair and Replacement Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Neurological Disease Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and Implants.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Alberto Ortega
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet del Llobregat, Spain
| | - Gisele P Soares de Aguiar
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet del Llobregat, Spain
| | - Palash Chandravanshi
- Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Natacha Levy
- Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Engel
- IMEM-BRT Group, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, EEBE, Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), Barcelona, Spain
- Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, CIBER-BBN, Madrid, Spain
| | - Zaida Álvarez
- Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, CIBER-BBN, Madrid, Spain
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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15
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Hossen F, Geng X, Sun GY, Yao X, Lee JC. Oligomeric Amyloid-β and Tau Alter Cell Adhesion Properties and Induce Inflammatory Responses in Cerebral Endothelial Cells Through the RhoA/ROCK Pathway. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04138-z. [PMID: 38561558 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04138-z] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Dysfunction of cerebral endothelial cells (CECs) has been implicated in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite evidence showing cytotoxic effects of oligomeric amyloid-β (oAβ) and Tau (oTau) in the central nervous system, their direct effects on CECs have not been fully investigated. In this study, we examined the direct effects of oAβ, oTau, and their combination on cell adhesion properties and inflammatory responses in CECs. We found that both oAβ and oTau increased cell stiffness, as well as the p-selectin/Sialyl-LewisX (sLeX) bonding-mediated membrane tether force and probability of adhesion in CECs. Consistent with these biomechanical alterations, treatments with oAβ or oTau also increased actin polymerization and the expression of p-selectin at the cell surface. These toxic oligomeric peptides also triggered inflammatory responses, including upregulations of p-NF-kB p65, IL-1β, and TNF-α. In addition, they rapidly activated the RhoA/ROCK pathway. These biochemical and biomechanical changes were further enhanced by the treatment with the combination of oAβ and oTau, which were significantly suppressed by Fasudil, a specific inhibitor for the RhoA/ROCK pathway. In conclusion, our data suggest that oAβ, oTau, and their combination triggered subcellular mechanical alterations and inflammatory responses in CECs through the RhoA/ROCK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faruk Hossen
- Richard and Loan Hill Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Xue Geng
- Richard and Loan Hill Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Grace Y Sun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Xincheng Yao
- Richard and Loan Hill Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - James C Lee
- Richard and Loan Hill Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
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16
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Zhang X, van den Hurk EAN, Weickenmeier J. Insights into the Mechanical Characterization of Mouse Brain Tissue Using Microindentation Testing. Curr Protoc 2024; 4:e1011. [PMID: 38648070 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.1011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Indentation testing is the most common approach to quantify mechanical brain tissue properties. Despite a myriad of studies conducted already, reported stiffness values vary extensively and continue to be subject of study. Moreover, the growing interest in the relationship between the brain's spatially heterogeneous microstructure and local tissue stiffness warrants the development of standardized measurement protocols to enable comparability between studies and assess repeatability of reported data. Here, we present three individual protocols that outline (1) sample preparation of a 1000-µm thick coronal slice, (2) a comprehensive list of experimental parameters associated with the FemtoTools FT-MTA03 Micromechanical Testing System for spherical indentation, and (3) two different approaches to derive the elastic modulus from raw force-displacement data. Lastly, we demonstrate that our protocols deliver a robust experimental framework that enables us to determine the spatially heterogeneous microstructural properties of (mouse) brain tissue. © 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Mouse brain sample preparation Basic Protocol 2: Indentation testing of mouse brain tissue using the FemtoTools FT-MTA03 Micromechanical Testing and Assembly System Basic Protocol 3: Tissue stiffness identification from force-displacement data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuesong Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey
| | - Eva A N van den Hurk
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Johannes Weickenmeier
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey
- Center for Neuromechanics, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey
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17
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Liu S, Han Y, Kong L, Wang G, Ye Z. Atomic force microscopy in disease-related studies: Exploring tissue and cell mechanics. Microsc Res Tech 2024; 87:660-684. [PMID: 38063315 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Despite significant progress in human medicine, certain diseases remain challenging to promptly diagnose and treat. Hence, the imperative lies in the development of more exhaustive criteria and tools. Tissue and cellular mechanics exhibit distinctive traits in both normal and pathological states, suggesting that "force" represents a promising and distinctive target for disease diagnosis and treatment. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) holds great promise as a prospective clinical medical device due to its capability to concurrently assess surface morphology and mechanical characteristics of biological specimens within a physiological setting. This review presents a comprehensive examination of the operational principles of AFM and diverse mechanical models, focusing on its applications in investigating tissue and cellular mechanics associated with prevalent diseases. The findings from these studies lay a solid groundwork for potential clinical implementations of AFM. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: By examining the surface morphology and assessing tissue and cellular mechanics of biological specimens in a physiological setting, AFM shows promise as a clinical device to diagnose and treat challenging diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuaiyuan Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yibo Han
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lingwen Kong
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Central Hospital of Chongqing University, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Guixue Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- JinFeng Laboratory, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhiyi Ye
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- JinFeng Laboratory, Chongqing, China
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18
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Zheng S, Banerji R, LeBourdais R, Zhang S, DuBois E, O’Shea T, Nia HT. Alteration of mechanical stresses in the murine brain by age and hemorrhagic stroke. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae141. [PMID: 38659974 PMCID: PMC11042661 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae141] [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: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Residual mechanical stresses, also known as solid stresses, emerge during rapid differential growth or remodeling of tissues, as observed in morphogenesis and tumor growth. While residual stresses typically dissipate in most healthy adult organs, as the growth rate decreases, high residual stresses have been reported in mature, healthy brains. However, the origins and consequences of residual mechanical stresses in the brain across health, aging, and disease remain poorly understood. Here, we utilized and validated a previously developed method to map residual mechanical stresses in the brains of mice across three age groups: 5-7 days, 8-12 weeks, and 22 months. We found that residual solid stress rapidly increases from 5-7 days to 8-12 weeks and remains high in mature 22 months mice brains. Three-dimensional mapping revealed unevenly distributed residual stresses from the anterior to posterior coronal brain sections. Since the brain is rich in negatively charged hyaluronic acid, we evaluated the contribution of charged extracellular matrix (ECM) constituents in maintaining solid stress levels. We found that lower ionic strength leads to elevated solid stresses, consistent with its unshielding effect and the subsequent expansion of charged ECM components. Lastly, we demonstrated that hemorrhagic stroke, accompanied by loss of cellular density, resulted in decreased residual stress in the murine brain. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of spatiotemporal alterations of residual solid stresses in healthy and diseased brains, a crucial step toward uncovering the biological and immunological consequences of this understudied mechanical phenotype in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyi Zheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rohin Banerji
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rob LeBourdais
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sue Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric DuBois
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Timothy O’Shea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hadi T Nia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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19
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Pavuluri K, Huston J, Ehman RL, Manduca A, Jack CR, Senjem ML, Vemuri P, Murphy MC. Associations between vascular health, brain stiffness and global cognitive function. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae073. [PMID: 38505229 PMCID: PMC10950054 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Vascular brain injury results in loss of structural and functional connectivity and leads to cognitive impairment. Its various manifestations, including microinfarcts, microhaemorrhages and white matter hyperintensities, result in microstructural tissue integrity loss and secondary neurodegeneration. Among these, tissue microstructural alteration is a relatively early event compared with atrophy along the aging and neurodegeneration continuum. Understanding its association with cognition may provide the opportunity to further elucidate the relationship between vascular health and clinical outcomes. Magnetic resonance elastography offers a non-invasive approach to evaluate tissue mechanical properties, providing a window into the microstructural integrity of the brain. This retrospective study evaluated brain stiffness as a potential biomarker for vascular brain injury and its role in mediating the impact of vascular dysfunction on cognitive impairment. Seventy-five participants from the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging underwent brain imaging using a 3T MR imager with a spin-echo echo-planar imaging sequence for magnetic resonance elastography and T1- and T2-weighted pulse sequences. This study evaluated the effects of vascular biomarkers (white matter hyperintensities and cardiometabolic condition score) on brain stiffness using voxelwise analysis. Partial correlation analysis explored associations between brain stiffness, white matter hyperintensities, cardiometabolic condition and global cognition. Mediation analysis determined the role of stiffness in mediating the relationship between vascular biomarkers and cognitive performance. Statistical significance was set at P-values < 0.05. Diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance elastography stiffness for white matter hyperintensities and cardiometabolic condition was evaluated using receiver operator characteristic curves. Voxelwise linear regression analysis indicated white matter hyperintensities negatively correlate with brain stiffness, specifically in periventricular regions with high white matter hyperintensity levels. A negative association between cardiovascular risk factors and stiffness was also observed across the brain. No significant patterns of stiffness changes were associated with amyloid load. Global stiffness (µ) negatively correlated with both white matter hyperintensities and cardiometabolic condition when all other covariables including amyloid load were controlled. The positive correlation between white matter hyperintensities and cardiometabolic condition weakened and became statistically insignificant when controlling for other covariables. Brain stiffness and global cognition were positively correlated, maintaining statistical significance after adjusting for all covariables. These findings suggest mechanical alterations are associated with cognitive dysfunction and vascular brain injury. Brain stiffness significantly mediated the indirect effects of white matter hyperintensities and cardiometabolic condition on global cognition. Local cerebrovascular diseases (assessed by white matter hyperintensities) and systemic vascular risk factors (assessed by cardiometabolic condition) impact brain stiffness with spatially and statistically distinct effects. Global brain stiffness is a significant mediator between vascular disease measures and cognitive function, highlighting the value of magnetic resonance elastography-based mechanical assessments in understanding this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John Huston
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Richard L Ehman
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Armando Manduca
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Clifford R Jack
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Matthew L Senjem
- Department of Information Technology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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20
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Sacchi M, Sauter-Starace F, Mailley P, Texier I. Resorbable conductive materials for optimally interfacing medical devices with the living. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1294238. [PMID: 38449676 PMCID: PMC10916519 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1294238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Implantable and wearable bioelectronic systems are arising growing interest in the medical field. Linking the microelectronic (electronic conductivity) and biological (ionic conductivity) worlds, the biocompatible conductive materials at the electrode/tissue interface are key components in these systems. We herein focus more particularly on resorbable bioelectronic systems, which can safely degrade in the biological environment once they have completed their purpose, namely, stimulating or sensing biological activity in the tissues. Resorbable conductive materials are also explored in the fields of tissue engineering and 3D cell culture. After a short description of polymer-based substrates and scaffolds, and resorbable electrical conductors, we review how they can be combined to design resorbable conductive materials. Although these materials are still emerging, various medical and biomedical applications are already taking shape that can profoundly modify post-operative and wound healing follow-up. Future challenges and perspectives in the field are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Sacchi
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, LETI-DTIS (Département des Technologies pour l’Innovation en Santé), Grenoble, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, JACOB-SEPIA, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Fabien Sauter-Starace
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, LETI-DTIS (Département des Technologies pour l’Innovation en Santé), Grenoble, France
| | - Pascal Mailley
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, LETI-DTIS (Département des Technologies pour l’Innovation en Santé), Grenoble, France
| | - Isabelle Texier
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, LETI-DTIS (Département des Technologies pour l’Innovation en Santé), Grenoble, France
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21
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Li M, Sun H, Hou Z, Hao S, Jin L, Wang B. Engineering the Physical Microenvironment into Neural Organoids for Neurogenesis and Neurodevelopment. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2306451. [PMID: 37771182 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202306451] [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: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the signals from the physical microenvironment is critical for deciphering the processes of neurogenesis and neurodevelopment. The discovery of how surrounding physical signals shape human developing neurons is hindered by the bottleneck of conventional cell culture and animal models. Notwithstanding neural organoids provide a promising platform for recapitulating human neurogenesis and neurodevelopment, building neuronal physical microenvironment that accurately mimics the native neurophysical features is largely ignored in current organoid technologies. Here, it is discussed how the physical microenvironment modulates critical events during the periods of neurogenesis and neurodevelopment, such as neural stem cell fates, neural tube closure, neuronal migration, axonal guidance, optic cup formation, and cortical folding. Although animal models are widely used to investigate the impacts of physical factors on neurodevelopment and neuropathy, the important roles of human stem cell-derived neural organoids in this field are particularly highlighted. Considering the great promise of human organoids, building neural organoid microenvironments with mechanical forces, electrophysiological microsystems, and light manipulation will help to fully understand the physical cues in neurodevelopmental processes. Neural organoids combined with cutting-edge techniques, such as advanced atomic force microscopes, microrobots, and structural color biomaterials might promote the development of neural organoid-based research and neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Li
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Heng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
| | - Zongkun Hou
- Key Laboratory of Infectious Immune and Antibody Engineering of Guizhou Province, Engineering Research Center of Cellular Immunotherapy of Guizhou Province, School of Biology and Engineering/School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Shilei Hao
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
| | - Liang Jin
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
| | - Bochu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
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22
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Feng Y, Murphy MC, Hojo E, Li F, Roberts N. Magnetic Resonance Elastography in the Study of Neurodegenerative Diseases. J Magn Reson Imaging 2024; 59:82-96. [PMID: 37084171 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.28747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) present a major health burden to society. Changes in brain structure and cognition are generally only observed at the late stage of the disease. Although advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques such as diffusion imaging may allow identification of biomarkers at earlier stages of neurodegeneration, early diagnosis is still challenging. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a noninvasive MRI technique for studying the mechanical properties of tissues by measuring the wave propagation induced in the tissues using a purpose-built actuator. Here, we present a systematic review of preclinical and clinical studies in which MRE has been applied to study neurodegenerative diseases. Actuator systems for data acquisition, inversion algorithms for data analysis, and sample demographics are described and tissue stiffness measures obtained for the whole brain and internal structures are summarized. A total of six animal studies and eight human studies have been published. The animal studies refer to 123 experimental animals (68 AD and 55 PD) and 121 wild-type animals, while the human studies refer to 142 patients with neurodegenerative disease (including 56 AD and 17 PD) and 166 controls. The animal studies are consistent in the reporting of decreased stiffness of the hippocampal region in AD mice. However, in terms of disease progression, although consistent decreases in either storage modulus or shear modulus magnitude are reported for whole brain, there is variation in the results reported for the hippocampal region. The clinical studies are consistent in reports of a significant decrease in either whole brain storage modulus or shear modulus magnitude, in both AD and PD and with different brain structures affected in different neurodegenerative diseases. MRE studies of neurodegenerative diseases are still in their infancy, and in future it will be interesting to investigate potential relationships between brain mechanical properties and clinical measures, which may help elucidate the mechanisms underlying onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 1. TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Feng
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Medical Robotics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Advanced Magnetic Resonance Technologies for Diagnosis and Therapy (NERC-AMRT), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Matthew C Murphy
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Emi Hojo
- Centre for Reproductive Health (CRH), School of Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Neil Roberts
- Centre for Reproductive Health (CRH), School of Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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23
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Liu Y, Zhang J, Li Y, Zhao Y, Kuermanbayi S, Zhuang J, Zhang H, Xu F, Li F. Matrix stiffness-dependent microglia activation in response to inflammatory cues: in situ investigation by scanning electrochemical microscopy. Chem Sci 2023; 15:171-184. [PMID: 38131065 PMCID: PMC10732011 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc03504b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia play a crucial role in maintaining the homeostasis of the central nervous system (CNS) by sensing and responding to mechanical and inflammatory cues in their microenvironment. However, the interplay between mechanical and inflammatory cues in regulating microglia activation remains elusive. In this work, we constructed in vitro mechanical-inflammatory coupled microenvironment models of microglia by culturing BV2 cells (a murine microglial cell line) on polyacrylamide gels with tunable stiffness and incorporating a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to mimic the physiological and pathological microenvironment of microglia in the hippocampus. Through characterization of activation-related proteins, cytokines, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, we observed that the LPS treatment induced microglia on a stiff matrix to exhibit overexpression of NOX2, higher levels of ROS and inflammatory factors compared to those on a soft matrix. Additionally, using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), we performed in situ characterization and discovered that microglia on a stiff matrix promoted extracellular ROS production, leading to a disruption in their redox balance and increased susceptibility to LPS-induced ROS production. Furthermore, the respiratory activity and migration behavior of microglia were closely associated with their activation process, with the stiff matrix-LPS-induced microglia demonstrating the most pronounced changes in respiratory activity and migration ability. This work represents the first in situ and dynamic monitoring of microglia activation state alterations under a mechanical-inflammatory coupled microenvironment using SECM. Our findings shed light on matrix stiffness-dependent activation of microglia in response to an inflammatory microenvironment, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying neuroinflammatory processes in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulin Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an 710049 P. R. China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an 710049 P. R. China
| | - Junjie Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an 710049 P. R. China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an 710049 P. R. China
| | - Yabei Li
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an 710049 P. R. China
- School of Chemistry, Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an 710049 P. R. China
| | - Yuxiang Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an 710049 P. R. China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an 710049 P. R. China
| | - Shuake Kuermanbayi
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an 710049 P. R. China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an 710049 P. R. China
| | - Jian Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Education Ministry for Modern Design Rotor-Bearing System, School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an 710049 P. R. China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an 710061 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 710049 P. R. China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an 710049 P. R. China
| | - Fei Li
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an 710049 P. R. China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an 710049 P. R. China
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24
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Caçoilo A, Dortdivanlioglu B, Rusinek H, Weickenmeier J. A multiphysics model to predict periventricular white matter hyperintensity growth during healthy brain aging. BRAIN MULTIPHYSICS 2023; 5:100072. [PMID: 37546181 PMCID: PMC10399513 DOI: 10.1016/j.brain.2023.100072] [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] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Periventricular white matter hyperintensities (WMH) are a common finding in medical images of the aging brain and are associated with white matter damage resulting from cerebral small vessel disease, white matter inflammation, and a degeneration of the lateral ventricular wall. Despite extensive work, the etiology of periventricular WMHs remains unclear. We pose that there is a strong coupling between age-related ventricular expansion and the degeneration of the ventricular wall which leads to a dysregulated fluid exchange across this brain-fluid barrier. Here, we present a multiphysics model that couples cerebral atrophy-driven ventricular wall loading with periventricular WMH formation and progression. We use patient data to create eight 2D finite element models and demonstrate the predictive capabilities of our damage model. Our simulations show that we accurately capture the spatiotemporal features of periventricular WMH growth. For one, we observe that damage appears first in both the anterior and posterior horns and then spreads into deeper white matter tissue. For the other, we note that it takes up to 12 years before periventricular WMHs first appear and derive an average annualized periventricular WMH damage growth rate of 15.2 ± 12.7 mm2/year across our models. A sensitivity analysis demonstrated that our model parameters provide sufficient sensitivity to rationalize subject-specific differences with respect to onset time and damage growth. Moreover, we show that the septum pellucidum, a membrane that separates the left and right lateral ventricles, delays the onset of periventricular WMHs at first, but leads to a higher WMH load in the long-term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Caçoilo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, United States of America
| | - Berkin Dortdivanlioglu
- Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America
| | - Henry Rusinek
- Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, United States of America
| | - Johannes Weickenmeier
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, United States of America
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25
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Bonucci M, Shu T, Holt LJ. How it feels in a cell. Trends Cell Biol 2023; 33:924-938. [PMID: 37286396 PMCID: PMC10592589 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Life emerges from thousands of biochemical processes occurring within a shared intracellular environment. We have gained deep insights from in vitro reconstitution of isolated biochemical reactions. However, the reaction medium in test tubes is typically simple and diluted. The cell interior is far more complex: macromolecules occupy more than a third of the space, and energy-consuming processes agitate the cell interior. Here, we review how this crowded, active environment impacts the motion and assembly of macromolecules, with an emphasis on mesoscale particles (10-1000 nm diameter). We describe methods to probe and analyze the biophysical properties of cells and highlight how changes in these properties can impact physiology and signaling, and potentially contribute to aging, and diseases, including cancer and neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Bonucci
- Institute for Systems Genetics, New York University Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Tong Shu
- Institute for Systems Genetics, New York University Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Liam J Holt
- Institute for Systems Genetics, New York University Langone Medical Center, 435 E 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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26
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Zhang X, Weickenmeier J. Brain Stiffness Follows Cuprizone-Induced Variations in Local Myelin Content. Acta Biomater 2023; 170:507-518. [PMID: 37660962 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.08.033] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Brain maturation and neurological diseases are intricately linked to microstructural changes that inherently affect the brain's mechanical behavior. Animal models are frequently used to explore relative brain stiffness changes as a function of underlying microstructure. Here, we are using the cuprizone mouse model to study indentation-derived stiffness changes resulting from acute and chronic demyelination during a 15-week observation period. We focus on the corpus callosum, cingulum, and cortex which undergo different degrees of de- and remyelination and, therefore, result in region-specific stiffness changes. Mean stiffness of the corpus callosum starts at 1.1 ± 0.3 kPa in untreated mice, then cuprizone treatment causes stiffness to drop to 0.6 ± 0.1 kPa by week 3, temporarily increase to 0.9 ± 0.3 kPa by week 6, and ultimately stabilize around 0.7 ± 0.1 kPa by week 9 for the rest of the observation period. The cingulum starts at 3.2 ± 0.9 kPa, then drops to 1.6 ± 0.4 kPa by week 3, and then gradually stabilizes around 1.4 ± 0.3 kPa by week 9. Cortical stiffness exhibits less stiffness variations overall; it starts at 4.2 ± 1.3 kPa, drops to 2.4 ± 0.6 kPa by week 3, and stabilizes around 2.7 ± 0.9 kPa by week 6. We also assess the impact of tissue fixation on indentation-based mechanical tissue characterization. On the one hand, fixation drastically increases untreated mean tissue stiffness by a factor of 3.3 for the corpus callosum, 2.9 for the cingulum, and 3.6 for the cortex; on the other hand, fixation influences interregional stiffness ratios during demyelination, thus suggesting that fixation affects individual brain tissues differently. Lastly, we determine the spatial correlation between stiffness measurements and myelin density and observe a region-specific proportionality between myelin content and tissue stiffness. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Despite extensive work, the relationship between microstructure and mechanical behavior in the brain remains mostly unknown. Additionally, the existing variation of measurement results reported in literature requires in depth investigation of the impact of individual cell and protein populations on tissue stiffness and interregional stiffness ratios. Here, we used microindentation measurements to show that brain stiffness changes with myelin density in the cuprizone-based demyelination mouse model. Moreover, we explored the impact of tissue fixation prior to mechanical characterization because of conflicting results reported in literature. We observe that fixation has a distinctly different impact on our three regions of interest, thus causing region-specific tissue stiffening and, more importantly, changing interregional stiffness ratios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuesong Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030 United States
| | - Johannes Weickenmeier
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030 United States.
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27
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Turan Sorhun D, Kuşoğlu A, Öztürk E. Developing Bovine Brain-Derived Extracellular Matrix Hydrogels: a Screen of Decellularization Methods for Their Impact on Biochemical and Mechanical Properties. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:36933-36947. [PMID: 37841171 PMCID: PMC10569007 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c04064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Tissue models that recapitulate the key biochemical and physical aspects of the brain have been highly pursued in neural tissue engineering. Decellularization of native organs offers the advantage of preserving the composition of native extracellular matrix (ECM). Brain ECM has distinct features which play a major role in neural cell behavior. Cell instructive ligands and mechanical properties take part in the regulation of cellular processes in homeostasis and diseases. One of the main challenges in decellularization is maintaining mechanical integrity in reconstituted hydrogels and achieving physiologically relevant stiffness. The effect of the decellularization process on different mechanical aspects, particularly the viscoelasticity of brain-derived hydrogels, has not been addressed. In this study, we developed bovine brain-derived hydrogels for the first time. We pursued seven protocols for decellularization and screened their effect on biochemical content, hydrogel formation, and mechanical characteristics. We show that bovine brain offers an easily accessible alternative for in vitro brain tissue modeling. Our data demonstrate that the choice of decellularization method strongly alters gelation as well as the stiffness and viscoelasticity of the resulting hydrogels. Lastly, we investigated the cytocompatibility of brain ECM hydrogels and the effect of modulated mechanical properties on the growth and morphological features of neuroblastoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duygu Turan Sorhun
- Engineered
Cancer and Organ Models Laboratory, Koç
University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
- Research
Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Alican Kuşoğlu
- Engineered
Cancer and Organ Models Laboratory, Koç
University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
- Research
Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Ece Öztürk
- Engineered
Cancer and Organ Models Laboratory, Koç
University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
- Research
Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
- Department
of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
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28
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Ferreira AC, Hemmer BM, Philippi SM, Grau-Perales AB, Rosenstadt JL, Liu H, Zhu JD, Kareva T, Ahfeldt T, Varghese M, Hof PR, Castellano JM. Neuronal TIMP2 regulates hippocampus-dependent plasticity and extracellular matrix complexity. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3943-3954. [PMID: 37914840 PMCID: PMC10730400 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02296-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Functional output of the hippocampus, a brain region subserving memory function, depends on highly orchestrated cellular and molecular processes that regulate synaptic plasticity throughout life. The structural requirements of such plasticity and molecular events involved in this regulation are poorly understood. Specific molecules, including tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP2) have been implicated in plasticity processes in the hippocampus, a role that decreases with brain aging as expression is lost. Here, we report that TIMP2 is highly expressed by neurons within the hippocampus and its loss drives changes in cellular programs related to adult neurogenesis and dendritic spine turnover with corresponding impairments in hippocampus-dependent memory. Consistent with the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the hippocampus we observe with aging, we find that TIMP2 acts to reduce accumulation of ECM around synapses in the hippocampus. Moreover, its deletion results in hindrance of newborn neuron migration through a denser ECM network. A novel conditional TIMP2 knockout (KO) model reveals that neuronal TIMP2 regulates adult neurogenesis, accumulation of ECM, and ultimately hippocampus-dependent memory. Our results define a mechanism whereby hippocampus-dependent function is regulated by TIMP2 and its interactions with the ECM to regulate diverse processes associated with synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Catarina Ferreira
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brittany M Hemmer
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sarah M Philippi
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alejandro B Grau-Perales
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jacob L Rosenstadt
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hanxiao Liu
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Zhu
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tatyana Kareva
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tim Ahfeldt
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Merina Varghese
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patrick R Hof
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph M Castellano
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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29
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Klostermeier S, Li A, Hou HX, Green U, Lennerz JK. Exploring the Skin Brain Link: Biomarkers in the Skin with Implications for Aging Research and Alzheimer's Disease Diagnostics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13309. [PMID: 37686115 PMCID: PMC10487444 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), are challenging to diagnose. Currently the field must rely on imperfect diagnostic modalities. A recent study identified differences in several key bio-mechano-physiological parameters of the skin between AD patients and healthy controls. Here, we visually align these differences with the relevant histological, aging, and embryological paradigms to raise awareness for these potential biomarkers. In a study conducted by Wu et al., a series of n = 41 patients (n = 29 with AD and n = 12 healthy controls) were evaluated, demonstrating that AD patients exhibit a less acidic skin pH, increased skin hydration, and reduced skin elasticity compared to healthy controls. We constructed a visual overview and explored the relevant paradigms. We present a visual comparison of these factors, highlighting four paradigms: (1) the findings emphasize a shared ectodermal origin of the brain and the skin; (2) functional systems such as micro-vascularization, innervation, eccrine excretory functions, and the extracellular matrix undergo distinct changes in patients with AD; (3) the human skin mirrors the alterations in brain stiffness observed in aging studies; (4) assessment of physiological features of the skin is cost-effective, accessible, and easily amenable for monitoring and integration with cognitive assessment studies. Understanding the relationship between aging skin and aging brain is an exciting frontier, holding great promise for improved diagnostics. Further prospective and larger-scale investigations are needed to solidify the brain-skin link and determine the extent to which this relationship can be leveraged for diagnostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Klostermeier
- Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Annie Li
- Center for Integrated Diagnostics, Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (A.L.); (H.X.H.); (U.G.)
| | - Helen X. Hou
- Center for Integrated Diagnostics, Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (A.L.); (H.X.H.); (U.G.)
| | - Ula Green
- Center for Integrated Diagnostics, Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (A.L.); (H.X.H.); (U.G.)
| | - Jochen K. Lennerz
- Center for Integrated Diagnostics, Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; (A.L.); (H.X.H.); (U.G.)
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30
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Hall CM, Lasli S, Serwinski B, Djordjevic B, Sheridan GK, Moeendarbary E. Hippocampus of the APP NL-G-F mouse model of Alzheimer's disease exhibits region-specific tissue softening concomitant with elevated astrogliosis. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1212212. [PMID: 37547743 PMCID: PMC10398960 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1212212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Widespread neurodegeneration, enlargement of cerebral ventricles, and atrophy of cortical and hippocampal brain structures are classic hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Prominent macroscopic disturbances to the cytoarchitecture of the AD brain occur alongside changes in the mechanical properties of brain tissue, as reported in recent magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) measurements of human brain mechanics. Whilst MRE has many advantages, a significant shortcoming is its spatial resolution. Higher resolution "cellular scale" assessment of the mechanical alterations to brain regions involved in memory formation, such as the hippocampus, could provide fresh new insight into the etiology of AD. Characterization of brain tissue mechanics at the cellular length scale is the first stepping-stone to understanding how mechanosensitive neurons and glia are impacted by neurodegenerative disease-associated changes in their microenvironment. To provide insight into the microscale mechanics of aging brain tissue, we measured spatiotemporal changes in the mechanical properties of the hippocampus using high resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation tests on acute brain slices from young and aged wild-type mice and the APPNL-G-F mouse model. Several hippocampal regions in APPNL-G-F mice are significantly softer than age-matched wild-types, notably the dentate granule cell layer and the CA1 pyramidal cell layer. Interestingly, regional softening coincides with an increase in astrocyte reactivity, suggesting that amyloid pathology-mediated alterations to the mechanical properties of brain tissue may impact the function of mechanosensitive astrocytes. Our data also raise questions as to whether aberrant mechanotransduction signaling could impact the susceptibility of neurons to cellular stressors in their microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe M. Hall
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Soufian Lasli
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bianca Serwinski
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- 199 Biotechnologies Ltd., London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Northeastern University London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Boris Djordjevic
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- 199 Biotechnologies Ltd., London, United Kingdom
| | - Graham K. Sheridan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Emad Moeendarbary
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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31
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Saraswathibhatla A, Indana D, Chaudhuri O. Cell-extracellular matrix mechanotransduction in 3D. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2023; 24:495-516. [PMID: 36849594 PMCID: PMC10656994 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-023-00583-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 86.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical properties of extracellular matrices (ECMs) regulate essential cell behaviours, including differentiation, migration and proliferation, through mechanotransduction. Studies of cell-ECM mechanotransduction have largely focused on cells cultured in 2D, on top of elastic substrates with a range of stiffnesses. However, cells often interact with ECMs in vivo in a 3D context, and cell-ECM interactions and mechanisms of mechanotransduction in 3D can differ from those in 2D. The ECM exhibits various structural features as well as complex mechanical properties. In 3D, mechanical confinement by the surrounding ECM restricts changes in cell volume and cell shape but allows cells to generate force on the matrix by extending protrusions and regulating cell volume as well as through actomyosin-based contractility. Furthermore, cell-matrix interactions are dynamic owing to matrix remodelling. Accordingly, ECM stiffness, viscoelasticity and degradability often play a critical role in regulating cell behaviours in 3D. Mechanisms of 3D mechanotransduction include traditional integrin-mediated pathways that sense mechanical properties and more recently described mechanosensitive ion channel-mediated pathways that sense 3D confinement, with both converging on the nucleus for downstream control of transcription and phenotype. Mechanotransduction is involved in tissues from development to cancer and is being increasingly harnessed towards mechanotherapy. Here we discuss recent progress in our understanding of cell-ECM mechanotransduction in 3D.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dhiraj Indana
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ovijit Chaudhuri
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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32
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Akcay G, Luttge R. Microenvironments Matter: Advances in Brain-on-Chip. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:551. [PMID: 37232912 PMCID: PMC10216565 DOI: 10.3390/bios13050551] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
To highlight the particular needs with respect to modeling the unique and complex organization of the human brain structure, we reviewed the state-of-the-art in devising brain models with engineered instructive microenvironments. To acquire a better perspective on the brain's working mechanisms, we first summarize the importance of regional stiffness gradients in brain tissue, varying per layer and the cellular diversities of the layers. Through this, one can acquire an understanding of the essential parameters in emulating the brain in vitro. In addition to the brain's organizational architecture, we addressed also how the mechanical properties have an impact on neuronal cell responses. In this respect, advanced in vitro platforms emerged and profoundly changed the methods of brain modeling efforts from the past, mainly focusing on animal or cell line research. The main challenges in imitating features of the brain in a dish are with regard to composition and functionality. In neurobiological research, there are now methods that aim to cope with such challenges by the self-assembly of human-derived pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), i.e., brainoids. Alternatively, these brainoids can be used stand-alone or in conjunction with Brain-on-Chip (BoC) platform technology, 3D-printed gels, and other types of engineered guidance features. Currently, advanced in vitro methods have made a giant leap forward regarding cost-effectiveness, ease-of-use, and availability. We bring these recent developments together into one review. We believe our conclusions will give a novel perspective towards advancing instructive microenvironments for BoCs and the understanding of the brain's cellular functions either in modeling healthy or diseased states of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulden Akcay
- Neuro-Nanoscale Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering/Microsystems, Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
| | - Regina Luttge
- Neuro-Nanoscale Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering/Microsystems, Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
- Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Eindhoven Hendrik Casimir Institute, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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Saleh BM, Pourmostafa A, Patrawalla NY, Kishore V. Xeno-Free Biomimetic ECM Model for Investigation of Matrix Composition and Stiffness on Astrocyte Cell Response. J Funct Biomater 2023; 14:jfb14050256. [PMID: 37233366 DOI: 10.3390/jfb14050256] [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: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes, highly specialized glial cells, play a critical role in neuronal function. Variations in brain extracellular matrix (ECM) during development and disease can significantly alter astrocyte cell function. Age-related changes in ECM properties have been linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. The goal of this study was to develop hydrogel-based biomimetic ECM models with varying stiffness and evaluate the effects of ECM composition and stiffness on astrocyte cell response. Xeno-free ECM models were synthesized by combining varying ratios of human collagen and thiolated hyaluronic acid (HA) crosslinked with polyethylene glycol diacrylate. Results showed that modulating ECM composition yielded hydrogels with varying stiffnesses that match the stiffness of the native brain ECM. Collagen-rich hydrogels swell more and exhibit greater stability. Higher metabolic activity and greater cell spreading was observed in hydrogels with lower HA. Soft hydrogels trigger astrocyte activation indicated by greater cell spreading, high GFAP expression and low ALDH1L1 expression. This work presents a baseline ECM model to investigate the synergistic effects of ECM composition and stiffness on astrocytes, which could be further developed to identify key ECM biomarkers and formulate new therapies to alleviate the impact of ECM changes on the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bayan M Saleh
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA
| | - Ayda Pourmostafa
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA
| | - Nashaita Y Patrawalla
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA
| | - Vipuil Kishore
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA
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Weickenmeier J. Exploring the multiphysics of the brain during development, aging, and in neurological diseases. BRAIN MULTIPHYSICS 2023; 4:100068. [PMID: 37476409 PMCID: PMC10358452 DOI: 10.1016/j.brain.2023.100068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The human brain remains an endless source of wonder and represents an intruiging scientific frontier. Multiphysics approaches naturally lend themselves to combine our extensive knowledge about the neurobiology of aging and diseases with mechanics to better capture the multiscale behavior of the brain. Our group uses experimental methods, medical image analysis, and constitutive modeling to develop better disease models with the long-term goal to improve diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately enable prevention of many prevalent age- and disease-related brain changes. In the present perspective, we outline on-going work related to neurodevelopment, aging, and neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Weickenmeier
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, United States of America
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Kerdegari S, Canepa P, Odino D, Oropesa-Nuñez R, Relini A, Cavalleri O, Canale C. Insights in Cell Biomechanics through Atomic Force Microscopy. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:2980. [PMID: 37109816 PMCID: PMC10142950 DOI: 10.3390/ma16082980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
We review the advances obtained by using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)-based approaches in the field of cell/tissue mechanics and adhesion, comparing the solutions proposed and critically discussing them. AFM offers a wide range of detectable forces with a high force sensitivity, thus allowing a broad class of biological issues to be addressed. Furthermore, it allows for the accurate control of the probe position during the experiments, providing spatially resolved mechanical maps of the biological samples with subcellular resolution. Nowadays, mechanobiology is recognized as a subject of great relevance in biotechnological and biomedical fields. Focusing on the past decade, we discuss the intriguing issues of cellular mechanosensing, i.e., how cells sense and adapt to their mechanical environment. Next, we examine the relationship between cell mechanical properties and pathological states, focusing on cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. We show how AFM has contributed to the characterization of pathological mechanisms and discuss its role in the development of a new class of diagnostic tools that consider cell mechanics as new tumor biomarkers. Finally, we describe the unique ability of AFM to study cell adhesion, working quantitatively and at the single-cell level. Again, we relate cell adhesion experiments to the study of mechanisms directly or secondarily involved in pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajedeh Kerdegari
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genova, Italy; (S.K.); (P.C.); (D.O.); (A.R.)
| | - Paolo Canepa
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genova, Italy; (S.K.); (P.C.); (D.O.); (A.R.)
| | - Davide Odino
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genova, Italy; (S.K.); (P.C.); (D.O.); (A.R.)
| | - Reinier Oropesa-Nuñez
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Uppsala University, Ångströmlaboratoriet, Box 35, SE-751 03 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Annalisa Relini
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genova, Italy; (S.K.); (P.C.); (D.O.); (A.R.)
| | - Ornella Cavalleri
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genova, Italy; (S.K.); (P.C.); (D.O.); (A.R.)
| | - Claudio Canale
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genova, Italy; (S.K.); (P.C.); (D.O.); (A.R.)
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Carmo GP, Dymek M, Ptak M, Alves-de-Sousa RJ, Fernandes FAO. Development, validation and a case study: The female finite element head model (FeFEHM). COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 231:107430. [PMID: 36827824 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2023.107430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Traumatic brain injuries are one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world. To better understand the interactions and forces applied in different constituents of the human head, several finite element head models have been developed throughout the years, for offering a good cost-effective and ethical approach compared to experimental tests. Once validated, the female finite element head model (FeFEHM) will allow a better understanding of injury mechanisms resulting in neuronal damage, which can later evolve into neurodegenerative diseases. METHODS This work encompasses the approached methodology starting from medical images and finite element modelling until the validation process using novel experimental data of brain displacements conducted on human cadavers. The material modelling of the brain is performed using an age-specific characterization of the brain using microindentation at dynamic rates and under large deformation, with a similar age to the patient used to model the FeFEHM. RESULTS The numerical displacement curves are in good accordance with the experimental data, displaying similar peak times and values, in all three anatomical planes. The case study result shows a similarity between the pressure fields of the FeFEHM compared to another model, highlighting the future potential of the model. CONCLUSIONS The initial objective was met, and a new female finite element head model has been developed with biofidelic brain motion. This model will be used for the assessment of repetitive impact scenarios and its repercussions on the female brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo P Carmo
- Centre for Mechanical Technology and Automation (TEMA), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Campus Universitário de Santiago, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal; LASI-Intelligent Systems Associate Laboratory, Portugal.
| | - Mateusz Dymek
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Łukasiewicza 5/7, Wrocław 50-370, Poland
| | - Mariusz Ptak
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Łukasiewicza 5/7, Wrocław 50-370, Poland
| | - Ricardo J Alves-de-Sousa
- Centre for Mechanical Technology and Automation (TEMA), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Campus Universitário de Santiago, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal; LASI-Intelligent Systems Associate Laboratory, Portugal
| | - Fábio A O Fernandes
- Centre for Mechanical Technology and Automation (TEMA), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Campus Universitário de Santiago, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal; LASI-Intelligent Systems Associate Laboratory, Portugal
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37
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Li D, Li J, Hu J, Tang M, Xiu P, Guo Y, Chen T, Mu N, Wang L, Zhang X, Liang G, Wang H, Fan C. Nanomechanical Profiling of Aβ42 Oligomer-Induced Biological Changes in Single Hippocampus Neurons. ACS NANO 2023; 17:5517-5527. [PMID: 36881017 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c10861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how Aβ42 oligomers induce changes in neurons from a mechanobiological perspective has important implications in neuronal dysfunction relevant to neurodegenerative diseases. However, it remains challenging to profile the mechanical responses of neurons and correlate the mechanical signatures to the biological properties of neurons given the structural complexity of cells. Here, we quantitatively investigate the nanomechanical properties of primary hippocampus neurons upon exposure to Aβ42 oligomers at the single neuron level by using atomic force microscopy (AFM). We develop a method termed heterogeneity-load-unload nanomechanics (HLUN), which exploits the AFM force spectra in the whole loading-unloading cycle, allowing comprehensive profiling of the mechanical properties of living neurons. We extract four key nanomechanical parameters, including the apparent Young's modulus, cell spring constant, normalized hysteresis, and adhesion work, that serve as the nanomechanical signatures of neurons treated with Aβ42 oligomers. These parameters are well-correlated with neuronal height increase, cortical actin filament strengthening, and calcium concentration elevation. Thus, we establish an HLUN method-based AFM nanomechanical analysis tool for single neuron study and build an effective correlation between the nanomechanical profile of the single neurons and the biological effects triggered by Aβ42 oligomers. Our finding provides useful information on the dysfunction of neurons from the mechanobiological perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Li
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
- Center of Super-resolution Optics and Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Jiang Li
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Zhangjiang Laboratory, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201204, China
| | - Jiao Hu
- Center of Super-resolution Optics and Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Mingjie Tang
- Center of Super-resolution Optics and Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Peng Xiu
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Yunchang Guo
- Yihuang (Wuxi) Spectrum Measurement & Control Co., Ltd., Wuxi 214024, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tunan Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Ning Mu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Lihua Wang
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Zhangjiang Laboratory, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201204, China
| | - Xuehua Zhang
- Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G1H9, Alberta, Canada
| | - Guizhao Liang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Huabin Wang
- Center of Super-resolution Optics and Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Chunhai Fan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200024, China
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Donnaloja F, Limonta E, Mancosu C, Morandi F, Boeri L, Albani D, Raimondi MT. Unravelling the mechanotransduction pathways in Alzheimer's disease. J Biol Eng 2023; 17:22. [PMID: 36978103 PMCID: PMC10045049 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-023-00336-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents one of the most common and debilitating neurodegenerative disorders. By the end of 2040, AD patients might reach 11.2 million in the USA, around 70% higher than 2022, with severe consequences on the society. As now, we still need research to find effective methods to treat AD. Most studies focused on the tau and amyloid hypothesis, but many other factors are likely involved in the pathophysiology of AD. In this review, we summarize scientific evidence dealing with the mechanotransduction players in AD to highlight the most relevant mechano-responsive elements that play a role in AD pathophysiology. We focused on the AD-related role of extracellular matrix (ECM), nuclear lamina, nuclear transport and synaptic activity. The literature supports that ECM alteration causes the lamin A increment in the AD patients, leading to the formation of nuclear blebs and invaginations. Nuclear blebs have consequences on the nuclear pore complexes, impairing nucleo-cytoplasmic transport. This may result in tau hyperphosphorylation and its consequent self-aggregation in tangles, which impairs the neurotransmitters transport. It all exacerbates in synaptic transmission impairment, leading to the characteristic AD patient's memory loss. Here we related for the first time all the evidence associating the mechanotransduction pathway with neurons. In addition, we highlighted the entire pathway influencing neurodegenerative diseases, paving the way for new research perspectives in the context of AD and related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Donnaloja
- Politecnico Di Milano, Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Campus Leonardo, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Emma Limonta
- Politecnico Di Milano, Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Campus Leonardo, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Christian Mancosu
- Politecnico Di Milano, Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Campus Leonardo, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Morandi
- Politecnico Di Milano, Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Campus Leonardo, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Boeri
- Politecnico Di Milano, Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Campus Leonardo, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Diego Albani
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Teresa Raimondi
- Politecnico Di Milano, Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Campus Leonardo, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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Cuní-López C, Stewart R, White AR, Quek H. 3D in vitro modelling of human patient microglia: A focus on clinical translation and drug development in neurodegenerative diseases. J Neuroimmunol 2023; 375:578017. [PMID: 36657374 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2023.578017] [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: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Microglia have an increasingly well-recognised role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, thereby becoming attractive therapeutic targets. However, the development of microglia-targeted therapeutics for neurodegeneration has had limited success. This stems partly from the lack of clinically relevant microglia model systems. To circumvent this translational gap, patient-derived microglial cell models established using conventional 2D in vitro techniques have emerged. Though promising, these models lack the microenvironment and multicellular interactions of the brain needed to maintain microglial homeostasis. In this review, we discuss the use of 3D in vitro platforms to improve microglia modelling and their potential benefits to fast-track drug development for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Cuní-López
- Mental Health and Neuroscience, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia.
| | - Romal Stewart
- Mental Health and Neuroscience, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia; UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia.
| | - Anthony R White
- Mental Health and Neuroscience, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia; School of Biomedical Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, QLD, Australia.
| | - Hazel Quek
- Mental Health and Neuroscience, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4006, QLD, Australia; School of Biomedical Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, QLD, Australia; School of Biomedical Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4059, QLD, Australia.
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40
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Gharahi H, Garimella HT, Chen ZJ, Gupta RK, Przekwas A. Mathematical model of mechanobiology of acute and repeated synaptic injury and systemic biomarker kinetics. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1007062. [PMID: 36814869 PMCID: PMC9939777 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1007062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Blast induced Traumatic Brain Injury (bTBI) has become a signature casualty of military operations. Recently, military medics observed neurocognitive deficits in servicemen exposed to repeated low level blast (LLB) waves during military heavy weapons training. In spite of significant clinical and preclinical TBI research, current understanding of injury mechanisms and short- and long-term outcomes is limited. Mathematical models of bTBI biomechanics and mechanobiology of sensitive neuro-structures such as synapses may help in better understanding of injury mechanisms and in the development of improved diagnostics and neuroprotective strategies. Methods and results In this work, we formulated a model of a single synaptic structure integrating the dynamics of the synaptic cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) with the deformation mechanics of the synaptic cleft. The model can resolve time scales ranging from milliseconds during the hyperacute phase of mechanical loading to minutes-hours acute/chronic phase of injury progression/repair. The model was used to simulate the synaptic injury responses caused by repeated blast loads. Conclusion Our simulations demonstrated the importance of the number of exposures compared to the duration of recovery period between repeated loads on the synaptic injury responses. The paper recognizes current limitations of the model and identifies potential improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamidreza Gharahi
- Biomedical and Data Sciences Division, CFD Research Corporation, Huntsville, AL, United States,Hamidreza Gharahi,
| | - Harsha T. Garimella
- Biomedical and Data Sciences Division, CFD Research Corporation, Huntsville, AL, United States
| | - Zhijian J. Chen
- Biomedical and Data Sciences Division, CFD Research Corporation, Huntsville, AL, United States
| | - Raj K. Gupta
- Department of Defense Blast Injury Research Program Coordinating Office, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, Fort Detrick, MD, United States
| | - Andrzej Przekwas
- Biomedical and Data Sciences Division, CFD Research Corporation, Huntsville, AL, United States,*Correspondence: Andrzej Przekwas,
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PIEZO1-Related Physiological and Pathological Processes in CNS: Focus on the Gliomas. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030883. [PMID: 36765838 PMCID: PMC9913778 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
PIEZO1 is ubiquitously expressed in cells in different kinds of tissues throughout the body, which can sense physical or mechanical stimuli and translate them into intracellular electrochemical signals to regulate organism functions. In particular, PIEZO1 appears in complex interactive regulatory networks as a central node, governing normal and pathological functions in the body. However, the effect and mechanism of the activation or expression of PIEZO1 in diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) remain unclear. On one hand, in CNS diseases, pathophysiological processes in neurons and glial are often accompanied by variations in the mechanical properties of the cellular and extracellular matrix stiffness. The expression of PIEZO1 can therefore be upregulated, in responding to mechanical stimulation, to drive the biological process in cells, which in turns indirectly affects the cellular microenvironment, resulting in alterations of the cellular status. On the other hand, it may have contradictory effects with the change of active patterns and/or subcellular location. This review highlights the biological processes involved with PIEZO1 in CNS cells, with special emphasis on its multiple roles in glioma-associated phenotypes. In conclusion, PIEZO1 can be used as an indicator to assess the malignancy and prognosis of patients with gliomas, as well as a therapeutic target for clinical application following fully exploring the potential mechanism of PIEZO1 in CNS diseases.
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Pavuluri K, Scott JM, Huston Iii J, Ehman RL, Manduca A, Jack CR, Savica R, Boeve BF, Kantarci K, Petersen RC, Knopman DS, Murphy MC. Differential effect of dementia etiology on cortical stiffness as assessed by MR elastography. Neuroimage Clin 2023; 37:103328. [PMID: 36696808 PMCID: PMC9879983 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2023.103328] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aging and dementia involve the disruption of brain molecular pathways leading to the alterations in tissue composition and gross morphology of the brain. Phenotypic and biomarker overlap between various etiologies of dementia supports a need for new modes of information to more accurately distinguish these disorders. Brain mechanical properties, which can be measured noninvasively by MR elastography, represent one understudied feature that are sensitive to neurodegenerative processes. In this study, we used two stiffness estimation schemes to test the hypothesis that different etiologies of dementia are associated with unique patterns of mechanical alterations across the cerebral cortex. METHODS MR elastography data were acquired for six clinical groups including amyloid-negative cognitively unimpaired (CU), amyloid-positive cognitively unimpaired (A + CU), amyloid-positive participants with mild cognitive impairment (A + MCI), amyloid-positive participants with Alzheimer's clinical syndrome (A + ACS), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Stiffness maps were computed using two neural network inversions with the objective to at least partially separate the parenchyma-specific and morphological effects of neurodegeneration on mechanical property estimates. A tissue-confined inversion algorithm was designed to obtain the best estimate of stiffness in the brain parenchyma itself, while a regionally-aware inversion algorithm was used to measure the tissue stiffness along with the surroundings. Mean stiffness of 15 bilateral gray matter cortical regions were considered for statistical analysis. First, we tested the hypothesis that cortical stiffness changes in the aging brain. Next, we tested the overall study hypothesis by first comparing stiffness in each clinical group to the CU group, and then comparing the clinical groups against one another. Finally, we assessed the spatial and statistical overlap between atrophy and stiffness changes for both inversions. RESULTS Cortical brain regions become softer with age for both inversions with larger effects observed using regionally-aware stiffness. Stiffness decreases in the range 0.010-0.027 kPa per year were observed. Pairwise comparisons of each clinical group with cognitively unimpaired participants demonstrated 5 statistically significant differences in stiffness for tissue-confined measurements and 19 statistically different stiffness changes for the regionally-aware stiffness measurements. Pairwise comparisons between clinical groups further demonstrated unique patterns of stiffness differences. Analysis of the atrophy-versus-stiffness relationship showed that regionally-aware stiffness measurements exhibit higher sensitivity to neurodegeneration with findings that are not fully explained by partial volume effects or atrophy. CONCLUSIONS Both tissue-confined and regionally-aware stiffness estimates exhibited unique and complementary stiffness differences in various etiologies of dementia. Our results suggest that mechanical alterations measured by MRE reflect both tissue-specific differences as well as environmental effects. Multi-inversion schemes in MRE may provide new insights into the relationships between neuropathology and brain biomechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan M Scott
- Mayo Clinic Medical Scientist Training Program, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | - Armando Manduca
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Rodolfo Savica
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Bradley F Boeve
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Kejal Kantarci
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Ronald C Petersen
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - David S Knopman
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Delgorio PL, Hiscox LV, McIlvain G, Kramer MK, Diano AM, Twohy KE, Merritt AA, McGarry MDJ, Schwarb H, Daugherty AM, Ellison JM, Lanzi AM, Cohen ML, Martens CR, Johnson CL. Hippocampal subfield viscoelasticity in amnestic mild cognitive impairment evaluated with MR elastography. Neuroimage Clin 2023; 37:103327. [PMID: 36682312 PMCID: PMC9871742 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2023.103327] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Hippocampal subfields (HCsf) are brain regions important for memory function that are vulnerable to decline with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), which is often a preclinical stage of Alzheimer's disease. Studies in aMCI patients often assess HCsf tissue integrity using measures of volume, which has little specificity to microstructure and pathology. We use magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to examine the viscoelastic mechanical properties of HCsf tissue, which is related to structural integrity, and sensitively detect differences in older adults with aMCI compared to an age-matched control group. Group comparisons revealed HCsf viscoelasticity is differentially affected in aMCI, with CA1-CA2 and DG-CA3 exhibiting lower stiffness and CA1-CA2 exhibiting higher damping ratio, both indicating poorer tissue integrity in aMCI. Including HCsf stiffness in a logistic regression improves classification of aMCI beyond measures of volume alone. Additionally, lower DG-CA3 stiffness predicted aMCI status regardless of DG-CA3 volume. These findings showcase the benefit of using MRE in detecting subtle pathological tissue changes in individuals with aMCI via the HCsf particularly affected in the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peyton L Delgorio
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Lucy V Hiscox
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Grace McIlvain
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Mary K Kramer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Alexa M Diano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Kyra E Twohy
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Alexis A Merritt
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | | | - Hillary Schwarb
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Ana M Daugherty
- Department of Psychology and Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - James M Ellison
- Swank Memory Care and Geriatric Consultation, ChristianaCare, Wilmington, DE, United States; Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Alyssa M Lanzi
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Matthew L Cohen
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Christopher R Martens
- Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Curtis L Johnson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States.
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Castillo Ransanz L, Van Altena PFJ, Heine VM, Accardo A. Engineered cell culture microenvironments for mechanobiology studies of brain neural cells. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1096054. [PMID: 36588937 PMCID: PMC9794772 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1096054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The biomechanical properties of the brain microenvironment, which is composed of different neural cell types, the extracellular matrix, and blood vessels, are critical for normal brain development and neural functioning. Stiffness, viscoelasticity and spatial organization of brain tissue modulate proliferation, migration, differentiation, and cell function. However, the mechanical aspects of the neural microenvironment are largely ignored in current cell culture systems. Considering the high promises of human induced pluripotent stem cell- (iPSC-) based models for disease modelling and new treatment development, and in light of the physiological relevance of neuromechanobiological features, applications of in vitro engineered neuronal microenvironments should be explored thoroughly to develop more representative in vitro brain models. In this context, recently developed biomaterials in combination with micro- and nanofabrication techniques 1) allow investigating how mechanical properties affect neural cell development and functioning; 2) enable optimal cell microenvironment engineering strategies to advance neural cell models; and 3) provide a quantitative tool to assess changes in the neuromechanobiological properties of the brain microenvironment induced by pathology. In this review, we discuss the biological and engineering aspects involved in studying neuromechanobiology within scaffold-free and scaffold-based 2D and 3D iPSC-based brain models and approaches employing primary lineages (neural/glial), cell lines and other stem cells. Finally, we discuss future experimental directions of engineered microenvironments in neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Castillo Ransanz
- Department of Child and Adolescence Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Pieter F. J. Van Altena
- Department of Precision and Microsystems Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Vivi M. Heine
- Department of Child and Adolescence Psychiatry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands,Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands,*Correspondence: Vivi M. Heine, ; Angelo Accardo,
| | - Angelo Accardo
- Department of Precision and Microsystems Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands,*Correspondence: Vivi M. Heine, ; Angelo Accardo,
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Lee GY, Kim OH, Kim ER, Lee HJ. Biomechanical forces in the aged brain: Relationship to AD. Life Sci 2022; 312:121237. [PMID: 36436618 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121237] [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: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, has been studied with a focus on biochemical mechanisms, such as the amyloid-β plaque deposition and removal. Recently, the importance of brain microenvironmental cues, which comprise the sophisticated cellular and fluid system, has been emphasized in the aged brain or in pathological conditions. Especially, substrate rigidity and biomechanical forces of the brain microenvironment determine the function of glial cells and neurons; furthermore, these microenvironmental cues change with age. However, our understanding of role of the biomechanical cues on glial cells and neurons is relatively poor. In this review, we briefly introduce an overview of biomechanical forces that present in the aged brain and its sensations, and then examine the brain in Alzheimer's disease, which constitutes a representative neurodegenerative disorder, with regard to changes in the biomechanical forces associated with disease and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyeong Yun Lee
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ok-Hyeon Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Ran Kim
- Division of Endocrine and Kidney Research, Department of Chronic Disease Convergence Research, Korea National Institute of Health, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyun Jung Lee
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Global Innovative Drugs, Graduate School of Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Shao X, Liu Z, Mao S, Han L. Unraveling the Mechanobiology Underlying Traumatic Brain Injury with Advanced Technologies and Biomaterials. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2200760. [PMID: 35841392 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202200760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a worldwide health and socioeconomic problem, associated with prolonged and complex neurological aftermaths, including a variety of functional deficits and neurodegenerative disorders. Research on the long-term effects has highlighted that TBI shall be regarded as a chronic health condition. The initiation and exacerbation of TBI involve a series of mechanical stimulations and perturbations, accompanied by mechanotransduction events within the brain tissues. Mechanobiology thus offers a unique perspective and likely promising approach to unravel the underlying molecular and biochemical mechanisms leading to neural cells dysfunction after TBI, which may contribute to the discovery of novel targets for future clinical treatment. This article investigates TBI and the subsequent brain dysfunction from a lens of neuromechanobiology. Following an introduction, the mechanobiological insights are examined into the molecular pathology of TBI, and then an overview is given of the latest research technologies to explore neuromechanobiology, with particular focus on microfluidics and biomaterials. Challenges and prospects in the current field are also discussed. Through this article, it is hoped that extensive technical innovation in biomedical devices and materials can be encouraged to advance the field of neuromechanobiology, paving potential ways for the research and rehabilitation of neurotrauma and neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Shao
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, China.,Suzhou Research Institute, Shandong University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Zhongqian Liu
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, China
| | - Shijie Mao
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, China
| | - Lin Han
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, China
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Biochemical Pathways of Cellular Mechanosensing/Mechanotransduction and Their Role in Neurodegenerative Diseases Pathogenesis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11193093. [PMID: 36231055 PMCID: PMC9563116 DOI: 10.3390/cells11193093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we shed light on recent advances regarding the characterization of biochemical pathways of cellular mechanosensing and mechanotransduction with particular attention to their role in neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis. While the mechanistic components of these pathways are mostly uncovered today, the crosstalk between mechanical forces and soluble intracellular signaling is still not fully elucidated. Here, we recapitulate the general concepts of mechanobiology and the mechanisms that govern the mechanosensing and mechanotransduction processes, and we examine the crosstalk between mechanical stimuli and intracellular biochemical response, highlighting their effect on cellular organelles' homeostasis and dysfunction. In particular, we discuss the current knowledge about the translation of mechanosignaling into biochemical signaling, focusing on those diseases that encompass metabolic accumulation of mutant proteins and have as primary characteristics the formation of pathological intracellular aggregates, such as Alzheimer's Disease, Huntington's Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Parkinson's Disease. Overall, recent findings elucidate how mechanosensing and mechanotransduction pathways may be crucial to understand the pathogenic mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases and emphasize the importance of these pathways for identifying potential therapeutic targets.
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Guglielmo M, Marta B. Stem Cells and the Microenvironment: Reciprocity with Asymmetry in Regenerative Medicine. Acta Biotheor 2022; 70:24. [PMID: 35962861 DOI: 10.1007/s10441-022-09448-0] [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: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Much of the current research in regenerative medicine concentrates on stem-cell therapy that exploits the regenerative capacities of stem cells when injected into different types of human tissues. Although new therapeutic paths have been opened up by induced pluripotent cells and human mesenchymal cells, the rate of success is still low and mainly due to the difficulties of managing cell proliferation and differentiation, giving rise to non-controlled stem cell differentiation that ultimately leads to cancer. Despite being still far from becoming a reality, these studies highlight the role of physical and biological constraints (e.g., cues and morphogenetic fields) placed by tissue microenvironment on stem cell fate. This asks for a clarification of the coupling of stem cells and microenvironmental factors in regenerative medicine. We argue that extracellular matrix and stem cells have a causal reciprocal and asymmetric relationship in that the 3D organization and composition of the extracellular matrix establish a spatial, temporal, and mechanical control over the fate of stem cells, which enable them to interact and control (as well as be controlled by) the cellular components and soluble factors of microenvironment. Such an account clarifies the notions of stemness and stem cell regeneration consistently with that of microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Militello Guglielmo
- IAS-Research Centre, University of the Basque Country, San Sebastián, Spain.
| | - Bertolaso Marta
- University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Institute of Scientific and Technological Practice, Rome, Italy
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Kong L, Gao X, Qian Y, Sun W, You Z, Fan C. Biomechanical microenvironment in peripheral nerve regeneration: from pathophysiological understanding to tissue engineering development. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:4993-5014. [PMID: 35836812 PMCID: PMC9274750 DOI: 10.7150/thno.74571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) caused by trauma, chronic disease and other factors may lead to partial or complete loss of sensory, motor and autonomic functions, as well as neuropathic pain. Biological activities are always accompanied by mechanical stimulation, and biomechanical microenvironmental homeostasis plays a complicated role in tissue repair and regeneration. Recent studies have focused on the effects of biomechanical microenvironment on peripheral nervous system development and function maintenance, as well as neural regrowth following PNI. For example, biomechanical factors-induced cluster gene expression changes contribute to formation of peripheral nerve structure and maintenance of physiological function. In addition, extracellular matrix and cell responses to biomechanical microenvironment alterations after PNI directly trigger a series of cascades for the well-organized peripheral nerve regeneration (PNR) process, where cell adhesion molecules, cytoskeletons and mechanically gated ion channels serve as mechanosensitive units, mechanical effector including focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) as mechanotransduction elements. With the rapid development of tissue engineering techniques, a substantial number of PNR strategies such as aligned nerve guidance conduits, three-dimensional topological designs and piezoelectric scaffolds emerge expected to improve the neural biomechanical microenvironment in case of PNI. These tissue engineering nerve grafts display optimized mechanical properties and outstanding mechanomodulatory effects, but a few bottlenecks restrict their application scenes. In this review, the current understanding in biomechanical microenvironment homeostasis associated with peripheral nerve function and PNR is integrated, where we proposed the importance of balances of mechanosensitive elements, cytoskeletal structures, mechanotransduction cascades, and extracellular matrix components; a wide variety of promising tissue engineering strategies based on biomechanical modulation are introduced with some suggestions and prospects for future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingchi Kong
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Orthopaedic Material Innovation and Tissue Regeneration, Shanghai, 200233, China.,Youth Science and Technology Innovation Studio of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Xin Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Shanghai Belt and Road Joint Laboratory of Advanced Fiber and Low-dimension Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Yun Qian
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Orthopaedic Material Innovation and Tissue Regeneration, Shanghai, 200233, China.,Youth Science and Technology Innovation Studio of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China.,✉ Corresponding authors: Yun Qian, E-mail: ; Wei Sun, E-mail: ; Zhengwei You, E-mail: ; Cunyi Fan, E-mail:
| | - Wei Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Shanghai Belt and Road Joint Laboratory of Advanced Fiber and Low-dimension Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China.,✉ Corresponding authors: Yun Qian, E-mail: ; Wei Sun, E-mail: ; Zhengwei You, E-mail: ; Cunyi Fan, E-mail:
| | - Zhengwei You
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Shanghai Belt and Road Joint Laboratory of Advanced Fiber and Low-dimension Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Nano-Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China.,✉ Corresponding authors: Yun Qian, E-mail: ; Wei Sun, E-mail: ; Zhengwei You, E-mail: ; Cunyi Fan, E-mail:
| | - Cunyi Fan
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Orthopaedic Material Innovation and Tissue Regeneration, Shanghai, 200233, China.,Youth Science and Technology Innovation Studio of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China.,✉ Corresponding authors: Yun Qian, E-mail: ; Wei Sun, E-mail: ; Zhengwei You, E-mail: ; Cunyi Fan, E-mail:
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50
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Jo AO, Lakk M, Rudzitis CN, Križaj D. TRPV4 and TRPC1 channels mediate the response to tensile strain in mouse Müller cells. Cell Calcium 2022; 104:102588. [PMID: 35398674 PMCID: PMC9119919 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2022.102588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Müller glia, a pillar of metabolic, volume regulatory and immune/inflammatory signaling in the mammalian retina, are among the earliest responders to mechanical stressors in the eye. Ocular trauma, edema, detachment and glaucoma evoke early inflammatory activation of Müller cells yet the identity of their mechanotransducers and signaling mechanisms downstream remains unknown. Here, we investigate expression of genes that encode putative stretch-activated calcium channels (SACs) in mouse Müller cells and study their responses to dynamical tensile loading in cells loaded with a calcium indicator dye. Transcript levels in purified glia were Trpc1>Piezo1>Trpv2>Trpv4>>Trpv1>Trpa1. Cyclic radial deformation of matrix-coated substrates produced dose-dependent increases in [Ca2+]i that were suppressed by the TRPV4 channel antagonist HC-067047 and by ablation of the Trpv4 gene. Stretch-evoked calcium responses were also reduced by knockdown and pharmacological inhibition of TRPC1 channels whereas the TRPV2 inhibitor tranilast had no effect. These data demonstrate that Müller cells are intrinsically mechanosensitive, with the response to tensile loading mediated through synergistic activation of TRPV4 and TRPC1 channels. Coupling between mechanical stress and Müller Ca2+ homeostasis has treatment implications, since many neuronal injury paradigms in the retina involve calcium dysregulation associated with inflammatory and immune signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew O Jo
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132
| | - Monika Lakk
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132
| | - Christopher N Rudzitis
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132; Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience
| | - David Križaj
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132; Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience; Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112; Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112.
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