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Nordberg RC, Magalhaes RS, Cervelló I, Williams JK, Atala A, Loboa EG. A biomechanical assessment of tissue-engineered polymer neo-uteri after orthotopic implantation. F&S SCIENCE 2024; 5:58-68. [PMID: 38145868 PMCID: PMC10923056 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfss.2023.12.005] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the in vivo biomechanical maturation of tissue-engineered neo-uteri that have previously supported live births in a rabbit model. DESIGN Nonclinical animal study. SETTING University-based research laboratory. ANIMALS Eighteen adult female rabbits. INTERVENTION Biodegradable poly-DL-lactide-co-glycolide-coated polyglycolic acid scaffolds seeded with autologous uterine-derived endometrial and myometrial cells. Nonseeded scaffolds and seeded, tissue-engineered neo-uteri were implanted into one uterine horn of rabbits for 1, 3, or 6 months, excised, and biomechanically assessed in comparison to native uterine tissue. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Tensile stress-relaxation testing, strain-to-failure testing, and viscoelastic modeling. RESULTS By evaluating the biomechanical data with several viscoelastic models, it was revealed that tissue-engineered uteri were more mechanically robust than nonseeded scaffolds. For example, the 10% instantaneous stress of the tissue-engineered neo-uteri was 2.1 times higher than the nonseeded scaffolds at the 1-month time point, 1.6 times higher at the 3-month time point, and 1.5 times higher at the 6-month time point. Additionally, as the duration of implantation increased, the engineered constructs became more mechanically robust (e.g., 10% instantaneous stress of the tissue-engineered neo-uteri increased from 22 kPa at 1 month to 42 kPa at 6 months). Compared with native tissue values, tissue-engineered neo-uteri achieved or surpassed native tissue values by the 6-month time point. CONCLUSION The present study evaluated the mechanical characteristics of novel tissue-engineered neo-uteri that have previously been reported to support live births in the rabbit model. We demonstrate that the biomechanics of these implants closely resemble those of native tissue, giving further credence to their development as a clinical solution to uterine factor infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C Nordberg
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Renata S Magalhaes
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Irene Cervelló
- IVI Foundation Research Department, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - J Koudy Williams
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Anthony Atala
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Elizabeth G Loboa
- Office of the Provost, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas.
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Padhi A, Nain AS. ECM in Differentiation: A Review of Matrix Structure, Composition and Mechanical Properties. Ann Biomed Eng 2019; 48:1071-1089. [PMID: 31485876 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-019-02337-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Stem cell regenerative potential owing to the capacity to self-renew as well as differentiate into other cell types is a promising avenue in regenerative medicine. Stem cell niche not only provides physical scaffolding but also possess instructional capacity as it provides a milieu of biophysical and biochemical cues. Extracellular matrix (ECM) has been identified as a major dictator of stem cell lineage, thus understanding the structure of in vivo ECM pertaining to specific tissue differentiation will aid in devising in vitro strategies to improve the differentiation efficiency. In this review, we summarize details about the native architecture, composition and mechanical properties of in vivo ECM of the early embryonic stages and the later adult stages. Native ECM from adult tissues categorized on their origin from respective germ layers are discussed while engineering techniques employed to facilitate differentiation of stem cells into particular lineages are noted. Overall, we emphasize that in vitro strategies need to integrate tissue specific ECM biophysical cues for developing accurate artificial environments for optimizing stem cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abinash Padhi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Amrinder S Nain
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
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Abstract
The mechanical integrity of the soft tissue structures supporting the fetus may play a role in maintaining a healthy pregnancy and triggering the onset of labor. Currently, the level of mechanical loading on the uterus, cervix, and fetal membranes during pregnancy is unknown, and it is hypothesized that the over-stretch of these tissues contributes to the premature onset of contractility, tissue remodeling, and membrane rupture, leading to preterm birth. The purpose of this review article is to introduce and discuss engineering analysis tools to evaluate and predict the mechanical loads on the uterus, cervix, and fetal membranes. Here we will explore the potential of using computational biomechanics and finite element analysis to study the causes of preterm birth and to develop a diagnostic tool that can predict gestational outcome. We will define engineering terms and identify the potential engineering variables that could be used to signal an abnormal pregnancy. We will discuss the translational ability of computational models for the better management of clinical patients. We will also discuss the process of model validation and the limitations of these models. We will explore how we can borrow from parallel engineering fields to push the boundary of patient care so that we can work toward eliminating preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea R Westervelt
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Columbia University, 500 W, 120th St, Mudd 220, New York, NY 10027
| | - Kristin M Myers
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Columbia University, 500 W, 120th St, Mudd 220, New York, NY 10027.
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McFarlin BL, Kumar V, Bigelow TA, Simpson DG, White-Traut RC, Abramowicz JS, O'Brien WD. Beyond Cervical Length: A Pilot Study of Ultrasonic Attenuation for Early Detection of Preterm Birth Risk. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2015; 41:3023-9. [PMID: 26259887 PMCID: PMC4593732 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2015.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Revised: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine whether cervical ultrasonic attenuation could identify women at risk of spontaneous preterm birth. During pregnancy, women (n = 67) underwent from one to five transvaginal ultrasonic examinations to estimate cervical ultrasonic attenuation and cervical length. Ultrasonic data were obtained with a Zonare ultrasound system with a 5- to 9-MHz endovaginal transducer and processed offline. Cervical ultrasonic attenuation was lower at 17-21 wk of gestation in the SPTB group (1.02 dB/cm-MHz) than in the full-term birth groups (1.34 dB/cm-MHz) (p = 0.04). Cervical length was shorter (3.16 cm) at 22-26 wk in the SPTB group than in the women delivering full term (3.68 cm) (p = 0.004); cervical attenuation was not significantly different at this time point. These findings suggest that low attenuation may be an additional early cervical marker to identify women at risk for SPTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara L McFarlin
- Department of Women Children and Family Health Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
| | - Viksit Kumar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Timothy A Bigelow
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Douglas G Simpson
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Rosemary C White-Traut
- Department of Women Children and Family Health Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jacques S Abramowicz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - William D O'Brien
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
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McFarlin BL, Balash J, Kumar V, Bigelow TA, Pombar X, Abramowicz JS, O'Brien WD. Development of an ultrasonic method to detect cervical remodeling in vivo in full-term pregnant women. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2015; 41:2533-9. [PMID: 26004670 PMCID: PMC4526398 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2015.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2014] [Revised: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/26/2015] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine whether estimates of ultrasonic attenuation could detect changes in the cervix associated with medically induced cervical remodeling. Thirty-six full-term pregnant women underwent two transvaginal ultrasonic examinations separated in time by 12 h to determine cervical attenuation, cervical length and changes thereof. Ultrasonic attenuation and cervical length data were acquired from a zone (Zonare Medical Systems, Mountain View, CA, USA) ultrasound system using a 5-9 MHz endovaginal probe. Cervical attenuation and cervical length significantly decreased in the 12 h between the pre-cervical ripening time point and 12 h later. The mean cervical attenuation was 1.1 ± 0.4 dB/cm-MHz before cervical ripening agents were used and 0.8 ± 0.4 dB/cm-MHz 12 h later (p < 0.0001). The mean cervical length also decreased from 3.1 ± 0.9 cm before the cervical ripening was administered to 2.0 ± 1.1 cm 12 h later (p < 0.0001). Cervical attenuation and cervical length detected changes in cervical remodeling 12 h after cervical ripening administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara L McFarlin
- Department of Women Children and Family Health Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Jennifer Balash
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Viksit Kumar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Timothy A Bigelow
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Xavier Pombar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jacques S Abramowicz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - William D O'Brien
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
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Myers KM, Feltovich H, Mazza E, Vink J, Bajka M, Wapner RJ, Hall TJ, House M. The mechanical role of the cervix in pregnancy. J Biomech 2015; 48:1511-23. [PMID: 25841293 PMCID: PMC4459908 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.02.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Appropriate mechanical function of the uterine cervix is critical for maintaining a pregnancy to term so that the fetus can develop fully. At the end of pregnancy, however, the cervix must allow delivery, which requires it to markedly soften, shorten and dilate. There are multiple pathways to spontaneous preterm birth, the leading global cause of death in children less than 5 years old, but all culminate in premature cervical change, because that is the last step in the final common pathway to delivery. The mechanisms underlying premature cervical change in pregnancy are poorly understood, and therefore current clinical protocols to assess preterm birth risk are limited to surrogate markers of mechanical function, such as sonographically measured cervical length. This is what motivates us to study the cervix, for which we propose investigating clinical cervical function in parallel with a quantitative engineering evaluation of its structural function. We aspire to develop a common translational language, as well as generate a rigorous integrated clinical-engineering framework for assessing cervical mechanical function at the cellular to organ level. In this review, we embark on that challenge by describing the current landscape of clinical, biochemical, and engineering concepts associated with the mechanical function of the cervix during pregnancy. Our goal is to use this common platform to inspire novel approaches to delineate normal and abnormal cervical function in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin M Myers
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Helen Feltovich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Intermountain Healthcare, Provo, UT, USA; Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Edoardo Mazza
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, & EMPA Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Joy Vink
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY USA
| | - Michael Bajka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ronald J Wapner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY USA
| | - Timothy J Hall
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Michael House
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
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Köstü B, Ercan Ö, Özer A, Bakacak M, Özdemir Ö, Avcı F. A comparison of two techniques of uterine closure in caesarean section. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2015; 29:1573-6. [PMID: 26100763 DOI: 10.3109/14767058.2015.1054276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the results of two different techniques of uterine closure in caesarean section operations in which assistant surgeons participated. METHODS A total of 765 patients were separated into two groups.In Group1(n = 380), the assistant surgeon, while pulling the suture in a caudal direction with the left hand, held the uterine wall from the joined site with the right hand to prevent upward tension of tissue. In Group 2 (n = 385), the suture was placed by the assistant surgeon by pulling it in the cephalic direction with the right hand. These two techniques were evaluated in respect of the postoperative decrease in haemoglobin level ,the need for additional sutures and operative outcomes. RESULTS The need for additional sutures was determined as statistically high in Group 2 at mean 0.5 ± 0.6 compared to mean 0.2 ± 0.5 in Group1 (p < 0.001). The mean operating time was determined as statistically significantly longer in Group 2 (Group1, 38.0 ± 5.6 mins and Group2, 41.3 ± 4.3 mins) (p < 0.001). The postoperative decrease in hb was statistically significantly greater in Group 2 (Group1, 1.1 ± 0.4, Group2, 1.2 ± 0.4) (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION The cephalic direction placement of the suture with the right hand of the assistant surgeon in uterine closure leads to bleeding due to tissue cuts in the lower wound lip and thereby creating a need for additional sutures. Therefore, the suture should be placed in a caudal direction with the left hand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bülent Köstü
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Sütçü İmam University , Kahramanmaraş , Turkey
| | - Önder Ercan
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Sütçü İmam University , Kahramanmaraş , Turkey
| | - Alev Özer
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Sütçü İmam University , Kahramanmaraş , Turkey
| | - Murat Bakacak
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Sütçü İmam University , Kahramanmaraş , Turkey
| | - Özgur Özdemir
- b Antalya Education and Research Hospital , Antalya , Turkey , and
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Fernandez M, House M, Jambawalikar S, Zork N, Vink J, Wapner R, Myers K. Investigating the mechanical function of the cervix during pregnancy using finite element models derived from high-resolution 3D MRI. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin 2015; 19:404-17. [PMID: 25970655 PMCID: PMC4644115 DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2015.1033163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Preterm birth is a strong contributor to perinatal mortality, and preterm infants that survive are at risk for long-term morbidities. During most of pregnancy, appropriate mechanical function of the cervix is required to maintain the developing fetus in utero. Premature cervical softening and subsequent cervical shortening are hypothesized to cause preterm birth. Presently, there is a lack of understanding of the structural and material factors that influence the mechanical function of the cervix during pregnancy. In this study we build finite element models of the pregnant uterus, cervix, and fetal membrane based on magnetic resonance imagining data in order to examine the mechanical function of the cervix under the physiologic loading conditions of pregnancy. We calculate the mechanical loading state of the cervix for two pregnant patients: 22 weeks gestational age with a normal cervical length and 28 weeks with a short cervix. We investigate the influence of (1) anatomical geometry, (2) cervical material properties, and (3) fetal membrane material properties, including its adhesion properties, on the mechanical loading state of the cervix under physiologically relevant intrauterine pressures. Our study demonstrates that membrane-uterus interaction, cervical material modeling, and membrane mechanical properties are factors that must be deliberately and carefully handled in order to construct a high quality mechanical simulation of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Fernandez
- Columbia University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 500 W 120 Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - M. House
- Tufts Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 800 Washington Street #360, Boston, MA, USA
| | - S. Jambawalikar
- Columbia University Medical Center, Department of Radiology, 622 West 168 Street, PB-1-301, New York, NY, USA
| | - N. Zork
- Columbia University Medical Center, Department of Radiology, 622 West 168 Street, PB-1-301, New York, NY, USA
| | - J. Vink
- Columbia University Medical Center, Department of Radiology, 622 West 168 Street, PB-1-301, New York, NY, USA
| | - R. Wapner
- Columbia University Medical Center, Department of Radiology, 622 West 168 Street, PB-1-301, New York, NY, USA
| | - K. Myers
- Columbia University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 500 W 120 Street, New York, NY, USA
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9
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Myers KM, Hendon CP, Gan Y, Yao W, Yoshida K, Fernandez M, Vink J, Wapner RJ. A continuous fiber distribution material model for human cervical tissue. J Biomech 2015; 48:1533-40. [PMID: 25817474 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.02.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/28/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The uterine cervix during pregnancy is the vital mechanical barrier which resists compressive and tensile loads generated from a growing fetus. Premature cervical remodeling and softening is hypothesized to result in the shortening of the cervix, which is known to increase a woman׳s risk of preterm birth. To understand the role of cervical material properties in preventing preterm birth, we derive a cervical material model based on previous mechanical, biochemical and histological experiments conducted on nonpregnant and pregnant human hysterectomy cervical tissue samples. In this study we present a three-dimensional fiber composite model that captures the equilibrium material behavior of the tissue in tension and compression. Cervical tissue is modeled as a fibrous composite material, where a single family of preferentially aligned and continuously distributed collagen fibers are embedded in a compressible neo-Hookean ground substance. The total stress in the collagen solid network is calculated by integrating the fiber stresses. The shape of the fiber distribution is described by an ellipsoid where semi-principal axis lengths are fit to optical coherence tomography measurements. The composite material model is fit to averaged mechanical testing data from uni-axial compression and tension experiments, and averaged material parameters are reported for nonpregnant and term pregnant human cervical tissue. The model is then evaluated by investigating the stress and strain state of a uniform thick-walled cylinder under a compressive stress with collagen fibers preferentially aligned in the circumferential direction. This material modeling framework for the equilibrium behavior of human cervical tissue serves as a basis to determine the role of preferentially-aligned cervical collagen fibers in preventing cervical deformation during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin M Myers
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science, 500 W. 120th Street, Mudd 220, New York, NY 10027, USA.
| | - Christine P Hendon
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yu Gan
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wang Yao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science, 500 W. 120th Street, Mudd 220, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Kyoko Yoshida
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science, 500 W. 120th Street, Mudd 220, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Michael Fernandez
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science, 500 W. 120th Street, Mudd 220, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Joy Vink
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronald J Wapner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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Poh YC, Chen J, Hong Y, Yi H, Zhang S, Chen J, Wu DC, Wang L, Jia Q, Singh R, Yao W, Tan Y, Tajik A, Tanaka TS, Wang N. Generation of organized germ layers from a single mouse embryonic stem cell. Nat Commun 2014; 5:4000. [PMID: 24873804 PMCID: PMC4050279 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2013] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian inner cell mass cells undergo lineage-specific differentiation into germ
layers of endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm during gastrulation. It has been a
long-standing challenge in developmental biology to replicate these organized germ
layer patterns in culture. Here we present a method of generating organized germ
layers from a single mouse embryonic stem cell cultured in a soft fibrin matrix.
Spatial organization of germ layers is regulated by cortical tension of the colony,
matrix dimensionality and softness, and cell–cell adhesion. Remarkably,
anchorage of the embryoid colony from the 3D matrix to collagen-1-coated 2D
substrates of ~1 kPa results in self-organization of all three
germ layers: ectoderm on the outside layer, mesoderm in the middle and endoderm at
the centre of the colony, reminiscent of generalized gastrulating chordate embryos.
These results suggest that mechanical forces via cell–matrix and
cell–cell interactions are crucial in spatial organization of germ layers
during mammalian gastrulation. This new in vitro method could be used to gain
insights on the mechanisms responsible for the regulation of germ layer
formation. The three germ layers are formed from the inner cell mass of the
mammalian embryo during gastrulation. Here, the authors present a method by which a
single mouse embryonic stem cell, derived from inner cell mass, differentiates into the
three germ layers in a self-organized manner when cultured in soft fibrin gel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeh-Chuin Poh
- 1] Laboratory for Cell Biomechanics and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China [2] Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Junwei Chen
- Laboratory for Cell Biomechanics and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Ying Hong
- Laboratory for Cell Biomechanics and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Haiying Yi
- Laboratory for Cell Biomechanics and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Laboratory for Cell Biomechanics and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Junjian Chen
- Laboratory for Cell Biomechanics and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Douglas C Wu
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Lili Wang
- Laboratory for Cell Biomechanics and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Qiong Jia
- Laboratory for Cell Biomechanics and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Rishi Singh
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Wenting Yao
- Laboratory for Cell Biomechanics and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Youhua Tan
- 1] Laboratory for Cell Biomechanics and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China [2] Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Arash Tajik
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Tetsuya S Tanaka
- 1] Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA [2] Department of Biological Science, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Ning Wang
- 1] Laboratory for Cell Biomechanics and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China [2] Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
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