1
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Morris TA, Eldeen S, Tran RDH, Grosberg A. A comprehensive review of computational and image analysis techniques for quantitative evaluation of striated muscle tissue architecture. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2022; 3:041302. [PMID: 36407035 PMCID: PMC9667907 DOI: 10.1063/5.0057434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Unbiased evaluation of morphology is crucial to understanding development, mechanics, and pathology of striated muscle tissues. Indeed, the ability of striated muscles to contract and the strength of their contraction is dependent on their tissue-, cellular-, and cytoskeletal-level organization. Accordingly, the study of striated muscles often requires imaging and assessing aspects of their architecture at multiple different spatial scales. While an expert may be able to qualitatively appraise tissues, it is imperative to have robust, repeatable tools to quantify striated myocyte morphology and behavior that can be used to compare across different labs and experiments. There has been a recent effort to define the criteria used by experts to evaluate striated myocyte architecture. In this review, we will describe metrics that have been developed to summarize distinct aspects of striated muscle architecture in multiple different tissues, imaged with various modalities. Additionally, we will provide an overview of metrics and image processing software that needs to be developed. Importantly to any lab working on striated muscle platforms, characterization of striated myocyte morphology using the image processing pipelines discussed in this review can be used to quantitatively evaluate striated muscle tissues and contribute to a robust understanding of the development and mechanics of striated muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Eldeen
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-2700, USA
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2
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Sherman WF, Asad M, Grosberg A. An Energetic Approach to Modeling Cytoskeletal Architecture in Maturing Cardiomyocytes. J Biomech Eng 2022; 144:021002. [PMID: 34382649 PMCID: PMC8547018 DOI: 10.1115/1.4052112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Through a variety of mechanisms, a healthy heart is able to regulate its structure and dynamics across multiple length scales. Disruption of these mechanisms can have a cascading effect, resulting in severe structural and/or functional changes that permeate across different length scales. Due to this hierarchical structure, there is interest in understanding how the components at the various scales coordinate and influence each other. However, much is unknown regarding how myofibril bundles are organized within a densely packed cell and the influence of the subcellular components on the architecture that is formed. To elucidate potential factors influencing cytoskeletal development, we proposed a computational model that integrated interactions at both the cellular and subcellular scale to predict the location of individual myofibril bundles that contributed to the formation of an energetically favorable cytoskeletal network. Our model was tested and validated using experimental metrics derived from analyzing single-cell cardiomyocytes. We demonstrated that our model-generated networks were capable of reproducing the variation observed in experimental cells at different length scales as a result of the stochasticity inherent in the different interactions between the various cellular components. Additionally, we showed that incorporating length-scale parameters resulted in physical constraints that directed cytoskeletal architecture toward a structurally consistent motif. Understanding the mechanisms guiding the formation and organization of the cytoskeleton in individual cardiomyocytes can aid tissue engineers toward developing functional cardiac tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- William F. Sherman
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Mira Asad
- Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Anna Grosberg
- Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
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3
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Giardini F, Lazzeri E, Vitale G, Ferrantini C, Costantini I, Pavone FS, Poggesi C, Bocchi L, Sacconi L. Quantification of Myocyte Disarray in Human Cardiac Tissue. Front Physiol 2021; 12:750364. [PMID: 34867455 PMCID: PMC8635020 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.750364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Proper three-dimensional (3D)-cardiomyocyte orientation is important for an effective tension production in cardiac muscle. Cardiac diseases can cause severe remodeling processes in the heart, such as cellular misalignment, that can affect both the electrical and mechanical functions of the organ. To date, a proven methodology to map and quantify myocytes disarray in massive samples is missing. In this study, we present an experimental pipeline to reconstruct and analyze the 3D cardiomyocyte architecture in massive samples. We employed tissue clearing, staining, and advanced microscopy techniques to detect sarcomeres in relatively large human myocardial strips with micrometric resolution. Z-bands periodicity was exploited in a frequency analysis approach to extract the 3D myofilament orientation, providing an orientation map used to characterize the tissue organization at different spatial scales. As a proof-of-principle, we applied the proposed method to healthy and pathologically remodeled human cardiac tissue strips. Preliminary results suggest the reliability of the method: strips from a healthy donor are characterized by a well-organized tissue, where the local disarray is log-normally distributed and slightly depends on the spatial scale of analysis; on the contrary, pathological strips show pronounced tissue disorganization, characterized by local disarray significantly dependent on the spatial scale of analysis. A virtual sample generator is developed to link this multi-scale disarray analysis with the underlying cellular architecture. This approach allowed us to quantitatively assess tissue organization in terms of 3D myocyte angular dispersion and may pave the way for developing novel predictive models based on structural data at cellular resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Giardini
- Laboratory of Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Erica Lazzeri
- Laboratory of Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Giulia Vitale
- Division of Physiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Cecilia Ferrantini
- Laboratory of Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.,Division of Physiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Irene Costantini
- Laboratory of Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.,National Institute of Optics, National Research Council, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco S Pavone
- Laboratory of Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.,National Institute of Optics, National Research Council, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Department of Physics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Corrado Poggesi
- Division of Physiology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Leonardo Bocchi
- Laboratory of Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.,Department of Information Engineering, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Leonardo Sacconi
- Laboratory of Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.,National Institute of Optics, National Research Council, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
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4
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Tran RDH, Morris TA, Gonzalez D, Hetta AHSHA, Grosberg A. Quantitative Evaluation of Cardiac Cell Interactions and Responses to Cyclic Strain. Cells 2021; 10:3199. [PMID: 34831422 PMCID: PMC8625419 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113199] [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: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The heart has a dynamic mechanical environment contributed by its unique cellular composition and the resultant complex tissue structure. In pathological heart tissue, both the mechanics and cell composition can change and influence each other. As a result, the interplay between the cell phenotype and mechanical stimulation needs to be considered to understand the biophysical cell interactions and organization in healthy and diseased myocardium. In this work, we hypothesized that the overall tissue organization is controlled by varying densities of cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts in the heart. In order to test this hypothesis, we utilized a combination of mechanical strain, co-cultures of different cell types, and inhibitory drugs that block intercellular junction formation. To accomplish this, an image analysis pipeline was developed to automatically measure cell type-specific organization relative to the stretch direction. The results indicated that cardiac cell type-specific densities influence the overall organization of heart tissue such that it is possible to model healthy and fibrotic heart tissue in vitro. This study provides insight into how to mimic the dynamic mechanical environment of the heart in engineered tissue as well as providing valuable information about the process of cardiac remodeling and repair in diseased hearts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Duc Hien Tran
- Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92617-2700, USA; (R.D.H.T.); (T.A.M.); (D.G.); (A.H.S.H.A.H.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
| | - Tessa Altair Morris
- Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92617-2700, USA; (R.D.H.T.); (T.A.M.); (D.G.); (A.H.S.H.A.H.)
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Daniela Gonzalez
- Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92617-2700, USA; (R.D.H.T.); (T.A.M.); (D.G.); (A.H.S.H.A.H.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
| | - Ali Hatem Salaheldin Hassan Ahmed Hetta
- Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92617-2700, USA; (R.D.H.T.); (T.A.M.); (D.G.); (A.H.S.H.A.H.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
| | - Anna Grosberg
- Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92617-2700, USA; (R.D.H.T.); (T.A.M.); (D.G.); (A.H.S.H.A.H.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
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5
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Li C, Liu F, Liu S, Pan H, Du H, Huang J, Xie Y, Li Y, Zhao R, Wei Y. Elevated myocardial SORBS2 and the underlying implications in left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy. EBioMedicine 2020; 53:102695. [PMID: 32143182 PMCID: PMC7058526 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.102695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC) is a hereditary heart disease characterized by an excessive trabecular meshwork of deep intertrabecular recesses within the ventricular myocardium. The guidelines for management of LVNC patients aim to improve quality of life by preventing cardiac heart failure. However, the mechanism underlying LVNC-associated heart failure remains poorly understood. Methods Using protein mass spectrometry analysis, we established that Sorbin And SH3 Domain Containing 2 (SORBS2) is up-regulated in LVNC hearts without changes to structure proteins. We conducted in vivo experiments wherein the heart tissues of wild-type mice were injected with an AAV9 vector to overexpress SORBS2, followed by analysis using echocardiography, T-tubule analysis and Ca2+ imaging to identify functional and morphological changes. In addition, we analyzed the function and structure of SORBS2 overexpressing human embryonic stem cell (hESC) derived cardiomyocytes (hESC-CM) via immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and confocal Ca2+ imaging. Findings LVNC myocardial tissues feature strongly elevated expression of SORBS2, microtubule densification and redistribution of Junctophilin 2 (JP2). SORBS2 interacts with β-tubulin, promoting its polymerization in 293T cells and hESC-derived CMs. In vivo, cardiac dysfunction, β-tubulin densification, JP2 translocation, T-tubule disorganization and Ca2+ handling dysfunction were observed in mice overexpressing SORBS2. Interpretation We identified a novel mechanism through which SORBS2 interacts with β-tubulin and promotes microtubule densification, eventually effecting JP2 distribution and T-tubule, potentially contributing to heart failure in LVNC disease. Fund This work was supported by a CAMS Initiative for Innovative Medicine grant (CAMS-I2M, 2016-I2M-1-015 to Y.J.Wei)
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 167 Beilishi Road, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Fan Liu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shenghua Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 167 Beilishi Road, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Haizhou Pan
- Children's Heart Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Institute of Cardiovascular Development and Translational Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haiwei Du
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 167 Beilishi Road, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Jian Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 167 Beilishi Road, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 167 Beilishi Road, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Yanfen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 167 Beilishi Road, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Ranxu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 167 Beilishi Road, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Yingjie Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 167 Beilishi Road, Beijing 100037, China.
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6
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Morris TA, Naik J, Fibben KS, Kong X, Kiyono T, Yokomori K, Grosberg A. Striated myocyte structural integrity: Automated analysis of sarcomeric z-discs. PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1007676. [PMID: 32130207 PMCID: PMC7075639 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
As sarcomeres produce the force necessary for contraction, assessment of sarcomere order is paramount in evaluation of cardiac and skeletal myocytes. The uniaxial force produced by sarcomeres is ideally perpendicular to their z-lines, which couple parallel myofibrils and give cardiac and skeletal myocytes their distinct striated appearance. Accordingly, sarcomere structure is often evaluated by staining for z-line proteins such as α-actinin. However, due to limitations of current analysis methods, which require manual or semi-manual handling of images, the mechanism by which sarcomere and by extension z-line architecture can impact contraction and which characteristics of z-line architecture should be used to assess striated myocytes has not been fully explored. Challenges such as isolating z-lines from regions of off-target staining that occur along immature stress fibers and cell boundaries and choosing metrics to summarize overall z-line architecture have gone largely unaddressed in previous work. While an expert can qualitatively appraise tissues, these challenges leave researchers without robust, repeatable tools to assess z-line architecture across different labs and experiments. Additionally, the criteria used by experts to evaluate sarcomeric architecture have not been well-defined. We address these challenges by providing metrics that summarize different aspects of z-line architecture that correspond to expert tissue quality assessment and demonstrate their efficacy through an examination of engineered tissues and single cells. In doing so, we have elucidated a mechanism by which highly elongated cardiomyocytes become inefficient at producing force. Unlike previous manual or semi-manual methods, characterization of z-line architecture using the metrics discussed and implemented in this work can quantitatively evaluate engineered tissues and contribute to a robust understanding of the development and mechanics of striated muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Altair Morris
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Jasmine Naik
- Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Kirby Sinclair Fibben
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Xiangduo Kong
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Tohru Kiyono
- Division of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kyoko Yokomori
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Anna Grosberg
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
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7
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Sherman WF, Grosberg A. Exploring cardiac form and function: A length-scale computational biology approach. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-SYSTEMS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2019; 12:e1470. [PMID: 31793215 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The ability to adequately pump blood throughout the body is the result of tightly regulated feedback mechanisms that exist across many spatial scales in the heart. Diseases which impede the function at any one of the spatial scales can cause detrimental cardiac remodeling and eventual heart failure. An overarching goal of cardiac research is to use engineered heart tissue in vitro to study the physiology of diseased heart tissue, develop cell replacement therapies, and explore drug testing applications. A commonality within the field is to manipulate the flow of mechanical signals across the various spatial scales to direct self-organization and build functional tissue. Doing so requires an understanding of how chemical, electrical, and mechanical cues can be used to alter the cellular microenvironment. We discuss how mathematical models have been used in conjunction with experimental techniques to explore various structure-function relations that exist across numerous spatial scales. We highlight how a systems biology approach can be employed to recapitulate in vivo characteristics in vitro at the tissue, cell, and subcellular scales. Specific focus is placed on the interplay between experimental and theoretical approaches. Various modeling methods are showcased to demonstrate the breadth and power afforded to the systems biology approach. An overview of modeling methodologies exemplifies how the strengths of different scientific disciplines can be used to supplement and/or inspire new avenues of experimental exploration. This article is categorized under: Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Mechanistic Models Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Cellular Models Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Organ, Tissue, and Physiological Models.
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Affiliation(s)
- William F Sherman
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California.,Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Anna Grosberg
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California.,Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California.,NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California
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8
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Ochs AR, Mehrabi M, Becker D, Asad MN, Zhao J, Zaragoza MV, Grosberg A. Databases to Efficiently Manage Medium Sized, Low Velocity, Multidimensional Data in Tissue Engineering. J Vis Exp 2019. [PMID: 31814616 DOI: 10.3791/60038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Science relies on increasingly complex data sets for progress, but common data management methods such as spreadsheet programs are inadequate for the growing scale and complexity of this information. While database management systems have the potential to rectify these issues, they are not commonly utilized outside of business and informatics fields. Yet, many research labs already generate "medium sized", low velocity, multi-dimensional data that could greatly benefit from implementing similar systems. In this article, we provide a conceptual overview explaining how databases function and the advantages they provide in tissue engineering applications. Structural fibroblast data from individuals with a lamin A/C mutation was used to illustrate examples within a specific experimental context. Examples include visualizing multidimensional data, linking tables in a relational database structure, mapping a semi-automated data pipeline to convert raw data into structured formats, and explaining the underlying syntax of a query. Outcomes from analyzing the data were used to create plots of various arrangements and significance was demonstrated in cell organization in aligned environments between the positive control of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria, a well-known laminopathy, and all other experimental groups. In comparison to spreadsheets, database methods were enormously time efficient, simple to use once set up, allowed for immediate access of original file locations, and increased data rigor. In response to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) emphasis on experimental rigor, it is likely that many scientific fields will eventually adopt databases as common practice due to their strong capability to effectively organize complex data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander R Ochs
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine; The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine
| | - Mehrsa Mehrabi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine; The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine
| | - Danielle Becker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine; The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine
| | - Mira N Asad
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine; The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine; The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine
| | - Michael V Zaragoza
- Pediatrics-Genetics & Genomics Division-School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine; Biological Chemistry-School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine
| | - Anna Grosberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine; The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California, Irvine; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Irvine; Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine; The NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research (CMCF), University of California, Irvine;
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9
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Atcha H, Davis CT, Sullivan NR, Smith TD, Anis S, Dahbour WZ, Robinson ZR, Grosberg A, Liu WF. A Low-Cost Mechanical Stretching Device for Uniaxial Strain of Cells: A Platform for Pedagogy in Mechanobiology. J Biomech Eng 2018; 140:2678940. [PMID: 30003248 PMCID: PMC6056193 DOI: 10.1115/1.4039949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Mechanical cues including stretch, compression, and shear stress play a critical role in regulating the behavior of many cell types, particularly those that experience substantial mechanical stress within tissues. Devices that impart mechanical stimulation to cells in vitro have been instrumental in helping to develop a better understanding of how cells respond to mechanical forces. However, these devices often have constraints, such as cost and limited functional capabilities, that restrict their use in research or educational environments. Here, we describe a low-cost method to fabricate a uniaxial cell stretcher that would enable widespread use and facilitate engineering design and mechanobiology education for undergraduate students. The device is capable of producing consistent and reliable strain profiles through the use of a servomotor, gear, and gear rack system. The servomotor can be programmed to output various waveforms at specific frequencies and stretch amplitudes by controlling the degree of rotation, speed, and acceleration of the servogear. In addition, the stretchable membranes are easy to fabricate and can be customized, allowing for greater flexibility in culture well size. We used the custom-built stretching device to uniaxially strain macrophages and cardiomyocytes, and found that both cell types displayed functional and cell shape changes that were consistent with the previous studies using commercially available systems. Overall, this uniaxial cell stretcher provides a more cost-effective alternative to study the effects of mechanical stretch on cells, and can therefore, be widely used in research and educational environments to broaden the study and pedagogy of cell mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Atcha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,
The Edwards Lifesciences Center for
Advanced Cardiovascular Technology,
University of California Irvine,
Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Chase T. Davis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,
The Edwards Lifesciences Center for
Advanced Cardiovascular Technology,
University of California Irvine,
Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Nicholas R. Sullivan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,
The Edwards Lifesciences Center for
Advanced Cardiovascular Technology,
University of California Irvine,
Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Tim D. Smith
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,
The Edwards Lifesciences Center for
Advanced Cardiovascular Technology,
University of California Irvine,
Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Sara Anis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,
The Edwards Lifesciences Center for
Advanced Cardiovascular Technology,
University of California Irvine,
Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Waleed Z. Dahbour
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,
The Edwards Lifesciences Center for
Advanced Cardiovascular Technology,
University of California Irvine,
Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Zachery R. Robinson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,
The Edwards Lifesciences Center for
Advanced Cardiovascular Technology,
University of California Irvine,
Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Anna Grosberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,Center for Complex Biological Systems,
The Edwards Lifesciences Center for
Advanced Cardiovascular Technology,
University of California Irvine,
Irvine, CA 92697
- Department of Chemical Engineeringand Materials Science,
University of California Irvine,
Irvine, CA 92697
e-mail:
| | - Wendy F. Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering,The Edwards Lifesciences Center for
Advanced Cardiovascular Technology,
University of California Irvine,
Irvine, CA 92697
- Department of Chemical Engineeringand Materials Science,
University of California Irvine,
Irvine, CA 92697
e-mail:
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10
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Holmes JW, Wagenseil JE. Special Issue: Spotlight of the Future of Cardiovascular Engineering Frontiers and Challenges in Cardiovascular Biomechanics. J Biomech Eng 2016; 138:2565870. [PMID: 27701627 DOI: 10.1115/1.4034873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey W Holmes
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Medicine and Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908
| | - Jessica E Wagenseil
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
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