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Goldmann WH. Durotaxis: A cause of organ fibrosis and metastatic cancer? Cell Biol Int 2024; 48:553-555. [PMID: 38501430 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang H Goldmann
- Department of Biophysics, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
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2
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Stougiannou TM, Christodoulou KC, Dimarakis I, Mikroulis D, Karangelis D. To Repair a Broken Heart: Stem Cells in Ischemic Heart Disease. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:2181-2208. [PMID: 38534757 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46030141] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite improvements in contemporary medical and surgical therapies, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a significant cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality; more specifically, ischemic heart disease (IHD) may affect individuals as young as 20 years old. Typically managed with guideline-directed medical therapy, interventional or surgical methods, the incurred cardiomyocyte loss is not always completely reversible; however, recent research into various stem cell (SC) populations has highlighted their potential for the treatment and perhaps regeneration of injured cardiac tissue, either directly through cellular replacement or indirectly through local paracrine effects. Different stem cell (SC) types have been employed in studies of infarcted myocardium, both in animal models of myocardial infarction (MI) as well as in clinical studies of MI patients, including embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), Muse cells, multipotent stem cells such as bone marrow-derived cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and cardiac stem and progenitor cells (CSC/CPCs). These have been delivered as is, in the form of cell therapies, or have been used to generate tissue-engineered (TE) constructs with variable results. In this text, we sought to perform a narrative review of experimental and clinical studies employing various stem cells (SC) for the treatment of infarcted myocardium within the last two decades, with an emphasis on therapies administered through thoracic incision or through percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), to elucidate possible mechanisms of action and therapeutic effects of such cell therapies when employed in a surgical or interventional manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodora M Stougiannou
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Dragana, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Konstantinos C Christodoulou
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Dragana, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Ioannis Dimarakis
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Dimitrios Mikroulis
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Dragana, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Dimos Karangelis
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Dragana, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
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Saber MM, Radi MH, El-Shiekh RA, Abdel-Sattar E, El-Halawany AM. Euphorbia grantii Oliv. standardized extract and its fraction ameliorate doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in Ehrlich carcinoma bearing mice. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 321:117566. [PMID: 38081395 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Euphorbia plants have long been used as traditional medicine in China, Europe, America, Turkey, India, Africa, Iran, and Pakistan because of its high medicinal value and health advantages especially as a remedy for several types of cancer. AIM OF THE STUDY Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most frequently prescribed drugs in cancer chemotherapy, with dose-limiting cardiotoxicity. The development of medicinal approaches to attenuate drug's toxicity represents an area of great concern in cancer research. Because research on this topic is still disputed and limited, we aim to investigate the potential of supplementation with Euphorbia grantii Oliv. on DOX-induced cardiomyopathy in Ehrlich carcinoma bearing mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS The high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis of total methanolic extract (TE), and its bioactive dichloromethane fraction (DCMF) was applied for the determination of friedelin. Male BALB/c mice were used to keep the Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. The experiment was performed for a 2-weeks period. RESULTS A good linearity relationship was found to be with correlation coefficient (r2) value of 0.9924 for the isolated friedelin. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) was found to be 0.00179, and 0.000537 ng/band respectively for friedelin. The amount of friedelin in the TE and DCMF were determined by using calibration curve of standard as 106.32 ± 5.69 μg, and 159.2 ± 4.24 μg friedelin/mg extract, respectively. DOX-induced cardiomyopathy by decreasing the ejection fraction (EF) compared to the Ehrlich and negative control groups. It resulted in a decrease in the EF by 30 and 39% compared to the other groups. High and low doses of the TE and DCMF did not result in significantly different ejection fractions compared to the Ehrlich group. Co-administration of DCMF with DOX ameliorated the alteration in the serum CKMB and LDH levels. As revealed from histopathological study, DOX impairs viability of cardiac myocytes and DCMF could effectively and extensively counteract this action of DOX and potentially protect the heart from severe toxicity of DOX. CONCLUSIONS Finally, our results indicated that Euphorbia grantii Oliv. would be the best option to reduce DOX adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona M Saber
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Egypt.
| | | | - Riham A El-Shiekh
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr-El-Ainy Street, Cairo, 11562, Egypt.
| | - Essam Abdel-Sattar
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr-El-Ainy Street, Cairo, 11562, Egypt.
| | - Ali M El-Halawany
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr-El-Ainy Street, Cairo, 11562, Egypt.
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4
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Chen YW, Cheng PP, Yin YF, Cai H, Chen JZ, Feng MH, Guo W, Zhao P, Zhang C, Shan XL, Chen HH, Guo S, Lu Y, Xu M. Integrin αV mediated activation of myofibroblast via mechanoparacrine of transforming growth factor β1 in promoting fibrous scar formation after myocardial infarction. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 692:149360. [PMID: 38081108 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.149360] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myocardial infarction (MI) dramatically changes the mechanical stress, which is intensified by the fibrotic remodeling. Integrins, especially the αV subunit, mediate mechanical signal and mechanoparacrine of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in various organ fibrosis by activating CFs into myofibroblasts (MFBs). We investigated a possible role of integrin αV mediated mechanoparacrine of TGF-β1 in MFBs activation for fibrous reparation in mice with MI. METHODS Heart samples from MI, sham, or MI plus cilengitide (14 mg/kg, specific integrin αV inhibitor) treated mice, underwent functional and morphological assessments by echocardiography, and histochemistry on 7, 14 and 28 days post-surgery. The mechanical and ultrastructural changes of the fibrous scar were further evaluated by atomic mechanics microscope (AFM), immunofluorescence, second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging, polarized light and scanning electron microscope, respectively. Hydroxyproline assay was used for total collagen content, and western blot for protein expression profile examination. Fibroblast bioactivities, including cell shape, number, Smad2/3 signal and expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) related proteins, were further evaluated by microscopic observation and immunofluorescence in polyacrylamide (PA) hydrogel with adjustable stiffness, which was re-explored in fibroblast cultured on stiff matrix after silencing of integrin αV. The content of total and free TGF-β1 was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in both infarcted tissue and cell samples. RESULT Increased stiffness with heterogeneity synchronized with integrin αV and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) positive MFBs accumulation in those less mature fibrous areas. Cilengitide abruptly reduced collagen content and disrupted collagen alignment, which also decreased TGF-β1 bioavailability, Smad2/3 phosphorylation, and α-SMA expression in the fibrous area. Accordingly, fibroblast on stiff but not soft matrix exhibited obvious MFB phenotype, as evidenced by enlarged cell, hyperproliferation, well-developed α-SMA fibers, and elevated ECM related proteins, while silencing of integrin αV almost abolished this switch via attenuating paracrine of TGF-β1 and nuclear translocation of Smad2/3. CONCLUSION This study illustrated that increased tissue stiffness activates CFs into MFBs by integrin αV mediated mechanoparacrine of TGF-β1, especially in immature scar area, which ultimately promotes fibrous scar maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Wen Chen
- School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Pei-Pei Cheng
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan-Feng Yin
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Cai
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing-Zhi Chen
- School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming-Hui Feng
- Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Guo
- School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Pei Zhao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Li Shan
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui-Hua Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuo Guo
- School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Lu
- Minhang Hospital, Fu Dan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Ming Xu
- School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Hénon P, Bischoff N, Dallemand R. Transforming Perspectives in Cardiac Cell Therapy: Hypothesis and Commentary Following Updated Results of a Pilot Study Investigating Very Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Severe AMI Patients Following Trans-Epicardial Injection of Peripheral Blood CD34 + Cells. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2024; 20:247-257. [PMID: 37861968 PMCID: PMC10799833 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10643-w] [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] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Ischemic heart attack is the leading cause of death worldwide. Ten percent of cases will die within an hour. Of the survivors, around 30% will have suffered a severe infarction which will lead to the irreparable destruction of 1 to 2 billion myocardial cells, causing an irreversible secondary heart failure with a poor prognosis in the short. The heart is a totally differentiated organ with a very low capacity for self-regeneration. No current treatment can prevent this fatal outcome, but only slow it down. For these reasons, cell therapy has generated enormous hope, but achieved somewhat disappointing results, depending on the type/source of cells which were used. From the end of 2002, our group conducted a Pilot study using immuno-selected autologous peripheral-blood (PB) CD34+ cells in a small cohort of patients who had experienced a heart attack with poor prognosis. Three of these patients were immediately considered for heart transplant but lacked a readily available donor. CD34+ cells were trans-epicardially delivered at the end of a coronary artery by-pass graft (CABG) operation without reperfusing the ischemic area, which was performed on a compassionate basis. All but one patient showed a marked and sustained improvement in their cardiac function parameters from the baseline values, associated with both cardiac tissue repair and revascularization, as demonstrated by PetScan examination. The patients' outcomes have been recently updated. Six out of seven patients have survived in good enough conditions for at least 12 years after cell therapy, including those three initially recommended for heart transplant and who have avoided it. Presently, five out of seven patients are still alive with an average follow-up of 17 years (range 16-20 years), which is very unusual after CABG for patients with such a poor initially prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Hénon
- Institut de Recherche en Hématologie Et Transplantation, Hôpital du Hasenrain, 87 Avenue d'Altkirch, 68100, Mulhouse, France.
- CellProthera SAS, 12 Rue du Parc, 68100, Mulhouse, France.
| | - Nicolas Bischoff
- Département de Chirurgie Cardio-Thoracique, Groupe Hospitalier Régional Mulhouse Sud-Alsace, 20 Rue du Docteur Laënnec, 68100, Mulhouse, France
| | - Robert Dallemand
- Département de Chirurgie Cardio-Thoracique, Groupe Hospitalier Régional Mulhouse Sud-Alsace, 20 Rue du Docteur Laënnec, 68100, Mulhouse, France
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Safdar M, Ullah M, Wahab A, Hamayun S, Ur Rehman M, Khan MA, Khan SU, Ullah A, Din FU, Awan UA, Naeem M. Genomic insights into heart health: Exploring the genetic basis of cardiovascular disease. Curr Probl Cardiol 2024; 49:102182. [PMID: 37913933 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.102182] [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: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are considered as the leading cause of death worldwide. CVD continues to be a major cause of death and morbidity despite significant improvements in its detection and treatment. Therefore, it is strategically important to be able to precisely characterize an individual's sensitivity to certain illnesses. The discovery of genes linked to cardiovascular illnesses has benefited from linkage analysis and genome-wide association research. The last 20 years have seen significant advancements in the field of molecular genetics, particularly with the development of new tools like genome-wide association studies. In this article we explore the profound impact of genetic variations on disease development, prognosis, and therapeutic responses. And the significance of genetics in cardiovascular risk assessment and the ever-evolving realm of genetic testing, offering insights into the potential for personalized medicine in this domain. Embracing the future of cardiovascular care, the article explores the implications of pharmacogenomics for tailored treatments, the promise of emerging technologies in cardiovascular genetics and therapies, including the transformative influence of nanotechnology. Furthermore, it delves into the exciting frontiers of gene editing, such as CRISPR/Cas9, as a novel approach to combat cardiovascular diseases. And also explore the potential of stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine, providing a holistic view of the dynamic landscape of cardiovascular genomics and its transformative potential for the field of cardiovascular medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mishal Safdar
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi 46000, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Muneeb Ullah
- Department of Pharmacy, Kohat University of Science, and technology (KUST), Kohat, 26000, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Wahab
- Department of Pharmacy, Kohat University of Science, and technology (KUST), Kohat, 26000, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Shah Hamayun
- Department of Cardiology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, 04485 Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Mahboob Ur Rehman
- Department of Cardiology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, 04485 Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Amir Khan
- Department of Foreign Medical education, Fergana Medical institute of Public Health, 2A Yangi Turon street, Fergana 150100, Uzbekistan
| | - Shahid Ullah Khan
- Department of Biochemistry, Women Medical and Dental College, Khyber Medical University, Abbottabad, 22080, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Aziz Ullah
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
| | - Fakhar Ud Din
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i-Azam University, 45320, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Uzma Azeem Awan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi 46000, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Naeem
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi 46000, Punjab, Pakistan.
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Elhaieg A, Farag A, Elfadadny A, Yokoi A, Hendawy H, Mandour AS, Tanaka R. Effect of experimental periodontitis on cardiac functions: a comprehensive study using echocardiography, hemodynamic analysis, and histopathological evaluation in a rat model. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1327484. [PMID: 38179330 PMCID: PMC10764594 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1327484] [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: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Periodontitis is a prevalent and severe dental condition characterized by the gradual degradation of the bone surrounding the teeth. Over the past two decades, numerous epidemiological investigations have suggested a potential link between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease. However, the complex mechanistic relationship between oral health issues and cardiovascular disorders remains unclear. Aim This study aimed to explore comprehensively the cardiac function through various methods, including conventional echocardiography, intraventricular pressure gradient (IVPG) analysis, speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), and hemodynamics analysis. Methods Ligature-induced periodontitis was established in a group of rats while the second group served as sham. The successful establishment of the periodontitis model was confirmed through staining and radiographic examination of the affected mandibles. Results X-ray films and methylene blue staining revealed alveolar bone resorption in the affected first molar in the model rats, confirming the successful induction of periodontitis. The rats with periodontitis displayed a decrease in ejection fraction compared to the sham group, accompanied by a decrease in mid-to-apical IVPG and mid IVPG. Lower values of strain rate were recorded in the apical segment of the septum, the middle segment of the septum, and the basal segment of the lateral free wall in the periodontitis group, which was associated with histopathological examination showing some degree of myocardial tissue damage. Conversely, rats with periodontitis showed an increase in heart rate, end-systolic volume, and arterial elastance when compared to the sham rats. However, they also exhibited a decrease in stroke work, stroke volume, cardiac output, and end-systolic pressure. Conclusion This study suggests that experimental periodontitis may lead to cardiac dysfunction especially compromised systolic function and myocardial relaxation, potentially indicating an increased risk of cardiovascular events in clinical periodontitis cases. The comprehensive assessment of cardiac function, hemodynamics, and histopathological evaluation underscores the profound impact of periodontitis on heart functions within this specific experimental model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa Elhaieg
- Department of Veterinary Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Japan
| | - Ahmed Farag
- Department of Veterinary Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Japan
- Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology, and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Elfadadny
- Department of Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhur University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Aimi Yokoi
- Department of Veterinary Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Japan
| | - Hanan Hendawy
- Department of Veterinary Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Ahmed S. Mandour
- Department of Animal Medicine (Internal Medicine), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Ryou Tanaka
- Department of Veterinary Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Japan
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8
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Yu X. Application of Hydrogels in Cardiac Regeneration. Cardiol Ther 2023; 12:637-674. [PMID: 37979080 DOI: 10.1007/s40119-023-00339-0] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of death globally. Due to limited cardiac regeneration, infarcted myocardial tissue is gradually replaced by cardiac fibrosis, causing cardiac dysfunction, arrhythmia, aneurysm, free wall rupture, and sudden cardiac death. Thus, the development of effective methods to promote cardiac regeneration is extremely important for MI treatment. In recent years, hydrogels have shown promise in various methods for cardiac regeneration. Hydrogels can be divided into natural and synthetic types. Different hydrogels have different features and can be cross-linked in various ways. Hydrogels are low in toxicity and highly stable. Since they have good biocompatibility, biodegradability, and transformability, moderate mechanical properties, and proper elasticity, hydrogels are promising biomaterials for promoting cardiac regeneration. They can be used not only as scaffolds for migration of stem cells, but also as ideal carriers for delivery of drugs, genetic materials, stem cells, growth factors, cytokines, and small molecules. In this review, the application of hydrogels in cardiac regeneration during or post-MI is discussed in detail. Hydrogels open a promising new area in cardiac regeneration for treating MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejing Yu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75235, USA.
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9
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Gonzalez G, Nelson AC, Holman AR, Whitehead AJ, LaMontagne E, Lian R, Vatsyayan R, Dayeh SA, Engler AJ. Conductive electrospun polymer improves stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte function and maturation. Biomaterials 2023; 302:122363. [PMID: 37898021 PMCID: PMC10841997 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122363] [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: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Despite numerous efforts to generate mature human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs), cells often remain immature, electrically isolated, and may not reflect adult biology. Conductive polymers are attractive candidates to facilitate electrical communication between hPSC-CMs, especially at sub-confluent cell densities or diseased cells lacking cell-cell junctions. Here we electrospun conductive polymers to create a conductive fiber mesh and assess if electrical signal propagation is improved in hPSC-CMs seeded on the mesh network. Matrix characterization indicated fiber structure remained stable over weeks in buffer, scaffold stiffness remained near in vivo cardiac stiffness, and electrical conductivity scaled with conductive polymer concentration. Cells remained adherent and viable on the scaffolds for at least 5 days. Transcriptomic profiling of hPSC-CMs cultured on conductive substrates for 3 days showed upregulation of cardiac and muscle-related genes versus non-conductive fibers. Structural proteins were more organized and calcium handling was improved on conductive substrates, even at sub-confluent cell densities; prolonged culture on conductive scaffolds improved membrane depolarization compared to non-conductive substrates. Taken together, these data suggest that blended, conductive scaffolds are stable, supportive of electrical coupling in hPSC-CMs, and promote maturation, which may improve our ability to model cardiac diseases and develop targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisselle Gonzalez
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Aileena C Nelson
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Alyssa R Holman
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | | | - Erin LaMontagne
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Rachel Lian
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ritwik Vatsyayan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Shadi A Dayeh
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Adam J Engler
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
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10
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Garvin AM, Katwa LC. Primary cardiac fibroblast cell culture: methodological considerations for physiologically relevant conditions. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2023; 325:H869-H881. [PMID: 37624100 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00224.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Primary cardiac fibroblast (CF) tissue culture is a necessary tool for interrogating specific signaling mechanisms that dictate the phenotypic heterogeneity observed in vivo in different disease states. Traditional approaches that use tissue culture plastic and nutrient-rich medium have been shown to induce CF activation and, therefore, alter CF subpopulation composition. This shift away from in vivo phenotypes complicate the interpretation of results through the lens of the animal model. As the field works to identify CF diversity, these methodological flaws have begun to be addressed and more studies are focused on the dynamic interaction of CFs with their environment. This review focuses on the aspects of tissue culture that impact CF activation and, therefore, require consideration when designing in vitro experiments. The complexity of CF biology overlaid onto diverse model systems highlight the need for study-specific optimization and validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M Garvin
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States
| | - Laxmansa C Katwa
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States
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11
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Bernava G, Iop L. Advances in the design, generation, and application of tissue-engineered myocardial equivalents. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1247572. [PMID: 37811368 PMCID: PMC10559975 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1247572] [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: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the limited regenerative ability of cardiomyocytes, the disabling irreversible condition of myocardial failure can only be treated with conservative and temporary therapeutic approaches, not able to repair the damage directly, or with organ transplantation. Among the regenerative strategies, intramyocardial cell injection or intravascular cell infusion should attenuate damage to the myocardium and reduce the risk of heart failure. However, these cell delivery-based therapies suffer from significant drawbacks and have a low success rate. Indeed, cardiac tissue engineering efforts are directed to repair, replace, and regenerate native myocardial tissue function. In a regenerative strategy, biomaterials and biomimetic stimuli play a key role in promoting cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, and neo-tissue formation. Thus, appropriate biochemical and biophysical cues should be combined with scaffolds emulating extracellular matrix in order to support cell growth and prompt favorable cardiac microenvironment and tissue regeneration. In this review, we provide an overview of recent developments that occurred in the biomimetic design and fabrication of cardiac scaffolds and patches. Furthermore, we sift in vitro and in situ strategies in several preclinical and clinical applications. Finally, we evaluate the possible use of bioengineered cardiac tissue equivalents as in vitro models for disease studies and drug tests.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Iop
- Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, Padua Medical School, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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12
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Chang Z, Zhang J, Liu Y, Gao H, Xu GK. New Mechanical Markers for Tracking the Progression of Myocardial Infarction. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:7350-7357. [PMID: 37580044 PMCID: PMC10450805 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c01712] [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: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
The mechanical properties of soft tissues can often be strongly correlated with the progression of various diseases, such as myocardial infarction (MI). However, the dynamic mechanical properties of cardiac tissues during MI progression remain poorly understood. Herein, we investigate the rheological responses of cardiac tissues at different stages of MI (i.e., early-stage, mid-stage, and late-stage) with atomic force microscopy-based microrheology. Surprisingly, we discover that all cardiac tissues exhibit a universal two-stage power-law rheological behavior at different time scales. The experimentally found power-law exponents can capture an inconspicuous initial rheological change, making them particularly suitable as markers for early-stage MI diagnosis. We further develop a self-similar hierarchical model to characterize the progressive mechanical changes from subcellular to tissue scales. The theoretically calculated mechanical indexes are found to markedly vary among different stages of MI. These new mechanical markers are applicable for tracking the subtle changes of cardiac tissues during MI progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Chang
- Laboratory
for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, State Key Laboratory
for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, School of Aerospace
Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department
of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated
Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710061, China
| | - Yilun Liu
- Laboratory
for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, State Key Laboratory
for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, School of Aerospace
Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
| | - Huajian Gao
- School
of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
- Institute
of High Performance Computing, A*STAR, Singapore 138632, Singapore
| | - Guang-Kui Xu
- Laboratory
for Multiscale Mechanics and Medical Science, State Key Laboratory
for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, School of Aerospace
Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
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13
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Handley E, Callanan A. Effects of electrospun fibers containing ascorbic acid on oxidative stress reduction for cardiac tissue engineering. J Appl Polym Sci 2023; 140:e54242. [PMID: 38439767 PMCID: PMC10909520 DOI: 10.1002/app.54242] [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: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Tissue engineering provides promise for regeneration of cardiac tissue following myocardial infarction. However, the harsh microenvironment of the infarct hampers the efficacy of regenerative therapies. Ischemia-reperfusion injury dramatically increases the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the infarcted area, causing a cascade of further cellular injury. Implantable tissue engineered grafts can target this oxidative stress by delivering pharmaceutical compounds directly into the diseased tissue. Herein, we successfully fabricated electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers containing varying concentrations of ascorbic acid, a potent antioxidant well known for its ROS-scavenging capabilities. The antioxidant scaffolds displayed significantly improved scavenging of DPPH radicals, superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals, in a dose dependent manner. Mechanical properties testing indicated that incorporation of ascorbic acid enhanced the strength and Young's modulus of the material, correlating with a moderate but non-significant increase in the crystallinity. Moreover, the scaffolds supported adhesion and maintained survival of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro, indicating good cytocompatibility. These results provide motivation for the use of ascorbic acid-containing fibrous scaffolds to regulate the highly oxidative microenvironment following myocardial infarction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella‐Louise Handley
- Institute for Bioengineering, School of EngineeringUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Anthony Callanan
- Institute for Bioengineering, School of EngineeringUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
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14
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Chi C, Song K. Cellular reprogramming of fibroblasts in heart regeneration. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2023; 180:84-93. [PMID: 36965699 PMCID: PMC10347886 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2023.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
Myocardial infarction causes the loss of cardiomyocytes and the formation of cardiac fibrosis due to the activation of cardiac fibroblasts, leading to cardiac dysfunction and heart failure. Unfortunately, current therapeutic interventions can only slow the disease progression. Furthermore, they cannot fully restore cardiac function, likely because the adult human heart lacks sufficient capacity to regenerate cardiomyocytes. Therefore, intensive efforts have focused on developing therapeutics to regenerate the damaged heart. Several strategies have been intensively investigated, including stimulation of cardiomyocyte proliferation, transplantation of stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, and conversion of fibroblasts into cardiac cells. Resident cardiac fibroblasts are critical in the maintenance of the structure and contractility of the heart. Fibroblast plasticity makes this type of cells be reprogrammed into many cell types, including but not limited to induced pluripotent stem cells, induced cardiac progenitor cells, and induced cardiomyocytes. Fibroblasts have become a therapeutic target due to their critical roles in cardiac pathogenesis. This review summarizes the reprogramming of fibroblasts into induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, induced cardiac progenitor cells, and induced cardiomyocytes to repair a damaged heart, outlines recent findings in utilizing fibroblast-derived cells for heart regeneration, and discusses the limitations and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congwu Chi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kunhua Song
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology, The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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15
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de Paula AP, de Lima JD, Bastos TSB, Czaikovski AP, dos Santos Luz RB, Yuasa BS, Smanioto CCS, Robert AW, Braga TT. Decellularized Extracellular Matrix: The Role of This Complex Biomaterial in Regeneration. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:22256-22267. [PMID: 37396215 PMCID: PMC10308580 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c06216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Organ transplantation is understood as a technique where an organ from a donor patient is transferred to a recipient patient. This practice gained strength in the 20th century and ensured advances in areas of knowledge such as immunology and tissue engineering. The main problems that comprise the practice of transplants involve the demand for viable organs and immunological aspects related to organ rejection. In this review, we address advances in tissue engineering for reversing the current challenges of transplants, focusing on the possible use of decellularized tissues in tissue engineering. We address the interaction of acellular tissues with immune cells, especially macrophages and stem cells, due to their potential use in regenerative medicine. Our goal is to exhibit data that demonstrate the use of decellularized tissues as alternative biomaterials that can be applied clinically as partial or complete organ substitutes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jordana Dinorá de Lima
- Department
of Pathology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Parana 80060-000, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Bruna Sadae Yuasa
- Department
of Pathology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Parana 80060-000, Brazil
| | | | - Anny Waloski Robert
- Stem
Cells Basic Biology Laboratory, Carlos Chagas
Institute − FIOCRUZ/PR, Curitiba, Parana 81350-010, Brazil
| | - Tárcio Teodoro Braga
- Department
of Pathology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Parana 80060-000, Brazil
- Graduate
Program in Biosciences and Biotechnology, Institute Carlos Chagas, Fiocruz, Parana 81310-020, Brazil
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16
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Sikder K, Phillips E, Zhong Z, Wang N, Saunders J, Mothy D, Kossenkov A, Schneider T, Nichtova Z, Csordas G, Margulies KB, Choi JC. Perinuclear damage from nuclear envelope deterioration elicits stress responses that contribute to LMNA cardiomyopathy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.14.528563. [PMID: 36824975 PMCID: PMC9949050 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.14.528563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in the LMNA gene encoding nuclear lamins A/C cause a diverse array of tissue-selective diseases, with the heart being the most commonly affected organ. Despite progress in understanding the molecular perturbations emanating from LMNA mutations, an integrative understanding of the pathogenesis leading to cardiac dysfunction remains elusive. Using a novel cell-type specific Lmna deletion mouse model capable of translatome profiling, we found that cardiomyocyte-specific Lmna deletion in adult mice led to rapid cardiomyopathy with pathological remodeling. Prior to the onset of cardiac dysfunction, lamin A/C-depleted cardiomyocytes displayed nuclear envelope deterioration, golgi dilation/fragmentation, and CREB3-mediated golgi stress activation. Translatome profiling identified upregulation of Med25, a transcriptional co-factor that can selectively dampen UPR axes. Autophagy is disrupted in the hearts of these mice, which can be recapitulated by disrupting the golgi or inducing nuclear damage by increased matrix stiffness. Systemic administration of pharmacological modulators of autophagy or ER stress significantly improved the cardiac function. These studies support a hypothesis wherein stress responses emanating from the perinuclear space contribute to the development of LMNA cardiomyopathy. Teaser Interplay of stress responses underlying the development of LMNA cardiomyopathy.
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17
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Pearce DP, Nemcek MT, Witzenburg CM. Don't go breakin' my heart: cardioprotective alterations to the mechanical and structural properties of reperfused myocardium during post-infarction inflammation. Biophys Rev 2023; 15:329-353. [PMID: 37396449 PMCID: PMC10310682 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-023-01068-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Myocardial infarctions (MIs) kickstart an intense inflammatory response resulting in extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, wall thinning, and chamber dilation that leaves the heart susceptible to rupture. Reperfusion therapy is one of the most effective strategies for limiting adverse effects of MIs, but is a challenge to administer in a timely manner. Late reperfusion therapy (LRT; 3 + hours post-MI) does not limit infarct size, but does reduce incidences of post-MI rupture and improves long-term patient outcomes. Foundational studies employing LRT in the mid-twentieth century revealed beneficial reductions in infarct expansion, aneurysm formation, and left ventricle dysfunction. The mechanism by which LRT acts, however, is undefined. Structural analyses, relying largely on one-dimensional estimates of ECM composition, have found few differences in collagen content between LRT and permanently occluded animal models when using homogeneous samples from infarct cores. Uniaxial testing, on the other hand, revealed slight reductions in stiffness early in inflammation, followed soon after by an enhanced resistance to failure for cases of LRT. The use of one-dimensional estimates of ECM organization and gross mechanical function have resulted in a poor understanding of the infarct's spatially variable mechanical and structural anisotropy. To resolve these gaps in literature, future work employing full-field mechanical, structural, and cellular analyses is needed to better define the spatiotemporal post-MI alterations occurring during the inflammatory phase of healing and how they are impacted following reperfusion therapy. In turn, these studies may reveal how LRT affects the likelihood of rupture and inspire novel approaches to guide scar formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P. Pearce
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706 USA
| | - Mark T. Nemcek
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706 USA
| | - Colleen M. Witzenburg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706 USA
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18
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Henley T, Goudy J, Easterling M, Donley C, Wirka R, Bressan M. Local tissue mechanics control cardiac pacemaker cell embryonic patterning. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201799. [PMID: 36973005 PMCID: PMC10043993 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac pacemaker cells (CPCs) initiate the electric impulses that drive the rhythmic beating of the heart. CPCs reside in a heterogeneous, ECM-rich microenvironment termed the sinoatrial node (SAN). Surprisingly, little is known regarding the biochemical composition or mechanical properties of the SAN, and how the unique structural characteristics present in this region of the heart influence CPC function remains poorly understood. Here, we have identified that SAN development involves the construction of a "soft" macromolecular ECM that specifically encapsulates CPCs. In addition, we demonstrate that subjecting embryonic CPCs to substrate stiffnesses higher than those measured in vivo results in loss of coherent electrical oscillation and dysregulation of the HCN4 and NCX1 ion channels required for CPC automaticity. Collectively, these data indicate that local mechanics play a critical role in maintaining the embryonic CPC function while also quantitatively defining the range of material properties that are optimal for embryonic CPC maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Henley
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Julie Goudy
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Marietta Easterling
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Carrie Donley
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Robert Wirka
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Michael Bressan
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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19
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Chin IL, Amos SE, Jeong JH, Hool L, Hwang Y, Choi YS. Volume adaptation of neonatal cardiomyocyte spheroids in 3D stiffness gradient GelMA. J Biomed Mater Res A 2023; 111:801-813. [PMID: 36239543 PMCID: PMC10952714 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37456] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Present understandings of cardiomyocyte mechanobiology have primarily been developed using 2-dimensional, monocellular cell cultures, however the emergence of 3-dimensional (3D) multicellular cardiac constructs has enabled us to develop more sophisticated recapitulations of the cardiac microenvironment. Several of these strategies have illustrated that incorporating elements of the extracellular matrix (ECM) can promote greater maturation and enhance desirable cardiac functions, such as contractility, but the responses of these cardiac constructs to biophysically aberrant conditions, such as in the post-infarct heart, has remained relatively unexplored. In our study, we employ a stiffness gradient gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel platform to unpack the mechanobiology of cardiac spheroids. We encapsulated neonatal rat cardiac cell spheroids in a 4.4-18.7 kPa linear stiffness gradient up to 120 h. We found the proportion of viable cells within the spheroids increased over time, but the cell number per spheroid decreased. Spheroids expand more in softer matrices while stiffer matrices promote larger nuclei without changing nuclei shape. Volume expansion came primarily from cells expressing vimentin. We did not observe any correlations between stiffness and mechanomarker expression, however we found that after 120 h post-encapsulation, the localization of YAP, the localization of MRTF-A and the expression of Lamin-A was correlated with spheroid morphology. The same trends were not observed 24 h post-encapsulation, indicating that volume adaptation can take a relatively long time. Our data demonstrates that cardiac spheroids are mechanosensitive and that their capacity to respond to ECM-based cues depends on their capacity to adapt their volume with a 3D microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian L. Chin
- School of Human SciencesThe University of Western AustraliaPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Sebastian E. Amos
- School of Human SciencesThe University of Western AustraliaPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Ji Hoon Jeong
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi‐bio Science (SIMS)Soonchunhyang UniversityCheonan‐siChungnam‐doRepublic of Korea
- Department of Integrated Biomedical ScienceSoonchunhyang UniversityAsan‐siChungnam‐doRepublic of Korea
| | - Livia Hool
- School of Human SciencesThe University of Western AustraliaPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research InstituteSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Yongsung Hwang
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi‐bio Science (SIMS)Soonchunhyang UniversityCheonan‐siChungnam‐doRepublic of Korea
- Department of Integrated Biomedical ScienceSoonchunhyang UniversityAsan‐siChungnam‐doRepublic of Korea
| | - Yu Suk Choi
- School of Human SciencesThe University of Western AustraliaPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
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20
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Atcha H, Choi YS, Chaudhuri O, Engler AJ. Getting physical: Material mechanics is an intrinsic cell cue. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:750-765. [PMID: 37267912 PMCID: PMC10247187 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Advances in biomaterial science have allowed for unprecedented insight into the ability of material cues to influence stem cell function. These material approaches better recapitulate the microenvironment, providing a more realistic ex vivo model of the cell niche. However, recent advances in our ability to measure and manipulate niche properties in vivo have led to novel mechanobiological studies in model organisms. Thus, in this review, we will discuss the importance of material cues within the cell niche, highlight the key mechanotransduction pathways involved, and conclude with recent evidence that material cues regulate tissue function in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Atcha
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Yu Suk Choi
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Ovijit Chaudhuri
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Adam J Engler
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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21
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Alhejailan RS, Garoffolo G, Raveendran VV, Pesce M. Cells and Materials for Cardiac Repair and Regeneration. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12103398. [PMID: 37240504 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12103398] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
After more than 20 years following the introduction of regenerative medicine to address the problem of cardiac diseases, still questions arise as to the best cell types and materials to use to obtain effective clinical translation. Now that it is definitively clear that the heart does not have a consistent reservoir of stem cells that could give rise to new myocytes, and that there are cells that could contribute, at most, with their pro-angiogenic or immunomodulatory potential, there is fierce debate on what will emerge as the winning strategy. In this regard, new developments in somatic cells' reprogramming, material science and cell biophysics may be of help, not only for protecting the heart from the deleterious consequences of aging, ischemia and metabolic disorders, but also to boost an endogenous regeneration potential that seems to be lost in the adulthood of the human heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem Saud Alhejailan
- Cell Biology Department, King's Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gloria Garoffolo
- Unità di Ingegneria Tissutale Cardiovascolare, Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, 20138 Milan, Italy
| | - Vineesh Vimala Raveendran
- Cell Biology Department, King's Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maurizio Pesce
- Unità di Ingegneria Tissutale Cardiovascolare, Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, 20138 Milan, Italy
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22
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Meli VS, Veerasubramanian PK, Downing TL, Wang W, Liu WF. Mechanosensation to inflammation: Roles for YAP/TAZ in innate immune cells. Sci Signal 2023; 16:eadc9656. [PMID: 37130167 PMCID: PMC10625748 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.adc9656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Innate immune cells are responsible for eliminating foreign infectious agents and cellular debris, and their ability to perceive, respond to, and integrate biochemical and mechanical cues from their microenvironment eventually determines their behavior. In response to tissue injury, pathogen invasion, or a biomaterial implant, immune cells activate many pathways to initiate inflammation in the tissue. In addition to common inflammatory pathways, studies have demonstrated the role of the mechanosensitive proteins and transcriptional coactivators YAP and TAZ (YAP/TAZ) in inflammation and immunity. We review our knowledge of YAP/TAZ in controlling inflammation and immunity in innate immune cells. Furthermore, we discuss the roles of YAP/TAZ in inflammatory diseases, wound healing, and tissue regeneration and how they integrate mechanical cues with biochemical signaling during disease progression. Last, we comment on possible approaches that can be exploited to harness the therapeutic potential of YAP/TAZ in inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijaykumar S. Meli
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, CA 92697
- UCI Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Cardiovascular Innovation and Research Center, (CIRC), University of California Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Praveen Krishna Veerasubramanian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, CA 92697
- UCI Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Cardiovascular Innovation and Research Center, (CIRC), University of California Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Timothy L. Downing
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, CA 92697
- UCI Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Cardiovascular Innovation and Research Center, (CIRC), University of California Irvine, CA 92697
- NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California Irvine, CA 92697
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Wenqi Wang
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Wendy F. Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, CA 92697
- UCI Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Cardiovascular Innovation and Research Center, (CIRC), University of California Irvine, CA 92697
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Irvine, CA 92697
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California Irvine, CA 92697
- Institute for Immunology, University of California Irvine, CA 92697
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23
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Shiraishi M, Suzuki K, Yamaguchi A. Effect of mechanical tension on fibroblast transcriptome profile and regulatory mechanisms of myocardial collagen turnover. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22841. [PMID: 36856975 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201899r] [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: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Excess deposition of extracellular matrix in the myocardium is a predictor of reduced left ventricular function. Although reducing the hemodynamic load is known to improve myocardial fibrosis, the mechanisms underlying the reversal of the fibrosis have not been elucidated. We focused on the elasticity of myocardial tissue, which is assumed to influence the fibroblast phenotype. Normal and fibrotic myocardium were cultured in 16 kPa and 64 kPa silicone gel-coated dishes supplemented with recombinant TGFβ protein, respectively. Matrix-degrading myocardium was cultured in 64 kPa silicone gel-coated dishes with recombinant TGFβ protein and then in 16 kPa silicone gel-coated dishes. Cardiac fibroblasts were cultured in this three-part in vitro pathological models and compared. Fibroblasts differentiated into activated or matrix-degrading types in response to the pericellular environment. Comprehensive gene expression analysis of fibroblasts in each in vitro condition showed Selenbp1 to be one of the genes responsible for regulating differentiation of fibroblasts. In vitro knockdown of Selenbp1 enhanced fibroblast activation and inhibited conversion to the matrix-degrading form. In vivo knockdown of Selenbp1 resulted in structural changes in the left ventricle associated with progressive tissue fibrosis and left ventricular diastolic failure. Selenbp1 is involved in regulating fibroblast differentiation and appears to be one of the major molecules regulating collagen turnover in cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Shiraishi
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Ken Suzuki
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Atsushi Yamaguchi
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University, Saitama, Japan
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24
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Machado I, Marques CF, Martins E, Alves AL, Reis RL, Silva TH. Marine Gelatin-Methacryloyl-Based Hydrogels as Cell Templates for Cartilage Tissue Engineering. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15071674. [PMID: 37050288 PMCID: PMC10096504 DOI: 10.3390/polym15071674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Marine-origin gelatin has been increasingly used as a safe alternative to bovine and porcine ones due to their structural similarity, avoiding the health-related problems and sociocultural concerns associated with using mammalian-origin materials. Another benefit of marine-origin gelatin is that it can be produced from fish processing-products enabling high production at low cost. Recent studies have demonstrated the excellent capacity of gelatin-methacryloyl (GelMA)-based hydrogels in a wide range of biomedical applications due to their suitable biological properties and tunable physical characteristics, such as tissue engineering applications, including the engineering of cartilage. In this study, fish gelatin was obtained from Greenland halibut skins by an acidic extraction method and further functionalized by methacrylation using methacrylic anhydride, developing a photosensitive gelatin-methacryloyl (GelMA) with a degree of functionalization of 58%. The produced marine GelMA allowed the fabrication of photo-crosslinked hydrogels by incorporating a photoinitiator and UV light exposure. To improve the biological performance, GelMA was combined with two glycosaminoglycans (GAGs): hyaluronic acid (HA) and chondroitin sulfate (CS). GAGs methacrylation reaction was necessary, rendering methacrylated HA (HAMA) and methacrylated CS (CSMA). Three different concentrations of GelMA were combined with CSMA and HAMA at different ratios to produce biomechanically stable hydrogels with tunable physicochemical features. The 20% (w/v) GelMA-based hydrogels produced in this work were tested as a matrix for chondrocyte culture for cartilage tissue engineering with formulations containing both HAMA and CSMA showing improved cell viability. The obtained results suggest these hybrid hydrogels be used as promising biomaterials for cartilage tissue engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Machado
- 3B’s Research Group, I3B’s—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Catarina F. Marques
- 3B’s Research Group, I3B’s—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Eva Martins
- 3B’s Research Group, I3B’s—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana L. Alves
- 3B’s Research Group, I3B’s—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rui L. Reis
- 3B’s Research Group, I3B’s—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Tiago H. Silva
- 3B’s Research Group, I3B’s—Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4806-909 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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25
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Nattasit P, Niibe K, Yamada M, Ohori-Morita Y, Limraksasin P, Tiskratok W, Yamamoto M, Egusa H. Stiffness-Tunable Hydrogel-Sandwich Culture Modulates the YAP-Mediated Mechanoresponse in Induced-Pluripotent Stem Cell Embryoid Bodies and Augments Cardiomyocyte Differentiation. Macromol Biosci 2023:e2300021. [PMID: 36871184 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202300021] [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: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Microenvironmental factors, including substrate stiffness, regulate stem cell behavior and differentiation. However, the effects of substrate stiffness on the behavior of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)- derived embryoid bodies (EB) remain unclear. To investigate the effects of mechanical cues on iPSC-EB differentiation, a 3D hydrogel-sandwich culture (HGSC) system is developed that controls the microenvironment surrounding iPSC-EBs using a stiffness-tunable polyacrylamide hydrogel assembly. Mouse iPSC-EBs are seeded between upper and lower polyacrylamide hydrogels of differing stiffness (Young's modulus [E'] = 54.3 ± 7.1 kPa [hard], 28.1 ± 2.3 kPa [moderate], and 5.1 ± 0.1 kPa [soft]) and cultured for 2 days. HGSC induces stiffness-dependent activation of the yes-associated protein (YAP) mechanotransducer and actin cytoskeleton rearrangement in the iPSC-EBs. Moreover, moderate-stiffness HGSC specifically upregulates the mRNA and protein expression of ectoderm and mesoderm lineage differentiation markers in iPSC-EBs via YAP-mediated mechanotransduction. Pretreatment of mouse iPSC-EBs with moderate-stiffness HGSC promotes cardiomyocyte (CM) differentiation and structural maturation of myofibrils. The proposed HGSC system provides a viable platform for investigating the role of mechanical cues on the pluripotency and differentiation of iPSCs that can be beneficial for research into tissue regeneration and engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praphawi Nattasit
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Prosthodontics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Kunimichi Niibe
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Prosthodontics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Masahiro Yamada
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Prosthodontics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Yumi Ohori-Morita
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Prosthodontics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Phoonsuk Limraksasin
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Prosthodontics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
- Dental Stem Cell Biology Research Unit, Center of Excellence for Regenerative Dentistry, and Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Watcharaphol Tiskratok
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Prosthodontics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
- Institute of Dentistry, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand
| | - Masaya Yamamoto
- Department of Material Processing, Tohoku University Graduate School of Engineering, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8579, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Egusa
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Prosthodontics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
- Center for Advanced Stem Cell and Regenerative Research, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
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26
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Cao Z, Ball JK, Lateef AH, Virgile CP, Corbin EA. Biomimetic Substrate to Probe Dynamic Interplay of Topography and Stiffness on Cardiac Fibroblast Activation. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:5406-5414. [PMID: 36816659 PMCID: PMC9933230 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c06529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Materials with the ability to change properties can expand the capabilities of in vitro models of biological processes and diseases as it has become increasingly clear that static, stiff materials with smooth surfaces fall short in recapitulating the in vivo cellular microenvironment. Here, we introduce a patterned material that can be rapidly stiffened and softened in situ in response to an external magnetic field through the addition of magnetic inclusions into a soft silicone elastomer with topographic surface patterning. This substrate can be used for cell culture to investigate short-term cellular responses to dynamic stiffening or softening and the interaction with topography that encourages cells to assume a specific morphology. We investigated short-term cellular responses to dynamic stiffening or softening in human ventricular cardiac fibroblasts. Our results indicate that the combination of dynamic changes in stiffness with and without topographic cues induces different effects on the alignment and activation or deactivation of myofibroblasts. Cells cultured on patterned substrates exhibited a more aligned morphology than cells cultured on flat material; moreover, cell alignment was not dependent on substrate stiffness. On a patterned substrate, there was no significant change in the number of activated myofibroblasts when the material was temporally stiffened, but temporal softening caused a significant decrease in myofibroblast activation (50% to 38%), indicating a competing interaction of these characteristics on cell behavior. This material provides a unique in vitro platform to observe the time-dependent dynamics of cells by better mimicking more complex behaviors and realistic microenvironments for investigating biological processes, such as the development of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Cao
- Biomedical
Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19713, United States
| | - Jacob K. Ball
- Biomedical
Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19713, United States
| | - Ali H. Lateef
- Biomedical
Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19713, United States
| | - Connor P. Virgile
- Biomedical
Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19713, United States
| | - Elise A. Corbin
- Biomedical
Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19713, United States
- Material
Science & Engineering, University of
Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716-3106, United States
- Department
of Biomedical Research, Nemours/A.I. DuPont
Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware 19803, United States
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27
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Horii Y, Matsuda S, Toyota C, Morinaga T, Nakaya T, Tsuchiya S, Ohmuraya M, Hironaka T, Yoshiki R, Kasai K, Yamauchi Y, Takizawa N, Nagasaka A, Tanaka A, Kosako H, Nakaya M. VGLL3 is a mechanosensitive protein that promotes cardiac fibrosis through liquid-liquid phase separation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:550. [PMID: 36754961 PMCID: PMC9908974 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36189-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Myofibroblasts cause tissue fibrosis by producing extracellular matrix proteins, such as collagens. Humoral factors like TGF-β, and matrix stiffness are important for collagen production by myofibroblasts. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating their ability to produce collagen remain poorly characterised. Here, we show that vestigial-like family member 3 (VGLL3) is specifically expressed in myofibroblasts from mouse and human fibrotic hearts and promotes collagen production. Further, substrate stiffness triggers VGLL3 translocation into the nucleus through the integrin β1-Rho-actin pathway. In the nucleus, VGLL3 undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation via its low-complexity domain and is incorporated into non-paraspeckle NONO condensates containing EWS RNA-binding protein 1 (EWSR1). VGLL3 binds EWSR1 and suppresses miR-29b, which targets collagen mRNA. Consistently, cardiac fibrosis after myocardial infarction is significantly attenuated in Vgll3-deficient mice, with increased miR-29b expression. Overall, our results reveal an unrecognised VGLL3-mediated pathway that controls myofibroblasts' collagen production, representing a novel therapeutic target for tissue fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuma Horii
- Department of Disease Control, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shoichi Matsuda
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Chikashi Toyota
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takumi Morinaga
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takeo Nakaya
- Department of Pathology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Soken Tsuchiya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Masaki Ohmuraya
- Department of Genetics, Hyogo College of Medicine, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Takanori Hironaka
- Department of Disease Control, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ryo Yoshiki
- Department of Disease Control, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kotaro Kasai
- Department of Disease Control, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yuto Yamauchi
- Department of Disease Control, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Noburo Takizawa
- Department of Disease Control, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Akiomi Nagasaka
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Akira Tanaka
- Department of Pathology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Kosako
- Division of Cell Signaling, Fujii Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Michio Nakaya
- Department of Disease Control, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. .,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. .,AMED-PRIME, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Tokyo, Japan.
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28
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Cao UMN, Zhang Y, Chen J, Sayson D, Pillai S, Tran SD. Microfluidic Organ-on-A-chip: A Guide to Biomaterial Choice and Fabrication. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043232. [PMID: 36834645 PMCID: PMC9966054 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Organ-on-A-chip (OoAC) devices are miniaturized, functional, in vitro constructs that aim to recapitulate the in vivo physiology of an organ using different cell types and extracellular matrix, while maintaining the chemical and mechanical properties of the surrounding microenvironments. From an end-point perspective, the success of a microfluidic OoAC relies mainly on the type of biomaterial and the fabrication strategy employed. Certain biomaterials, such as PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane), are preferred over others due to their ease of fabrication and proven success in modelling complex organ systems. However, the inherent nature of human microtissues to respond differently to surrounding stimulations has led to the combination of biomaterials ranging from simple PDMS chips to 3D-printed polymers coated with natural and synthetic materials, including hydrogels. In addition, recent advances in 3D printing and bioprinting techniques have led to the powerful combination of utilizing these materials to develop microfluidic OoAC devices. In this narrative review, we evaluate the different materials used to fabricate microfluidic OoAC devices while outlining their pros and cons in different organ systems. A note on combining the advances made in additive manufacturing (AM) techniques for the microfabrication of these complex systems is also discussed.
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29
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Optical force estimation for interactions between tool and soft tissues. Sci Rep 2023; 13:506. [PMID: 36627354 PMCID: PMC9831996 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-27036-7] [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: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Robotic assistance in minimally invasive surgery offers numerous advantages for both patient and surgeon. However, the lack of force feedback in robotic surgery is a major limitation, and accurately estimating tool-tissue interaction forces remains a challenge. Image-based force estimation offers a promising solution without the need to integrate sensors into surgical tools. In this indirect approach, interaction forces are derived from the observed deformation, with learning-based methods improving accuracy and real-time capability. However, the relationship between deformation and force is determined by the stiffness of the tissue. Consequently, both deformation and local tissue properties must be observed for an approach applicable to heterogeneous tissue. In this work, we use optical coherence tomography, which can combine the detection of tissue deformation with shear wave elastography in a single modality. We present a multi-input deep learning network for processing of local elasticity estimates and volumetric image data. Our results demonstrate that accounting for elastic properties is critical for accurate image-based force estimation across different tissue types and properties. Joint processing of local elasticity information yields the best performance throughout our phantom study. Furthermore, we test our approach on soft tissue samples that were not present during training and show that generalization to other tissue properties is possible.
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30
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Ahmadi ZA, Mokhtari Dizaji M, Sadeghpour A, Khesali H, Firouzi A. Estimation of the segmental left ventricular physical and mechanical parameters using echocardiographic imaging for stent candidate patients. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND : JCU 2023; 51:20-28. [PMID: 36069427 DOI: 10.1002/jcu.23324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction can be assessed by quantifying LV structure. In this study, physical parameters were extracted, including the systolic strain, wall stress, and elastic modulus of LV to diagnose stent candidate patients from the control group. METHODS Based on angiography results, 88 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) were divided into 64 patients candidates for PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) and 24 patients in the control group. With the thick-walled ellipsoidal model, the passive wall stresses at end-systole and end-diastole were estimated. Regional circumferential strain and regional longitudinal strain were obtained by speckle tracking technique. RESULTS The inferoseptal circumferential wall stress in end-systole was statistically significant for the PCI group compared to the control group (p = .026). Anterior and inferoseptal circumferential strain for the PCI group (-17.25 ± 4.22 and -18.21 ± 4.04%) compared to the control group (-21.71 ± 4.74 and 20.58 ± 3.04%) were statistically significant, respectively (p = .000 and p = .011). Anterior and inferoseptal circumferential elastic modulus were statistically significant (p = .000 and p = .005). The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that anterior and inferoseptal circumferential elastic modulus had the highest area under the curve with 76.6% sensitivity, 83.3% specificity for anterior circumferential, 68.8% sensitivity, and 70.8% specificity for inferoseptal circumferential, for the diagnosis of stent candidate patients. CONCLUSIONS Regional elastic modulus parameter is suggested as a noninvasive and quantitative method for measuring LV function. Strain and stress parameters using the STE method and geometrical model can be helpful for diagnostic stent candidate patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Alsadat Ahmadi
- Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Manijhe Mokhtari Dizaji
- Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Anita Sadeghpour
- Echocardiography Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamideh Khesali
- Echocardiography Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ata Firouzi
- Cardiovascular Intervention Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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31
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Chin IL, Amos SE, Jeong JH, Hool L, Hwang Y, Choi YS. Mechanosensation mediates volume adaptation of cardiac cells and spheroids in 3D. Mater Today Bio 2022; 16:100391. [PMID: 36042852 PMCID: PMC9420370 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2022.100391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
With the adoption of 3-dimensional (3D) cell culture for in vitro modelling of cardiac function and regenerative medicine applications, there is an increased need to understand cardiomyocyte mechanosensation in 3D. With existing studies of cardiomyocyte mechanosensation primarily focussed on the behaviour of individual cells in a 2-Dimensional context, it is unclear whether mechanosensation is the same in a 3D, multicellular context. In this study, H9C2 cardiac-derived myoblasts were encapsulated as individual cells and as cell spheroids within stiffness gradient gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels to investigate individual and collective cardiac cell mechanosensation in 3D. Over a 3.68–17.52 kPa stiffness range, it was found that H9C2 cells have a limited capacity to adapt their volume to increasing substrate stiffness, demonstrated by the lack of changes in cell volume and shape across the stiffness gradient. Morphological trends were reflected by the expression of the mechanomarkers YAP, MRTF-A and Lamin-A, which were better correlated with cell and nuclear volume than with substrate stiffness. The localisation of YAP and MRTF-A were dependent on the relative volumes of the cytoplasm and nucleus while Lamin-A expression was elevated with increasing cytoplasmic and nuclear volumes. When cultured as spheroids rather than as individual cells, H9C2 cells adopted a distinct morphology with comparably smaller nuclei than individually cultured cells, while retaining the same overall cell volume. As spheroids, H9C2 cells were sensitive to stiffness cues, shown by decreasing YAP and MRTF-A nuclear localisation, increasing Lamin-A expression, and increasing vinculin expression with increasing substrate stiffness. Like the individually cultured H9C2 cells, mechanomarker expression was correlated to volume adaptation. With increasing cytoplasmic volume, YAP and MRTF-A became less nuclear localised, vinculin expression was increased, and with increasing nuclear volume, the Lamin-A expression fincreased. Together, these data suggest that cardiac cell volume adaptation may be enhanced by cell-cell interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian L Chin
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Sebastian E Amos
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Ji Hoon Jeong
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan-si, Chungnam-do, 31151, Republic of Korea.,Department of Integrated Biomedical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, Chungnam-do, 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Livia Hool
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yongsung Hwang
- Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan-si, Chungnam-do, 31151, Republic of Korea.,Department of Integrated Biomedical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, Chungnam-do, 31538, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Suk Choi
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
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32
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Advances in Cardiac Tissue Engineering. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:bioengineering9110696. [DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9110696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue engineering has paved the way for the development of artificial human cardiac muscle patches (hCMPs) and cardiac tissue analogs, especially for treating Myocardial infarction (MI), often by increasing its regenerative abilities. Low engraftment rates, insufficient clinical application scalability, and the creation of a functional vascular system remain obstacles to hCMP implementation in clinical settings. This paper will address some of these challenges, present a broad variety of heart cell types and sources that can be applied to hCMP biomanufacturing, and describe some new innovative methods for engineering such treatments. It is also important to note the injection/transplantation of cells in cardiac tissue engineering.
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33
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Cardiac fibroblasts and mechanosensation in heart development, health and disease. Nat Rev Cardiol 2022; 20:309-324. [PMID: 36376437 DOI: 10.1038/s41569-022-00799-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The term 'mechanosensation' describes the capacity of cells to translate mechanical stimuli into the coordinated regulation of intracellular signals, cellular function, gene expression and epigenetic programming. This capacity is related not only to the sensitivity of the cells to tissue motion, but also to the decryption of tissue geometric arrangement and mechanical properties. The cardiac stroma, composed of fibroblasts, has been historically considered a mechanically passive component of the heart. However, the latest research suggests that the mechanical functions of these cells are an active and necessary component of the developmental biology programme of the heart that is involved in myocardial growth and homeostasis, and a crucial determinant of cardiac repair and disease. In this Review, we discuss the general concept of cell mechanosensation and force generation as potent regulators in heart development and pathology, and describe the integration of mechanical and biohumoral pathways predisposing the heart to fibrosis and failure. Next, we address the use of 3D culture systems to integrate tissue mechanics to mimic cardiac remodelling. Finally, we highlight the potential of mechanotherapeutic strategies, including pharmacological treatment and device-mediated left ventricular unloading, to reverse remodelling in the failing heart.
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34
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Liu H, Fan P, Jin F, Huang G, Guo X, Xu F. Dynamic and static biomechanical traits of cardiac fibrosis. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1042030. [PMID: 36394025 PMCID: PMC9659743 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1042030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is a common pathology in cardiovascular diseases which are reported as the leading cause of death globally. In recent decades, accumulating evidence has shown that the biomechanical traits of fibrosis play important roles in cardiac fibrosis initiation, progression and treatment. In this review, we summarize the four main distinct biomechanical traits (i.e., stretch, fluid shear stress, ECM microarchitecture, and ECM stiffness) and categorize them into two different types (i.e., static and dynamic), mainly consulting the unique characteristic of the heart. Moreover, we also provide a comprehensive overview of the effect of different biomechanical traits on cardiac fibrosis, their transduction mechanisms, and in-vitro engineered models targeting biomechanical traits that will aid the identification and prediction of mechano-based therapeutic targets to ameliorate cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Liu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases Co-Constructed by Henan Province and Education Ministry of China, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Pengbei Fan
- Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases Co-Constructed by Henan Province and Education Ministry of China, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fanli Jin
- Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases Co-Constructed by Henan Province and Education Ministry of China, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guoyou Huang
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, School of Civil Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Guoyou Huang, ; Xiaogang Guo, ; Feng Xu,
| | - Xiaogang Guo
- The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Guoyou Huang, ; Xiaogang Guo, ; Feng Xu,
| | - 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, China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Guoyou Huang, ; Xiaogang Guo, ; Feng Xu,
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35
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Culturing of Cardiac Fibroblasts in Engineered Heart Matrix Reduces Myofibroblast Differentiation but Maintains Their Response to Cyclic Stretch and Transforming Growth Factor β1. BIOENGINEERING (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:bioengineering9100551. [PMID: 36290519 PMCID: PMC9598692 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9100551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Isolation and culturing of cardiac fibroblasts (CF) induces rapid differentiation toward a myofibroblast phenotype, which is partly mediated by the high substrate stiffness of the culture plates. In the present study, a 3D model of Engineered Heart Matrix (EHM) of physiological stiffness (Youngs modulus ~15 kPa) was developed using primary adult rat CF and a natural hydrogel collagen type 1 matrix. CF were equally distributed, viable and quiescent for at least 13 days in EHM and the baseline gene expression of myofibroblast-markers alfa-smooth muscle actin (Acta2), and connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf) was significantly lower, compared to CF cultured in 2D monolayers. CF baseline gene expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (Tgfβ1) and brain natriuretic peptide (Nppb) was higher in EHM-fibers compared to the monolayers. EHM stimulation by 10% cyclic stretch (1 Hz) increased the gene expression of Nppb (3.0-fold), Ctgf (2.1-fold) and Tgfβ1 (2.3-fold) after 24 h. Stimulation of EHM with TGFβ1 (1 ng/mL, 24 h) induced Tgfβ1 (1.6-fold) and Ctgf (1.6-fold). In conclusion, culturing CF in EHM of physiological stiffness reduced myofibroblast marker gene expression, while the CF response to stretch or TGFβ1 was maintained, indicating that our novel EHM structure provides a good physiological model to study CF function and myofibroblast differentiation.
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The role of the dystrophin glycoprotein complex in muscle cell mechanotransduction. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1022. [PMID: 36168044 PMCID: PMC9515174 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03980-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Dystrophin is the central protein of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC) in skeletal and heart muscle cells. Dystrophin connects the actin cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Severing the link between the ECM and the intracellular cytoskeleton has a devastating impact on the homeostasis of skeletal muscle cells, leading to a range of muscular dystrophies. In addition, the loss of a functional DGC leads to progressive dilated cardiomyopathy and premature death. Dystrophin functions as a molecular spring and the DGC plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity of the sarcolemma. Additionally, evidence is accumulating, linking the DGC to mechanosignalling, albeit this role is still less understood. This review article aims at providing an up-to-date perspective on the DGC and its role in mechanotransduction. We first discuss the intricate relationship between muscle cell mechanics and function, before examining the recent research for a role of the dystrophin glycoprotein complex in mechanotransduction and maintaining the biomechanical integrity of muscle cells. Finally, we review the current literature to map out how DGC signalling intersects with mechanical signalling pathways to highlight potential future points of intervention, especially with a focus on cardiomyopathies. A review of the function of the Dystrophic Glycoprotein Complex (DGC) in mechanosignaling provides an overview of the various components of DGC and potential mechanopathogenic mechanisms, particularly as they relate to muscular dystrophy.
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Extracellular stiffness induces contractile dysfunction in adult cardiomyocytes via cell-autonomous and microtubule-dependent mechanisms. Basic Res Cardiol 2022; 117:41. [PMID: 36006489 PMCID: PMC9899517 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-022-00952-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The mechanical environment of the myocardium has a potent effect on cardiomyocyte form and function, yet an understanding of the cardiomyocyte responses to extracellular stiffening remains incomplete. We therefore employed a cell culture substrate with tunable stiffness to define the cardiomyocyte responses to clinically relevant stiffness increments in the absence of cell-cell interactions. When cultured on substrates magnetically actuated to mimic the stiffness of diseased myocardium, isolated rat adult cardiomyocytes exhibited a time-dependent reduction of sarcomere shortening, characterized by slowed contraction and relaxation velocity, and alterations of the calcium transient. Cardiomyocytes cultured on stiff substrates developed increases in viscoelasticity and microtubule detyrosination in association with early increases in the α-tubulin detyrosinating enzyme vasohibin-2 (Vash2). We found that knockdown of Vash2 was sufficient to preserve contractile performance as well as calcium transient properties in the presence of extracellular substrate stiffening. Orthogonal prevention of detyrosination by overexpression of tubulin tyrosine ligase (TTL) was also able to preserve contractility and calcium homeostasis. These data demonstrate that a pathologic increment of extracellular stiffness induces early, cell-autonomous remodeling of adult cardiomyocytes that is dependent on detyrosination of α-tubulin.
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Copeland KM, Brazile BL, Butler JR, Cooley J, Brinkman-Ferguson E, Claude A, Lin S, Rais-Rohani S, Welch B, McMahan SR, Nguyen KT, Hong Y, Ramaswamy S, Liu ZP, Bajona P, Peltz M, Liao J. Investigating the Transient Regenerative Potential of Cardiac Muscle Using a Neonatal Pig Partial Apical Resection Model. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:401. [PMID: 36004926 PMCID: PMC9404987 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9080401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Researchers have shown that adult zebrafish have the potential to regenerate 20% of the ventricular muscle within two months of apex resection, and neonatal mice have the capacity to regenerate their heart after apex resection up until day 7 after birth. The goal of this study was to determine if large mammals (porcine heart model) have the capability to fully regenerate a resected portion of the left ventricular apex during the neonatal stage, and if so, how long the regenerative potential persists. A total of 36 piglets were divided into the following groups: 0-day control and surgical groups and seven-day control and surgical groups. For the apex removal groups, each piglet was subjected to a partial wall thickness resection (~30% of the ventricular wall thickness). Heart muscle function was assessed via transthoracic echocardiograms; the seven-day surgery group experienced a decrease in ejection fraction and fractional shortening. Upon gross necropsy, for piglets euthanized four weeks post-surgery, all 0-day-old hearts showed no signs of scarring or any indication of the induced injury. Histological analysis confirmed that piglets in the 0-day surgery group exhibited various degrees of regeneration, with half of the piglets showing full regeneration and the other half showing partial regeneration. However, each piglet in the seven-day surgery group demonstrated epicardial fibrosis along with moderate to severe dissecting interstitial fibrosis, which was accompanied by an abundant collagenous extracellular matrix as the result of a scar formation in the resection site. Histology of one 0-day apex resection piglet (briefly lain on and accidentally killed by the mother sow three days post-surgery) revealed dense, proliferative mesenchymal cells bordering the fibrin and hemorrhage zone and differentiating toward immature cardiomyocytes. We further examined the heart explants at 5-days post-surgery (5D PO) and 1-week post-surgery (1W PO) to assess the repair progression. For the 0-day surgery piglets euthanized at 5D PO and 1W PO, half had abundant proliferating mesenchymal cells, suggesting active regeneration, while the other half showed increased extracellular collagen. The seven-day surgery piglets euthanized at 5D PO, and 1W PO showed evidence of greatly increased extracellular collagen, while some piglets had proliferating mesenchymal cells, suggesting a regenerative effort is ongoing while scar formation seems to predominate. In short, our qualitative findings suggest that the piglets lose the full myocardial regenerative potential by 7 days after birth, but greatly preserve the regenerative potential within 1 day post-partum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M. Copeland
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010, USA
| | - Bryn L. Brazile
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
| | - J. Ryan Butler
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
| | - Jim Cooley
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
| | - Erin Brinkman-Ferguson
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
| | - Andrew Claude
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
| | - Sallie Lin
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
| | - Sammira Rais-Rohani
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
| | - Bradley Welch
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
| | - Sara R. McMahan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010, USA
| | - Kytai T. Nguyen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010, USA
| | - Yi Hong
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010, USA
| | - Sharan Ramaswamy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33174, USA
| | - Zhi-Ping Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Pietro Bajona
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Allegheny Health Network-Drexel University College of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USA
| | - Matthias Peltz
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jun Liao
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010, USA
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Dooling LJ, Saini K, Anlaş AA, Discher DE. Tissue mechanics coevolves with fibrillar matrisomes in healthy and fibrotic tissues. Matrix Biol 2022; 111:153-188. [PMID: 35764212 PMCID: PMC9990088 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2022.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Fibrillar proteins are principal components of extracellular matrix (ECM) that confer mechanical properties to tissues. Fibrosis can result from wound repair in nearly every tissue in adults, and it associates with increased ECM density and crosslinking as well as increased tissue stiffness. Such fibrotic tissues are a major biomedical challenge, and an emerging view posits that the altered mechanical environment supports both synthetic and contractile myofibroblasts in a state of persistent activation. Here, we review the matrisome in several fibrotic diseases, as well as normal tissues, with a focus on physicochemical properties. Stiffness generally increases with the abundance of fibrillar collagens, the major constituent of ECM, with similar mathematical trends for fibrosis as well as adult tissues from soft brain to stiff bone and heart development. Changes in expression of other core matrisome and matrisome-associated proteins or proteoglycans contribute to tissue stiffening in fibrosis by organizing collagen, crosslinking ECM, and facilitating adhesion of myofibroblasts. Understanding how ECM composition and mechanics coevolve during fibrosis can lead to better models and help with antifibrotic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence J Dooling
- Molecular and Cellular Biophysics Lab, University of Pennsylvania,Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Karanvir Saini
- Molecular and Cellular Biophysics Lab, University of Pennsylvania,Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Alişya A Anlaş
- Molecular and Cellular Biophysics Lab, University of Pennsylvania,Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Dennis E Discher
- Molecular and Cellular Biophysics Lab, University of Pennsylvania,Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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40
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Ahmed L, Al-Massri K. New Approaches for Enhancement of the Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes in Cardiovascular Diseases. Tissue Eng Regen Med 2022; 19:1129-1146. [PMID: 35867309 DOI: 10.1007/s13770-022-00469-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a major health concern worldwide, where mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy gives great promise in their management through their regenerative and paracrine actions. In recent years, many studies have shifted from the use of transplanted stem cells to their secreted exosomes for the management of various CVDs and cardiovascular-related diseases including atherosclerosis, stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, peripheral arterial diseases, and pulmonary hypertension. In different models, MSC-derived exosomes have shown beneficial outcomes similar to cell therapy concerning regenerative and neovascular actions in addition to their anti-apoptotic, anti-remodeling, and anti-inflammatory actions. Compared with their parent cells, exosomes have also demonstrated several advantages, including lower immunogenicity and no risk of tumor formation. However, the maintenance of stability and efficacy of exosomes after in vivo transplantation is still a major concern in their clinical application. Recently, new approaches have been developed to enhance their efficacy and stability including their preconditioning before transplantation, use of genetically modified MSC-derived exosomes, or their utilization as a targeted drug delivery system. Herein, we summarized the use of MSC-derived exosomes as therapies in different CVDs in addition to recent advances for the enhancement of their efficacy in these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lamiaa Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El Aini St., Cairo, 11562, Egypt.
| | - Khaled Al-Massri
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Palestine, Gaza, Palestine
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41
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Ghanta RK, Pugazenthi A, Zhao Y, Sylvester C, Wall MJ, Mazur RA, Russell LN, Lampe KJ. Influence of Supraphysiologic Biomaterial Stiffness on Ventricular Mechanics and Myocardial Infarct Reinforcement. Acta Biomater 2022; 149:30-39. [PMID: 35820592 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Injectable intramyocardial biomaterials have promise to limit adverse ventricular remodeling through mechanical and biologic mechanisms. While some success has been observed by injecting materials to regenerate new tissue, optimal biomaterial stiffness to thicken and stiffen infarcted myocardium to limit adverse remodeling has not been determined. In this work, we present an in-vivo study of the impact of biomaterial stiffness over a wide range of stiffness moduli on ventricular mechanics. We utilized injectable methacrylated polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels fabricated at 3 different mechanical moduli: 5 kPa (low), 25 kPa (medium/myocardium), and 250 kPa (high/supraphysiologic). We demonstrate that the supraphysiological high stiffness favorably alters post-infarct ventricular mechanics and prevents negative tissue remodeling. Lower stiffness materials do not alter mechanics and thus to be effective, must instead target biological reparative mechanisms. These results may influence rationale design criteria for biomaterials developed for infarct reinforcement therapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Acellular biomaterials for cardiac application can provide benefit via mechanical and biological mechanisms post myocardial infarction. We study the role of biomaterial mechanical characteristics on ventricular mechanics in myocardial infarcts. Previous studies have not measured the influence of injected biomaterials on ventricular mechanics, and consequently rational design criteria is unknown. By utilizing an in-vivo assessment of ventricular mechanics, we demonstrate that low stiffness biomaterial do not alter pathologic ventricular mechanics. Thus, to be effective, low stiffness biomaterials must target biological reparative mechanisms. Physiologic and supra-physiologic biomaterials favorably alter post-infarct mechanics and prevents adverse ventricular remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi K Ghanta
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX United States; Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX United States.
| | - Aarthi Pugazenthi
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX United States
| | - Yunge Zhao
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD United States
| | - Christopher Sylvester
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX United States; Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX United States
| | - Mathew J Wall
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX United States
| | - Rachel A Mazur
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA United States
| | - Lauren N Russell
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA United States
| | - Kyle J Lampe
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA United States
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42
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Chalard AE, Dixon AW, Taberner AJ, Malmström J. Visible-Light Stiffness Patterning of GelMA Hydrogels Towards In Vitro Scar Tissue Models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:946754. [PMID: 35865624 PMCID: PMC9294371 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.946754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Variations in mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix occurs in various processes, such as tissue fibrosis. The impact of changes in tissue stiffness on cell behaviour are studied in vitro using various types of biomaterials and methods. Stiffness patterning of hydrogel scaffolds, through the use of stiffness gradients for instance, allows the modelling and studying of cellular responses to fibrotic mechanisms. Gelatine methacryloyl (GelMA) has been used extensively in tissue engineering for its inherent biocompatibility and the ability to precisely tune its mechanical properties. Visible light is now increasingly employed for crosslinking GelMA hydrogels as it enables improved cell survival when performing cell encapsulation. We report here, the photopatterning of mechanical properties of GelMA hydrogels with visible light and eosin Y as the photoinitiator using physical photomasks and projection with a digital micromirror device. Using both methods, binary hydrogels with areas of different stiffnesses and hydrogels with stiffness gradients were fabricated. Their mechanical properties were characterised using force indentation with atomic force microscopy, which showed the efficiency of both methods to spatially pattern the elastic modulus of GelMA according to the photomask or the projected pattern. Crosslinking through projection was also used to build constructs with complex shapes. Overall, this work shows the feasibility of patterning the stiffness of GelMA scaffolds, in the range from healthy to pathological stiffness, with visible light. Consequently, this method could be used to build in vitro models of healthy and fibrotic tissue and study the cellular behaviours involved at the interface between the two.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs E. Chalard
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington, New Zealand
- *Correspondence: Anaïs E. Chalard, ; Jenny Malmström,
| | - Alexander W. Dixon
- The Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI), The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrew J. Taberner
- The Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI), The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Engineering Science, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jenny Malmström
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington, New Zealand
- *Correspondence: Anaïs E. Chalard, ; Jenny Malmström,
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43
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Guo T, He C, Venado A, Zhou Y. Extracellular Matrix Stiffness in Lung Health and Disease. Compr Physiol 2022; 12:3523-3558. [PMID: 35766837 PMCID: PMC10088466 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c210032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides structural support and imparts a wide variety of environmental cues to cells. In the past decade, a growing body of work revealed that the mechanical properties of the ECM, commonly known as matrix stiffness, regulate the fundamental cellular processes of the lung. There is growing appreciation that mechanical interplays between cells and associated ECM are essential to maintain lung homeostasis. Dysregulation of ECM-derived mechanical signaling via altered mechanosensing and mechanotransduction pathways is associated with many common lung diseases. Matrix stiffening is a hallmark of lung fibrosis. The stiffened ECM is not merely a sequelae of lung fibrosis but can actively drive the progression of fibrotic lung disease. In this article, we provide a comprehensive view on the role of matrix stiffness in lung health and disease. We begin by summarizing the effects of matrix stiffness on the function and behavior of various lung cell types and on regulation of biomolecule activity and key physiological processes, including host immune response and cellular metabolism. We discuss the potential mechanisms by which cells probe matrix stiffness and convert mechanical signals to regulate gene expression. We highlight the factors that govern matrix stiffness and outline the role of matrix stiffness in lung development and the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. We envision targeting of deleterious matrix mechanical cues for treatment of fibrotic lung disease. Advances in technologies for matrix stiffness measurements and design of stiffness-tunable matrix substrates are also explored. © 2022 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 12:3523-3558, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Guo
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central-South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chao He
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Aida Venado
- Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yong Zhou
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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44
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Schmitt PR, Dwyer KD, Coulombe KLK. Current Applications of Polycaprolactone as a Scaffold Material for Heart Regeneration. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2022; 5:2461-2480. [PMID: 35623101 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.2c00174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Despite numerous advances in treatments for cardiovascular disease, heart failure (HF) remains the leading cause of death worldwide. A significant factor contributing to the progression of cardiovascular diseases into HF is the loss of functioning cardiomyocytes. The recent growth in the field of cardiac tissue engineering has the potential to not only reduce the downstream effects of injured tissues on heart function and longevity but also re-engineer cardiac function through regeneration of contractile tissue. One leading strategy to accomplish this is via a cellularized patch that can be surgically implanted onto a diseased heart. A key area of this field is the use of tissue scaffolds to recapitulate the mechanical and structural environment of the native heart and thus promote engineered myocardium contractility and function. While the strong mechanical properties and anisotropic structural organization of the native heart can be largely attributed to a robust extracellular matrix, similar strength and organization has proven to be difficult to achieve in cultured tissues. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is an emerging contender to fill these gaps in fabricating scaffolds that mimic the mechanics and structure of the native heart. In the field of cardiovascular engineering, PCL has recently begun to be studied as a scaffold for regenerating the myocardium due to its facile fabrication, desirable mechanical, chemical, and biocompatible properties, and perhaps most importantly, biodegradability, which make it suitable for regenerating and re-engineering function to the heart after disease or injury. This review focuses on the application of PCL as a scaffold specifically in myocardium repair and regeneration and outlines current fabrication approaches, properties, and possibilities of PCL incorporation into engineered myocardium, as well as provides suggestions for future directions and a roadmap toward clinical translation of this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip R Schmitt
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Kiera D Dwyer
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Kareen L K Coulombe
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
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45
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Zhu K, Jiang D, Wang K, Zheng D, Zhu Z, Shao F, Qian R, Lan X, Qin C. Conductive nanocomposite hydrogel and mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of myocardial infarction and non-invasive monitoring via PET/CT. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:211. [PMID: 35524274 PMCID: PMC9077894 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01432-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Injectable hydrogels have great promise in the treatment of myocardial infarction (MI); however, the lack of electromechanical coupling of the hydrogel to the host myocardial tissue and the inability to monitor the implantation may compromise a successful treatment. The introduction of conductive biomaterials and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may solve the problem of electromechanical coupling and they have been used to treat MI. In this study, we developed an injectable conductive nanocomposite hydrogel (GNR@SN/Gel) fabricated by gold nanorods (GNRs), synthetic silicate nanoplatelets (SNs), and poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-b-poly (ethylene glycol)-b-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA-PEG-PLGA). The hydrogel was used to encapsulate MSCs and 68Ga3+ cations, and was then injected into the myocardium of MI rats to monitor the initial hydrogel placement and to study the therapeutic effect via 18F-FDG myocardial PET imaging. Results Our data showed that SNs can act as a sterically stabilized protective shield for GNRs, and that mixing SNs with GNRs yields uniformly dispersed and stabilized GNR dispersions (GNR@SN) that meet the requirements of conductive nanofillers. We successfully constructed a thermosensitive conductive nanocomposite hydrogel by crosslinking GNR@SN with PLGA2000-PEG3400-PLGA2000, where SNs support the proliferation of MSCs. The cation-exchange capability of SNs was used to adsorb 68Ga3+ to locate the implanted hydrogel in myocardium via PET/CT. The combination of MSCs and the conductive hydrogel had a protective effect on both myocardial viability and cardiac function in MI rats compared with controls, as revealed by 18F-FDG myocardial PET imaging in early and late stages and ultrasound; this was further validated by histopathological investigations. Conclusions The combination of MSCs and the GNR@SN/Gel conductive nanocomposite hydrogel offers a promising strategy for MI treatment. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-022-01432-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Dawei Jiang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Danzha Zheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Ziyang Zhu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Fuqiang Shao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Ruijie Qian
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xiaoli Lan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Chunxia Qin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei, China. .,Hubei Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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A dual crosslinked hydrogel-mediated integrated peptides and BMSC therapy for myocardial regeneration. J Control Release 2022; 347:127-142. [PMID: 35460706 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The efficacy of myocardial regeneration strategies for myocardial infarction (MI) is significantly compromised by the complex structure and microenvironment of the myocardium. Although tissue engineering strategies based on cell therapy and/or pro-angiogenesis can somewhat improve cardiac function, the lack of proper myocardial materials that can withstand sustained deformability and adaptable mechanical properties severely affects myocardial wall integrity, systolic-diastolic cycles, and regeneration. Herein, we developed an integrated single "all-in-one" in situ dual crosslinking conductive hydrogel with favorable treatment properties termed as MaHA/B-G-SH/Fe3+ by ionic interactions and chemical covalency based on modified hyaluronic acid (HA), gelatin (G), and Fe3+. The resulting dual crosslinking dynamic hydrogel not only provides self-healing and mechanical properties adapted to the myocardial systolic-diastolic cycle with simultaneous electrical signal transmission to fibrous islands and normal tissue, but also leads to significant increase of the myocardial wall thickness very close to that of normal myocardium upon one single injection with complete degradation within 28 days. Notably, the hydrogel covalently conjugated with a tailored peptide sequence of GGR-KLT and encapsulated with bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) was further used for in situ injection in a rat MI model, which exhibited (i) efficient inhibition of excessive matrix degradation dependent on early MMP-2 expression, (ii) triggered on-demand release of KLT for at least 14 days and significant promotion of angiogenesis, and (iii) synergistic BMSCs considerably enhanced myocardial regeneration within 28 days. Taken together, the dual crosslinking conductive hydrogel-mediated synergistic peptide and cell therapy provides comprehensive recovery and regeneration of the structure and function of the injured myocardium, thus demonstrating great potential for clinical translations.
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Benech JC, Romanelli G. Atomic force microscopy indentation for nanomechanical characterization of live pathological cardiovascular/heart tissue and cells. Micron 2022; 158:103287. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2022.103287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) Applications in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073700. [PMID: 35409059 PMCID: PMC8998711 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited heart muscle disorder characterized by progressive replacement of cardiomyocytes by fibrofatty tissue, ventricular dilatation, cardiac dysfunction, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. Interest in molecular biomechanics for these disorders is constantly growing. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a well-established technic to study the mechanobiology of biological samples under physiological and pathological conditions at the cellular scale. However, a review which described all the different data that can be obtained using the AFM (cell elasticity, adhesion behavior, viscoelasticity, beating force, and frequency) is still missing. In this review, we will discuss several techniques that highlight the potential of AFM to be used as a tool for assessing the biomechanics involved in ACM. Indeed, analysis of genetically mutated cells with AFM reveal abnormalities of the cytoskeleton, cell membrane structures, and defects of contractility. The higher the Young’s modulus, the stiffer the cell, and it is well known that abnormal tissue stiffness is symptomatic of a range of diseases. The cell beating force and frequency provide information during the depolarization and repolarization phases, complementary to cell electrophysiology (calcium imaging, MEA, patch clamp). In addition, original data is also presented to emphasize the unique potential of AFM as a tool to assess fibrosis in cardiac tissue.
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49
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Tsai CR, Martin JF. Hippo signaling in cardiac fibroblasts during development, tissue repair, and fibrosis. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 149:91-121. [PMID: 35606063 PMCID: PMC10898347 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The evolutionarily conserved Hippo signaling pathway plays key roles in regulating the balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis, cell differentiation, organ size control, tissue repair, and regeneration. Recently, the Hippo pathway has been shown to regulate heart fibrosis, defined as excess extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and increased tissue stiffness. Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) are the primary cell type that produces, degrades, and remodels the ECM during homeostasis, aging, inflammation, and tissue repair and regeneration. Here, we review the available evidence from the current literature regarding how the Hippo pathway regulates the formation and function of CFs during heart development and tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Ru Tsai
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - James F Martin
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States; Cardiomyocyte Renewal Laboratory, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX, United States.
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50
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Bracco Gartner TCL, Crnko S, Leiteris L, van Adrichem I, van Laake LW, Bouten CVC, Goumans MJ, Suyker WJL, Sluijter JPG, Hjortnaes J. Pirfenidone Has Anti-fibrotic Effects in a Tissue-Engineered Model of Human Cardiac Fibrosis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:854314. [PMID: 35360018 PMCID: PMC8963358 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.854314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
A fundamental process in the development and progression of heart failure is fibrotic remodeling, characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins in response to injury. Currently, therapies that effectively target and reverse cardiac fibrosis are lacking, warranting novel therapeutic strategies and reliable methods to study their effect. Using a gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel, human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM) and human fetal cardiac fibroblasts (hfCF), we developed a multi-cellular mechanically tunable 3D in vitro model of human cardiac fibrosis. This model was used to evaluate the effects of a promising anti-fibrotic drug-pirfenidone-and yields proof-of-concept of the drug testing potential of this platform. Our study demonstrates that pirfenidone has anti-fibrotic effects but does not reverse all TGF-β1 induced pro-fibrotic changes, which provides new insights into its mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C. L. Bracco Gartner
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, Circulatory Health Laboratory, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Sandra Crnko
- Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, Circulatory Health Laboratory, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Laurynas Leiteris
- Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, Circulatory Health Laboratory, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Iris van Adrichem
- Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, Circulatory Health Laboratory, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Linda W. van Laake
- Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, Circulatory Health Laboratory, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Carlijn V. C. Bouten
- Department of Biomedical Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Marie José Goumans
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Willem J. L. Suyker
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, Circulatory Health Laboratory, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Joost P. G. Sluijter
- Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, Circulatory Health Laboratory, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jesper Hjortnaes
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, Circulatory Health Laboratory, Utrecht, Netherlands
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