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Krivega ES, Kotova SL, Timashev PS, Efremov YM. Mechanical characterization of soft biomaterials: which time and spatial scale to choose? SOFT MATTER 2024. [PMID: 38888165 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00530a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The mechanical properties of soft gels hold significant relevance in biomedicine and biomaterial design, including the development of tissue engineering constructs and bioequivalents. It is important to adequately characterize the gel's mechanical properties since they play a role both in the overall structural properties of the construct and the physiological responses of cells. The question remains which approach for the mechanical characterization is most suitable for specific biomaterials. Our investigation is centered on the comparison of three types of gels and four distinct mechanical testing techniques: shear rheology, compression, microindentation, and nanoindentation by atomic force microscopy. While analyzing an elastic homogeneous synthetic hydrogel (a polyacrylamide gel), we observed close mechanical results across the different testing techniques. However, our findings revealed more distinct outcomes when assessing a highly viscoelastic gel (Ecoflex) and a heterogeneous biopolymer hydrogel (enzymatically crosslinked gelatin). To ensure precise data interpretation, we introduced correction factors to account for the boundary conditions inherent in many of the testing methods. The results of this study underscore the critical significance of considering both the temporal and spatial scales in mechanical measurements of biomaterials. Furthermore, they encourage the employment of a combination of diverse testing techniques, particularly in the characterization of heterogeneous viscoelastic materials such as biological samples. The obtained results will contribute to the refinement of mechanical testing protocols and advance the development of soft gels for tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina S Krivega
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 8-2 Trubetskaya St., Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | - Svetlana L Kotova
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 8-2 Trubetskaya St., Moscow, 119991, Russia.
- Federal Research Clinical Center of Specialized Medical Care and Medical Technologies, Federal Medical-Biological Agency of the Russian Federation, 115682 Moscow, Russia
| | - Peter S Timashev
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 8-2 Trubetskaya St., Moscow, 119991, Russia.
- World-Class Research Center "Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare", Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 8-2 Trubetskaya St., Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Yuri M Efremov
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 8-2 Trubetskaya St., Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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Newman D, Young LE, Waring T, Brown L, Wolanska KI, MacDonald E, Charles-Orszag A, Goult BT, Caswell PT, Sakuma T, Yamamoto T, Machesky LM, Morgan MR, Zech T. 3D matrix adhesion feedback controls nuclear force coupling to drive invasive cell migration. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113554. [PMID: 38100355 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113554] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell invasion is a multi-step process, initiated by the acquisition of a migratory phenotype and the ability to move through complex 3D extracellular environments. We determine the composition of cell-matrix adhesion complexes of invasive breast cancer cells in 3D matrices and identify an interaction complex required for invasive migration. βPix and myosin18A (Myo18A) drive polarized recruitment of non-muscle myosin 2A (NM2A) to adhesion complexes at the tips of protrusions. Actomyosin force engagement then displaces the Git1-βPix complex from paxillin, establishing a feedback loop for adhesion maturation. We observe active force transmission to the nucleus during invasive migration that is needed to pull the nucleus forward. The recruitment of NM2A to adhesions creates a non-muscle myosin isoform gradient, which extends from the protrusion to the nucleus. We postulate that this gradient facilitates coupling of cell-matrix interactions at the protrusive cell front with nuclear movement, enabling effective invasive migration and front-rear cell polarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Newman
- Institute of Systems, Molecular, and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Lorna E Young
- Institute of Systems, Molecular, and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Thomas Waring
- Institute of Systems, Molecular, and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Louise Brown
- Institute of Systems, Molecular, and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Katarzyna I Wolanska
- Institute of Systems, Molecular, and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ewan MacDonald
- Institute of Systems, Molecular, and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | | | - Patrick T Caswell
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Tetsushi Sakuma
- Division of Integrated Sciences for Life, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamamoto
- Division of Integrated Sciences for Life, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Laura M Machesky
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, UK; Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, UK; Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mark R Morgan
- Institute of Systems, Molecular, and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Tobias Zech
- Institute of Systems, Molecular, and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
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Zhu Y, Zhang M, Sun Q, Wang X, Li X, Li Q. Advanced Mechanical Testing Technologies at the Cellular Level: The Mechanisms and Application in Tissue Engineering. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:3255. [PMID: 37571149 PMCID: PMC10422338 DOI: 10.3390/polym15153255] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanics, as a key physical factor which affects cell function and tissue regeneration, is attracting the attention of researchers in the fields of biomaterials, biomechanics, and tissue engineering. The macroscopic mechanical properties of tissue engineering scaffolds have been studied and optimized based on different applications. However, the mechanical properties of the overall scaffold materials are not enough to reveal the mechanical mechanism of the cell-matrix interaction. Hence, the mechanical detection of cell mechanics and cellular-scale microenvironments has become crucial for unraveling the mechanisms which underly cell activities and which are affected by physical factors. This review mainly focuses on the advanced technologies and applications of cell-scale mechanical detection. It summarizes the techniques used in micromechanical performance analysis, including atomic force microscope (AFM), optical tweezer (OT), magnetic tweezer (MT), and traction force microscope (TFM), and analyzes their testing mechanisms. In addition, the application of mechanical testing techniques to cell mechanics and tissue engineering scaffolds, such as hydrogels and porous scaffolds, is summarized and discussed. Finally, it highlights the challenges and prospects of this field. This review is believed to provide valuable insights into micromechanics in tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxuan Zhu
- School of Mechanics and Safety Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- National Center for International Joint Research of Micro-nano Moulding Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Mengqi Zhang
- School of Mechanics and Safety Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- National Center for International Joint Research of Micro-nano Moulding Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Qingqing Sun
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xiaofeng Wang
- School of Mechanics and Safety Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- National Center for International Joint Research of Micro-nano Moulding Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Xiaomeng Li
- School of Mechanics and Safety Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- National Center for International Joint Research of Micro-nano Moulding Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Qian Li
- School of Mechanics and Safety Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- National Center for International Joint Research of Micro-nano Moulding Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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4
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Schwab A, Wesdorp MA, Xu J, Abinzano F, Loebel C, Falandt M, Levato R, Eglin D, Narcisi R, Stoddart MJ, Malda J, Burdick JA, D'Este M, van Osch GJ. Modulating design parameters to drive cell invasion into hydrogels for osteochondral tissue formation. J Orthop Translat 2023; 41:42-53. [PMID: 37691639 PMCID: PMC10485598 DOI: 10.1016/j.jot.2023.07.001] [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: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The use of acellular hydrogels to repair osteochondral defects requires cells to first invade the biomaterial and then to deposit extracellular matrix for tissue regeneration. Due to the diverse physicochemical properties of engineered hydrogels, the specific properties that allow or even improve the behaviour of cells are not yet clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of various physicochemical properties of hydrogels on cell migration and related tissue formation using in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models. Methods Three hydrogel platforms were used in the study: Gelatine methacryloyl (GelMA) (5% wt), norbornene hyaluronic acid (norHA) (2% wt) and tyramine functionalised hyaluronic acid (THA) (2.5% wt). GelMA was modified to vary the degree of functionalisation (DoF 50% and 80%), norHA was used with varied degradability via a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) degradable crosslinker and THA was used with the addition of collagen fibrils. The migration of human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSC) in hydrogels was studied in vitro using a 3D spheroid migration assay over 48h. In addition, chondrocyte migration within and around hydrogels was investigated in an ex vivo bovine cartilage ring model (three weeks). Finally, tissue repair within osteochondral defects was studied in a semi-orthotopic in vivo mouse model (six weeks). Results A lower DoF of GelMA did not affect cell migration in vitro (p = 0.390) and led to a higher migration score ex vivo (p < 0.001). The introduction of a MMP degradable crosslinker in norHA hydrogels did not improve cell infiltration in vitro or in vivo. The addition of collagen to THA resulted in greater hMSC migration in vitro (p = 0.031) and ex vivo (p < 0.001). Hydrogels that exhibited more cell migration in vitro or ex vivo also showed more tissue formation in the osteochondral defects in vivo, except for the norHA group. Whereas norHA with a degradable crosslinker did not improve cell migration in vitro or ex vivo, it did significantly increase tissue formation in vivo compared to the non-degradable crosslinker (p < 0.001). Conclusion The modification of hydrogels by adapting DoF, use of a degradable crosslinker or including fibrillar collagen can control and improve cell migration and tissue formation for osteochondral defect repair. This study also emphasizes the importance of performing both in vitro and in vivo testing of biomaterials, as, depending on the material, the results might be affected by the model used.The translational potential of this article: This article highlights the potential of using acellular hydrogels to repair osteochondral defects, which are common injuries in orthopaedics. The study provides a deeper understanding of how to modify the properties of hydrogels to control cell migration and tissue formation for osteochondral defect repair. The results of this article also highlight that the choice of the used laboratory model can affect the outcome. Testing hydrogels in different models is thus advised for successful translation of laboratory results to the clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Schwab
- Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- AO Research Institute Davos, AO Foundation, Davos Platz, Switzerland
| | - Marinus A. Wesdorp
- Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jietao Xu
- Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Florencia Abinzano
- Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Claudia Loebel
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marc Falandt
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Riccardo Levato
- Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - David Eglin
- Mines Saint-Etienne, University Jean Monnet, INSERM, UMR 1059, Saint-Etienne, France
- Advanced Organ Bioengineering and Therapeutics, Faculty of Science and Technology, TechMed Center, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands
| | - Roberto Narcisi
- Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Jos Malda
- Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jason A. Burdick
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Matteo D'Este
- AO Research Institute Davos, AO Foundation, Davos Platz, Switzerland
| | - Gerjo J.V.M. van Osch
- Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime, and Materials Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
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5
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Van Os L, Engelhardt B, Guenat OT. Integration of immune cells in organs-on-chips: a tutorial. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1191104. [PMID: 37324438 PMCID: PMC10267470 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1191104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral and bacterial infections continue to pose significant challenges for numerous individuals globally. To develop novel therapies to combat infections, more insight into the actions of the human innate and adaptive immune system during infection is necessary. Human in vitro models, such as organs-on-chip (OOC) models, have proven to be a valuable addition to the tissue modeling toolbox. The incorporation of an immune component is needed to bring OOC models to the next level and enable them to mimic complex biological responses. The immune system affects many (patho)physiological processes in the human body, such as those taking place during an infection. This tutorial review introduces the reader to the building blocks of an OOC model of acute infection to investigate recruitment of circulating immune cells into the infected tissue. The multi-step extravasation cascade in vivo is described, followed by an in-depth guide on how to model this process on a chip. Next to chip design, creation of a chemotactic gradient and incorporation of endothelial, epithelial, and immune cells, the review focuses on the hydrogel extracellular matrix (ECM) to accurately model the interstitial space through which extravasated immune cells migrate towards the site of infection. Overall, this tutorial review is a practical guide for developing an OOC model of immune cell migration from the blood into the interstitial space during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisette Van Os
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies, ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Olivier T. Guenat
- Organs-on-Chip Technologies, ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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6
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Andersen T, Wörthmüller D, Probst D, Wang I, Moreau P, Fitzpatrick V, Boudou T, Schwarz US, Balland M. Cell size and actin architecture determine force generation in optogenetically activated cells. Biophys J 2023; 122:684-696. [PMID: 36635962 PMCID: PMC9989885 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Adherent cells use actomyosin contractility to generate mechanical force and to sense the physical properties of their environment, with dramatic consequences for migration, division, differentiation, and fate. However, the organization of the actomyosin system within cells is highly variable, with its assembly and function being controlled by small GTPases from the Rho family. To understand better how activation of these regulators translates into cell-scale force generation in the context of different physical environments, here we combine recent advances in non-neuronal optogenetics with micropatterning and traction force microscopy on soft elastic substrates. We find that, after whole-cell RhoA activation by the CRY2/CIBN optogenetic system with a short pulse of 100 ms, single cells contract on a minute timescale in proportion to their original traction force, before returning to their original tension setpoint with near perfect precision, on a longer timescale of several minutes. To decouple the biochemical and mechanical elements of this response, we introduce a mathematical model that is parametrized by fits to the dynamics of the substrate deformation energy. We find that the RhoA response builds up quickly on a timescale of 20 s, but decays slowly on a timescale of 50 s. The larger the cells and the more polarized their actin cytoskeleton, the more substrate deformation energy is generated. RhoA activation starts to saturate if optogenetic pulse length exceeds 50 ms, revealing the intrinsic limits of biochemical activation. Together our results suggest that adherent cells establish tensional homeostasis by the RhoA system, but that the setpoint and the dynamics around it are strongly determined by cell size and the architecture of the actin cytoskeleton, which both are controlled by the extracellular environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Andersen
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, LIPhy, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - D Wörthmüller
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; BioQuant-Center for Quantitative Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - D Probst
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; BioQuant-Center for Quantitative Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - I Wang
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, LIPhy, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - P Moreau
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, LIPhy, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - V Fitzpatrick
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, LIPhy, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - T Boudou
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, LIPhy, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - U S Schwarz
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; BioQuant-Center for Quantitative Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - M Balland
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, LIPhy, F-38000 Grenoble, France.
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7
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McDuffie D, Barr D, Agarwal A, Thomas E. Physiologically relevant microsystems to study viral infection in the human liver. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:999366. [PMID: 36246284 PMCID: PMC9555087 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.999366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral hepatitis is a leading cause of liver disease and mortality. Infection can occur acutely or chronically, but the mechanisms that govern the clearance of virus or lack thereof are poorly understood and merit further investigation. Though cures for viral hepatitis have been developed, they are expensive, not readily accessible in vulnerable populations and some patients may remain at an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) even after viral clearance. To sustain infection in vitro, hepatocytes must be fully mature and remain in a differentiated state. However, primary hepatocytes rapidly dedifferentiate in conventional 2D in vitro platforms. Physiologically relevant or physiomimetic microsystems, are increasingly popular alternatives to traditional two-dimensional (2D) monocultures for in vitro studies. Physiomimetic systems reconstruct and incorporate elements of the native cellular microenvironment to improve biologic functionality in vitro. Multiple elements contribute to these models including ancillary tissue architecture, cell co-cultures, matrix proteins, chemical gradients and mechanical forces that contribute to increased viability, longevity and physiologic function for the tissue of interest. These microsystems are used in a wide variety of applications to study biological phenomena. Here, we explore the use of physiomimetic microsystems as tools for studying viral hepatitis infection in the liver and how the design of these platforms is tailored for enhanced investigation of the viral lifecycle when compared to conventional 2D cell culture models. Although liver-based physiomimetic microsystems are typically applied in the context of drug studies, the platforms developed for drug discovery purposes offer a solid foundation to support studies on viral hepatitis. Physiomimetic platforms may help prolong hepatocyte functionality in order to sustain chronic viral hepatitis infection in vitro for studying virus-host interactions for prolonged periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis McDuffie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - David Barr
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Ashutosh Agarwal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- Desai Sethi Urology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- *Correspondence: Ashutosh Agarwal,
| | - Emmanuel Thomas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Schiff Center for Liver Diseases, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Emmanuel Thomas,
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8
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Liu D, Zhang H, Dong X, Sang L, Qi M. Effect of viscoelastic properties of cellulose nanocrystal/collagen hydrogels on chondrocyte behaviors. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:959409. [PMID: 36032700 PMCID: PMC9403537 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.959409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cartilage tissue engineering technology provides a solution for treating osteoarthritis. Based on the viscoelastic nature of articular cartilage, many viscoelastic hydrogel scaffolds have been developed for investigating the effects on chondrocyte behaviors. However, cellulose nanocrystal/collagen (CNC/COL) hydrogels have not been used as a viscoelastic microenvironment to study chondrocyte growth. Here, we prepared CNC/COL hydrogels with tunable viscoelastic properties and investigated their influences on chondrocyte behaviors. The results showed that CNC and COL within the hydrogels are bonded by hydrogen bonds. The hydrogels had a microporous structure, and the viscoelastic properties were enhanced by increasing the concentration of CNC. Moreover, enhancing the hydrogel viscoelastic properties, including stress relaxation, creep, storage modulus, and loss modulus, promoted the cell shape change, proliferation, and matrix deposition and reduced the IL-1β level. Using a principal component analysis (PCA), stress relaxation was assessed to have the strongest correlation with chondrocytes behaviors, with an authority weight value of 62.547%. More importantly, FAK and YAP were involved in the chondrocytes’ response to the rapid relaxing hydrogel by immunofluorescence staining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donglei Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Central Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
- Changchun SinoBiomaterials Co., Ltd., Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Hao Zhang, ; Xufeng Dong,
| | - Xufeng Dong
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
- *Correspondence: Hao Zhang, ; Xufeng Dong,
| | - Lin Sang
- School of Automotive Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Min Qi
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
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9
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Lemma ED, Jiang Z, Klein F, Landmann T, Weißenbruch K, Bertels S, Hippler M, Wehrle-Haller B, Bastmeyer M. Adaptation of cell spreading to varying fibronectin densities and topographies is facilitated by β1 integrins. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:964259. [PMID: 36032704 PMCID: PMC9399860 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.964259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells mechanical behaviour in physiological environments is mediated by interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM). In particular, cells can adapt their shape according to the availability of ECM proteins, e.g., fibronectin (FN). Several in vitro experiments usually simulate the ECM by functionalizing the surfaces on which cells grow with FN. However, the mechanisms underlying cell spreading on non-uniformly FN-coated two-dimensional substrates are not clarified yet. In this work, we studied cell spreading on variously functionalized substrates: FN was either uniformly distributed or selectively patterned on flat surfaces, to show that A549, BRL, B16 and NIH 3T3 cell lines are able to sense the overall FN binding sites independently of their spatial arrangement. Instead, only the total amount of available FN influences cells spreading area, which positively correlates to the FN density. Immunocytochemical analysis showed that β1 integrin subunits are mainly responsible for this behaviour, as further confirmed by spreading experiments with β1-deficient cells. In the latter case, indeed, cells areas do not show a dependency on the amount of available FN on the substrates. Therefore, we envision for β1 a predominant role in cells for sensing the number of ECM ligands with respect to other focal adhesion proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Domenico Lemma
- Zoological Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
- *Correspondence: Enrico Domenico Lemma, ; Martin Bastmeyer,
| | - Zhongxiang Jiang
- Zoological Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Franziska Klein
- Zoological Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
- DFG-Center for Functional Nanostructures (CFN), Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Tanja Landmann
- Zoological Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Kai Weißenbruch
- Zoological Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Sarah Bertels
- Zoological Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Marc Hippler
- Zoological Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
- Institute of Applied Physics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | | | - Martin Bastmeyer
- Zoological Institute, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems—Biological Information Processing, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
- *Correspondence: Enrico Domenico Lemma, ; Martin Bastmeyer,
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10
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Missirlis D, Heckmann L, Haraszti T, Spatz JP. Fibronectin anchoring to viscoelastic poly(dimethylsiloxane) elastomers controls fibroblast mechanosensing and directional motility. Biomaterials 2022; 287:121646. [PMID: 35785752 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The established link between deregulated tissue mechanics and various pathological states calls for the elucidation of the processes through which cells interrogate and interpret the mechanical properties of their microenvironment. In this work, we demonstrate that changes in the presentation of the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin on the surface of viscoelastic silicone elastomers have an overarching effect on cell mechanosensing, that is independent of bulk mechanics. Reduction of surface hydrophilicity resulted in altered fibronectin adsorption strength as monitored using atomic force microscopy imaging and pulling experiments. Consequently, primary human fibroblasts were able to remodel the fibronectin coating, adopt a polarized phenotype and migrate directionally even on soft elastomers, that otherwise were not able to resist the applied traction forces. The findings presented here provide valuable insight on how cellular forces are regulated by ligand presentation and used by cells to probe their mechanical environment, and have implications on biomaterial design for cell guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitris Missirlis
- Department of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Postal Address: Jahnstr. 29, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Lara Heckmann
- Department of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Postal Address: Jahnstr. 29, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tamás Haraszti
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Postal Address: Forkenbeckstr. 50, D-52056, Aachen, Germany
| | - Joachim P Spatz
- Department of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, Postal Address: Jahnstr. 29, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry Institute, Heidelberg University, Postal Address: INF 253, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany
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11
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Suvarnapathaki S, Wu X, Zhang T, Nguyen MA, Goulopoulos AA, Wu B, Camci-Unal G. Oxygen generating scaffolds regenerate critical size bone defects. Bioact Mater 2022; 13:64-81. [PMID: 35224292 PMCID: PMC8843972 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent innovations in bone tissue engineering have introduced biomaterials that generate oxygen to substitute vasculature. This strategy provides the immediate oxygen required for tissue viability and graft maturation. Here we demonstrate a novel oxygen-generating tissue scaffold with predictable oxygen release kinetics and modular material properties. These hydrogel scaffolds were reinforced with microparticles comprised of emulsified calcium peroxide (CaO2) within polycaprolactone (PCL). The alterations of the assembled materials produced constructs within 5 ± 0.81 kPa to 34 ± 0.9 kPa in mechanical strength. The mass swelling ratios varied between 11% and 25%. Our in vitro and in vivo results revealed consistent tissue viability, metabolic activity, and osteogenic differentiation over two weeks. The optimized in vitro cell culture system remained stable at pH 8–9. The in vivo rodent models demonstrated that these scaffolds support a 70 mm3 bone volume that was comparable to the native bone and yielded over 90% regeneration in critical size cranial defects. Furthermore, the in vivo bone remodeling and vascularization results were validated by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) staining. The promising results of this work are translatable to a repertoire of regenerative medicine applications including advancement and expansion of bone substitutes and disease models. Hydrogels reinforced with oxygen generating particles provided sustained oxygen. Tunable biological, chemical, and mechanical properties obtained by varying oxygen. Implanted scaffolds supported bone remodeling and vascularization at defect site. Oxygen generating biomaterials regenerated critical size bone defects.
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12
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Li B, Çolak A, Blass J, Han M, Zhang J, Zheng Y, Jiang Q, Bennewitz R, Campo AD. Molecular stiffness cues of an interpenetrating network hydrogel for cell adhesion. Mater Today Bio 2022; 15:100323. [PMID: 35782598 PMCID: PMC9243155 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2022.100323] [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: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding cells' response to the macroscopic and nanoscale properties of biomaterials requires studies in model systems with the possibility to tailor their mechanical properties and different length scales. Here, we describe an interpenetrating network (IPN) design based on a stiff PEGDA host network interlaced within a soft 4-arm PEG-Maleimide/thiol (guest) network. We quantify the nano- and bulk mechanical behavior of the IPN and the single network hydrogels by single-molecule force spectroscopy and rheological measurements. The IPN presents different mechanical cues at the molecular scale, depending on which network is linked to the probe, but the same mechanical properties at the macroscopic length scale as the individual host network. Cells attached to the interpenetrating (guest) network of the IPN or to the single network (SN) PEGDA hydrogel modified with RGD adhesive ligands showed comparable attachment and spreading areas, but cells attached to the guest network of the IPN, with lower molecular stiffness, showed a larger number and size of focal adhesion complexes and a higher concentration of the Hippo pathway effector Yes-associated protein (YAP) than cells linked to the PEGDA single network. The observations indicate that cell adhesion to the IPN hydrogel through the network with lower molecular stiffness proceeds effectively as if a higher ligand density is offered. We claim that IPNs can be used to decipher how changes in ECM design and connectivity at the local scale affect the fate of cells cultured on biomaterials.
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13
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Tuning the viscoelastic response of hydrogel scaffolds with covalent and dynamic bonds. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2022; 130:105179. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2022.105179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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14
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Lachowski D, Matellan C, Gopal S, Cortes E, Robinson BK, Saiani A, Miller AF, Stevens MM, del Río Hernández AE. Substrate Stiffness-Driven Membrane Tension Modulates Vesicular Trafficking via Caveolin-1. ACS NANO 2022; 16:4322-4337. [PMID: 35255206 PMCID: PMC9007531 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c10534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis, a condition characterized by extensive deposition and cross-linking of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, is idiosyncratic in cases of chronic liver injury. The dysregulation of ECM remodeling by hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the main mediators of fibrosis, results in an elevated ECM stiffness that drives the development of chronic liver disease such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) is a key element in the regulation of ECM remodeling, which modulates the degradation and turnover of ECM components. We have previously reported that a rigid, fibrotic-like substrate can impact TIMP-1 expression at the protein level in HSCs without altering its mRNA expression. While HSCs are known to be highly susceptible to mechanical stimuli, the mechanisms through which mechanical cues regulate TIMP-1 at the post-translational level remain unclear. Here, we show a mechanism of regulation of plasma membrane tension by matrix stiffness. We found that this effect is orchestrated by the β1 integrin/RhoA axis and results in elevated exocytosis and secretion of TIMP-1 in a caveolin-1- and dynamin-2-dependent manner. We then show that TIMP-1 and caveolin-1 expression increases in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. These conditions are associated with fibrosis, and this effect can be recapitulated in 3D fibrosis models consisting of hepatic stellate cells encapsulated in a self-assembling polypeptide hydrogel. This work positions stiffness-dependent membrane tension as a key regulator of enzyme secretion and function and a potential target for therapeutic strategies that aim at modulating ECM remodeling in chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dariusz Lachowski
- Cellular
and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
- Manchester
BIOGEL, Mereside, Alderley Park, Alderley Edge, Cheshire SK10 4TG, United Kingdom
| | - Carlos Matellan
- Cellular
and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Sahana Gopal
- Department
of Materials, Department of Bioengineering and Institute of Biomedical
Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Ernesto Cortes
- Cellular
and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin K. Robinson
- Cellular
and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Alberto Saiani
- Department
of Materials and Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of
Science and Engineering, The University
of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Manchester
BIOGEL, Mereside, Alderley Park, Alderley Edge, Cheshire SK10 4TG, United Kingdom
| | - Aline F. Miller
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Manchester Institute of Biotechnology,
Faculty of Science and Engineering, The
University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
- Manchester
BIOGEL, Mereside, Alderley Park, Alderley Edge, Cheshire SK10 4TG, United Kingdom
| | - Molly M. Stevens
- Department
of Materials, Department of Bioengineering and Institute of Biomedical
Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Armando E. del Río Hernández
- Cellular
and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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15
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Afzali Z, Matsushita T, Kogure A, Masuda T, Azuma T, Kushiro K, Kasama T, Miyake R, Takai M. Cell Adhesion and Migration on Thickness Gradient Bilayer Polymer Brush Surfaces: Effects of Properties of Polymeric Materials of the Underlayer. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:2605-2617. [PMID: 35001615 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c21453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In the field of tissue engineering and biomaterials, controlling the surface properties and mechanical properties of scaffold materials is crucial and has attracted much attention. Here, two types of bilayer polymer brushes composed of a hydrophilic underlying layer and a cationic surface layer [made of poly(2-aminoethyl methacrylate)] with a thickness gradient were prepared by surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization. To investigate the influence of the stiffness as a mechanical property of the polymer brush on cell behavior, the underlayer was prepared from either 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine or oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, with the bilayers designated as gradient poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine)-block-poly(2-aminoethyl methacrylate) [grad-pMbA] and gradient poly(oligo[ethylene glycol] methyl ether methacrylate)-block-poly(2-aminoethyl methacrylate) [grad-pEGbA], respectively. Characterization of these surfaces was performed by spectroscopic ellipsometry, X-ray reflectivity, and determination of the zeta potential, static contact angle, and force curve. These diblock copolymer brushes with a thickness gradient helped to distinguish the effects of the mechanical and surface properties of the brushes on cell behavior. The attachment and motility of L929 fibroblasts and epithelial MCF 10A cells on the fabricated brushes were then assessed. L929 cells had a round shape on the thin surface layer of grad-pMbA and spread well on thicker areas. In contrast, MCF 10A cells spread well in areas of any thickness of either grad-pMbA or grad-pEGbA. Single MCF 10A cells migrated randomly on grad-pMbA, whereas grouped cells started to climb up along the thickness gradient of grad-pMbA. In contrast, both single and grouped MCF 10A cells migrated randomly on grad-pEGbA. These thickness gradient diblock copolymer brushes are simple, reproducible, and reasonable platforms that can facilitate practical applications of biomaterials, for example, in tissue engineering and biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Afzali
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Taishi Matsushita
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Akinori Kogure
- Shimadzu Techno-Research, Inc., 380-1 Horiyamashita, Hatano-city, Kanagawa 259-1304, Japan
| | - Tsukuru Masuda
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Azuma
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Keiichiro Kushiro
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Kasama
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Ryo Miyake
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Madoka Takai
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
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16
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Vo NTN, Huang L, Lemos H, Mellor AL, Novakovic K. Genipin‐crosslinked chitosan hydrogels: Preliminary evaluation of the in vitro biocompatibility and biodegradation. J Appl Polym Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/app.50848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nga T. N. Vo
- School of Engineering Newcastle University Newcastle Upon Tyne UK
| | - Lei Huang
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute Newcastle University Newcastle Upon Tyne UK
| | - Henrique Lemos
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute Newcastle University Newcastle Upon Tyne UK
| | - Andrew L. Mellor
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute Newcastle University Newcastle Upon Tyne UK
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17
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Xu Y, Koya R, Ask K, Zhao R. Engineered microenvironment for the study of myofibroblast mechanobiology. Wound Repair Regen 2021; 29:588-596. [PMID: 34118169 PMCID: PMC8254796 DOI: 10.1111/wrr.12955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Myofibroblasts are mechanosensitive cells and a variety of their behaviours including differentiation, migration, force production and biosynthesis are regulated by the surrounding microenvironment. Engineered cell culture models have been developed to examine the effect of microenvironmental factors such as the substrate stiffness, the topography and strain of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the shear stress on myofibroblast biology. These engineered models provide well-mimicked, pathophysiologically relevant experimental conditions that are superior to those enabled by the conventional two-dimensional (2D) culture models. In this perspective, we will review the recent advances in the development of engineered cell culture models for myofibroblasts and outline the findings on the myofibroblast mechanobiology under various microenvironmental conditions. These studies have demonstrated the power and utility of the engineered models for the study of microenvironment-regulated cellular behaviours. The findings derived using these models contribute to a greater understanding of how myofibroblast behaviour is regulated in tissue repair and pathological scar formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Richard Koya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biological Sciences Division, University of Chicago School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Kjetil Ask
- Department of Medicine, Div. Respirology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8N 4A6
- The Research Institute of St. Joe’s Hamilton, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8N 4A6
| | - Ruogang Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
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18
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Self-Assembling Polypeptide Hydrogels as a Platform to Recapitulate the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133286. [PMID: 34209094 PMCID: PMC8267709 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The tumor microenvironment is characterized by increased tissue stiffness, low (acidic) pH, and elevated temperature, all of which contribute to the development of cancer. Improving our in vitro models of cancer, therefore, requires the development of cell culture platforms that can mimic these microenvironmental properties. Here, we study a new biomaterial composed of short amino acid chains that self-assemble into a fibrous hydrogel network. This material enables simultaneous and independent tuning of substrate rigidity, extracellular pH, and temperature, allowing us to mimic both healthy tissues and the tumor microenvironment. We used this platform to study the effect of these conditions on pancreatic cancer cells and found that high substrate rigidity and low pH promote proliferation and survival of cancer cells and activate important signaling pathways associated with cancer progression. Abstract The tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in modulating cancer cell migration, metabolism, and malignancy, thus, highlighting the need to develop in vitro culture systems that can recapitulate its abnormal properties. While a variety of stiffness-tunable biomaterials, reviewed here, have been developed to mimic the rigidity of the tumor extracellular matrix, culture systems that can recapitulate the broader extracellular context of the tumor microenvironment (including pH and temperature) remain comparably unexplored, partially due to the difficulty in independently tuning these parameters. Here, we investigate a self-assembled polypeptide network hydrogel as a cell culture platform and demonstrate that the culture parameters, including the substrate stiffness, extracellular pH and temperature, can be independently controlled. We then use this biomaterial as a cell culture substrate to assess the effect of stiffness, pH and temperature on Suit2 cells, a pancreatic cancer cell line, and demonstrate that these microenvironmental factors can regulate two critical transcription factors in cancer: yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) and hypoxia inducible factor (HIF-1A).
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19
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Han SJ, Noh M, Jang J, Lee JB, Kim KS. Electric fields regulate cellular elasticity through intracellular Ca 2+ concentrations. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:7450-7463. [PMID: 33993476 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Cellular elasticity is a key factor related to a broad range of physiological and pathological processes. The elasticity of a single cell has thus emerged as a potential biomarker to characterize the cellular state. Both internal and external stimuli affect cellular elasticity, and changes in elasticity can cause alterations in cellular characteristics or function. The application of electric fields (EFs) is a promising method that can be used to change cellular elasticity; however, the mechanisms underlying its effect remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate EFs-induced elasticity changes in human dermal fibroblasts and discuss the underlying mechanism related to actin polymerization. Cellular elasticity increases after EF (50 mV/mm) stimulation, reaching a maximum at 30 min before decreasing between 30 and 120 min. The cellular elasticity under EF stimulation, regardless of stimulation time, is higher than that of the control. F-actin regulates the elasticity of cells through gelsolin activation. We show changes in intracellular Ca2+ caused by EFs, which induced gelsolin activation and F-actin content changes. This result demonstrates a series of processes in which external electrical stimulation conditions regulate cellular elasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se Jik Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Minjoo Noh
- Innovation Lab, Department of Innovation, Cosmax R&I Center, Gyeonggi do, Korea
| | - Jihui Jang
- Innovation Lab, Department of Innovation, Cosmax R&I Center, Gyeonggi do, Korea
| | - Jun Bae Lee
- Innovation Lab, Department of Innovation, Cosmax R&I Center, Gyeonggi do, Korea
| | - Kyung Sook Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
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20
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Tanaka HY. [Modeling and Analysis of Disease Microenvironments with 3D Cell Culture Technology]. YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 2021; 141:647-653. [PMID: 33952746 DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.20-00219-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Remarkable progress in our ability to analyze diseased tissue has revolutionized our understanding of disease. From a simplistic understanding of abnormalities in bulk tissue, there is now increasing recognition that the heterogeneous and dynamically evolving disease microenvironment plays a crucial role in disease pathogenesis and progression as well as in the determination of therapeutic response. The disease microenvironment consists of multiple cell types as well as the various factors that these cells secrete. There is now immense interest in treatment strategies that target or modify the abnormal disease microenvironment, and a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that drive the formation, maintenance, and progression of the disease microenvironment is thus necessary. The advent of 3-dimensional (3D) cell culture technology has made possible the reconstitution of the disease microenvironment to a previously unimaginable extent in vitro. As an intermediate between traditional in vitro models based on 2-dimensional (2D) cell culture and in vivo models, 3D models of disease enable the in vitro reconstitution of complex interactions within the disease microenvironment which were unamenable in 2D while simultaneously allowing the mechanistic analysis of these interactions that would be difficult to perform in vivo. This symposium review aims to highlight the promise of using 3D cell culture technology to model and analyze the disease microenvironment using pancreatic cancer as an example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyoshi Y Tanaka
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University
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21
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Miller B, Hansrisuk A, Highley CB, Caliari SR. Guest-Host Supramolecular Assembly of Injectable Hydrogel Nanofibers for Cell Encapsulation. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:4164-4174. [PMID: 33891397 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c00275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The fibrous architecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is recognized as an integral regulator of cell function. However, there is an unmet need to develop mechanically robust biomaterials mimicking nanofibrous tissue topography that are also injectable to enable minimally invasive delivery. In this study, we have developed a fibrous hydrogel composed of supramolecularly assembled hyaluronic acid (HA) nanofibers that exhibits mechanical integrity, shear-thinning behavior, rapid self-healing, and cytocompatibility. HA was modified with methacrylates to permit fiber photo-cross-linking following electrospinning and either "guest" adamantane or "host" β-cyclodextrin groups to guide supramolecular fibrous hydrogel assembly. Analysis of fibrous hydrogel rheological properties showed that the mixed guest-host fibrous hydrogel was more mechanically robust (6.6 ± 2.0 kPa, storage modulus (G')) than unmixed guest hydrogel fibers (1.0 ± 0.1 kPa) or host hydrogel fibers (1.1 ± 0.1 kPa) separately. The reversible nature of the guest-host supramolecular interactions also allowed for shear-thinning and self-healing behavior as demonstrated by cyclic deformation testing. Human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) encapsulated in fibrous hydrogels demonstrated satisfactory viability following injection and after 7 days of culture (>85%). Encapsulated hMSCs were more spread and elongated when cultured in viscoelastic guest-host hydrogels compared to nonfibrous elastic controls, with hMSCs also showing significantly decreased circularity in fibrous guest-host hydrogels compared to nonfibrous guest-host hydrogels. Together, these data highlight the potential of this injectable fibrous hydrogel platform for cell and tissue engineering applications requiring minimally invasive delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beverly Miller
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States
| | - Audrey Hansrisuk
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States
| | - Christopher B Highley
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States
| | - Steven R Caliari
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, United States
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22
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Kang TW, Tamura A, Arisaka Y, Yui N. Visible light-degradable supramolecular gels comprising cross-linked polyrotaxanes capped with trithiocarbonate groups. Polym Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1py00569c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Visible light-degradable supramolecular gels were designed using polyrotaxanes (PRXs) containing bulky trithiocarbonate groups as stopper molecules that are cleaved by visible light irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae Woong Kang
- Department of Organic Biomaterials
- Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering
- Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU)
- Tokyo 101-0062
- Japan
| | - Atsushi Tamura
- Department of Organic Biomaterials
- Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering
- Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU)
- Tokyo 101-0062
- Japan
| | - Yoshinori Arisaka
- Department of Organic Biomaterials
- Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering
- Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU)
- Tokyo 101-0062
- Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Yui
- Department of Organic Biomaterials
- Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering
- Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU)
- Tokyo 101-0062
- Japan
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23
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Missirlis D, Haraszti T, Heckmann L, Spatz JP. Substrate Resistance to Traction Forces Controls Fibroblast Polarization. Biophys J 2020; 119:2558-2572. [PMID: 33217384 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.10.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanics of fibronectin-rich extracellular matrix regulate cell physiology in a number of diseases, prompting efforts to elucidate cell mechanosensing mechanisms at the molecular and cellular scale. Here, the use of fibronectin-functionalized silicone elastomers that exhibit considerable frequency dependence in viscoelastic properties unveiled the presence of two cellular processes that respond discreetly to substrate mechanical properties. Weakly cross-linked elastomers supported efficient focal adhesion maturation and fibroblast spreading because of an apparent stiff surface layer. However, they did not enable cytoskeletal and fibroblast polarization; elastomers with high cross-linking and low deformability were required for polarization. Our results suggest as an underlying reason for this behavior the inability of soft elastomer substrates to resist traction forces rather than a lack of sufficient traction force generation. Accordingly, mild inhibition of actomyosin contractility rescued fibroblast polarization even on the softer elastomers. Our findings demonstrate differential dependence of substrate physical properties on distinct mechanosensitive processes and provide a premise to reconcile previously proposed local and global models of cell mechanosensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitris Missirlis
- Max-Planck-Institute for Medical Research, Department of Cellular Biophysics, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Tamás Haraszti
- DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Aachen, Germany; RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Aachen, Germany
| | - Lara Heckmann
- Max-Planck-Institute for Medical Research, Department of Cellular Biophysics, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joachim P Spatz
- Max-Planck-Institute for Medical Research, Department of Cellular Biophysics, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg University, Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry Institute, Heidelberg, Germany
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24
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Migliorini E, Guevara-Garcia A, Albiges-Rizo C, Picart C. Learning from BMPs and their biophysical extracellular matrix microenvironment for biomaterial design. Bone 2020; 141:115540. [PMID: 32730925 PMCID: PMC7614069 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2020.115540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
It is nowadays well-accepted that the extracellular matrix (ECM) is not a simple reservoir for growth factors but is an organization center of their biological activity. In this review, we focus on the ability of the ECM to regulate the biological activity of BMPs. In particular, we survey the role of the ECM components, notably the glycosaminoglycans and fibrillary ECM proteins, which can be promoters or repressors of the biological activities mediated by the BMPs. We examine how a process called mechano-transduction induced by the ECM can affect BMP signaling, including BMP internalization by the cells. We also focus on the spatio-temporal regulation of the BMPs, including their release from the ECM, which enables to modulate their spatial localization as well as their local concentration. We highlight how biomaterials can recapitulate some aspects of the BMPs/ECM interactions and help to answer fundamental questions to reveal previously unknown molecular mechanisms. Finally, the design of new biomaterials inspired by the ECM to better present BMPs is discussed, and their use for a more efficient bone regeneration in vivo is also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Migliorini
- CNRS, Grenoble Institute of Technology, LMGP, UMR 5628, 3 Parvis Louis Néel, 38016 Grenoble, France; CEA, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research of Grenoble (IRIG), Biomimetism and Regenerative Medicine Lab, ERL 5000, Université Grenoble-Alpes (UGA)/CEA/CNRS, Grenoble France.
| | - Amaris Guevara-Garcia
- CNRS, Grenoble Institute of Technology, LMGP, UMR 5628, 3 Parvis Louis Néel, 38016 Grenoble, France; CEA, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research of Grenoble (IRIG), Biomimetism and Regenerative Medicine Lab, ERL 5000, Université Grenoble-Alpes (UGA)/CEA/CNRS, Grenoble France; Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut for Advances Biosciences, Institute Albert Bonniot, INSERM U1209, CNRS 5309, La Tronche, France
| | - Corinne Albiges-Rizo
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut for Advances Biosciences, Institute Albert Bonniot, INSERM U1209, CNRS 5309, La Tronche, France
| | - Catherine Picart
- CNRS, Grenoble Institute of Technology, LMGP, UMR 5628, 3 Parvis Louis Néel, 38016 Grenoble, France; CEA, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research of Grenoble (IRIG), Biomimetism and Regenerative Medicine Lab, ERL 5000, Université Grenoble-Alpes (UGA)/CEA/CNRS, Grenoble France.
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25
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Lachowski D, Cortes E, Matellan C, Rice A, Lee DA, Thorpe SD, del Río Hernández AE. G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor Regulates Actin Cytoskeleton Dynamics to Impair Cell Polarization. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:592628. [PMID: 33195261 PMCID: PMC7649801 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.592628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical forces regulate cell functions through multiple pathways. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) is a seven-transmembrane receptor that is ubiquitously expressed across tissues and mediates the acute cellular response to estrogens. Here, we demonstrate an unidentified role of GPER as a cellular mechanoregulator. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor signaling controls the assembly of stress fibers, the dynamics of the associated focal adhesions, and cell polarization via RhoA GTPase (RhoA). G protein-coupled estrogen receptor activation inhibits F-actin polymerization and subsequently triggers a negative feedback that transcriptionally suppresses the expression of monomeric G-actin. Given the broad expression of GPER and the range of cytoskeletal changes modulated by this receptor, our findings position GPER as a key player in mechanotransduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dariusz Lachowski
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ernesto Cortes
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carlos Matellan
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alistair Rice
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David A. Lee
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Material Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen D. Thorpe
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Material Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
- UCD School of Medicine, UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Armando E. del Río Hernández
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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26
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Dai S, Liang T, Fujii T, He S, Zhang F, Jiang H, Liu B, Shi X, Luo Z, Yang H. Increased elastic modulus of the synovial membrane in a rat ACLT model of osteoarthritis revealed by atomic force microscopy. Braz J Med Biol Res 2020; 53:e10058. [PMID: 33053109 PMCID: PMC7552902 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x202010058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to explore changes in nanoscale elastic modulus of the synovium using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in addition to investigate changes in synovial histomorphology and secretory function in osteoarthritis (OA) in a rat anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) model. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to sham control and ACLT OA groups. All right knee joints were harvested at 4, 8, or 12 weeks (W) after surgery for histological assessment of cartilage damage and synovitis in both the anterior and posterior capsules. AFM imaging and nanoscale biomechanical testing were conducted to measure the elastic modulus of the synovial collagen fibrils. Immunohistochemistry was used to visualize the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in the synovium. The OA groups exhibited progressive development of disease in the cartilage and synovium. Histopathological scores of the synovium in the OA groups increased gradually. Significant differences were observed between all OA groups except for the posterior 4W group. The synovial fibril arrangement in all OA groups was significantly disordered. The synovial fibrils in all ACLT OA groups at each time point were stiffer than those in the sham controls. OA rats displayed a significantly higher expression of IL-1β and MMP3 in the anterior capsule. In summary, synovial stiffening was closely associated with joint degeneration and might be a factor contributing to synovitis and increased production of proinflammatory mediators. Our data provided insights into the role of synovitis, particularly stiffening of the synovium, in OA pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouqian Dai
- Orthopedic Institute, Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Emergency Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ting Liang
- Orthopedic Institute, Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tadashi Fujii
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kashiba Asahigaoka Hospital, Kashiba, Nara, Japan
| | - Shuangjun He
- Orthopedic Institute, Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Orthopedic Institute, Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huaye Jiang
- Orthopedic Institute, Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Orthopedic Institute, Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiu Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zongping Luo
- Orthopedic Institute, Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huilin Yang
- Orthopedic Institute, Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
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27
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Kuroda J, Itabashi T, Iwane AH, Aramaki T, Kondo S. The Physical Role of Mesenchymal Cells Driven by the Actin Cytoskeleton Is Essential for the Orientation of Collagen Fibrils in Zebrafish Fins. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:580520. [PMID: 33154970 PMCID: PMC7591588 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.580520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrous collagen imparts physical strength and flexibility to tissues by forming huge complexes. The density and orientation of collagen fibers must be correctly specified for the optimal physical property of the collagen complex. However, little is known about its underlying cellular mechanisms. Actinotrichia are collagen fibers aligned at the fin-tip of bony fish and are easily visible under the microscope due to their thick, linear structure. We used the actinotrichia as a model system to investigate how cells manipulate collagen fibers. The 3D image obtained by focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) showed that the pseudopodia of mesenchymal cells encircle the multiple actinotrichia. We then co-incubated the mesenchymal cells and actinotrichia in vitro, and time-lapse analysis revealed how cells use pseudopods to align collagen fiber orientation. This in vitro behavior is dependent on actin polymerization in mesenchymal cells. Inhibition of actin polymerization in mesenchymal cells results in mis-orientation of actinotrichia in the fin. These results reveal how mesenchymal cells are involved in fin formation and have important implications for the physical interaction between cells and collagen fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junpei Kuroda
- Graduate School of Frontier Bioscience, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Takeshi Itabashi
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Atsuko H. Iwane
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Aramaki
- Graduate School of Frontier Bioscience, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Shigeru Kondo
- Graduate School of Frontier Bioscience, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
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28
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Pradhan S, Banda OA, Farino CJ, Sperduto JL, Keller KA, Taitano R, Slater JH. Biofabrication Strategies and Engineered In Vitro Systems for Vascular Mechanobiology. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e1901255. [PMID: 32100473 PMCID: PMC8579513 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201901255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The vascular system is integral for maintaining organ-specific functions and homeostasis. Dysregulation in vascular architecture and function can lead to various chronic or acute disorders. Investigation of the role of the vascular system in health and disease has been accelerated through the development of tissue-engineered constructs and microphysiological on-chip platforms. These in vitro systems permit studies of biochemical regulation of vascular networks and parenchymal tissue and provide mechanistic insights into the biophysical and hemodynamic forces acting in organ-specific niches. Detailed understanding of these forces and the mechanotransductory pathways involved is necessary to develop preventative and therapeutic strategies targeting the vascular system. This review describes vascular structure and function, the role of hemodynamic forces in maintaining vascular homeostasis, and measurement approaches for cell and tissue level mechanical properties influencing vascular phenomena. State-of-the-art techniques for fabricating in vitro microvascular systems, with varying degrees of biological and engineering complexity, are summarized. Finally, the role of vascular mechanobiology in organ-specific niches and pathophysiological states, and efforts to recapitulate these events using in vitro microphysiological systems, are explored. It is hoped that this review will help readers appreciate the important, but understudied, role of vascular-parenchymal mechanotransduction in health and disease toward developing mechanotherapeutics for treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shantanu Pradhan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Omar A. Banda
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Cindy J. Farino
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - John L. Sperduto
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Keely A. Keller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Ryan Taitano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - John H. Slater
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, 201 DuPont Hall, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- Delaware Biotechnology Institute, 15 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711, USA
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29
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Rice A, Cortes E, Lachowski D, Oertle P, Matellan C, Thorpe SD, Ghose R, Wang H, Lee DA, Plodinec M, del Río Hernández AE. GPER Activation Inhibits Cancer Cell Mechanotransduction and Basement Membrane Invasion via RhoA. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E289. [PMID: 31991740 PMCID: PMC7073197 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The invasive properties of cancer cells are intimately linked to their mechanical phenotype, which can be regulated by intracellular biochemical signalling. Cell contractility, induced by mechanotransduction of a stiff fibrotic matrix, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) promote invasion. Metastasis involves cells pushing through the basement membrane into the stroma-both of which are altered in composition with cancer progression. Agonists of the G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor (GPER), such as tamoxifen, have been largely used in the clinic, and interest in GPER, which is abundantly expressed in tissues, has greatly increased despite a lack of understanding regarding the mechanisms which promote its multiple effects. Here, we show that specific activation of GPER inhibits EMT, mechanotransduction and cell contractility in cancer cells via the GTPase Ras homolog family member A (RhoA). We further show that GPER activation inhibits invasion through an in vitro basement membrane mimic, similar in structure to the pancreatic basement membrane that we reveal as an asymmetric bilayer, which differs in composition between healthy and cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alistair Rice
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (A.R.); (E.C.); (D.L.); (C.M.)
| | - Ernesto Cortes
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (A.R.); (E.C.); (D.L.); (C.M.)
| | - Dariusz Lachowski
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (A.R.); (E.C.); (D.L.); (C.M.)
| | - Philipp Oertle
- Biozentrum and the Swiss Nanoscience Institute, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Carlos Matellan
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (A.R.); (E.C.); (D.L.); (C.M.)
| | - Stephen D. Thorpe
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK; (S.D.T.); (D.A.L.)
| | - Ritobrata Ghose
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (A.R.); (E.C.); (D.L.); (C.M.)
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Haiyun Wang
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China;
| | - David A. Lee
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK; (S.D.T.); (D.A.L.)
| | - Marija Plodinec
- Biozentrum and the Swiss Nanoscience Institute, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Armando E. del Río Hernández
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (A.R.); (E.C.); (D.L.); (C.M.)
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30
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Wang M, Yang Y, Han L, Xu F, Li F. Cell mechanical microenvironment for cell volume regulation. J Cell Physiol 2019; 235:4070-4081. [PMID: 31637722 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Cell volume regulation, as one of the fundamental homeostasis of the cell, is associated with many cellular behaviors and functions. With the increased studies on the effect of environmental mechanical cues on cell volume regulation, the relationship between cell volume regulation and mechanotransduction becomes more and more clear. In this paper, we review the mechanisms and hypotheses by which cell maintains its volume homeostasis both in vivo and in constructed cell mechanical microenvironment (CMM) in vitro. We discuss how the growth-division regulation maintains the volume homeostasis of cells in the cell cycle and how the cell cortex/membrane tension mediates the effect of CMM (i.e., osmotic pressure, matrix stiffness, and mechanical force) on cell volume regulation. We also highlight the roles of cell volume as a perfect integrator of the downstream signals of mechanotransduction from different aspects of CMM and an effective indicator for the mechanical condition that cell confronts. This interdisciplinary perspective can provide new insight into biomechanics and may shed light on bioengineering and pathological research work. We hope this review can facilitate future studies on the investigation of the role of cell volume in mechanotransduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wang
- 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
| | - Yaowei Yang
- 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
| | - Lichun Han
- 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.,Department of Anesthesia, Xi'an Daxing Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Feng Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fei Li
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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31
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Ham TR, Collins KL, Hoffman BD. Molecular Tension Sensors: Moving Beyond Force. CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2019; 12:83-94. [PMID: 32864525 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Nearly all cellular processes are sensitive to mechanical inputs, and this plays a major role in diverse physiological processes. Mechanical stimuli are thought to be primarily detected through force-induced changes in protein structure. Approximately a decade ago, molecular tension sensors were created to measure forces across proteins within cells. Since then, an impressive assortment of sensors has been created and provided key insights into mechanotransduction, but comparisons of measurements between various sensors are challenging. In this review, we discuss the different types of molecular tension sensors, provide a system of classification based on their molecular-scale mechanical properties, and highlight how new applications of these sensors are enabling measurements beyond the magnitude of tensile load. We suggest that an expanded understanding of the functionality of these sensors, as well as integration with other techniques, will lead to consensus amongst measurements as well as critical insights into the underlying mechanisms of mechanotransduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor R Ham
- Duke University, Room 1379 CIEMAS, 101 Science Drive, 27710, United States
| | - Kasie L Collins
- Duke University, Room 1379 CIEMAS, 101 Science Drive, 27710, United States
| | - Brenton D Hoffman
- Duke University, Room 1379 CIEMAS, 101 Science Drive, 27710, United States
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