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Choi Y, Jakob R, Ehret AE, von Bohemer L, Cesarovic N, Falk V, Emmert MY, Mazza E, Giampietro C. Stretch-induced damage in endothelial monolayers. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2024; 163:213938. [PMID: 38959650 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.213938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Endothelial cells are constantly exposed to mechanical stimuli, of which mechanical stretch has shown various beneficial or deleterious effects depending on whether loads are within physiological or pathological levels, respectively. Vascular properties change with age, and on a cell-scale, senescence elicits changes in endothelial cell mechanical properties that together can impair its response to stretch. Here, high-rate uniaxial stretch experiments were performed to quantify and compare the stretch-induced damage of monolayers consisting of young, senescent, and aged endothelial populations. The aged and senescent phenotypes were more fragile to stretch-induced damage. Prominent damage was detected by immunofluorescence and scanning electron microscopy as intercellular and intracellular void formation. Damage increased proportionally to the applied level of deformation and, for the aged and senescent phenotype, induced significant detachment of cells at lower levels of stretch compared to the young counterpart. Based on the phenotypic difference in cell-substrate adhesion of senescent cells indicating more mature focal adhesions, a discrete network model of endothelial cells being stretched was developed. The model showed that the more affine deformation of senescent cells increased their intracellular energy, thus enhancing the tendency for cellular damage and impending detachment. Next to quantifying for the first-time critical levels of endothelial stretch, the present results indicate that young cells are more resilient to deformation and that the fragility of senescent cells may be associated with their stronger adhesion to the substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Choi
- ETH Zürich, Dep. of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Raphael Jakob
- ETH Zürich, Dep. of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Alexander E Ehret
- ETH Zürich, Dep. of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Zürich, Switzerland; Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Lisa von Bohemer
- University of Zurich, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Nikola Cesarovic
- ETH Zürich, Dep. of Health Sciences and Technology, Zürich, Switzerland; Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité (DHZC), Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Berlin, Germany; Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Volkmar Falk
- ETH Zürich, Dep. of Health Sciences and Technology, Zürich, Switzerland; Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité (DHZC), Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Berlin, Germany; Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maximilian Y Emmert
- University of Zurich, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Schlieren, Switzerland; Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité (DHZC), Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Berlin, Germany; Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Edoardo Mazza
- ETH Zürich, Dep. of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Zürich, Switzerland; Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland.
| | - Costanza Giampietro
- ETH Zürich, Dep. of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Zürich, Switzerland; Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland.
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2
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Wang E, Andrade MJ, Smith Q. Vascularized liver-on-a-chip model to investigate nicotine-induced dysfunction. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2023; 17:064108. [PMID: 38155919 PMCID: PMC10754629 DOI: 10.1063/5.0172677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
The development of physiologically relevant in vitro systems for simulating disease onset and progression and predicting drug metabolism holds tremendous value in reducing drug discovery time and cost. However, many of these platforms lack accuracy in replicating the tissue architecture and multicellular interactions. By leveraging three-dimensional cell culture, biomimetic soft hydrogels, and engineered stimuli, in vitro models have continued to progress. Nonetheless, the incorporation of the microvasculature has been met with many challenges, specifically with the addition of parenchymal cell types. Here, a systematic approach to investigating the initial seeding density of endothelial cells and its effects on interconnected networks was taken and combined with hepatic spheroids to form a liver-on-a-chip model. Leveraging this system, nicotine's effects on microvasculature and hepatic function were investigated. The findings indicated that nicotine led to interrupted adherens junctions, decreased guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1 expression, impaired angiogenesis, and lowered barrier function, all key factors in endothelial dysfunction. With the combination of the optimized microvascular networks, a vascularized liver-on-a-chip was formed, providing functional xenobiotic metabolism and synthesis of both albumin and urea. This system provides insight into potential hepatotoxicity caused by various drugs and allows for assessing vascular dysfunction in a high throughput manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, USA
| | - Melisa J. Andrade
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, USA
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3
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Bosseboeuf E, Chikh A, Chaker AB, Mitchell TP, Vignaraja D, Rajendrakumar R, Khambata RS, Nightingale TD, Mason JC, Randi AM, Ahluwalia A, Raimondi C. Neuropilin-1 interacts with VE-cadherin and TGFBR2 to stabilize adherens junctions and prevent activation of endothelium under flow. Sci Signal 2023; 16:eabo4863. [PMID: 37220183 PMCID: PMC7614756 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abo4863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Linear and disturbed flow differentially regulate gene expression, with disturbed flow priming endothelial cells (ECs) for a proinflammatory, atheroprone expression profile and phenotype. Here, we investigated the role of the transmembrane protein neuropilin-1 (NRP1) in ECs exposed to flow using cultured ECs, mice with an endothelium-specific knockout of NRP1, and a mouse model of atherosclerosis. We demonstrated that NRP1 was a constituent of adherens junctions that interacted with VE-cadherin and promoted its association with p120 catenin, stabilizing adherens junctions and inducing cytoskeletal remodeling in alignment with the direction of flow. We also showed that NRP1 interacted with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) receptor II (TGFBR2) and reduced the plasma membrane localization of TGFBR2 and TGF-β signaling. NRP1 knockdown increased the abundance of proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules, resulting in increased leukocyte rolling and atherosclerotic plaque size. These findings describe a role for NRP1 in promoting endothelial function and reveal a mechanism by which NRP1 reduction in ECs may contribute to vascular disease by modulating adherens junction signaling and promoting TGF-β signaling and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emy Bosseboeuf
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre of Cardiovascular Medicine and Devices, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Anissa Chikh
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St. George’s, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK
| | - Ahmed Bey Chaker
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre of Cardiovascular Medicine and Devices, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Tom P. Mitchell
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre for Microvascular Research, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Dhilakshani Vignaraja
- Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Ridhi Rajendrakumar
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre of Cardiovascular Medicine and Devices, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Rayomand S. Khambata
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre of Cardiovascular Medicine and Devices, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Thomas D. Nightingale
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre for Microvascular Research, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Justin C. Mason
- Vascular Sciences, National Heart & Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0HS, UK
| | - Anna M. Randi
- Vascular Sciences, National Heart & Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0HS, UK
| | - Amrita Ahluwalia
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre of Cardiovascular Medicine and Devices, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Claudio Raimondi
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre of Cardiovascular Medicine and Devices, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
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4
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McEvoy E, Sneh T, Moeendarbary E, Javanmardi Y, Efimova N, Yang C, Marino-Bravante GE, Chen X, Escribano J, Spill F, Garcia-Aznar JM, Weeraratna AT, Svitkina TM, Kamm RD, Shenoy VB. Feedback between mechanosensitive signaling and active forces governs endothelial junction integrity. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7089. [PMID: 36402771 PMCID: PMC9675837 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34701-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation and recovery of gaps in the vascular endothelium governs a wide range of physiological and pathological phenomena, from angiogenesis to tumor cell extravasation. However, the interplay between the mechanical and signaling processes that drive dynamic behavior in vascular endothelial cells is not well understood. In this study, we propose a chemo-mechanical model to investigate the regulation of endothelial junctions as dependent on the feedback between actomyosin contractility, VE-cadherin bond turnover, and actin polymerization, which mediate the forces exerted on the cell-cell interface. Simulations reveal that active cell tension can stabilize cadherin bonds, but excessive RhoA signaling can drive bond dissociation and junction failure. While actin polymerization aids gap closure, high levels of Rac1 can induce junction weakening. Combining the modeling framework with experiments, our model predicts the influence of pharmacological treatments on the junction state and identifies that a critical balance between RhoA and Rac1 expression is required to maintain junction stability. Our proposed framework can help guide the development of therapeutics that target the Rho family of GTPases and downstream active mechanical processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eoin McEvoy
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Biomedical Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, H91 HX31, Ireland
| | - Tal Sneh
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Emad Moeendarbary
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, WC1E 7JE, UK.,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Yousef Javanmardi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, WC1E 7JE, UK
| | - Nadia Efimova
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Changsong Yang
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Gloria E Marino-Bravante
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.,Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Xingyu Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Jorge Escribano
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Fabian Spill
- School of Mathematics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ashani T Weeraratna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.,Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Tatyana M Svitkina
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Roger D Kamm
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Vivek B Shenoy
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. .,Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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5
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Silvani G, Bradbury P, Basirun C, Mehner C, Zalli D, Poole K, Chou J. Testing 3D printed biological platform for advancing simulated microgravity and space mechanobiology research. NPJ Microgravity 2022; 8:19. [PMID: 35662260 PMCID: PMC9166742 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-022-00207-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The advancement of microgravity simulators is helping many researchers better understanding the impact of the mechanically unloaded space environment on cellular function and disfunction. However, performing microgravity experiments on Earth, using simulators such as the Random Positioning Machine, introduces some unique practical challenges, including air bubble formation and leakage of growth medium from tissue culture flask and plates, all of which limit research progress. Here, we developed an easy-to-use hybrid biological platform designed with the precision of 3D printing technologies combined with PDMS microfluidic fabrication processes to facilitate reliable and reproducible microgravity cellular experiments. The system has been characterized for applications in the contest of brain cancer research by exposing glioblastoma and endothelial cells to 24 h of simulated microgravity condition to investigate the triggered mechanosensing pathways involved in cellular adaptation to the new environment. The platform demonstrated compatibility with different biological assays, i.e., proliferation, viability, morphology, protein expression and imaging of molecular structures, showing advantages over the conventional usage of culture flask. Our results indicated that both cell types are susceptible when the gravitational vector is disrupted, confirming the impact that microgravity has on both cancer and healthy cells functionality. In particular, we observed deactivation of Yap-1 molecule in glioblastoma cells and the remodeling of VE-Cadherin junctional protein in endothelial cells. The study provides support for the application of the proposed biological platform for advancing space mechanobiology research, also highlighting perspectives and strategies for developing next generation of brain cancer molecular therapies, including targeted drug delivery strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Silvani
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Peta Bradbury
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, Mechanics and Genetics of Embryonic and Tumoral Development Group, Paris, France
| | - Carin Basirun
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Christine Mehner
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Detina Zalli
- Institute of Continuing Education, University of Cambridge, Camridge, UK
| | - Kate Poole
- EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Joshua Chou
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia.
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6
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Ersland E, Ebrahim N, Mwizerwa O, Oba T, Oku K, Nishino M, Hikimoto D, Miyoshi H, Tomotoshi K, Rahmanian O, Ekwueme E, Neville C, Sundback C. Human Vascular Wall Microfluidic Model for Preclinical Evaluation of Drug-Induced Vascular Injury. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2022; 28:83-92. [PMID: 35114818 PMCID: PMC9022170 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2021.0227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug-induced vascular injury (DIVI) in preclinical animal models often leads to candidate compound termination during drug development. DIVI has not been documented in human clinical trials with drugs that cause DIVI in preclinical animals. A robust human preclinical assay for DIVI is needed as an early vascular injury screen. A human vascular wall microfluidic tissue chip was developed with a human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC)-umbilical artery smooth muscle cell (vascular smooth muscle cell, VSMC) bilayer matured under physiological shear stress. Optimized temporal flow profiles produced HUVEC-VSMC bilayers with quiescent endothelial cell (EC) monolayers, EC tight junctions, and contractile VSMC morphology. Dose-response testing (3-30 μM concentration) was conducted with minoxidil and tadalafil vasodilators. Both drugs have demonstrated preclinical DIVI but lack clinical evidence. The permeability of severely damaged engineered bilayers (30 μM tadalafil) was 4.1 times that of the untreated controls. Immunohistochemical protein assays revealed contrasting perspectives on tadalafil and minoxidil-induced damage. Tadalafil impacted the endothelial monolayer with minor injury to the contractile VSMCs, whereas minoxidil demonstrated minor EC barrier injury but damaged VSMCs and activated ECs in a dose-response manner. This proof-of-concept human vascular wall bilayer model of DIVI is a critical step toward developing a preclinical human screening assay for drug development. Impact statement More than 90% of drug candidates fail during clinical trials due to human efficacy and toxicity concerns. Preclinical studies rely heavily on animal models, although animal toxicity and drug metabolism responses often differ from humans. During the drug development process, perfused in vitro human tissue chips could model the clinical drug response and potential toxicity of candidate compounds. Our long-term objective is to develop a human vascular wall tissue chip to screen for drug-induced vascular injury. Its application could ultimately reduce drug development delays and costs, and improve patient safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Ersland
- Department of Surgery, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Neven Ebrahim
- Department of Surgery, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Olive Mwizerwa
- Department of Surgery, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Takahiro Oba
- Bioscience and Engineering Laboratories, FUJIFILM Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Keisuke Oku
- Bioscience and Engineering Laboratories, FUJIFILM Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Masafumi Nishino
- Bioscience and Engineering Laboratories, FUJIFILM Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Daichi Hikimoto
- Bioscience and Engineering Laboratories, FUJIFILM Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hayato Miyoshi
- Bioscience and Engineering Laboratories, FUJIFILM Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kimihiko Tomotoshi
- Bioscience and Engineering Laboratories, FUJIFILM Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Omid Rahmanian
- Department of Surgery, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emmanuel Ekwueme
- Department of Surgery, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Craig Neville
- Department of Surgery, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Cathryn Sundback
- Department of Surgery, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Address correspondence to: Cathryn Sundback, ScD, Department of Surgery, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 01451, USA
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7
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Chesnais F, Hue J, Roy E, Branco M, Stokes R, Pellon A, Le Caillec J, Elbahtety E, Battilocchi M, Danovi D, Veschini L. High content Image Analysis to study phenotypic heterogeneity in endothelial cell monolayers. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:273879. [PMID: 34982151 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells (EC) are heterogeneous across and within tissues, reflecting distinct, specialised functions. EC heterogeneity has been proposed to underpin EC plasticity independently from vessel microenvironments. However, heterogeneity driven by contact-dependent or short-range cell-cell crosstalk cannot be evaluated with single cell transcriptomic approaches as spatial and contextual information is lost. Nonetheless, quantification of EC heterogeneity and understanding of its molecular drivers is key to developing novel therapeutics for cancer, cardiovascular diseases and for revascularisation in regenerative medicine. Here, we developed an EC profiling tool (ECPT) to examine individual cells within intact monolayers. We used ECPT to characterise different phenotypes in arterial, venous and microvascular EC populations. In line with other studies, we measured heterogeneity in terms of cell cycle, proliferation, and junction organisation. ECPT uncovered a previously under-appreciated single-cell heterogeneity in NOTCH activation. We correlated cell proliferation with different NOTCH activation states at the single cell and population levels. The positional and relational information extracted with our novel approach is key to elucidating the molecular mechanisms underpinning EC heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francois Chesnais
- Academic centre of reconstructive science, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Jonas Hue
- Academic centre of reconstructive science, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Errin Roy
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Floor 28, Tower Wing, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Marco Branco
- Academic centre of reconstructive science, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Ruby Stokes
- Academic centre of reconstructive science, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Aize Pellon
- Centre for host-microbiome interactions, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Juliette Le Caillec
- Academic centre of reconstructive science, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Eyad Elbahtety
- Academic centre of reconstructive science, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Matteo Battilocchi
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Floor 28, Tower Wing, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Davide Danovi
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Floor 28, Tower Wing, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK.,bit.bio, Babraham Research Campus, The Dorothy Hodgkin Building, Cambridge CB22 3FH, UK
| | - Lorenzo Veschini
- Academic centre of reconstructive science, Faculty of Dentistry Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
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8
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Lithgow KV, Tsao E, Schovanek E, Gomez A, Swayne LA, Cameron CE. Treponema pallidum Disrupts VE-Cadherin Intercellular Junctions and Traverses Endothelial Barriers Using a Cholesterol-Dependent Mechanism. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:691731. [PMID: 34354688 PMCID: PMC8329343 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.691731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, traverses the vascular endothelium to gain access to underlying tissue sites. Herein, we investigate the mechanisms associated with T. pallidum traversal of endothelial barriers. Immunofluorescence microscopy reveals that a subpopulation of T. pallidum localizes to intercellular junctions and that viable T. pallidum, as well as a T. pallidum vascular adhesin (Tp0751), disrupts the architecture of the main endothelial junctional protein VE-cadherin. Intriguingly, in this study we show that T. pallidum traverses endothelial barriers with no disruption in barrier permeability. Furthermore, barrier traversal by T. pallidum is reduced by pretreatment of endothelial cells with filipin, an inhibitor that blocks cholesterol-mediated endocytosis. Collectively, these results suggest that T. pallidum can use a cholesterol-dependent, lipid raft-mediated endocytosis mechanism to traverse endothelial barriers. Further, treponemal localization to, and disruption of, intercellular junctions suggests that a paracellular route may also be utilized, a dual traversal strategy that has also been observed to occur for leukocytes and other invasive bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen V Lithgow
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Emily Tsao
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Ethan Schovanek
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Alloysius Gomez
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Leigh Anne Swayne
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Caroline E Cameron
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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9
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Inglut CT, Gray KM, Vig S, Jung JW, Stabile J, Zhang Y, Stroka KM, Huang HC. Photodynamic Priming Modulates Endothelial Cell-Cell Junction Phenotype for Light-activated Remote Control of Drug Delivery. IEEE JOURNAL OF SELECTED TOPICS IN QUANTUM ELECTRONICS : A PUBLICATION OF THE IEEE LASERS AND ELECTRO-OPTICS SOCIETY 2021; 27:7200311. [PMID: 33519171 PMCID: PMC7839980 DOI: 10.1109/jstqe.2020.3024014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) remains a major obstacle for drug delivery to the central nervous system. In particular, the tight and adherens junctions that join the brain capillary endothelial cells limit the diffusion of various molecules from the bloodstream into the brain. Photodynamic priming (PDP) is a non-cytotoxic modality that involves light activation of photosensitizers to photochemically modulate nearby molecules without killing the cells. Here we investigate the effects of sub-lethal photochemistry on junction phenotype (i.e., continuous, punctate, or perpendicular), as well as the BBB permeability in a transwell model of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs). We showed that PDP decreases the continuous junction architecture by ~20%, increases the perpendicular junction architecture by ~40%, and has minimal impact on cell morphology in HBMECs. Furthermore, transwell permeability assay revealed that PDP improves the HBMEC permeability to dextran or nanoliposomes by up to 30-fold for 6-9 days. These results suggest that PDP could safely reverse the mature brain endothelial junctions without killing the HBMECs. This study not only emphasizes the critical roles of PDP in the modulation junction phenotype, but also highlights the opportunity to further develop PDP-based combinations that opens the cerebrum endothelium for enhanced drug transporter across the BBB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collin T Inglut
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Kelsey M Gray
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Shruti Vig
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Jae W Jung
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Jillian Stabile
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Yuji Zhang
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Kimberly M Stroka
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Huang-Chiao Huang
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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10
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Silvani G, Romanov V, Cox CD, Martinac B. Biomechanical Characterization of Endothelial Cells Exposed to Shear Stress Using Acoustic Force Spectroscopy. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:612151. [PMID: 33614612 PMCID: PMC7891662 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.612151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Characterizing mechanical properties of cells is important for understanding many cellular processes, such as cell movement, shape, and growth, as well as adaptation to changing environments. In this study, we explore the mechanical properties of endothelial cells that form the biological barrier lining blood vessels, whose dysfunction leads to development of many cardiovascular disorders. Stiffness of living endothelial cells was determined by Acoustic Force Spectroscopy (AFS), by pull parallel multiple functionalized microspheres located at the cell-cell periphery. The unique configuration of the acoustic microfluidic channel allowed us to develop a long-term dynamic culture protocol exposing cells to laminar flow for up to 48 h, with shear stresses in the physiological range (i.e., 6 dyn/cm2). Two different Endothelial cells lines, Human Aortic Endothelial Cells (HAECs) and Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs), were investigated to show the potential of this tool to capture the change in cellular mechanical properties during maturation of a confluent endothelial monolayer. Immunofluorescence microscopy was exploited to follow actin filament rearrangement and junction formation over time. For both cell types we found that the application of shear-stress promotes the typical phenotype of a mature endothelium expressing a linear pattern of VE-cadherin at the cell-cell border and actin filament rearrangement along the perimeter of Endothelial cells. A staircase-like sequence of increasing force steps, ranging from 186 pN to 3.5 nN, was then applied in a single measurement revealing the force-dependent apparent stiffness of the membrane cortex in the kPa range. We also found that beads attached to cells cultured under dynamic conditions were harder to displace than cells cultured under static conditions, showing a stiffer membrane cortex at cell periphery. All together these results demonstrate that the AFS can identify changes in cell mechanics based on force measurements of adherent cells under conditions mimicking their native microenvironment, thus revealing the shear stress dependence of the mechanical properties of neighboring endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Silvani
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Charles D. Cox
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Boris Martinac
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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11
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Taha M, Aldirawi M, März S, Seebach J, Odenthal-Schnittler M, Bondareva O, Bojovic V, Schmandra T, Wirth B, Mietkowska M, Rottner K, Schnittler H. EPLIN-α and -β Isoforms Modulate Endothelial Cell Dynamics through a Spatiotemporally Differentiated Interaction with Actin. Cell Rep 2020; 29:1010-1026.e6. [PMID: 31644899 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.09.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Actin-binding proteins are essential for linear and branched actin filament dynamics that control shape change, cell migration, and cell junction remodeling in vascular endothelium (endothelial cells [ECs]). The epithelial protein lost in neoplasm (EPLIN) is an actin-binding protein, expressed as EPLIN-α and EPLIN-β by alternative promoters; however, the isoform-specific functions are not yet understood. Aortic compared to cava vein ECs and shear stress-exposed cultured ECs express increased EPLIN-β levels that stabilize stress fibers. In contrast, EPLIN-α expression is increased in growing and migrating ECs, is targeted to membrane protrusions, and terminates their growth via interaction with the Arp2/3 complex. The data indicate that EPLIN-α controls protrusion dynamics while EPLIN-β has an actin filament stabilizing role, which is consistent with FRAP analyses demonstrating a lower EPLIN-β turnover rate compared to EPLIN-α. Together, EPLIN isoforms differentially control actin dynamics in ECs, essential in shear stress responses, cell migration, and barrier function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muna Taha
- Institute of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, Westfälische Wilhelms University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC 1003 CiM), Westfälische Wilhelms University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Mohammed Aldirawi
- Institute of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, Westfälische Wilhelms University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC 1003 CiM), Westfälische Wilhelms University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Sigrid März
- Institute of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, Westfälische Wilhelms University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC 1003 CiM), Westfälische Wilhelms University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Jochen Seebach
- Institute of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, Westfälische Wilhelms University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC 1003 CiM), Westfälische Wilhelms University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Maria Odenthal-Schnittler
- Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC 1003 CiM), Westfälische Wilhelms University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; Department of Ophthalmology, Westfälische Wilhelms University of Münster, Medical Center, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Olga Bondareva
- Institute of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, Westfälische Wilhelms University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC 1003 CiM), Westfälische Wilhelms University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Vesna Bojovic
- Institute of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, Westfälische Wilhelms University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Thomas Schmandra
- Heart and Vascular Clinic Bad Neustadt, Bad Neustadt a.d. Saale, Germany
| | - Benedikt Wirth
- Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC 1003 CiM), Westfälische Wilhelms University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; Institute for Analysis and Numerics, Westfälische Wilhelms University of Münster, 48149 Münster Germany
| | - Magdalena Mietkowska
- Division of Molecular Cell Biology, Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Spielmannstrasse 7, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; Molecular Cell Biology Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Klemens Rottner
- Division of Molecular Cell Biology, Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Spielmannstrasse 7, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; Molecular Cell Biology Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Hans Schnittler
- Institute of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, Westfälische Wilhelms University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC 1003 CiM), Westfälische Wilhelms University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany.
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12
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Gray KM, Jung JW, Inglut CT, Huang HC, Stroka KM. Quantitatively relating brain endothelial cell-cell junction phenotype to global and local barrier properties under varied culture conditions via the Junction Analyzer Program. Fluids Barriers CNS 2020; 17:16. [PMID: 32046757 PMCID: PMC7014765 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-020-0177-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The endothelial cell-cell junctions of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) play a pivotal role in the barrier's function. Altered cell-cell junctions can lead to barrier dysfunction and have been implicated in several diseases. Despite this, the driving forces regulating junctional protein presentation remain relatively understudied, largely due to the lack of efficient techniques to quantify their presentation at sites of cell-cell adhesion. Here, we used our novel Junction Analyzer Program (JAnaP) to quantify junction phenotype (i.e., continuous, punctate, or perpendicular) in response to various substrate compositions, cell culture times, and cAMP treatments in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs). We then quantitatively correlated junction presentation with barrier permeability on both a "global" and "local" scale. METHODS We cultured HBMECs on collagen I, fibronectin, collagen IV, laminin, fibronectin/collagen IV/laminin, or hyaluronic acid/gelatin for 2, 4, and 7 days with varying cAMP treatment schedules. Images of immunostained ZO-1, VE-cadherin, and claudin-5 were analyzed using the JAnaP to calculate the percent of the cell perimeter presenting continuous, punctate, or perpendicular junctions. Transwell permeability assays and resistance measurements were used to measure bulk ("global") barrier properties, and a "local" permeability assay was used to correlate junction presentation proximal to permeable monolayer regions. RESULTS Substrate composition was found to play little role in junction presentation, while cAMP supplements significantly increased the continuous junction architecture. Increased culture time required increased cAMP treatment time to reach similar ZO-1 and VE-cadherin coverage observed with shorter culture, though longer cultures were required for claudin-5 presentation. Prolonged cAMP treatment (6 days) disrupted junction integrity for all three junction proteins. Transwell permeability and TEER assays showed no correlation with junction phenotype, but a local permeability assay revealed a correlation between the number of discontinuous and no junction regions with barrier penetration. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that cAMP signaling influences HBMEC junction architecture more than matrix composition. Our studies emphasized the need for local barrier measurement to mechanistically understand the role of junction phenotype and supported previous results that continuous junctions are indicative of a more mature/stable endothelial barrier. Understanding what conditions influence junction presentations, and how they, in turn, affect barrier integrity, could lead to the development of therapeutics for diseases associated with BBB dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey M Gray
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, 8278 Paint Branch Drive, 3110 A. James Clark Hall, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Jae W Jung
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, 8278 Paint Branch Drive, 3110 A. James Clark Hall, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Collin T Inglut
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, 8278 Paint Branch Drive, 3110 A. James Clark Hall, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Huang-Chiao Huang
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, 8278 Paint Branch Drive, 3110 A. James Clark Hall, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Kimberly M Stroka
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, 8278 Paint Branch Drive, 3110 A. James Clark Hall, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.
- Biophysics Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
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13
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Silvani G, Scognamiglio C, Caprini D, Marino L, Chinappi M, Sinibaldi G, Peruzzi G, Kiani MF, Casciola CM. Reversible Cavitation-Induced Junctional Opening in an Artificial Endothelial Layer. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2019; 15:e1905375. [PMID: 31762158 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201905375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Targeting pharmaceuticals through the endothelial barrier is crucial for drug delivery. In this context, cavitation-assisted permeation shows promise for effective and reversible opening of intercellular junctions. A vessel-on-a-chip is exploited to investigate and quantify the effect of ultrasound-excited microbubbles-stable cavitation-on endothelial integrity. In the vessel-on-a-chip, the endothelial cells form a complete lumen under physiological shear stress, resulting in intercellular junctions that exhibit barrier functionality. Immunofluorescence microscopy is exploited to monitor vascular integrity following vascular endothelial cadherin staining. It is shown that microbubbles amplify the ultrasound effect, leading to the formation of interendothelial gaps that cause barrier permeabilization. The total gap area significantly increases with pressure amplitude compared to the control. Gap opening is fully reversible with gap area distribution returning to the control levels 45 min after insonication. The proposed integrated platform allows for precise and repeatable in vitro measurements of cavitation-enhanced endothelium permeability and shows potential for validating irradiation protocols for in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Silvani
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Scognamiglio
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Caprini
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Marino
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Chinappi
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Via del Politecnico 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Sinibaldi
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Peruzzi
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Mohammad F Kiani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Carlo M Casciola
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
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14
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Cao J, Schnittler H. Putting VE-cadherin into JAIL for junction remodeling. J Cell Sci 2019; 132:132/1/jcs222893. [DOI: 10.1242/jcs.222893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Junction dynamics of endothelial cells are based on the integration of signal transduction, cytoskeletal remodeling and contraction, which are necessary for the formation and maintenance of monolayer integrity, but also enable repair and regeneration. The VE-cadherin–catenin complex forms the molecular basis of the adherence junctions and cooperates closely with actin filaments. Several groups have recently described small actin-driven protrusions at the cell junctions that are controlled by the Arp2/3 complex, contributing to cell junction regulation. We identified these protrusions as the driving force for VE-cadherin dynamics, as they directly induce new VE-cadherin-mediated adhesion sites, and have accordingly referred to these structures as junction-associated intermittent lamellipodia (JAIL). JAIL extend over only a few microns and thus provide the basis for a subcellular regulation of adhesion. The local (subcellular) VE-cadherin concentration and JAIL formation are directly interdependent, which enables autoregulation. Therefore, this mechanism can contribute a subcellularly regulated adaptation of cell contact dynamics, and is therefore of great importance for monolayer integrity and relative cell migration during wound healing and angiogenesis, as well as for inflammatory responses. In this Review, we discuss the mechanisms and functions underlying these actin-driven protrusions and consider their contribution to the dynamic regulation of endothelial cell junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Cao
- Institute of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster Germany
| | - Hans Schnittler
- Institute of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster Germany
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15
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Hofer I, Schimp C, Taha M, Seebach J, Aldirawi M, Cao J, Leidl Q, Ahle A, Schnittler H. Advanced Methods for the Investigation of Cell Contact Dynamics in Endothelial Cells Using Florescence-Based Live Cell Imaging. J Vasc Res 2018; 55:350-364. [DOI: 10.1159/000494933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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16
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Schnittler H. Contraction of endothelial cells: 40 years of research, but the debate still lives. Histochem Cell Biol 2016; 146:651-656. [PMID: 27680546 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-016-1501-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Force generation in non-muscle cells is vital for many cellular and tissue functions. Force-generating mechanisms include actomyosin-mediated contraction, actin polymerization that drives plasma membrane protrusions and filopodia as well as kinesin- and dynein-controlled transport of vesicles and organelles along the microtubule cytoskeleton. The actomyosin-mediated contractility and actin remodeling in both epithelium and endothelium were shown to have significant impact on cell migration, shape change and formation and control of intercellular junctions. In endothelium, contraction is supposed to control permeability for fluid and solutes. However, recent studies demonstrated the constitutive appearance of junction-associated intermittent lamellipodia (JAIL) that drive vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) dynamics and control endothelial permeability. Since thrombin blocks JAIL formation and thus increases endothelial permeability, the concept of a simple Rho GTPase-controlled contraction, which is supposed to open endothelial junctions, becomes challenged. Furthermore, specific tyrosine phosphorylation sites of VE-cadherin and catenins have been shown to be involved in control of VE-cadherin-mediated cell adhesion. How the causal-mechanistic interdependency between contractility, VE-cadherin and catenin phosphorylation and JAIL-mediated dynamic remodeling of VE-cadherin is regulated is still an open question and needs to be further addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Schnittler
- Institute of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Vesaliusweg 2-4, 48149, Münster, Germany.
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