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McCarthy CM, McKevitt KL, Connolly SA, Andersson I, Leahy FC, Egan S, Moloney MA, Kavanagh EG, Peirce C, Cunnane EM, McGourty KD, Walsh MT, Mulvihill JJE. Microindentation of fresh soft biological tissue: A rapid tissue sectioning and mounting protocol. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297618. [PMID: 38422111 PMCID: PMC10903917 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Microindentation of fresh biological tissues is necessary for the creation of 3D biomimetic models that accurately represent the native extracellular matrix microenvironment. However, tissue must first be precisely sectioned into slices. Challenges exist in the preparation of fresh tissue slices, as they can tear easily and must be processed rapidly in order to mitigate tissue degradation. In this study, we propose an optimised mounting condition for microindentation and demonstrate that embedding tissue in a mixture of 2.5% agarose and 1.5% gelatin is the most favourable method of tissue slice mounting for microindentation. This protocol allows for rapid processing of fresh biological tissue and is applicable to a variety of tissue types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clíona M. McCarthy
- Biomaterials Cluster, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- School of Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Kevin L. McKevitt
- Department of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Sinéad A. Connolly
- Biomaterials Cluster, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- School of Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Isabel Andersson
- Biomaterials Cluster, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- School of Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Fiona C. Leahy
- Department of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Siobhan Egan
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Michael A. Moloney
- Department of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Eamon G. Kavanagh
- Department of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Colin Peirce
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Eoghan M. Cunnane
- Biomaterials Cluster, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- School of Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Kieran D. McGourty
- Biomaterials Cluster, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- School of Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Michael T. Walsh
- Biomaterials Cluster, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- School of Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - John J. E. Mulvihill
- Biomaterials Cluster, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- School of Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
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2
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Sohrabi A, Lefebvre AEYT, Harrison MJ, Condro MC, Sanazzaro TM, Safarians G, Solomon I, Bastola S, Kordbacheh S, Toh N, Kornblum HI, Digman MA, Seidlits SK. Microenvironmental stiffness induces metabolic reprogramming in glioblastoma. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113175. [PMID: 37756163 PMCID: PMC10842372 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanical properties of solid tumors influence tumor cell phenotype and the ability to invade surrounding tissues. Using bioengineered scaffolds to provide a matrix microenvironment for patient-derived glioblastoma (GBM) spheroids, this study demonstrates that a soft, brain-like matrix induces GBM cells to shift to a glycolysis-weighted metabolic state, which supports invasive behavior. We first show that orthotopic murine GBM tumors are stiffer than peritumoral brain tissues, but tumor stiffness is heterogeneous where tumor edges are softer than the tumor core. We then developed 3D scaffolds with μ-compressive moduli resembling either stiffer tumor core or softer peritumoral brain tissue. We demonstrate that the softer matrix microenvironment induces a shift in GBM cell metabolism toward glycolysis, which manifests in lower proliferation rate and increased migration activities. Finally, we show that these mechanical cues are transduced from the matrix via CD44 and integrin receptors to induce metabolic and phenotypic changes in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Sohrabi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Austin E Y T Lefebvre
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Mollie J Harrison
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Michael C Condro
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Talia M Sanazzaro
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Gevick Safarians
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Itay Solomon
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Soniya Bastola
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Shadi Kordbacheh
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Nadia Toh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Harley I Kornblum
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Michelle A Digman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Stephanie K Seidlits
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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Stewart S, Ou W, Aranda-Espinoza H, Rahaman SO, He X. Micromechanical characterizations and viscoelastic modeling reveal elastic and viscoelastic heterogeneities in ovarian tissue and the significant viscoelastic contribution to the apparent elastic modulus determined by AFM indentation. Acta Biomater 2023; 168:286-297. [PMID: 37451661 PMCID: PMC10529990 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian follicles develop in a highly regulated mechanical microenvironment and disruptions to the microenvironment may cause infertility. However, the viscoelastic properties of the ovarian tissue are not well studied. Here, we characterize both the elastic and viscoelastic properties of ovarian tissue from both reproductively older and younger domestic cats using atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation and viscoelastic models of stress relaxation. Importantly, our analyses reveal the apparent elastic modulus obtained from the conventional AFM indentation measurement is significantly higher than the intrinsic elastic modulus and insignificantly different from the equivalent elastic modulus that is the summation of the intrinsic elastic modulus and the viscoelastic contribution to modulus at time 0. Interestingly, the ovarian cortex of both reproductive age groups has a higher apparent/intrinsic modulus than that of the medulla. Furthermore, two different kinetics of stress relaxation are identified with rate constants of ∼1 s and ∼20-40 s, respectively. Moreover, the rate constant of the slow kinetics is significantly different between the cortex and medulla in the reproductively older ovaries. Finally, these mechanical heterogeneities appear to follow the heterogeneous distribution of hyaluronic acid (HA) in the ovary. These findings may be invaluable to the development of biomimetic follicle culture for treating infertility. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This study investigates not only elastic but also the viscoelastic heterogeneity in both reproductively younger and older ovarian tissues for the first time. Further, by combining AFM indentation measurement and viscoelastic modeling, we show the apparent elastic modulus conventionally reported in the literature for AFM indentation measurement is the summation of the intrinsic elastic modulus and a significant viscoelastic contribution to the modulus at time 0. This is an important consideration for others who use this method to quantify biomaterial properties. In addition, the possible connection between the mechanical and compositional heterogeneities is explored. These findings may be invaluable for designing biomaterials to recapitulate the mechanical environment of the ovary and possibly many other organs for biomimetic tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Stewart
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, United States
| | - Wenquan Ou
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, United States
| | - Helim Aranda-Espinoza
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, United States
| | - Shaik O Rahaman
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, United States
| | - Xiaoming He
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, United States.
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Tilbury MA, Tran TQ, Shingare D, Lefevre M, Power AM, Leclère P, Wall JG. Self-assembly of a barnacle cement protein into intertwined amyloid fibres and determination of their adhesive and viscoelastic properties. J R Soc Interface 2023; 20:20230332. [PMID: 37553991 PMCID: PMC10410215 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The stalked barnacle Pollicipes pollicipes uses a multi-protein cement to adhere to highly varied substrates in marine environments. We investigated the morphology and adhesiveness of a component 19 kDa protein in barnacle cement gland- and seawater-like conditions, using transmission electron microscopy and state-of-the art scanning probe techniques. The protein formed amyloid fibres after 5 days in gland-like but not seawater conditions. After 7-11 days, the fibres self-assembled under gland-like conditions into large intertwined fibrils of up to 10 µm in length and 200 nm in height, with a distinctive twisting of fibrils evident after 11 days. Atomic force microscopy (AFM)-nanodynamic mechanical analysis of the protein in wet conditions determined E' (elasticity), E'' (viscosity) and tan δ values of 2.8 MPa, 1.2 MPa and 0.37, respectively, indicating that the protein is a soft and viscoelastic material, while the adhesiveness of the unassembled protein and assembled fibres, measured using peak force quantitative nanomechanical mapping, was comparable to that of the commercial adhesive Cell-Tak™. The study provides a comprehensive insight into the nanomechanical and viscoelastic properties of the barnacle cement protein and its self-assembled fibres under native-like conditions and may have application in the design of amyloid fibril-based biomaterials or bioadhesives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura A. Tilbury
- Microbiology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- SFI Centre for Medical Devices (CÚRAM), University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Thi Quynh Tran
- Laboratory for Physics of Nanomaterials and Energy, Research Institute for Materials, University of Mons, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Dilip Shingare
- Microbiology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- SFI Centre for Medical Devices (CÚRAM), University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Mathilde Lefevre
- Laboratory for Physics of Nanomaterials and Energy, Research Institute for Materials, University of Mons, 7000 Mons, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Place du Parc 23, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Anne Marie Power
- Ryan Institute, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Philippe Leclère
- Laboratory for Physics of Nanomaterials and Energy, Research Institute for Materials, University of Mons, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - J. Gerard Wall
- Microbiology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- SFI Centre for Medical Devices (CÚRAM), University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
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Narciso M, Ulldemolins A, Júnior C, Otero J, Navajas D, Farré R, Gavara N, Almendros I. Novel Decellularization Method for Tissue Slices. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:832178. [PMID: 35356779 PMCID: PMC8959585 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.832178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Decellularization procedures have been developed and optimized for the entire organ or tissue blocks, by either perfusion of decellularizing agents through the tissue’s vasculature or submerging large sections in decellularizing solutions. However, some research aims require the analysis of native as well as decellularized tissue slices side by side, but an optimal protocol has not yet been established to address this need. Thus, the main goal of this work was to develop a fast and efficient decellularization method for tissue slices—with an emphasis on lung—while attached to a glass slide. To this end, different decellularizing agents were compared for their effectiveness in cellular removal while preserving the extracellular matrix. The intensity of DNA staining was taken as an indicator of remaining cells and compared to untreated sections. The presence of collagen, elastin and laminin were quantified using immunostaining and signal quantification. Scaffolds resulting from the optimized protocol were mechanically characterized using atomic force microscopy. Lung scaffolds were recellularized with mesenchymal stromal cells to assess their biocompatibility. Some decellularization agents (CHAPS, triton, and ammonia hydroxide) did not achieve sufficient cell removal. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was effective in cell removal (1% remaining DNA signal), but its sharp reduction of elastin signal (only 6% remained) plus lower attachment ratio (32%) singled out sodium deoxycholate (SD) as the optimal treatment for this application (6.5% remaining DNA signal), due to its higher elastin retention (34%) and higher attachment ratio (60%). Laminin and collagen were fully preserved in all treatments. The SD decellularization protocol was also successful for porcine and murine (mice and rat) lungs as well as for other tissues such as the heart, kidney, and bladder. No significant mechanical differences were found before and after sample decellularization. The resulting acellular lung scaffolds were shown to be biocompatible (98% cell survival after 72 h of culture). This novel method to decellularize tissue slices opens up new methodological possibilities to better understand the role of the extracellular matrix in the context of several diseases as well as tissue engineering research and can be easily adapted for scarce samples like clinical biopsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Narciso
- Unitat de Biofísica i Bioenginyeria, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Ulldemolins
- Unitat de Biofísica i Bioenginyeria, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Constança Júnior
- Unitat de Biofísica i Bioenginyeria, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jorge Otero
- Unitat de Biofísica i Bioenginyeria, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Navajas
- Unitat de Biofísica i Bioenginyeria, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ramon Farré
- Unitat de Biofísica i Bioenginyeria, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria Gavara
- Unitat de Biofísica i Bioenginyeria, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isaac Almendros
- Unitat de Biofísica i Bioenginyeria, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- *Correspondence: Isaac Almendros,
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Sahai S, Wilkerson M, Xue H, Moreno N, Carrillo L, Flores R, Greives MR, Olson SD, Cox CS, Triolo F. Wharton's Jelly for Augmented Cleft Palate Repair in a Rat Critical-Size Alveolar Bone Defect Model. Tissue Eng Part A 2020; 26:591-601. [DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2019.0254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Suchit Sahai
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth—The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Marysuna Wilkerson
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth—The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Hasen Xue
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth—The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Nicolas Moreno
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth—The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Louis Carrillo
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth—The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Rene Flores
- Academic and Research Affairs, UTHealth—The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Matthew R. Greives
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth—The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Scott D. Olson
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth—The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Charles S. Cox
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth—The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Fabio Triolo
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth—The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
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