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Seitz M, Song Y, Lian XL, Ma Z, Jain E. Soft Polyethylene Glycol Hydrogels Support Human PSC Pluripotency and Morphogenesis. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:4525-4540. [PMID: 38973308 PMCID: PMC11234337 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.4c00923] [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: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Lumenogenesis within the epiblast represents a critical step in early human development, priming the embryo for future specification and patterning events. However, little is known about the specific mechanisms that drive this process due to the inability to study the early embryo in vivo. While human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-based models recapitulate many aspects of the human epiblast, most approaches for generating these 3D structures rely on ill-defined, reconstituted basement membrane matrices. Here, we designed synthetic, nonadhesive polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel matrices to better understand the role of matrix mechanical cues in iPSC morphogenesis, specifically elastic modulus. First, we identified a narrow range of hydrogel moduli that were conducive to the hPSC viability, pluripotency, and differentiation. We then used this platform to investigate the effects of the hydrogel modulus on lumenogenesis, finding that matrices of intermediate stiffness yielded the most epiblast-like aggregates. Conversely, stiffer matrices impeded lumen formation and apico-basal polarization, while the softest matrices yielded polarized but aberrant structures. Our approach offers a simple, modular platform for modeling the human epiblast and investigating the role of matrix cues in its morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael
P. Seitz
- Department
of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
- Bioinspired
Syracuse: Institute for Material and Living Systems, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Yuanhui Song
- Department
of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
- Bioinspired
Syracuse: Institute for Material and Living Systems, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Xiaojun Lance Lian
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences,
Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State
University, University
Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Zhen Ma
- Department
of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
- Bioinspired
Syracuse: Institute for Material and Living Systems, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Era Jain
- Department
of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
- Bioinspired
Syracuse: Institute for Material and Living Systems, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
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Hagelaars MJ, Nikolic M, Vermeulen M, Dekker S, Bouten CVC, Loerakker S. A computational analysis of the role of integrins and Rho-GTPases in the emergence and disruption of apical-basal polarization in renal epithelial cells. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1012140. [PMID: 38768266 PMCID: PMC11142725 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012140] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Apical-basal polarization in renal epithelial cells is crucial to renal function and an important trigger for tubule formation in kidney development. Loss of polarity can induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which can lead to kidney pathologies. Understanding the relative and combined roles of the involved proteins and their interactions that govern epithelial polarity may provide insights for controlling the process of polarization via chemical or mechanical manipulations in an in vitro or in vivo setting. Here, we developed a computational framework that integrates several known interactions between integrins, Rho-GTPases Rho, Rac and Cdc42, and polarity complexes Par and Scribble, to study their mutual roles in the emergence of polarization. The modeled protein interactions were shown to induce the emergence of polarized distributions of Rho-GTPases, which in turn led to the accumulation of apical and basal polarity complexes Par and Scribble at their respective poles, effectively recapitulating polarization. Our multiparametric sensitivity analysis suggested that polarization depends foremost on the mutual inhibition between Rac and Rho. Next, we used the computational framework to investigate the role of integrins and GTPases in the generation and disruption of polarization. We found that a minimum concentration of integrins is required to catalyze the process of polarization. Furthermore, loss of polarization was found to be only inducible via complete degradation of the Rho-GTPases Rho and Cdc42, suggesting that polarization is fairly stable once it is established. Comparison of our computational predictions against data from in vitro experiments in which we induced EMT in renal epithelial cells while quantifying the relative Rho-GTPase levels, displayed that EMT coincides with a large reduction in the Rho-GTPase Rho. Collectively, these results demonstrate the essential roles of integrins and Rho-GTPases in the establishment and disruption of apical-basal polarity and thereby provide handles for the in vitro or in vivo regulation of polarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria J. Hagelaars
- Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Milica Nikolic
- Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Maud Vermeulen
- Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Sylvia Dekker
- Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Carlijn V. C. Bouten
- Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Loerakker
- Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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Park JA, Youm Y, Lee HR, Lee Y, Barron SL, Kwak T, Park GT, Song YC, Owens RM, Kim JH, Jung S. Transfer-Tattoo-Like Cell-Sheet Delivery Induced by Interfacial Cell Migration. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2204390. [PMID: 36066995 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202204390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A direct transfer of a cell sheet from a culture surface to a target tissue is introduced. Commercially available, flexible parylene is used as the culture surface, and it is proposed that the UV-treated parylene offers adequate and intermediate levels of cell adhesiveness for both the stable cell attachment during culture and for the efficient cell transfer to a target surface. The versatility of this cell-transfer process is demonstrated with various cell types, including MRC-5, HDFn, HULEC-5a, MC3T3-E1, A549, C2C12 cells, and MDCK-II cells. The novel cell-sheet engineering is based on a mechanism of interfacial cell migration between two surfaces with different adhesion preferences. Monitoring of cytoskeletal dynamics and drug treatments during the cell-transfer process reveals that the interfacial cell migration occurs by utilizing the existing transmembrane proteins on the cell surface to bind to the targeted surface. The re-establishment and reversal of cell polarity after the transfer process are also identified. Its unique capabilities of 3D multilayer stacking, freeform design, and curved surface application are demonstrated. Finally, the therapeutic potential of the cell-sheet delivery system is demonstrated by applying it to cutaneous wound healing and skin-tissue regeneration in mice models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju An Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0AS, UK
| | - Yejin Youm
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwa-Rim Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongwoo Lee
- Department of Convergence IT Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Sarah L Barron
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0AS, UK
| | - Taejeong Kwak
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyu Tae Park
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Cheol Song
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Róisín M Owens
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0AS, UK
| | - Jae Ho Kim
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungjune Jung
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
- Department of Convergence IT Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
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Lacueva-Aparicio A, Lindoso RS, Mihăilă SM, Giménez I. Role of extracellular matrix components and structure in new renal models in vitro. Front Physiol 2022; 13:1048738. [PMID: 36569770 PMCID: PMC9767975 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1048738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM), a complex set of fibrillar proteins and proteoglycans, supports the renal parenchyma and provides biomechanical and biochemical cues critical for spatial-temporal patterning of cell development and acquisition of specialized functions. As in vitro models progress towards biomimicry, more attention is paid to reproducing ECM-mediated stimuli. ECM's role in in vitro models of renal function and disease used to investigate kidney injury and regeneration is discussed. Availability, affordability, and lot-to-lot consistency are the main factors determining the selection of materials to recreate ECM in vitro. While simpler components can be synthesized in vitro, others must be isolated from animal or human tissues, either as single isolated components or as complex mixtures, such as Matrigel or decellularized formulations. Synthetic polymeric materials with dynamic and instructive capacities are also being explored for cell mechanical support to overcome the issues with natural products. ECM components can be used as simple 2D coatings or complex 3D scaffolds combining natural and synthetic materials. The goal is to recreate the biochemical signals provided by glycosaminoglycans and other signaling molecules, together with the stiffness, elasticity, segmentation, and dimensionality of the original kidney tissue, to support the specialized functions of glomerular, tubular, and vascular compartments. ECM mimicking also plays a central role in recent developments aiming to reproduce renal tissue in vitro or even in therapeutical strategies to regenerate renal function. Bioprinting of renal tubules, recellularization of kidney ECM scaffolds, and development of kidney organoids are examples. Future solutions will probably combine these technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alodia Lacueva-Aparicio
- Renal and Cardiovascular Physiopathology (FISIOPREN), Aragon’s Health Sciences Institute, Zaragoza, Spain,Tissue Microenvironment Lab (TME Lab), I3A, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Rafael Soares Lindoso
- Carlos Chagas Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Silvia M. Mihăilă
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ignacio Giménez
- Renal and Cardiovascular Physiopathology (FISIOPREN), Aragon’s Health Sciences Institute, Zaragoza, Spain,Institute for Health Research Aragon (IIS Aragon), Zaragoza, Spain,School of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain,*Correspondence: Ignacio Giménez,
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