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Ball NJ, Ghimire S, Follain G, Pajari AO, Wurzinger D, Vaitkevičiūtė M, Cowell AR, Berki B, Ivaska J, Paatero I, Goult BT, Jacquemet G. TLNRD1 is a CCM complex component and regulates endothelial barrier integrity. J Cell Biol 2024; 223:e202310030. [PMID: 39013281 PMCID: PMC11252447 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202310030] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
We previously identified talin rod domain-containing protein 1 (TLNRD1) as a potent actin-bundling protein in vitro. Here, we report that TLNRD1 is expressed in the vasculature in vivo. Its depletion leads to vascular abnormalities in vivo and modulation of endothelial cell monolayer integrity in vitro. We demonstrate that TLNRD1 is a component of the cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM) complex through its direct interaction with CCM2, which is mediated by a hydrophobic C-terminal helix in CCM2 that attaches to a hydrophobic groove on the four-helix domain of TLNRD1. Disruption of this binding interface leads to CCM2 and TLNRD1 accumulation in the nucleus and actin fibers. Our findings indicate that CCM2 controls TLNRD1 localization to the cytoplasm and inhibits its actin-bundling activity and that the CCM2-TLNRD1 interaction impacts endothelial actin stress fiber and focal adhesion formation. Based on these results, we propose a new pathway by which the CCM complex modulates the actin cytoskeleton and vascular integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil J. Ball
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sujan Ghimire
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Gautier Follain
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Ada O. Pajari
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Diana Wurzinger
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Monika Vaitkevičiūtė
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Bence Berki
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Johanna Ivaska
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Western Finnish Cancer Center (FICAN West), University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Foundation for the Finnish Cancer Institute, Helsinki, Finland
- InFLAMES Research Flagship Center, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Ilkka Paatero
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Benjamin T. Goult
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Guillaume Jacquemet
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- InFLAMES Research Flagship Center, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- Turku Bioimaging, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
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2
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Wyetzner RH, Segal EX, Jussila AR, Atit RP. Topographical changes in extracellular matrix during skin fibrosis and recovery can be evaluated using automated image analysis algorithms. FEBS Lett 2024. [PMID: 39054263 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Skin fibrosis is characterized by fibroblast activation and intradermal fat loss, resulting in excess deposition and remodeling of dermal extracellular matrix (ECM). The topography of the dominant ECM proteins, such as collagens, can indicate skin stiffness and remains understudied in evaluating fibrotic skin. Here, we adapted two different unbiased image analysis algorithms to define collagen topography and alignment in a genetically inducible and reversible Wnt activation fibrosis model. We demonstrated that Wnt-activated fibrotic skin has altered collagen fiber characteristics and a loss of collagen alignment, which were restored in the reversible model. This study highlights how unbiased algorithms can be used to analyze ECM topography, providing novel avenues to evaluate fibrotic skin onset, recovery, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel H Wyetzner
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ella X Segal
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Anna R Jussila
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Radhika P Atit
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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3
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Aggarwal N, Marsh R, Marcotti S, Shaw TJ, Stramer B, Cox S, Culley S. Characterisation and correction of polarisation effects in fluorescently labelled fibres. J Microsc 2024. [PMID: 38682883 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.13308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Many biological structures take the form of fibres and filaments, and quantitative analysis of fibre organisation is important for understanding their functions in both normal physiological conditions and disease. In order to visualise these structures, fibres can be fluorescently labelled and imaged, with specialised image analysis methods available for quantifying the degree and strength of fibre alignment. Here we show that fluorescently labelled fibres can display polarised emission, with the strength of this effect varying depending on structure and fluorophore identity. This can bias automated analysis of fibre alignment and mask the true underlying structural organisation. We present a method for quantifying and correcting these polarisation effects without requiring polarisation-resolved microscopy and demonstrate its efficacy when applied to images of fluorescently labelled collagen gels, allowing for more reliable characterisation of fibre microarchitecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandini Aggarwal
- Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Richard Marsh
- Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Stefania Marcotti
- Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Tanya J Shaw
- Centre for Inflammation Biology & Cancer Immunology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Brian Stramer
- Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Susan Cox
- Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Siân Culley
- Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK
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4
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McGowan SE, Gilfanov N, Chandurkar MK, Stiber JA, Han SJ. Drebrin is Required for Myosin-facilitated Actin Cytoskeletal Remodeling during Pulmonary Alveolar Development. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2024; 70:308-321. [PMID: 38271699 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2023-0229oc] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Alveolar septation increases gas-exchange surface area and requires coordinated cytoskeletal rearrangement in lung fibroblasts (LFs) to balance the demands of contraction and cell migration. We hypothesized that DBN (drebrin), a modulator of the actin cytoskeleton in neuronal dendrites, regulates the remodeling of the LF cytoskeleton. Using mice bearing a transgelin-Cre-targeted deletion of Dbn in pulmonary fibroblasts and pericytes, we examined alterations in alveolar septal outgrowth, LF spreading and migration, and actomyosin function. The alveolar surface area and number of alveoli were reduced, whereas alveolar ducts were enlarged, in mice bearing the dbn deletion (DBNΔ) compared with their littermates bearing only one dbn-Flox allele (control). Cultured DBNΔ LFs were deficient in their responses to substrate rigidity and migrated more slowly. Drebrin was abundant in the actin cortex and lamella, and the actin fiber orientation was less uniform in lamella of DBNΔ LFs, which limited the development of traction forces and altered focal adhesion dynamics. Actin fiber orientation is regulated by contractile NM2 (nonmuscle myosin-2) motors, which help arrange actin stress fibers into thick ventral actin stress fibers. Using fluorescence anisotropy, we observed regional intracellular differences in myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation in control LFs that were altered by dbn deletion. Using perturbations to induce and then release stalling of NM2 on actin in LFs from both genotypes, we made predictions explaining how DBN interacts with actin and NM2. These studies provide new insight for diseases such as emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis, in which fibroblasts inappropriately respond to mechanical cues in their environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen E McGowan
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa
- Department of Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | | | - Mohanish K Chandurkar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan
| | - Jonathan A Stiber
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; and
| | - Sangyoon J Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan
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5
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Taale M, Schamberger B, Monclus MA, Dolle C, Taheri F, Mager D, Eggeler YM, Korvink JG, Molina-Aldareguia JM, Selhuber-Unkel C, Lantada AD, Islam M. Microarchitected Compliant Scaffolds of Pyrolytic Carbon for 3D Muscle Cell Growth. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2303485. [PMID: 38150609 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202303485] [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: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
The integration of additive manufacturing technologies with the pyrolysis of polymeric precursors enables the design-controlled fabrication of architected 3D pyrolytic carbon (PyC) structures with complex architectural details. Despite great promise, their use in cellular interaction remains unexplored. This study pioneers the utilization of microarchitected 3D PyC structures as biocompatible scaffolds for the colonization of muscle cells in a 3D environment. PyC scaffolds are fabricated using micro-stereolithography, followed by pyrolysis. Furthermore, an innovative design strategy using revolute joints is employed to obtain novel, compliant structures of architected PyC. The pyrolysis process results in a pyrolysis temperature- and design-geometry-dependent shrinkage of up to 73%, enabling the geometrical features of microarchitected compatible with skeletal muscle cells. The stiffness of architected PyC varies with the pyrolysis temperature, with the highest value of 29.57 ± 0.78 GPa for 900 °C. The PyC scaffolds exhibit excellent biocompatibility and yield 3D cell colonization while culturing skeletal muscle C2C12 cells. They further induce good actin fiber alignment along the compliant PyC construction. However, no conclusive myogenic differentiation is observed here. Nevertheless, these results are highly promising for architected PyC scaffolds as multifunctional tissue implants and encourage more investigations in employing compliant architected PyC structures for high-performance tissue engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammadreza Taale
- Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials (IMSEAM), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Barbara Schamberger
- Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials (IMSEAM), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Christian Dolle
- Microscopy of Nanoscale Structures and Mechanisms (MNM), Laboratory for Electron Microscopy (LEM), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Engesserstr. 7, D-76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Fereydoon Taheri
- Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials (IMSEAM), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dario Mager
- Institute of Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Yolita M Eggeler
- Microscopy of Nanoscale Structures and Mechanisms (MNM), Laboratory for Electron Microscopy (LEM), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Engesserstr. 7, D-76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Jan G Korvink
- Institute of Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Jon M Molina-Aldareguia
- IMDEA Materials Institute, Eric Kandel, 2, Getafe, 28906, Spain
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, José Gutierréz Abascal, 2, Madrid, 28006, Spain
| | - Christine Selhuber-Unkel
- Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials (IMSEAM), Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 225, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrés Díaz Lantada
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, José Gutierréz Abascal, 2, Madrid, 28006, Spain
| | - Monsur Islam
- IMDEA Materials Institute, Eric Kandel, 2, Getafe, 28906, Spain
- Institute of Microstructure Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
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6
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Feng X, Molteni H, Gregory M, Lanza J, Polsani N, Gupta I, Wyetzner R, Hawkins MB, Holmes G, Hopyan S, Harris MP, Atit RP. Apical expansion of calvarial osteoblasts and suture patency is dependent on fibronectin cues. Development 2024; 151:dev202371. [PMID: 38602508 PMCID: PMC11165720 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202371] [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: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
The skull roof, or calvaria, is comprised of interlocking plates of bones that encase the brain. Separating these bones are fibrous sutures that permit growth. Currently, we do not understand the instructions for directional growth of the calvaria, a process which is error-prone and can lead to skeletal deficiencies or premature suture fusion (craniosynostosis, CS). Here, we identify graded expression of fibronectin (FN1) in the mouse embryonic cranial mesenchyme (CM) that precedes the apical expansion of calvaria. Conditional deletion of Fn1 or Wasl leads to diminished frontal bone expansion by altering cell shape and focal actin enrichment, respectively, suggesting defective migration of calvarial progenitors. Interestingly, Fn1 mutants have premature fusion of coronal sutures. Consistently, syndromic forms of CS in humans exhibit dysregulated FN1 expression, and we also find FN1 expression altered in a mouse CS model of Apert syndrome. These data support a model of FN1 as a directional substrate for calvarial osteoblast migration that may be a common mechanism underlying many cranial disorders of disparate genetic etiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Feng
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Helen Molteni
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Megan Gregory
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Jennifer Lanza
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Nikaya Polsani
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Isha Gupta
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Rachel Wyetzner
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - M. Brent Hawkins
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Department of Orthopedics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Greg Holmes
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Sevan Hopyan
- Department of Developmental Biology, Hospital for Sick Kids, Toronto ON, M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Matthew P. Harris
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Department of Orthopedics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Radhika P. Atit
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences and Genetics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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7
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Faleeva M, Ahmad S, Theofilatos K, Lynham S, Watson G, Whitehead M, Marhuenda E, Iskratsch T, Cox S, Shanahan CM. Sox9 Accelerates Vascular Aging by Regulating Extracellular Matrix Composition and Stiffness. Circ Res 2024; 134:307-324. [PMID: 38179698 PMCID: PMC10826924 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.123.323365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular calcification and increased extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness are hallmarks of vascular aging. Sox9 (SRY-box transcription factor 9) has been implicated in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) osteo/chondrogenic conversion; however, its relationship with aging and calcification has not been studied. METHODS Immunohistochemistry was performed on human aortic samples from young and aged patients. Young and senescent primary human VSMCs were induced to produce ECM, and Sox9 expression was manipulated using adenoviral overexpression and depletion. ECM properties were characterized using atomic force microscopy and proteomics, and VSMC phenotype on hydrogels and the ECM were examined using confocal microscopy. RESULTS In vivo, Sox9 was not spatially associated with vascular calcification but correlated with the senescence marker p16 (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A). In vitro Sox9 showed mechanosensitive responses with increased expression and nuclear translocation in senescent cells and on stiff matrices. Sox9 was found to regulate ECM stiffness and organization by orchestrating changes in collagen (Col) expression and reducing VSMC contractility, leading to the formation of an ECM that mirrored that of senescent cells. These ECM changes promoted phenotypic modulation of VSMCs, whereby senescent cells plated on ECM synthesized from cells depleted of Sox9 returned to a proliferative state, while proliferating cells on a matrix produced by Sox9 expressing cells showed reduced proliferation and increased DNA damage, reiterating features of senescent cells. LH3 (procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 3) was identified as an Sox9 target and key regulator of ECM stiffness. LH3 is packaged into extracellular vesicles and Sox9 promotes extracellular vesicle secretion, leading to increased LH3 deposition within the ECM. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the crucial role of ECM structure and composition in regulating VSMC phenotype. We identify a positive feedback cycle, whereby cellular senescence and increased ECM stiffening promote Sox9 expression, which, in turn, drives further ECM modifications to further accelerate stiffening and senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Faleeva
- British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (M.F., S.A., K.T., G.W., M.W., C.M.S.) King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Sadia Ahmad
- British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (M.F., S.A., K.T., G.W., M.W., C.M.S.) King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Konstantinos Theofilatos
- British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (M.F., S.A., K.T., G.W., M.W., C.M.S.) King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Steven Lynham
- Proteomics Facility, Centre of Excellence for Mass Spectrometry (S.L.) King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriel Watson
- British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (M.F., S.A., K.T., G.W., M.W., C.M.S.) King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Meredith Whitehead
- British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (M.F., S.A., K.T., G.W., M.W., C.M.S.) King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Emilie Marhuenda
- School of Engineering and Material Science, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom (E.M., T.I.)
| | - Thomas Iskratsch
- School of Engineering and Material Science, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom (E.M., T.I.)
| | - Susan Cox
- Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine (S.C.) King’s College London, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine M. Shanahan
- British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre of Research Excellence, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences (M.F., S.A., K.T., G.W., M.W., C.M.S.) King’s College London, United Kingdom
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8
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Phillips TA, Marcotti S, Cox S, Parsons M. Imaging actin organisation and dynamics in 3D. J Cell Sci 2024; 137:jcs261389. [PMID: 38236161 PMCID: PMC10906668 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261389] [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] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The actin cytoskeleton plays a critical role in cell architecture and the control of fundamental processes including cell division, migration and survival. The dynamics and organisation of F-actin have been widely studied in a breadth of cell types on classical two-dimensional (2D) surfaces. Recent advances in optical microscopy have enabled interrogation of these cytoskeletal networks in cells within three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds, tissues and in vivo. Emerging studies indicate that the dimensionality experienced by cells has a profound impact on the structure and function of the cytoskeleton, with cells in 3D environments exhibiting cytoskeletal arrangements that differ to cells in 2D environments. However, the addition of a third (and fourth, with time) dimension leads to challenges in sample preparation, imaging and analysis, necessitating additional considerations to achieve the required signal-to-noise ratio and spatial and temporal resolution. Here, we summarise the current tools for imaging actin in a 3D context and highlight examples of the importance of this in understanding cytoskeletal biology and the challenges and opportunities in this domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A. Phillips
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, New Hunts House, Guys Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Stefania Marcotti
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, New Hunts House, Guys Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
- Microscopy Innovation Centre, King's College London, Guys Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Susan Cox
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, New Hunts House, Guys Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Maddy Parsons
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, New Hunts House, Guys Campus, London SE1 1UL, UK
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9
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Jahin I, Phillips T, Marcotti S, Gorey MA, Cox S, Parsons M. Extracellular matrix stiffness activates mechanosensitive signals but limits breast cancer cell spheroid proliferation and invasion. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1292775. [PMID: 38125873 PMCID: PMC10731024 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1292775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is characterized by physical changes that occur in the tumor microenvironment throughout growth and metastasis of tumors. Extracellular matrix stiffness increases as tumors develop and spread, with stiffer environments thought to correlate with poorer disease prognosis. Changes in extracellular stiffness and other physical characteristics are sensed by integrins which integrate these extracellular cues to intracellular signaling, resulting in modulation of proliferation and invasion. However, the co-ordination of mechano-sensitive signaling with functional changes to groups of tumor cells within 3-dimensional environments remains poorly understood. Here we provide evidence that increasing the stiffness of collagen scaffolds results in increased activation of ERK1/2 and YAP in human breast cancer cell spheroids. We also show that ERK1/2 acts upstream of YAP activation in this context. We further demonstrate that YAP, matrix metalloproteinases and actomyosin contractility are required for collagen remodeling, proliferation and invasion in lower stiffness scaffolds. However, the increased activation of these proteins in higher stiffness 3-dimensional collagen gels is correlated with reduced proliferation and reduced invasion of cancer cell spheroids. Our data collectively provide evidence that higher stiffness 3-dimensional environments induce mechano-signaling but contrary to evidence from 2-dimensional studies, this is not sufficient to promote pro-tumorigenic effects in breast cancer cell spheroids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Maddy Parsons
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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10
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Esmaeili M, Norouzi S, George K, Rezvan G, Taheri-Qazvini N, Sadati M. 3D Printing-Assisted Self-Assembly to Bio-Inspired Bouligand Nanostructures. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2206847. [PMID: 36732856 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202206847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Architected materials with nano/microscale orders can provide superior mechanical properties; however, reproducing such levels of ordering in complex structures has remained challenging. Inspired by Bouligand structures in nature, here, 3D printing of complex geometries with guided long-order radially twisted chiral hierarchy, using cellulose nanocrystals (CNC)-based inks is presented. Detailed rheological measurements, in situ flow analysis, polarized optical microscopy (POM), and director field analysis are employed to evaluate the chiral assembly over the printing process. It is demonstrated that shear flow forces inside the 3D printer's nozzle orient individual CNC particles forming a pseudo-nematic phase that relaxes to uniformly aligned concentric chiral nematic structures after the flow cessation. Acrylamide, a photo-curable monomer, is incorporated to arrest the concentric chiral arrangements within the printed filaments. The time series POM snapshots show that adding the photo-curable monomer at the optimized concentrations does not interfere with chiral self-assemblies and instead increases the chiral relaxation rate. Due to the liquid-like nature of the as-printed inks, optimized Carbopol microgels are used to support printed filaments before photo-polymerization. By paving the path towards developing bio-inspired materials with nanoscale hierarchies in larger-scale printed constructs, this biomimetic approach expands 3D printing materials beyond what has been realized so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Esmaeili
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Sepideh Norouzi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Kyle George
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Gelareh Rezvan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Nader Taheri-Qazvini
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
- Biomedical Engineering Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Monirosadat Sadati
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
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11
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Timin G, Milinkovitch MC. High-resolution confocal and light-sheet imaging of collagen 3D network architecture in very large samples. iScience 2023; 26:106452. [PMID: 37020961 PMCID: PMC10067766 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Although notoriously difficult, imaging collagen network architecture, a key element affecting tissue mechanical properties, is of paramount importance in developmental and cancer biology. Here, we introduce a simple and robust method of whole-mount collagen staining with the 'Fast Green' dye that provides unmatched visualization of collagen 3D network architecture, via confocal or light-sheet microscopy, compatible with solvent-based tissue clearing and immunostaining.
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12
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Kugler E, Bravo I, Durmishi X, Marcotti S, Beqiri S, Carrington A, Stramer B, Mattar P, MacDonald RB. GliaMorph: a modular image analysis toolkit to quantify Müller glial cell morphology. Development 2023; 150:dev201008. [PMID: 36625162 PMCID: PMC10110500 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201008] [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: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Cell morphology is crucial for all cell functions. This is particularly true for glial cells as they rely on complex shape to contact and support neurons. However, methods to quantify complex glial cell shape accurately and reproducibly are lacking. To address this, we developed the image analysis pipeline 'GliaMorph'. GliaMorph is a modular analysis toolkit developed to perform (1) image pre-processing, (2) semi-automatic region-of-interest selection, (3) apicobasal texture analysis, (4) glia segmentation, and (5) cell feature quantification. Müller glia (MG) have a stereotypic shape linked to their maturation and physiological status. Here, we characterized MG on three levels: (1) global image-level, (2) apicobasal texture, and (3) regional apicobasal vertical-to-horizontal alignment. Using GliaMorph, we quantified MG development on a global and single-cell level, showing increased feature elaboration and subcellular morphological rearrangement in the zebrafish retina. As proof of principle, we analysed expression changes in a mouse glaucoma model, identifying subcellular protein localization changes in MG. Together, these data demonstrate that GliaMorph enables an in-depth understanding of MG morphology in the developing and diseased retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Kugler
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath St, Greater London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Isabel Bravo
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath St, Greater London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Xhuljana Durmishi
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath St, Greater London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Stefania Marcotti
- Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, New Hunt's House, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Sara Beqiri
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath St, Greater London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Alicia Carrington
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath St, Greater London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Brian Stramer
- Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, New Hunt's House, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Pierre Mattar
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Ryan B. MacDonald
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath St, Greater London EC1V 9EL, UK
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13
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Endzhievskaya S, Hsu CK, Yang HS, Huang HY, Lin YC, Hong YK, Lee JYW, Onoufriadis A, Takeichi T, Yu-Yun Lee J, Shaw TJ, McGrath JA, Parsons M. Loss of RhoE Function in Dermatofibroma Promotes Disorganized Dermal Fibroblast Extracellular Matrix and Increased Integrin Activation. J Invest Dermatol 2023:S0022-202X(23)00075-1. [PMID: 36774976 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Dermatofibromas (DFs) are common, benign fibrous skin tumors that can occur at any skin site. In most cases, DFs are solitary and sporadic, but a few are multiple and familial, and the mechanisms leading to these lesions are currently unclear. Using exome sequencing, we have identified a heterozygous variant in a pedigree with autosomal dominant multiple familial DF within RND3 (c.692C>T,p.T231M) that encodes for the small GTPase RhoE, a regulator of the actin cytoskeleton. Expression of T231M-RhoE or RhoE depletion using CRISPR in human dermal fibroblasts increased proliferation and adhesion to extracellular matrix through enhanced β1 integrin activation and more disorganized matrix. The enzyme PLOD2 was identified as a binding partner for RhoE, and the formation of this complex was disrupted by T231M-RhoE. PLOD2 promotes collagen cross-linking and activation of β1 integrins, and depleting PLOD2 in T231M-RhoE-expressing cells reduced T231M-RhoE-mediated β1 integrin activation and led to increased matrix alignment. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed reduced expression of RhoE but increased expression of PLOD2 in the dermis of DF skin samples compared with that of the controls. Our data show that loss of RhoE function leads to increased PLOD2 activation, enhancing integrin activation and leading to a disorganized extracellular matrix, contributing to DF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Endzhievskaya
- Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chao-Kai Hsu
- Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; International Center of Wound Repair and Regeneration, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-San Yang
- Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yu Huang
- Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chen Lin
- Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Kai Hong
- Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - John Y W Lee
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alexandros Onoufriadis
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Takuya Takeichi
- Department of Dermatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Julia Yu-Yun Lee
- Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Tanya J Shaw
- Centre for Inflammation Biology & Cancer Immunology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - John A McGrath
- St John's Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maddy Parsons
- Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
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14
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de Vries JJ, Laan DM, Frey F, Koenderink GH, de Maat MPM. A systematic review and comparison of automated tools for quantification of fibrous networks. Acta Biomater 2023; 157:263-274. [PMID: 36509400 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Fibrous networks are essential structural components of biological and engineered materials. Accordingly, many approaches have been developed to quantify their structural properties, which define their material properties. However, a comprehensive overview and comparison of methods is lacking. Therefore, we systematically searched for automated tools quantifying network characteristics in confocal, stimulated emission depletion (STED) or scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and compared these tools by applying them to fibrin, a prototypical fibrous network in thrombi. Structural properties of fibrin such as fiber diameter and alignment are clinically relevant, since they influence the risk of thrombosis. Based on a systematic comparison of the automated tools with each other, manual measurements, and simulated networks, we provide guidance to choose appropriate tools for fibrous network quantification depending on imaging modality and structural parameter. These tools are often able to reliably measure relative changes in network characteristics, but absolute numbers should be interpreted with care. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Structural properties of fibrous networks define material properties of many biological and engineered materials. Many methods exist to automatically quantify structural properties, but an overview and comparison is lacking. In this work, we systematically searched for all publicly available automated analysis tools that can quantify structural properties of fibrous networks. Next, we compared them by applying them to microscopy images of fibrin networks. We also benchmarked the automated tools against manual measurements or synthetic images. As a result, we give advice on which automated analysis tools to use for specific structural properties. We anticipate that researchers from a large variety of fields, ranging from thrombosis and hemostasis to cancer research, and materials science, can benefit from our work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith J de Vries
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daphne M Laan
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Felix Frey
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Gijsje H Koenderink
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Moniek P M de Maat
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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15
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Feng X, Molteni H, Gregory M, Lanza J, Polsani N, Wyetzner R, Hawkins MB, Holmes G, Hopyan S, Harris MP, Atit RP. Apical expansion of calvarial osteoblasts and suture patency is dependent on graded fibronectin cues. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.16.524278. [PMID: 36711975 PMCID: PMC9882209 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.16.524278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The skull roof, or calvaria, is comprised of interlocking plates of bone. Premature suture fusion (craniosynostosis, CS) or persistent fontanelles are common defects in calvarial development. Although some of the genetic causes of these disorders are known, we lack an understanding of the instructions directing the growth and migration of progenitors of these bones, which may affect the suture patency. Here, we identify graded expression of Fibronectin (FN1) protein in the mouse embryonic cranial mesenchyme (CM) that precedes the apical expansion of calvarial osteoblasts. Syndromic forms of CS exhibit dysregulated FN1 expression, and we find FN1 expression is altered in a mouse CS model as well. Conditional deletion of Fn1 in CM causes diminished frontal bone expansion by altering cell polarity and shape. To address how osteoprogenitors interact with the observed FN1 prepattern, we conditionally ablate Wasl/N-Wasp to disrupt F-actin junctions in migrating cells, impacting lamellipodia and cell-matrix interaction. Neural crest-targeted deletion of Wasl results in a diminished actin network and reduced expansion of frontal bone primordia similar to conditional Fn1 mutants. Interestingly, defective calvaria formation in both the Fn1 and Wasl mutants occurs without a significant change in proliferation, survival, or osteogenesis. Finally, we find that CM-restricted Fn1 deletion leads to premature fusion of coronal sutures. These data support a model of FN1 as a directional substrate for calvarial osteoblast migration that may be a common mechanism underlying many cranial disorders of disparate genetic etiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Feng
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland Ohio, USA
| | - Helen Molteni
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland Ohio, USA
| | - Megan Gregory
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland Ohio, USA
| | - Jennifer Lanza
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland Ohio, USA
| | - Nikaya Polsani
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland Ohio, USA
| | - Rachel Wyetzner
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland Ohio, USA
| | - M Brent Hawkins
- Dept of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Dept. of Orthopedics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Greg Holmes
- Dept. of _Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sevan Hopyan
- Dept. of Developmental Biology, Hospital for Sick Kids, Toronto, Canada
| | - Matthew P Harris
- Dept of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Dept. of Orthopedics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Radhika P Atit
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland Ohio, USA
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16
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Nelson MS, Liu Y, Wilson HM, Li B, Rosado-Mendez IM, Rogers JD, Block WF, Eliceiri KW. Multiscale Label-Free Imaging of Fibrillar Collagen in the Tumor Microenvironment. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2614:187-235. [PMID: 36587127 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2914-7_13] [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: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
With recent advances in cancer therapeutics, there is a great need for improved imaging methods for characterizing cancer onset and progression in a quantitative and actionable way. Collagen, the most abundant extracellular matrix protein in the tumor microenvironment (and the body in general), plays a multifaceted role, both hindering and promoting cancer invasion and progression. Collagen deposition can defend the tumor with immunosuppressive effects, while aligned collagen fiber structures can enable tumor cell migration, aiding invasion and metastasis. Given the complex role of collagen fiber organization and topology, imaging has been a tool of choice to characterize these changes on multiple spatial scales, from the organ and tumor scale to cellular and subcellular level. Macroscale density already aids in the detection and diagnosis of solid cancers, but progress is being made to integrate finer microscale features into the process. Here we review imaging modalities ranging from optical methods of second harmonic generation (SHG), polarized light microscopy (PLM), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to the medical imaging approaches of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These methods have enabled scientists and clinicians to better understand the impact collagen structure has on the tumor environment, at both the bulk scale (density) and microscale (fibrillar structure) levels. We focus on imaging methods with the potential to both examine the collagen structure in as natural a state as possible and still be clinically amenable, with an emphasis on label-free strategies, exploiting intrinsic optical properties of collagen fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Nelson
- Center for Quantitative Cell Imaging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Yuming Liu
- Center for Quantitative Cell Imaging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Helen M Wilson
- Center for Quantitative Cell Imaging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Bin Li
- Center for Quantitative Cell Imaging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Ivan M Rosado-Mendez
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jeremy D Rogers
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, USA.,McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Walter F Block
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kevin W Eliceiri
- Center for Quantitative Cell Imaging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA. .,Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, USA. .,Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA. .,McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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17
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Charlton SGV, Kurz DL, Geisel S, Jimenez-Martinez J, Secchi E. The role of biofilm matrix composition in controlling colony expansion and morphology. Interface Focus 2022; 12:20220035. [PMID: 36330326 PMCID: PMC9560791 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2022.0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilms are biological viscoelastic gels composed of bacterial cells embedded in a self-secreted polymeric extracellular matrix (ECM). In environmental settings, such as in the rhizosphere and phyllosphere, biofilm colonization occurs at the solid-air interface. The biofilms' ability to colonize and expand over these surfaces depends on the formation of osmotic gradients and ECM viscoelastic properties. In this work, we study the influence of biofilm ECM components on its viscoelasticity and expansion, using the model organism Bacillus subtilis and deletion mutants of its three major ECM components, TasA, EPS and BslA. Using a multi-scale approach, we quantified macro-scale viscoelasticity and expansion dynamics. Furthermore, we used a microsphere assay to visualize the micro-scale expansion patterns. We find that the viscoelastic phase angle Φ is likely the best viscoelastic parameter correlating to biofilm expansion dynamics. Moreover, we quantify the sensitivity of the biofilm to changes in substrate water potential as a function of ECM composition. Finally, we find that the deletion of ECM components significantly increases the coherence of micro-scale colony expansion patterns. These results demonstrate the influence of ECM viscoelasticity and substrate water potential on the expansion of biofilm colonies on wet surfaces at the air-solid interface, commonly found in natural environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel G. V. Charlton
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Dorothee L. Kurz
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department Water Resources and Drinking Water, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Eawag, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Steffen Geisel
- Department of Materials, Soft Materials, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Joaquin Jimenez-Martinez
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department Water Resources and Drinking Water, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Eawag, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Eleonora Secchi
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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18
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Basu A, Paul MK, Weiss S. The actin cytoskeleton: Morphological changes in pre- and fully developed lung cancer. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2022; 3:041304. [PMID: 38505516 PMCID: PMC10903407 DOI: 10.1063/5.0096188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Actin, a primary component of the cell cytoskeleton can have multiple isoforms, each of which can have specific properties uniquely suited for their purpose. These monomers are then bound together to form polymeric filaments utilizing adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis as a source of energy. Proteins, such as Arp2/3, VASP, formin, profilin, and cofilin, serve important roles in the polymerization process. These filaments can further be linked to form stress fibers by proteins called actin-binding proteins, such as α-actinin, myosin, fascin, filamin, zyxin, and epsin. These stress fibers are responsible for mechanotransduction, maintaining cell shape, cell motility, and intracellular cargo transport. Cancer metastasis, specifically epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is one of the key steps of the process, is accompanied by the formation of thick stress fibers through the Rho-associated protein kinase, MAPK/ERK, and Wnt pathways. Recently, with the advent of "field cancerization," pre-malignant cells have also been demonstrated to possess stress fibers and related cytoskeletal features. Analytical methods ranging from western blot and RNA-sequencing to cryo-EM and fluorescent imaging have been employed to understand the structure and dynamics of actin and related proteins including polymerization/depolymerization. More recent methods involve quantifying properties of the actin cytoskeleton from fluorescent images and utilizing them to study biological processes, such as EMT. These image analysis approaches exploit the fact that filaments have a unique structure (curvilinear) compared to the noise or other artifacts to separate them. Line segments are extracted from these filament images that have assigned lengths and orientations. Coupling such methods with statistical analysis has resulted in development of a new reporter for EMT in lung cancer cells as well as their drug responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shimon Weiss
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
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19
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Tersigni C, Maulucci G, Castellani R, Bianchetti G, Onori M, Franco R, Barbaro G, De Spirito M, Lanzone A, Scambia G, Di Simone N. Enoxaparin Increases D6 Receptor Expression and Restores Cytoskeleton Organization in Trophoblast Cells from Preeclampsia. Cells 2022; 11:cells11132036. [PMID: 35805120 PMCID: PMC9265963 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
D6 is a scavenger receptor for CC chemokines expressed in the human placenta. It prevents excessive leukocyte tissue infiltration by internalizing chemokines through cytoskeleton-dependent intracellular transport. In preeclampsia (PE), the D6 receptor is overexpressed in trophoblast cells, but functionally impaired, due to cytoskeleton destructuring. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) represents a potential treatment for PE based on its anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we investigated the effect of enoxaparin on D6 expression, and cytoskeleton organization primary cytotrophoblast cell cultures were obtained from the placentae of women with PE (n = 9) or uncomplicated pregnancy (n = 9). We demonstrated that enoxaparin is able to (i) increase D6 expression, and (ii) improve cytoskeletal fiber alignment in trophoblast cells from PE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Tersigni
- U.O.C. di Ostetricia e Patologia Ostetrica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, L. go A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.O.); (A.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-063-015-7546
| | - Giuseppe Maulucci
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Biofisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L. go Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (G.B.); (M.D.S.)
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, L. go A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Castellani
- Istituto di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy; (R.C.); (R.F.); (G.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Giada Bianchetti
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Biofisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L. go Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (G.B.); (M.D.S.)
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, L. go A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Marianna Onori
- U.O.C. di Ostetricia e Patologia Ostetrica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, L. go A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.O.); (A.L.)
| | - Rita Franco
- Istituto di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy; (R.C.); (R.F.); (G.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Greta Barbaro
- Istituto di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy; (R.C.); (R.F.); (G.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Marco De Spirito
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Biofisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L. go Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (G.B.); (M.D.S.)
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, L. go A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Lanzone
- U.O.C. di Ostetricia e Patologia Ostetrica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, L. go A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (M.O.); (A.L.)
- Istituto di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy; (R.C.); (R.F.); (G.B.); (G.S.)
| | - Giovanni Scambia
- Istituto di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy; (R.C.); (R.F.); (G.B.); (G.S.)
- U.O.C. di Ginecologia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, L. go A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Di Simone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Italy;
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
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20
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Basu A, Paul MK, Alioscha-Perez M, Grosberg A, Sahli H, Dubinett SM, Weiss S. Statistical parametrization of cell cytoskeleton reveals lung cancer cytoskeletal phenotype with partial EMT signature. Commun Biol 2022; 5:407. [PMID: 35501466 PMCID: PMC9061773 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03358-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial–mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a multi-step process that involves cytoskeletal rearrangement. Here, developing and using an image quantification tool, Statistical Parametrization of Cell Cytoskeleton (SPOCC), we have identified an intermediate EMT state with a specific cytoskeletal signature. We have been able to partition EMT into two steps: (1) initial formation of transverse arcs and dorsal stress fibers and (2) their subsequent conversion to ventral stress fibers with a concurrent alignment of fibers. Using the Orientational Order Parameter (OOP) as a figure of merit, we have been able to track EMT progression in live cells as well as characterize and quantify their cytoskeletal response to drugs. SPOCC has improved throughput and is non-destructive, making it a viable candidate for studying a broad range of biological processes. Further, owing to the increased stiffness (and by inference invasiveness) of the intermediate EMT phenotype compared to mesenchymal cells, our work can be instrumental in aiding the search for future treatment strategies that combat metastasis by specifically targeting the fiber alignment process. A computational method for automated quantification of actin stress fiber alignment in fluorescence images of cultured cells is presented, used to detect changes in stress fiber organization during EMT, with pathways regulating actin dynamics manipulated leading to the discovery of a cytoskeletal phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkaprabha Basu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Manash K Paul
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angles, CA, USA.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mitchel Alioscha-Perez
- Electronics and Informatics Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Anna Grosberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.,The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Hichem Sahli
- Electronics and Informatics Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Steven M Dubinett
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angles, CA, USA.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,California NanoSystems Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shimon Weiss
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,California NanoSystems Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Department of Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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