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Zhu M, Gu B, Thomas EC, Huang Y, Kim YK, Tao H, Yung TM, Chen X, Zhang K, Woolaver EK, Nevin MR, Huang X, Winklbauer R, Rossant J, Sun Y, Hopyan S. A fibronectin gradient remodels mixed-phase mesoderm. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadl6366. [PMID: 39028807 PMCID: PMC11259159 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl6366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Physical processes ultimately shape tissue during development. Two emerging proposals are that cells migrate toward stiffer tissue (durotaxis) and that the extent of cell rearrangements reflects tissue phase, but it is unclear whether and how these concepts are related. Here, we identify fibronectin-dependent tissue stiffness as a control variable that underlies and unifies these phenomena in vivo. In murine limb bud mesoderm, cells are either caged, move directionally, or intercalate as a function of their location along a stiffness gradient. A modified Landau phase equation that incorporates tissue stiffness accurately predicts cell diffusivity upon loss or gain of fibronectin. Fibronectin is regulated by WNT5A-YAP feedback that controls cell movements, tissue shape, and skeletal pattern. The results identify a key determinant of phase transition and show how fibronectin-dependent directional cell movement emerges in a mixed-phase environment in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhu
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Bin Gu
- Department of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, and Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Evan C. Thomas
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Yunyun Huang
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Yun-Kyo Kim
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Hirotaka Tao
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Theodora M. Yung
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Xin Chen
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Kaiwen Zhang
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Elizabeth K. Woolaver
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Mikaela R. Nevin
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Xi Huang
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Rudolph Winklbauer
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Janet Rossant
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G5, Canada
| | - Sevan Hopyan
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
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2
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Antonaci M, Kerr A, Lawrence M, Lorenzini F, Narwade N, Paka C, Wulf AM. Neural crest development and disorders: from patient to model system and back again - the NEUcrest conference. Biol Open 2024; 13:bio060530. [PMID: 38874999 PMCID: PMC11190565 DOI: 10.1242/bio.060530] [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: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The neural crest (NC) is an embryonic multipotent and transitory population of cells that appears during late gastrulation/early neurulation in the developing embryos of vertebrate organisms. Often called "the fourth germ layer", the NC is characterised by incredible mobility, which allows the NC cells to migrate throughout the whole embryo, giving rise to an astonishing number of different derivatives in the adult organism, such as craniofacial skeleton, adrenal gland, enteric nervous system and melanocytes. Because of these properties, neurocristopathies (NCPs), which is the term used to classify genetic diseases associated with NC developmental defects, are often syndromic and, taken all together, are the most common type of genetic disease. The NEUcrest consortium is an EU funded innovative training network (ITN) that aims to study the NC and NCPs. In March 2024, the early stage researchers (ESRs) in the NEUcrest consortium organised an in-person conference for well-established and early career researchers to discuss new advances in the NC and NCPs field, starting from the induction of the NC, and then moving on to migration and differentiation processes they undergo. The conference focused heavily on NCPs associated with each of these steps. The conference also included events, such as a round table to discuss the future of the NC research, plus a talk by a person living with an NCP. This 3-day conference aimed to bring together the past, present and future of this field to try and unravel the mysteries of this unique cell population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Antonaci
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR7 7TJ, UK
| | - Amy Kerr
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR7 7TJ, UK
| | - Merin Lawrence
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Biomedical Sciences Building, Second Floor North, Newcastle Road, Galway, H91 W2TY, Ireland
| | - Francesca Lorenzini
- Experimental Cancer Biology Laboratory, CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Nitin Narwade
- Cell plasticity in development and disease Unit, Instituto de Neurociencias, CSIC-UMH, Sant Joan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain
| | - Chloé Paka
- STEMCELL Technologies UK Ltd, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anna Magdalena Wulf
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, UK
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Chatzi D, Kyriakoudi SA, Dermitzakis I, Manthou ME, Meditskou S, Theotokis P. Clinical and Genetic Correlation in Neurocristopathies: Bridging a Precision Medicine Gap. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2223. [PMID: 38673496 PMCID: PMC11050951 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13082223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurocristopathies (NCPs) encompass a spectrum of disorders arising from issues during the formation and migration of neural crest cells (NCCs). NCCs undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and upon key developmental gene deregulation, fetuses and neonates are prone to exhibit diverse manifestations depending on the affected area. These conditions are generally rare and often have a genetic basis, with many following Mendelian inheritance patterns, thus making them perfect candidates for precision medicine. Examples include cranial NCPs, like Goldenhar syndrome and Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome; cardiac-vagal NCPs, such as DiGeorge syndrome; truncal NCPs, like congenital central hypoventilation syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome; and enteric NCPs, such as Hirschsprung disease. Additionally, NCCs' migratory and differentiating nature makes their derivatives prone to tumors, with various cancer types categorized based on their NCC origin. Representative examples include schwannomas and pheochromocytomas. This review summarizes current knowledge of diseases arising from defects in NCCs' specification and highlights the potential of precision medicine to remedy a clinical phenotype by targeting the genotype, particularly important given that those affected are primarily infants and young children.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Paschalis Theotokis
- Department of Histology-Embryology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (D.C.); (S.A.K.); (I.D.); (M.E.M.); (S.M.)
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4
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Pillai EK, Franze K. Mechanics in the nervous system: From development to disease. Neuron 2024; 112:342-361. [PMID: 37967561 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Physical forces are ubiquitous in biological processes across scales and diverse contexts. This review highlights the significance of mechanical forces in nervous system development, homeostasis, and disease. We provide an overview of mechanical signals present in the nervous system and delve into mechanotransduction mechanisms translating these mechanical cues into biochemical signals. During development, mechanical cues regulate a plethora of processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, network formation, and cortex folding. Forces then continue exerting their influence on physiological processes, such as neuronal activity, glial cell function, and the interplay between these different cell types. Notably, changes in tissue mechanics manifest in neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumors, potentially offering new diagnostic and therapeutic target opportunities. Understanding the role of cellular forces and tissue mechanics in nervous system physiology and pathology adds a new facet to neurobiology, shedding new light on many processes that remain incompletely understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva K Pillai
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK; Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstraße 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany; Developmental Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstraße 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Kristian Franze
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK; Institute of Medical Physics and Microtissue Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestraße 91, 91052 Erlangen, Germany; Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Kussmaulallee 1, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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5
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Marchello R, Colombi A, Preziosi L, Giverso C. A non local model for cell migration in response to mechanical stimuli. Math Biosci 2024; 368:109124. [PMID: 38072125 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2023.109124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Cell migration is one of the most studied phenomena in biology since it plays a fundamental role in many physiological and pathological processes such as morphogenesis, wound healing and tumorigenesis. In recent years, researchers have performed experiments showing that cells can migrate in response to mechanical stimuli of the substrate they adhere to. Motion towards regions of the substrate with higher stiffness is called durotaxis, while motion guided by the stress or the deformation of the substrate itself is called tensotaxis. Unlike chemotaxis (i.e. the motion in response to a chemical stimulus), these migratory processes are not yet fully understood from a biological point of view. In this respect, we present a mathematical model of single-cell migration in response to mechanical stimuli, in order to simulate these two processes. Specifically, the cell moves by changing its direction of polarization and its motility according to material properties of the substrate (e.g., stiffness) or in response to proper scalar measures of the substrate strain or stress. The equations of motion of the cell are non-local integro-differential equations, with the addition of a stochastic term to account for random Brownian motion. The mechanical stimulus to be integrated in the equations of motion is defined according to experimental measurements found in literature, in the case of durotaxis. Conversely, in the case of tensotaxis, substrate strain and stress are given by the solution of the mechanical problem, assuming that the extracellular matrix behaves as a hyperelastic Yeoh's solid. In both cases, the proposed model is validated through numerical simulations that qualitatively reproduce different experimental scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Marchello
- Mathematics Area, SISSA (International School for Advanced Studies), Via Bonomea 265, Trieste, 34136, Italy
| | - Annachiara Colombi
- Department of Mathematical Sciences G. L. Lagrange, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Torino, 10129, Italy
| | - Luigi Preziosi
- Department of Mathematical Sciences G. L. Lagrange, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Torino, 10129, Italy
| | - Chiara Giverso
- Department of Mathematical Sciences G. L. Lagrange, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Torino, 10129, Italy.
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6
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Boutillon A. Organizing collective cell migration through guidance by followers. C R Biol 2023; 346:117-126. [PMID: 38095130 DOI: 10.5802/crbiol.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Morphogenesis, wound healing, and some cancer metastases rely on the collective migration of groups of cells. In these processes, guidance and coordination between cells and tissues are critical. While strongly adherent epithelial cells have to move collectively, loosely organized mesenchymal cells can migrate as individual cells. Nevertheless, many of them migrate collectively. This article summarizes how migratory reactions to cell-cell contacts, also called "contact regulation of locomotion" behaviors, organize mesenchymal collective cell migration. It focuses on one recently discovered mechanism called "guidance by followers", through which a cell is oriented by its immediate followers. In the gastrulating zebrafish embryo, during embryonic axis elongation, this phenomenon is responsible for the collective migration of the leading tissue, the polster, and its guidance by the following posterior axial mesoderm. Such guidance of migrating cells by followers ensures long-range coordination of movements and developmental robustness. Along with other "contact regulation of locomotion" behaviors, this mechanism contributes to organizing collective migration of loose populations of cells.
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7
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Barriga EH, Alasaadi DN, Mencarelli C, Mayor R, Pichaud F. RanBP1 plays an essential role in directed migration of neural crest cells during development. Dev Biol 2022; 492:79-86. [PMID: 36206829 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.09.010] [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: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Collective cell migration is essential for embryonic development, tissue regeneration and repair, and has been implicated in pathological conditions such as cancer metastasis. It is, in part, directed by external cues that promote front-to-rear polarity in individual cells. However, our understanding of the pathways that underpin the directional movement of cells in response to external cues remains incomplete. To examine this issue we made use of neural crest cells (NC), which migrate as a collective during development to generate vital structures including bones and cartilage. Using a candidate approach, we found an essential role for Ran-binding protein 1 (RanBP1), a key effector of the nucleocytoplasmic transport pathway, in enabling directed migration of these cells. Our results indicate that RanBP1 is required for establishing front-to-rear polarity, so that NCs are able to chemotax. Moreover, our work suggests that RanBP1 function in chemotaxis involves the polarity kinase LKB1/PAR4. We envisage that regulated nuclear export of LKB1 through Ran/RanBP1 is a key regulatory step required for establishing front-to-rear polarity and thus chemotaxis, during NC collective migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias H Barriga
- Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom; Mechanisms of Morphogenesis Lab, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia, Oeiras, 2780-156, Portugal
| | - Delan N Alasaadi
- Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Chiara Mencarelli
- Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Roberto Mayor
- Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
| | - Franck Pichaud
- Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
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8
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Marchant CL, Malmi-Kakkada AN, Espina JA, Barriga EH. Cell clusters softening triggers collective cell migration in vivo. NATURE MATERIALS 2022; 21:1314-1323. [PMID: 35970965 PMCID: PMC9622418 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-022-01323-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Embryogenesis, tissue repair and cancer metastasis rely on collective cell migration. In vitro studies propose that cells are stiffer while migrating in stiff substrates, but softer when plated in compliant surfaces which are typically considered as non-permissive for migration. Here we show that cells within clusters from embryonic tissue dynamically decrease their stiffness in response to the temporal stiffening of their native substrate to initiate collective cell migration. Molecular and mechanical perturbations of embryonic tissues reveal that this unexpected mechanical response involves a mechanosensitive pathway relying on Piezo1-mediated microtubule deacetylation. We further show that decreasing microtubule acetylation and consequently cluster stiffness is sufficient to trigger collective cell migration in soft non-permissive substrates. This suggests that reaching an optimal cluster-to-substrate stiffness ratio is essential to trigger the onset of this collective process. Overall, these in vivo findings challenge the current understanding of collective cell migration and its physiological and pathological roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian L Marchant
- Mechanisms of Morphogenesis Laboratory, Gulbenkian Institute of Science (IGC), Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Abdul N Malmi-Kakkada
- Computational Biological Physics Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and Physics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Jaime A Espina
- Mechanisms of Morphogenesis Laboratory, Gulbenkian Institute of Science (IGC), Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Elias H Barriga
- Mechanisms of Morphogenesis Laboratory, Gulbenkian Institute of Science (IGC), Oeiras, Portugal.
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9
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Wolf K, Friedl P. Steering from the rear. NATURE MATERIALS 2022; 21:1104-1105. [PMID: 36151462 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-022-01357-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Wolf
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Peter Friedl
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- David H. Koch Center for Applied Research of Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
- Cancer Genomics Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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10
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Ventura G, Sedzinski J. Emerging concepts on the mechanical interplay between migrating cells and microenvironment in vivo. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:961460. [PMID: 36238689 PMCID: PMC9551290 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.961460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During embryogenesis, tissues develop into elaborate collectives through a myriad of active mechanisms, with cell migration being one of the most common. As cells migrate, they squeeze through crowded microenvironments to reach the positions where they ultimately execute their function. Much of our knowledge of cell migration has been based on cells’ ability to navigate in vitro and how cells respond to the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM). These simplified and largely passive surroundings contrast with the complexity of the tissue environments in vivo, where different cells and ECM make up the milieu cells migrate in. Due to this complexity, comparatively little is known about how the physical interactions between migrating cells and their tissue environment instruct cell movement in vivo. Work in different model organisms has been instrumental in addressing this question. Here, we explore various examples of cell migration in vivo and describe how the physical interplay between migrating cells and the neighboring microenvironment controls cell behavior. Understanding this mechanical cooperation in vivo will provide key insights into organ development, regeneration, and disease.
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11
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Feiner N, Brun-Usan M, Andrade P, Pranter R, Park S, Menke DB, Geneva AJ, Uller T. A single locus regulates a female-limited color pattern polymorphism in a reptile. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm2387. [PMID: 35263124 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm2387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Animal coloration is often expressed in periodic patterns that can arise from differential cell migration, yet how these processes are regulated remains elusive. We show that a female-limited polymorphism in dorsal patterning (diamond/chevron) in the brown anole is controlled by a single Mendelian locus. This locus contains the gene CCDC170 that is adjacent to, and coexpressed with, the Estrogen receptor-1 gene, explaining why the polymorphism is female limited. CCDC170 is an organizer of the Golgi-microtubule network underlying a cell's ability to migrate, and the two segregating alleles encode structurally different proteins. Our agent-based modeling of skin development demonstrates that, in principle, a change in cell migratory behaviors is sufficient to switch between the two morphs. These results suggest that CCDC170 might have been co-opted as a switch between color patterning morphs, likely by modulating cell migratory behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pedro Andrade
- CIBIO/InBIO Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Robin Pranter
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sungdae Park
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Douglas B Menke
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Anthony J Geneva
- Department of Biology and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Rutgers University-Camden, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Tobias Uller
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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12
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Mierke CT. Viscoelasticity, Like Forces, Plays a Role in Mechanotransduction. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:789841. [PMID: 35223831 PMCID: PMC8864183 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.789841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Viscoelasticity and its alteration in time and space has turned out to act as a key element in fundamental biological processes in living systems, such as morphogenesis and motility. Based on experimental and theoretical findings it can be proposed that viscoelasticity of cells, spheroids and tissues seems to be a collective characteristic that demands macromolecular, intracellular component and intercellular interactions. A major challenge is to couple the alterations in the macroscopic structural or material characteristics of cells, spheroids and tissues, such as cell and tissue phase transitions, to the microscopic interferences of their elements. Therefore, the biophysical technologies need to be improved, advanced and connected to classical biological assays. In this review, the viscoelastic nature of cytoskeletal, extracellular and cellular networks is presented and discussed. Viscoelasticity is conceptualized as a major contributor to cell migration and invasion and it is discussed whether it can serve as a biomarker for the cells’ migratory capacity in several biological contexts. It can be hypothesized that the statistical mechanics of intra- and extracellular networks may be applied in the future as a powerful tool to explore quantitatively the biomechanical foundation of viscoelasticity over a broad range of time and length scales. Finally, the importance of the cellular viscoelasticity is illustrated in identifying and characterizing multiple disorders, such as cancer, tissue injuries, acute or chronic inflammations or fibrotic diseases.
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13
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Wu Z, Xie S, Kang Y, Shan X, Li Q, Cai Z. Biocompatibility evaluation of a 3D-bioprinted alginate-GelMA-bacteria nanocellulose (BNC) scaffold laden with oriented-growth RSC96 cells. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2021; 129:112393. [PMID: 34579912 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.112393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injury can cause various degrees of damage to the morphological structure and physiological function of the peripheral nerve. At present, compared with "gold standard" autologous nerve transplantation, tissue engineering has certain potential for regeneration and growth; however, achieving oriented guidance is still a challenge. In this study, we used 3D bioprinting to construct a nerve scaffold of RSC96 cells wrapped in sodium alginate/gelatin methacrylate (GelMA)/bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) hydrogel. The 5% sodium alginate+5% GelMA+0.3% BNC group had the thinnest lines among all groups after printing, indicating that the inherent shape of the scaffold could be maintained after adding BNC. Physical and chemical property testing (Fourier transform infrared, rheometer, conductivity, and compression modulus) showed that the 5% alginate+5% GelMA+0.3% BNC group had better mechanical and rheological properties. Live/dead cell staining showed that no mass cell death was observed on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 after printing. In the 5% alginate+5% GelMA group, the cells grew and formed linear connections in the scaffold. This phenomenon was more obvious in the 5% alginate+5% GelMA+0.3% BNC group. In the 5% alginate+5% GelMA+0.3% BNC group, S-100β immunofluorescence staining and cytoskeleton staining showed oriented growth. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array results showed that mRNA levels of related neurofactors ASCL1, POU3F3, NEUROG1, DLL1, NOTCH1 and ERBB2 in the 5%GelMA+0.3%BNC group were higher than those of other groups. Four weeks after implantation in nude mice, RSC96 cells grew and proliferated well, blood vessels grew, and S-100β immunofluorescence was positive. These results indicate that a 3D-bioprinted sodium alginate/GelMA/BNC composite scaffold can improve cell-oriented growth, adhesion and the expression of related factors. This 3D-bioprinted composite scaffold has good biocompatibility and is expected to become a new type of scaffold material in the field of neural tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongxi Wu
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Beijing, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, Beijing, China
| | - Shang Xie
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Beijing, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, Beijing, China
| | - Yifan Kang
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Beijing, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaofeng Shan
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Beijing, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Beijing, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, Beijing, China; Center of Digital Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhigang Cai
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Beijing, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Digital and Material Technology of Stomatology, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, Beijing, China.
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Cole A, Buckler S, Marcucci J, Artemenko Y. Differential Roles of Actin Crosslinking Proteins Filamin and α-Actinin in Shear Flow-Induced Migration of Dictyostelium discoideum. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:743011. [PMID: 34485315 PMCID: PMC8415421 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.743011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Shear flow-induced migration is an important physiological phenomenon experienced by multiple cell types, including leukocytes and cancer cells. However, molecular mechanisms by which cells sense and directionally migrate in response to mechanical perturbation are not well understood. Dictyostelium discoideum social amoeba, a well-established model for studying amoeboid-type migration, also exhibits directional motility when exposed to shear flow, and this behavior is preceded by rapid and transient activation of the same signal transduction network that is activated by chemoattractants. The initial response, which can also be observed following brief 2 s stimulation with shear flow, requires an intact actin cytoskeleton; however, what aspect of the cytoskeletal network is responsible for sensing and/or transmitting the signal is unclear. We investigated the role of actin crosslinkers filamin and α-actinin by analyzing initial shear flow-stimulated responses in cells with or without these proteins. Both filamin and α-actinin showed rapid and transient relocalization from the cytosol to the cortex following shear flow stimulation. Using spatiotemporal analysis of Ras GTPase activation as a readout of signal transduction network activity, we demonstrated that lack of α-actinin did not reduce, and, in fact, slightly improved the response to acute mechanical stimulation compared to cells expressing α-actinin. In contrast, shear flow-induced Ras activation was significantly more robust in filamin-null cells rescued with filamin compared to cells expressing empty vector. Reduced responsiveness appeared to be specific to mechanical stimuli and was not due to a change in the basal activity since response to global stimulation with a chemoattractant and random migration was comparable between cells with or without filamin. Finally, while filamin-null cells rescued with filamin efficiently migrated upstream when presented with continuous flow, cells lacking filamin were defective in directional migration. Overall, our study suggests that filamin, but not α-actinin, is involved in sensing and/or transmitting mechanical stimuli that drive directed migration; however, other components of the actin cytoskeleton likely also contribute to the initial response since filamin-null cells were still able to activate the signal transduction network. These findings could have implications for our fundamental understanding of shear flow-induced migration of leukocytes, cancer cells and other amoeboid-type cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Cole
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York Oswego, Oswego, NY, United States
| | - Sarah Buckler
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York Oswego, Oswego, NY, United States
| | - Jack Marcucci
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York Oswego, Oswego, NY, United States
| | - Yulia Artemenko
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York Oswego, Oswego, NY, United States
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15
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Avoiding tensional equilibrium in cells migrating on a matrix with cell-scale stiffness-heterogeneity. Biomaterials 2021; 274:120860. [PMID: 34004486 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular stresses affect various cell functions, including proliferation, differentiation and movement, which are dynamically modulated in migrating cells through continuous cell-shaping and remodeling of the cytoskeletal architecture induced by spatiotemporal interactions with extracellular matrix stiffness. When cells migrate on a matrix with cell-scale stiffness-heterogeneity, which is a common situation in living tissues, what intracellular stress dynamics (ISD) emerge? In this study, to explore this issue, finite element method-based traction force microscopy was applied to cells migrating on microelastically patterned gels. Two model systems of microelastically patterned gels (stiff/soft stripe and stiff triangular patterns) were designed to characterize the effects of a spatial constraint on cell-shaping and of the presence of different types of cues to induce competing cellular taxis (usual and reverse durotaxis) on the ISD, respectively. As the main result, the prolonged fluctuation of traction stress on a whole-cell scale was markedly enhanced on single cell-size triangular stiff patterns compared with homogeneous gels. Such ISD enhancement was found to be derived from the interplay between the nomadic migration of cells to regions with different degrees of stiffness and domain shape-dependent traction force dynamics, which should be an essential factor for keeping cells far from tensional equilibrium.
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16
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Espina JA, Marchant CL, Barriga EH. Durotaxis: the mechanical control of directed cell migration. FEBS J 2021; 289:2736-2754. [PMID: 33811732 PMCID: PMC9292038 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Directed cell migration is essential for cells to efficiently migrate in physiological and pathological processes. While migrating in their native environment, cells interact with multiple types of cues, such as mechanical and chemical signals. The role of chemical guidance via chemotaxis has been studied in the past, the understanding of mechanical guidance of cell migration via durotaxis remained unclear until very recently. Nonetheless, durotaxis has become a topic of intensive research and several advances have been made in the study of mechanically guided cell migration across multiple fields. Thus, in this article we provide a state of the art about durotaxis by discussing in silico, in vitro and in vivo data. We also present insights on the general mechanisms by which cells sense, transduce and respond to environmental mechanics, to then contextualize these mechanisms in the process of durotaxis and explain how cells bias their migration in anisotropic substrates. Furthermore, we discuss what is known about durotaxis in vivo and we comment on how haptotaxis could arise from integrating durotaxis and chemotaxis in native environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime A Espina
- Mechanisms of Morphogenesis Lab, Gulbenkian Institute of Science (IGC), Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Cristian L Marchant
- Mechanisms of Morphogenesis Lab, Gulbenkian Institute of Science (IGC), Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Elias H Barriga
- Mechanisms of Morphogenesis Lab, Gulbenkian Institute of Science (IGC), Oeiras, Portugal
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