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Yuan T, Zhan W, Terzano M, Holzapfel GA, Dini D. A comprehensive review on modeling aspects of infusion-based drug delivery in the brain. Acta Biomater 2024; 185:1-23. [PMID: 39032668 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.07.015] [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: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Brain disorders represent an ever-increasing health challenge worldwide. While conventional drug therapies are less effective due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier, infusion-based methods of drug delivery to the brain represent a promising option. Since these methods are mechanically controlled and involve multiple physical phases ranging from the neural and molecular scales to the brain scale, highly efficient and precise delivery procedures can significantly benefit from a comprehensive understanding of drug-brain and device-brain interactions. Behind these interactions are principles of biophysics and biomechanics that can be described and captured using mathematical models. Although biomechanics and biophysics have received considerable attention, a comprehensive mechanistic model for modeling infusion-based drug delivery in the brain has yet to be developed. Therefore, this article reviews the state-of-the-art mechanistic studies that can support the development of next-generation models for infusion-based brain drug delivery from the perspective of fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, and mathematical modeling. The supporting techniques and database are also summarized to provide further insights. Finally, the challenges are highlighted and perspectives on future research directions are provided. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Despite the immense potential of infusion-based drug delivery methods for bypassing the blood-brain barrier and efficiently delivering drugs to the brain, achieving optimal drug distribution remains a significant challenge. This is primarily due to our limited understanding of the complex interactions between drugs and the brain that are governed by principles of biophysics and biomechanics, and can be described using mathematical models. This article provides a comprehensive review of state-of-the-art mechanistic studies that can help to unravel the mechanism of drug transport in the brain across the scales, which underpins the development of next-generation models for infusion-based brain drug delivery. More broadly, this review will serve as a starting point for developing more effective treatments for brain diseases and mechanistic models that can be used to study other soft tissue and biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Yuan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
| | - Wenbo Zhan
- School of Engineering, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, UK
| | - Michele Terzano
- Institute of Biomechanics, Graz University of Technology, Austria
| | - Gerhard A Holzapfel
- Institute of Biomechanics, Graz University of Technology, Austria; Department of Structural Engineering, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Daniele Dini
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
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2
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Yuan J, Wang Z, Dong J, Gao M, Yang F, Sun H. Effect of resveratrol on SH-SY5Y cells studied by atomic force microscopy. Micron 2024; 177:103577. [PMID: 38141333 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2023.103577] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, the effects of resveratrol on the viability, morphology, biomechanics and bioelectricity of SH-SY5Y cells were studied by atomic force microscopy. MTT assay showed that resveratrol had a dose effect on SH-SY5Y cells, and its activity was related to drug concentration and drug action time. With the increase of resveratrol concentration or the extension of action time, the activity of SH-SY5Y cells decreased obviously. Atomic force microscope (AFM) was employed to quantitatively analyze the physical changes of cells. AFM study shows that resveratrol can transform SH-SY5Y cells from spindle to sphere, and increase the cell height and decrease the cell adhesion. Also, the elastic modulus increases under the action of low concentration of resveratrol decreases under the action of high concentration of resveratrol, and the electric signal decreases. This study reveals the impact of resveratrol on SH-SY5Y cells from the biological and biophysical perspectives, which is helpful for a more comprehensive understanding of the interaction mechanism between resveratrol and SH-SY5Y cells. These techniques have potential applications in evaluating the effects of chemical substances on cells and screening targeted drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayao Yuan
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China; Centre for Opto/Bio-Nano Measurement and Manufacturing, Zhongshan Institute of Changchun University of Science and Technology, Zhongshan, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Cross-Scale Micro and Nano Manufacturing, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
| | - Zuobin Wang
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China; Centre for Opto/Bio-Nano Measurement and Manufacturing, Zhongshan Institute of Changchun University of Science and Technology, Zhongshan, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Cross-Scale Micro and Nano Manufacturing, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China; JR3CN & IRAC, University of Bedfordshire, Luton, UK.
| | - Jianjun Dong
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China; Centre for Opto/Bio-Nano Measurement and Manufacturing, Zhongshan Institute of Changchun University of Science and Technology, Zhongshan, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Cross-Scale Micro and Nano Manufacturing, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
| | - Mingyan Gao
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China; Centre for Opto/Bio-Nano Measurement and Manufacturing, Zhongshan Institute of Changchun University of Science and Technology, Zhongshan, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Cross-Scale Micro and Nano Manufacturing, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
| | - Fan Yang
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China; Centre for Opto/Bio-Nano Measurement and Manufacturing, Zhongshan Institute of Changchun University of Science and Technology, Zhongshan, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Cross-Scale Micro and Nano Manufacturing, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
| | - Hao Sun
- International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China; Centre for Opto/Bio-Nano Measurement and Manufacturing, Zhongshan Institute of Changchun University of Science and Technology, Zhongshan, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Cross-Scale Micro and Nano Manufacturing, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
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3
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Lei M, Wang W, Zhang H, Gong J, Wang Z, Cai H, Yang X, Wang S, Ma C. Cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion regulated by Piezo1 is critical for stiffness-dependent DRG neuron aggregation. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113522. [PMID: 38048221 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113522] [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: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The dorsal root ganglion (DRG) is characterized by the dense clustering of primary sensory neuron bodies, with their axons extending to target tissues for sensory perception. The close physical proximity of DRG neurons facilitates the integration and amplification of somatosensation, ensuring normal physiological functioning. However, the mechanism underlying DRG neuron aggregation was unclear. In our study, we culture DRG neurons from newborn rats on substrates with varying stiffness and observe that the aggregation of DRG neurons is influenced by mechanical signals arising from substrate stiffness. Moreover, we identify Piezo1 as the mechanosensor responsible for DRG neurons' ability to sense different substrate stiffness. We further demonstrate that the Piezo1-calpain-integrin-β1/E-cadherin signaling cascade regulates the aggregation of DRG neurons. These findings deepen our understanding of the mechanisms involved in histogenesis and potential disease development, as mechanical signals arising from substrate stiffness play a crucial role in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengshi Lei
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Weiyou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Jihong Gong
- Key Laboratory of Cognitive Science, Laboratory of Membrane Ion Channels and Medicine, College of Biomedical Engineering, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhili Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Hanmian Cai
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Xiaofei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Cognitive Science, Laboratory of Membrane Ion Channels and Medicine, College of Biomedical Engineering, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Cong Ma
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.
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4
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Kolmogorov V, Erofeev A, Vaneev A, Gorbacheva L, Kolesov D, Klyachko N, Korchev Y, Gorelkin P. Scanning Ion-Conductance Microscopy for Studying Mechanical Properties of Neuronal Cells during Local Delivery of Glutamate. Cells 2023; 12:2428. [PMID: 37887273 PMCID: PMC10604991 DOI: 10.3390/cells12202428] [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: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanical properties of neuronal cells have a key role for growth, generation of traction forces, adhesion, migration, etc. Mechanical properties are regulated by chemical signaling, neurotransmitters, and neuronal ion exchange. Disturbance of chemical signaling is accompanied by several diseases such as ischemia, trauma, and neurodegenerative diseases. It is known that the disturbance of chemical signaling, like that caused by glutamate excitotoxicity, leads to the structural reorganization of the cytoskeleton of neuronal cells and the deviation of native mechanical properties. Thus, to investigate the mechanical properties of living neuronal cells in the presence of glutamate, it is crucial to use noncontact and low-stress methods, which are the advantages of scanning ion-conductance microscopy (SICM). Moreover, a nanopipette may be used for the local delivery of small molecules as well as for a probe. In this work, SICM was used as an advanced technique for the simultaneous local delivery of glutamate and investigation of living neuronal cell morphology and mechanical behavior caused by an excitotoxic effect of glutamate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasilii Kolmogorov
- Research Laboratory of Biophysics, National University of Science and Technology “MISIS”, Moscow 119049, Russia
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Alexander Erofeev
- Research Laboratory of Biophysics, National University of Science and Technology “MISIS”, Moscow 119049, Russia
| | - Alexander Vaneev
- Research Laboratory of Biophysics, National University of Science and Technology “MISIS”, Moscow 119049, Russia
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Lyubov Gorbacheva
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- Faculty of Biomedicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Dmitry Kolesov
- Research Laboratory of SPM, Moscow Polytechnic University, Moscow 107023, Russia
| | - Natalia Klyachko
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Yuri Korchev
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, UK
- Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Petr Gorelkin
- Research Laboratory of Biophysics, National University of Science and Technology “MISIS”, Moscow 119049, Russia
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5
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Sajid N. Topography and mechanical measurements of primary Schwann cells and neuronal cells with atomic force microscope for understanding and controlling nerve growth. Micron 2023; 167:103427. [PMID: 36805164 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2023.103427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injuries require a piece of substantial information for a satisfactory treatment. The prior peripheral nerve injury knowledge, can improve nerve repair, and its growth at molecular and cellular level. In this study, we employed an atomic force microscope (AFM) to investigate the topography and mechanical properties of the primary Schwann cells and neuronal cells. Tapping mode images and contact points force-volume maps provide the cells topography. Two different probes were used to acquire the micro and nanomechanical properties of the primary Schwann cells, NG-108-15 neuronal cells, and growth cones. Moreover, the sharp probe was only used to investigate neurites nanomechanics. A significant difference in the elastic moduli found between primary Schwann cells, and neuronal cells, with both probes, with consistent results. The elastic moduli of the growth cones were found higher, than the neuronal cells and primary Schwann cells, with both probes. Furthermore, the modulus variations were also found between neurites. These results have significant implications for a better understanding of the peripheral nerve system (PNS) in terms of defining the optimal pattern surface and nerve guidance conduits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nusrat Sajid
- Department of Physics, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Lahore 54000, Pakistan.
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Li D, Li J, Hu J, Tang M, Xiu P, Guo Y, Chen T, Mu N, Wang L, Zhang X, Liang G, Wang H, Fan C. Nanomechanical Profiling of Aβ42 Oligomer-Induced Biological Changes in Single Hippocampus Neurons. ACS NANO 2023; 17:5517-5527. [PMID: 36881017 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c10861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how Aβ42 oligomers induce changes in neurons from a mechanobiological perspective has important implications in neuronal dysfunction relevant to neurodegenerative diseases. However, it remains challenging to profile the mechanical responses of neurons and correlate the mechanical signatures to the biological properties of neurons given the structural complexity of cells. Here, we quantitatively investigate the nanomechanical properties of primary hippocampus neurons upon exposure to Aβ42 oligomers at the single neuron level by using atomic force microscopy (AFM). We develop a method termed heterogeneity-load-unload nanomechanics (HLUN), which exploits the AFM force spectra in the whole loading-unloading cycle, allowing comprehensive profiling of the mechanical properties of living neurons. We extract four key nanomechanical parameters, including the apparent Young's modulus, cell spring constant, normalized hysteresis, and adhesion work, that serve as the nanomechanical signatures of neurons treated with Aβ42 oligomers. These parameters are well-correlated with neuronal height increase, cortical actin filament strengthening, and calcium concentration elevation. Thus, we establish an HLUN method-based AFM nanomechanical analysis tool for single neuron study and build an effective correlation between the nanomechanical profile of the single neurons and the biological effects triggered by Aβ42 oligomers. Our finding provides useful information on the dysfunction of neurons from the mechanobiological perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Li
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
- Center of Super-resolution Optics and Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Jiang Li
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Zhangjiang Laboratory, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201204, China
| | - Jiao Hu
- Center of Super-resolution Optics and Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Mingjie Tang
- Center of Super-resolution Optics and Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Peng Xiu
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Yunchang Guo
- Yihuang (Wuxi) Spectrum Measurement & Control Co., Ltd., Wuxi 214024, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tunan Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Ning Mu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Lihua Wang
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Zhangjiang Laboratory, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201204, China
| | - Xuehua Zhang
- Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G1H9, Alberta, Canada
| | - Guizhao Liang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Huabin Wang
- Center of Super-resolution Optics and Chongqing Engineering Research Center of High-Resolution and Three-Dimensional Dynamic Imaging Technology, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
- Chongqing School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Chunhai Fan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200024, China
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7
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Saito-Diaz K, Dietrich P, Wu HF, Sun X, Patel AJ, Wzientek CG, Prudden AR, Boons GJ, Chen S, Studer L, Xu B, Dragatsis I, Zeltner N. Genipin Crosslinks the Extracellular Matrix to Rescue Developmental and Degenerative Defects, and Accelerates Regeneration of Peripheral Neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.22.533831. [PMID: 36993570 PMCID: PMC10055431 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.22.533831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is essential for proper body function. A high percentage of the population suffer nerve degeneration or peripheral damage. For example, over 40% of patients with diabetes or undergoing chemotherapy develop peripheral neuropathies. Despite this, there are major gaps in the knowledge of human PNS development and therefore, there are no available treatments. Familial Dysautonomia (FD) is a devastating disorder that specifically affects the PNS making it an ideal model to study PNS dysfunction. FD is caused by a homozygous point mutation in ELP1 leading to developmental and degenerative defects in the sensory and autonomic lineages. We previously employed human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to show that peripheral sensory neurons (SNs) are not generated efficiently and degenerate over time in FD. Here, we conducted a chemical screen to identify compounds able to rescue this SN differentiation inefficiency. We identified that genipin, a compound prescribed in Traditional Chinese Medicine for neurodegenerative disorders, restores neural crest and SN development in FD, both in the hPSC model and in a FD mouse model. Additionally, genipin prevented FD neuronal degeneration, suggesting that it could be offered to patients suffering from PNS neurodegenerative disorders. We found that genipin crosslinks the extracellular matrix, increases the stiffness of the ECM, reorganizes the actin cytoskeleton, and promotes transcription of YAP-dependent genes. Finally, we show that genipin enhances axon regeneration in an in vitro axotomy model in healthy sensory and sympathetic neurons (part of the PNS) and in prefrontal cortical neurons (part of the central nervous system, CNS). Our results suggest genipin can be used as a promising drug candidate for treatment of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases, and as a enhancer of neuronal regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenyi Saito-Diaz
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens GA, USA
| | - Paula Dietrich
- Department of Physiology, The University of Tennessee, Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Hsueh-Fu Wu
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens GA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens GA, USA
| | - Xin Sun
- College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens GA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Geert-Jan Boons
- Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Shuibing Chen
- Department of Surgery and Department of Biochemistry at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lorenz Studer
- Center for Stem Cell Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Developmental Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bingqian Xu
- College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens GA, USA
| | - Ioannis Dragatsis
- Department of Physiology, The University of Tennessee, Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Nadja Zeltner
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens GA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens GA, USA
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens GA, USA
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O'Connor C, Woods I, Hibbitts A, Dervan A, O'Brien FJ. The Manufacture and Characterization of Biomimetic, Biomaterial-Based Scaffolds for Studying Physicochemical Interactions of Neural Cells in 3D Environments. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e688. [PMID: 36811383 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
A particular challenge to the field of neuroscience involves translating findings from 2D in vitro systems to 3D in vivo environments. Standardized cell culture environments that adequately reflect the properties of the central nervous system (CNS) such as the stiffness, protein composition, and microarchitecture in which to study 3D cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions are generally lacking for in vitro culture systems. In particular, there remains an unmet need for reproducible, low-cost, high-throughput, and physiologically relevant environments comprised of tissue-native matrix proteins for the study of CNS microenvironments in 3D. Advances in the field of biofabrication over the past number of years have facilitated the production and characterization of biomaterial-based scaffolds. Typically developed for tissue engineering applications, they also provide sophisticated environments in which to study cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions and have been used for 3D modeling for a range of tissues. Here, we describe a simple and scalable protocol for the production of biomimetic, highly porous freeze-dried hyaluronic acid scaffolds with tunable microarchitecture, stiffness, and protein composition. Furthermore, we describe several different approaches that can be used to characterize a range of physicochemical properties and how to employ the scaffolds for the 3D culture of sensitive CNS cells in vitro. Finally, we detail several approaches for the study of key cell responses within the 3D scaffold environments. Overall, this protocol describes the manufacture and testing of a biomimetic and tunable macroporous scaffold system for neuronal cell culture applications. © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Scaffold manufacture Basic Protocol 2: Scaffold characterization Basic Protocol 3: Cell culture and analysis of neurons in scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cian O'Connor
- Tissue Engineering Research Group, Department of Anatomy & Regenerative Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ian Woods
- Tissue Engineering Research Group, Department of Anatomy & Regenerative Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alan Hibbitts
- Tissue Engineering Research Group, Department of Anatomy & Regenerative Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Adrian Dervan
- Tissue Engineering Research Group, Department of Anatomy & Regenerative Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fergal J O'Brien
- Tissue Engineering Research Group, Department of Anatomy & Regenerative Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.,Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland
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9
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Rojek K, Ćwiklińska M, Kuczak J, Guzowski J. Microfluidic Formulation of Topological Hydrogels for Microtissue Engineering. Chem Rev 2022; 122:16839-16909. [PMID: 36108106 PMCID: PMC9706502 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidics has recently emerged as a powerful tool in generation of submillimeter-sized cell aggregates capable of performing tissue-specific functions, so-called microtissues, for applications in drug testing, regenerative medicine, and cell therapies. In this work, we review the most recent advances in the field, with particular focus on the formulation of cell-encapsulating microgels of small "dimensionalities": "0D" (particles), "1D" (fibers), "2D" (sheets), etc., and with nontrivial internal topologies, typically consisting of multiple compartments loaded with different types of cells and/or biopolymers. Such structures, which we refer to as topological hydrogels or topological microgels (examples including core-shell or Janus microbeads and microfibers, hollow or porous microstructures, or granular hydrogels) can be precisely tailored with high reproducibility and throughput by using microfluidics and used to provide controlled "initial conditions" for cell proliferation and maturation into functional tissue-like microstructures. Microfluidic methods of formulation of topological biomaterials have enabled significant progress in engineering of miniature tissues and organs, such as pancreas, liver, muscle, bone, heart, neural tissue, or vasculature, as well as in fabrication of tailored microenvironments for stem-cell expansion and differentiation, or in cancer modeling, including generation of vascularized tumors for personalized drug testing. We review the available microfluidic fabrication methods by exploiting various cross-linking mechanisms and various routes toward compartmentalization and critically discuss the available tissue-specific applications. Finally, we list the remaining challenges such as simplification of the microfluidic workflow for its widespread use in biomedical research, bench-to-bedside transition including production upscaling, further in vivo validation, generation of more precise organ-like models, as well as incorporation of induced pluripotent stem cells as a step toward clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna
O. Rojek
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Monika Ćwiklińska
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Julia Kuczak
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jan Guzowski
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
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10
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Deng B, Zhao Z, Kong W, Han C, Shen X, Zhou C. Biological role of matrix stiffness in tumor growth and treatment. J Transl Med 2022; 20:540. [PMID: 36419159 PMCID: PMC9682678 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03768-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the biological role of changes in physical factors in carcinogenesis and progression has attracted increasing attention. Matrix stiffness, also known as ECM stress, is a critical physical factor of tumor microenvironment and remains alternating during carcinogenesis as a result of ECM remodeling through activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts and extracellular collagen accumulation, crosslinking and fibrosis. Different content and density of extracellular collagen in ECM endows matrix with varying stiffness. Physical signals induced by matrix stiffness are transmitted to tumor cells primarily by the integrins receptor family and trigger a series of mechanotransduction that result in changes in tumor cell morphology, proliferative capacity, and invasive ability. Importantly, accumulating evidence revealed that changes in matrix stiffness in tumor tissues greatly control the sensitivity of tumor cells in response to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy through integrin signaling, YAP signaling, and related signaling pathways. Here, the present review analyzes the current research advances on matrix stiffness and tumor cell behavior with a view to contributing to tumor cell growth and treatment, with the hope of improving the understanding of the biological role of matrix stiffness in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boer Deng
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Ziyi Zhao
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Weimin Kong
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Chao Han
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaochang Shen
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Chunxiao Zhou
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Lineberger Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
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11
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Bontempi M, Salamanna F, Capozza R, Visani A, Fini M, Gambardella A. Nanomechanical Mapping of Hard Tissues by Atomic Force Microscopy: An Application to Cortical Bone. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:ma15217512. [PMID: 36363104 PMCID: PMC9659036 DOI: 10.3390/ma15217512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Force mapping of biological tissues via atomic force microscopy (AFM) probes the mechanical properties of samples within a given topography, revealing the interplay between tissue organization and nanometer-level composition. Despite considerable attention to soft biological samples, constructing elasticity maps on hard tissues is not routine for standard AFM equipment due to the difficulty of interpreting nanoindentation data in light of the available models of surface deformation. To tackle this issue, we proposed a protocol to construct elasticity maps of surfaces up to several GPa in moduli by AFM nanoindentation using standard experimental conditions (air operation, nanometrically sharp spherical tips, and cantilever stiffness below 30 N/m). We showed how to process both elastic and inelastic sample deformations simultaneously and independently and quantify the degree of elasticity of the sample to decide which regime is more suitable for moduli calculation. Afterwards, we used the frequency distributions of Young's moduli to quantitatively assess differences between sample regions different for structure and composition, and to evaluate the presence of mechanical inhomogeneities. We tested our method on histological sections of sheep cortical bone, measuring the mechanical response of different osseous districts, and mapped the surface down to the single collagen fibril level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Bontempi
- Struttura Complessa Scienze e Tecnologie Chirurgiche, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Salamanna
- Struttura Complessa Scienze e Tecnologie Chirurgiche, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Rosario Capozza
- School of Engineering, Institute for Infrastructure and Environment, The University of Edinburgh, Thomas Bayes Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JL, UK
| | - Andrea Visani
- Struttura Complessa Scienze e Tecnologie Chirurgiche, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Milena Fini
- Struttura Complessa Scienze e Tecnologie Chirurgiche, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gambardella
- Struttura Complessa Scienze e Tecnologie Chirurgiche, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy
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12
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Shao X, Liu Z, Mao S, Han L. Unraveling the Mechanobiology Underlying Traumatic Brain Injury with Advanced Technologies and Biomaterials. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2200760. [PMID: 35841392 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202200760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a worldwide health and socioeconomic problem, associated with prolonged and complex neurological aftermaths, including a variety of functional deficits and neurodegenerative disorders. Research on the long-term effects has highlighted that TBI shall be regarded as a chronic health condition. The initiation and exacerbation of TBI involve a series of mechanical stimulations and perturbations, accompanied by mechanotransduction events within the brain tissues. Mechanobiology thus offers a unique perspective and likely promising approach to unravel the underlying molecular and biochemical mechanisms leading to neural cells dysfunction after TBI, which may contribute to the discovery of novel targets for future clinical treatment. This article investigates TBI and the subsequent brain dysfunction from a lens of neuromechanobiology. Following an introduction, the mechanobiological insights are examined into the molecular pathology of TBI, and then an overview is given of the latest research technologies to explore neuromechanobiology, with particular focus on microfluidics and biomaterials. Challenges and prospects in the current field are also discussed. Through this article, it is hoped that extensive technical innovation in biomedical devices and materials can be encouraged to advance the field of neuromechanobiology, paving potential ways for the research and rehabilitation of neurotrauma and neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Shao
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, China.,Suzhou Research Institute, Shandong University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Zhongqian Liu
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, China
| | - Shijie Mao
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, China
| | - Lin Han
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266237, China
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13
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Condensation of the Drosophila nerve cord is oscillatory and depends on coordinated mechanical interactions. Dev Cell 2022; 57:867-882.e5. [PMID: 35413236 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
During development, organs reach precise shapes and sizes. Organ morphology is not always obtained through growth; a classic counterexample is the condensation of the nervous system during Drosophila embryogenesis. The mechanics underlying such condensation remain poorly understood. Here, we characterize the condensation of the embryonic ventral nerve cord (VNC) at both subcellular and tissue scales. This analysis reveals that condensation is not a unidirectional continuous process but instead occurs through oscillatory contractions. The VNC mechanical properties spatially and temporally vary, and forces along its longitudinal axis are spatially heterogeneous. We demonstrate that the process of VNC condensation is dependent on the coordinated mechanical activities of neurons and glia. These outcomes are consistent with a viscoelastic model of condensation, which incorporates time delays and effective frictional interactions. In summary, we have defined the progressive mechanics driving VNC condensation, providing insights into how a highly viscous tissue can autonomously change shape and size.
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14
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Garcia KE, Wang X, Kroenke CD. A model of tension-induced fiber growth predicts white matter organization during brain folding. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6681. [PMID: 34795256 PMCID: PMC8602459 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26971-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The past decade has experienced renewed interest in the physical processes that fold the developing cerebral cortex. Biomechanical models and experiments suggest that growth of the cortex, outpacing growth of underlying subcortical tissue (prospective white matter), is sufficient to induce folding. However, current models do not explain the well-established links between white matter organization and fold morphology, nor do they consider subcortical remodeling that occurs during the period of folding. Here we propose a framework by which cortical folding may induce subcortical fiber growth and organization. Simulations incorporating stress-induced fiber elongation indicate that subcortical stresses resulting from folding are sufficient to induce stereotyped fiber organization beneath gyri and sulci. Model predictions are supported by high-resolution ex vivo diffusion tensor imaging of the developing rhesus macaque brain. Together, results provide support for the theory of cortical growth-induced folding and indicate that mechanical feedback plays a significant role in brain connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara E Garcia
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Evansville, IN, 47715, USA.
- Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
| | - Xiaojie Wang
- Oregon Health and Science University, Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Christopher D Kroenke
- Oregon Health and Science University, Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
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15
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Di Santo R, Romanò S, Mazzini A, Jovanović S, Nocca G, Campi G, Papi M, De Spirito M, Di Giacinto F, Ciasca G. Recent Advances in the Label-Free Characterization of Exosomes for Cancer Liquid Biopsy: From Scattering and Spectroscopy to Nanoindentation and Nanodevices. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:1476. [PMID: 34199576 PMCID: PMC8230295 DOI: 10.3390/nano11061476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Exosomes (EXOs) are nano-sized vesicles secreted by most cell types. They are abundant in bio-fluids and harbor specific molecular constituents from their parental cells. Due to these characteristics, EXOs have a great potential in cancer diagnostics for liquid biopsy and personalized medicine. Despite this unique potential, EXOs are not yet widely applied in clinical settings, with two main factors hindering their translational process in diagnostics. Firstly, conventional extraction methods are time-consuming, require large sample volumes and expensive equipment, and often do not provide high-purity samples. Secondly, characterization methods have some limitations, because they are often qualitative, need extensive labeling or complex sampling procedures that can induce artifacts. In this context, novel label-free approaches are rapidly emerging, and are holding potential to revolutionize EXO diagnostics. These methods include the use of nanodevices for EXO purification, and vibrational spectroscopies, scattering, and nanoindentation for characterization. In this progress report, we summarize recent key advances in label-free techniques for EXO purification and characterization. We point out that these methods contribute to reducing costs and processing times, provide complementary information compared to the conventional characterization techniques, and enhance flexibility, thus favoring the discovery of novel and unexplored EXO-based biomarkers. In this process, the impact of nanotechnology is systematically highlighted, showing how the effectiveness of these techniques can be enhanced using nanomaterials, such as plasmonic nanoparticles and nanostructured surfaces, which enable the exploitation of advanced physical phenomena occurring at the nanoscale level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Di Santo
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (R.D.S.); (S.R.); (A.M.); (G.N.); (M.P.); (F.D.G.)
| | - Sabrina Romanò
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (R.D.S.); (S.R.); (A.M.); (G.N.); (M.P.); (F.D.G.)
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Alberto Mazzini
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (R.D.S.); (S.R.); (A.M.); (G.N.); (M.P.); (F.D.G.)
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Svetlana Jovanović
- “Vinča” Institute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Giuseppina Nocca
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (R.D.S.); (S.R.); (A.M.); (G.N.); (M.P.); (F.D.G.)
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Gaetano Campi
- Rome International Centre Materials Science Superstripes RICMASS, via dei Sabelli 119A, 00185 Rome, Italy;
- Institute of Crystallography, CNR, via Salaria Km 29. 300, Monterotondo Stazione, 00016 Roma, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Papi
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (R.D.S.); (S.R.); (A.M.); (G.N.); (M.P.); (F.D.G.)
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Marco De Spirito
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (R.D.S.); (S.R.); (A.M.); (G.N.); (M.P.); (F.D.G.)
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Flavio Di Giacinto
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (R.D.S.); (S.R.); (A.M.); (G.N.); (M.P.); (F.D.G.)
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ciasca
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (R.D.S.); (S.R.); (A.M.); (G.N.); (M.P.); (F.D.G.)
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Sezione di Fisica, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
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16
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Alisafaei F, Gong Z, Johnson VE, Dollé JP, Smith DH, Shenoy VB. Mechanisms of Local Stress Amplification in Axons near the Gray-White Matter Interface. Biophys J 2021; 119:1290-1300. [PMID: 33027609 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffuse axonal injury is a primary neuropathological feature of concussion and is thought to greatly contribute to the classical symptoms of decreased processing speed and memory dysfunction. Although previous studies have investigated the injury biomechanics at the micro- and mesoscale of concussion, few have addressed the multiscale transmission of mechanical loading at thresholds that can induce diffuse axonal injury. Because it has been recognized that axonal pathology is commonly found at anatomic interfaces across all severities of traumatic brain injury, we combined computational, analytical, and experimental approaches to investigate the potential mechanical vulnerability of axons that span the gray-white tissue interface. Our computational models predict that material heterogeneities at the gray-white interface lead to a highly nonuniform distribution of stress in axons, which was most amplified in axonal regions near the interface. This mechanism was confirmed using an analytical model of an individual fiber in a strained bimaterial interface. Comparisons of these collective data with histopathological evaluation of a swine model of concussion demonstrated a notably similar pattern of axonal damage adjacent to the gray-white interface. The results suggest that the tissue property mismatch at the gray-white matter interface places axons crossing this region at greater risk of mechanical damage during brain tissue deformation from traumatic brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farid Alisafaei
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ze Gong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Victoria E Johnson
- Penn Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jean-Pierre Dollé
- Penn Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Douglas H Smith
- Penn Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Vivek B Shenoy
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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17
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Kashani AS, Packirisamy M. Cancer cells optimize elasticity for efficient migration. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:200747. [PMID: 33204453 PMCID: PMC7657900 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.200747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Cancer progression is associated with alternations in the cytoskeletal architecture of cells and, consequently, their mechanical properties such as stiffness. Changing the mechanics of cells enables cancer cells to migrate and invade to distant organ sites. This process, metastasis, is the main reason for cancer-related mortality. Cell migration is an essential step towards increasing the invasive potential of cells. Although many studies have shown that the migratory speed and the invasion of cells can be inversely correlated to the stiffness of cells, some other investigations indicate opposing results. In the current work, based on the strain energy stored in cells due to the contractile forces, we defined an energy-dependent term, migratory index, to approximate how changes in the mechanical properties of cells influence cell migration required for cancer progression. Cell migration involves both cell deformation and force transmission within cells. The effects of these two parameters can be represented equally by the migratory index. Our mechanical modelling and computational study show that cells depending on their shape, size and other physical parameters have a maximum migratory index taking place at a specific range of cell bulk elasticity, indicating the most favourable conditions for invasive mobility. This approximate model could be used to explain why the stiffness of cells varies during cancer progression. We believe that the stiffness of cancer or malignant cells depending on the stiffness of their normal or non-malignant counterparts is either decreased or increased to reach the critical condition in which the mobility potential of cells is approximated to be maximum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Sohrabi Kashani
- Optical Bio-Microsystem Lab, Micro-Nano-Bio-Integration Center, Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Aerospace Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve Boulevard West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 1M8
| | - Muthukumaran Packirisamy
- Optical Bio-Microsystem Lab, Micro-Nano-Bio-Integration Center, Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Aerospace Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve Boulevard West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 1M8
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18
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Viscoelasticity and Volume of Cortical Neurons under Glutamate Excitotoxicity and Osmotic Challenges. Biophys J 2020; 119:1712-1723. [PMID: 33086042 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural activity depends on the maintenance of ionic and osmotic homeostasis. Under these conditions, the cell volume must be regulated to maintain optimal neural function. A disturbance in the neuronal volume regulation often occurs in pathological conditions such as glutamate excitotoxicity. The cell volume, mechanical properties, and actin cytoskeleton structure are tightly connected to achieve the cell homeostasis. Here, we studied the effects of glutamate-induced excitotoxicity, external osmotic pressure, and inhibition of actin polymerization on the viscoelastic properties and volume of neurons. Atomic force microscopy was used to map the viscoelastic properties of neurons in time-series experiments to observe the dynamical changes and a possible recovery. The data obtained on cultured rat cortical neurons were compared with the data obtained on rat fibroblasts. The neurons were found to be more responsive to the osmotic challenges but less sensitive to the inhibition of actin polymerization than fibroblasts. The alterations of the viscoelastic properties caused by glutamate excitotoxicity were similar to those induced by the hypoosmotic stress, but, in contrast to the latter, they did not recover after the glutamate removal. These data were consistent with the dynamic volume changes estimated using ratiometric fluorescent dyes. The recovery after the glutamate-induced excitotoxicity was slow or absent because of a steady increase in intracellular calcium and sodium concentrations. The viscoelastic parameters and their changes were related to such parameters as the actin cortex stiffness, tension, and cytoplasmic viscosity.
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19
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Eskandari F, Shafieian M, Aghdam MM, Laksari K. Tension Strain-Softening and Compression Strain-Stiffening Behavior of Brain White Matter. Ann Biomed Eng 2020; 49:276-286. [PMID: 32494967 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-020-02541-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Brain, the most important component of the central nervous system (CNS), is a soft tissue with a complex structure. Understanding the role of brain tissue microstructure in mechanical properties is essential to have a more profound knowledge of how brain development, disease, and injury occur. While many studies have investigated the mechanical behavior of brain tissue under various loading conditions, there has not been a clear explanation for variation reported for material properties of brain tissue. The current study compares the ex-vivo mechanical properties of brain tissue under two loading modes, namely compression and tension, and aims to explain the differences observed by closely examining the microstructure under loading. We tested bovine brain samples under uniaxial tension and compression loading conditions, and fitted hyperelastic material parameters. At 20% strain, we observed that the shear modulus of brain tissue in compression is about 6 times higher than in tension. In addition, we observed that brain tissue exhibited strain-stiffening in compression and strain-softening in tension. In order to investigate the effect of loading modes on the tissue microstructure, we fixed the samples using a novel method that enabled keeping the samples at the loaded stage during the fixation process. Based on the results of histology, we hypothesize that during compressive loading, the strain-stiffening behavior of the tissue could be attributed to glial cell bodies being pushed against surroundings, contacting each other and resisting compression, while during tension, cell connections are detached and the tissue displays softening behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faezeh Eskandari
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Shafieian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammad M Aghdam
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran, Iran
| | - Kaveh Laksari
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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20
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Oh B, Swaminathan V, Malkovskiy A, Santhanam S, McConnell K, George PM. Single-Cell Encapsulation via Click-Chemistry Alters Production of Paracrine Factors from Neural Progenitor Cells. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:1902573. [PMID: 32328414 PMCID: PMC7175248 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201902573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) properties affect multiple cellular processes such as cell survival, proliferation, and protein synthesis. Thus, a polymeric-cell delivery system with the ability to manipulate the extracellular environment can act as a fundamental regulator of cell function. Given the promise of stem cell therapeutics, a method to uniformly enhance stem cell function, in particular trophic factor release, can prove transformative in improving efficacy and increasing feasibility by reducing the total number of cells required. Herein, a click-chemistry powered 3D, single-cell encapsulation method aimed at synthesizing a polymeric coating with the optimal thickness around neural progenitor cells is introduced. Polymer encapsulation of neural stem cells significantly increases the release of neurotrophic factors such as VEGF and CNTF. Cell encapsulation with a soft extracellular polymer upregulates the ADCY8-cAMP pathway, suggesting a mechanism for the increase in paracrine factors. Hence, the described single-cell encapsulation technique can emerge as a translatable, nonviral cell modulation method and has the potential to improve stem cells' therapeutic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byeongtaek Oh
- Department of Neurology and Neurological SciencesSchool of MedicineStanford UniversityStanfordCA94305USA
| | - Vishal Swaminathan
- Department of Neurology and Neurological SciencesSchool of MedicineStanford UniversityStanfordCA94305USA
| | - Andrey Malkovskiy
- Biomaterials and Advanced Drug Delivery LaboratorySchool of MedicineStanford UniversityStanfordCA94305USA
| | - Sruthi Santhanam
- Department of Neurology and Neurological SciencesSchool of MedicineStanford UniversityStanfordCA94305USA
| | - Kelly McConnell
- Department of Neurology and Neurological SciencesSchool of MedicineStanford UniversityStanfordCA94305USA
| | - Paul M. George
- Department of Neurology and Neurological SciencesSchool of MedicineStanford UniversityStanfordCA94305USA
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21
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Jerusalem A, Al-Rekabi Z, Chen H, Ercole A, Malboubi M, Tamayo-Elizalde M, Verhagen L, Contera S. Electrophysiological-mechanical coupling in the neuronal membrane and its role in ultrasound neuromodulation and general anaesthesia. Acta Biomater 2019; 97:116-140. [PMID: 31357005 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2019.07.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The current understanding of the role of the cell membrane is in a state of flux. Recent experiments show that conventional models, considering only electrophysiological properties of a passive membrane, are incomplete. The neuronal membrane is an active structure with mechanical properties that modulate electrophysiology. Protein transport, lipid bilayer phase, membrane pressure and stiffness can all influence membrane capacitance and action potential propagation. A mounting body of evidence indicates that neuronal mechanics and electrophysiology are coupled, and together shape the membrane potential in tight coordination with other physical properties. In this review, we summarise recent updates concerning electrophysiological-mechanical coupling in neuronal function. In particular, we aim at making the link with two relevant yet often disconnected fields with strong clinical potential: the use of mechanical vibrations-ultrasound-to alter the electrophysiogical state of neurons, e.g., in neuromodulation, and the theories attempting to explain the action of general anaesthetics. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: General anaesthetics revolutionised medical practice; now an apparently unrelated technique, ultrasound neuromodulation-aimed at controlling neuronal activity by means of ultrasound-is poised to achieve a similar level of impact. While both technologies are known to alter the electrophysiology of neurons, the way they achieve it is still largely unknown. In this review, we argue that in order to explain their mechanisms/effects, the neuronal membrane must be considered as a coupled mechano-electrophysiological system that consists of multiple physical processes occurring concurrently and collaboratively, as opposed to sequentially and independently. In this framework the behaviour of the cell membrane is not the result of stereotypical mechanisms in isolation but instead emerges from the integrative behaviour of a complexly coupled multiphysics system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Jerusalem
- Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK.
| | - Zeinab Al-Rekabi
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, UK
| | - Haoyu Chen
- Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK
| | - Ari Ercole
- Division of Anaesthesia, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Majid Malboubi
- Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK
| | - Miren Tamayo-Elizalde
- Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK
| | - Lennart Verhagen
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging (WIN), Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK; WIN, Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Sonia Contera
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PU, UK.
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22
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Perini G, Ciasca G, Minelli E, Papi M, Palmieri V, Maulucci G, Nardini M, Latina V, Corsetti V, Florenzano F, Calissano P, De Spirito M, Amadoro G. Dynamic structural determinants underlie the neurotoxicity of the N-terminal tau 26-44 peptide in Alzheimer's disease and other human tauopathies. Int J Biol Macromol 2019; 141:278-289. [PMID: 31470053 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.08.220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 08/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The intrinsically disordered tau protein plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other human tauopathies. Abnormal post-translational modifications of tau, such as truncation, are causally involved in the onset/development of these neurodegenerative diseases. In this context, the AD-relevant N-terminal fragment mapping between 26 and 44 amino acids of protein (tau26-44) is interesting, being endowed with potent neurotoxic effects in vitro and in vivo. However, the understanding of the mechanism(s) of tau26-44 toxicity is a challenging task because, similarly to the full-length tau, it does not have a unique 3D structure but exists as dynamic ensemble of conformations. Here we use Atomic Force Spectroscopy, Small Angle X-ray Scattering and Molecular Dynamics simulation to gather structural and functional information on the tau26-44. We highlight the presence, the type and the location of its temporary secondary structures and we unveil the occurrence of relevant transient tertiary conformations that could contribute to tau26-44 toxicity. Data are compared with those obtained on the biologically-inactive, reverse-sequence (tau44-26 peptide) which has the same mass, charge, aminoacidic composition as well as the same overall unfolded character of tau26-44.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giordano Perini
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ciasca
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Minelli
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Papi
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Valentina Palmieri
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maulucci
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Matteo Nardini
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Valentina Latina
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Corsetti
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Fulvio Florenzano
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Calissano
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco De Spirito
- Istituto di Fisica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Amadoro
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy; Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT)-CNR, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy.
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23
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Sunnerberg JP, Moore P, Spedden E, Kaplan DL, Staii C. Variations of Elastic Modulus and Cell Volume with Temperature for Cortical Neurons. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:10965-10976. [PMID: 31380651 PMCID: PMC7306228 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b01651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Neurons change their growth dynamics and mechanical properties in response to external stimuli such as stiffness of the local microenvironment, ambient temperature, and biochemical or geometrical guidance cues. Here we use combined atomic force microscopy (AFM) and fluorescence microscopy experiments to investigate the relationship between external temperature, soma volume, and elastic modulus for cortical neurons. We measure how changes in ambient temperature affect the volume and the mechanical properties of neuronal cells at both the bulk (elastic modulus) and local (elasticity maps) levels. The experimental data demonstrate that both the volume and the elastic modulus of the neuron soma vary with changes in temperature. Our results show a decrease by a factor of 2 in the soma elastic modulus as the ambient temperature increases from room (25 °C) to physiological (37 °C) temperature, while the volume of the soma increases by a factor of 1.3 during the same temperature sweep. Using high-resolution AFM force mapping, we measure the temperature-induced variations within different regions of the elasticity maps (low and high values of elastic modulus) and correlate these variations with the dynamics of cytoskeleton components and molecular motors. We quantify the change in soma volume with temperature and propose a simple theoretical model that relates this change with variations in soma elastic modulus. These results have significant implications for understanding neuronal development and functions, as ambient temperature, cytoskeletal dynamics, and cellular volume may change with variations in physiological conditions, for example, during tissue compression and infections in vivo as well as during cell manipulation and tissue regeneration ex vivo.
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24
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Dagro A, Rajbhandari L, Orrego S, Kang SH, Venkatesan A, Ramesh KT. Quantifying the Local Mechanical Properties of Cells in a Fibrous Three-Dimensional Microenvironment. Biophys J 2019; 117:817-828. [PMID: 31421835 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.07.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Measurements of the mechanical response of biological cells are critical for understanding injury and disease, for developing diagnostic tools, and for computational models in mechanobiology. Although it is well known that cells are sensitive to the topography of their microenvironment, the current paradigm in mechanical testing of adherent cells is mostly limited to specimens grown on flat two-dimensional substrates. In this study, we introduce a technique in which cellular indentation via optical trapping is performed on cells at a high spatial resolution to obtain their regional mechanical properties while they exist in a more favorable three-dimensional microenvironment. We combine our approach with nonlinear contact mechanics theory to consider the effects of a large deformation. This allows us to probe length scales that are relevant for obtaining overall cell stiffness values. The experimental results herein provide the hyperelastic material properties at both high (∼100 s-1) and low (∼1-10 s-1) strain rates of murine central nervous system glial cells. The limitations due to possible misalignment of the indenter in the three-dimensional space are examined using a computational model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Dagro
- U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.
| | | | - Santiago Orrego
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sung Hoon Kang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Arun Venkatesan
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kaliat T Ramesh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
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25
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Viji Babu PK, Radmacher M. Mechanics of Brain Tissues Studied by Atomic Force Microscopy: A Perspective. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:600. [PMID: 31258462 PMCID: PMC6587663 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue morphology and mechanics are crucial to the regulation of organ function. Investigating the exceptionally complex tissue of the brain at the sub-micron scale is challenging due to the complex structure and softness of this tissue, despite the large interest of biologists, medical engineers, biophysicists, and others in this topic. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) both as an imaging and as a mechanical tool provides an excellent opportunity to study soft biological samples such as live brain tissues. Here we review the principles of AFM, the performance of AFM in tissue imaging and mechanical mapping of cells and tissues, and finally opening the prospects and challenges of probing the biophysical properties of brain tissue using AFM.
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26
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Cárdenas-Pérez S, Chanona-Pérez JJ, Méndez-Méndez JV, Arzate-Vázquez I, Hernández-Varela JD, Vera NG. Recent advances in atomic force microscopy for assessing the nanomechanical properties of food materials. Trends Food Sci Technol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2018.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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27
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Gong Z, Fang C, You R, Shao X, Wei X, Chang RCC, Lin Y. Distinct relaxation timescales of neurites revealed by rate-dependent indentation, relaxation and micro-rheology tests. SOFT MATTER 2019; 15:166-174. [PMID: 30420982 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm01747f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Although the dynamic response of neurites is believed to play crucial roles in processes like axon outgrowth and formation of the neural network, the dynamic mechanical properties of such protrusions remain poorly understood. In this study, by using AFM (atomic force microscopy) indentation, we systematically examined the dynamic behavior of well-developed neurites on primary neurons under different loading modes (step loading, oscillating loading and ramp loading). Interestingly, the response was found to be strongly rate-dependent, with an apparent initial and long-term elastic modulus around 800 and 80 Pa, respectively. To better analyze the measurement data and extract information of key interest, the finite element simulation method (FEM) was also conducted where the neurite was treated as a viscoelastic solid consisting of multiple characteristic relaxation times. It was found that a minimum of three relaxation timescales, i.e. ∼0.01, 0.1 and 1 seconds, are needed to explain the observed relaxation curve as well as fit simulation results to the indentation and rheology data under different loading rates and driving frequencies. We further demonstrated that these three characteristic relaxation times likely originate from the thermal fluctuations of the microtubule, membrane relaxation and cytosol viscosity, respectively. By identifying key parameters describing the time-dependent behavior of neurites, as well as revealing possible physical mechanisms behind, this study could greatly help us understand how neural cells perform their biological duties over a wide spectrum of timescales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Gong
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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28
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Matellan C, Del Río Hernández AE. Where No Hand Has Gone Before: Probing Mechanobiology at the Cellular Level. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2018; 5:3703-3719. [PMID: 33405886 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.8b01206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Physical forces and other mechanical stimuli are fundamental regulators of cell behavior and function. Cells are also biomechanically competent: they generate forces to migrate, contract, remodel, and sense their environment. As the knowledge of the mechanisms of mechanobiology increases, the need to resolve and probe increasingly small scales calls for novel technologies to mechanically manipulate cells, examine forces exerted by cells, and characterize cellular biomechanics. Here, we review novel methods to quantify cellular force generation, measure cell mechanical properties, and exert localized piconewton and nanonewton forces on cells, receptors, and proteins. The combination of these technologies will provide further insight on the effect of mechanical stimuli on cells and the mechanisms that convert these stimuli into biochemical and biomechanical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Matellan
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Armando E Del Río Hernández
- Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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29
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Miller KE, Suter DM. An Integrated Cytoskeletal Model of Neurite Outgrowth. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:447. [PMID: 30534055 PMCID: PMC6275320 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurite outgrowth underlies the wiring of the nervous system during development and regeneration. Despite a significant body of research, the underlying cytoskeletal mechanics of growth and guidance are not fully understood, and the relative contributions of individual cytoskeletal processes to neurite growth are controversial. Here, we review the structural organization and biophysical properties of neurons to make a semi-quantitative comparison of the relative contributions of different processes to neurite growth. From this, we develop the idea that neurons are active fluids, which generate strong contractile forces in the growth cone and weaker contractile forces along the axon. As a result of subcellular gradients in forces and material properties, actin flows rapidly rearward in the growth cone periphery, and microtubules flow forward in bulk along the axon. With this framework, an integrated model of neurite outgrowth is proposed that hopefully will guide new approaches to stimulate neuronal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle E Miller
- Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Daniel M Suter
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
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30
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Jazvinšćak Jembrek M, Vlainić J, Čadež V, Šegota S. Atomic force microscopy reveals new biophysical markers for monitoring subcellular changes in oxidative injury: Neuroprotective effects of quercetin at the nanoscale. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200119. [PMID: 30303965 PMCID: PMC6179194 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress has been recognised as an important pathological mechanism underlying the development of neurodegenerative diseases. The biomarkers for assessing the degree of oxidative stress have been attracting much interest because of their potential clinical relevance in understanding the cellular effects of free radicals and evaluation of the efficacy of drug treatment. Here, an interdisciplinary approach using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and cellular and biological molecular methods were used to investigate oxidative damage in P19 neurons and to reveal the underlying mechanism of protective action of quercetin. Biological methods demonstrated the oxidative damage of P19 neurons and showed that quercetin improved neuronal survival by preventing H2O2-induced p53 and Bcl-2 down-regulation and modulated Akt and ERK1/2 signalling pathways. For the first time, AFM was employed to evaluate morphologically (roughness, height, Feret dimension) and nanomechanical (elasticity) properties in H2O2-induced neuronal damage. The AFM analysis revealed that quercetin suppressed H2O2-provoked changes in cell membrane elasticity and morphological properties, thus confirming its neuroprotective activity. The obtained results indicate the potential of AFM-measured parameters as a biophysical markers of oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration. In general, our study suggests that AFM can be used as a highly valuable tool in other biomedical applications aimed at screening and monitoring of drug-induced effects at cellular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Jazvinšćak Jembrek
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Psychology, Croatian Catholic University, Zagreb, Croatia
- * E-mail: (MJJ); (SS)
| | - Josipa Vlainić
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vida Čadež
- Division of Physical Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Suzana Šegota
- Division of Physical Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
- * E-mail: (MJJ); (SS)
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31
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Yao HD, Svensson MY, Nilsson H. Deformation of dorsal root ganglion due to pressure transients of venous blood and cerebrospinal fluid in the cervical vertebral canal. J Biomech 2018; 76:16-26. [PMID: 29801662 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2018.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The dorsal root ganglion (DRG) that is embedded in the foramen of the cervical vertebra can be injured during a whiplash motion. A potential cause is that whilst the neck bends in the whiplash motion, the changes of spinal canal volume induce impulsive pressure transients in the venous blood outside the dura mater (DM) and in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inside the DM. The fluids can dynamically interact with the DRG and DM, which are deformable. In this work, the interaction is investigated numerically using a strong-coupling partitioned method that synchronize the computations of the fluid and structure. It is found that the interaction includes two basic processes, i.e., the pulling and pressing processes. In the pulling process, the DRG is stretched towards the spinal canal, and the venous blood is driven into the canal via the foramen. This process results from negative pressure in the fluids. In contrast, the pressing process is caused by positive pressure that leads to compression of the DRG and the outflow of the venous blood from the canal. The largest pressure gradient is observed at the foramen, where the DRG is located at. The DRG is subject to prominent von Mises stress near its end, which is fixed without motions. The negative internal pressure is more efficient to deform the DRG than the positive internal pressure. This indicates that the most hazardous condition for the DRG is the pulling process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua-Dong Yao
- Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Mats Y Svensson
- Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden; SAFER Vehicle and Traffic Safety Centre, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
| | - Håkan Nilsson
- Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
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32
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Nanoscale mechanics of brain abscess: An atomic force microscopy study. Micron 2018; 113:34-40. [PMID: 29957562 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2018.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mechanical stimuli are a fundamental player in the pathophysiology of the brain influencing its physiological development and contributing to the onset and progression of many diseases. In some pathological states, the involvement of mechanical and physical stimuli might be extremely subtle; in others, it is more evident and particularly relevant. Among the latter pathologies, one of the most serious life-threatening condition is the brain abscess (BA), a focal infection localized in the brain parenchyma, which causes large brain mechanical deformations, giving rise to a wide range of neurological impairments. In this paper, we present the first nano-mechanical characterization of surgically removed human brain abscess tissues by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM) in the spectroscopy mode. Consistently with previous histological findings, we modeled the brain abscess as a multilayered structure, composed of three main layers: the cerebritis layer, the collagen capsule, and the internal inflammatory border. We probed the viscoelastic behavior of each layer separately through the measure of the apparent Young's modulus (E), that gives information about the sample stiffness, and the AFM hysteresis (H), that estimates the contribution of viscous and dissipative forces. Our experimental findings provide a full mechanical characterization of the abscess, showing an average E of (94 ± 5) kPa and H of 0.37 ± 0.01 for the cerebritis layer, an average E = (1.04 ± 0.05) MPa and H = 0.10 ± 0.01 for the collagen capsule and an average E = (9.8 ± 0.4) kPa and H = 0.57 ± 0.01 for the internal border. The results here presented have the potential to contribute to the development of novel surgical instruments dedicated to the treatment of the pathology and to stimulate the implementation of novel constitutive mechanical models for the estimation of brain compression and damage during BA progression.
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33
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AFM contribution to unveil pro- and eukaryotic cell mechanical properties. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 73:177-187. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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34
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Nakadate H, Kurtoglu E, Furukawa H, Oikawa S, Aomura S, Kakuta A, Matsui Y. Strain-Rate Dependency of Axonal Tolerance for Uniaxial Stretching. STAPP CAR CRASH JOURNAL 2017; 61:53-65. [PMID: 29394435 DOI: 10.4271/2017-22-0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to clarify the relation between axonal deformation and the onset of axonal injury. Firstly, to examine the influence of strain rate on the threshold for axonal injury, cultured neurons were subjected to 12 types of stretching (strains were 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20 and strain rates were 10, 30, 50, and 70 s-1). The formation of axonal swellings and bulbs increased significantly at strain rates of 50 and 30 s-1 with strains of 0.15 and 0.20, respectively, even though those formations did not depend on strain rates in cultures exposed to a strain of 0.10. Then, to examine the influence of the strain along an axon on axonal injury, swellings were measured at every axonal angle in the stretching direction. The axons that were parallel to stretching direction were injured the most. Finally, we proposed an experimental model that subjected an axon to more accurate strain. This model observed the process of axonal injury formation by detecting the same neuron before and after stretching. These results suggest that the strain-rate dependency of axonal tolerance is induced by a higher magnitude of loading strain and an experiment focusing on axonal strain is required for obtaining more detailed injury criteria for an axon.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Evrim Kurtoglu
- Graduate School of System Design, Tokyo Metropolitan University
| | | | - Shoko Oikawa
- Graduate School of System Design, Tokyo Metropolitan University
| | - Shigeru Aomura
- Graduate School of System Design, Tokyo Metropolitan University
| | - Akira Kakuta
- Advanced Course of Mechanical and Computer Systems Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tokyo College
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35
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Smolyakov G, Dague E, Roux C, Seguelas MH, Galés C, Senard JM, Arvanitis DN. Nanoscale structural mapping as a measure of maturation in the murine frontal cortex. Brain Struct Funct 2017; 223:255-265. [PMID: 28779306 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-017-1486-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is emerging as an innovative tool to phenotype the brain. This study demonstrates the utility of AFM to determine nanomechanical and nanostructural features of the murine dorsolateral frontal cortex from weaning to adulthood. We found an increase in tissue stiffness of the primary somatosensory cortex with age, along with an increased cortical mechanical heterogeneity. To characterize the features potentially responsible for this heterogeneity, we applied AFM scan mode to directly image the topography of thin sections of the primary somatosensory cortical layers II/III, IV and V/VI. Topographical mapping of the cortical layers at successive ages showed progressive smoothing of the surface. Topographical images were also compared with histochemically derived morphological information, which demonstrated the deposition of perineuronal nets, important extracellular components and markers of maturity. Our work demonstrates that high-resolution AFM images can be used to determine the nanostructural properties of cortical maturation, well beyond embryonic and postnatal development. Furthermore, it may offer a new method for brain phenotyping and screening to uncover topographical changes in early stages of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Smolyakov
- LAAS-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
- ITAV-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - E Dague
- LAAS-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France.
- ITAV-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France.
| | - C Roux
- LAAS-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
- ITAV-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
- Laboratoire Des IMRCP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS UMR 5623, Université de Toulouse, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31062, Toulouse Cedex 9, France
- Institut Des Maladies Métaboliques Et Cardiovasculaires, INSERM, UMR1048, Université de Toulouse, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31062, Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - M H Seguelas
- Institut Des Maladies Métaboliques Et Cardiovasculaires, INSERM, UMR1048, Université de Toulouse, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31062, Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - C Galés
- ITAV-CNRS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France
- Institut Des Maladies Métaboliques Et Cardiovasculaires, INSERM, UMR1048, Université de Toulouse, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31062, Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - J M Senard
- Institut Des Maladies Métaboliques Et Cardiovasculaires, INSERM, UMR1048, Université de Toulouse, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31062, Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - D N Arvanitis
- Institut Des Maladies Métaboliques Et Cardiovasculaires, INSERM, UMR1048, Université de Toulouse, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31062, Toulouse Cedex 9, France.
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Zhang Y, Abiraman K, Li H, Pierce DM, Tzingounis AV, Lykotrafitis G. Modeling of the axon membrane skeleton structure and implications for its mechanical properties. PLoS Comput Biol 2017; 13:e1005407. [PMID: 28241082 PMCID: PMC5348042 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Revised: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Super-resolution microscopy recently revealed that, unlike the soma and dendrites, the axon membrane skeleton is structured as a series of actin rings connected by spectrin filaments that are held under tension. Currently, the structure-function relationship of the axonal structure is unclear. Here, we used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to show that the stiffness of the axon plasma membrane is significantly higher than the stiffnesses of dendrites and somata. To examine whether the structure of the axon plasma membrane determines its overall stiffness, we introduced a coarse-grain molecular dynamics model of the axon membrane skeleton that reproduces the structure identified by super-resolution microscopy. Our proposed computational model accurately simulates the median value of the Young’s modulus of the axon plasma membrane determined by atomic force microscopy. It also predicts that because the spectrin filaments are under entropic tension, the thermal random motion of the voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav), which are bound to ankyrin particles, a critical axonal protein, is reduced compared to the thermal motion when spectrin filaments are held at equilibrium. Lastly, our model predicts that because spectrin filaments are under tension, any axonal injuries that lacerate spectrin filaments will likely lead to a permanent disruption of the membrane skeleton due to the inability of spectrin filaments to spontaneously form their initial under-tension configuration. Super-resolution microscopy has suggested that the actin cytoskeleton structure differ between various neuronal subcompartments. To determine the possible implication of the differing actin cytoskeleton structure, we determined the stiffness of the plasma membrane of neuronal subcompartments using atomic force microscopy (AFM). We found that axons are almost ~6 fold stiffer than the soma and ~2 fold stiffer than dendrites. By using a particle-based model for the surface membrane skeleton of the axon that comprises actin rings connected with spring filaments to represent the axonal structure, we show that regions neighboring actin rings are stiffer than areas between these rings. In these in between sub-regions, the spectrin filaments determine stiffness. Our modeling also shows that because the spectrin filaments are under tension, the thermal jitter of the actin-associated ankyrin particles, connected to the middle area of spectrin filaments, is minimal. As a result, we propose that the sodium channels bound to ankyrin particles will maintain an ordered distribution along the axon. We also predict that laceration of the spectrin filaments due to injury will cause a permanent damage to the axon since spontaneous repair of the spectrin network is not possible as spectrin filaments are under entropic tension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihao Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Krithika Abiraman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - He Li
- Division of Applied Mathematics, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - David M. Pierce
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Mathematics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Anastasios V. Tzingounis
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - George Lykotrafitis
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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37
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HIV Tat protein and amyloid-β peptide form multifibrillar structures that cause neurotoxicity. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2017; 24:379-386. [PMID: 28218748 PMCID: PMC5383535 DOI: 10.1038/nsmb.3379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Deposition of amyloid-β plaques is increased in the brains of HIV-infected individuals, and the HIV transactivator of transcription (Tat) protein affects amyloidogenesis through several indirect mechanisms. Here, we investigated direct interactions between Tat and amyloid-β peptide. Our in vitro studies showed that in the presence of Tat, uniform amyloid fibrils become double twisted fibrils and further form populations of thick unstructured filaments and aggregates. Specifically, Tat binding to the exterior surfaces of the Aβ fibrils increases β-sheet formation and lateral aggregation into thick multifibrillar structures, thus producing fibers with increased rigidity and mechanical resistance. Furthermore, Tat and Aβ aggregates in complex synergistically induced neurotoxicity both in vitro and in animal models. Increased rigidity and mechanical resistance of the amyloid-β-Tat complexes coupled with stronger adhesion due to the presence of Tat in the fibrils may account for increased damage, potentially through pore formation in membranes.
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Singh S, Pelegri AA, Shreiber DI. Estimating axonal strain and failure following white matter stretch using contactin-associated protein as a fiduciary marker. J Biomech 2017; 51:32-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2016.11.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Revised: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 11/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Zhang S, Cao X, Stablow AM, Shenoy VB, Winkelstein BA. Tissue Strain Reorganizes Collagen With a Switchlike Response That Regulates Neuronal Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Phosphorylation In Vitro: Implications for Ligamentous Injury and Mechanotransduction. J Biomech Eng 2016; 138:021013. [PMID: 26549105 DOI: 10.1115/1.4031975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Excessive loading of ligaments can activate the neural afferents that innervate the collagenous tissue, leading to a host of pathologies including pain. An integrated experimental and modeling approach was used to define the responses of neurons and the surrounding collagen fibers to the ligamentous matrix loading and to begin to understand how macroscopic deformation is translated to neuronal loading and signaling. A neuron-collagen construct (NCC) developed to mimic innervation of collagenous tissue underwent tension to strains simulating nonpainful (8%) or painful ligament loading (16%). Both neuronal phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), which is related to neuroplasticity (R2 ≥ 0.041; p ≤ 0.0171) and neuronal aspect ratio (AR) (R2 ≥ 0.250; p < 0.0001), were significantly correlated with tissue-level strains. As NCC strains increased during a slowly applied loading (1%/s), a "switchlike" fiber realignment response was detected with collagen reorganization occurring only above a transition point of 11.3% strain. A finite-element based discrete fiber network (DFN) model predicted that at bulk strains above the transition point, heterogeneous fiber strains were both tensile and compressive and increased, with strains in some fibers along the loading direction exceeding the applied bulk strain. The transition point identified for changes in collagen fiber realignment was consistent with the measured strain threshold (11.7% with a 95% confidence interval of 10.2-13.4%) for elevating ERK phosphorylation after loading. As with collagen fiber realignment, the greatest degree of neuronal reorientation toward the loading direction was observed at the NCC distraction corresponding to painful loading. Because activation of neuronal ERK occurred only at strains that produced evident collagen fiber realignment, findings suggest that tissue strain-induced changes in the micromechanical environment, especially altered local collagen fiber kinematics, may be associated with mechanotransduction signaling in neurons.
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40
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Chen L, Li W, Maybeck V, Offenhäusser A, Krause HJ. Statistical study of biomechanics of living brain cells during growth and maturation on artificial substrates. Biomaterials 2016; 106:240-9. [PMID: 27573132 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that mechanical issues play a vital role in neuron growth and brain development. The importance of this grows as novel devices, whose material properties differ from cells, are increasingly implanted in the body. In this work, we studied the mechanical properties of rat brain cells over time and on different materials by using a high throughput magnetic tweezers system. It was found that the elastic moduli of both neurite and soma in networked neurons increased with growth. However, neurites at DIV4 exhibited a relatively high stiffness, which could be ascribed to the high outgrowth tension. The power-law exponents (viscoelasticity) of both neurites and somas of neurons decreased with culture time. On the other hand, the stiffness of glial cells also increased with maturity. Furthermore, both neurites and glia become softer when cultured on compliant substrates. Especially, the glial cells cultured on a soft substrate obviously showed a less dense and more porous actin and GFAP mesh. In addition, the viscoelasticity of both neurites and glia did not show a significant dependence on the substrates' stiffness.
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Affiliation(s)
- La Chen
- Institute of Bioelectronics (ICS-8/PGI-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Wenfang Li
- Institute of Bioelectronics (ICS-8/PGI-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Vanessa Maybeck
- Institute of Bioelectronics (ICS-8/PGI-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Andreas Offenhäusser
- Institute of Bioelectronics (ICS-8/PGI-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Hans-Joachim Krause
- Institute of Bioelectronics (ICS-8/PGI-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany. h.-
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41
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Luo Q, Kuang D, Zhang B, Song G. Cell stiffness determined by atomic force microscopy and its correlation with cell motility. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2016; 1860:1953-60. [PMID: 27288584 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cell stiffness is a crucial mechanical property that is closely related to cell motility. AFM is the most prevalent method used to determine cell stiffness by the quantitative parameter designated as Young's modulus. Young's modulus is regarded as a biomarker of cell motility, especially in estimating the metastasis of cancer cells, because in recent years, it has been repeatedly shown that cancerous cells are softer than their benign counterparts. However, some conflicting evidence has shown that cells with higher motility are sometimes stiffer than their counterparts. Thus, the correlation between cell stiffness and motility remains a matter of debate. SCOPE OF REVIEW In this review, we first summarize the reports on correlations between cell motility and stiffness determined by AFM and then discuss the major determinants of AFM-determined cell stiffness with a focus on the cytoskeleton, nuclear stiffness and methodological issues. Last, we propose a possible correlation between cell stiffness and motility and the possible explanations for the conflicting evidence. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS The AFM-determined Young's modulus is greatly affected by the characteristics of the cytoskeleton, as well as the procedures and parameters used in detection. Young's modulus is a reliable biomarker for the characterization of metastasis; however, reliability is questioned in the evaluation of pharmacologically or genetically modified motility. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the correlation between AFM-determined cell stiffness and motility, the determinants of this detecting method, as well as clues to optimize detecting parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Luo
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dongdong Kuang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanbin Song
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China.
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42
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Ungureanu AA, Benilova I, Krylychkina O, Braeken D, De Strooper B, Van Haesendonck C, Dotti CG, Bartic C. Amyloid beta oligomers induce neuronal elasticity changes in age-dependent manner: a force spectroscopy study on living hippocampal neurons. Sci Rep 2016; 6:25841. [PMID: 27173984 PMCID: PMC4865860 DOI: 10.1038/srep25841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Small soluble species of amyloid-beta (Aβ) formed during early peptide aggregation stages are responsible for several neurotoxic mechanisms relevant to the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), although their interaction with the neuronal membrane is not completely understood. This study quantifies the changes in the neuronal membrane elasticity induced by treatment with the two most common Aβ isoforms found in AD brains: Aβ40 and Aβ42. Using quantitative atomic force microscopy (AFM), we measured for the first time the static elastic modulus of living primary hippocampal neurons treated with pre-aggregated Aβ40 and Aβ42 soluble species. Our AFM results demonstrate changes in the elasticity of young, mature and aged neurons treated for a short time with the two Aβ species pre-aggregated for 2 hours. Neurons aging under stress conditions, showing aging hallmarks, are the most susceptible to amyloid binding and show the largest decrease in membrane stiffness upon Aβ treatment. Membrane stiffness defines the way in which cells respond to mechanical forces in their environment and has been shown to be important for processes such as gene expression, ion-channel gating and neurotransmitter vesicle transport. Thus, one can expect that changes in neuronal membrane elasticity might directly induce functional changes related to neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea-Alexandra Ungureanu
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200D, B-3001, Leuven, Belgium.,imec, Kapeldreef 75, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Iryna Benilova
- VIB Center for the Biology of Diseases, ON 4 Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Bart De Strooper
- VIB Center for the Biology of Diseases, ON 4 Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Chris Van Haesendonck
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200D, B-3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Carlos G Dotti
- VIB Center for the Biology of Diseases, ON 4 Campus Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3001, Leuven, Belgium.,CSIC, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Campus Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Bartic
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200D, B-3001, Leuven, Belgium.,imec, Kapeldreef 75, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium
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43
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Wu X, Muthuchamy M, Reddy DS. Atomic Force Microscopy Protocol for Measurement of Membrane Plasticity and Extracellular Interactions in Single Neurons in Epilepsy. Front Aging Neurosci 2016; 8:88. [PMID: 27199735 PMCID: PMC4854888 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2016.00088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Physiological interactions between extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and membrane integrin receptors play a crucial role in neuroplasticity in the hippocampus, a key region involved in epilepsy. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a cutting-edge technique to study structural and functional measurements at nanometer resolution between the AFM probe and cell surface under liquid. AFM has been incrementally employed in living cells including the nervous system. AFM is a unique technique that directly measures functional information at a nanoscale resolution. In addition to its ability to acquire detailed 3D imaging, the AFM probe permits quantitative measurements on the structure and function of the intracellular components such as cytoskeleton, adhesion force and binding probability between membrane receptors and ligands coated in the AFM probe, as well as the cell stiffness. Here we describe an optimized AFM protocol and its application for analysis of membrane plasticity and mechanical dynamics of individual hippocampus neurons in mice with chronic epilepsy. The unbinding force and binding probability between ECM, fibronectin-coated AFM probe and membrane integrin were strikingly lower in dentate gyrus granule cells in epilepsy. Cell elasticity, which represents changes in cytoskeletal reorganization, was significantly increased in epilepsy. The fibronectin-integrin binding probability was prevented by anti-α5β1 integrin. Thus, AFM is a unique nanotechnique that allows progressive functional changes in neuronal membrane plasticity and mechanotransduction in epilepsy and related brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wu
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Mariappan Muthuchamy
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Doodipala Samba Reddy
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine Bryan, TX, USA
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44
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Simon M, Dokukin M, Kalaparthi V, Spedden E, Sokolov I, Staii C. Load Rate and Temperature Dependent Mechanical Properties of the Cortical Neuron and Its Pericellular Layer Measured by Atomic Force Microscopy. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2016; 32:1111-1119. [PMID: 26727545 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b04317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
When studying the mechanical properties of cells by an indentation technique, it is important to take into account the nontrivial pericellular interface (or pericellular "brush") which includes a pericellular coating and corrugation of the pericellular membrane (microvilli and microridges). Here we use atomic force microscopy (AFM) to study the mechanics of cortical neurons taking into account the presence of the above pericellular brush surrounding cell soma. We perform a systematic study of the mechanical properties of both the brush layer and the underlying neuron soma and demonstrate that the brush layer is likely responsible for the low elastic modulus (<1 kPa) typically reported for cortical neurons. When the contribution of the pericellular brush is excluded, the average elastic modulus of the cortical neuron soma is found to be 3-4 times larger than previously reported values measured under similar physiological conditions. We also demonstrate that the underlying soma behaves as a nonviscous elastic material over the indentation rates studied (1-10 μm/s). As a result, it seems that the brush layer is responsible for the previously reported viscoelastic response measured for the neuronal cell body as a whole, within these indentation rates. Due to of the similarities between the macroscopic brain mechanics and the effective modulus of the pericellular brush, we speculate that the pericellular brush layer might play an important role in defining the macroscopic mechanical properties of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Simon
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, ‡Center for Nanoscopic Physics, §Department of Mechanical Engineering, and ∥Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University , Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Maxim Dokukin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, ‡Center for Nanoscopic Physics, §Department of Mechanical Engineering, and ∥Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University , Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Vivekanand Kalaparthi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, ‡Center for Nanoscopic Physics, §Department of Mechanical Engineering, and ∥Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University , Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Elise Spedden
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, ‡Center for Nanoscopic Physics, §Department of Mechanical Engineering, and ∥Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University , Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Igor Sokolov
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, ‡Center for Nanoscopic Physics, §Department of Mechanical Engineering, and ∥Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University , Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Cristian Staii
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, ‡Center for Nanoscopic Physics, §Department of Mechanical Engineering, and ∥Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University , Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
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45
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Shamitko-Klingensmith N, W. Boyd J, Legleiter J. Microtubule modification influences cellular response to amyloid-β exposure. AIMS BIOPHYSICS 2016. [DOI: 10.3934/biophy.2016.2.261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
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46
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Measuring the micromechanical properties of embryonic tissues. Methods 2015; 94:120-8. [PMID: 26255132 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Revised: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Local mechanical properties play an important role in directing embryogenesis, both at the cell (differentiation, migration) and tissue level (force transmission, organ formation, morphogenesis). Measuring them is a challenge as embryonic tissues are small (μm to mm) and soft (0.1-10 kPa). We describe here how glass fiber cantilevers can be fabricated, calibrated and used to apply small forces (0.1-10 μN), measure contractile activity and assess the bulk tensile elasticity of embryonic tissue. We outline how pressure (hydrostatic or osmotic) can be applied to embryonic tissue to quantify stiffness anisotropy. These techniques can be assembled at low cost and with a minimal amount of equipment. We then present a protocol to prepare tissue sections for local elasticity and adhesion measurements using the atomic force microscope (AFM). We compare AFM nanoindentation maps of native and formaldehyde fixed embryonic tissue sections and discuss how the local elastic modulus obtained by AFM compares to that obtained with other bulk measurement methods. We illustrate all of the techniques presented on the specific example of the chick embryonic digestive tract, emphasizing technical issues and common pitfalls. The main purpose of this report is to make these micromechanical measurement techniques accessible to a wide community of biologists and biophysicists.
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47
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Jembrek MJ, Šimić G, Hof PR, Šegota S. Atomic force microscopy as an advanced tool in neuroscience. Transl Neurosci 2015; 6:117-130. [PMID: 28123795 PMCID: PMC4936619 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2015-0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This review highlights relevant issues about applications and improvements of atomic force microscopy (AFM) toward a better understanding of neurodegenerative changes at the molecular level with the hope of contributing to the development of effective therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative illnesses. The basic principles of AFM are briefly discussed in terms of evaluation of experimental data, including the newest PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Mapping (QNM) and the evaluation of Young’s modulus as the crucial elasticity parameter. AFM topography, revealed in imaging mode, can be used to monitor changes in live neurons over time, representing a valuable tool for high-resolution detection and monitoring of neuronal morphology. The mechanical properties of living cells can be quantified by force spectroscopy as well as by new AFM. A variety of applications are described, and their relevance for specific research areas discussed. In addition, imaging as well as non-imaging modes can provide specific information, not only about the structural and mechanical properties of neuronal membranes, but also on the cytoplasm, cell nucleus, and particularly cytoskeletal components. Moreover, new AFM is able to provide detailed insight into physical structure and biochemical interactions in both physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Goran Šimić
- Department for Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb Medical School, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Patrick R Hof
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029 New York, USA
| | - Suzana Šegota
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, POB 180, Zagreb, Croatia
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48
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Lin S, Ryu S, Tokareva O, Gronau G, Jacobsen MM, Huang W, Rizzo DJ, Li D, Staii C, Pugno NM, Wong JY, Kaplan DL, Buehler MJ. Predictive modelling-based design and experiments for synthesis and spinning of bioinspired silk fibres. Nat Commun 2015; 6:6892. [PMID: 26017575 PMCID: PMC4996357 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Scalable computational modelling tools are required to guide the rational design of complex hierarchical materials with predictable functions. Here, we utilize mesoscopic modelling, integrated with genetic block copolymer synthesis and bioinspired spinning process, to demonstrate de novo materials design that incorporates chemistry, processing and material characterization. We find that intermediate hydrophobic/hydrophilic block ratios observed in natural spider silks and longer chain lengths lead to outstanding silk fibre formation. This design by nature is based on the optimal combination of protein solubility, self-assembled aggregate size and polymer network topology. The original homogeneous network structure becomes heterogeneous after spinning, enhancing the anisotropic network connectivity along the shear flow direction. Extending beyond the classical polymer theory, with insights from the percolation network model, we illustrate the direct proportionality between network conductance and fibre Young's modulus. This integrated approach provides a general path towards de novo functional network materials with enhanced mechanical properties and beyond (optical, electrical or thermal) as we have experimentally verified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangchao Lin
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering Program, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, USA
| | - Seunghwa Ryu
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 305-338, Korea
| | - Olena Tokareva
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
| | - Greta Gronau
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Institute for Particle Technology, Technische Universitat Braunschweig, Braunschweig 38104, Germany
| | - Matthew M Jacobsen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Wenwen Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
| | - Daniel J Rizzo
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Center for Nanoscopic Physics, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
| | - David Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Cristian Staii
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Center for Nanoscopic Physics, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
| | - Nicola M Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio-Inspired and Graphene Nanomechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, I-38123 Trento, Italy
- Centre for Materials and Microsystems, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Via Sommarive 18, I-38123 Trento, Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Joyce Y Wong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
| | - Markus J Buehler
- Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics (LAMM), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
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49
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Iwashita M, Kataoka N, Toida K, Kosodo Y. Systematic profiling of spatiotemporal tissue and cellular stiffness in the developing brain. Development 2014; 141:3793-8. [PMID: 25249464 DOI: 10.1242/dev.109637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence implicates the significance of the physical properties of the niche in influencing the behavior, growth and differentiation of stem cells. Among the physical properties, extracellular stiffness has been shown to have direct effects on fate determination in several cell types in vitro. However, little evidence exists concerning whether shifts in stiffness occur in vivo during tissue development. To address this question, we present a systematic strategy to evaluate the shift in stiffness in a developing tissue using the mouse embryonic cerebral cortex as an experimental model. We combined atomic force microscopy measurements of tissue and cellular stiffness with immunostaining of specific markers of neural differentiation to correlate the value of stiffness with the characteristic features of tissues and cells in the developing brain. We found that the stiffness of the ventricular and subventricular zones increases gradually during development. Furthermore, a peak in tissue stiffness appeared in the intermediate zone at E16.5. The stiffness of the cortical plate showed an initial increase but decreased at E18.5, although the cellular stiffness of neurons monotonically increased in association with the maturation of the microtubule cytoskeleton. These results indicate that tissue stiffness cannot be solely determined by the stiffness of the cells that constitute the tissue. Taken together, our method profiles the stiffness of living tissue and cells with defined characteristics and can therefore be utilized to further understand the role of stiffness as a physical factor that determines cell fate during the formation of the cerebral cortex and other tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misato Iwashita
- Department of Anatomy, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki 701-0192, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Kataoka
- Department of Medical Engineering, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare, Kurashiki 701-0193, Japan
| | - Kazunori Toida
- Department of Anatomy, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki 701-0192, Japan
| | - Yoichi Kosodo
- Department of Anatomy, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki 701-0192, Japan
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Du Y, Zhang J, Zheng Q, Li M, Liu Y, Zhang B, Liu B, Zhang H, Miao G. Heavy ion and X-ray irradiation alter the cytoskeleton and cytomechanics of cortical neurons. Neural Regen Res 2014; 9:1129-37. [PMID: 25206772 PMCID: PMC4146101 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.135315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Heavy ion beams with high linear energy transfer exhibit more beneficial physical and biological performance than conventional X-rays, thus improving the potential of this type of radiotherapy in the treatment of cancer. However, these two radiotherapy modalities both cause inevitable brain injury. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of heavy ion and X-ray irradiation on the cytoskeleton and cytomechanical properties of rat cortical neurons, as well as to determine the potential mechanism of neuronal injury after irradiation. Cortical neurons from 30 new-born mice were irradiated with heavy ion beams at a single dose of 2 Gy and X-rays at a single dose of 4 Gy; subsequent evaluation of their effects were carried out at 24 hours after irradiation. An immunofluorescence assay showed that after irradiation with both the heavy ion beam and X-rays, the number of primary neurons was significantly decreased, and there was evidence of apoptosis. Radiation-induced neuronal injury was more apparent after X-irradiation. Under atomic force microscopy, the neuronal membrane appeared rough and neuronal rigidity had increased. These cell changes were more apparent following exposure to X-rays. Our findings indicated that damage caused by heavy ion and X-ray irradiation resulted in the structural distortion and rearrangement of the cytoskeleton, and affected the cytomechanical properties of the cortical neurons. Moreover, this radiation injury to normal neurons was much severer after irradiation with X-rays than after heavy ion beam irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Du
- School of Stomatology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China ; School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China ; School of Stomatology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
| | - Qian Zheng
- School of Stomatology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
| | - Mingxin Li
- School of Stomatology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
| | - Baoping Zhang
- School of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
| | - Bin Liu
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China ; School of Stomatology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Radiation Biology and Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
| | - Guoying Miao
- Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
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