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Emon B, Joy MSH, Lalonde L, Ghrayeb A, Doha U, Ladehoff L, Brockstein R, Saengow C, Ewoldt RH, Saif MTA. Nuclear deformation regulates YAP dynamics in cancer associated fibroblasts. Acta Biomater 2024; 173:93-108. [PMID: 37977292 PMCID: PMC10848212 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Cells cultured on stiff 2D substrates exert high intracellular force, resulting in mechanical deformation of their nuclei. This nuclear deformation (ND) plays a crucial role in the transport of Yes Associated Protein (YAP) from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. However, cells in vivo are in soft 3D environment with potentially much lower intracellular forces. Whether and how cells may deform their nuclei in 3D for YAP localization remains unclear. Here, by culturing human colon cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) on 2D, 2.5D, and 3D substrates, we differentiated the effects of stiffness, force, and ND on YAP localization. We found that nuclear translocation of YAP depends on the degree of ND irrespective of dimensionality, stiffness and total force. ND induced by the perinuclear force, not the total force, and nuclear membrane curvature correlate strongly with YAP activation. Immunostained slices of human tumors further supported the association between ND and YAP nuclear localization, suggesting ND as a potential biomarker for YAP activation in tumors. Additionally, we conducted quantitative analysis of the force dynamics of CAFs on 2D substrates to construct a stochastic model of YAP kinetics. This model revealed that the probability of YAP nuclear translocation, as well as the residence time in the nucleus follow a power law. This study provides valuable insights into the regulatory mechanisms governing YAP dynamics and highlights the significance of threshold activation in YAP localization. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Yes Associated Protein (YAP), a transcription cofactor, has been identified as one of the drivers of cancer progression. High tumor stiffness is attributed to driving YAP to the nucleus, wherein it activates pro-metastatic genes. Here we show, using cancer associated fibroblasts, that YAP translocation to the nucleus depends on the degree of nuclear deformation, irrespective of stiffness. We also identified that perinuclear force induced membrane curvature correlates strongly with YAP nuclear transport. A novel stochastic model of YAP kinetics unveiled a power law relationship between the activation threshold and persistence time of YAP in the nucleus. Overall, this study provides novel insights into the regulatory mechanisms governing YAP dynamics and the probability of activation that is of immense clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Chaimongkol Saengow
- Mechanical Science & Engineering; Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
| | - Randy H Ewoldt
- Mechanical Science & Engineering; Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
| | - M Taher A Saif
- Mechanical Science & Engineering; Bioengineering; Cancer Center at Illinois.
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Joy MSH, Nall DL, Emon B, Lee KY, Barishman A, Ahmed M, Rahman S, Selvin PR, Saif MTA. Synapses without tension fail to fire in an in vitro network of hippocampal neurons. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2311995120. [PMID: 38113266 PMCID: PMC10756289 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2311995120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurons in the brain communicate with each other at their synapses. It has long been understood that this communication occurs through biochemical processes. Here, we reveal that mechanical tension in neurons is essential for communication. Using in vitro rat hippocampal neurons, we find that 1) neurons become tout/tensed after forming synapses resulting in a contractile neural network, and 2) without this contractility, neurons fail to fire. To measure time evolution of network contractility in 3D (not 2D) extracellular matrix, we developed an ultrasensitive force sensor with 1 nN resolution. We employed Multi-Electrode Array and iGluSnFR, a glutamate sensor, to quantify neuronal firing at the network and at the single synapse scale, respectively. When neuron contractility is relaxed, both techniques show significantly reduced firing. Firing resumes when contractility is restored. This finding highlights the essential contribution of neural contractility in fundamental brain functions and has implications for our understanding of neural physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Saddam Hossain Joy
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
| | - Duncan L. Nall
- Department of Physics and Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
| | - Bashar Emon
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
| | - Ki Yun Lee
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
| | - Alexandra Barishman
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
| | - Movviz Ahmed
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
| | - Saeedur Rahman
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
| | - Paul R. Selvin
- Department of Physics and Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
| | - M. Taher A. Saif
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL61801
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Emon B, Saif MTA. A window into solid stresses within tumours. Nat Biomed Eng 2023; 7:1348-1349. [PMID: 37945753 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01121-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Bashar Emon
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - M Taher A Saif
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
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Emon B, Song YJ, Joy MSH, Kovour MV, Prasanth KV, Saif MTA. Mechanosensitive changes in the expression of genes in colorectal cancer-associated fibroblasts. Sci Data 2023; 10:350. [PMID: 37268609 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02233-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Most solid tumors become stiff with progression of cancer. Cancer Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs), most abundant stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), are known to mediate such stiffening. While the biochemical crosstalk between CAFs and cancer cells have been widely investigated, it is not clear if and how CAFs in stiffer TME promote metastatic progression. To gather insights into the process, we controlled the mechanical stiffness of the substrates and collected gene expression data with human colorectal CAFs. We cultured human primary CAFs on 2D polyacrylamide hydrogels with increasing elastic modulus (E) of 1, 10 and 40 kPa, and performed genome-wide transcriptome analyses in these cells to identify expression levels of ~16000 genes. The high-quality RNAseq results can be an excellent data-source for bioinformatic analysis for identifying novel pathways and biomarkers in cancer development and metastatic progression. With thorough analysis and accurate interpretation, this data may help researchers understand the role of mechanical stiffness of the TME in CAF-cancer cell crosstalk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashar Emon
- Dept. of Mechanical Science & Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - You Jin Song
- Dept. of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - M Saddam H Joy
- Dept. of Mechanical Science & Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Mounisha V Kovour
- Dept. of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Kannanganattu V Prasanth
- Dept. of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - M Taher A Saif
- Dept. of Mechanical Science & Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
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Doha U, Aydin O, Joy MSH, Emon B, Drennan W, Saif MTA. Disorder to order transition in cell-ECM systems mediated by cell-cell collective interactions. Acta Biomater 2022; 154:290-301. [PMID: 36243372 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cells in functional tissues execute various collective activities to achieve diverse ordered processes including wound healing, organogenesis, and tumor formation. How a group of individually operating cells initiate such complex collective processes is still not clear. Here, we report that cells in 3D extracellular matrix (ECM) initiate collective behavior by forming cell-ECM network when the cells are within a critical distance from each other. We employed compaction of free-floating (FF) 3D collagen gels with embedded fibroblasts as a model system to study collective behavior and found a sharp transition in the amount of compaction as a function of cell-cell distance, reminiscent of phase transition in materials. Within the critical distance, cells remodel the ECM irreversibly, and form dense collagen bridges between each other resulting in the formation of a network. Beyond the critical distance, cells exhibit Brownian dynamics and only deform the matrix reversibly in a transient manner with no memory of history, thus maintaining the disorder. Network formation seems to be a necessary and sufficient condition to trigger collective behavior and a disorder-to order transition. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Macroscopic compaction of in vitro collagen gels is mediated by collective mechanical interaction of cells. Previous studies on cell-induced ECM compaction suggest the existence of a critical cell density and phase transition associated with this phenomenon. Cell-mediated mechanical remodeling and global compaction of ECM has mostly been studied at steady state. Our study reveals a link between a transition in cell dynamics and material microstructure as cells collectively compact collagen gels. It underscores the significance of temporal evolution of these cell-ECM systems in understanding the mechanism of such collective action and provides insights on the process from a mechanistic viewpoint. These insights can be valuable in understanding dynamic pathological processes such as, cancer progression and wound healing, as well as engineering biomaterials and regenerative tissue mimics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umnia Doha
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, United States
| | - Onur Aydin
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, United States
| | - Md Saddam Hossain Joy
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, United States
| | - Bashar Emon
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, United States
| | - William Drennan
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, United States
| | - M Taher A Saif
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, United States.
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Emon B, Li Z, Joy MSH, Doha U, Kosari F, Saif MTA. A novel method for sensor-based quantification of single/multicellular force dynamics and stiffening in 3D matrices. Sci Adv 2021; 7:eabf2629. [PMID: 33837084 PMCID: PMC8034860 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf2629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Cells in vivo generate mechanical traction on the surrounding 3D extracellular matrix (ECM) and neighboring cells. Such traction and biochemical cues may remodel the matrix, e.g., increase stiffness, which, in turn, influences cell functions and forces. This dynamic reciprocity mediates development and tumorigenesis. Currently, there is no method available to directly quantify single-cell forces and matrix remodeling in 3D. Here, we introduce a method to fulfill this long-standing need. We developed a high-resolution microfabricated sensor that hosts a 3D cell-ECM tissue formed by self-assembly. This sensor measures cell forces and tissue stiffness and can apply mechanical stimulation to the tissue. We measured single and multicellular force dynamics of fibroblasts (3T3), human colon (FET) and lung (A549) cancer cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF05) with 1-nN resolution. Single cells show notable force fluctuations in 3D. FET/CAF coculture system, mimicking cancer tumor microenvironment, increased tissue stiffness by three times within 24 hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashar Emon
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Zhengwei Li
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Md Saddam H Joy
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Umnia Doha
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Farhad Kosari
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - M Taher A Saif
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
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7
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Aydin O, Emon B, Cheng S, Hong L, Chamorro LP, Saif MTA. Performance of fabrics for home-made masks against the spread of COVID-19 through droplets: A quantitative mechanistic study. Extreme Mech Lett 2020; 40:100924. [PMID: 32835043 PMCID: PMC7417273 DOI: 10.1016/j.eml.2020.100924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may spread through respiratory droplets released by infected individuals during coughing, sneezing, or speaking. Given the limited supply of professional respirators and face masks, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended home-made cloth face coverings for use by the general public. While there have been several studies on aerosol filtration performance of household fabrics, their effectiveness at blocking larger droplets has not been investigated. Here, we ascertained the performance of 11 common household fabrics at blocking large, high-velocity droplets, using a commercial medical mask as a benchmark. We also assessed the breathability (air permeability), texture, fiber composition, and water absorption properties of the fabrics. We found that most fabrics have substantial blocking efficiency (median values >70%). In particular, two layers of highly permeable fabric, such as T-shirt cloth, blocks droplets with an efficiency (>94%) similar to that of medical masks, while being approximately twice as breathable. The first layer allows about 17% of the droplet volume to transmit, but it significantly reduces their velocity. This allows the second layer to trap the transmitted droplets resulting in high blocking efficacy. Overall, our study suggests that cloth face coverings, especially with multiple layers, may help reduce droplet transmission of respiratory infections. Furthermore, face coverings made from materials such as cotton fabrics allow washing and reusing, and can help reduce the adverse environmental effects of widespread use of commercial disposable and non-biodegradable facemasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur Aydin
- Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
| | - Bashar Emon
- Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
| | - Shyuan Cheng
- Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
| | - Liu Hong
- Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
| | - Leonardo P Chamorro
- Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
| | - M Taher A Saif
- Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
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8
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Aydin O, Emon B, Cheng S, Hong L, Chamorro LP, Saif MTA. Performance of fabrics for home-made masks against the spread of COVID-19 through droplets: A quantitative mechanistic study. Extreme Mech Lett 2020; 40:100924. [PMID: 32835043 DOI: 10.1101/2020.04.19.20071779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may spread through respiratory droplets released by infected individuals during coughing, sneezing, or speaking. Given the limited supply of professional respirators and face masks, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended home-made cloth face coverings for use by the general public. While there have been several studies on aerosol filtration performance of household fabrics, their effectiveness at blocking larger droplets has not been investigated. Here, we ascertained the performance of 11 common household fabrics at blocking large, high-velocity droplets, using a commercial medical mask as a benchmark. We also assessed the breathability (air permeability), texture, fiber composition, and water absorption properties of the fabrics. We found that most fabrics have substantial blocking efficiency (median values >70%). In particular, two layers of highly permeable fabric, such as T-shirt cloth, blocks droplets with an efficiency (>94%) similar to that of medical masks, while being approximately twice as breathable. The first layer allows about 17% of the droplet volume to transmit, but it significantly reduces their velocity. This allows the second layer to trap the transmitted droplets resulting in high blocking efficacy. Overall, our study suggests that cloth face coverings, especially with multiple layers, may help reduce droplet transmission of respiratory infections. Furthermore, face coverings made from materials such as cotton fabrics allow washing and reusing, and can help reduce the adverse environmental effects of widespread use of commercial disposable and non-biodegradable facemasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur Aydin
- Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
| | - Bashar Emon
- Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
| | - Shyuan Cheng
- Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
| | - Liu Hong
- Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
| | - Leonardo P Chamorro
- Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
| | - M Taher A Saif
- Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States of America
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Emon B, Bauer J, Jain Y, Jung B, Saif T. Biophysics of Tumor Microenvironment and Cancer Metastasis - A Mini Review. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2018; 16:279-287. [PMID: 30128085 PMCID: PMC6097544 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of tumor microenvironment in cancer progression is gaining significant attention. It is realized that cancer cells and the corresponding stroma co-evolve with time. Cancer cells recruit and transform the stromal cells, which in turn remodel the extra cellular matrix of the stroma. This complex interaction between the stroma and the cancer cells results in a dynamic feed-forward/feed-back loop with biochemical and biophysical cues that assist metastatic transition of the cancer cells. Although biochemistry has long been studied for the understanding of cancer progression, biophysical signaling is emerging as a critical paradigm determining cancer metastasis. In this mini review, we discuss the role of one of the biophysical cues, mostly the mechanical stiffness of tumor microenvironment, in cancer progression and its clinical implications.
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Key Words
- ADAMs, Adamalysins
- ANGPT2, Angiopoietin 2
- Activin/TGFβ
- CAF, Cancer associated fibroblast
- CSF-1, Colony stimulating factor 1
- CTGF, Connective tissue growth factor
- CYR61/CCN1, Cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61/CCN family member 1
- Cancer
- ECM stiffness
- ECM, Extracellular matrix
- EGF, Epidermal growth factor
- EMT, Epithelial to mesenchymal transition
- FGF, Fibroblast growth factor
- Growth factors
- HGF/SF, Hepatocyte growth factor/Scatter factor
- IGFs, Insulin-like growth factors
- IL-13, Interleukin-13
- IL-33, Interleukin-33
- IL-6, Interleukin-6
- KGF, Keratinocyte growth factor, also FGF7
- LOX, Lysyl Oxidase
- MMPs, Matrix metalloproteinases
- Metastasis
- NO, Nitric oxide
- SDF-1/CXCL12, Stromal cell-derived factor 1/C-X-C motif chemokine 12
- TACs, Tumor-associated collagen signatures
- TGFβ, Transforming growth factor β
- TNF-α, Tumor necrosis factor-α
- Tumor biophysics
- VEGF, Vascular endothelial growth factor
- α-SMA, α-Smooth muscle actin
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashar Emon
- Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States
| | - Jessica Bauer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, United States
| | - Yasna Jain
- Department of Architecture, BRAC University, Dhaka
| | - Barbara Jung
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, United States
| | - Taher Saif
- Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States
- Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States
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