Article
Physics, Applied
Spela Zemljic Jokhadar, Jagoba Iturri, Jose Luis Toca-Herrera, Jure Derganc
Summary: Cytoskeleton-disrupting drugs can have varied effects on cell mechanics depending on the deformation scales. The study found that actin-disrupting drugs CK-869 and jasplakinolide had different impacts on cellular stiffness, with CK-869 leading to decreased cell stiffness and jasplakinolide causing both stiffening and softening effects depending on the deformation scale. These results suggest that the effects of these drugs on cell mechanics are scale-dependent and vary based on the level of actin organization.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D-APPLIED PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Barbara Zbiral, Andreas Weber, Maria dM. Vivanco, Jose L. Toca-Herrera
Summary: In healthy tissues, cells are mechanically stable. However, during cancer progression, cancer cells undergo changes in their mechanical properties, becoming softer and more fluid-like. This is associated with cytoskeletal remodeling, altered adhesion properties, increased cell proliferation, and enhanced cell motility. In our study, we examined the mechanical properties of different breast cancer cells using atomic force microscopy force spectroscopy. Our results revealed that the mechanical properties of the cells are linked to their malignancy, with tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7 cells being the softest and MCF10A cells being the stiffest. Confocal fluorescence microscopy further demonstrated differences in actin network organization and focal adhesion localization. These findings contribute to our understanding of the complex alterations involved in cancer development.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiantao Feng, Quanmei Sun, Peipei Chen, Keli Ren, Yuanyuan Zhang, Yahong Shi, Songkun Gao, Zhiwei Song, Jigang Wang, Fulong Liao, Dong Han
Summary: Active deformation behavior is important for understanding cancer cell mechanics. A method using atomic force microscopy and deformation behavior cytometry is proposed to measure cancer cell deformation behavior. Aquaporins and the actin cytoskeleton play essential roles in promoting deformation behavior.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Danahe Mohammed, Melanie Koehler, Andra C. Dumitru, Pavithra Aravamudhan, Danica M. Sutherland, Terence S. Dermody, David Alsteens
Summary: Breast cancer remains a major health issue for women, with aggressive invasive types posing a challenge to current therapies. Research shows that the overexpression of alpha-sialylated glycans in breast cancer cells presents an opportunity for combatting cancer cells with oncolytic reoviruses, offering new perspectives in oncolytic cancer therapy.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Maxime Liboz, Antoine Allard, Michel Malo, Guillaume Lamour, Gaelle Letort, Benedicte Thiebot, Sid Labdi, Juan Pelta, Clement Campillo
Summary: The mechanical properties of living cells reflect their physiological and pathological state. Adhesive micropatterns can be used to standardize the mechanics and morphologies of cancer cells. Micropatterning cancer cells leads to distinct morphological and mechanical changes associated with differences in the organization of the cytoskeleton.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qiang Zheng, Mingzeng Peng, Zhuo Liu, Shuyu Li, Rongcheng Han, Han Ouyang, Yubo Fan, Caofeng Pan, Weiguo Hu, Junyi Zhai, Zhou Li, Zhong Lin Wang
Summary: This study developed a force mapping method based on a light nano-antenna array with the use of piezo-phototronic effect, achieving high-resolution dynamic mapping of cell-generated force. The methodology can be applied for fundamental study of cardiomyocyte behavior and provide valuable information for heart-related research.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Xinyu Li, Li Zhao, Rongrong Feng, Xiaowei Du, Zelin Guo, Yu Meng, Yulan Zou, Wenchao Liao, Qiyuan Liu, Yaohuan Sheng, Gaowei Zhao, Haijian Zhong, Weidong Zhao
Summary: Using atomic force microscopy, it was found that Na(V)1.5 is irregularly distributed on the surfaces of both normal and cancer breast cells, with higher expression on cancer cells. The stability of the Na(V)1.5-antibody complex is higher on normal breast cells compared to cancer breast cells. These findings provide insights into the interactions of ion channel-antibody systems and the role of sodium channels in tumor metastasis and invasion.
ANALYTICAL METHODS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Reinier Oropesa-Nunez, Andrea Mescola, Massimo Vassalli, Claudio Canale
Summary: Atomic force microscopy is a versatile technique that allows for studying interaction forces between single living cells, providing insights into intra-cellular interactions and elusive phenomena in physiology and pathology. Controlling experimental conditions and a simple theoretical interpretation based on the number of contacts formed between the interacting cells are crucial for understanding the dynamics of living cell interactions at the molecular level.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Juan G. Sanchez, Francisco M. Espinosa, Ruben Miguez, Ricardo Garcia
Summary: The study utilized AFM to measure and analyze the nanomechanical properties of live cells, revealing limitations in traditional elastic and viscoelastic models to characterize the mechanical response of cells under micrometer-scale deformations.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Alfred Nguyen, Matthias Brandt, Till M. Muenker, Timo Betz
Summary: A novel method for frequency-dependent microrheology on cells using acoustic forces is presented, allowing multiplexed measurements of several cells in parallel and continuous measurement of complex shear modulus G*(omega). The experimental results are consistent with fractional viscoelastic models, showing the correlation between power-law shear moduli and cellular structures. Thorough calibration and careful data analysis are crucial for performing viscoelastic measurements with acoustic force spectroscopy (AFS), with protocols and guidelines provided.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kenji Nishizawa, Shao-Zhen Lin, Claire Chardes, Jean-Francois Rupprecht, Pierre-Francois Lenne
Summary: Biological tissues acquire reproducible shapes through dynamic cell behaviors, particularly the remodeling of cell-cell contacts. This study developed a technique to manipulate stress patterns on these contacts in the early epithelium of Drosophila embryos and found that Myosin -II activity responds to junction strain rate, facilitating junction shrinkage. These findings provide insights into the efficient deformation of cell-cell contacts in vivo and reveal the mechanosensitive features of their remodeling.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Irem Demir, Ines Luechtefeld, Claude Lemen, Etienne Dague, Pascal Guiraud, Tomaso Zambelli, Cecile Formosa-Dague
Summary: Studying the interactions between bubbles and bio-surfaces is a challenge, but a new method can be used to understand and engineer bubble-(bio)surfaces interactions.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
O-Joun Lee, Hae Gyun Lim, K. Kirk Shung, Jin-Taek Kim, Hyung Ham Kim
Summary: This study aims to automatically measure the non-linear elastic moduli of live cells using conventional neural networks and multilayer perceptrons while maintaining the accuracy of manual methods. The proposed system applies pressure on cells, observes their physical changes, and utilizes machine learning models to infer their deformability. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed system can distinguish invasive breast cancer cells from noninvasive ones.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xinyue Guo, Miaomiao Zhang, Juan Qin, Zongjia Li, Christian Rankl, Xiue Jiang, Bailin Zhang, Dapeng Wang, Jilin Tang
Summary: Hyperthermia-induced overexpression of HSP70 reduces the efficacy of PTT, while cancer cell-specific membrane associated HSP70 activates antitumor immune responses. In this study, a PTT treatment platform for breast cancer cells was developed to investigate the changes in morphology, mechanical properties, and expression of mHSP70.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rahmetullah Varol, Zeynep Karavelioglu, Sevde Omeroglu, Gizem Aydemir, Aslihan Karadag, Hanife E. Meco, Ali A. Demircali, Abdurrahim Yilmaz, Gizem C. Kocal, Gulsum Gencoglan, Muhammed E. Oruc, Gokhan B. Esmer, Yasemin Basbinar, Sahin K. Ozdemir, Huseyin Uvet
Summary: Accurate assessment of cell stiffness distribution is crucial for understanding the regulation of vital cellular processes and the onset and progress of diseases. This study presents a simple, fast, label-free, and high-resolution technique using acoustic stimulation and holographic imaging to reconstruct stiffness maps of individual cells. This technique has the potential for widespread use in cancer studies, disease modeling, drug testing, and diagnostics.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mikhail Soloviev, Giuliano Siligardi, Danilo Roccatano, Enrico Ferrari
Summary: A new geometrical model was developed to study the adsorption of proteins on nanoparticles, and findings showed a 32% surface occupancy of RBD on silica nanoparticles with 25% of RBD secondary structures undergoing conformational changes. These findings contribute to understanding protein-surface interactions and controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 through contaminated objects.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fabio Falleroni, Ulisse Bocchero, Simone Mortal, Yunzhen Li, Zhongjie Ye, Dan Cojoc, Vincent Torre
Summary: There is growing evidence that the mechanical properties of neurons play a crucial role in cellular processes. This study found that neurons are able to distinguish the magnitude of mechanical stimuli and respond with changes in intracellular calcium levels. Mechanically evoked responses require the influx of extracellular calcium through transmembrane ion channels. Furthermore, mechanical stimulation activates certain proteins involved in cellular signaling.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicoletta Braidotti, Maria Augusta do R. B. F. Lima, Michele Zanetti, Alessandro Rubert, Catalin Ciubotaru, Marco Lazzarino, Orfeo Sbaizero, Dan Cojoc
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between cytoskeleton alterations and diseases through examining primary rat cardiac fibroblasts. The results show that changes in the cytoskeleton can affect cell adhesion, rheological behavior, and morphology.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
William T. Ferreira, Huynh A. Hong, James R. G. Adams, Mateusz Hess, Natalia K. Kotowicz, Sisareuth Tan, Enrico Ferrari, Alain Brisson, Jurgen Zentek, Mikhail Soloviev, Simon M. Cutting
Summary: Clostridioides difficile is a spore-forming bacterium that causes disease after disruption of the intestinal microbiota. This study demonstrates the role of Bacillus in colonization resistance to C. difficile. Animals with reduced environmental exposure are more susceptible to CDI due to a loss of Bacillus. Heterogeneous lipopeptide lytic micelles (HELMs) produced by Bacillus in the small intestine enhance inhibitory activity against C. difficile.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicoletta Braidotti, Suet Nee Chen, Carlin S. Long, Dan Cojoc, Orfeo Sbaizero
Summary: This review presents recent discoveries regarding the role of the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1 in various diseases, particularly in tumor progression and cardiac mechanobiology. Based on recent findings, Piezo1 could be upregulated in cardiac fibroblasts due to mechanical stress and pro-inflammatory stimuli after myocardial injury, leading to fibrosis progression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Dermatology
Nicoleta Neagu, Caterina Dianzani, Aldo Venuti, Serena Bonin, Septimiu Voidazan, Iris Zalaudek, Claudio Conforti
Summary: Keratinocyte skin cancers are the most frequent malignancy, and the distribution of different HPV subtypes in these cancers may provide new possibilities for future treatments.
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY AND VENEREOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Giusto Trevisan, Katiuscia Nan, Nicola di Meo, Serena Bonin
Summary: This study compared the clinical data of 439 patients diagnosed with erythema migrans (EM) either through physical assessment or through telemedicine. The results clearly showed that utilizing telemedicine for EM diagnosis is useful as it enables prompt administration of appropriate antibiotic therapy, which is critical to avoid complications, especially for neurologic and articular entities.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ellen Reed, Enrico Ferrari, Mikhail Soloviev
Summary: This study aimed to address issues related to the quality of gene expression data and devise improved quality control and data processing procedures. Linear regression analysis was used to process gene expression datasets, resulting in an increase in the number of identifiable differentially regulated genes and a reduction in false positives. The approach reduced technical errors and improved the accuracy and precision of determining the degree of differential gene expression.
CURRENT BIOINFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Domenico Tierno, Eros Azzalini, Rossella Farra, Sara Drioli, Fulvia Felluga, Marco Lazzarino, Gabriele Grassi, Barbara Dapas, Serena Bonin
Summary: Epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors with different molecular and clinical features. Few improvements have been achieved in terms of EOC management and treatment efficacy, and the 5-year survival rate of patients remained almost unchanged. A better characterization of EOCs' heterogeneity is needed to identify vulnerabilities, stratify patients, and adopt proper therapies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Paolo Fattorini, Carlo Previdere, Serena Bonin, Solange Sorcaburu Ciglieri, Pierangela Grignani, Paola Pitacco, Monica Concato, Barbara Bertoglio, Irena Zupanic Pajnic
Summary: In this article, multiple analytical strategies developed for forensic purposes were applied to three bone samples collected in 2011. DNA was successfully extracted from the patella bone sample of Baron Pasquale Revoltella (1795-1869) and used for genetic typing using PCR-CE and PCR-MPS technologies. However, the samples extracted from the trabecular inner part of the femurs did not yield typing results, while the samples extracted from the compact cortical part allowed genetic typing even with PCR-CE technology.
Review
Oncology
Ludovica Toffoli, Caterina Dianzani, Serena Bonin, Claudio Guarneri, Fabrizio Guarneri, Roberta Giuffrida, Iris Zalaudek, Claudio Conforti
Summary: Actinic keratosis (AK) is a premalignant skin lesion caused by chronic sun damage. The new formulation of 4% 5-Fluorouracil with once daily application is a highly effective and safe treatment for multiple actinic keratoses.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Enrico Ferrari
Summary: One of the emerging technologies in molecular diagnostics is the use of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for biosensors. AuNPs can be functionalized with biomolecules to recognize and bind specific targets. AuNPs have unique optical properties, such as a distinctive plasmonic band and high extinction coefficient, which allow for visual detection even at low concentrations. This review focuses on the design and molecular mechanisms of AuNP-based plasmonic biosensors, highlighting their applications in point-of-care testing for various analytes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Serena Bonin, Stefano D'Errico, Caterina Medeot, Carlo Moreschi, Solange Sorcaburu Ciglieri, Michela Peruch, Monica Concato, Eros Azzalini, Carlo Previdere, Paolo Fattorini
Summary: Identifying novel biomarkers for forensic medicine is difficult due to sample degradation. This study tested three candidate miRNAs in cases of fatal traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and found significantly higher expression levels compared to control subjects. The miRNAs were not affected by specific brain areas or post-mortem intervals, but showed correlation with agonal time in TBI deaths. The highly degraded RNA in the autopsy tissues highlights the need for standardizing pre-analytical processes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eros Azzalini, Giorgio Stanta, Vincenzo Canzonieri, Serena Bonin
Summary: Ovarian cancers are a group of neoplasms with distinct clinical, pathological, and molecular features. Among these, high-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOCs) are the most prevalent and exhibit high intratumor heterogeneity. The histological patterns and clonal evolution of HGSOCs have prognostic implications and are influenced by non-clonal intratumor heterogeneity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Susannah Emily Cornwell, Sarah Ogechukwu Okocha, Enrico Ferrari
Summary: This study used dynamic light scattering to determine the dissociation constant and thickness of the protein corona formed in solutions of silica or gold nanoparticles mixed with different types of proteins. The results showed that the nanoparticle material had a greater impact on binding properties than the protein type, and serum albumin had a distinct binding pattern compared to other proteins. This pilot study provides a blueprint for future investigations into the complexity of the soft protein corona, which is crucial for the development of nanomedicines.