Article
Cell Biology
Nanami Ueda, Masashi Maekawa, Tsubasa S. Matsui, Shinji Deguchi, Tomoyo Takata, Jun Katahira, Shigeki Higashiyama, Miki Hieda
Summary: The linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex plays a critical role in regulating cellular structure and signaling during cell migration through traction force. SUN1, a component of the LINC complex, is involved in the maturation of focal adhesions and activation of integrin beta 1, which are both dependent on traction force.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jefferson O. Abaricia, Arth H. Shah, Rene Olivares-Navarrete
Summary: Recent studies have shown that neutrophils regulate NET formation in response to physical and mechanical cues from biomaterials through integrin/FAK signaling pathways. Neutrophils on higher stiffness substrates exhibit increased NET formation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, with fibronectin being the most potent inducer of NET formation in a stiffness-dependent manner. Inhibition of FAK activity abolishes the stiffness-dependent increase in NET formation and pro-inflammatory molecule secretion.
Article
Cell Biology
Lisann Esser, Ronald Springer, Georg Dreissen, Lukas Loevenich, Jens Konrad, Nico Hampe, Rudolf Merkel, Bernd Hoffmann, Erik Noetzel
Summary: Cell contractility regulates epithelial tissue geometry development and homeostasis. We developed an elastomeric pillar cage (EPC) array to quantify cell contractility as a mechanoresponse of epithelial microtissues to substrate stiffness and topography. This work introduced a versatile biophysical tool to explore mechanobiological regulation circuits driving low and high-tensional states during microtissue development and homeostasis.
Article
Cell Biology
Hendrik Schuermann, Fatemeh Abbasi, Antonella Russo, Arne D. Hofemeier, Matthias Brandt, Johannes Roth, Thomas Vogl, Timo Betz
Summary: Podosomes are protrusive actin structures that respond to mechanical stimuli and are commonly found in myeloid cells, playing a role in vascular extravasation. This study investigated the force generation of podosome-bearing ER-Hoxb8 monocytes at the cellular level. The findings suggest that the collective contraction of the actomyosin network leads to a buckling mechanism, causing substrate indentation on the cell scale. This additional force generation complements the protrusion forces of individual podosomes.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Abbas Mgharbel, Camille Migdal, Nicolas Bouchonville, Paul Dupenloup, David Fuard, Eline Lopez-Soler, Caterina Tomba, Marie Courcon, Danielle Gulino-Debrac, Helene Delanoe-Ayari, Alice Nicolas
Summary: Cell rigidity sensing is a basic cellular process that allows cells to adapt to mechanical cues by adjusting the level of stress. Researchers have developed an efficient method to design micron-scale stiffness patterns and a surface coating protocol to tune the density of adhesion proteins, providing tools for cells to exert force on their surroundings. These findings enhance our understanding of the contribution of stiffness alterations in diseases.
Article
Mechanics
H. Chelly, A. Jahangiri, M. Mireux, J. Etienne, D. K. Dysthe, C. Verdier, P. Recho
Summary: Living cells generate traction forces on their environment through the actin cytoskeleton, which deforms the elastic substrate and in turn affects the cell dynamics. In this study, we derive an effective law for the non-local frictional contact between the cell and the deformable substrate by considering a cell constrained to move along a one-dimensional thin track. By coupling this law with a model of active flow within the cell cytoskeleton, we provide a paradigm to explain the experimentally observed non-linear relationship between cell steady state velocity and substrate elasticity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NON-LINEAR MECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
Hanbin Yin, Zhilong Peng, Shaohua Chen
Summary: In this paper, the peeling behavior of a heterogeneous elastic film bonded to a rigid substrate is theoretically investigated. It is found that the peeling force can be dramatically regulated by the film's heterogeneous bending stiffness during the peeling process. The enhancement or weakening of the peeling force depends on the bending stiffness of each segment of the film, the bending stiffness ratio of neighboring segments, the adhesion length of each segment, and the interfacial adhesion properties. The results provide a new strategy for designing film-substrate systems with adjustable adhesion.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOLIDS AND STRUCTURES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Morteza Aramesh, Simon Mergenthal, Marcel Issler, Birgit Plochberger, Florian Weber, Xiao-Hua Qin, Robert Liska, Georg N. Duda, Johannes B. Huppa, Jonas Ries, Gerhard J. Schuetz, Enrico Klotzsch
Summary: The study developed a traction force microscopy platform to quantify the forces exerted by T-cell microvilli during activation, and confirmed the interaction with specific T-cell activating antibodies fixed on marker beads. Cellular components like actin, TCR, and CD45 were found to rearrange upon interaction, with actin forming a vortex-like structure around beads, TCR enrichment at bead surface, and CD45 exclusion from bead-microvilli contacts.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Nadia Chandra Sekar, Sergio Aguilera Suarez, Ngan Nguyen, Austin Lai, Peter Thurgood, Ying Zhou, Chanly Chheang, Scott Needham, Elena Pirogova, Karlheinz Peter, Khashayar Khoshmanesh, Sara Baratchi
Summary: Endothelial cells, which line blood vessels, are affected by biophysical cues and play an important role in vascular health and disease. This study investigated the impact of vessel stiffness on endothelial cells and found that cells cultured on softer substrates showed different cellular alignment and morphology compared to cells on stiffer substrates.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Ariel Wang, Shulin Cao, Jennifer C. Stowe, Daniela Valdez-Jasso
Summary: Pulmonary arterial adventitial fibroblasts (PAAFs) play a crucial role in fibrotic vascular remodeling during the progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), responding to increased stretch and substrate stiffness by upregulating the expression of various genes. Differential regulation of gene expression by stretch and stiffness may provide insights into potential regulators of vascular adventitial remodeling in PAH in-vivo.
Article
Biology
Cedric H. G. Neutel, Anne-Sophie Weyns, Arthur Leloup, Sofie De Moudt, Pieter-Jan Guns, Paul Fransen
Summary: This study investigated the effects of physical activity on cardiovascular function in mice and found that vascular smooth muscle cells in the aorta have the ability to de-stiffen or relax after periods of high cyclic stretch. These findings have implications for the therapeutic potential of physical activity in cardiovascular disease.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Pakorn Kanchanawong, David A. Calderwood
Summary: Cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions occur at specialized, multi-protein adhesion complexes, with clustered integrins as the predominant ECM receptors. Progress in characterization of adhesion composition, organization and dynamics in response to force has improved understanding of adhesion maturation and turnover and the relationships between adhesion structures and functions.
NATURE REVIEWS MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Manos Mavrakis, M. Angeles Juanes
Summary: Cell movement is influenced by the turnover of focal adhesions, which traditionally was believed to be triggered by microtubules. However, recent research has discovered other molecular players that affect actin cytoskeleton dynamics, enabling directed cell migration.
CURRENT OPINION IN CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Alex Mogilner, Mariya Savinov
Summary: Research on the locomotion of single cells on hard, flat surfaces has provided valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying cell motility, such as leading-edge protrusion, spatially graded adhesion, front-rear coordination, and the utilization of intracellular and traction forces. The discoveries made by Ken Jacobson and his collaborators through their studies on various cell types, shapes, and movements have significantly contributed to the mechanistic understanding of cell motility. In this article, we review the recent advancements and current perspectives in this field.
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Minh-Tri Ho Thanh, Alexandra Grella, Denis Kole, Sakthikumar Ambady, Qi Wen
Summary: The study explores the role of vimentin in durosensing by reducing its expression level in 3T3 fibroblasts, suggesting that vimentin modulates traction force in durosensing but its absence does not significantly affect mechanosensitivity. This indicates that vimentin may be redundant in the machinery cells use to sense substrate stiffness.
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Ning Hu, Jingwen Qiu, Bo Xu, Shunhao Zhang, Zijian Guo, Jing Xie, Wenbin Yang
Summary: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage loss, with limited treatment options. Stem cell therapy, particularly using cartilage stem/progenitor cells (CSPCs), has emerged as a promising approach for OA treatment. CSPCs, similar to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), have the potential for cartilage regeneration and repair due to their proliferative and chondrogenic differentiation abilities. Despite limitations, CSPCs offer an innovative idea with great advantages for OA treatment.
CURRENT STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiazhou Li, Hao Chen, Lang Cai, Daimo Guo, Demao Zhang, Xuedong Zhou, Jing Xie
Summary: This study reveals that SDF-1 alpha promotes chondrocyte autophagy through the CXCR4/mTOR signaling axis, highlighting the importance of autophagy in the survival of chondrocytes in harsh environments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Textiles
Xin Wang, Yang Huang, Xiongbo Song, Lin Guo, Guangxing Chen, Liu Yang, Cheng Chen, Xiaoyuan Gong
Summary: In this study, an Apt19s-functionalized silk ligament scaffold was prepared, which had comparable mechanical strength to the native ACL and enhanced MSC recruitment.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL FIBERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sirui Chen, Zuping Wu, Yuying He, Li Zhu, Jiahe Wang, Hengyi Lin, Jing Xie, Chenchen Zhou, Shujuan Zou
Summary: The study investigates the impact and underlying mechanisms of bacterial second messenger c-di-AMP on the differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs). The gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients with chronic periodontitis is found to have a higher expression level of c-di-AMP compared to healthy individuals. In vitro experiments show that c-di-AMP affects the differentiation of hPDLSCs by upregulating Toll-like receptors (TLRs). It inhibits osteogenic differentiation through activating NF-kappa B and ERK/MAPK, and promotes adipogenic differentiation through the NF-kappa B and p38/MAPK signaling pathways. Inhibitors of TLRs or activated pathways can reduce the changes induced by c-di-AMP.
ACTA BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA SINICA
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yi Liu, Mengmeng Duan, Demao Zhang, Jing Xie
Summary: Mechano growth factor (MGF), a mechanically sensitive growth factor, plays a crucial role in the skeletal system and has high expression in chondrocytes in the joint cavity. It affects chondrocyte behavior and maintains cartilage homeostasis. Despite recent discoveries, its role in cartilage development and disease occurrence remains controversial and its internal biological mechanism is still unclear.
ACTA BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA SINICA
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Shiyi Kan, Caixia Pi, Li Zhang, Daimo Guo, Zhixing Niu, Yang Liu, Mengmeng Duan, Xiahua Pu, Mingru Bai, Chenchen Zhou, Demao Zhang, Jing Xie
Summary: This study investigates the role of FGF19 on chondrocytes, focusing on mitochondrial biogenesis and fusion. It is found that FGF19 enhances mitochondrial biogenesis and fusion through the activation of AMPKa-p38/MAPK signaling. These findings expand the understanding of FGF19 on chondrocyte metabolism.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Daimo Guo, Shiyi Kan, Li Zhang, Zhixing Niu, Mengmeng Duan, Yang Liu, Xiaohua Pu, Mingru Bai, Caixia Pi, Demao Zhang, Chenchen Zhou, Jing Xie
Summary: GJIC plays an important role in cell behavior and IL-10 can enhance GJIC in chondrocytes through up-regulation of connexin 43 (Cx43) and activation of STAT3 signaling.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2023)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Lin Cheng, Hongyan Yue, Huaiyi Zhang, Qiao Liu, Lingyu Du, Xiaoheng Liu, Jing Xie, Yang Shen
Summary: Atherosclerosis, characterized by phenotypic changes in fibrous proliferation, chronic inflammation, and lipid accumulation, is the main cause of cardiovascular diseases. This disease is mediated by vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and is correlated with the stiffening and remodeling of local extracellular matrix (ECM). ECM stiffening can influence EC fate by changing cell behavior, such as adhesion, proliferation, and communication with SMCs. Despite substantial evidence, our understanding of this complex interplay is still limited.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xinyue Zhang, Xiaohua Pu, Caixia Pi, Jing Xie
Summary: FGF7, also known as KGF, plays a crucial role in tissue development, wound repair, tumorigenesis, and immune reconstruction. It directs cellular synaptic extension and facilitates functional gap junction communication in the skeletal system. Additionally, it promotes osteogenic differentiation and regulates key molecules in cartilage. However, the molecular mechanism of FGF7 in chondrocyte behaviors and cartilage diseases remains unknown.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yang Liu, Xiaohua Pu, Mengmeng Duan, Cheng Chen, Yanfang Zhao, Demao Zhang, Jing Xie
Summary: Designing a biomimetic physical microenvironment that closely resembles in vivo tissue for observing real cell behaviors is a major challenge. In this study, a novel cell culture platform was established using patterned equidistant micropillars with varying stiffnesses to mimic the changes occurring in the transition from normal to osteoporotic disease. The findings revealed that the soft micropillar substrate decreased osteocyte synaptogenesis and impaired cell mechanoperception and cytoskeletal rearrangement. The reduction in osteocyte synaptogenesis was mainly mediated through the inactivation of Erk/MAPK signaling. Additionally, the soft micropillar substrate-mediated synaptogenesis affected cell-to-cell communication and matrix mineralization of osteocytes. These results provide evidence of cellular mechanical responses that more closely resemble those of real osteocytes at the bone tissue level.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Xiaoling Cao, Lang Cai, Daimo Guo, Demao Zhang, Xuedong Zhou, Jing Xie
Summary: The study found that FGF8 promotes cell-cell communication in chondrocytes by up-regulating the expression of connexin43 (Cx43), the major component of gap junction channels in chondrocytes. This effect is mediated by the activation of the p38-MAPK signaling pathway. Inhibition of p38-MAPK signaling impairs the increase in Cx43 expression and cell-cell communication induced by FGF8, highlighting the importance of p38-MAPK signaling. These findings provide insights into the role of FGF8 in cell communication and suggest a potential therapeutic target for cartilage diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tao Zuo, Yang Liu, Mengmeng Duan, Xiaohua Pu, Minglei Huang, Demao Zhang, Jing Xie
Summary: PDGF-AA promotes gap junction formation in the osteoblast lineage through the activation of p-Akt signaling, thus enhancing cell-to-cell communication. This study reveals the role of PDGF-AA in bone regeneration and diseases.
BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yang Liu, Chuanlei Zhang, Yanhui Kong, Huiyu Liu, Cheng Chen, Wenyu Gao, Xiaowei Xi, Hui Yang, Linhong Deng
Summary: Blindness often occurs due to corneal abnormalities, and corneal transplantation is the most effective treatment method. Developing high-quality artificial corneas is crucial since there is a shortage of available donor corneas for transplantation. Collagen, the main component of natural cornea, is commonly used as a material in corneal repair. However, promoting the regeneration of corneal nerves after surgery remains a challenge. In this study, researchers developed a novel collagen-based material that showed promising results in promoting the growth of nerve cells and corneal epithelial cells. The findings suggest that this material may have potential applications in cornea tissue engineering.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Xinmei Du, Linyi Cai, Jing Xie, Xuedong Zhou
Summary: Articular cartilage lacks blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves, making its repair challenging. TGF-beta 3 plays a versatile role in cartilage physiology and pathology by influencing chondrocyte life cycle and mediating cellular responses. Increased TGF-beta 3 can enhance chondrocyte viability in healthy tissues, but accelerate disease progression in osteoarthritic chondrocytes. TGF-beta 3 is recognized as a potential therapeutic target for osteoarthritis due to its protective effect in enhancing the recruitment of MSCs to damaged cartilage.
