Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ruta Palepsiene, Martynas Maciulevicius, Paulius Ruzgys, Baltramiejus Jakstys, Saulius Satkauskas
Summary: Gene electrotransfer (GET) is a promising technique for gene therapy, but its success rate is influenced by the understanding of electroporation mechanism and other factors. This study analyzed the impact of low concentrations of Ca2+ on DNA electrotransfer and found that even 0.25 mM CaCl2 can significantly decrease the efficiency of GET and cell viability. The observed decrease in pDNA electrotransfer was not due to cell death but secondary mechanisms. The findings highlight the importance of Ca2+ in gene electrotransfer and its potential application in vivo.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Diana Navickaite, Paulius Ruzgys, Martynas Maciulevicius, Gerwin Dijk, Rodney P. O'Connor, Saulius Satkauskas
Summary: The study investigated the influence of Ca2+ concentration on molecular electrotransfer and release of Calcein from cancer cells, showing that higher calcium ion concentrations reduce the transfer of molecules and release of Calcein. This is related to an enhanced membrane repair mechanism, indicating that the efficiency of molecular electrotransfer can be controlled by regulating Ca2+ concentration.
BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yifei Wang, Chunxi Wang, Justin Sylvers, Tatiana Segura, Fan Yuan
Summary: Electrotransfection (ET) is a non-viral approach used for delivering nucleic acids, but its efficiency is often low in vivo. In this study, we developed nanoenhancers that diffuse slowly in tissues and are poorly absorbed by blood and lymph microvessels. These nanoenhancers were found to enhance ET efficiency both in vitro and in vivo, and their mechanism of action was related to the inhibition of lysosomal functions.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matej Kranjc, Janja Dermol-Cerne, Tjasa Potocnik, Vitalij Novickij, Damijan Miklavcic
Summary: This study demonstrates the feasibility of using high-intensity pulsed electromagnetic field (HI-PEMF) for non-viral delivery of genetic material in vitro. The results show that HI-PEMF can cause DNA adsorption to the cell membrane and induce gene electrotransfection. Endocytosis is also identified as a possible mechanism for introducing large molecules into cells by HI-PEMF.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dipeng Zhao, Jian Qin, Jie An, Hao Zhang, Junling Li, Hejie Wang, Rong Du, Yongming He
Summary: Electroporation is a non-viral mediated transfection technique that offers advantages such as being harmless, easy to operate, and less expensive. However, there is a need for further improvement in electroporation efficiency, as there is no universal standard electrotransfection step for different cell types, and inappropriate parameters can result in low transfection efficiency and high cell mortality.
MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giedre Silkuniene, Uma M. Mangalanathan, Alessandra Rossi, Peter A. Mollica, Andrei G. Pakhomov, Olga Pakhomova
Summary: The study aimed to identify endogenous proteins that either facilitate or impede the permeabilized state of the cell membrane disrupted by nsEP. Knockouts (KOs) of 316 genes encoding for membrane proteins were generated using a LentiArray CRISPR library in U937 human monocytes expressing Cas9 nuclease. Only two KOs for SCNN1A and CLCA1 genes showed a significant reduction in Yo-Pro-1 uptake, indicating their potential involvement in electropermeabilization lesions or lifespan. However, as many as 39 genes were identified as likely contributors to membrane stability or repair after nsEP.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nikita Raj, Lilo Greune, Martin Kahms, Karina Mildner, Rico Franzkoch, Olympia Ekaterini Psathaki, Thomas Zobel, Dagmar Zeuschner, Juergen Klingauf, Volker Gerke
Summary: The plasma membrane of a cell undergoes stresses that cause ruptures, which need immediate repair to maintain membrane integrity. The mechanism of repairing the membrane and the source of membrane material for this repair are poorly understood. This study reveals that early endosomes, previously known for their role in endocytic transport, are involved in the repair of plasma membrane in human endothelial cells. The researchers demonstrate that membrane injury triggers a previously unknown exocytosis of early endosomes, which is induced by Ca2+ entering through the wound. This Ca2+-evoked and localized exocytosis of early endosomes, mediated by the SNARE protein VAMP2, provides the membrane material required for the rapid resealing of the damaged plasma membrane.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yifei Wang, Chun-Chi Chang, Fan Yuan
Summary: Electrotransfection is a non-viral method to deliver nucleic acids into cells. This study determined the minimal copy number of plasmid DNA (pDNA) per cell required for transgene expression and developed a statistical framework to predict pDNA copy number in the nucleus. A novel approach was developed to obtain isolated nuclei with minimal contamination by extranuclear pDNA, enabling accurate measurement of intranuclear pDNA. The data showed that the copy number of pDNA per nucleus depended on cell culture period and pDNA dose for electrotransfection, and were used to improve the understanding of pDNA transport kinetics in cells.
BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xinxing Duan, Qian Zhou, Jennifer M. F. Wan, Alfred C. H. Yu
Summary: Sonoporation using microbubble-mediated ultrasound exposure can disrupt cellular homeostasis and lead to apoptosis or necrosis in cells despite initial viability. Changes in cell cycle phases distribution and upregulation of cytoprotective genes were observed in sonoporated cells, indicating an attempt to restore balance after membrane resealing.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Lena Fischer, Mojtaba Nosratlo, Katharina Hast, Emine Karakaya, Nadine Stroehlein, Tilman U. Esser, Richard Gerum, Sebastian Richter, Felix Engel, Rainer Detsch, Ben Fabry, Ingo Thievessen
Summary: During bioprinting, cells are subjected to shear stress, which can cause cell damage and death. Monitoring and controlling shear stress-induced cell damage is important but currently challenging. This study shows that cell deformation, FM 1-43 incorporation, and cell death are influenced by cell stiffness. Calcium supplementation reduces shear stress-induced cell damage and death, but not cell deformation.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Seungyeop Choi, Insu Park, Sang Hyun Lee, Kang In Yeo, Gyeongjun Min, Sung-Hun Woo, Yoon Suk Kim, Sei Young Lee, Sang Woo Lee
Summary: In this study, a single-cell analysis platform was introduced to continuously measure the electric response in a large number of cells. By using electric frequency and voltage variables, the platform allows for the evaluation of cell electrical phenotyping and identification of different cell types and drug responses.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yuki Watanabe, Hirohito Nihonyanagi, Rika Numano, Takayuki Shibata, Kazunori Takashima, Hirofumi Kurita
Summary: In this study, the influence of the electroporation medium on membrane permeabilization stimulated by electrical short-circuiting was investigated. It was found that the conductivity of the external medium had a significant impact on the experimental results, and low-conductivity electroporation medium enhanced the formation of membrane pores.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Violeta L. Calin, Mona Mihailescu, Nicolae Tarba, Ana Maria Sandu, Eugen Scarlat, Mihaela G. Moisescu, Tudor Savopol
Summary: Cell electroporation is a method where the plasma membrane is controlled permeabilized by electric pulses, allowing for drug delivery, gene transfer, and cell fusion. The dynamics of cellular response to electric pulses is still not fully explored, but phase-derived parameters and autocorrelation functions can be used to analyze cell membrane reorganization.
BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Adrian Fischer, Juliane Wannemacher, Simon Christ, Tim Koopmans, Safwen Kadri, Jiakuan Zhao, Mahesh Gouda, Haifeng Ye, Martin Mueck-Haeusl, Peter W. Krenn, Hans-Guenther Machens, Reinhard Faessler, Philipp-Alexander Neumann, Stefanie M. Hauck, Yuval Rinkevich
Summary: Research shows that damaged organs can repair wounds by transferring preexisting matrix through neutrophils. The source of the transferred matrix may determine the scarring or regeneration of the healing tissue. Blocking this transfer process through pharmacological inhibition can prevent matrix transfer and the formation of peritoneal adhesions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuki Sonoda, Fumi Kano, Masayuki Murata
Summary: This study developed a new method of EV loading using cell resealing and reconstituted the elementary miRNA-loading processes. The transport of miRNA to MVEs and encapsulation of miRNA into EVs followed a distinct pathway regulated by RNA-binding proteins, providing new insight for disease research.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Bo Gong, Xi Wei, Jin Qian, Yuan Lin
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xueying Shao, Maja Hojvang Sorensen, Xingyu Xia, Chao Fang, Tsz Hin Hui, Raymond Chuen Chung Chang, Zhiqin Chu, Yuan Lin
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Ze Gong, Chao Fang, Ran You, Xueying Shao, Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang, Yuan Lin
EXTREME MECHANICS LETTERS
(2020)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Tongtong Zhang, Linjie Ma, Lingzhi Wang, Feng Xu, Qiang Wei, Weiping Wang, Yuan Lin, Zhiqin Chu
Summary: A salt-assisted air oxidation treatment method has been developed to purify nanodiamonds, effectively removing impurities and enabling scalable production with a rounded shape. This discovery is expected to promote the widespread use of nanodiamonds in scientific and industrial fields.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Zishen Yan, Xingyu Xia, William C. Cho, Dennis W. Au, Xueying Shao, Chao Fang, Ye Tian, Yuan Lin
Summary: Metastasis plays a crucial role in tumor development, but a lack of quantitative methods to study the plastic deformation of cells has hindered our understanding. In this study, a microfluidic system is developed to impose controlled cyclic deformation on cells, allowing the investigation of their viscoelastic and plastic characteristics. It is found that highly invasive cancer cells and late-stage lung cancer circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can rapidly accumulate significant plastic strain, while less invasive cell lines and early-stage lung cancer CTCs show minimal irreversible deformation. These findings highlight the potential of using the plastic response of cells as a novel marker in future cancer research, with the observed irreversible deformation mainly originating from cytoskeleton damage rather than cell nucleus plasticity.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Di Wu, Yong Hou, Zhiqin Chu, Qiang Wei, Wei Hong, Yuan Lin
Summary: Cells rely on receptor-ligand binding to connect and communicate with the external environment. Understanding the interaction between receptors and ligands is crucial for comprehending cellular biology. Recent evidence suggests that the mobility of ligands at the cell-ECM interface affects cell adhesion and spreading, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. This modeling investigation reveals a biphasic relationship between adhesion and ligand diffusivity, with peak spreading observed at intermediate ligand mobility. The aggregation of ligands and the kinetics of bond association/dissociation play a role in determining this peak position.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jixiang Jing, Yong Hou, Yumeng Luo, Liang Chen, Linjie Ma, Yuan Lin, Kwai Hei Li, Zhiqin Chu
Summary: A highly sensitive salinity sensor based on a microscale III-nitride chip was developed, with enhanced long-term stability through a polymer antifouling coating. The sensor exhibits ultra-sensitivity, compactness, cost-effectiveness, fast response time, wireless compatibility, and ease of use, making it highly promising for in situ salinity sensing under varying environmental conditions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xingyu Xia, Hanbo Yang, Dennis Wai-Yin Au, Syrus Pak-Hei Lai, Yuan Lin, William Chi-Shing Cho
Summary: The self-repairing capability of the plasma membrane is crucial for cell survival. This study found that membrane pores induced by atomic force microscope puncture resealed faster in drug-resistant lung cancer cells, and this enhancement was attributed to the overexpression of annexin. Additionally, a significant reduction in membrane resealing time was observed through epithelial-mesenchymal transition, indicating its potential as an indicator for assessing drug resistance and cancer pathology.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lingzhi Wang, Yong Hou, Tongtong Zhang, Xi Wei, Yan Zhou, Dangyuan Lei, Qiang Wei, Yuan Lin, Zhiqin Chu
Summary: This study proposes a linear polarization modulation (LPM) method using single nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in nanodiamonds (NDs) as fluorescent markers to monitor the rotational and translational motions of the substrate caused by cell traction forces. By achieving precise orientation measurement and localization with background suppression, the experimental results agree well with theoretical calculations, demonstrating the practicability of the NV-based LPM method in studying mechanobiology and cell-material interactions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Huimin He, Xi Wei, Bin Yang, Hongzhen Liu, Mingze Sun, Yanran Li, Aixin Yan, Chuyang Y. Tang, Yuan Lin, Lizhi Xu
Summary: This study reports ultrastrong polymeric aerogels with self-assembled 3D networks of aramid nanofiber composites, which exhibit high nodal connectivity and strong crosslinking between fibrils, leading to significantly enhanced mechanical properties. These polymeric aerogels have high specific tensile modulus and fracture energy, and can be easily fabricated into various functional devices.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mingze Sun, Hegeng Li, Yong Hou, Nan Huang, Xingyu Xia, Hengjia Zhu, Qin Xu, Yuan Lin, Lizhi Xu
Summary: We describe multifunctional tendon-mimetic hydrogels composed of anisotropic assembly of aramid nano-fiber composites. These hydrogels mimic the structural interplay between collagen fibers and proteoglycans in tendons, and display high strength, modulus, and fracture toughness matching those of natural tendons. The surfaces of these hydrogels can be functionalized with bioactive molecules and integrated with soft bioelectronic components for sensing physiological parameters. The exceptional mechanics and functionality of these tendon mimetics suggest their potential applications in tissue engineering, prosthetics, human-machine interactions, and other technologies.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
T. H. Hui, X. Shao, D. W. Au, W. C. Cho, Y. Lin
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ze Gong, Chao Fang, Ran You, Xueying Shao, Xi Wei, Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang, Yuan Lin
