Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Celeste M. Nelson
Summary: Differentiation is the process in which a cell activates specific gene expression, downregulates potency marker expression, and acquires phenotypic characteristics of mature fate, all regulated by biochemical and mechanical factors in the microenvironment. Recent breakthroughs in understanding the mechanical regulation of differentiation in the early mouse embryo are described. Reproducible engineering approaches to mimic mechanical regulation will provide new insights into early development and regenerative medicine applications.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Katharine Goodwin, Celeste M. Nelson
Summary: During embryonic mouse lung development, differentiation of pulmonary mesenchyme into smooth muscle is essential for proper airway formation. Previous studies have shown that inhibiting smooth muscle differentiation leads to abnormal airway structure, while enhancing it disrupts epithelial branching. However, most methods used to manipulate smooth muscle differentiation are conducted ex vivo. In this study, we investigated the use of genetic ablation strategies to remove airway smooth muscle in the embryonic mouse lung. Surprisingly, none of the commonly used Cre lines targeting smooth muscle-specific genes showed robust or specific activity in embryonic airway smooth muscle. Our findings highlight the need for airway smooth muscle-specific Cre lines that are active during embryonic development.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Jacob M. Jaslove, Katharine Goodwin, Aswin Sundarakrishnan, James W. Spurlin, Sheng Mao, Andrej Kosmrlj, Celeste M. Nelson
Summary: This study reveals a new mechanism underlying the regulation of lung development, in which transmural pressure balances the rates of epithelial growth and smooth muscle differentiation through retinoic acid (RA) signaling. The results demonstrate the involvement of RA in the mechanotransduction machinery of embryonic tissues.
Article
Cell Biology
Brian B. Silver, Sherry X. Zhang, Emann M. Rabie, Celeste M. Nelson
Summary: Membrane voltage plays a critical role in regulating cellular behaviors such as proliferation, apoptosis, and phenotypic plasticity. The stiffness of the extracellular matrix influences membrane voltage, and a decrease in stiffness leads to depolarization of the membrane, affecting cell proliferation. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) has been identified as playing a role in regulating membrane voltage in response to substrate stiffness, suggesting a novel mechanism in cell response to the mechanical microenvironment.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah Paramore, Katharine Goodwin, Celeste M. Nelson
Summary: This article describes the diverse mechanisms nature has evolved to build epithelial trees in different organs and species. These mechanisms can be driven by either epithelial cells themselves or the cells of surrounding tissues, and each stage of branching morphogenesis is driven by different mechanisms. The study provides examples from various organs and species, highlighting the distinct mechanisms and similar morphogenetic motifs used to build epithelial trees. Understanding nature's strategies can inspire creative solutions in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dongyang Zhu, Zhiqi Hu, Tanya K. Rogers, Morgan Barnes, Chia-Ping Tseng, Hao Mei, Lucas M. Sassi, Zhuqing Zhang, Muhammad M. Rahman, Pulickel M. Ajayan, Rafael Verduzco
Summary: This study introduces a novel method for patterning, transferring, and measuring the tensile properties of free-floating nanoscale COF films. The tensile tests of TAPB-PDA COF resulted in a modulus of approximately 1.4 GPa and a fracture strain of 2.5%, demonstrating the potential of COFs for thin-film applications.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Alice E. Stanton, Katharine Goodwin, Aswin Sundarakrishnan, Jacob M. Jaslove, Jason P. Gleghorn, Amira L. Pavlovich, Celeste M. Nelson
Summary: Mechanical forces, particularly negative transpulmonary pressure, play a crucial role in the development of embryonic airways by impacting branching morphogenesis and altering FGF10 expression. Understanding the mechanical signaling pathways connecting transpulmonary pressure to FGF10 could lead to novel approaches for addressing congenital lung defects without surgery.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Audrey B. McCosker, Mikayla E. Snowdon, Riki Lamont, Maria A. Woodruff, Naomi C. Paxton
Summary: Melt electrowriting is capable of fabricating biomimetic polymer scaffolds with high-resolution microarchitecture. This study presents novel tools to automatically generate scaffold designs and investigate their mechanical properties. The results demonstrate the impact of pore geometries and open unit cell designs on scaffold stiffness, as well as the ability to tune auxetic scaffolds using the generated scaffold gcode.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lucie Riglet, Stefano Gatti, Edwige Moyroud
Summary: Plant epidermis is a multifunctional surface that interacts with external factors, relying on minuscule structures and cuticle elaborations. Understanding the formation and functions of these elements require a multidisciplinary approach, utilizing modern tools and advanced microscopy techniques.
Review
Cell Biology
Yonit Maroudas-Sacks, Kinneret Keren
Summary: Morphogenesis is a significant example of biological pattern formation but the underlying organizational principles remain not fully understood. The coordination between mechanical and biochemical processes, as well as the value of a coarse-grained approach, are essential for understanding this process. Identifying relevant coarse-grained variables and developing effective theories are key challenges in developing an integrated framework for understanding this remarkable pattern-formation process.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY, VOL 37
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jian Zhang, Won-Kyu Lee, Rui Tu, Dongjoon Rhee, Rongzhi Zhao, Xinyu Wang, Xiaolian Liu, Xin Hu, Xuefeng Zhang, Teri W. Odom, Mi Yan
Summary: In this work, microscopic patterning of magnetic domains was achieved by engineering stress distribution in ferromagnetic thin films deposited on nanotrenched polymeric layers. The geometric configuration of domains was spatially tuned by changing the periodicity and shape of nanotrenches. The forming mechanism of the directed magnetization was dominantly influenced by the local stress distribution due to topographic confinement.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xi Wu, Silvia Moimas, Raoul Hopf, Costanza Giampietro, Andreas Kourouklis, Volkmar Falk, Edoardo Mazza, Aldo Ferrari
Summary: The study introduces a novel surface micro-topography design method through endothelialization strategies, which effectively supports the survival and growth of endothelial cells under complex hemodynamic conditions. The new structuring method uses water droplet condensation and evaporation to introduce microscale wells array, greatly outperforming traditional flat surfaces.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christian Schwarz, Floris van Rees, Danghan Xie, Maarten G. Kleinhans, Barend van Maanen
Summary: This study investigates the impact of different recruitment strategies of mangroves and salt marshes on channel network properties. The research finds that salt marshes have more extensive channel networks and shorter over-marsh flow paths compared to mangrove systems. Laboratory experiments support these findings, indicating that recruitment strategies play a crucial role in channel development.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Niccolo Ragno, Marco Redolfi, Marco Tubino
Summary: This study focuses on the morphodynamic equilibrium and stability conditions of a bifurcation-confluence loop, revealing that an increase in water surface elevation of the dominating anabranch can increase the stability of the system. The stabilizing effect exerted by the confluence depends on the ratio between the length of the anabranches and the average water depth, while classic stabilizing mechanisms may be ineffective in certain conditions.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Oceanography
Carter B. DuVal, Arthur C. Trembanis, Douglas C. Miller
Summary: This study introduces a novel regime-state framework to determine the dominant modifier of seabed roughness and investigates ripple decay and bioturbation. By analyzing field observations and models, the study identifies mechanisms of seabed roughness variation, providing a direction for future research.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Katharine Goodwin, Celeste M. Nelson
Summary: Mechanical forces play a crucial role in development, with both intrinsic and extrinsic signals affecting morphogenesis. Recent studies have highlighted the diversity and importance of mechanical influences during development. There are promising avenues for future research in this rapidly expanding field.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Ayse Nihan Kilinc, Siyang Han, Lena A. Barrett, Niroshan Anandasivam, Celeste M. Nelson
Summary: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an essential process for cancer cells invasion and dissemination, which is influenced by signals from the tumor microenvironment. This study revealed a critical role of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) in controlling cell phenotype by regulating adhesive connections to the local microenvironment in response to TGF beta 1.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bryan A. Nerger, Jacob M. Jaslove, Hader E. Elashal, Sheng Mao, Andrej Kosmrlj, A. James Link, Celeste M. Nelson
Summary: The global bias in epithelial orientation during pubertal mammary development is primarily influenced by the angle of bifurcation of terminal end buds (TEBs). A local increase in stiffness from the accumulation of extracellular matrix constrains the angle of bifurcation of TEBs, which is sufficient to pattern the global orientation of the developing mammary epithelium. These findings suggest that local mechanical properties play a crucial role in regulating the global pattern of mammary epithelial branching.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Yoseph W. Dance, Tova Meshulam, Alex J. Seibel, Mackenzie C. Obenreder, Matthew D. Layne, Celeste M. Nelson, Joe Tien
Summary: The study revealed that both adipocytes and adipose-derived stem cells accelerate the interstitial invasion and escape of human breast cancer cells, with ASCs having a stronger effect than adipocytes.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Payam E. Farahani, Celeste M. Nelson
Summary: Epithelial morphogenesis is guided by dynamic mechanical forces and biochemical signals. Live-imaging approaches can uncover morphogenetic mechanisms and enhance information collection through genetically encoded biosensors and spatiotemporal perturbation techniques.
CURRENT OPINION IN GENETICS & DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Jacob M. Jaslove, Katharine Goodwin, Aswin Sundarakrishnan, James W. Spurlin, Sheng Mao, Andrej Kosmrlj, Celeste M. Nelson
Summary: This study reveals a new mechanism underlying the regulation of lung development, in which transmural pressure balances the rates of epithelial growth and smooth muscle differentiation through retinoic acid (RA) signaling. The results demonstrate the involvement of RA in the mechanotransduction machinery of embryonic tissues.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Katharine Goodwin, Jacob M. Jaslove, Hirotaka Tao, Min Zhu, Sevan Hopyan, Celeste M. Nelson
Summary: By using single-cell RNA-sequencing of embryonic mouse lungs, this study reveals that the pulmonary mesenchyme contains a continuum of cell identities, but no transcriptionally distinct progenitors. Transcriptional variability is correlated with spatially distinct sub-epithelial and sub-mesothelial mesenchymal compartments that are regulated by Wnt signaling. Live-imaging and tension-sensors show that sub-epithelial mesenchyme contributes to airway smooth muscle. Reconstruction of differentiation trajectories reveals early activation of cytoskeletal and Wnt signaling genes.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Celeste M. Nelson
Summary: Differentiation is the process in which a cell activates specific gene expression, downregulates potency marker expression, and acquires phenotypic characteristics of mature fate, all regulated by biochemical and mechanical factors in the microenvironment. Recent breakthroughs in understanding the mechanical regulation of differentiation in the early mouse embryo are described. Reproducible engineering approaches to mimic mechanical regulation will provide new insights into early development and regenerative medicine applications.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Celeste M. Nelson
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah Paramore, Katharine Goodwin, Celeste M. Nelson
Summary: This article describes the diverse mechanisms nature has evolved to build epithelial trees in different organs and species. These mechanisms can be driven by either epithelial cells themselves or the cells of surrounding tissues, and each stage of branching morphogenesis is driven by different mechanisms. The study provides examples from various organs and species, highlighting the distinct mechanisms and similar morphogenetic motifs used to build epithelial trees. Understanding nature's strategies can inspire creative solutions in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Alex J. Seibel, Owen M. Kelly, Yoseph W. Dance, Celeste M. Nelson, Joe Tien
Summary: This study models the interaction between breast microtumors and lymphatic vessels, and reveals an inhibitory role for lymphatic endothelium in breast tumor invasion and escape.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Yoseph W. W. Dance, Mackenzie C. C. Obenreder, Alex J. J. Seibel, Tova Meshulam, Joshua W. W. Ogony, Nikhil Lahiri, Laura Pacheco-Spann, Derek C. C. Radisky, Matthew D. D. Layne, Stephen R. R. Farmer, Celeste M. M. Nelson, Joe Tien
Summary: This study demonstrates that the presence of adipose cells, regardless of the obesity status of the adipose tissue donor, hastens the escape of human breast cancer cells in multiple models of obesity-associated breast cancer.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BIOENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Katharine Goodwin, Celeste M. Nelson
Summary: During embryonic mouse lung development, differentiation of pulmonary mesenchyme into smooth muscle is essential for proper airway formation. Previous studies have shown that inhibiting smooth muscle differentiation leads to abnormal airway structure, while enhancing it disrupts epithelial branching. However, most methods used to manipulate smooth muscle differentiation are conducted ex vivo. In this study, we investigated the use of genetic ablation strategies to remove airway smooth muscle in the embryonic mouse lung. Surprisingly, none of the commonly used Cre lines targeting smooth muscle-specific genes showed robust or specific activity in embryonic airway smooth muscle. Our findings highlight the need for airway smooth muscle-specific Cre lines that are active during embryonic development.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Katharine Goodwin, Bezia Lemma, Pengfei Zhang, Adam Boukind, Celeste M. Nelson
Summary: It has been discovered that smooth muscle differentiation plays a role in shaping the branches of airway epithelial in mammalian lungs. Serum response factor (SRF) and its co-factor myocardin activate the expression of contractile smooth muscle markers. However, in adults, smooth muscle exhibits different phenotypes beyond contractile, which are not influenced by SRF/myocardin-induced transcription. To investigate if similar plasticity is observed during development, Srf was deleted from the mouse embryonic pulmonary mesenchyme. The study found that the mutant lungs without Srf branched normally, and the mesenchyme showed mechanical properties similar to controls. Single-cell RNA sequencing( scRNA-seq) identified an Srf-null smooth muscle cluster in the mutant lungs, which lacked contractile smooth muscle markers but still retained many characteristics of control smooth muscle. The findings suggest that embryonic airway smooth muscle exhibits a synthetic phenotype, which promotes airway branching morphogenesis.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2023)
Article
Biology
Payam E. Farahani, Xiaoyu Yang, Emily Mesev, Kaylan A. Fomby, Ellen H. Brumbaugh-Reed, Caleb J. Bashor, Celeste M. Nelson, Jared E. Toettcher
Summary: pYtags is a modular approach for monitoring the activity of a specific RTK by live-cell microscopy. It enables monitoring of a specific RTK on different time and space scales with high specificity. Using pYtag biosensors, signaling dynamics can be quantitatively characterized with different activating ligands. The specificity and modularity of pYtags open the door to robust biosensors of multiple tyrosine kinases.
Review
Developmental Biology
Cheng Shi, Pengfei Jiao, Zhiyi Chen, Lan Ma, Siyue Yao
Summary: This review discusses the molecular etiology of congenital craniofacial abnormalities, with a focus on the role and mechanism of noncoding RNAs in regulating craniofacial development. Aberrant expression of noncoding RNAs has been implicated in the pathogenesis of craniofacial abnormalities, providing potential therapeutic targets.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Hideru Togashi, Steven Ray Davis, Makoto Sato
Summary: Tile patterns, regulated by cell adhesion molecules, are regular arrangements of cells that play important functional roles in multicellular organisms. The physical constraints and cell adhesion regulate both cell shape and tissue morphogenesis.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Armen Khanbabei, Lina Segura, Cynthia Petrossian, Aaron Lemus, Ithan Cano, Courtney Frazier, Armen Halajyan, Donnie Ca, Mariano Loza-Coll
Summary: This article investigates the genetic regulatory mechanisms of Drosophila intestinal stem cells. The study found that most target genes co-regulated by Esg and STAT show a consistent gene expression pattern. However, manipulating these validated targets in vivo rarely replicated the effects of manipulating Esg and STAT, suggesting the presence of complex genetic interactions among the downstream targets of these two master regulator genes.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Bayley J. Waters, Zoe R. Birman, Matthew R. Wagner, Julia Lemanski, Barak Blum
Summary: Researchers found that conditional deletion of Robo2 in adult mice led to a significant loss of islet architecture without affecting beta cell identity or function, suggesting that Robo2 plays a role in actively maintaining adult islet architecture. Understanding the factors required for islet architecture maintenance is crucial for developing future diabetes therapies.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Rhiannon Clements, Tyler Smith, Luke Cowart, Jennifer Zhumi, Alan Sherrod, Aidan Cahill, Ginger L. Hunter
Summary: Cell protrusions play a crucial role in regulating cell activities during development. By studying the regulation mechanism in fruit fly sensory bristle patterning, it was found that Myosin XV is essential for the dynamics of signaling filopodia and promotes long-range Notch signaling.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Margaret Keating, Ryan Hagle, Daniel Osorio-Mendez, Anjelica Rodriguez-Parks, Sarah I. Almutawa, Junsu Kang
Summary: Knock-in reporter (KI) animals are essential for studying gene expression in biomedical research. This study developed a new strategy using minicircle technology and a minimal promoter to enhance knock-in events and establish stable KI transgenic reporter lines. The study also highlighted the importance of selecting the proper KI line due to potential inappropriate influence of genome editing on reporter gene expression.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Christian Altbuerger, Meta Rath, Daniel Armbruster, Wolfgang Driever
Summary: This study reveals that Neurog1 and Olig2 transcription factors have differential requirements for the development of dopaminergic neurons, and they integrate local patterning signals and Notch neurogenic selection signaling to specify the progenitor population and initiate neurogenesis and differentiation.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
