scholarly journals Design, Implementation, and Validation of a Piezoelectric Device to Study the Effects of Dynamic Mechanical Stimulation on Cell Proliferation, Migration and Morphology

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 2155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dahiana Mojena-Medina ◽  
Marina Martínez-Hernández ◽  
Miguel de la Fuente ◽  
Guadalupe García-Isla ◽  
Julio Posada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Stimulation ◽  
Cell Monolayer ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Mechanical Parameters ◽  
Dynamic Stimuli ◽  
New Device ◽  
Dynamic Mechanical ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Biochemical Signals

Cell functions and behavior are regulated not only by soluble (biochemical) signals but also by biophysical and mechanical cues within the cells’ microenvironment. Thanks to the dynamical and complex cell machinery, cells are genuine and effective mechanotransducers translating mechanical stimuli into biochemical signals, which eventually alter multiple aspects of their own homeostasis. Given the dominant and classic biochemical-based views to explain biological processes, it could be challenging to elucidate the key role that mechanical parameters such as vibration, frequency, and force play in biology. Gaining a better understanding of how mechanical stimuli (and their mechanical parameters associated) affect biological outcomes relies partially on the availability of experimental tools that may allow researchers to alter mechanically the cell’s microenvironment and observe cell responses. Here, we introduce a new device to study in vitro responses of cells to dynamic mechanical stimulation using a piezoelectric membrane. Using this device, we can flexibly change the parameters of the dynamic mechanical stimulation (frequency, amplitude, and duration of the stimuli), which increases the possibility to study the cell behavior under different mechanical excitations. We report on the design and implementation of such device and the characterization of its dynamic mechanical properties. By using this device, we have performed a preliminary study on the effect of dynamic mechanical stimulation in a cell monolayer of an epidermal cell line (HaCaT) studying the effects of 1 Hz and 80 Hz excitation frequencies (in the dynamic stimuli) on HaCaT cell migration, proliferation, and morphology. Our preliminary results indicate that the response of HaCaT is dependent on the frequency of stimulation. The device is economic, easily replicated in other laboratories and can support research for a better understanding of mechanisms mediating cellular mechanotransduction.

scholarly journals A Novel Bioreactor for the Mechanical Stimulation of Clinically Relevant Scaffolds for Muscle Tissue Engineering Purposes

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 474
Author(s):  
Silvia Todros ◽  
Silvia Spadoni ◽  
Edoardo Maghin ◽  
Martina Piccoli ◽  
Piero G. Pavan
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Stimulation ◽  
Strain Range ◽  
Tensile Tests ◽  
Muscular Tissue ◽  
Fe Model ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Physiological Strain ◽  
Cellular Alignment ◽  
Stimulation Of

Muscular tissue regeneration may be enhanced in vitro by means of mechanical stimulation, inducing cellular alignment and the growth of functional fibers. In this work, a novel bioreactor is designed for the radial stimulation of porcine-derived diaphragmatic scaffolds aiming at the development of clinically relevant tissue patches. A Finite Element (FE) model of the bioreactor membrane is developed, considering two different methods for gripping muscular tissue patch during the stimulation, i.e., suturing and clamping with pliers. Tensile tests are carried out on fresh and decellularized samples of porcine diaphragmatic tissue, and a fiber-reinforced hyperelastic constitutive model is assumed to describe the mechanical behavior of tissue patches. Numerical analyses are carried out by applying pressure to the bioreactor membrane and evaluating tissue strain during the stimulation phase. The bioreactor designed in this work allows one to mechanically stimulate tissue patches in a radial direction by uniformly applying up to 30% strain. This can be achieved by adopting pliers for tissue clamping. Contrarily, the use of sutures is not advisable, since high strain levels are reached in suturing points, exceeding the physiological strain range and possibly leading to tissue laceration. FE analysis allows the optimization of the bioreactor configuration in order to ensure an efficient transduction of mechanical stimuli while preventing tissue damage.

scholarly journals A Role for Acid-sensing Ion Channel 3, but Not Acid-sensing Ion Channel 2, in Sensing Dynamic Mechanical Stimuli

2010 ◽  
Vol 113 (3) ◽  
pp. 647-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasenka Borzan ◽  
Chengshui Zhao ◽  
Richard A. Meyer ◽  
Srinivasa N. Raja
Keyword(s):  
Ion Channel ◽  
Nerve Injury ◽  
Mechanical Stimulation ◽  
Knockout Mice ◽  
Spinal Nerve ◽  
Spinal Nerve Ligation ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Baseline Sensitivity ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Dynamic Mechanical

Background Acid-sensing ion channels 2 and 3 (ASIC2 and ASIC3, respectively) have been implicated as putative mechanotransducers. Because mechanical hyperalgesia is a prominent consequence of nerve injury, we tested whether male and female ASIC2 or ASIC3 knockout mice have altered responses to mechanical and heat stimuli at baseline and during the 5 weeks after spinal nerve ligation. Methods Age-matched, adult male and female ASIC2 knockout (n=21) and wild-type (WT; n=24) mice or ASIC3 knockout (n=20) and WT (n=19) mice were tested for sensitivity to natural stimuli before and after spinal nerve ligation surgery. All animals were first tested for baseline sensitivity to mechanical and heat stimuli and in a novel dynamic mechanical stimulation test. The same testing procedures were then repeated weekly after spinal nerve injury. Results Compared with their respective WT counterparts, ASIC2 and ASIC3 knockout mice had normal baseline sensitivity to standard mechanical and heat stimuli. However, when exposed to a novel stroking stimulus to test sensitivity to dynamic mechanical stimulation, ASIC3 knockout mice were significantly more sensitive than were WT mice. After spinal nerve ligation, ASIC2 and ASIC3 knockout mice developed mechanical and heat hyperalgesia comparable with that of their respective WT controls. In addition, in both experiments, female mice were more sensitive than male mice to heat at baseline and after the nerve injury. Conclusions We conclude that ASIC2 and ASIC3 channels are not directly involved in the development or maintenance of neuropathic pain after spinal nerve ligation. However, the ASIC3 channel significantly modulates the sensing of dynamic mechanical stimuli in physiologic condition.

scholarly journals Mechanical impact stimulation platform tailored for high-resolution light microscopy

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi T. Halonen ◽  
Jari A.K. Hyttinen ◽  
Teemu O. Ihalainen
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Light Microscopy ◽  
Mechanical Stimulation ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Mechanical Vibration ◽  
Stem Cell Differentiation ◽  
Live Cell ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli

Abstract High frequency (HF) mechanical vibration has been used in vitro to study the cellular response to mechanical stimulation and induce stem cell differentiation. However, detailed understanding of the effect of the mechanical cues on cellular physiology is lacking. To meet this limitation, we have designed a system, which enables monitoring of living cells by high-resolution light microscopy during mechanical stimulation by HF vibration or mechanical impacts. The system consists of a commercial speaker, and a 3D printed sample vehicle and frame. The speaker moves the sample in the horizontal plane, allowing simultaneous microscopy. The HF vibration (30–200 Hz) performances of two vehicles made of polymer and aluminum were characterized with accelerometer. The mechanical impacts were characterized by measuring the acceleration of the aluminum vehicle and by time lapse imaging. The lighter polymer vehicle produced higher HF vibration magnitudes at 30–50 Hz frequencies than the aluminum vehicle. However, the aluminum vehicle performed better at higher frequencies (60–70 Hz, 90–100 Hz, 150 Hz). Compatibility of the system in live cell experiments was investigated with epithelial cells (MDCKII, expressing Emerald-Occludin) and HF (0.56 Gpeak, 30 Hz and 60 Hz) vibration. Our findings indicated that our system is compatible with high-resolution live cell microscopy. Furthermore, the epithelial cells were remarkable stable under mechanical vibration stimulation. To conclude, we have designed an inexpensive tool for the studies of cellular biophysics, which combines versatile in vivo like mechanical stimuli with live cell imaging, showing a great potential for several cellular applications.

scholarly journals Determination of biophysical parameters for enhancement of human osteoblast proliferation by mechanical vibration in the infrasonic frequency range

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosenberg Nahum ◽  
Halevi Politch Jacob ◽  
Rosenberg Orit ◽  
Abramovich Haim
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Stimulation ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Mechanical Vibration ◽  
Mechanical Parameters ◽  
Human Osteoblast ◽  
Osteoblast Proliferation ◽  
Biophysical Parameters ◽  
Proliferation In Vitro ◽  
Stimulation Of

AbstractExperimental methods for studying an enhancement of osteoblast proliferation in vitro provide tools for the research of biochemical processes involved in bone turnover in vivo. Some of the current methods used for this purpose are based on the ability of the osteoblasts to enhance proliferation by mechanical stimulation. We describe an experimental approach of biomechanical stimulation of cultured human osteoblast-like cells by vibration. This method is based on the specially designed controlled vibration setup that consists of an electric actuator, with horizontally mounted well plate containing cell cultures. Previously this method found to be effective to enhance cell proliferation, but the exact mechanical parameters of effective vibration were elusive. The current low friction system for mechanical stimulation of osteoblast-like cells in vitro provides recording of narrow range mechanical parameters in the infrasonic spectrum.We exposed human osteoblast-like cells in explant monolayer culture to mechanical vibration in the 10-70Hz range of frequencies and found that 50-70 Hz of vibration frequency is optimal for inducing osteoblast proliferation that was deduced from interrelation between unchanged cell number in culture samples with significant decrease in cell death rate (decreased LDH activity in culture media, p<.05) and with parallel decrease of their maturation level (p<.01).In this report we determined the optimal mechanical parameters and excitation protocol for induction of osteoblast proliferation in vitro by using a tunable and versatile mechanical platform, which can be used in the research of cell mechanotransduction.

scholarly journals Combinatorial screen of dynamic mechanical stimuli for predictive control of MSC mechano-responsiveness

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (19) ◽  
pp. eabe7204
Author(s):  
Haijiao Liu ◽  
Jenna F. Usprech ◽  
Prabu Karthick Parameshwar ◽  
Yu Sun ◽  
Craig A. Simmons
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Stimulation ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Dynamic Mechanical ◽  
Response Data ◽  
Deformable Membrane ◽  
Matrix Production ◽  
Strain Magnitude ◽  
The Individual

Mechanobiological-based control of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to facilitate engineering and regeneration of load-bearing tissues requires systematic investigations of specific dynamic mechanical stimulation protocols. Using deformable membrane microdevice arrays paired with combinatorial experimental design and modeling, we probed the individual and integrative effects of mechanical stimulation parameters (strain magnitude, rate at which strain is changed, and duty period) on myofibrogenesis and matrix production of MSCs in three-dimensional hydrogels. These functions were found to be dominantly influenced by a previously unidentified, higher-order interactive effect between strain magnitude and duty period. Empirical models based on our combinatorial cue-response data predicted an optimal loading regime in which strain magnitude and duty period were increased synchronously over time, which was validated to most effectively promote MSC matrix production. These findings inform the design of loading regimes for MSC-based engineered tissues and validate a broadly applicable approach to probe multifactorial regulating effects of mechanobiological cues.

Fluid-Structure Interaction Modelling Predicts That Strain Transfer Through Focal Attachments of Osteoblast Cells are the Primary Mediators of Mechanical Stimulation Under Fluid Flow

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Vaughan ◽  
M. G. Haugh ◽  
L. M. McNamara
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Flow ◽  
Mechanical Stimulation ◽  
Interstitial Fluid ◽  
Bone Cells ◽  
Mechanical Stimulus ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Interstitial Fluid Flow ◽  
Interaction Modelling

Bone continuously adapts its internal structure to accommodate the functional demands of its mechanical environment. It has been proposed that indirect strain-induced flow of interstitial fluid surrounding bone cells may be the primary mediator of mechanical stimuli in-vivo [1]. Due to the practical difficulties in ascertaining whether interstitial fluid flow is indeed the primary mediator of mechanical stimuli in the in vivo environment, much of the evidence supporting this theory has been established through in vitro investigations that have observed cellular activity in response to fluid flow imposed by perfusion chambers [2]. While such in vitro experiments have identified key mechanisms involved in the mechanotransduction process, the exact mechanical stimulus being imparted to cells within a monolayer is unknown [3]. Furthermoreit is not clear whether the mechanical stimulation is comparable between different experimental systems or, more importantly, is representative of physiological loading conditions experienced by bone cells in vivo.

scholarly journals Combinatorial Screen of Dynamic Mechanical Stimuli for Predictive Control of MSC Mechano-Responsiveness

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haijiao Liu ◽  
Jenna F. Usprech ◽  
Prabu Karthick Parameshwar ◽  
Yu Sun ◽  
Craig A. Simmons
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Control ◽  
Mechanical Stimulation ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Dynamic Mechanical ◽  
Response Data ◽  
Stimulation Parameters ◽  
Deformable Membrane ◽  
Matrix Production ◽  
The Individual

AbstractMechanobiological-based control of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to aid in the engineering and regeneration of load-bearing tissues requires systematic investigations of specific dynamic mechanical stimulation protocols. Using deformable membrane microdevice arrays paired with combinatorial experimental design and modeling, we systematically probed the individual and integrative effects of mechanical stimulation parameters (strain magnitude (STRAIN), rate at which strain is changed (RATE) and duty period (DUTY)) on myofibrogenesis and matrix production of MSCs in 3D hydrogels. These functions were found to be dominantly influenced by a novel and higher-order interactive effect between STRAIN and DUTY. Empirical models based on our combinatorial cue-response data predicted an optimal loading regime in which STRAIN and DUTY were increased synchronously over time, which was validated to most effectively promote MSC matrix production. These findings inform the design of loading regimes for MSC-based engineered tissues and validate a broadly applicable approach to probe multifactorial regulating effects of microenvironmental and mechanobiological cues.

Defibrotide Inhibits Platelet Activation by Cathepsin G Released From Stimulated Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes

1992 ◽  
Vol 67 (06) ◽  
pp. 660-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virgilio Evangelista ◽  
Paola Piccardoni ◽  
Giovanni de Gaetano ◽  
Chiara Cerletti
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Activation ◽  
Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Cathepsin G ◽  
In Vivo Test ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Test Models ◽  
Antithrombotic Effects

SummaryDefibrotide is a polydeoxyribonucleotide with antithrombotic effects in experimental animal models. Most of the actions of this drug have been observed in in vivo test models but no effects have been reported in in vitro systems. In this paper we demonstrate that defibrotide interferes with polymorphonuclear leukocyte-induced human platelet activation in vitro. This effect was not related to any direct interaction with polymorphonuclear leukocytes or platelets, but was due to the inhibition of cathepsin G, the main biochemical mediator of this cell-cell cooperation. Since cathepsin G not only induces platelet activation but also affects some endothelial cell functions, the anticathepsin G activity of defibrotide could help to explain the antithrombotic effect of this drug.

Analysis of the Dynamics of the Electric Capacitance of a Cell Monolayer at the Late Stages of Caco-2 cell Differentiation

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 87-90
Author(s):  
S.V. Nikulin ◽  
V.A. Petrov ◽  
D.A. Sakharov
Keyword(s):  
Impedance Spectroscopy ◽  
Cell Monolayer ◽  
Microfluidic Chips ◽  
Russian Science ◽  
Electric Capacitance ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Static Conditions ◽  
Late Stages

The real-time monitoring of electric capacitance (impedance spectroscopy) allowed obtaining evidence that structures which look like intestinal villi can be formed during the cultivation under static conditions as well as during the cultivation in microfluidic chips. It was shown in this work via transcriptome analysis that the Hh signaling pathway is involved in the formation of villus-like structures in vitro, which was previously shown for their formation in vivo. impedance spectroscopy, intestine, villi, electric capacitance, Hh The study was funded by the Russian Science Foundation (Project 16-19-10597).

Metabolomics of Healthy Berry Fruits

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (37) ◽  
pp. 4888-4902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilda D'Urso ◽  
Sonia Piacente ◽  
Cosimo Pizza ◽  
Paola Montoro
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activities ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Bioactive Metabolites ◽  
Active Metabolites ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Berry Fruits

The consumption of berry-type fruits has become very popular in recent years because of their positive effects on human health. Berries are in fact widely known for their health-promoting benefits, including prevention of chronic disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Berries are a rich source of bioactive metabolites, such as vitamins, minerals, and phenolic compounds, mainly anthocyanins. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies recognized the health effects of berries and their function as bioactive modulators of various cell functions associated with oxidative stress. Plants have one of the largest metabolome databases, with over 1200 papers on plant metabolomics published only in the last decade. Mass spectrometry (MS) and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) are the most important analytical technologies on which the emerging ''omics'' approaches are based. They may provide detection and quantization of thousands of biologically active metabolites from a tissue, working in a ''global'' or ''targeted'' manner, down to ultra-trace levels. In the present review, we highlighted the use of MS and NMR-based strategies and Multivariate Data Analysis for the valorization of berries known for their biological activities, important as food and often used in the preparation of nutraceutical formulations.

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