Morphology, mechanical properties and viability of encapsulated cells

Insights in Cell Biomechanics through Atomic Force Microscopy

We review the advances obtained by using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)-based approaches in the field of cell/tissue mechanics and adhesion, comparing the solutions proposed and critically discussing them. AFM offers a wide range of detectable forces with a high force sensitivity, thus allowing a broad class of biological issues to be addressed. Furthermore, it allows for the accurate control of the probe position during the experiments, providing spatially resolved mechanical maps of the biological samples with subcellular resolution. Nowadays, mechanobiology is recognized as a subject of great relevance in biotechnological and biomedical fields. Focusing on the past decade, we discuss the intriguing issues of cellular mechanosensing, i.e., how cells sense and adapt to their mechanical environment. Next, we examine the relationship between cell mechanical properties and pathological states, focusing on cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. We show how AFM has contributed to the characterization of pathological mechanisms and discuss its role in the development of a new class of diagnostic tools that consider cell mechanics as new tumor biomarkers. Finally, we describe the unique ability of AFM to study cell adhesion, working quantitatively and at the single-cell level. Again, we relate cell adhesion experiments to the study of mechanisms directly or secondarily involved in pathologies.

Improving cell-based therapies by nanomodification

Cell-based therapies are emerging as a promising approach for various diseases. Their therapeutic efficacy depends on rational control and regulation of the functions and behaviors of cells during their treatments. Different from conventional regulatory strategy by chemical adjuvants or genetic engineering, which is restricted by limited synergistic regulatory efficiency or uncertain safety problems, a novel approach based on nanoscale artificial materials can be applied to modify living cells to endow them with novel functions and unique properties. Inspired by natural "nano shell" and "nano compass" structures, cell nanomodification can be developed through both external and internal pathways. In this review, some novel cell surface engineering and intracellular nanoconjugation strategies are summarized. Their potential applications are also discussed, including cell protection, cell labeling, targeted delivery and in situ regulation. It is believed that these novel cell-material complexes can have great potentials for biomedical applications.

Macrophage adhesion on fibronectin evokes an increase in the elastic property of the cell membrane and cytoskeleton: an atomic force microscopy study

Interactions between cells and microenvironments are essential to cellular functions such as survival, exocytosis and differentiation. Cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) evokes a variety of biophysical changes in cellular organization, including modification of the cytoskeleton and plasma membrane. In fact, the cytoskeleton and plasma membrane are structures that mediate adherent contacts with the ECM; therefore, they are closely correlated. Considering that the mechanical properties of the cell could be affected by cell adhesion-induced changes in the cytoskeleton, the purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the ECM on the elastic properties of fixed macrophage cells using atomic force microscopy. The results showed that there was an increase (~50%) in the Young's modulus of macrophages adhered to an ECM-coated substrate as compared with an uncoated glass substrate. In addition, cytochalasin D-treated cells had a 1.8-fold reduction of the Young's modulus of the cells, indicating the contribution of the actin cytoskeleton to the elastic properties of the cell. Our findings show that cell adhesion influences the mechanical properties of the plasma membrane, providing new information toward understanding the influence of the ECM on elastic alterations of macrophage cell membranes.

Nanocoating of single cells: from maintenance of cell viability to manipulation of cellular activities

The chronological progresses in single-cell nanocoating are described. The historical developments in the field are divided into biotemplating, cytocompatible nanocoating, and cells in nano-nutshells, depending on the main research focuses. Each subfield is discussed in conjunction with the others, regarding how and why to manipulate living cells by nanocoating at the single-cell level.

Atomic Force Microscopy and pharmacology: from microbiology to cancerology

BACKGROUND

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) has been extensively used to study biological samples. Researchers take advantage of its ability to image living samples to increase our fundamental knowledge (biophysical properties/biochemical behavior) on living cell surface properties, at the nano-scale.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

AFM, in the imaging modes, can probe cells morphological modifications induced by drugs. In the force spectroscopy mode, it is possible to follow the nanomechanical properties of a cell and to probe the mechanical modifications induced by drugs. AFM can be used to map single molecule distribution at the cell surface. We will focus on a collection of results aiming at evaluating the nano-scale effects of drugs, by AFM. Studies on yeast, bacteria and mammal cells will illustrate our discussion. Especially, we will show how AFM can help in getting a better understanding of drug mechanism of action.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

This review demonstrates that AFM is a versatile tool, useful in pharmacology. In microbiology, it has been used to study the drugs fighting Candida albicans or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The major conclusions are a better understanding of the microbes' cell wall and of the drugs mechanism of action. In cancerology, AFM has been used to explore the effects of cytotoxic drugs or as an innovative diagnostic technology. AFM has provided original results on cultured cells, cells extracted from patient and directly on patient biopsies.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

This review enhances the interest of AFM technologies for pharmacology. The applications reviewed range from microbiology to cancerology.

Bio-inspired encapsulation and functionalization of living cells with artificial shells

In nature, most single cells do not have structured shells to provide extensive protection apart from diatoms and radiolarians. Fabrication of biomimetic structures based on living cells encapsulated with artificial shells has a great impact on the area of cell-based sensors and devices as well as fundamental studies in cell biology. The past decade has witnessed a rapid increase of research concerning the new fabrication strategies, functionalization and applications of this kind of encapsulated cells. In this review, the latest fabrication strategies on how to encapsulate living cells with functional shells based on the diversity of artificial shells are discussed: hydrogel matrix shells, sol-gel shells, polymeric shells, and induced mineral shells. Classical different types of artificial shells are introduced and their advantages and disadvantages are compared and explained. The biomedical applications of encapsulated cells with particular emphasis on cell implant protection, cell separation, biosensors, cell therapy and tissue engineering are also described and a recap of this review and the future perspectives on these active areas is given finally.

Effectiveness of nanometer-sized extracellular matrix layer-by-layer assembled films for a cell membrane coating protecting cells from physical stress

In recent approaches to tissue engineering, cells face various stresses from physical, chemical, and environmental stimuli. For example, coating cell membranes with nanofilms using layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly requires many cycles of centrifugation, causing physical (gravity) stress. Damage to cell membranes can cause the leakage of cytosol molecules or sometimes cell death. Accordingly, we evaluated the effectiveness of LbL films prepared on cell membranes in protecting cells from physical stresses. After two steps of LbL assembly using Tris-HCl buffer solution without polymers or proteins (four centrifugation cycles including washing), hepatocyte carcinoma (HepG2) cells showed extremely high cell death and the viability was ca. 15%. Their viability ultimately decreased to 6% after 9 steps of LbL assembly (18 cycles of centrifugation), which is the typical number of steps involved in preparing LbL nanofilms. However, significantly higher viability (>85%) of HepG2 cells was obtained after nine steps of LbL assembly employing fibronectin (FN)-gelatin (G) or type IV collagen (Col IV)-laminin (LN) solution combinations, which are typical components of an extracellular matrix (ECM), to fabricate 10-nm-thick LbL films. When LbL films of synthetic polymers created via electrostatic interactions were employed instead of the ECM films described above, the viability of the HepG2 cells after the same nine steps slightly decreased to 61%. The protective effects of LbL films were strongly dependent on their thickness, and the critical thickness was >5 nm. Surprisingly, a high viability of over 85% was achieved even under extreme physical stress conditions (10,000 rpm). We evaluated the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) during the LbL assembly processes to clarify the protective effect, and a reduction in LDH leakage was clearly observed when using FN-G nanofilms. Moreover, the LbL films do not inhibit cell growth during cell culturing, suggesting that these coated cells can be useful for other experiments. LbL nanofilm coatings, especially ECM nanofilm coatings, will be important techniques for protecting cell membranes from physical stress during tissue engineering.

Artificial spores: cytocompatible encapsulation of individual living cells within thin, tough artificial shells

Cells are encapsulated individually within thin and tough shells in a cytocompatible way, by mimicking the structure of bacterial endospores that survive under hostile conditions. The 3D 'cell-in-shell' structures-coined as 'artificial spores'-enable modulation and control over cellular metabolism, such as control of cell division, resistance to external stresses, and surface-functionalizability, providing a useful platform for applications, including cell-based sensors, cell therapy, regenerative medicine, as well as for fundamental studies on cellular metabolism at the single-cell level and cell-to-cell communications. This Concept focuses on chemical approaches to single-cell encapsulation with artificial shells for creating artificial spores, including cross-linked layer-by-layer assembly, bioinspired mineralization, and mussel-inspired polymerization. The current status and future prospects of this emerging field are also discussed.

Enhanced survival of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus by encapsulation with nanostructured polyelectrolyte layers through layer-by-layer approach

The encapsulation of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus through layer-by-layer self-assembly of polyelectrolytes (PE) chitosan (CHI) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) has been investigated to enhance its survival in adverse conditions encountered in the GI tract. The survival of encapsulated cells in simulated gastric (SGF) and intestinal fluids (SIF) is significant when compared to nonencapsulated cells. On sequential exposure to SGF and SIF for 120 min, almost complete death of free cells is observed. However, for cells coated with three nanolayers of PEs (CHI/CMC/CHI), about 33 log % of the cells (6 log cfu/500 mg) survived under the same conditions. The enhanced survival rate of encapsulated L. acidophilus can be attributed to the impermeability of polyelectrolyte nanolayers to large enzyme molecules like pepsin and pancreatin that cause proteolysis and to the stability of the polyelectrolyte nanolayers in gastric and intestinal pH. The PE coating also serves to reduce viability losses during freezing and freeze-drying. About 73 and 92 log % of uncoated and coated cells survived after freeze-drying, and the losses occurring between freezing and freeze-drying were found to be lower for the coated cells.

Drug-loaded polyelectrolyte microcapsules for sustained targeting of cancer cells

In this review we will overview novel nanotechnological nanocarrier systems for cancer therapy focusing on recent development in polyelectrolyte capsules for targeted delivery of antineoplastic drugs against cancer cells. Biodegradable polyelectrolyte microcapsules (PMCs) are supramolecular assemblies of particular interest for therapeutic purposes, as they can be enzymatically degraded into viable cells, under physiological conditions. Incorporation of small bioactive molecules into nano-to-microscale delivery systems may increase drug's bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy at single cell level giving desirable targeted therapy. Layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembled PMCs are efficient microcarriers that maximize drug's exposure enhancing antitumor activity of neoplastic drug in cancer cells. They can be envisaged as novel multifunctional carriers for resistant or relapsed patients or for reducing dose escalation in clinical settings.

Conformal nano-thin modified polyelectrolyte coatings for encapsulation of cells

Encapsulation of cells in polymeric shells allows for separation of biological material from produced factors, which may find biotechnological and biomedical applications. Human T-lymphocyte cell line Jurkat as well as rat pancreatic islets were encapsulated using LbL technique within shells of polyelectrolyte modified by incorporation of biotin complexed with avidin to improve cell coating and to create the potential ability to elicit specific biochemical responses. The coating with nano-thin modified shells allowed for maintenance of the evaluated cells' integrity and viability during the 8-day culture. The different PE impact may be observed on different biological materials. The islets exhibited lower mitochondrial activity than the Jurkat cells. Nevertheless, coating of cells with polyelectrolyte modified membrane allowed for functioning of both model cell types: 10 μm leukemia cells or 150 μm islets during the culture. Applied membranes maintained the molecular structure during the culture period. The conclusion is that applied modified membrane conformation may be recommended for coating shells for biomedical purposes.

Control of cell surface and functions by layer-by-layer nanofilms

Various nanometer-sized multilayers were directly prepared onto the surface of mouse L929 fibroblast cells by a layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technique to control the cell surface microenvironment and cell functions, such as viability, morphology, and proliferation. The species of LbL nanofilms strongly affected the cell morphology and growth. Polyelectrolyte (PE) multilayers induced a round-shaped morphology of the adhered cells, although each component of the multilayers had high cytocompatibility, whereas fibronectin (FN)-gelatin (G) and -dextran sulfate (DS) multilayers with FN-binding domain interactions (FN films) showed extended morphologies of the cells similar to that of control cells (without films). A clear difference in cell proliferation was observed for PE and FN films. The cells with FN films on their surfaces showed good proliferation profiles independent of the film thickness, but cell proliferation was not observed using the PE films although the cells survived during the culture period. Fluorescence microscopic and scanning electron microscopic observations clearly suggested a nanometer-sized meshwork morphology of the FN films on the cell surface after 24 h of incubation, whereas the PE films showed homogeneous film morphologies on the cell surface. These nanomeshwork morphologies seemed to be similar to the fibrous structure of the natural extracellular matrix. The results of this study demonstrated that the components, charge, and morphology of LbL nanofilms prepared directly on the cell surface strongly affected cell functions, and the effects of these LbL nanofilms on cell functions differed vastly as compared to PE films prepared on a substrate. The preparation of LbL nanofilms onto a cell surface might be a novel and interesting technique to control cell functions.

Molecular profiling of single cells in response to mechanical force: comparison of chondrocytes, chondrons and encapsulated chondrocytes

A chondrocyte and its surrounding pericellular matrix (PCM) are defined as a chondron. The PCM plays a critical role in enhancing matrix production, protecting the chondrocyte during loading and transducing mechanical signals. Tissue engineering involves the design of artificial matrices which aim to mimic PCM function for mechanical strength and signalling motifs. We compare the mechanical performance and mechanoresponsiveness of chondrocytes with and without PCM, and encapsulated by alternate adsorption of two oppositely charged polyelectrolytes; chitosan and hyaluronan. Zeta potential measurements confirmed the success of the encapsulation. Encapsulation did not influence chondrocyte viability or metabolic activity. Cells were compressed by micromanipulation with final deformations to 30%, 50% and 70%. Force-displacement data showed that the larger the deformation at the end of compression, the greater the force on the cell. Mechanoresponsiveness of cells was studied by combining single cell PCR with dynamic compression at 20% and 40%. Aggrecan and Type II collagen gene expression were significantly increased in encapsulated chondrocytes and chondrons compared to chondrocytes whereas dynamic compression had no effect on SOX9 or lubricin gene expression. Our results demonstrate that although encapsulation can mimic responses of chondrocytes to biomechanical compression the molecular profile did not reach the enhanced levels observed with chondrons.