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Rais A, Sharma S, Mishra P, Khan LA, Prasad T. Biocompatible carbon quantum dots as versatile imaging nanotrackers of fungal pathogen - Candida albicans. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2024; 19:671-688. [PMID: 38426561 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2023-0292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim: The development of carbon quantum dots (C-QDs) as nanotrackers to understand drug-pathogen interactions, virulence and multidrug resistance. Methods: Microwave synthesis of C-QDs was performed using citric acid and polyethylene glycol. Further, in vitro toxicity was evaluated and imaging applications were demonstrated in Candida albicans isolates. Results: Well-dispersed, ultra small C-QDs exhibited no cyto/microbial/reactive oxygen species-mediated toxicity and internalized effectively in Candida yeast and hyphal cells. C-QDs were employed for confocal imaging of drug-sensitive and -resistant cells, and a study of the yeast-to-hyphal transition using atomic force microscopy in Candida was conducted for the first time. Conclusion: These biocompatible C-QDs have promising potential as next-generation nanotrackers for in vitro and in vivo targeted cellular and live imaging, after functionalization with biomolecules and drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anam Rais
- Special Centre for Nano Science & AIRF, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
- Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Shubham Sharma
- Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Prashant Mishra
- Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Luqman Ahmad Khan
- Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Tulika Prasad
- Special Centre for Nano Science & AIRF, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
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Guglielmotti V, Fuhry E, Neubert TJ, Kuhl M, Pallarola D, Balasubramanian K. Real-Time Monitoring of Cell Adhesion onto a Soft Substrate by a Graphene Impedance Biosensor. ACS Sens 2024; 9:101-109. [PMID: 38141037 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.3c01705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Soft substrates are interesting for many applications, ranging from mimicking the cellular microenvironment to implants. Conductive electrodes on such substrates allow the realization of flexible, elastic, and transparent sensors. Single-layer graphene as a candidate for such electrodes brings the advantage that the active area of the sensor is transparent and conformal to the underlying substrate. Here, we overcome several challenges facing the routine realization of graphene cell sensors on a canonical soft substrate, namely, poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). We have systematically studied the effect of surface energy before, during, and after the transfer of graphene. Thus, we have identified a suitable support polymer, optimal substrate (pre)treatment, and an appropriate solvent for the removal of the support. Using this procedure, we can reproducibly obtain stable and intact graphene sensors on a millimeter scale on PDMS, which can withstand continuous measurements in cell culture media for several days. From local nanomechanical measurements, we infer that the softness of the substrate is slightly affected after the graphene transfer. However, we can modulate the stiffness using PDMS with differing compositions. Finally, we show that graphene sensors on PDMS can be successfully used as soft electrodes for real-time monitoring of the cell adhesion kinetics. The routine availability of single-layer graphene electrodes on a soft substrate with tunable stiffness will open a new avenue for studies, where the PDMS-liquid interface is made conducting with minimal alteration of the intrinsic material properties such as softness, flexibility, elasticity, and transparency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Guglielmotti
- Department of Chemistry, School of Analytical Sciences Adlershof (SALSA) & IRIS Adlershof, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin 10099, Germany
- Instituto de Nanosistemas, Universidad Nacional de General San Martín, San Martín 1650, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Emil Fuhry
- Department of Chemistry, School of Analytical Sciences Adlershof (SALSA) & IRIS Adlershof, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin 10099, Germany
| | - Tilmann J Neubert
- Department of Chemistry, School of Analytical Sciences Adlershof (SALSA) & IRIS Adlershof, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin 10099, Germany
| | - Michel Kuhl
- Department of Chemistry, School of Analytical Sciences Adlershof (SALSA) & IRIS Adlershof, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin 10099, Germany
| | - Diego Pallarola
- Instituto de Nanosistemas, Universidad Nacional de General San Martín, San Martín 1650, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Kannan Balasubramanian
- Department of Chemistry, School of Analytical Sciences Adlershof (SALSA) & IRIS Adlershof, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin 10099, Germany
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3
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Lucidi M, Capecchi G, Visaggio D, Gasperi T, Parisi M, Cincotti G, Rampioni G, Visca P, Kolmakov K. Expanding the microbiologist toolbox via new far-red-emitting dyes suitable for bacterial imaging. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0369023. [PMID: 38095476 PMCID: PMC10782969 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03690-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE By harnessing the versatility of fluorescence microscopy and super-resolution imaging, bacteriologists explore critical aspects of bacterial physiology and resolve bacterial structures sized beyond the light diffraction limit. These techniques are based on fluorophores with profitable photochemical and tagging properties. The paucity of available far-red (FR)-emitting dyes for bacterial imaging strongly limits the multicolor choice of bacteriologists, hindering the possibility of labeling multiple structures in a single experiment. The set of FR fluorophores characterized in this study expands the palette of dyes useful for microbiologists, as they can be used for bacterial LIVE/DEAD staining and for tagging the membranes of viable Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis cells. The absence of toxicity makes these dyes suitable for live-cell imaging and allows monitoring of bacterial membrane biogenesis. Moreover, a newly synthesized FR-fluorophore can be employed for imaging bacterial membranes with stimulated emission depletion microscopy, a super-resolution technique capable of increasing the resolving power of conventional microscopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Lucidi
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Daniela Visaggio
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Tecla Gasperi
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
| | - Miranda Parisi
- Department of Engineering, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giordano Rampioni
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Visca
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
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4
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Matheson AB, Koutsos V, Euston SR, Clegg PS. Atomic Force Microscopy of Phytosterol Based Edible Oleogels. Gels 2023; 9:750. [PMID: 37754431 PMCID: PMC10530765 DOI: 10.3390/gels9090750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
This work reviews the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) as a tool to investigate oleogels of edible triglyceride oils. Specific attention is given to those oleogels based on phytosterols and their esters, a class of material the authors have studied extensively. This work consists of a summary of the role of AFM in imaging edible oleogels, including the processing and preparation steps required to obtain high-quality AFM images of them. Finally, there is a comparison between AFM and other techniques that may be used to obtain structural information from oleogel samples. The aim of this review is to provide a useful introduction and summary of the technique for researchers in the fields of gels and food sciences looking to perform AFM measurements on edible oleogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew B. Matheson
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, James Clerk Maxwell Building, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, UK
| | - Vasileios Koutsos
- School of Engineering, Institute for Materials and Processes, University of Edinburgh, Sanderson Building, Edinburgh EH9 3FB, UK
| | - Stephen R. Euston
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK
- Department of Physics, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 0C3, Canada
| | - Paul S. Clegg
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, James Clerk Maxwell Building, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, UK
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Kerdegari S, Canepa P, Odino D, Oropesa-Nuñez R, Relini A, Cavalleri O, Canale C. Insights in Cell Biomechanics through Atomic Force Microscopy. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:2980. [PMID: 37109816 PMCID: PMC10142950 DOI: 10.3390/ma16082980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajedeh Kerdegari
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genova, Italy; (S.K.); (P.C.); (D.O.); (A.R.)
| | - Paolo Canepa
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genova, Italy; (S.K.); (P.C.); (D.O.); (A.R.)
| | - Davide Odino
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genova, Italy; (S.K.); (P.C.); (D.O.); (A.R.)
| | - Reinier Oropesa-Nuñez
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Uppsala University, Ångströmlaboratoriet, Box 35, SE-751 03 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Annalisa Relini
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genova, Italy; (S.K.); (P.C.); (D.O.); (A.R.)
| | - Ornella Cavalleri
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genova, Italy; (S.K.); (P.C.); (D.O.); (A.R.)
| | - Claudio Canale
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 33, 16146 Genova, Italy; (S.K.); (P.C.); (D.O.); (A.R.)
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Ko PL, Wang CK, Hsu HH, Lee TA, Tung YC. Revealing anisotropic elasticity of endothelium under fluid shear stress. Acta Biomater 2022; 145:316-328. [PMID: 35367381 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Endothelium lining interior surface of blood vessels experiences various physical stimulations in vivo. Its physical properties, especially elasticity, play important roles in regulating the physiological functions of vascular systems. In this paper, an integrated approach is developed to characterize the anisotropic elasticity of the endothelium under physiological-level fluid shear stress. A pressure sensor-embedded microfluidic device is developed to provide fluid shear stress on the perfusion-cultured endothelium and to measure transverse in-plane elasticities in the directions parallel and perpendicular to the flow direction. Biological atomic force microscopy (Bio-AFM) is further exploited to measure the vertical elasticity of the endothelium in its out-of-plane direction. The results show that the transverse elasticity of the endothelium in the direction parallel to the perfusion culture flow direction is about 70% higher than that in the direction perpendicular to the flow direction. Moreover, the transverse elasticities of the endothelium are estimated to be approximately 120 times larger than the vertical one. The results indicate the effects of fluid shear stress on the transverse elasticity anisotropy of the endothelium, and the difference between the elasticities in transverse and vertical directions. The quantitative measurement of the endothelium anisotropic elasticity in different directions at the tissue level under the fluid shear stress provides biologists insightful information for the advanced vascular system studies from biophysical and biomaterial viewpoints. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this paper, we take advantage an integrated approach combining microfluidic devices and biological atomic force microscopy (Bio-AFM) to characterize anisotropic elasticities of endothelia with and without fluidic shear stress application. The microfluidic devices are exploited to conduct perfusion cell culture of the endothelial cells, and to estimate the in-plane elasticities of the endothelium in the direction parallel and perpendicular to the shear stress. In addition, the Bio-AFM is utilized for characterization of the endothelium morphology and vertical elasticity. The measurement results demonstrate the very first anisotropic elasticity quantification of the endothelia. Furthermore, the study provides insightful information bridging the microscopic sing cell and macroscopic organ level studies, which can greatly help to advance vascular system research from material perspective.
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7
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Le PH, Nguyen DHK, Medina AA, Linklater DP, Loebbe C, Crawford RJ, MacLaughlin S, Ivanova EP. Surface Architecture Influences the Rigidity of Candida albicans Cells. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:567. [PMID: 35159912 PMCID: PMC8840568 DOI: 10.3390/nano12030567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to investigate the morphology and rigidity of the opportunistic pathogenic yeast, Candida albicans ATCC 10231, during its attachment to surfaces of three levels of nanoscale surface roughness. Non-polished titanium (npTi), polished titanium (pTi), and glass with respective average surface roughness (Sa) values of 389 nm, 14 nm, and 2 nm, kurtosis (Skur) values of 4, 16, and 4, and skewness (Sskw) values of 1, 4, and 1 were used as representative examples of each type of nanoarchitecture. Thus, npTi and glass surfaces exhibited similar Sskw and Skur values but highly disparate Sa. C. albicans cells that had attached to the pTi surfaces exhibited a twofold increase in rigidity of 364 kPa compared to those yeast cells attached to the surfaces of npTi (164 kPa) and glass (185 kPa). The increased rigidity of the C. albicans cells on pTi was accompanied by a distinct round morphology, condensed F-actin distribution, lack of cortical actin patches, and the negligible production of cell-associated polymeric substances; however, an elevated production of loose extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) was observed. The differences in the physical response of C. albicans cells attached to the three surfaces suggested that the surface nanoarchitecture (characterized by skewness and kurtosis), rather than average surface roughness, could directly influence the rigidity of the C. albicans cells. This work contributes to the next-generation design of antifungal surfaces by exploiting surface architecture to control the extent of biofilm formation undertaken by yeast pathogens and highlights the importance of performing a detailed surface roughness characterization in order to identify and discriminate between the surface characteristics that may influence the extent of cell attachment and the subsequent behavior of the attached cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuc H. Le
- STEM College, School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (P.H.L.); (D.H.K.N.); (A.A.M.); (D.P.L.); (R.J.C.)
- ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Manufacturing, STEM College, School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Duy H. K. Nguyen
- STEM College, School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (P.H.L.); (D.H.K.N.); (A.A.M.); (D.P.L.); (R.J.C.)
| | - Arturo Aburto Medina
- STEM College, School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (P.H.L.); (D.H.K.N.); (A.A.M.); (D.P.L.); (R.J.C.)
- ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Manufacturing, STEM College, School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Denver P. Linklater
- STEM College, School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (P.H.L.); (D.H.K.N.); (A.A.M.); (D.P.L.); (R.J.C.)
| | | | - Russell J. Crawford
- STEM College, School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (P.H.L.); (D.H.K.N.); (A.A.M.); (D.P.L.); (R.J.C.)
| | | | - Elena P. Ivanova
- STEM College, School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; (P.H.L.); (D.H.K.N.); (A.A.M.); (D.P.L.); (R.J.C.)
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Shahina Z, Bhat SV, Ndlovu E, Sultana T, Körnig A, Dague É, Dahms TES. Cellulomics of Live Yeast by Advanced and Correlative Microscopy. Fungal Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-83749-5_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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9
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Bhat SV, Price JDW, Dahms TES. AFM-Based Correlative Microscopy Illuminates Human Pathogens. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:655501. [PMID: 34026660 PMCID: PMC8138568 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.655501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbes have an arsenal of virulence factors that contribute to their pathogenicity. A number of challenges remain to fully understand disease transmission, fitness landscape, antimicrobial resistance and host heterogeneity. A variety of tools have been used to address diverse aspects of pathogenicity, from molecular host-pathogen interactions to the mechanisms of disease acquisition and transmission. Current gaps in our knowledge include a more direct understanding of host-pathogen interactions, including signaling at interfaces, and direct phenotypic confirmation of pathogenicity. Correlative microscopy has been gaining traction to address the many challenges currently faced in biomedicine, in particular the combination of optical and atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM, generates high-resolution surface topographical images, and quantifies mechanical properties at the pN scale under physiologically relevant conditions. When combined with optical microscopy, AFM probes pathogen surfaces and their physical and molecular interaction with host cells, while the various modes of optical microscopy view internal cellular responses of the pathogen and host. Here we review the most recent advances in our understanding of pathogens, recent applications of AFM to the field, how correlative AFM-optical microspectroscopy and microscopy have been used to illuminate pathogenicity and how these methods can reach their full potential for studying host-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriya V Bhat
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Jared D W Price
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
| | - Tanya E S Dahms
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
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10
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Abstract
Candida albicans is one of the most common pathogens of humans. One important virulence factor of C. albicans is its ability to form elongated hyphae that can invade host tissues and cause disseminated infections. Here, we show the effect of different physiologically relevant temperatures and common antifungal drugs on the growth and mechanical properties of C. albicans hyphae using atomic force microscopy. We demonstrate that minor temperature fluctuations within the normal range can have profound effects on hyphal cell growth and that different antifungal drugs impact hyphal cell stiffness and adhesion in different ways. Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen of humans known for its ability to cause a wide range of infections. One major virulence factor of C. albicans is its ability to form hyphae that can invade host tissues and cause disseminated infections. Here, we introduce a method based on atomic force microscopy to investigate C. albicans hyphae in situ on silicone elastomer substrates, focusing on the effects of temperature and antifungal drugs. Hyphal growth rates differ significantly for measurements performed at different physiologically relevant temperatures. Furthermore, it is found that fluconazole is more effective than caspofungin in suppressing hyphal growth. We also investigate the effects of antifungal drugs on the mechanical properties of hyphal cells. An increase in Young’s modulus and a decrease in adhesion force are observed in hyphal cells subjected to caspofungin treatment. Young’s moduli are not significantly affected following treatment with fluconazole; the adhesion force, however, increases. Overall, our results provide a direct means of observing the effects of environmental factors and antifungal drugs on C. albicans hyphal growth and mechanics with high spatial resolution. IMPORTANCECandida albicans is one of the most common pathogens of humans. One important virulence factor of C. albicans is its ability to form elongated hyphae that can invade host tissues and cause disseminated infections. Here, we show the effect of different physiologically relevant temperatures and common antifungal drugs on the growth and mechanical properties of C. albicans hyphae using atomic force microscopy. We demonstrate that minor temperature fluctuations within the normal range can have profound effects on hyphal cell growth and that different antifungal drugs impact hyphal cell stiffness and adhesion in different ways.
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Liang W, Shi H, Yang X, Wang J, Yang W, Zhang H, Liu L. Recent advances in AFM-based biological characterization and applications at multiple levels. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:8962-8984. [PMID: 32996549 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01106a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has found a wide range of bio-applications in the past few decades due to its ability to measure biological samples in natural environments at a high spatial resolution. AFM has become a key platform in biomedical, bioengineering and drug research fields, enabling mechanical and morphological characterization of live biological systems. Hence, we provide a comprehensive review on recent advances in the use of AFM for characterizing the biomechanical properties of multi-scale biological samples, ranging from molecule, cell to tissue levels. First, we present the fundamental principles of AFM and two AFM-based models for the characterization of biomechanical properties of biological samples, covering key AFM devices and AFM bioimaging as well as theoretical models for characterizing the elasticity and viscosity of biomaterials. Then, we elaborate on a series of new experimental findings through analysis of biomechanics. Finally, we discuss the future directions and challenges. It is envisioned that the AFM technique will enable many remarkable discoveries, and will have far-reaching impacts on bio-related studies and applications in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Liang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang, 110168, China.
| | - Haohao Shi
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang, 110168, China.
| | - Xieliu Yang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang, 110168, China.
| | - Junhai Wang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang, 110168, China.
| | - Wenguang Yang
- School of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Hemin Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The People's Hospital of Liaoning Province, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Lianqing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China.
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12
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Wang J, Wang Z, Xu Y, Wang X, Yang Z, Wang H, Tian Z. Correlative dual-alternating-color photoswitching fluorescence imaging and AFM enable ultrastructural analyses of complex structures with nanoscale resolution. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:17203-17212. [PMID: 32789405 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr04584e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
There is a practical motivation for correlating different types of microscopy for revealing complementary information of ultrastructures with resolution beyond the diffraction limit. The correlative microscopy strategy based on the combination of super-resolution fluorescence imaging with atomic force microscopy (AFM) is expected to provide both the specificity and three-dimensional structural information of nanomaterials. Herein we synthesized a dual-alternating-color photoswitchable fluorescent probe based on a naphthalimide-spiropyran dyad (NI-SP) and explored the capability of such correlative microscopy for visualizing nanostructures with complex structural hierarchy. NI-SP underwent reversible photoswitching between green and red fluorescence based on a reversible photochemical reaction and such reaction-linked correlation between two distinct types of fluorescence signals intrinsically enabled mutual authentication in super-resolution fluorescence imaging. Additionally, such correlative microscopy also demonstrated mutual complementation between different pieces of structural information of the target acquired via fluorescence imaging and AFM, respectively, in which the former reveals spatial distribution of fluorescent dyes in the nanoscale polymer fibroid micelles while the latter maps the topographical structure of the target with complex structural hierarchy. The results obtained in this work proclaimed that the combination of such correlative microscopy with our NI-SP probe is an effective modality for ultrastructural analysis and has future applications in various complex systems such as tissue/organ imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing 100049, PR China.
| | - Zicheng Wang
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing 100049, PR China.
| | - Yangyue Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Changchun 130022, PR China.
| | - Xuefei Wang
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing 100049, PR China.
| | - Zhiyong Yang
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing 100049, PR China.
| | - Hongda Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Changchun 130022, PR China.
| | - Zhiyuan Tian
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing 100049, PR China.
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13
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Moura CC, Miranda A, Oreffo ROC, De Beule PAA. Correlative fluorescence and atomic force microscopy to advance the bio-physical characterisation of co-culture of living cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 529:392-397. [PMID: 32703441 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
An understanding of the cell mechanical properties involved in numerous cellular processes including cell division, cell migration/invasion, and cell morphology, is crucial in developing and informing cell physiology and function. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) offers a powerful biophysical technique that facilitates the imaging of living cells under physiological buffer conditions. However, AFM in isolation cannot discriminate between different cell types within heterogeneous samples for example in a solid biopsy. The current studies demonstrate the potential of AFM in combination with correlative fluorescence optical sectioning microscopy for live cell imaging. Furthermore, this work establishes the advantage of fluorescence-AFM imaging to distinguish and analyse single-cell bio-physical properties in mixed human cell populations, in real-time. Critically, our results show that correlative fluorescence-AFM imaging allows the simultaneous co-localised detection of fluorescence coupled with nano-mechanical mapping. The findings from this work contribute to the promotion and dissemination of correlative multimodal imaging in life sciences, providing a platform for further investigations in biological and pre-clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Costa Moura
- INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Avenida Mestre José Veiga, 4715-330, Braga, Portugal.
| | - Adelaide Miranda
- INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Avenida Mestre José Veiga, 4715-330, Braga, Portugal
| | - Richard O C Oreffo
- Bone and Joint Research Group, Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Pieter A A De Beule
- INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Avenida Mestre José Veiga, 4715-330, Braga, Portugal
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14
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Dhas TS, Sowmiya P, Kumar VG, Ravi M, Suthindhiran K, Borgio JF, Narendrakumar G, Kumar VR, Karthick V, Kumar CV. Antimicrobial effect of Sargassum plagiophyllum mediated gold nanoparticles on Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi. BIOCATALYSIS AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2020.101627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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15
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Dufrêne YF, Viljoen A. Binding Strength of Gram-Positive Bacterial Adhesins. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1457. [PMID: 32670256 PMCID: PMC7330015 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial pathogens are equipped with specialized surface-exposed proteins that bind strongly to ligands on host tissues and biomaterials. These adhesins play critical roles during infection, especially during the early step of adhesion where the cells are exposed to physical stress. Recent single-molecule experiments have shown that staphylococci interact with their ligands through a wide diversity of mechanosensitive molecular mechanisms. Adhesin-ligand interactions are activated by tensile force and can be ten times stronger than classical non-covalent biological bonds. Overall these studies demonstrate that Gram-positive adhesins feature unusual stress-dependent molecular interactions, which play essential roles during bacterial colonization and dissemination. With an increasing prevalence of multidrug resistant infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, chemotherapeutic targeting of adhesins offers an innovative alternative to antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves F Dufrêne
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Albertus Viljoen
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Catholic University of Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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16
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Abstract
Microbial adhesion and biofilm formation are usually studied using molecular and cellular biology assays, optical and electron microscopy, or laminar flow chamber experiments. Today, atomic force microscopy (AFM) represents a valuable addition to these approaches, enabling the measurement of forces involved in microbial adhesion at the single-molecule level. In this minireview, we discuss recent discoveries made applying state-of-the-art AFM techniques to microbial specimens in order to understand the strength and dynamics of adhesive interactions. These studies shed new light on the molecular mechanisms of adhesion and demonstrate an intimate relationship between force and function in microbial adhesins.
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17
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Mohammed D, Versaevel M, Bruyère C, Alaimo L, Luciano M, Vercruysse E, Procès A, Gabriele S. Innovative Tools for Mechanobiology: Unraveling Outside-In and Inside-Out Mechanotransduction. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2019; 7:162. [PMID: 31380357 PMCID: PMC6646473 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells and tissues can sense and react to the modifications of the physico-chemical properties of the extracellular environment (ECM) through integrin-based adhesion sites and adapt their physiological response in a process called mechanotransduction. Due to their critical localization at the cell-ECM interface, transmembrane integrins are mediators of bidirectional signaling, playing a key role in “outside-in” and “inside-out” signal transduction. After presenting the basic conceptual fundamentals related to cell mechanobiology, we review the current state-of-the-art technologies that facilitate the understanding of mechanotransduction signaling pathways. Finally, we highlight innovative technological developments that can help to advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying nuclear mechanotransduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danahe Mohammed
- Mechanobiology and Soft Matter Group, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Marie Versaevel
- Mechanobiology and Soft Matter Group, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Céline Bruyère
- Mechanobiology and Soft Matter Group, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Laura Alaimo
- Mechanobiology and Soft Matter Group, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Marine Luciano
- Mechanobiology and Soft Matter Group, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Eléonore Vercruysse
- Mechanobiology and Soft Matter Group, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Anthony Procès
- Mechanobiology and Soft Matter Group, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium.,Department of Neurosciences, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Sylvain Gabriele
- Mechanobiology and Soft Matter Group, Interfaces and Complex Fluids Laboratory, Research Institute for Biosciences, University of Mons, Mons, Belgium
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18
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Liu B, Hobson CM, Pimenta FM, Nelsen E, Hsiao J, O'Brien T, Falvo MR, Hahn KM, Superfine R. VIEW-MOD: a versatile illumination engine with a modular optical design for fluorescence microscopy. OPTICS EXPRESS 2019; 27:19950-19972. [PMID: 31503749 DOI: 10.1364/oe.27.019950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
We developed VIEW-MOD (Versatile Illumination Engine with a Modular Optical Design): a compact, multi-modality microscope, which accommodates multiple illumination schemes including variable angle total internal reflection, point scanning and vertical/horizontal light sheet. This system allows combining and flexibly switching between different illuminations and imaging modes by employing three electrically tunable lenses and two fast-steering mirrors. This versatile optics design provides control of 6 degrees of freedom of the illumination source (3 translation, 2 tilt, and beam shape) plus the axial position of the imaging plane. We also developed standalone software with an easy-to-use GUI to calibrate and control the microscope. We demonstrate the applications of this system and software in biosensor imaging, optogenetics and fast 3D volume imaging. This system is ready to fit into complex imaging circumstances requiring precise control of illumination and detection paths, and has a broad scope of usability for a myriad of biological applications.
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19
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Development of a novel multiphysical approach for the characterization of mechanical properties of musculotendinous tissues. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7733. [PMID: 31118478 PMCID: PMC6531478 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44053-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
At present, there is a lack of well-validated protocols that allow for the analysis of the mechanical properties of muscle and tendon tissues. Further, there are no reports regarding characterization of mouse skeletal muscle and tendon mechanical properties in vivo using elastography thereby limiting the ability to monitor changes in these tissues during disease progression or response to therapy. Therefore, we sought to develop novel protocols for the characterization of mechanical properties in musculotendinous tissues using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and ultrasound elastography. Given that TIEG1 knockout (KO) mice exhibit well characterized defects in the mechanical properties of skeletal muscle and tendon tissue, we have chosen to use this model system in the present study. Using TIEG1 knockout and wild-type mice, we have devised an AFM protocol that does not rely on the use of glue or chemical agents for muscle and tendon fiber immobilization during acquisition of transversal cartographies of elasticity and topography. Additionally, since AFM cannot be employed on live animals, we have also developed an ultrasound elastography protocol using a new linear transducer, SLH20-6 (resolution: 38 µm, footprint: 2.38 cm), to characterize the musculotendinous system in vivo. This protocol allows for the identification of changes in muscle and tendon elasticities. Such innovative technological approaches have no equivalent to date, promise to accelerate our understanding of musculotendinous mechanical properties and have numerous research and clinical applications.
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