1
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Manicka S, Pai VP, Levin M. Information integration during bioelectric regulation of morphogenesis of the embryonic frog brain. iScience 2023; 26:108398. [PMID: 38034358 PMCID: PMC10687303 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Spatiotemporal patterns of cellular resting potential regulate several aspects of development. One key aspect of the bioelectric code is that transcriptional and morphogenetic states are determined not by local, single-cell, voltage levels but by specific distributions of voltage across cell sheets. We constructed and analyzed a minimal dynamical model of collective gene expression in cells based on inputs of multicellular voltage patterns. Causal integration analysis revealed a higher-order mechanism by which information about the voltage pattern was spatiotemporally integrated into gene activity, as well as a division of labor among and between the bioelectric and genetic components. We tested and confirmed predictions of this model in a system in which bioelectric control of morphogenesis regulates gene expression and organogenesis: the embryonic brain of the frog Xenopus laevis. This study demonstrates that machine learning and computational integration approaches can advance our understanding of the information-processing underlying morphogenetic decision-making, with a potential for other applications in developmental biology and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Manicka
- Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Vaibhav P. Pai
- Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Michael Levin
- Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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2
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Sayedyahossein S, Thines L, Sacks DB. Ca 2+ signaling and the Hippo pathway: Intersections in cellular regulation. Cell Signal 2023; 110:110846. [PMID: 37549859 PMCID: PMC10529277 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110846] [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] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
The Hippo signaling pathway is a master regulator of organ size and tissue homeostasis. Hippo integrates a broad range of cellular signals to regulate numerous processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and mechanosensation. Ca2+ is a fundamental second messenger that modulates signaling cascades involved in diverse cellular functions, some of which are also regulated by the Hippo pathway. Studies published over the last five years indicate that Ca2+ can influence core Hippo pathway components. Nevertheless, comprehensive understanding of the crosstalk between Ca2+ signaling and the Hippo pathway, and possible mechanisms through which Ca2+ regulates Hippo, remain to be elucidated. In this review, we summarize the multiple intersections between Ca2+ and the Hippo pathway and address the biological consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samar Sayedyahossein
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Louise Thines
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David B Sacks
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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3
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Dow LP, Parmar T, Marchetti MC, Pruitt BL. Engineering tools for quantifying and manipulating forces in epithelia. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2023; 4:021303. [PMID: 38510344 PMCID: PMC10903508 DOI: 10.1063/5.0142537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
The integrity of epithelia is maintained within dynamic mechanical environments during tissue development and homeostasis. Understanding how epithelial cells mechanosignal and respond collectively or individually is critical to providing insight into developmental and (patho)physiological processes. Yet, inferring or mimicking mechanical forces and downstream mechanical signaling as they occur in epithelia presents unique challenges. A variety of in vitro approaches have been used to dissect the role of mechanics in regulating epithelia organization. Here, we review approaches and results from research into how epithelial cells communicate through mechanical cues to maintain tissue organization and integrity. We summarize the unique advantages and disadvantages of various reduced-order model systems to guide researchers in choosing appropriate experimental systems. These model systems include 3D, 2D, and 1D micromanipulation methods, single cell studies, and noninvasive force inference and measurement techniques. We also highlight a number of in silico biophysical models that are informed by in vitro and in vivo observations. Together, a combination of theoretical and experimental models will aid future experiment designs and provide predictive insight into mechanically driven behaviors of epithelial dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Toshi Parmar
- Department of Physics, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
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4
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Jebeli M, Lopez SK, Goldblatt ZE, McCollum D, Mana-Capelli S, Wen Q, Billiar K. Multicellular aligned bands disrupt global collective cell behavior. Acta Biomater 2023; 163:117-130. [PMID: 36306982 PMCID: PMC10334361 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.10.041] [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] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Mechanical stress patterns emerging from collective cell behavior have been shown to play critical roles in morphogenesis, tissue repair, and cancer metastasis. In our previous work, we constrained valvular interstitial cell (VIC) monolayers on circular protein islands to study emergent behavior in a controlled manner and demonstrated that the general patterns of cell alignment, size, and apoptosis correlate with predicted mechanical stress fields if radially increasing stiffness or contractility are used in the computational models. However, these radially symmetric models did not predict the existence of local regions of dense aligned cells observed in seemingly random locations of individual aggregates. The goal of this study is to determine how the heterogeneities in cell behavior emerge over time and diverge from the predicted collective cell behavior. Cell-cell interactions in circular multicellular aggregates of VICs were studied with time-lapse imaging ranging from hours to days, and migration, proliferation, and traction stresses were measured. Our results indicate that elongated cells create strong local alignment within preconfluent cell populations on the microcontact printed protein islands. These cells influence the alignment of additional cells to create dense, locally aligned bands of cells which disrupt the predicted global behavior. Cells are highly elongated at the endpoints of the bands yet have decreased spread area in the middle and reduced mobility. Although traction stresses at the endpoints of bands are enhanced, even to the point of detaching aggregates from the culture surface, the cells in dense bands exhibit reduced proliferation, less nuclear YAP, and increased apoptotic rates indicating a low stress environment. These findings suggest that strong local cell-cell interactions between primary fibroblastic cells can disrupt the global collective cellular behavior leading to substantial heterogeneity of cell behaviors in constrained monolayers. This local emergent behavior within aggregated fibroblasts may play an important role in development and disease of connective tissues. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Mechanical stress patterns emerging from collective cell behavior play critical roles in morphogenesis, tissue repair, and cancer metastasis. Much has been learned of these collective behaviors by utilizing microcontact printing to constrain cell monolayers (aggregates) into specific shapes. Here we utilize these tools along with long-term video microscopy tracking of individual aggregates to determine how heterogeneous collective behaviors unique to primary fibroblastic cells emerge over time and diverge from computed stress fields. We find that dense multicellular bands form from local collective behavior and disrupt the global collective behavior resulting in heterogeneous patterns of migration, traction stresses, proliferation, and apoptosis. This local emergent behavior within aggregated fibroblasts may play an important role in development and disease of connective tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahvash Jebeli
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester MA, USA
| | - Samantha K Lopez
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester MA, USA
| | - Zachary E Goldblatt
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester MA, USA
| | - Dannel McCollum
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester MA, USA
| | | | - Qi Wen
- Physics Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester MA, USA
| | - Kristen Billiar
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester MA, USA.
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5
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Carvalho J. A computational model of cell membrane bioelectric polarization and depolarization, connected with cell proliferation, in different tissue geometries. J Theor Biol 2023; 557:111338. [PMID: 36343668 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2022.111338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
A reliable theory of biological tissues growth and organization, a fundamental tool for a comprehensive interpretation of experimental observations and a guide to progress in life sciences, is definitively missing. This would support the advancement of knowledge for both normal and pathological expansion and regulation of tissues and organisms. In this work is presented a computational model of cell culture that describes its growth and organization using cell proliferation as its default state, constrained by contact inhibition, closely connected to the cell bioelectric state. The model results describe in a correct way the reported experimental results, involving contact inhibition due to the presence of other cells, and gap junctions for signaling, molecules exchange and extracellular environment sensing. Starting from depolarized cells (in this model considered tantamount to proliferative), the cell culture grows until it fills the available domain and, due to the contact inhibition constraint, it turns into quiescence (a consequence of cell polarization), except on the periphery. Using drugs or via protein expression manipulation, it is possible to change the final tissue state, to fully polarized or depolarized. Other experimental tests are proposed and the expected results simulated. This model can be extended to pathological events, such as carcinogenesis, with cells homeostasis perturbed by a cell depolarizing (carcinogenic) event and express its default proliferative state without adequate control. This simplified model of tissue organization, regulated by the cell's bioelectric state and their interaction with vicinity, is an alternative to the description of the experimental results by mechanical stress, and can be further tested and extended in dedicated experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joao Carvalho
- CFisUC, Department of Physics, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
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6
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Yavitt FM, Kirkpatrick BE, Blatchley MR, Speckl KF, Mohagheghian E, Moldovan R, Wang N, Dempsey PJ, Anseth KS. In situ modulation of intestinal organoid epithelial curvature through photoinduced viscoelasticity directs crypt morphogenesis. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadd5668. [PMID: 36662859 PMCID: PMC9858500 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add5668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Spatiotemporally coordinated transformations in epithelial curvature are necessary to generate crypt-villus structures during intestinal development. However, the temporal regulation of mechanotransduction pathways that drive crypt morphogenesis remains understudied. Intestinal organoids have proven useful to study crypt morphogenesis in vitro, yet the reliance on static culture scaffolds limits the ability to assess the temporal effects of changing curvature. Here, a photoinduced hydrogel cross-link exchange reaction is used to spatiotemporally alter epithelial curvature and study how dynamic changes in curvature influence mechanotransduction pathways to instruct crypt morphogenesis. Photopatterned curvature increased membrane tension and depolarization, which was required for subsequent nuclear localization of yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) observed 24 hours following curvature change. Curvature-directed crypt morphogenesis only occurred following a delay in the induction of differentiation that coincided with the delay in spatially restricted YAP localization, indicating that dynamic changes in curvature initiate epithelial curvature-dependent mechanotransduction pathways that temporally regulate crypt morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Max Yavitt
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Bruce E. Kirkpatrick
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Michael R. Blatchley
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Kelly F. Speckl
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Erfan Mohagheghian
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Radu Moldovan
- Advanced Light Microscopy Core Facility, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Peter J. Dempsey
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Denver, CO 80204, USA
| | - Kristi S. Anseth
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
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7
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Onorato G, Fardella F, Lewinska A, Gobbo F, Tommasini G, Wnuk M, Tino A, Moros M, Antognazza MR, Tortiglione C. Optical Control of Tissue Regeneration through Photostimulation of Organic Semiconducting Nanoparticles. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2200366. [PMID: 35861262 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202200366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Next generation bioengineering strives to identify crucial cues that trigger regeneration of damaged tissues, and to control the cells that execute these programs with biomaterials and devices. Molecular and biophysical mechanisms driving embryogenesis may inspire novel tools to reactivate developmental programs in situ. Here nanoparticles based on conjugated polymers are employed for optical control of regenerating tissues by using an animal with unlimited regenerative potential, the polyp Hydra, as in vivo model, and human keratinocytes as an in vitro model to investigate skin repair. By integrating animal, cellular, molecular, and biochemical approaches, nanoparticles based on poly-3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) are shown able to enhance regeneration kinetics, stem cell proliferation, and biomolecule oxidation levels. Opposite outputs are obtained with PCPDTBT-NPs (Poly[2,6-(4,4-bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-cyclopenta [2,1-b;3,4-b'] dithiophene)-alt-4,7(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)], causing a beneficial effect on Hydra regeneration but not on the migratory capability of keratinocytes. These results suggest that the artificial modulation of the redox potential in injured tissues may represent a powerful modality to control their regenerative potential. Importantly, the possibility to fine-tuning materials' photocatalytic efficiency may enable a biphasic modulation over a wide dynamic range, which can be exploited to augment the tissue regenerative capacity or inhibit the unlimited potential of cancerous cells in pathological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Onorato
- Istituto di Scienze Applicate e Sistemi Intelligenti "E. Caianiello", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli, 80078, Italy.,Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources, National Research Council, Via Pietro Castellino 111, Napoli, Italy
| | - Federica Fardella
- Istituto di Scienze Applicate e Sistemi Intelligenti "E. Caianiello", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli, 80078, Italy.,Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón, C/Mariano Esquillor 15, Zaragoza, 50018, Spain
| | - Anna Lewinska
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Rzeszow, Pigonia 1, Rzeszow, 35-310, Poland
| | - Federico Gobbo
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Pascoli 70/3, Milano, 20133, Italy.,Politecnico di Milano, Dip. di Fisica, P.zza L. Da Vinci 32, Milano, 20133, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Tommasini
- Istituto di Scienze Applicate e Sistemi Intelligenti "E. Caianiello", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli, 80078, Italy.,Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón, C/Mariano Esquillor 15, Zaragoza, 50018, Spain
| | - Maciej Wnuk
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Rzeszow, Pigonia 1, Rzeszow, 35-310, Poland
| | - Angela Tino
- Istituto di Scienze Applicate e Sistemi Intelligenti "E. Caianiello", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli, 80078, Italy
| | - Maria Moros
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón, C/Mariano Esquillor 15, Zaragoza, 50018, Spain
| | - Maria Rosa Antognazza
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Pascoli 70/3, Milano, 20133, Italy
| | - Claudia Tortiglione
- Istituto di Scienze Applicate e Sistemi Intelligenti "E. Caianiello", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Pozzuoli, 80078, Italy
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8
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Guo CL. Self-Sustained Regulation or Self-Perpetuating Dysregulation: ROS-dependent HIF-YAP-Notch Signaling as a Double-Edged Sword on Stem Cell Physiology and Tumorigenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:862791. [PMID: 35774228 PMCID: PMC9237464 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.862791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Organ development, homeostasis, and repair often rely on bidirectional, self-organized cell-niche interactions, through which cells select cell fate, such as stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. The niche contains multiplexed chemical and mechanical factors. How cells interpret niche structural information such as the 3D topology of organs and integrate with multiplexed mechano-chemical signals is an open and active research field. Among all the niche factors, reactive oxygen species (ROS) have recently gained growing interest. Once considered harmful, ROS are now recognized as an important niche factor in the regulation of tissue mechanics and topology through, for example, the HIF-YAP-Notch signaling pathways. These pathways are not only involved in the regulation of stem cell physiology but also associated with inflammation, neurological disorder, aging, tumorigenesis, and the regulation of the immune checkpoint molecule PD-L1. Positive feedback circuits have been identified in the interplay of ROS and HIF-YAP-Notch signaling, leading to the possibility that under aberrant conditions, self-organized, ROS-dependent physiological regulations can be switched to self-perpetuating dysregulation, making ROS a double-edged sword at the interface of stem cell physiology and tumorigenesis. In this review, we discuss the recent findings on how ROS and tissue mechanics affect YAP-HIF-Notch-PD-L1 signaling, hoping that the knowledge can be used to design strategies for stem cell-based and ROS-targeting therapy and tissue engineering.
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9
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Carvalho J. A computational model of organism development and carcinogenesis resulting from cells' bioelectric properties and communication. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9206. [PMID: 35654933 PMCID: PMC9163332 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13281-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A sound theory of biological organization is clearly missing for a better interpretation of observational results and faster progress in understanding life complexity. The availability of such a theory represents a fundamental progress in explaining both normal and pathological organism development. The present work introduces a computational implementation of some principles of a theory of organism development, namely that the default state of cells is proliferation and motility, and includes the principle of variation and organization by closure of constraints. In the present model, the bioelectric context of cells and tissue is the field responsible for organization, as it regulates cell proliferation and the level of communication driving the system’s evolution. Starting from a depolarized (proliferative) cell, the organism grows to a certain size, limited by the increasingly polarized state after successive proliferation events. The system reaches homeostasis, with a depolarized core (proliferative cells) surrounded by a rim of polarized cells (non-proliferative in this condition). This state is resilient to cell death (random or due to injure) and to limited depolarization (potentially carcinogenic) events. Carcinogenesis is introduced through a localized event (a spot of depolarized cells) or by random depolarization of cells in the tissue, which returns cells to their initial proliferative state. The normalization of the bioelectric condition can reverse this out-of-equilibrium state to a new homeostatic one. This simplified model of embryogenesis, tissue organization and carcinogenesis, based on non-excitable cells’ bioelectric properties, can be made more realistic with the introduction of other components, like biochemical fields and mechanical interactions, which are fundamental for a more faithful representation of reality. However, even a simple model can give insight for new approaches in complex systems and suggest new experimental tests, focused in its predictions and interpreted under a new paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joao Carvalho
- CFisUC, Department of Physics, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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10
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Adelfio M, Bonzanni M, Levin M, Kaplan DL. Impact of Membrane Voltage on Formation and Stability of Human Renal Proximal Tubules in Vitro. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2022; 8:1239-1246. [PMID: 35157435 PMCID: PMC9906498 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c01163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
More than 15% of adults in the United States suffer from some form of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Current strategies for CKD consist of dialysis or kidney transplant, which, however, can take several years. In this light, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches are the key to improving people's living conditions by advancing previous tissue engineering approaches and seeking new targets as intervention methods for kidney repair or replacement. The membrane voltage (Vm) dynamics of a cell have been associated with cell migration, cell cycle progression, differentiation, and pattern formation. Furthermore, bioelectrical stimuli have been used as a means in the treatment of diseases and wound healing. Here, we investigated the role of Vm as a novel target to guide and manipulate in vitro renal tissue models. Human-immortalized renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTECs-TERT1) were cultured on Matrigel to support the formation of 3D proximal tubular-like structures with the incorporation of a voltage-sensitive dye indicator─bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid)timethine oxonol (DiBAC). The results demonstrated a correlation between the depolarization and the reorganization of human renal proximal tubule cells, indicating Vm as a candidate variable to control these events. Accordingly, Vm was pharmacologically manipulated using glibenclamide and pinacidil, KATP channel modulators, and proximal tubule formation and tubule stability over 21 days were assessed. Chronic manipulation of KATP channels induced changes in the tubular network topology without affecting lumen formation. Thus, a relationship was found between the preluminal tubulogenesis phase and KATP channels. This relationship may provide future options as a control point during kidney tissue development, treatment, and regeneration goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miryam Adelfio
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford 02155, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Mattia Bonzanni
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford 02155, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Michael Levin
- Biology Department, and Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, Tufts University, 200 Boston Avenue, Medford 02155, Massachusetts, United States
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford 02155, Massachusetts, United States
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11
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Levin M, Djamgoz MB. Bioelectricity: From Endogenous Mechanisms to Opportunities in Synthetic Bioengineering. Bioelectricity 2022. [DOI: 10.1089/bioe.2022.0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Levin
- Department of Biology, Allen Discovery Center, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA
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12
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A Note of Caution: Gramicidin Affects Signaling Pathways Independently of Its Effects on Plasma Membrane Conductance. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:2641068. [PMID: 34722759 PMCID: PMC8553451 DOI: 10.1155/2021/2641068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Gramicidin is a thoroughly studied cation ionophore widely used to experimentally manipulate the plasma membrane potential (PMP). In addition, it has been established that the drug, due to its hydrophobic nature, is capable of affecting the organization of membrane lipids. We have previously shown that modifications in the plasma membrane potential of epithelial cells in culture determine reorganizations of the cytoskeleton. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved, we explored the effects of PMP depolarization on some putative signaling intermediates. In the course of these studies, we came across some results that could not be interpreted in terms of the properties of gramicidin as an ionic channel. The purpose of the present work is to communicate these results and, in general, to draw attention to the fact that gramicidin effects can be misleadingly attributed to its ionic or electrical properties. In addition, this work also contributes with some novel findings of the modifications provoked on the signaling intermediates by PMP depolarization and hyperpolarization.
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13
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Silver BB, Zhang SX, Rabie EM, Nelson CM. Substratum stiffness tunes membrane voltage in mammary epithelial cells. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:jcs256313. [PMID: 34313313 PMCID: PMC8310660 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.256313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane voltage (Vm) plays a critical role in the regulation of several cellular behaviors, including proliferation, apoptosis and phenotypic plasticity. Many of these behaviors are affected by the stiffness of the underlying extracellular matrix, but the connections between Vm and the mechanical properties of the microenvironment are unclear. Here, we investigated the relationship between matrix stiffness and Vm by culturing mammary epithelial cells on synthetic substrata, the stiffnesses of which mimicked those of the normal mammary gland and breast tumors. Although proliferation is associated with depolarization, we surprisingly observed that cells are hyperpolarized when cultured on stiff substrata, a microenvironmental condition that enhances proliferation. Accordingly, we found that Vm becomes depolarized as stiffness decreases, in a manner dependent on intracellular Ca2+. Furthermore, inhibiting Ca2+-gated Cl- currents attenuates the effects of substratum stiffness on Vm. Specifically, we uncovered a role for cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in the regulation of Vm by substratum stiffness. Taken together, these results suggest a novel role for CFTR and membrane voltage in the response of mammary epithelial cells to their mechanical microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian B. Silver
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Sherry X. Zhang
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Emann M. Rabie
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Celeste M. Nelson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
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14
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Wei Y, Li W. Calcium, an Emerging Intracellular Messenger for the Hippo Pathway Regulation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:694828. [PMID: 34268313 PMCID: PMC8275986 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.694828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is a conserved signaling network regulating organ development and tissue homeostasis. Dysfunction of this pathway may lead to various diseases, such as regeneration defect and cancer. Studies over the past decade have found various extracellular and intracellular signals that can regulate this pathway. Among them, calcium (Ca2+) is emerging as a potential messenger that can transduce certain signals, such as the mechanical cue, to the main signaling machinery. In this process, rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton, such as calcium-activated actin reset (CaAR), may construct actin filaments at the cell cortex or other subcellular domains that provide a scaffold to launch Hippo pathway activators. This article will review studies demonstrating Ca2+-mediated Hippo pathway modulation and discuss its implication in understanding the role of actin cytoskeleton in regulating the Hippo pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiju Wei
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Wei Li
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
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15
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Jiang TX, Li A, Lin CM, Chiu C, Cho JH, Reid B, Zhao M, Chow RH, Widelitz RB, Chuong CM. Global feather orientations changed by electric current. iScience 2021; 24:102671. [PMID: 34179734 PMCID: PMC8214094 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
During chicken skin development, each feather bud exhibits its own polarity, but a population of buds organizes with a collective global orientation. We used embryonic dorsal skin, with buds aligned parallel to the rostral-caudal body axis, to explore whether exogenous electric fields affect feather polarity. Interestingly, brief exogenous current exposure prior to visible bud formation later altered bud orientations. Applying electric pulses perpendicular to the body rostral-caudal axis realigned bud growth in a collective swirl, resembling an electric field pointing toward the anode. Perturbed buds show normal molecular expression and morphogenesis except for their altered orientation. Epithelial-mesenchymal recombination demonstrates the effects of exogenous electric fields are mediated through the epithelium. Small-molecule channel inhibitor screens show Ca2+ channels and PI3 Kinase are involved in controlling feather bud polarity. This work reveals the importance of bioelectricity in organ development and regeneration and provides an explant culture platform for experimentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Xin Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Ángeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Ang Li
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Ángeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Chih-Min Lin
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Ángeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Cathleen Chiu
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Ángeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Jung-Hwa Cho
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Brian Reid
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, and Department of Dermatology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95816, USA
| | - Min Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, and Department of Dermatology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95816, USA
| | - Robert H. Chow
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Randall Bruce Widelitz
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Ángeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Cheng-Ming Chuong
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Ángeles, CA 90033, USA
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16
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Berg IC, Mohagheghian E, Habing K, Wang N, Underhill GH. Microtissue Geometry and Cell-Generated Forces Drive Patterning of Liver Progenitor Cell Differentiation in 3D. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2100223. [PMID: 33890430 PMCID: PMC8222189 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202100223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
3D microenvironments provide a unique opportunity to investigate the impact of intrinsic mechanical signaling on progenitor cell differentiation. Using a hydrogel-based microwell platform, arrays of 3D, multicellular microtissues in constrained geometries, including toroids and cylinders are produced. These generated distinct mechanical profiles to investigate the impact of geometry and stress on early liver progenitor cell fate using a model liver development system. Image segmentation allows the tracking of individual cell fate and the characterization of distinct patterning of hepatocytic makers to the outer shell of the microtissues, and the exclusion from the inner diameter surface of the toroids. Biliary markers are distributed throughout the interior regions of micropatterned tissues and are increased in toroidal tissues when compared with those in cylindrical tissues. Finite element models of predicted stress distributions, combined with mechanical measurements, demonstrates that intercellular tension correlates with increased hepatocytic fate, while compression correlates with decreased hepatocytic and increased biliary fate. This system, which integrates microfabrication, imaging, mechanical modeling, and quantitative analysis, demonstrates how microtissue geometry can drive patterning of mechanical stresses that regulate cell differentiation trajectories. This approach may serve as a platform for further investigation of signaling mechanisms in the liver and other developmental systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian C. Berg
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of Bioengineering, 1102 Everitt Lab, MC-278, 1406 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Erfan Mohagheghian
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Building, 1206 W. Green St. MC 244, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Krista Habing
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of Bioengineering, 1102 Everitt Lab, MC-278, 1406 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Ning Wang
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Building, 1206 W. Green St. MC 244, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Gregory H. Underhill
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of Bioengineering, 1102 Everitt Lab, MC-278, 1406 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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17
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Gupta A, Lutolf MP, Hughes AJ, Sonnen KF. Bioengineering in vitro models of embryonic development. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:1104-1116. [PMID: 33979597 PMCID: PMC8185467 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell-based in vitro models of embryonic development have been established over the last decade. Such model systems recapitulate aspects of gametogenesis, early embryonic development, or organogenesis. They enable experimental approaches that have not been possible previously and have the potential to greatly reduce the number of animals required for research. However, each model system has its own limitations, with certain aspects, such as morphogenesis and spatiotemporal control of cell fate decisions, diverging from the in vivo counterpart. Targeted bioengineering approaches to provide defined instructive external signals or to modulate internal cellular signals could overcome some of these limitations. Here, we present the latest technical developments and discuss how bioengineering can further advance the optimization and external control of stem cell-based embryo-like structures (ELSs). In vitro models combined with sophisticated bioengineering tools will enable an even more in-depth analysis of embryonic development in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananya Gupta
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Matthias P Lutolf
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences and School of Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, 1015 Vaud, Switzerland; Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, School of Basic Science, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, 1015 Vaud, Switzerland.
| | - Alex J Hughes
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Katharina F Sonnen
- Hubrecht Institute-KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Levin M. Bioelectrical approaches to cancer as a problem of the scaling of the cellular self. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 165:102-113. [PMID: 33961843 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
One lens with which to understand the complex phenomenon of cancer is that of developmental biology. Cancer is the inevitable consequence of a breakdown of the communication that enables individual cells to join into computational networks that work towards large-scale, morphogenetic goals instead of more primitive, unicellular objectives. This perspective suggests that cancer may be a physiological disorder, not necessarily due to problems with the genetically-specified protein hardware. One aspect of morphogenetic coordination is bioelectric signaling, and indeed an abnormal bioelectric signature non-invasively reveals the site of incipient tumors in amphibian models. Functionally, a disruption of resting potential states triggers metastatic melanoma phenotypes in embryos with no genetic defects or carcinogen exposure. Conversely, optogenetic or molecular-biological modulation of bioelectric states can override powerful oncogenic mutations and prevent or normalize tumors. The bioelectrically-mediated information flows that harness cells toward body-level anatomical outcomes represent a very attractive and tractable endogenous control system, which is being targeted by emerging approaches to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Levin
- Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, 200 Boston Ave., Suite 4600, Medford, MA, 02155, USA.
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19
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Bioelectric signaling: Reprogrammable circuits underlying embryogenesis, regeneration, and cancer. Cell 2021; 184:1971-1989. [PMID: 33826908 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
How are individual cell behaviors coordinated toward invariant large-scale anatomical outcomes in development and regeneration despite unpredictable perturbations? Endogenous distributions of membrane potentials, produced by ion channels and gap junctions, are present across all tissues. These bioelectrical networks process morphogenetic information that controls gene expression, enabling cell collectives to make decisions about large-scale growth and form. Recent progress in the analysis and computational modeling of developmental bioelectric circuits and channelopathies reveals how cellular collectives cooperate toward organ-level structural order. These advances suggest a roadmap for exploiting bioelectric signaling for interventions addressing developmental disorders, regenerative medicine, cancer reprogramming, and synthetic bioengineering.
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Modeling the mechanobioelectricity of cell clusters. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2020; 20:535-554. [PMID: 33145723 PMCID: PMC7979637 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-020-01399-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
We propose a continuum finite strain theory for the interplay between the bioelectricity and the poromechanics of a cell cluster. Specifically, we refer to a cluster of closely packed cells, whose mechanics is governed by a polymer network of cytoskeletal filaments joined by anchoring junctions, modeled through compressible hyperelasticity. The cluster is saturated with a solution of water and ions. We account for water and ion transport in the intercellular spaces, between cells through gap junctions, and across cell membranes through aquaporins and ion channels. Water fluxes result from the contributions due to osmosis, electro-osmosis, and water pressure, while ion fluxes encompass electro-diffusive and convective terms. We consider both the cases of permeable and impermeable cluster boundary, the latter simulating the presence of sealing tight junctions. We solve the coupled governing equations for a one-dimensional axisymmetric benchmark through finite elements, thus determining the spatiotemporal evolution of the intracellular and extracellular ion concentrations, setting the membrane potential, and water concentrations, establishing the cluster deformation. When suitably complemented with genetic, biochemical, and growth dynamics, we expect this model to become a useful instrument for investigating specific aspects of developmental mechanobioelectricity.
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