A Low-Cost Mechanical Stretching Device for Uniaxial Strain of Cells: A Platform for Pedagogy in Mechanobiology

Unveiling Mechanobiology: A Compact Device for Uniaxial Mechanical Stimulation on Nanofiber Substrates and Its Impact on Cellular Behavior and Nanoparticle Distribution

Biotechnology and its allied sectors, such as tissue culture, regenerative medicine, and personalized medicine, primarily rely upon extensive studies on cellular behavior and their molecular pathways for generating essential knowledge and innovative strategies for human survival. Most such studies are performed on flat, adherent, plastic-based surfaces and use nanofiber and hydrogel-like soft matrices from the past few decades. However, such static culture conditions cannot mimic the immediate cellular microenvironment, where they perceive or generate a myriad of different mechanical forces that substantially affect their downstream molecular pathways. Including such mechanical forces, still limited to specialized laboratories, using a few commercially available or noncommercial technologies are gathering increasing attention worldwide. However, large-scale consideration and adaptation by developing nations have yet to be achieved due to the lack of a cost-effective, reliable, and accessible solution. Moreover, investigations on cellular response upon uniaxial mechanical stretch cycles under more in vivo mimetic conditions are yet to be studied comprehensively. In order to tackle these obstacles, we have prepared a compact, 3D-printed device using a microcontroller, batteries, sensors, and a stepper motor assembly that operates wirelessly and provides cyclic mechanical attrition to any thin substrate. We have fabricated water-stable and stretchable nanofiber substrates with different fiber orientations by using the electrospinning technique to investigate the impact of mechanical stretch cycles on the morphology and orientation of C2C12 myoblast-like cells. Additionally, we have examined the uptake and distribution properties of BSA-epirubicin nanoparticles within cells under mechanical stimulation, which could act as fluorescently active drug-delivery agents for future therapeutic applications. Consequently, our research offers a comprehensive analysis of cellular behavior when cells are subjected to uniaxial stretching on various nanofiber mat architectures. Furthermore, we present a cost-effective alternative solution that addresses the long-standing requirement for a compact, user-friendly, and tunable device, enabling more insightful outcomes in mechanobiology.

Adjusting to Your Surroundings: An Inquiry-Based Learning Module to Teach Principles of Mechanobiology for Regenerative Medicine

Mechanobiology is an interdisciplinary field that aims to understand how physical forces impact biological systems. Enhancing our knowledge of mechanobiology has become increasingly important for understanding human disease and developing novel therapeutics. There is a societal need to teach diverse students principles of mechanobiology so that we may collectively expand our knowledge of this subject and apply new principles to improving human health. Toward this goal, we designed, implemented, and evaluated a hands-on, inquiry-based learning (IBL) module to teach students principles of cell-biomaterial interactions. This module was designed to be hosted in two 3-h sessions, over two consecutive days. During this time, students learned how to synthesize and mechanically test biomaterials, culture bacteria cells, and assess effects of matrix stiffness on bacteria cell proliferation. Among the 73 students who registered to participate in our IBL mechanobiology module, 40 students completed both days and participated in this study. A vast majority of the participants were considered underrepresented minority (URM) students based on race/ethnicity. Using pre/post-tests, we found that students experienced significant learning gains of 33 percentage points from completing our IBL mechanobiology module. In addition to gaining knowledge of mechanobiology, validated pre/post-surveys showed that students also experienced significant improvements in scientific literacy. Instructors may use this module as described, increase the complexity for an undergraduate classroom assignment, or make the module less complex for K-12 outreach. As presented, this IBL mechanobiology module effectively teaches diverse students principles of mechanobiology and scientific inquiry. Deploying this module, and similar IBL modules, may help advance the next generation of mechanobiologists.

Effects of Mechanical Stress on Endothelial Cells In Situ and In Vitro

Endothelial cells lining blood vessels are essential for maintaining vascular homeostasis and mediate several pathological and physiological processes. Mechanical stresses generated by blood flow and other biomechanical factors significantly affect endothelial cell activity. Here, we review how mechanical stresses, both in situ and in vitro, affect endothelial cells. We review the basic principles underlying the cellular response to mechanical stresses. We also consider the implications of these findings for understanding the mechanisms of mechanotransducer and mechano-signal transduction systems by cytoskeletal components.

Cell orientation under stretch: A review of experimental findings and mathematical modelling

The key role of electro-chemical signals in cellular processes had been known for many years, but more recently the interplay with mechanics has been put in evidence and attracted substantial research interests. Indeed, the sensitivity of cells to mechanical stimuli coming from the microenvironment turns out to be relevant in many biological and physiological circumstances. In particular, experimental evidence demonstrated that cells on elastic planar substrates undergoing periodic stretches, mimicking native cyclic strains in the tissue where they reside, actively reorient their cytoskeletal stress fibres. At the end of the realignment process, the cell axis forms a certain angle with the main stretching direction. Due to the importance of a deeper understanding of mechanotransduction, such a phenomenon was studied both from the experimental and the mathematical modelling point of view. The aim of this review is to collect and discuss both the experimental results on cell reorientation and the fundamental features of the mathematical models that have been proposed in the literature.

Uniaxial Cyclic Cell Stretching Device for Accelerating Cellular Studies

Cellular response to mechanical stimuli is a crucial factor for maintaining cell homeostasis. The interaction between the extracellular matrix and mechanical stress plays a significant role in organizing the cytoskeleton and aligning cells. Tools that apply mechanical forces to cells and tissues, as well as those capable of measuring the mechanical properties of biological cells, have greatly contributed to our understanding of fundamental mechanobiology. These tools have been extensively employed to unveil the substantial influence of mechanical cues on the development and progression of various diseases. In this report, we present an economical and high-performance uniaxial cell stretching device. This paper reports the detailed operation concept of the device, experimental design, and characterization. The device was tested with MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The experimental results agree well with previously documented morphological changes resulting from stretching forces on cancer cells. Remarkably, our new device demonstrates comparable cellular changes within 30 min compared with the previous 2 h stretching duration. This third-generation device significantly improved the stretching capabilities compared with its previous counterparts, resulting in a remarkable reduction in stretching time and a substantial increase in overall efficiency. Moreover, the device design incorporates an open-source software interface, facilitating convenient parameter adjustments such as strain, stretching speed, frequency, and duration. Its versatility enables seamless integration with various optical microscopes, thereby yielding novel insights into the realm of mechanobiology.

Mechanical stimulation devices for mechanobiology studies: a market, literature, and patents review

Significant advancements in various research and technological fields have contributed to remarkable findings on the physiological dynamics of the human body. To more closely mimic the complex physiological environment, research has moved from two-dimensional (2D) culture systems to more sophisticated three-dimensional (3D) dynamic cultures. Unlike bioreactors or microfluidic-based culture models, cells are typically seeded on polymeric substrates or incorporated into 3D constructs which are mechanically stimulated to investigate cell response to mechanical stresses, such as tensile or compressive. This review focuses on the working principles of mechanical stimulation devices currently available on the market or custom-built by research groups or protected by patents and highlights the main features still open to improvement. These are the features which could be focused on to perform, in the future, more reliable and accurate mechanobiology studies.

Graphic abstract

Crosstalk Between CD11b and Piezo1 Mediates Macrophage Responses to Mechanical Cues

Macrophages are versatile cells of the innate immune system that perform diverse functions by responding to dynamic changes in their microenvironment. While the effects of soluble cues, including cytokines and chemokines, have been widely studied, the effects of physical cues, including mechanical stimuli, in regulating macrophage form and function are less well understood. In this study, we examined the effects of static and cyclic uniaxial stretch on macrophage inflammatory and healing activation. We found that cyclic stretch altered macrophage morphology and responses to IFNγ/LPS and IL4/IL13. Interestingly, we found that both static and cyclic stretch suppressed IFNγ/LPS induced inflammation. In contrast, IL4/IL13 mediated healing responses were suppressed with cyclic but enhanced with static stretch conditions. Mechanistically, both static and cyclic stretch increased expression of the integrin CD11b (αM integrin), decreased expression of the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1, and knock down of either CD11b or Piezo1 through siRNA abrogated stretch-mediated changes in inflammatory responses. Moreover, we found that knock down of CD11b enhanced the expression of Piezo1, and conversely knock down of Piezo1 enhanced CD11b expression, suggesting the potential for crosstalk between integrins and ion channels. Finally, stretch-mediated differences in macrophage activation were also dependent on actin, since pharmacological inhibition of actin polymerization abrogated the changes in activation with stretch. Together, this study demonstrates that the physical environment synergizes with biochemical cues to regulate macrophage morphology and function, and suggests a role for CD11b and Piezo1 crosstalk in mechanotransduction in macrophages.

Brick Strex: a robust device built of LEGO bricks for mechanical manipulation of cells

Cellular forces, mechanics and other physical factors are important co-regulators of normal cell and tissue physiology. These cues are often misregulated in diseases such as cancer, where altered tissue mechanics contribute to the disease progression. Furthermore, intercellular tensile and compressive force-related signaling is highlighted in collective cell behavior during development. However, the mechanistic understanding on the role of physical forces in regulation of cellular physiology, including gene expression and signaling, is still lacking. This is partly because studies on the molecular mechanisms of force transmission require easily controllable experimental designs. These approaches should enable both easy mechanical manipulation of cells and, importantly, readouts ranging from microscopy imaging to biochemical assays. To achieve a robust solution for mechanical manipulation of cells, we developed devices built of LEGO bricks allowing manual, motorized and/or cyclic cell stretching and compression studies. By using these devices, we show that [Formula: see text]-catenin responds differentially to epithelial monolayer stretching and lateral compression, either localizing more to the cell nuclei or cell-cell junctions, respectively. In addition, we show that epithelial compression drives cytoplasmic retention and phosphorylation of transcription coregulator YAP1. We provide a complete part listing and video assembly instructions, allowing other researchers to build and use the devices in cellular mechanics-related studies.

Mechanotransducive Biomimetic Systems for Chondrogenic Differentiation In Vitro

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a long-term chronic joint disease characterized by the deterioration of bones and cartilage, which results in rubbing of bones which causes joint stiffness, pain, and restriction of movement. Tissue engineering strategies for repairing damaged and diseased cartilage tissue have been widely studied with various types of stem cells, chondrocytes, and extracellular matrices being on the lead of new discoveries. The application of natural or synthetic compound-based scaffolds for the improvement of chondrogenic differentiation efficiency and cartilage tissue engineering is of great interest in regenerative medicine. However, the properties of such constructs under conditions of mechanical load, which is one of the most important factors for the successful cartilage regeneration and functioning in vivo is poorly understood. In this review, we have primarily focused on natural compounds, particularly extracellular matrix macromolecule-based scaffolds and their combinations for the chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells and chondrocytes. We also discuss different mechanical forces and compression models that are used for In Vitro studies to improve chondrogenic differentiation. Summary of provided mechanical stimulation models In Vitro reviews the current state of the cartilage tissue regeneration technologies and to the potential for more efficient application of cell- and scaffold-based technologies for osteoarthritis or other cartilage disorders.

Decellularized scaffold and its elicited immune response towards the host: the underlying mechanism and means of immunomodulatory modification

The immune response of the host towards a decellularized scaffold is complex. Not only can a number of immune cells influence this process, but also the characteristics, preparation and modification of the decellularized scaffold can significantly impact this reaction. Such factors can, together or alone, trigger immune cells to polarize towards either a pro-healing or pro-inflammatory direction. In this article, we have comprehensively reviewed factors which may influence the immune response of the host towards a decellularized scaffold, including the source of the biomaterial, biophysical properties or modifications of the scaffolds with bioactive peptides, drugs and cytokines. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism has also been recapitulated.

Cardiac mechanostructure: Using mechanics and anisotropy as inspiration for developing epicardial therapies in treating myocardial infarction

The mechanical environment and anisotropic structure of the heart modulate cardiac function at the cellular, tissue and organ levels. During myocardial infarction (MI) and subsequent healing, however, this landscape changes significantly. In order to engineer cardiac biomaterials with the appropriate properties to enhance function after MI, the changes in the myocardium induced by MI must be clearly identified. In this review, we focus on the mechanical and structural properties of the healthy and infarcted myocardium in order to gain insight about the environment in which biomaterial-based cardiac therapies are expected to perform and the functional deficiencies caused by MI that the therapy must address. From this understanding, we discuss epicardial therapies for MI inspired by the mechanics and anisotropy of the heart focusing on passive devices, which feature a biomaterials approach, and active devices, which feature robotic and cellular components. Through this review, a detailed analysis is provided in order to inspire further development and translation of epicardial therapies for MI.

A Fully Integrated Arduino-Based System for the Application of Stretching Stimuli to Living Cells and Their Time-Lapse Observation: A Do-It-Yourself Biology Approach

Mechanobiology has nowadays acquired the status of a topic of fundamental importance in a degree in Biological Sciences. It is inherently a multidisciplinary topic where biology, physics and engineering competences are required. A course in mechanobiology should include lab experiences where students can appreciate how mechanical stimuli from outside affect living cell behaviour. Here we describe all the steps to build a cell stretcher inside an on-stage cell incubator. This device allows exposing living cells to a periodic mechanical stimulus similar to what happens in physiological conditions such as, for example, in the vascular system or in the lungs. The reaction of the cells to the periodic mechanical stretching represents a prototype of a mechanobiological signal integrated by living cells. We also provide the theoretical and experimental aspects related to the calibration of the stretcher apparatus at a level accessible to researchers not used to dealing with topics like continuum mechanics and analysis of deformations. We tested our device by stretching cells of two different lines, U87-MG and Balb-3T3 cells, and we analysed and discussed the effect of the periodic stimulus on both cell reorientation and migration. We also discuss the basic aspects related to the quantitative analysis of the reorientation process and of cell migration. We think that the device we propose can be easily reproduced at low-cost within a project-oriented course in the fields of biology, biotechnology and medical engineering.

High Throughput Screening of Cell Mechanical Response Using a Stretchable 3D Cellular Microarray Platform

Cells in vivo are constantly subjected to multiple microenvironmental mechanical stimuli that regulate cell function. Although 2D cell responses to the mechanical stimulation have been established, these methods lack relevance as physiological cell microenvironments are in 3D. Moreover, the existing platforms developed for studying the cell responses to mechanical cues in 3D either offer low-throughput, involve complex fabrication, or do not allow combinatorial analysis of multiple cues. Considering this, a stretchable high-throughput (HT) 3D cell microarray platform is presented that can apply dynamic mechanical strain to cells encapsulated in arrayed 3D microgels. The platform uses inkjet-bioprinting technique for printing cell-laden gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) microgel array on an elastic composite substrate that is periodically stretched. The developed platform is highly biocompatible and transfers the applied strain from the stretched substrate to the cells. The HT analysis is conducted to analyze cell mechano-responses throughout the printed microgel array. Also, the combinatorial analysis of distinct cell behaviors is conducted for different GelMA microenvironmental stiffnesses in addition to the dynamic stretch. Considering its throughput and flexibility, the developed platform can readily be scaled up to introduce a wide range of microenvironmental cues and to screen the cell responses in a HT way.

A Simple Method to Test Mechanical Strain on Epithelial Cell Monolayers Using a 3D-Printed Stretcher

With the realization that mechanical forces mediate many biological processes and contribute to disease progression, researchers are focusing on developing new methods to understand the role of mechanotransduction in biological systems. Despite recent advances in stretching devices that analyze the effects of mechanical strain in vitro, there are still possibilities to develop new equipment. For example, many of these devices tend be expensive, whereas few have been designed to assess the effects of mechanical strain driven by the extracellular matrix (ECM) to epithelial cell monolayers and to cell-cell adhesion. In this chapter, we introduce a cost-efficient, user-friendly, 3D-printed stretching device that can be used to test the effects of mechanical strain on cultured epithelial cells. Evaluation of the device using speckle-tracking shows homogeneous strain distribution along the horizontal plane of membranes at 2.5% and 5% strains, supporting the reliability of the device. Since cell-cell junctions are mechanosensitive protein complexes, we hereby used this device to examine effects on cell-cell adhesion. For this, we used colon epithelial Caco2 cell monolayers that well-differentiate in culture and form mature adherens junctions. Subjecting Caco2 cells to 2.5% and 5% strain using our device resulted in significant reduction in the localization of the core adherens junction component E-cadherin at areas of cell-cell contact and its increased translocation to the cytoplasm, which in agreement with other methodologies showing that increased ECM-driven strain negatively affects cell-cell adhesion. In summary, we here present a new, cost-effective, homemade device that can be reliably used to examine effects of mechanical strain on epithelial cell monolayers and cell-cell adhesion, in vitro.

Biophysical regulation of macrophages in health and disease

Macrophages perform critical functions for homeostasis and immune defense in tissues throughout the body. These innate immune cells are capable of recognizing and clearing dead cells and pathogens, and orchestrating inflammatory and healing processes that occur in response to injury. In addition, macrophages are involved in the progression of many inflammatory diseases including cardiovascular disease, fibrosis, and cancer. Although it has long been known that macrophages respond dynamically to biochemical signals in their microenvironment, the role of biophysical cues has only recently emerged. Furthermore, many diseases that involve macrophages are also characterized by changes to the tissue biophysical environment. This review will discuss current knowledge about the effects of biophysical cues including matrix stiffness, material topography, and applied mechanical forces, on macrophage behavior. We will also describe the role of molecules that are known to be important for mechanotransduction, including adhesion molecules, ion channels, as well as nuclear mediators such as transcription factors, scaffolding proteins, and epigenetic regulators. Together, this review will illustrate a developing role of biophysical cues in macrophage biology, and also speculate upon molecular targets that may potentially be exploited therapeutically to treat disease.