Environmental Elasticity Regulates Cell-type Specific RHOA Signaling and Neuritogenesis of Human Neurons.
Stem Cell Reports 2019;
13:1006-1021. [PMID:
31708476 PMCID:
PMC6915847 DOI:
10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.10.008]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The microenvironment of developing neurons is a dynamic landscape of both chemical and mechanical cues that regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and axon extension. While the regulatory roles of chemical ligands in neuronal morphogenesis have been described, little is known about how mechanical forces influence neurite development. Here, we tested how substratum elasticity regulates neurite development of human forebrain (hFB) neurons and human motor neurons (hMNs), two populations of neurons that naturally extend axons into distinct elastic environments. Using polyacrylamide and collagen hydrogels of varying compliance, we find that hMNs preferred rigid conditions that approximate the elasticity of muscle, whereas hFB neurons preferred softer conditions that approximate brain tissue elasticity. More stable leading-edge protrusions, increased peripheral adhesions, and elevated RHOA signaling of hMN growth cones contributed to faster neurite outgrowth on rigid substrata. Our data suggest that RHOA balances contractile and adhesive forces in response to substratum elasticity.
Motor neurons derived from hiPSCs are tuned to grow optimally on rigid substrata
hiPSCs derived forebrain neurons prefer softer substrata
RHOA-dependent adhesion contributes to elasticity preferences
Modulating RHOA affects axon development depending on substrata elasticity
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