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Biophysical Regulation of Chromatin Architecture Instills a Mechanical Memory in Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

ABSTRACT: Mechanical cues direct the lineage commitment of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In this study, we identified the operative molecular mechanisms through which dynamic tensile loading (DL) regulates changes in chromatin organization and nuclear mechanics in MSCs. Our data show that, in the absence of exogenous differentiation factors, short term DL elicits a rapid increase in chromatin condensation, mediated by acto-myosin based cellular contractility and the activity of the histone-lysine N-methyltransferase EZH2. The resulting change in chromatin condensation stiffened the MSC nucleus, making it less deformable when stretch was applied to the cell. We also identified stretch induced ATP release and purinergic calcium signaling as a central mediator of this chromatin condensation process. Further, we showed that DL, through differential stabilization of the condensed chromatin state, established a 'mechanical memory' in these cells. That is, increasing strain levels and number of loading events led to a greater degree of chromatin condensation that persisted for longer periods of time after the cessation of loading. These data indicate that, with mechanical perturbation, MSCs develop a mechanical memory encoded in structural changes in the nucleus which may sensitize them to future mechanical loading events and define the trajectory and persistence of their lineage specification.

SUBMITTER: Heo SJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4655352 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Biophysical Regulation of Chromatin Architecture Instills a Mechanical Memory in Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Heo Su-Jin SJ Thorpe Stephen D SD Driscoll Tristan P TP Duncan Randall L RL Lee David A DA Mauck Robert L RL

Scientific reports 20151123

Mechanical cues direct the lineage commitment of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In this study, we identified the operative molecular mechanisms through which dynamic tensile loading (DL) regulates changes in chromatin organization and nuclear mechanics in MSCs. Our data show that, in the absence of exogenous differentiation factors, short term DL elicits a rapid increase in chromatin condensation, mediated by acto-myosin based cellular contractility and the activity of the histone-lysine N-methy ...[more]

PMID: 26592929

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Project description:Cells in the cardiovascular system are constantly exposed to complex mechanical stimulation due to the pulsatile nature of blood flow and the haemodynamic forces that are key to the regulation of vascular development, remodeling and pathophysiology. Mechanical stretch can also modulate the differentiation of stem cells toward vascular cell lineages (i.e., vascular smooth muscle cells), and represent a critical factor in vascular tissue engineering. Here we report on the development of a microchip platform that can emulate several key aspects of the vascular mechanical environment, such as cyclic stimulation and circumferential strain. This chip consists of an array of microfluidic channels with widths ranging from 20 to 500 micrometers. These channels are covered by suspended deformable membranes, on which cells are cultured and stimulated by cyclic circumferential strain of up to 20% via hydrodynamic actuation of the fluid in the microfluidic channels, thereby mimicking the biomechanical conditions of small blood vessels. We show that human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be cultured and continuously stimulated by cyclic stretch over a period of 7 days with no evidence of device fatigue or performance degradation. We observed localization and alignment of MSCs when mechanical stretch is larger than 10%, indicating the importance of mechanical stimulation in modulating cellular behavior. We further demonstrated simultaneous detection of proteins in multiple signaling pathways, including SMAD1/SMAD2 and canonical Wnt/?-catenin. This microchip represents a generic and versatile platform for high-throughput and rapid screening of cellular responses, including signal transduction cascades, in response to mechanical cues. The system emulates the physiological conditions of blood vessels and other tissues that are subject to cyclic strain, and may have a wide range of applications in the fields of stem cell mechanobiology, vascular tissue engineering, and other areas of regenerative medicine.

Dataset Information

Biophysical Regulation of Chromatin Architecture Instills a Mechanical Memory in Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Publications

Biophysical Regulation of Chromatin Architecture Instills a Mechanical Memory in Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

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