Dynamic Imaging Reveals Coordinate Effects of Cyclic Stretch and Substrate Stiffness on Endothelial Integrity.
We describe an equibiaxial cell stretcher and hybrid, elastic membrane platform designed for dynamic imaging of cells on substrates with physiological stiffness undergoing cyclic stretch. Studies enabled by this device revealed that both substrate stiffness and cyclic stretch coordinately protect pulmonary endothelial monolayers against thrombin-induced disruption. The fluorescence imaging possible with the designed hybrid membranes further revealed similarities and differences in actin and cell dynamics during monolayer recovery. The improved live-cell imaging capabilities of this platform, when used in conjunction with fluorescent probes, will have broad applications for investigations of the impact of biochemical stimuli and mechanotransduction mechanisms on mechanically perturbed tissues.
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
Arkaprava
A
Dan
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
Ryan B
RB
Huang
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA. leckband@illinois.edu.|Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA. leckband@illinois.edu.
Deborah E
DE
Leckband
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013917:Thrombin / Q000494:pharmacology
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D013917:Thrombin
Cell stretcher; Dynamic fluorescence imaging; Endothelial mechanics; Mechanotransduction