This work was funded by Lawrence Livermore National Lab LDRD 18-ERD-062 (to C.R.). Thanks to John Muschler for his kind gift of the DgKO and DgKI cells. Thank you to the staff at the University of California Berkeley Electron Microscope Laboratory for advice and assistance in electron microscopy sample preparation and data collection.

1. Thaw and aliquot laminin-111
NOTE: Purified laminin-111 is available commercially (typically purified from EHS matrix sold as Matrigel), but not all sources provide intact, nondegraded protein.
<ol>
	<li>Confirm that Ln1 is not degraded by sourcing Ln1 and running size exclusion chromatography26 or polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis26. Denatured Ln1 should have bands at 337 kDa, 197 kDa and 177 kDa, and native Ln1 should have a single band at 711 kDa.</li>
	<li>Thaw Ln1 on ice in a refrigerator overnight, and aliquot into low protein binding microcentrifuge tubes (typically aliquot at 100 &#181;g/tube for culture overlays, or 10 &#181;g for coatings) using low protein binding tips and sterile technique27. Freeze aliquots and store at -80 &#176;C.</li>
</ol>
2. Laminin polymerization using low pH buffers

<ol>
	<li>Make polyLM polymerization buffer: Weigh out and mix 1 mM CaCl2 and 20 mM sodium acetate in ultrapure water. Then adjust the pH to 4.0, using HCl or acetic acid. Sterile filter through 0.2 &#181;m filter, and store at 4 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Make control polymerization buffer: Mix 1 mM CalCl2 and 20 mM Tris and adjust the pH to 7.0, using 10 N HCl or 12 N NaOH as necessary. Sterile filter through 0.2 &#181;m filter, and store at 4 &#176;C. 
	NOTE: Protocol can be paused here.</li>
	<li>Thaw the needed number of Ln-1 aliquots in a refrigerator overnight.</li>
	<li>Using sterile cell culture technique, add the appropriate buffer (either polyLM polymerization buffer from step 2.1 or control polymerization buffer from step 2.2) to laminin aliquots at a final concentration of 100 &#181;g/mL (i.e. add 0.5 mL to 50 &#181;g aliquots) and mix gently by pipetting.</li>
	<li>If using fluorescently tagged laminin for visualization, reconstitute and add at 1:50 wt/wt ratio (e.g. 2 &#181;g/100 &#181;g) and mix gently by pipetting. 
	NOTE: If using laminins as a substrate for cell attachment, follow steps 2.6-2.8:</li>
	<li>Immediately after dilution in appropriate buffer, transfer laminins onto culture plastic or glassware and incubate overnight in a cell culture incubator at 37 &#176;C. Note that when coating coverslips, add a sufficiently large volume as to produce an equilibrated drop (typically, use 50 &#181;L for a 13 mm round coverslip), and keep in a humidified chamber overnight at 37 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Using sterile technique27, wash with 1x phosphate buffered saline (PBS).</li>
	<li>Remove the liquid carefully. Do not allow surface to be completely dry. 
	NOTE: If using laminins to cover cells for milk protein induction, follow steps 2.9-2.12:</li>
	<li>Culture mammary epithelial cells. Culture MepG dystroglycan knock in (DgKI) or MepG dystroglycan knockout cells (DgKO) cells in DMEM-F12 supplemented with 2% FBS, 0.01 mg/mL insulin, 0.005 &#181;g/mL EGF, 0.05 mg/mL gentamycin, and 0.05 g/mL normocin.</li>
	<li>Seed DgKO and DgKI cells for laminin stimulation at 10,500 cells/cm2 in well plates or coverslip bottom dishes</li>
	<li>Incubate diluted laminins in a cell culture incubator at 37 &#176;C for 30 min.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge polyLM aliquots at 2,000 x g for 20 minutes, but centrifuge LM in neutral pH at 20,000 x g for 20 minutes due to the smaller size of the protein entities and need for higher speeds to collect effectively.</li>
	<li>Using sterile technique27, remove the supernatant gently, and resuspend in an appropriate volume of induction medium of DMEM-F12 supplemented with 3 &#181;g/mL prolactin, 2.8 &#181;M hydrocortisone, and 5 &#181;g/mL insulin</li>
	<li>Transfer laminin in cell culture medium immediately to stimulate cells. We have successfully stimulated cells with 50-800 &#181;g/mL Ln1</li>
</ol>
3. Laminin polymerization using isolated glycoproteins
<ol>
	<li>Thaw recombinant nidogen-1 and Ln1 gently on ice in the refrigerator overnight.</li>
	<li>Mix Ln1 with nidogen-1 at a 1:1 wt/wt ratio in cell culture medium using low protein binding tips and tubes and using sterile technique. Use pure Ln1 in cell culture medium as a control.</li>
	<li>If using fluorescently tagged laminin for visualization, reconstitute and add at 1:50 wt/wt ratio (e.g., 2 &#181;g/100 &#181;g). Gently mix by pipetting.</li>
	<li>Incubate Ln1-nidogen or control Ln1 in a cell culture incubator at 37 &#176;C for 30 min.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge Ln1-nidogen copolymers at 2,000 x g for 30 min and the control Ln1 at 20,000 x g for 30 min.</li>
	<li>Gently remove the supernatant and resuspend in cell culture medium to a final concentration of 100-800 &#181;g total protein/mL.&#160; &#160;</li>
	<li>Use immediately to stimulate cells, or transfer to coverslips and allow to adhere overnight at 37 &#176;C in humidified cell culture incubators.</li>
	<li>Remove culture medium from coverslips, wash coverslips with 1x PBS, and then fix with 10% formalin (i.e., 4% formaldehyde in PBS) for 15 minutes at room temperature.</li>
</ol>
4. Laminin polymerization using dystroglycan expressing cells
<ol>
	<li>Culture mammary epithelial cells. Culture MepG dystroglycan knock in (DgKI) or MepG dystroglycan knockout cells (DgKO) cells in DMEM-F12 supplemented with 2% FBS, 0.01 mg/mL insulin, 0.005 &#181;g/mL EGF, 0.05 mg/mL gentamycin, and 0.05 g/mL normocin.</li>
	<li>Seed DgKI cells at 5,000 cells/cm2, and seed DgKO cells at 8,000 cells/cm2 due to differences in growth rates. Culture at 37 &#176;C in humidified incubators with media changes every 2-3 days and passages every 4-5 days using a rigorous sterile technique. Count cells carefully with a hemocytometer or automated cell counter27 to ensure appropriate growth rates.</li>
	<li>Seed cells for laminin stimulation at 10,500 cells/cm2 in well plates or coverslip bottom dishes and culture for 2 days, using DgKI cells to generate fractal Ln1 and DgKO cells as negative controls. Thaw Ln-1 gently overnight on ice in a refrigerator, and then mix with induction medium of DMEM-F12 supplemented with 3 &#181;g/mL prolactin, 2.8 &#181;M hydrocortisone, and 5 &#181;g/mL insulin. For a 35 mm dish, use 1 mL of induction media with 50-800 &#181;g of Ln1.</li>
	<li>If using fluorescent Ln1, mix in at 50:1 wt/wt ratio.</li>
	<li>Remove media from cells, and cover with laminin and induction media of DMEM-F12 supplemented with 3 &#181;g/mL prolactin, 2.8 &#181;M hydrocortisone, and 5 &#181;g/mL insulin &#160;</li>
	<li>Culture cells for 2 days, and then fix with 10% formalin.</li>
</ol>
5. Characterization of laminin microstructure via optical microscopy
<ol>
	<li>Collect fixed samples and wash 3 times with 1x PBS at room temperature for 5 min.</li>
	<li>Block and permeabilize samples in 1x PBS with 0.5% Triton X-100, 3% bovine serum albumin, 10% goat serum, and 40 &#181;g/mL anti-mouse blocking antibody fragment for 1 h at room temperature in a humidified chamber. 
	NOTE: Triton X-100 is hazardous. Handle with gloves and eye protection and dispose of appropriately.</li>
	<li>Mix anti-laminin antibody at a dilution of 1:100 with 1x PBS with 0.5% Triton X-100 and 3% BSA and add to samples for 2 h at room temperature or overnight at 4 &#176;C in a humidified chamber (typically use tip boxes with a wet laboratory wipe in the bottom).</li>
	<li>Remove primary antibody and wash 3 times with 1x PBS with 0.5% Triton X-100 and 3% BSA.</li>
	<li>Add an appropriate secondary antibody at a dilution of 1:500 to samples in 1x PBS with 0.5% Triton X-100 and 3% BSA and incubate at room temperature in the dark in a humidified chamber.</li>
	<li>Remove secondary antibody and wash 3 times with 1x PBS with 0.5% Triton X-100 and 3% BSA.</li>
	<li>For samples containing cells, add 6 &#181;M phalloidin for 45 min, followed by 3 washes with PBS with 0.5% Triton X-100 and 3% BSA, and followed by 3 washes with PBS. Then stain with 0.1 &#181;g/mL DAPI in PBS for 5 minutes.</li>
	<li>Mount samples if appropriate.</li>
	<li>Image ln-1 structure using high resolution confocal microscopy. Use a laser scanning microscope equipped with immersion objectives (water immersion Plan Apochromat 40X/1.1NA or oil immersion Plan Apochromat 63X/1.4NA).</li>
</ol>
6. Characterization of laminin constructs via box counting dimension
<ol>
	<li>Analyze for fractal properties using box counting dimension algorithms available in Matlab toolboxes or in ImageJ. These methods threshold images of laminin and plot on a log-log plot the number of boxes containing Ln1 compared to the size of the boxes. The slope of the relationship between these parameters is the box-counting dimension: non-fractal geometries will have a dimension of 0, 1, or 2, whereas fractal geometries have a non-integer dimension28. 
	NOTE: Acid-treated, glycoprotein-treated and DgKI cell-attached Ln1 all have a box-counting fractal dimension of ~1.7, whereas control Ln1 has a fractal dimension of 2.0.</li>
</ol>
7. Characterization of laminin constructs via electron microscopy
<ol>
	<li>Resuspend laminins in cell culture media and allow to adsorb to silica wafers for 90 min in a humid 37 &#176;C environment.</li>
	<li>Fix matrices in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer at pH 7.2. 
	NOTE: Glutaraldehyde is hazardous and should be handled in a fume hood with gloves and eye protection and disposed of as hazardous waste.</li>
	<li>Postfix matrices in 1% osmium tetroxide in 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer at pH 7.2. 
	NOTE: Osmium tetroxide is hazardous and should be handled in a fume hood with gloves and eye protection and disposed of appropriately. Cacodylate is hazardous and should be handled in a fume hood with gloves and eye protection and disposed of appropriately.</li>
	<li>Wash 3 times in sodium cacodylate buffer at pH 7.2.</li>
	<li>Dehydrate with increasing concentrations of ethanol.</li>
	<li>Sputter coat matrices with a thin layer of gold.</li>
	<li>Image using scanning electron microscopy.</li>
</ol>

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This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344. IM release LLNL-JRNL-799443.

Laminins represent a key element of the ECM in epithelial, muscular, and neural organ systems, and have been shown in vitro to play essential roles in regulating the functional differentiation of cells. Growing evidence indicates that the structure of laminin displayed to cells regulates its signaling and resultant cell phenotype15,16, thus methods to control Ln1 microstructure should be of interest to basic biologists working in these fields, and to tissue engin...

Unlike growth factors or cytokines, extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins can assemble into structural networks. As ECM dysfunction is a key element of many disease conditions, the mechanisms by which cells sense and transduce signals from ECM composition, microstructure and biomechanics are attractive targets for therapeutic development. Growing evidence suggests that microstructure of these networks plays a major role in how these proteins signal to cells. To date, this linkage between ECM microstructure and cell function has been shown for collagen I1, fibronectin2, and fibrin3.
Laminin-111 (Ln1) is a trimeric, cross-shaped protein that is a key structural component of the extracellular matrix that contacts epithelial cells4, muscle cells5, and neural cells6. In the mammary gland, Ln1 is necessary for functional differentiation of mammary gland epithelial cells into milk producing cells 7,8,9, and Ln1 is crucial for induction of tumor reversion10,11. Ln1 and other laminins are necessary for development of cortical actin networks and sarcolemma organization in muscle12,13, and for neural cell migration and neurite outgrowth13 . Thus, understanding the mechanisms by which laminin signals to cells is an active area of research.
Ln1 contains multiple adhesive domains for a broad range of receptors including integrins, syndecans, dystroglycan, LBP-110 and LamR (Figure 1A)4,14. The E8 fragment, which contains the c-terminus globular domains of laminin &#945;1, is necessary for binding dystroglycan and integrins &#945;6&#946;1 and &#945;3&#946;115, and it is necessary for functional differentiation of epithelial cells15,16. In contrast, the short arms show different biological activity17, meaning that availability for recognition of these different Ln1 domain after network formation could alter cell behavior.
We have recently demonstrated that Ln1 arranged into a polymeric network exhibits fractal properties (i.e., a structure that is self-similar across multiple length scales)18. Fractal networks signal differently to epithelial cells compared to Ln1, which lacks this arrangement19. This fractal network indicates a particular assembly structure, where the long arm is preferentially exposed to cells18. As a result of this different long arm display, epithelial cells undergo functional differentiation into milk producing cells with well-organized tight junctions and suppression of actin stress fibers19.
We describe 3 methods to generate Ln1 networks from short arm-short arm binding interactions, which show a high display of the Ln1 long arm: 1) by cell-free assembly with acidic buffers, 2) by co-incubation with glycoproteins, or 3) by interaction with cell surface dystroglycan. These three methods generate similar laminin microstructures through three very different mechanisms, permitting flexibility in experimental design. Previous work suggests that these three methods could represent biological robustness: in mammary gland epithelia, either cell surface dystroglycan, glycoproteins, or artificially structured laminin can induce functional differentiation19. Thus, researchers can choose between these methods based on the study subject: dystroglycan expressing cells show no sensitivity to Ln-1 microstructure, as dystroglycan in the cell membrane induces correct polymerization into a fractal network19,20. Matrigel, a mix of laminins and glycoproteins21, represents the most economical source of Ln-1, and offers the necessary microstructure to induce dystroglycan knockout mammary cells to differentiate20, but contains a complex mixture of proteins with lot to lot variability. PolyLM represents the cleanest, most reductionist system that provides this function, but at increased cost and lower efficacy to induce mammary cell differentiation compared to Matrigel19.
These three methods have a fractal network structure characteristic of diffusion limited aggregation18,19, and show altered biological activity compared to aggregated laminin in multiple experimental systems22,23,24,25. Future studies using these methods could identify the receptors and signaling necessary for epithelial differentiation and determine to restore normal cell-matrix interactions in cells in abnormal microenvironments20, such as tumors.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:665px;" width="665">
	<colgroup>
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
	</colgroup>
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">10% formalin</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">HT501128</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Anti-Laminin primary antibody</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">L9393</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Anti-Rabbit Alexafluor 488 secondary antibody</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Thermo</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">A32731</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Bovine Serum Albumin</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>A9418</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">CaCl2</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">C4901 or similar</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Cell Culture Incubator</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Thermo</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">Heracell 150 or similar</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Centrifuge for microcentrifuge tubes</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Eppendorf</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">5418 or similar</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Confocal Microscope</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Zeiss</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">LSM 710 or equivalent</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Coverslips</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Thermo</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">25CIR-1 or similar</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="63">
			<td height="63" style="height:63px;width:216px;">DMEM-F12, Liquid, High Glucose, +HEPES, L-glutamine, +Phenol red</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Thermo</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">11330107</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor)</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">11376454001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Fluorescently Labeled Laminin</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Cytoskeleton Inc</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">LMN02</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Gentamicin</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">VWRV0304-10G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Glutaraldehyde</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">G5882</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">HCl</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">320331 or similar</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Hydrocortisone</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">H0888-5G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Insulin</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">16634-50mg</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">MepG Dystroglycan Knockout Cells</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">LBNL</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">N/A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">NaOH</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">S8045 or similar</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Normocin</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Invivogen</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">ant-nr-1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Osmium Tetroxide</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">75633</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="84">
			<td height="84" style="height:84px;width:216px;">Ovine Prolactin</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">Ovine Pituitary Prolactin</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Phalloidin</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Thermo</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">A22287</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Phosphate Buffered Saline</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Thermo</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">10010023 or similar</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Purified Laminin-111</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">L2020-1MG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Recombinant human Nidogen-1, carrier free</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">R&#38;D systems</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">2570-ND-050</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Sodium Acetate</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">S2889 or similar</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Sodium Cacodylate</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">C0250</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Sterile filters</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Millipore</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">SLGP033RS or similar</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Tris</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">252859 or similar</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Triton X-100</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">X100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Ultra-low protein binding tubes</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">76322-516, 76322-522 or similar</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Ultrapure water</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">Thermo</td>
			<td style="width:161px;">15230253 or similar</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

generating a fractal microstructure of laminin-111 to signal to cells

Laminin-111 (Ln1) is an essential part of the extracellular matrix in epithelia, muscle and neural systems. We have previously demonstrated that the microstructure of Ln1 alters the way that it signals to cells, possibly because Ln1 assembly into networks exposes different adhesive domains. In this protocol, we describe three methods to generate polymerized Ln1.

Laminin-111 is a trimeric protein with three self-assembling domains at the end of its short arms (Figure 1A). When treated suitably, the short arms can polymerize into a hexagonal lattice (Figure 1B,1C), which displays diffusion-limited aggregate fractal properties at larger spatial scales (Figure 2). Laminin incubated in calcium-containing neutral-pH buffers forms small aggregates visualized with an anti-Ln1 antib...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Generating a Fractal Microstructure of Laminin-111 to Signal to Cells at JoVE.com

Generating a Fractal Microstructure of Laminin-111 to Signal to Cells

We describe three methods to generate Ln1 polymers with fractal properties that signal to cells differently compared to unpolymerized Ln1.

Laminin-111 (Ln1) is an essential part of the extracellular matrix in epithelia, muscle and neural systems. We have previously demonstrated that the ...

generating-a-fractal-microstructure-of-laminin-111-to-signal-to-cells

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

910 Views.  Texas Heart Institute. We describe three methods to generate Ln1 polymers with fractal properties that signal to cells differently compared to unpolymerized Ln1.

Video: Generating a Fractal Microstructure of Laminin-111 to Signal to Cells

Design of a Cyclic Pressure Bioreactor for the Ex Vivo Study of Aortic Heart Valves

The aortic valve, located between the left ventricle and the aorta, allows for unidirectional blood flow, preventing backflow into the ventricle. Aortic valve leaflets are composed of interstitial cells suspended within an extracellular matrix (ECM) and are lined with an endothelial cell monolayer. The valve withstands a harsh, dynamic environment and is constantly exposed to shear, flexion, tension, and compression. Research has shown calcific lesions in diseased valves occur in areas of high mechanical stress as a result of endothelial disruption or interstitial matrix damage1-3. Hence, it is not surprising that epidemiological studies have shown high blood pressure to be a leading risk factor in the onset of aortic valve disease4. 
The only treatment option currently available for valve disease is surgical replacement of the diseased valve with a bioprosthetic or mechanical valve5. Improved understanding of valve biology in response to physical stresses would help elucidate the mechanisms of valve pathogenesis. In turn, this could help in the development of non-invasive therapies such as pharmaceutical intervention or prevention. Several bioreactors have been previously developed to study the mechanobiology of native or engineered heart valves6-9. Pulsatile bioreactors have also been developed to study a range of tissues including cartilage10, bone11 and bladder12. The aim of this work was to develop a cyclic pressure system that could be used to elucidate the biological response of aortic valve leaflets to increased pressure loads. 
The system consisted of an acrylic chamber in which to place samples and produce cyclic pressure, viton diaphragm solenoid valves to control the timing of the pressure cycle, and a computer to control electrical devices. The pressure was monitored using a pressure transducer, and the signal was conditioned using a load cell conditioner. A LabVIEW program regulated the pressure using an analog device to pump compressed air into the system at the appropriate rate. The system mimicked the dynamic transvalvular pressure levels associated with the aortic valve; a saw tooth wave produced a gradual increase in pressure, typical of the transvalvular pressure gradient that is present across the valve during diastole, followed by a sharp pressure drop depicting valve opening in systole. The LabVIEW program allowed users to control the magnitude and frequency of cyclic pressure. The system was able to subject tissue samples to physiological and pathological pressure conditions. This device can be used to increase our understanding of how heart valves respond to changes in the local mechanical environment.

Design of a Cyclic Pressure Bioreactor for the Ex Vivo Study of Aortic Heart Valves

A cyclic pressure bioreactor capable of subjecting heart valve tissue to physiological and pathological pressure conditions has been designed. A LabVIEW program allows users to control pressure magnitude, amplitude and frequency. This device can be used to study the mechanobiology of heart valve tissue or isolated cells.

The aortic valve, located between the left ventricle and the aorta, allows for unidirectional blood flow, preventing backflow into the ventricle. Aortic ...

A Full Skin Defect Model to Evaluate Vascularization of Biomaterials In Vivo

Insufficient vascularization is considered to be one of the main factors limiting the clinical success of tissue-engineered constructs. In order to evaluate new strategies that aim at improving vascularization, reliable methods are required to make the in-growth of new blood vessels into bio-artificial scaffolds visible and quantify the results. Over the past couple of years, our group has introduced a full skin defect model that enables the direct visualization of blood vessels by transillumination and provides the possibility of quantification through digital segmentation. In this model, one surgically creates full skin defects in the back of mice and replaces them with the material tested. Molecules or cells of interest can also be incorporated in such materials to study their potential effect. After an observation time of one&#8217;s own choice, materials are explanted for evaluation. Bilateral wounds provide the possibility of making internal comparisons that minimize artifacts among individuals as well as of decreasing the number of animals needed for the study. In comparison to other approaches, our method offers a simple, reliable and cost effective analysis. We have implemented this model as a routine tool to perform high-resolution screening when testing vascularization of different biomaterials and bio-activation approaches.

A Full Skin Defect Model to Evaluate Vascularization of Biomaterials In Vivo

Vascularization is key to approaches in successful tissue engineering. Therefore, reliable technologies are required to evaluate the development of vascular networks in tissue-constructs. Here we present a simple and cost-effective method to visualize and quantify vascularization in vivo.

Insufficient vascularization is considered to be one of the main factors limiting the clinical success of tissue-engineered constructs. In order to ...

An Integrated System to Remotely Trigger Intracellular Signal Transduction by Upconversion Nanoparticle-mediated Kinase Photoactivation

Upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP)-mediated photoactivation is a new approach to remotely control bioeffectors with much less phototoxicity and with deeper tissue penetration. However, the existing instrumentation on the market is not readily compatible with upconversion application. Therefore, modifying the commercially available instrument is essential for this research. In this paper, we first illustrate the modifications of a conventional fluorimeter and fluorescence microscope to make them compatible for photon upconversion experiments. We then describe the synthesis of a near-infrared (NIR)-triggered caged protein kinase A catalytic subunit (PKA) immobilized on a UCNP complex. Parameters for microinjection and NIR photoactivation procedures are also reported. After the caged PKA-UCNP is microinjected into REF52 fibroblast cells, the NIR irradiation, which is significantly superior to conventional UV irradiation, efficiently triggers the PKA signal transduction pathway in living cells. In addition, positive and negative control experiments confirm that the PKA-induced pathway leading to the disintegration of stress fibers is specifically triggered by NIR irradiation. Thus, the use of protein-modified UCNP provides an innovative approach to remotely control light-modulated cellular experiments, in which direct exposure to UV light must be avoided.

In this protocol, caged protein kinase A (PKA), a cellular signal transduction bioeffector, was immobilized on a nanoparticle surface, microinjected into the cytosol, and activated by the upconverted UV light from near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, inducing downstream stress fiber disintegration in the cytosol.

Upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP)-mediated photoactivation is a new approach to remotely control bioeffectors with much less phototoxicity and with deeper ...

Generating Controlled, Dynamic Chemical Landscapes to Study Microbial Behavior

We demonstrate a method for the generation of controlled, dynamic chemical pulses&#8213;where localized chemoattractant becomes suddenly available at the microscale&#8213;to create micro-environments for microbial chemotaxis experiments. To create chemical pulses, we developed a system to introduce amino acid sources near-instantaneously by photolysis of caged amino acids within a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic chamber containing a bacterial suspension. We applied this method to the chemotactic bacterium, Vibrio ordalii, which can actively climb these dynamic chemical gradients while being tracked by video microscopy. Amino acids, rendered biologically inert (&#39;caged&#39;) by chemical modification with a photoremovable protecting group, are uniformly present in the suspension but not available for consumption until their sudden release, which occurs at user-defined points in time and space by means of a near-UV-A focused LED beam. The number of molecules released in the pulse can be determined by a calibration relationship between exposure time and uncaging fraction, where the absorption spectrum after photolysis is characterized by using UV-Vis spectroscopy. A nanoporous polycarbonate (PCTE) membrane can be integrated into the microfluidic device to allow the continuous removal by flow of the uncaged compounds and the spent media. A strong, irreversible bond between the PCTE membrane and the PDMS microfluidic structure is achieved by coating the membrane with a solution of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) followed by plasma activation of the surfaces to be bonded. A computer-controlled system can generate user-defined sequences of pulses at different locations and with different intensities, so as to create resource landscapes with prescribed spatial and temporal variability. In each chemical landscape, the dynamics of bacterial movement at the individual scale and their accumulation at the population level can be obtained, thereby allowing the quantification of chemotactic performance and its effects on bacterial aggregations in ecologically relevant environments.

A protocol for the generation of dynamic chemical landscapes by photolysis within microfluidic and millifluidic setups is presented. This methodology is suitable to study diverse biological processes, including the motile behavior, nutrient uptake, or adaptation to chemicals of microorganisms, both at the single cell and population level.

We demonstrate a method for the generation of controlled, dynamic chemical pulses&#8213;where localized chemoattractant becomes suddenly available at the ...

Biomimetic Replication of Root Surface Microstructure using Alteration of Soft Lithography

Biomimetics is the use of chemistry and material sciences to mimic biological systems, specifically biological structures, to better humankind. Recently, biomimetic surfaces mimicking the microstructure of leaf surface, were used to study the effects of leaf microstructure on leaf-environment interactions. However, no such tool exists for roots. We developed a tool allowing the synthetic mimicry of the root surface microstructure into an artificial surface. We relied on the soft lithography method, known for leaf surface microstructure replication, using a two-step process. The first step is the more challenging one as it involves the biological tissue. Here, we used a different polymer and curing strategy, relying on the strong, rigid, polyurethane, cured by UV for the root molding. This allowed us to achieve a reliable negative image of the root surface microstructure including the delicate, challenging features such as root hairs. We then used this negative image as a template to achieve the root surface microstructure replication using both the well-established polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) as well as a cellulose derivative, ethyl cellulose, which represents a closer mimic of the root and which can also be degraded by cellulase enzymes secreted by microorganisms. This newly formed platform can be used to study the microstructural effects of the surface in root-microorganism interactions in a similar manner to what has previously been shown in leaves. Additionally, the system enables us to track the microorganism&#8217;s locations, relative to surface features, and in the future its activity, in the form of cellulase secretion.

Biomimetics has been previously used as a tool to study leaf-microorganism interactions. However, no such tool exists for roots. Here, we develop a protocol to form synthetic surfaces mimicking root surface microstructure for the study of root-environment interactions.

Biomimetics is the use of chemistry and material sciences to mimic biological systems, specifically biological structures, to better humankind. Recently, ...

Single-Cell Optical Action Potential Measurement in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes

Conventional intracellular microelectrode techniques to quantify cardiomyocyte electrophysiology are extremely complex, labor intensive, and typically carried out in low throughput. Rapid and ongoing expansion of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology presents a new standard in cardiovascular research and alternate methods are now necessary to increase throughput of electrophysiological data at a single cell level. VF2.1Cl is a recently derived voltage sensitive dye which provides a rapid single channel, high magnitude response to fluctuations in membrane potential. It possesses kinetics superior to those of other existing voltage indicators and makes available functional data equivalent to that of traditional microelectrode techniques. Here, we demonstrate simplified, non-invasive action potential characterization in externally paced human iPSC derived cardiomyocytes using a modular and highly affordable photometry system.

Here we describe optical acquisition and characterization of action potentials from induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes using a high-speed modular photometry system.

Conventional intracellular microelectrode techniques to quantify cardiomyocyte electrophysiology are extremely complex, labor intensive, and typically ...

A Culture Method to Maintain Quiescent Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), like other mammalian HSCs, maintain lifelong hematopoiesis in the bone marrow. HSCs remain quiescent in vivo, unlike more differentiated progenitors, and enter the cell cycle rapidly after chemotherapy or irradiation to treat bone marrow injury or in vitro culture. By mimicking the bone marrow microenvironment in the presence of abundant fatty acids, cholesterol, low concentration of cytokines, and hypoxia, human HSCs maintain quiescence in vitro. Here, a detailed protocol for maintaining functional HSCs in the quiescent state in vitro is described. This method will enable studies of the behavior of human HSCs under physiological conditions.

This protocol enables the maintenance of quiescent human hematopoietic stem cells in vitro by mimicking the bone marrow microenvironment using abundant fatty acids, cholesterol, lower concentrations of cytokines, and hypoxia.

Human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), like other mammalian HSCs, maintain lifelong hematopoiesis in the bone marrow. HSCs remain quiescent in vivo, ...

Assembly and Operation of an Acoustofluidic Device for Enhanced Delivery of Molecular Compounds to Cells

Efficient intracellular delivery of biomolecules is required for a broad range of biomedical research and cell-based therapeutic applications. Ultrasound-mediated sonoporation is an emerging technique for rapid intracellular delivery of biomolecules. Sonoporation occurs when cavitation of gas-filled microbubbles forms transient pores in nearby cell membranes, which enables rapid uptake of biomolecules from the surrounding fluid. Current techniques for in vitro sonoporation of cells in suspension are limited by slow throughput, variability in the ultrasound exposure conditions for each cell, and high cost. To address these limitations, a low-cost acoustofluidic device has been developed which integrates an ultrasound transducer in a PDMS-based fluidic device to induce consistent sonoporation of cells as they flow through the channels in combination with ultrasound contrast agents. The device is fabricated using standard photolithography techniques to produce the PDMS-based fluidic chip. An ultrasound piezo disk transducer is attached to the device and driven by a microcontroller. The assembly can be integrated inside a 3D-printed case for added protection. Cells and microbubbles are pushed through the device using a syringe pump or a peristaltic pump connected to PVC tubing. Enhanced delivery of biomolecules to human T cells and lung cancer cells is demonstrated with this acoustofluidic system. Compared to bulk treatment approaches, this acoustofluidic system increases throughput and reduces variability, which can improve cell processing methods for biomedical research applications and manufacturing of cell-based therapeutics.

This protocol describes the assembly and operation of a low-cost acoustofluidic device for rapid molecular delivery to cells via sonoporation induced by ultrasound contrast agents.

Efficient intracellular delivery of biomolecules is required for a broad range of biomedical research and cell-based therapeutic applications. ...

Fibroblast Derived Human Engineered Connective Tissue for Screening Applications

Fibroblasts are phenotypically highly dynamic cells, which quickly transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts in response to biochemical and biomechanical stimuli. The current understanding of fibrotic processes, including cardiac fibrosis, remains poor, which hampers the development of new anti-fibrotic therapies. Controllable and reliable human model systems are crucial for a better understanding of fibrosis pathology. This is a highly reproducible and scalable protocol to generate engineered connective tissues (ECT) in a 48-well casting plate to facilitate studies of fibroblasts and the pathophysiology of fibrotic tissue in a 3-dimensional (3D) environment. ECT are generated around the poles with tunable stiffness, allowing for studies under a defined biomechanical load. Under the defined loading conditions, phenotypic adaptations controlled by cell-matrix interactions can be studied. Parallel testing is feasible in the 48-well format with the opportunity for the time-course analysis of multiple parameters, such as tissue compaction and contraction against the load. From these parameters, biomechanical properties such as tissue stiffness and elasticity can be studied.

Presented here is a protocol to generate engineered connective tissues for a parallel culture of 48 tissues in a multi-well plate with double poles, suitable for mechanistic studies, disease modeling, and screening applications. The protocol is compatible with fibroblasts from different organs and species and is exemplified here with human primary cardiac fibroblasts.

Fibroblasts are phenotypically highly dynamic cells, which quickly transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts in response to biochemical and biomechanical ...

Residue-Specific Exchange of Proline by Proline Analogs in Fluorescent Proteins: How "Molecular Surgery" of the Backbone Affects Folding and Stability

Replacement of proline (Pro) residues in proteins by the traditional site-directed mutagenesis by any of the remaining 19 canonical amino acids is often detrimental to protein folding and, in particular, chromophore maturation in green fluorescent proteins and related variants. A reasonable alternative is to manipulate the translation of the protein so that all Pro residues are replaced residue-specifically by analogs, a method known as selective pressure incorporation (SPI). The built-in chemical modifications can be used as a kind of &#34;molecular surgery&#34; to finely dissect measurable changes or even rationally manipulate different protein properties. Here, the study demonstrates the usefulness of the SPI method to study the role of prolines in the organization of the typical &#946;-barrel structure of spectral variants of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) with 10-15 prolines in their sequence: enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), NowGFP, and KillerOrange. Pro residues are present in connecting sections between individual &#946;-strands and constitute the closing lids of the barrel scaffold, thus being responsible for insulation of the chromophore from water, i.e., fluorescence properties. Selective pressure incorporation experiments with (4R)-fluoroproline (R-Flp), (4S)-fluoroproline (S-Flp), 4,4-difluoroproline (Dfp), and 3,4-dehydroproline (Dhp) were performed using a proline-auxotrophic E. coli strain as expression host. We found that fluorescent proteins with S-Flp and Dhp are active (i.e., fluorescent), while the other two analogs (Dfp and R-Flp) produced dysfunctional, misfolded proteins. Inspection of UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence emission profiles showed few characteristic alterations in the proteins containing Pro analogs. Examination of the folding kinetic profiles in EGFP variants showed an accelerated refolding process in the presence of S-Flp, while the process was similar to wild-type in the protein containing Dhp. This study showcases the capacity of the SPI method to produce subtle modifications of protein residues at an atomic level (&#34;molecular surgery&#34;), which can be adopted for the study of other proteins of interest. It illustrates the outcomes of proline replacements with close chemical analogs on the folding and spectroscopic properties in the class of &#946;-barrel fluorescent proteins.

To overcome the limitations of classical site-directed mutagenesis, proline analogs with specific modifications were incorporated into several fluorescent proteins. We show how the replacement of hydrogen by fluorine or of the single by double bonds in proline residues ("molecular surgery") affects fundamental protein properties, including their folding and interaction with light.

Replacement of proline (Pro) residues in proteins by the traditional site-directed mutagenesis by any of the remaining 19 canonical amino acids is often ...