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There are important physiological and pathological cardiovascular consequences related to endothelial biomechanical properties. The endothelium, however, is not unique in responding to external forces; virtually all cells accommodate or respond to the mechanical environment.
Mechanical stress is an important regulator of chondrocyte functions but the mechanisms by which chondrocytes sense mechanical signals are unknown. Receptors for matrix molecules are likely involved in the mechanical signaling. In the first part of this study we identified integrins with affinity for the cartilage-specific collagen type II. We report that the collagen-binding integrins alpha 1 beta 1 and alpha 2 beta 1 isolated from bovine chondrocytes or human chondrosarcoma cells bound collagen type II as judged from affinity chromatography. The integrins alpha 3 beta 1 or alpha 9 beta 1 did not bind collagen type II-Sepharose. In the second part of the study we investigated the effect of mechanical stress on expression of matrix molecules and integrin subunits. Chondrocytes and chondrosarcoma cells, cultured on uncoated flexible silicone membranes in the presence of serum, were exposed to mechanical stress by the Flexercell system. Dynamic stimulation of chondrocytes for 3 h increased the mRNA expression of collagen type II and aggrecan as judged by Northern blotting, while the beta 1-integrin subunit was not changed. When chondrosarcoma cells were exposed to mechanical stimulation under the same conditions, mRNA expression of alpha 5 was found to increase while beta 1, alpha 2, and alpha v did not increase to significant levels. In another study the effect of mechanical stress on integrins was investigated when the cells were cultured on collagen type II-coated flex-dishes. Three hours of dynamic stress increased the mRNA expression of alpha 2-integrin subunit while the level of mRNA for integrin subunits beta 1, alpha 1, alpha 5, and alpha v showed no or small changes, indicating that matrix components may modulate the expression of integrins during mechanical stress.
Mechanical stresses play a key role in regulating cell growth and cell differentiation. Using mechanical and physiological data available in the literature, we are able to construct a growth curve of a child, which we compare to the standard curve. It appears likely that the impact of hormones on pubertal growth rate sprout followed by growth arrest can be solely explained by increased mechanical stresses. The uptake of hormones by the muscles results in increased mechanical stress on the chondrocyte before and at the puberty, resulting in a peak in growth followed by growth cessation.
Mechanical stress is a major cause of cardiac hypertrophy. Although the mechanisms by which mechanical load induces cardiac cellular hypertrophy have long been a subject of great interest for cardiologists, the lack of a good in vitro system has hampered the understanding of the biochemical mechanisms. For these past several years, however, an in vitro cardiocyte culture system has made it possible to examine the biochemical basis for the signal transduction of mechanical stress. Passive stretch of cardiomyocytes cultured on silicone membranes activates protein kinase cascades of phosphorylation and induces an increase in protein synthesis and the expression of both immediate early genes such as c-fos, c-myc, c-jun, Egr-1, and late response genes such as beta-myosin heavy chain and skeletal alpha-actin. Although an important question regarding how mechanical stimulus is converted into biochemical signals remains unknown, the cultured cardiomyocyte is a good model to examine the signal transduction pathways of mechanical stress.
Mechanically stressed cells display increased levels of fos message and protein. Although the intracellular signaling pathways responsible for FOS induction have been extensively characterized, we still do not understand the nature of the primary cell mechanotransduction event responsible for converting an externally acting mechanical stressor into an intracellular signal cascade. We now report that plasma membrane disruption (PMD) is quantitatively correlated on a cell-by-cell basis with fos protein levels expressed in mechanically injured monolayers. When the population of PMD-affected cells in injured monolayers was selectively prevented from responding to the injury, the fos response was completely ablated, demonstrating that PMD is a requisite event. This PMD-dependent expression of fos protein did not require cell exposure to cues inherent in release from cell-cell contact inhibition or presented by denuded substratum, because it also occurred in subconfluent monolayers. Fos expression also could not be explained by factors released through PMD, because cell injury conditioned medium failed to elicit fos expression. Translocation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB into the nucleus may also be regulated by PMD, based on a quantitative correlation similar to that found with fos. We propose that PMD, by allowing a flux of normally impermeant molecules across the plasma membrane, mediates a previously unrecognized form of cell mechanotransduction. PMD may thereby lead to cell growth or hypertrophy responses such as those that are present normally in mechanically stressed skeletal muscle and pathologically in the cardiovascular system.
Fluid shear stress and mechanical wall stress may play a role in the formation of early atherosclerotic lesions, but these quantities are difficult to measure in vivo. Our objective was to quantify these parameters in normal subjects in a clinical setting, and to define regions of low wall shear stress and high mechanical stress. The right carotid bifurcations of five healthy male volunteers were investigated using a novel non-invasive technique which integrates magnetic resonance angiography, ultrasonography, tonometry and state-of-the-art computational fluid dynamics and solid mechanics models. Significant inter-subject variations in patterns as well as magnitude of wall shear stress and mechanical stress were found. In spite of individual variabilities, this study revealed that some regions of the artery wall are exposed simultaneously to low wall shear stress and high mechanical stress and that these regions correspond to areas where atherosclerotic plaque develops. The coexistence of regions of low wall shear stress and high tensile stress may be an important determinant of the formation of atheroma in human arteries.
Mechanical damage to blood cells is of considerable concern in the development and use of circulatory assist devices and other blood contacting systems. Furthermore, hemodilution with saline, dextran, and other plasma expanders applied during extracorporeal circulation and dialysis increases red blood cell (RBC) susceptibility to the high shear stresses associated with these procedures. In this paper, we present polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a potential erythrocyte protective agent against mechanically induced cellular trauma. Bovine RBCs were subjected to mechanical stress induced by rolling stainless steel shots through RBC suspensions for a constant exposure time. The suspensions were prepared at a hematocrit of 30% in various media: PEG (20,000 molecular weight), autologous bovine plasma, Dextran 40 solution, and phosphate buffered saline (PBS). RBC suspensions in Dextran 40 were prepared at a viscosity similar to the PEG suspensions. We found the hemolysis level of RBCs suspended in plasma and in PEG solutions to be several times lower (p < 0.001) than in the Dextran and PBS solutions. No statistically significant difference was found between the hemolysis that occurred in suspensions of RBCs in autologous plasma and in 2.0% PEG solutions. Even PEG concentration as low as 0.1% reduced hemolysis by more than 40% compared with PBS or the same concentration of Dextran in suspension medium. Our data demonstrate the efficacy of PEG molecules in reducing mechanical trauma to erythrocytes and suggest the potential for using PEG in assisted circulation, dialysis, and other procedures where RBCs are subjected to extensive mechanical stress.
Mechanical stretch is essential for the cardiac growth. The exposure of cardiac myocytes to the mechanical stretch leads to the cell alignment in parallel to the stretch direction, determining the cell polarity, though it remains to be addressed how mechanical stretch regulates cell orientation. In the present study, we investigated the signal transduction pathways responsible for the cell orientation response to mechanical stretch, focusing on Rho family proteins. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were cultured on silicon chambers and exposed to artificial uniaxial cyclic stretch. The pull-down assays revealed that Rac1 was rapidly activated by stretch, but not RhoA. To analyze the roles of Rho family proteins in cardiomyocyte orientation, adenoviral vectors expressing dominant-negative (dn) RhoA and Rac1 were generated. The transfection with adenovirus vector expressing dnRac1, but not dnRhoA, inhibited stretch-induced cell alignment. In conclusion, Rac1 activity is necessary for cardiomyocyte alignment in response to directional stretch.
Mechanical deformation of normal ATP-replete human erythrocytes increased their permeability to Ca2+ sufficiently to turn on the Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel (the Gardos channel). When Ca2+ is absent, mechanical deformation of normal erythrocytes induces an equivalent increase the permeability of both Na+ and K+, In the presence of 0.1 to 1 mM Ca2+, a further increase in the K+ efflux rate was seen. There was no increase in Na+ flux above that induced by deformation itself. The involvement of the Ca(2+)-activated H channel was verified by showing the specific inhibitors of the channel, quinine and charybdotoxin, prevent the Ca(2+)-induced increase in K+ efflux. These results are consistent with a model of sickle cell dehydration proposed by Bookchin et al. ((1987) Prog. Clin. Biol. Res. 240, 193-200). The estimated rate of Ca2+ entry under these conditions (37 degrees C, 1000 dyne/cm2, and laminar shear) was about 1 mmol/loc per h.
Microtubules assembled in vitro from pure tubulin can switch occasionally from growing to shrinking states or resume assembly, an unusual behavior termed "dynamic instability of microtubule growth". Its origin remains unclear and several models have been proposed, including occasional switching of the microtubules into energetically unfavorable configurations during assembly. In this study, we have asked whether the excess energy accumulated in these configurations would be of sufficient magnitude to destabilize the capping region that must exist at the end of growing microtubules. For this purpose, we have analyzed the frequency distribution of microtubules assembled in vitro from pure tubulin, and modeled the different mechanical constraints accumulated in their wall. We find that the maximal excess energy that the microtubule lattice can store is in the order of 11 kBT per dimer. Configurations that require distortions up to approximately 20 kBT are allowed at the expense of a slight conformational change, and larger distortions are not observed. Modeling of the different elastic deformations suggests that the excess energy is essentially induced by protofilament skewing, microtubule radial curvature change and inter-subunit shearing, distortions that must destabilize further the tubulin subunits interactions. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that unfavorable closure events may trigger the catastrophes observed at low tubulin concentration in vitro. In addition, we propose a novel type of representation that describes the stability of microtubule assembly systems, and which might be of considerable interest to study the effects of stabilizing and destabilizing factors on microtubule structure and dynamics.
BACKGROUND: Mechanical expansion in tissues or in cells may occur under physiological and pathological conditions and is accompanied by increased activity of proteolytic enzymes. In traction detachment, retinal cells are subjected to mechanical strain. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells and fibroblasts in tissue culture release proteases due to mechanical stress and to investigate the importance of the cytoskeleton for mechanotransduction to the lysosomes during cellular stress reactions. METHODS: Cell layers were grown on silicone-rubber membranes and subjected to mechanical stresses by expansion of the membrane. Concentrations of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG), acid phosphatase (AP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined in extracellular fluid. Colchicine 0.5 x 10(-5) M was used to disrupt the cytoskeleton prior to expansion. RESULTS: RPE cells and fibroblasts separated during mechanical expansion, which was accompanied by extracellular release of proteolytic activity of NAG (RPE 37.50%; fibroblasts 23.22% above control value), but not of AP. LDH activity did not increase, indicating preserved integrity of the cell membranes during stretching. Colchicine caused immediate detachment of fibroblasts, and RPE did not release significant activity of NAG under subsequent extension. CONCLUSION: In traction detachment, RPE may release in vivo proteases to cut intercellular adhesions in order to escape mechanical strain. Our results indicate that release of proteases from RPE may be involved in the pathophysiology of traction detachment, facilitating by their degradative action the disconnection between RPE and outer segments. Similarly, fibroblasts may respond to changes in tension of scleral or corneal tissue. Release of proteases following mechanical stress seems to require an intact cytoskeleton.
Cell lines derived from rat aorta and frog kidney were cultured on elastic membrane, and mechanical stress was given to the cells by stretching the membrane periodically. Cell reorientation oblique to the direction of stretching occurred as a result of the rapid withdrawal of cell periphery located along the direction of stretching and gradual extension of the cell membrane toward the direction oblique to the direction of stretching. Dynamic reorganization of stress fibers in living cells was visualized by labeling stress fibers with TRITC(3)-actin or EGFP-tagged moesin fragments with actin-binding ability. Stress fibers aligned in the direction of stretching disappeared soon after the start of stretching and then obliquely reoriented stress fibers appeared. The stretch-induced reorientation of cultured cells was suppressed by an inhibitor of stretch-activated (SA) cation channels and by a Ca(2+) chelator. However, the rearrangement of stress fibers was not affected by these agents. From these results, we suggest that Ca(2+) influx via SA channels is involved in stretch-induced cell reorientation but stress fiber rearrangement is independent of SA channels. Therefore, cell reorientation does not simply depend on the arrangement of stress fibers but may be controlled by some additional mechanism(s) which is regulated by calcium signaling.
The mechanism by which compressive mechanical stress affects glycosaminoglycan synthesis in the articular disk was investigated with a modified organ culture technique. Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three experimental groups and one control group of 12 animals each, aged 7 and 9 weeks. The experimental groups followed different regimens of stress applied for 25%, 75%, or 100% of the time during the total test period of 24 hours. Articular disks were stressed with flexible bottomed dishes (Flex I dishes, Flexcell Corp., McKeesport, Pa.) using the Flexercell Strain Unit (Flexcell Corp., McKeesport, Pa.) and incubated with [3H]-glucosamine for 24 hours. Samples were then collected, digested with Pronase-E, and after precipitation with cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and ethanol, the different glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were separated by using cellulose acetate electrophoresis. The significant GAG types with stress were chondroitin6sulfate (C6S), hyaluronic acid (HA), and dermatan sulfate (DS). There was no significant relationship in the experimental groups between age and regimen of stress applied in either age. Higher stress regimens showed significantly higher proportions of C6S when compared with the controls, whereas HA appeared to decrease slightly and DS was not affected. Since C6S is the major component of hyaline cartilage, the results of this study suggest that compressive forces in the articular disk may stimulate the development of more cartilagenous-like properties with respect to GAG content.
Mechanical stress is a factor that is thought to play an essential role in tissue generation and reparation processes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of different repetitive cyclic longitudinal stress patterns on proliferation, apoptosis and expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 72. To perform this study, human tendon fibroblasts were seeded on flexible silicone dishes. After adherence to the dish, cells were longitudinally stressed with three different repetitive stress patterns having a frequency of 1 Hz and an amplitude of 5%. The proliferation and apoptosis rates were investigated 0, 6, 12 and 24 hours after application of cyclic mechanical longitudinal strain. Expression of HSP 72 was tested after 0, 2, 4 and 8 hours. Control cells were also grown on silicone dishes, but did not receive any stress. Stress patterns applied during one day resulted in a significant increase in proliferation and a slight increase in apoptosis. HSP 72 expression was rather unchanged. A stress pattern applied during two days resulted in a reduced proliferation and apoptosis rate whereas the expression of HSP 72 showed a significant increase. This study shows that different stress patterns result in different cellular reactions dependent on the strength of applied stress. Repetitive stress applied during one day stimulated proliferation and apoptosis in contrast to an extended stress duration. The latter induced an inhibition of proliferation and apoptosis probably through an increased HSP 72 activity. This may be related to an excess of applied stress. Our results may implicate future modulation techniques for tissue reparation and tissue engineering.
Chondrocytes use mechanical signals, via interactions with their environment, to synthesize an extracellular matrix capable to withstanding high loads. Most chondrocyte-matrix interactions are mediated via transmembrane receptors such as integrins or non-integrins receptors (i.e. annexin V and CD44). The aim of this study was to analyze, by flow cytometry, the adhesion molecules (alpha5/beta1 integrins and CD44) on rat chondrocytes seeded into 3D biosystem made of alginate and hyaluronate. These biosystems were submitted to mechanical stress by knocking the biosystems between them for 48 hours. The expression of type I and type II collagen was also evaluated. The results of the current study showed that mechanical stress induced an increase of type II collagen production and weak variations of alpha5/beta1 receptors expression no matter what biosystems. Moreover, our results indicated that hyaluronan receptor CD44 expression depends on extracellular matrix modifications. Thus, these receptors were activated by signals resulted from cell environment variations (HA addition and modifications owing to mechanical stress). It suggested that this kind of receptor play a crucial role in extracellular matrix homeostasis. Finally, on day 24, no dedifferentiation of chondrocytes was noted either in biosystems or under mechanical stress. For all biosystems, the neosynthesized matrix contained an important level of collagen, which was type II, whatever biosystems. In conclusion, it appeared that the cells, under mechanical stress, maintained their phenotype. In addition, it seems that, on rat chondrocytes, alpha5/beta1 integrins did not act as the main mechanoreceptor (as described for human chondrocytes). In return, hyaluronan receptor CD44 seems to be in relation with matrix composition.
The pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the failure of the trabecular meshwork (TM) to maintain normal levels of aqueous outflow in glaucoma are not yet understood. Aberrant activation of the transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta1) pathway has been implicated in several degenerative diseases. We investigated the possibility that chronic cyclic mechanical stress that affects the TM might result in increased production of TGF-beta1. Primary cultures of TM cells subjected to cyclic mechanical stress (5% stretching, 1 cycle/sec) demonstrate a significant increase in total and biologically active secreted TGF-beta1 that was associated with activation of the TGF-beta1 promoter, measured using a recombinant adenovirus expressing the secreted reporter gene secreted alkaline phosphatase protein (SEAP) under the TGF-beta1 gene promoter (AdTGFbeta1-SEAP). Associated changes in the transcription of MMP-2, TIMP-2, and CTGF were assessed by semiquantitative PCR. Immunohistochemical analysis of TGF-beta1 in organ culture of human eyes revealed a generalized accumulation of this protein in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the TM, while expression of the TGF-beta1 promoter, analyzed using the LacZ reporter gene, was localized in some specific cells within the outflow pathway. Induction of the TGF-beta1 promoter in organ culture was demonstrated using a novel model for cyclic mechanical stress in human perfused anterior segments infected with AdTGFbeta1-SEAP. Given the relevant physiological and pathophysiological roles of TGF-beta1, its induction after cyclic mechanical stress in the TM supports the hypothesis that this cytokine might play a significant role in the physiology of the TM, and contribute to the pathological changes of this tissue in certain forms of glaucoma.
Plastic increases in stem elongation in dense vegetation are generally believed to be induced by canopy shading, but because plants protect each other from wind, shielding (reduced mechanical stress) could also play a role. To address this issue, tobacco Nicotiana tabacum plants were subjected to two levels of mechanical stress, 0 (control) or 40 (flexed) daily flexures, and grown solitarily, in a dense monostand (with plants of only one mechanical treatment), or in a mixed stand (flexed and control plants grown together). Flexed plants produced shorter and thicker stems with a lower Young's modulus than control plants, while dense-stand plants had relatively taller and thinner stems than solitary ones. Flexing effects on stem characteristics were independent of stand density. Growth, reproduction, and survival of solitary plants were not affected by flexing, while in the monostand growth was slightly reduced. But in the mixed stand, flexed plants were readily shaded by controls and had considerably lower growth, survival, and reproduction rates. These results suggest that wind shielding indeed plays a role in the plastic increase in stem elongation of plants in dense vegetation and that this response can have important consequences for competitive ability and lifetime seed production.
Mechanical stress occurs within and between cells during embryogenesis, wound healing and in the repetitive processes performed by various muscles of the body and, therefore, an experimental system to study the effects of mechanical stress was needed. Effects of mechanical stress on cell cycle are documented elsewhere (Curtis and Seehar, 1978). This study intends to investigate whether mechanical stress affects the cellular morphology. Chicken heart fibroblasts were grown as 'Sail-Sheets' a situation that approximates the in vivo organization of cells and provides an appropriate material for studying the effects of mechanical factors. Sail-Sheets were stressed using a low-frequency sine-wave oscillator and a glass rod attached to a piezoelectric ceramic probe. Electron microscopy (both SEM and TEM) was carried out on both mechanically stressed and control cultures. It was found that low frequency mechanical stress (1.0 Hz) may result in a decrease in the number and size of microprocesses (m).