Abstract
Cell functions and behavior are regulated not only by soluble (biochemical) signals but also by biophysical and mechanical cues within the cells’ microenvironment. Thanks to the dynamical and complex cell machinery, cells are genuine and effective mechanotransducers translating mechanical stimuli into biochemical signals, which eventually alter multiple aspects of their own homeostasis. Given the dominant and classic biochemical-based views to explain biological processes, it could be challenging to elucidate the key role that mechanical parameters such as vibration, frequency, and force play in biology. Gaining a better understanding of how mechanical stimuli (and their mechanical parameters associated) affect biological outcomes relies partially on the availability of experimental tools that may allow researchers to alter mechanically the cell’s microenvironment and observe cell responses. Here, we introduce a new device to study in vitro responses of cells to dynamic mechanical stimulation using a piezoelectric membrane. Using this device, we can flexibly change the parameters of the dynamic mechanical stimulation (frequency, amplitude, and duration of the stimuli), which increases the possibility to study the cell behavior under different mechanical excitations. We report on the design and implementation of such device and the characterization of its dynamic mechanical properties. By using this device, we have performed a preliminary study on the effect of dynamic mechanical stimulation in a cell monolayer of an epidermal cell line (HaCaT) studying the effects of 1 Hz and 80 Hz excitation frequencies (in the dynamic stimuli) on HaCaT cell migration, proliferation, and morphology. Our preliminary results indicate that the response of HaCaT is dependent on the frequency of stimulation. The device is economic, easily replicated in other laboratories and can support research for a better understanding of mechanisms mediating cellular mechanotransduction.
Highlights
Cells, as dynamic living beings, have properties that may change according to their own functional states or as responses to external cues
Many studies have demonstrated that diverse cellular signaling cascades become activated as a consequence of mechanical stimulation, a process known as mechanotransduction
The dynamic mechanical properties of the devices were characterized by an interferometric system
Summary
As dynamic living beings, have properties that may change according to their own functional states or as responses to external cues. Devices, and protocols have been ambitiously adapted and developed, for measuring cells mechanical properties, and for mechanically acting on them [3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11] In this sense, many studies have demonstrated that diverse cellular signaling cascades become activated as a consequence of mechanical stimulation, a process known as mechanotransduction (see [12,13] for reviews). Many studies have demonstrated that diverse cellular signaling cascades become activated as a consequence of mechanical stimulation, a process known as mechanotransduction (see [12,13] for reviews) Examples of these mechanical stimulations include matrix-elasticity modifications, substrate nanotopography patterns [14,15], local nanoforces (internal or external to the cell) [16,17], and nanovibrations [18,19,20,21,22]. Other types of responses include variations in global gene expression [31] and upregulation in transcription due to propagation of local stresses (e.g., from the actin cytoskeleton to the nucleus) [32]
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