Elucidation of extracellular matrix mechanics from muscle fibers and fiber bundles.
TL;DR: A new method to quantify viscoelastic ECM modulus is presented by combining tests of single muscle fibers and fiber bundles, which demonstrate that ECM is a highly nonlinearly elastic material, while muscle fibers are linearly elastic.
About: This article is published in Journal of Biomechanics.The article was published on 2011-02-24 and is currently open access. It has received 156 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Skeletal muscle.
Citations
More filters
TL;DR: Tin force is differentially enhanced in skinned skeletal muscle fibres from control and titin-mutant mice, and an increase in collagen helps to reestablish total force at long sarcomere lengths with the loss in titin force enhancement in some mutant fibres, increasing the overall strength of Mutant fibres.
Abstract: In actively stretched skeletal muscle sarcomeres, titin-based force is enhanced, increasing the stiffness of active sarcomeres. Titin force enhancement in sarcomeres is vastly reduced in mdm, a genetic mutation with a deletion in titin. Whether loss of titin force enhancement is associated with compensatory mechanisms at higher structural levels of organization, such as single fibres or entire muscles, is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether mechanical deficiencies in titin force enhancement are also observed at the fibre level, and whether mechanisms compensate for the loss of titin force enhancement. Single skinned fibres from control and mutant mice were stretched actively and passively beyond filament overlap to observe titin-based force. Mutant fibres generated lower contractile stress (force divided by cross-sectional area) than control fibres. Titin force enhancement was observed in control fibres stretched beyond filament overlap, but was overshadowed in mutant fibres by an abundance of collagen and high variability in mechanics. However, titin force enhancement could be measured in all control fibres and most mutant fibres following short stretches, accounting for ∼25% of the total stress following active stretch. Our results show that the partial loss of titin force enhancement in myofibrils is not preserved in all mutant fibres and this mutation likely affects fibres differentially within a muscle. An increase in collagen helps to reestablish total force at long sarcomere lengths with the loss in titin force enhancement in some mutant fibres, increasing the overall strength of mutant fibres.
22 citations
Cites background from "Elucidation of extracellular matrix..."
...It is thought that during the skinning process, single fibres are chemically and then mechanically removed from the surrounding endomysia (Meyer and Lieber, 2011), allowing skinned fibre experiments to mainly assess the mechanical properties of the contractile proteins and intermediate filaments…...
[...]
...It is thought that during the skinning process, single fibres are chemically and then mechanically removed from the surrounding endomysia (Meyer and Lieber, 2011), allowing skinned fibre experiments to mainly assess the mechanical properties of the contractile proteins and intermediate filaments (Eastwood et al....
[...]
TL;DR: While fresh skeletal muscle exhibits a higher transverse modulus than longitudinal modulus, discrepancies in previously published data may be the result of a number of differences in experimental protocol.
21 citations
TL;DR: Results show skeletal muscle regeneration can be promoted by treating myogenic cells with TGF-β1, and myofibroblasts are superior enhancers of myogenesis than fibroblast, and both TGFs can serve as myogenesis accelerators across multiple tissue engineering platforms.
Abstract: Background Skeletal muscle wound healing is dependent on complex interactions between fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, myogenic cells, and cytokines, such as TGF-β1. This study sought to clarify the impact of TGF-β1 signaling on skeletal muscle cells and discern between the individual contributions of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts to myogenesis when in co-culture with myogenic cells. 3D tissue-engineered models were compared to equivalent 2D culture conditions to assess the efficacy of each culture model to predictively recapitulate the in vivo muscle environment. Methods TGF-β1 treatment and mono-/co-cultures containing human dermal fibroblasts or myofibroblasts and C2C12 mouse myoblasts were assessed in 2D and 3D environments. Three culture systems were compared: cell monolayers grown on 2D dishes and 3D tissues prepared via a self-assembly method or collagen 1-based hydrogel biofabrication. qPCR identified gene expression changes during fibroblast to myofibroblast and myoblast differentiation between culture conditions. Changes to cell phenotype and tissue morphology were characterized via immunostaining for myosin heavy chain, procollagen, and α-smooth muscle actin. Tissue elastic moduli were measured with parallel plate compression and atomic force microscopy systems, and a slack test was employed to quantify differences in tissue architecture and integrity. Results TGF-β1 treatment improved myogenesis in 3D mono- and co-cultures containing muscle cells, but not in 2D. The 3D TGF-β1-treated co-culture containing myoblasts and myofibroblasts expressed the highest levels of myogenin and collagen 1, demonstrating a greater capacity to drive myogenesis than fibroblasts or TGF-β1-treatment in monocultures containing only myoblasts. These constructs possessed the greatest tissue stability, integrity, and muscle fiber organization, as demonstrated by their rapid and sustained shortening velocity during slack tests, and the highest Young's modulus of 6.55 kPA, approximate half the stiffness of in situ muscle. Both self-assembled and hydrogel-based tissues yielded the most multinucleated, elongated, and aligned muscle fiber histology. In contrast, the equivalent 2D co-culture model treated with TGF-β1 completely lacked myotube formation through suppression of myogenin gene expression. Discussion These results show skeletal muscle regeneration can be promoted by treating myogenic cells with TGF-β1, and myofibroblasts are superior enhancers of myogenesis than fibroblasts. Critically, both TGF-β1 treatment and co-culturing skeletal muscle cells with myofibroblasts can serve as myogenesis accelerators across multiple tissue engineering platforms. Equivalent 2D culture systems cannot replicate these affects, however, highlighting a need to continually improve in vitro models for skeletal muscle development, discovery of therapeutics for muscle regeneration, and research and development of in vitro meat products.
21 citations
TL;DR: Findings show that a multilayered ECM is a common feature of vertebrate muscle and suggest that a functionally relevant ECM should be considered in mechanical models of vertebrates generally, and understand the influence of such variation on muscle mechanics.
Abstract: Existing data suggest the extracellular matrix (ECM) of vertebrate skeletal muscle consists of several morphologically distinct layers: an endomysium, perimysium, and epimysium surrounding muscle fibers, fascicles, and whole muscles, respectively. These ECM layers are hypothesized to serve important functional roles within muscle, influencing passive mechanics, providing avenues for force transmission, and influencing dynamic shape changes during contraction. The morphology of the skeletal muscle ECM is well described in mammals and birds; however, ECM morphology in other vertebrate groups including amphibians, fish, and reptiles remains largely unexamined. It remains unclear whether a multilayered ECM is a common feature of vertebrate skeletal muscle, and whether functional roles attributed to the ECM should be considered in mechanical analyses of non-mammalian and non-avian muscle. To explore the prevalence of a multilayered ECM, we used a cell maceration and scanning electron microscopy technique to visualize the organization of ECM collagen in muscle from six vertebrates: bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus), turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), alligators (Alligator mississippiensis), cane toads (Rhinella marina), laboratory mice (Mus musculus), and carp (Cyprinus carpio). All muscles studied contained a collagen-reinforced ECM with multiple morphologically distinct layers. An endomysium surrounding muscle fibers was apparent in all samples. A perimysium surrounding groups of muscle fibers was apparent in all but carp epaxial muscle; a muscle anatomically, functionally, and phylogenetically distinct from the others studied. An epimysium was apparent in all samples taken at the muscle periphery. These findings show that a multilayered ECM is a common feature of vertebrate muscle and suggest that a functionally relevant ECM should be considered in mechanical models of vertebrate muscle generally. It remains unclear whether cross-species variations in ECM architecture are the result of phylogenetic, anatomical, or functional differences, but understanding the influence of such variation on muscle mechanics may prove a fruitful area for future research.
20 citations
Cites background from "Elucidation of extracellular matrix..."
...ECM collagen influences the mechanical response of muscle to deformation, determining in part the passive tension developed by stretched muscle (Gindre, Takaza, Moerman, & Simms, 2013; Meyer & Lieber, 2011, 2018; Prado et al., 2005)....
[...]
TL;DR: Though fibers are more compliant in all mutant genotypes compared to wild-type, the structural response of each genotype is distinct, suggesting multiple mechanisms by which desmin and keratin influence the biomechanical properties of myofibers.
Abstract: In skeletal muscle fibers, forces must be transmitted between the plasma membrane and the intracellular contractile lattice, and within this lattice between adjacent myofibrils. Based on their prevalence, biomechanical properties and localization, desmin and keratin intermediate filaments (IFs) are likely to participate in structural connectivity and force transmission. We examined the passive load-bearing response of single fibers from the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of young (3 months) and aged (10 months) wild-type, desmin-null, K19-null, and desmin/K19 double-null mice. Though fibers are more compliant in all mutant genotypes compared to wild-type, the structural response of each genotype is distinct, suggesting multiple mechanisms by which desmin and keratin influence the biomechanical properties of myofibers. This work provides additional insight into the influences of IFs on structure-function relationships in skeletal muscle. It may also have implications for understanding the progression of desminopathies and other IF-related myopathies.
18 citations
References
More filters
TL;DR: Naive mesenchymal stem cells are shown here to specify lineage and commit to phenotypes with extreme sensitivity to tissue-level elasticity, consistent with the elasticity-insensitive commitment of differentiated cell types.
12,204 citations
"Elucidation of extracellular matrix..." refers background in this paper
...Since substrate biomechanical properties have been shown to be critical in the biology of tissue development and remodeling (Engler et al., 2006; Gilbert et al., 2010), it is likely that mechanics are critical for ECM to perform its function....
[...]
TL;DR: Using a bioengineered substrate to recapitulate key biophysical and biochemical niche features in conjunction with a highly automated single-cell tracking algorithm, it is shown that substrate elasticity is a potent regulator of MuSC fate in culture.
Abstract: Stem cells that naturally reside in adult tissues, such as muscle stem cells (MuSCs), exhibit robust regenerative capacity in vivo that is rapidly lost in culture. Using a bioengineered substrate to recapitulate key biophysical and biochemical niche features in conjunction with a highly automated single-cell tracking algorithm, we show that substrate elasticity is a potent regulator of MuSC fate in culture. Unlike MuSCs on rigid plastic dishes (approximately 10(6) kilopascals), MuSCs cultured on soft hydrogel substrates that mimic the elasticity of muscle (12 kilopascals) self-renew in vitro and contribute extensively to muscle regeneration when subsequently transplanted into mice and assayed histologically and quantitatively by noninvasive bioluminescence imaging. Our studies provide novel evidence that by recapitulating physiological tissue rigidity, propagation of adult muscle stem cells is possible, enabling future cell-based therapies for muscle-wasting diseases.
1,428 citations
"Elucidation of extracellular matrix..." refers background in this paper
...Since substrate biomechanical properties have been shown to be critical in the biology of tissue development and remodeling (Engler et al., 2006; Gilbert et al., 2010), it is likely that mechanics are critical for ECM to perform its function....
[...]
1,224 citations
"Elucidation of extracellular matrix..." refers background in this paper
...Since substrate biomechanical properties have been shown to be critical in the biology of tissue development and remodeling (Engler et al., 2006; Gilbert et al., 2010), it is likely that mechanics are critical for ECM to perform its function....
[...]
TL;DR: Avian integrin shows little specificity and appears to behave as a multifunctional, promiscuous receptor for extracellular matrix molecules, and post-translational modifications provide yet another mechanism for regulating integrin-ligand binding.
Abstract: Table 2 lists most of the extracellular matrix and related receptors identified to date. The wide range of binding affinities of these receptors for their ligands may be important to their function. The affinity of integrins for fibronectin is moderate, with a dissociation constant in the micromolar range. This affinity level leads to relatively rapid dissociation and reformation of receptor-ligand complexes. Thus changes in component concentration can shift binding equilibria within minutes (the time scale of many biologic phenomena) and change the number or organization of adhesive complexes. This type of interaction would be useful in motile cells, in which adhesions must form and dissociate rapidly. In contrast, the affinity of the 68-kDa laminin receptor for its ligand is three orders of magnitude higher. Such levels of affinity would be useful in stabilizing tissue. Members of the integrin family appear to recognize an RGD sequence on the ligands to which they bind. Since there are many ligands containing the RGD sequence, the question of specificity arises. Avian integrin shows little specificity and appears to behave as a multifunctional, promiscuous receptor for extracellular matrix molecules. Figure 1 summarizes our current view of the structural and functional features of avian integrin. In contrast, the mammalian receptors for vitronectin and fibronectin are specific for their respective ligands. More than one of these receptors may be present simultaneously on a cell surface, e.g. fibroblasts express receptors for fibronectin, laminin, and vitronectin at the same time. This multiplicity of receptors provides potential mechanisms for generating the adhesive differences among cells believed to play a prominent role in morphogenesis. Further adhesive differences may stem from the formation of different combinations of various alpha- and beta-subunits expressed in the cell. The mechanism of regulation of adhesive interactions with the extracellular matrix is only beginning to be explored. There are several levels at which this regulation might occur. Integrin appears to be more regionalized in more developed cells that are integral parts of tissue structures. Changes in receptor distribution could alter the relative strength of adhesive interactions. In certain instances, avian integrin disappears, or its concentration is reduced, e.g. during the development of embryonic lung (Chen et al 1986) and erythroid cells (Patel & Lodish 1985). Post-translational modifications provide yet another mechanism for regulating integrin-ligand binding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
784 citations
"Elucidation of extracellular matrix..." refers background in this paper
...Extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential for the development, maintenance and regeneration of skeletal muscle (Buck and Horwitz, 1987; Purslow, 2002)....
[...]
...The importance of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in muscle is widely recognized, since ECM plays a central role in proper muscle development (Buck and Horwitz, 1987), tissue structural support (Purslow, 2002), and transmission ofmechanical signals between fibers and tendon (Huijing, 1999)....
[...]
...…r a c t The importance of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in muscle is widely recognized, since ECM plays a central role in proper muscle development (Buck and Horwitz, 1987), tissue structural support (Purslow, 2002), and transmission ofmechanical signals between fibers and tendon (Huijing, 1999)....
[...]
TL;DR: The passive tension-sarcomere length relation of rat cardiac muscle was investigated by studying passive (or not activated) single myocytes and trabeculae and the contribution of collagen, titin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments to tension and stiffness was investigated.
587 citations
"Elucidation of extracellular matrix..." refers methods in this paper
...Previous studies used methods of subtraction, where the ECM was ‘‘preferentially’’ digested from muscle and its properties inferred from subtracting the digested state from the undigested state (see review by Fomovsky et al., 2010; Granzier and Irving, 1995)....
[...]