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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Mechanosensitivity of astrocytes on optimized polyacrylamide gels analyzed by quantitative morphometry

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Author(s):
Moshayedi, Pouria [1, 2] ; Costa, Luciano da F. [3] ; Christ, Andreas [1] ; Lacour, Stephanie P. [4] ; Fawcett, James [2] ; Guck, Jochen [1] ; Franze, Kristian [1, 5]
Total Authors: 7
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Cambridge, Cavendish Lab, Dept Phys, Cambridge CB3 0HE - England
[2] Univ Cambridge, Cambridge Ctr Brain Repair, Cambridge CB2 0PY - England
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Fis Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil
[4] Univ Cambridge, Nanosci Ctr, Cambridge CB3 0FF - England
[5] Univ Cambridge, Dept Physiol Dev & Neurosci, Cambridge CB2 3DY - England
Total Affiliations: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-CONDENSED MATTER; v. 22, n. 19 MAY 19 2010.
Web of Science Citations: 59
Abstract

Cells are able to detect and respond to mechanical cues from their environment. Previous studies have investigated this mechanosensitivity on various cell types, including neural cells such as astrocytes. In this study, we have carefully optimized polyacrylamide gels, commonly used as compliant growth substrates, considering their homogeneity in surface topography, mechanical properties, and coating density, and identified several potential pitfalls for the purpose of mechanosensitivity studies. The resulting astrocyte response to growth on substrates with shear storage moduli of G' = 100 Pa and G' = 10 kPa was then evaluated as a function of coating density of poly-D-lysine using quantitative morphometric analysis. Astrocytes cultured on stiff substrates showed significantly increased perimeter, area, diameter, elongation, number of extremities and overall complexity if compared to those cultured on compliant substrates. A statistically significant difference in the overall morphological score was confirmed with an artificial intelligence-based shape analysis. The dependence of the cells' morphology on PDL coating density seemed to be weak compared to the effect of the substrate stiffness and was slightly biphasic, with a maximum at 10-100 mu g ml(-1) PDL concentration. Our finding suggests that the compliance of the surrounding tissue in vivo may influence astrocyte morphology and behavior. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 05/00587-5 - Mesh (graph) modeling and techniques of pattern recognition: structure, dynamics and applications
Grantee:Roberto Marcondes Cesar Junior
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants