Publications by authors named "Newsha Koushki"

Controlling mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation remains a critical challenge in MSCs' therapeutic application. Numerous biophysical and mechanical stimuli influence stem cell fate; however, their relative efficacy and specificity in mechanically directed differentiation remain unclear. Yes-associated protein (YAP) is one key mechanosensitive protein that controls MSC differentiation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a key mechanotransduction protein in diverse physiological and pathological processes; however, a ubiquitous YAP activity regulatory mechanism in living cells has remained elusive. Here, we show that YAP nuclear translocation is highly dynamic during cell movement and is driven by nuclear compression arising from cell contractile work. We resolve the mechanistic role of cytoskeletal contractility in nuclear compression by manipulation of nuclear mechanics.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Tissue and cell mechanics are crucial factors in maintaining homeostasis and in development, with aberrant mechanics contributing to many diseases. During the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a highly conserved cellular program in organismal development and cancer metastasis, cells gain the ability to detach from their original location and autonomously migrate. While a great deal of biochemical and biophysical changes at the single-cell level have been revealed, how the physical properties of multicellular assemblies change during EMT, and how this may affect disease progression, is unknown.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The sensing and generation of cellular forces are essential aspects of life. Traction force microscopy (TFM) has emerged as a standard broadly applicable methodology to measure cell contractility and its role in cell behavior. While TFM platforms have enabled diverse discoveries, their implementation remains limited in part due to various constraints, such as time-consuming substrate fabrication techniques, the need to detach cells to measure null force images, followed by complex imaging and analysis, and the unavailability of cells for postprocessing.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

There is a need for reliable and quantitative real-time assessment of blood properties to study and treat a broad spectrum of disorders and cardiovascular diseases as well as to test the efficacy of hemostatic agents. In this study, the real-time changes in viscoelastic/rheological properties of bovine whole blood during coagulation induced by different concentrations of calcium chloride (CaCl; 15, 25, 35 and 45 mM) was investigated. For this purpose, a novel, contactless technique was used to accurately measure the clotting characteristics under controlled and sterile conditions.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Cellular contractility plays a crucial role in various biological functions, from cell movement and division to maintaining tissue stability, and is crucial for the functioning of multi-cellular organisms.
  • Disruptions in contractility are linked to various diseases, making it a valuable target for new diagnostic techniques and therapeutic approaches, which require accurate measurement of contractile forces.
  • The study introduces a novel method using silicone elastomer-based traction force microscopy in a multi-well format to analyze the effects of TGF-β on contractility during the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in NMuMG cells, highlighting its relevance in understanding disease mechanisms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Actomyosin contractility is an essential element of many aspects of cellular biology and manifests as traction forces that cells exert on their surroundings. The central role of these forces makes them a novel principal therapeutic target in diverse diseases. This requires accurate and higher-capacity measurements of traction forces; however, existing methods are largely low throughput, limiting their utility in broader applications.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A handful of work focused on improving the intrinsic low mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite (HA) by various reinforcing agents. However, the big challenge regarding improving mechanical properties is maintaining bioactivity. To address this issue, we report fabrication of apatite-based composites by incorporation of alumina nanoparticles (n-AlO).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF