Migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is involved in vascular development and various vascular diseases; however, the molecular mechanisms of VSMC migration remain unclear. In this study, we established an inverted coverslip migration assay to study the migratory properties of cultured VSMCs on extracellular matrix. Pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) from rats were cultured and identified by immunocytochemistry. Each coverslip with a confluent monolayer of PASMCs was inverted to a larger coverslip which was coated with phosphate buffered saline (PBS, as a control), poly-D-lysine hydrobromide (PDL), laminin or Matrigel. After 24 h of migration over the larger coverslip, PASMCs were fixed, and reliably quantified. The roles and mechanisms of extracellular matrix in PASMC migration were further studied by wound-healing assay and immunocytochemistry. The results showed that: (1) The purity of the cultured PASMCs was (97 ± 3)%. (2) The number of PASMCs on laminin or Matrigel migrating out from the inverted coverslip was significantly increased compared with that on PBS or PDL, and the migratory distance of PASMCs on laminin or Matrigel was significantly farther than that on PBS or PDL. (3) The motility of PASMCs on laminin or Matrigel was significantly higher than that on PBS at 8 h, 12 h and 24 h after wounding, respectively. (4) F-actin staining showed that F-actin was congregated along the brim of the migrating cells from the inverted coverslip, and vinculin (a cell marker of focal adhesion) staining showed that the distribution of vinculin in PASMCs plated on laminin or Matrigel was significantly lower than that on PBS or PDL. These results suggest that the inverted coverslip migration assay is suitable to study VSMC migration, and laminin and Matrigel substrates may promote VSMC migration through inhibiting the formation of focal adhesion and regulating the cytoskeletal proteins.
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Int J Mol Sci
December 2024
Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunomodulation for Neurological Diseases, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.
Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons (iNs) have been widely used as models of neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative diseases. Coating cell culture vessels with extracellular matrixes (ECMs) gives structural support and facilitates cell communication and differentiation, ultimately enhances neuronal functions. However, the relevance of different ECMs to the natural environment and their impact on neuronal differentiation have not been fully characterized.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
January 2025
Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Science, Utrecht 3584 CT, The Netherlands.
Matrigel/BME, a basement membrane-like preparation, supports long-term growth of epithelial 3D organoids from adult stem cells [T. Sato , , 262-265 (2009); T. Sato , , 1762-1772 (2011)].
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Biomater Sci Eng
January 2025
Department of Mechano-Informatics, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
Engineered skin models with sensory innervation are a growing and challenging field of research aimed at applications in regenerative medicine, biosensing, and drug screening. Researchers are attempting to fabricate innervated skin tissues using collagen sponges, cell culture inserts, and microfluidic devices to partially mimic the layered structure of the skin. However, innervation of the full-thickness skin model has not yet been achieved.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStem Cell Reports
January 2025
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address:
Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived alveolar organoids have emerged as a system to model the alveolar epithelium in homeostasis and disease. However, alveolar organoids are typically grown in Matrigel, a mouse sarcoma-derived basement membrane matrix that offers poor control over matrix properties, prompting the development of synthetic hydrogels as a Matrigel alternative. Here, we develop a two-step culture method that involves pre-aggregation of organoids in hydrogel-based microwells followed by embedding in a synthetic hydrogel that supports alveolar organoid growth, while also offering considerable control over organoid and hydrogel properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBurns Trauma
December 2024
Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Tissue Engineering Technology Products, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong University, 19 Qixiu Road, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China.
Background: The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides essential physical support and biochemical cues for diverse biological activities, including tissue remodelling and regeneration, and thus is commonly applied in the construction of artificial peripheral nerve grafts. Nevertheless, the specific functions of essential peripheral nerve ECM components have not been fully determined. Our research aimed to differentially represent the neural activities of main components of ECM on peripheral nerve regeneration.
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