Elastic modulus versus cell packing density in MDCK epithelial monolayers

IF 2.4 3区医学 Q3 BIOPHYSICS

Journal of biomechanics Pub Date : 2025-03-25 DOI:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2025.112648

Steven J. Chisolm , Emily Guo , Vignesh Subramaniam , Kyle D. Schulze , Thomas E. Angelini

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The elastic moduli of tissues are connected to their states of health and function. The epithelial monolayer is a simple, minimal, tissue model that is often used to gain understanding of mechanical behavior at the cellular or multi-cellular scale. Here we investigate how the elastic modulus of Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells depends on their packing density. Rather than measuring elasticity at the sub-cellular scale with local probes, we characterize the monolayer at the multi-cellular scale, as one would a thin slab of elastic material. We use a micro-indentation system to apply gentle forces to the apical side of MDCK monolayers, applying a normal force to approximately 100 cells in each experiment. In low-density confluent monolayers, we find that the elastic modulus decreases with increasing cell density. At high densities, the modulus appears to plateau. This finding will help guide our understanding of known collective behaviors in epithelial monolayers and other tissues where variations in cell packing density are correlated with cell motion.

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MDCK上皮单分子层弹性模量与细胞堆积密度的关系

组织的弹性模量与其健康和功能状态有关。上皮单层是一种简单的、最小的组织模型，通常用于了解细胞或多细胞尺度上的机械行为。在这里，我们研究了Madin Darby犬肾（MDCK）细胞的弹性模量如何取决于它们的堆积密度。我们不是用局部探针在亚细胞尺度上测量弹性，而是在多细胞尺度上表征单层，就像一块弹性材料的薄板一样。我们使用微压痕系统对MDCK单层的顶端施加温和的力，在每个实验中对大约100个细胞施加法向力。在低密度的汇合单层中，我们发现弹性模量随细胞密度的增加而降低。在高密度下，模量趋于平稳。这一发现将有助于指导我们理解上皮单层和其他组织中已知的集体行为，其中细胞堆积密度的变化与细胞运动相关。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of biomechanics 生物-工程：生物医学

CiteScore

5.10

自引率

4.20%

发文量

345

审稿时长

1 months

期刊介绍： The Journal of Biomechanics publishes reports of original and substantial findings using the principles of mechanics to explore biological problems. Analytical, as well as experimental papers may be submitted, and the journal accepts original articles, surveys and perspective articles (usually by Editorial invitation only), book reviews and letters to the Editor. The criteria for acceptance of manuscripts include excellence, novelty, significance, clarity, conciseness and interest to the readership. Papers published in the journal may cover a wide range of topics in biomechanics, including, but not limited to: -Fundamental Topics - Biomechanics of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, mechanics of hard and soft tissues, biofluid mechanics, mechanics of prostheses and implant-tissue interfaces, mechanics of cells. -Cardiovascular and Respiratory Biomechanics - Mechanics of blood-flow, air-flow, mechanics of the soft tissues, flow-tissue or flow-prosthesis interactions. -Cell Biomechanics - Biomechanic analyses of cells, membranes and sub-cellular structures; the relationship of the mechanical environment to cell and tissue response. -Dental Biomechanics - Design and analysis of dental tissues and prostheses, mechanics of chewing. -Functional Tissue Engineering - The role of biomechanical factors in engineered tissue replacements and regenerative medicine. -Injury Biomechanics - Mechanics of impact and trauma, dynamics of man-machine interaction. -Molecular Biomechanics - Mechanical analyses of biomolecules. -Orthopedic Biomechanics - Mechanics of fracture and fracture fixation, mechanics of implants and implant fixation, mechanics of bones and joints, wear of natural and artificial joints. -Rehabilitation Biomechanics - Analyses of gait, mechanics of prosthetics and orthotics. -Sports Biomechanics - Mechanical analyses of sports performance.