Hydrogel platform capable of molecularly resolved pulling on cells for mechanotransduction

Nan Cheng; Yile Zhang; Yukai Wu; Bohan Li; Hong Wang; Shaojie Chen; Peng Zhao; Jiaxi Cui; Xiaoqin Shen; Xingjun Zhu; Yijun Zheng

Materials Today Bio (Dec 2022)

Hydrogel platform capable of molecularly resolved pulling on cells for mechanotransduction

Nan Cheng,
Yile Zhang,
Yukai Wu,
Bohan Li,
Hong Wang,
Shaojie Chen,
Peng Zhao,
Jiaxi Cui,
Xiaoqin Shen,
Xingjun Zhu,
Yijun Zheng

Affiliations

Nan Cheng: School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, PR China
Yile Zhang: School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, PR China
Yukai Wu: School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, PR China
Bohan Li: School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, PR China
Hong Wang: Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, PR China
Shaojie Chen: School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, PR China
Peng Zhao: School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, PR China
Jiaxi Cui: Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, PR China
Xiaoqin Shen: School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, PR China
Xingjun Zhu: School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, PR China
Yijun Zheng: School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, PR China; Corresponding author.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 17
p. 100476

Abstract

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The active forces exerted from the extracellular matrix (ECM) to mechanoreceptors have crucial impact on many cell functions and disease development. However, our understanding of the underlying mechanisms is held back due to the lack of ECM mimicking platform able to apply molecularly resolved forces to cells. Herein, we present novel hydrogel platform capable of generate pN range forces to specific cellular receptors, at molecular scale. This capability was achieved through near-infrared (NIR) light regulated macromolecular actuators functionalized within the platform. This platform enables us to reveal cell responses to molecularly resolved forces under controlled magnitude (150–400 pN) and frequency (up to 100 Hz) on matrix with varied stiffness. We find the stiffness of the matrix has a large influence on the applied force transduction to cells. This versatile platform holds the potential for establishing correlation between receptor signaling pathways and cellular responses closer to physiological conditions.

Published in Materials Today Bio

ISSN: 2590-0064 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General); Science: Biology (General)
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/materials-today-bio

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