Dynamic Imaging Reveals Coordinate Effects of Cyclic Stretch and Substrate Stiffness on Endothelial Integrity

Arkaprava Dan, Ryan B. Huang, Deborah E. Leckband

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We describe an equibiaxial cell stretcher and hybrid, elastic membrane platform designed for dynamic imaging of cells on substrates with physiological stiffness undergoing cyclic stretch. Studies enabled by this device revealed that both substrate stiffness and cyclic stretch coordinately protect pulmonary endothelial monolayers against thrombin-induced disruption. The fluorescence imaging possible with the designed hybrid membranes further revealed similarities and differences in actin and cell dynamics during monolayer recovery. The improved live-cell imaging capabilities of this platform, when used in conjunction with fluorescent probes, will have broad applications for investigations of the impact of biochemical stimuli and mechanotransduction mechanisms on mechanically perturbed tissues.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3655-3667
Number of pages13
JournalAnnals of Biomedical Engineering
Volume44
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2016

Keywords

  • Cell stretcher
  • Dynamic fluorescence imaging
  • Endothelial mechanics
  • Mechanotransduction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biomedical Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dynamic Imaging Reveals Coordinate Effects of Cyclic Stretch and Substrate Stiffness on Endothelial Integrity'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this