Mechanotransduction studies improved by revealing solvent effect on type I collagen
DOI: 10.1063/1.5129396
Mechanotransduction studies improved by revealing solvent effect on type I collagen lead image
Mechanotransduction is a growing scientific field, where researchers study how cells respond to mechanical stimuli around them, such as the stiffness of the surrounding cell matrix. Type I collagen is commonly used in mechanotransduction studies to support cell adhesion. However, processes for conjugating collagen I in research have used varying solvents, leading to different results and efficiency.
Stanton et al hypothesized solvents can dramatically impact collagen I coating and, in turn, affect mechanotransduction and the fates of stem cells. The researchers found solvent composition and pH level have a significant effect on collagen coating efficiency and distribution. Experiments revealed solvent type played a role in whether collagen spread or bunched together.
“Our research findings provide valuable guidance on rational choice of solvents to conjugate collagen I for future mechanotransduction and stem cell studies,” said author Fan Yang. “We show that substrates that are stiff can be sensed as ‘soft’ by cells just by changing the solvent type or vice-versa by changing the coating efficiency or distribution. This could be harnessed to modulate cell mechanotransduction and promote desirable cell fates.”
Acetic acid proved to be the most efficient solvent for a homogeneous coating of collagen I and best cell adhesion.
“Our results suggest that the solvent type can be harnessed as a new tool to directly impact cell mechanotransduction, differentiation, proliferation, and migration,” said Yang. “This work also suggests that improving protein solubility solution prior to incorporation can enhance the coatings and future work can optimize solvents for each protein of interest.”
Source: “Varying solvent type modulates collagen coating and stem cell mechanotransduction on hydrogel substrates,” by Alice E. Stanton, Xinming Tong, and Fan Yang, APL Bioengineering (2019). The article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5111762 .
