Share this Article
You are free to share this article under the Attribution 4.0 International license.
Researchers have figured out for the first time how the wound healing process begins.
The finding may provide new insight into fibrosis and cancer metastasis, according to a new study.
For the new study, published inACS Nano, the team discovered the way fibroblasts, or common cells in connective tissue, interact with the extracellular matrix, which provides structural support as well as biochemical and biomechanical cues to cells. The researchers uncovered a recursive process that goes on between the cells and their environment as well as structures in the cells that were previously unknown.
Clinical efforts to prevent the progression of fibrocontractile diseases, such as scarring and fibrosis, have been largely unsuccessful, in part because the mechanisms that cells use to interact with the protein fibers around them are unclear, says Delaram Shakiba, a postdoctoral fellow from the NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology (CEMB) at the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis.
We found that fibroblasts use completely different mechanisms in the earlyand I think the most treatablestages of these interactions, and that their responses to drugs can therefore be the opposite of what they would be in the later stages.
The process has stymied mechanobiology researchers for some time, says Guy Genin, professor of mechanical engineering and co-director of CEMB.
Researchers in the field of mechanobiology thought that cells pulled in collagen from the extracellular matrix by reaching out with long protrusions, grabbing it and pulling it back, Genin says.
We discovered that this wasnt the case. A cell has to push its way out through collagen first, then instead of grabbing on, it essentially shoots tiny hairs, or filopodia, out of the sides of its arms, pulls in collagen that way, then retracts.
Now that they understand this process, Genin says, they can control the shape that a cell takes.
With our colleagues at CEMB at the University of Pennsylvania, we were able to validate some mathematical models to go through the engineering process, and we now have the basic rules that cells follow, he says. We can now begin to design specific stimuli to direct a cell to behave in a certain way in building a tissue-engineered structure.
The researchers learned they could control the cell shape in two ways: First, by controlling the boundaries around it, and second, by inhibiting or upregulating particular proteins involved in the remodeling of the collagen.
Fibroblasts pull the edges of a wound together, causing it to contract or close up. Collagen in the cells then remodels the extracellular matrix to fully close the woundwhere mechanobiology comes into play.
Theres a balance between tension and compression inside a cell that is newly exposed to fibrous proteins, Genin says. There is tension in actin cables, and by playing with that balance, we can make these protrusions grow extremely long. We can stop the remodeling from occurring or we can increase it.
The team used a 3D-mapping techniquethe first time researchers have applied it to collagenalong with a computational model to calculate the 3D strain and stress fields created by the protrusions from the cells.
As cells accumulated collagen, tension-driven remodeling and alignment of collagen fibers led to the formation of collagen tracts. This requires cooperative interactions among cells, through which cells can interact mechanically.
New methods of microscopy, tissue engineering, and biomechanical modeling greatly enhance our understanding of the mechanisms by which cells modify and repair the tissues they populate, says Elliot Elson, professor emeritus of biochemistry and molecular biophysics.
Fibrous cellular structures generate and guide forces that compress and reorient their extracellular fibrous environment. This raises new questions about the molecular mechanisms of these functions and how cells regulate the forces they exert and how they govern the extent of matrix deformation.
Wound healing is a great example of how these processes are important in a physiologic way, Genin says. Well be able to come up with insight in how to train cells not to excessively compact the collagen around them.
The National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, the National Cancer Institute, and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering funded the work.
Source: Washington University in St. Louis
Continued here:
3D mapping reveals how wounds begin to heal - Futurity: Research News
- Micro Manufacturing - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Modeling and Simulation - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Electron Microscopy - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Metrology - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Calibration Services - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Micro Engineering - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Nanotechnology - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Creating nano-structures from the bottom up - April 25th, 2012 [April 25th, 2012]
- Wichita State hands out new round of high-tech grants - April 25th, 2012 [April 25th, 2012]
- URI Engineering Student Develops Self Healing Concrete - Video - May 4th, 2012 [May 4th, 2012]
- NYS Senator Joseph A. Griffo Visits Clarkson University Nanoengineering - May 4th, 2012 [May 4th, 2012]
- Nano-subs built to grab and move oil spills - May 5th, 2012 [May 5th, 2012]
- Video: N.Y. lab creating jobs with nano-technology - May 5th, 2012 [May 5th, 2012]
- Nano-Subs Grab and Move Oil Spills - May 5th, 2012 [May 5th, 2012]
- University of Toronto Engineering Welcomes New NSERC Chair in Multidisciplinary Design - May 5th, 2012 [May 5th, 2012]
- Nano-Sensors for Explosive Detection -- University Collaboration Addresses Challenges in Explosive Detection - May 10th, 2012 [May 10th, 2012]
- Obama, Cuomo touring Nano college - May 10th, 2012 [May 10th, 2012]
- Obama, Cuomo bond over vision of economic future - May 10th, 2012 [May 10th, 2012]
- Kids visit Nano College after Obama - May 10th, 2012 [May 10th, 2012]
- Zyvex Technologies and ENVE Composites Introduce the World's First Nano-Enhanced Carbon Fiber ... - May 16th, 2012 [May 16th, 2012]
- Listen Now - May 16th, 2012 [May 16th, 2012]
- To Czech Industry, Everything Is Nano - May 23rd, 2012 [May 23rd, 2012]
- Availability of hydrogen controls chemical structure of graphene oxide - May 23rd, 2012 [May 23rd, 2012]
- Hydrogen Controls Chemical Structure of Graphene Oxide - May 23rd, 2012 [May 23rd, 2012]
- Shocking Technologies Raises Additional $10.5 Million From Circuit Protection Leader Littelfuse - May 23rd, 2012 [May 23rd, 2012]
- Nano-structured polymer-based materials from scrap - May 25th, 2012 [May 25th, 2012]
- Journal Tips from the American Institute of Physics: May 24, 2012 - May 25th, 2012 [May 25th, 2012]
- Synthetic nano-waste does not disappear - May 25th, 2012 [May 25th, 2012]
- Attacks on Nuclear and Nano Science - May 29th, 2012 [May 29th, 2012]
- Graphene quantum dots and nano-ribbons cleaved from graphene sheets - May 30th, 2012 [May 30th, 2012]
- Girls Inc.and SEFCU to provide internships at Nano College - May 31st, 2012 [May 31st, 2012]
- Nano technology improves health field - June 2nd, 2012 [June 2nd, 2012]
- Tiny satellites will use Kinect to dock with one another - June 4th, 2012 [June 4th, 2012]
- New nano-research leads to sensors that detect contaminants in water - June 6th, 2012 [June 6th, 2012]
- Editorial: State sets example on economy, bipartisanship - June 6th, 2012 [June 6th, 2012]
- MP girl ‘Gargi Pare’ brings laurels to State - June 6th, 2012 [June 6th, 2012]
- Element Six and Harvard University Collaboration on Nano-Engineered Synthetic Diamond Sets a New Quantum Information ... - June 8th, 2012 [June 8th, 2012]
- Business at a glance - June 10th, 2012 [June 10th, 2012]
- Inter American University of Puerto Rico Chooses Nanoprofessor as Foundation for New Nanoscience Education Program - June 11th, 2012 [June 11th, 2012]
- Nanoparticles found in moon glass bubbles explain weird lunar soil behaviour - June 13th, 2012 [June 13th, 2012]
- Nanoparticles found in moon glass bubbles explain weird lunar soil behavior - June 13th, 2012 [June 13th, 2012]
- Nanoparticles can solve mystery of Moon's topsoil - June 13th, 2012 [June 13th, 2012]
- Nano-Technologies Extended to Coax - June 15th, 2012 [June 15th, 2012]
- Shocking Technologies Raises Additional $10.5M From Circuit Protection Leader Littelfuse - June 15th, 2012 [June 15th, 2012]
- NIT-T professor gets over Rs. 2.15 crore to stall erosion in pipes - June 18th, 2012 [June 18th, 2012]
- Northeastern University Nanomanufacturing Center Director Ahmed Busnaina to Present Webinar on “The Democratization of ... - June 19th, 2012 [June 19th, 2012]
- NIT Silchar convocation - June 19th, 2012 [June 19th, 2012]
- Research and Markets: Government Initiative and High R&D Activities Drive the Nanotechnology Market in India - June 19th, 2012 [June 19th, 2012]
- Scientist unlocks the quantum secrets of the moon's bizarre soil, which hangs suspended above the surface when touched - June 20th, 2012 [June 20th, 2012]
- Nano-infused paint can detect strain - June 22nd, 2012 [June 22nd, 2012]
- "Proceedings of the IEEE" Hosts Centennial Engineering Innovation Forum in DC to Unveil Advanced Technologies ... - June 22nd, 2012 [June 22nd, 2012]
- Nanotech paint can show stress and strain - June 22nd, 2012 [June 22nd, 2012]
- Tatas developing an under $ 20,000 electric car - June 22nd, 2012 [June 22nd, 2012]
- Now, nano-infused paint to detect strain in buildings, bridges and airplanes - June 22nd, 2012 [June 22nd, 2012]
- Nano-sandwich technique slims down solar cells, improves efficiency - June 26th, 2012 [June 26th, 2012]
- Team develops world's most powerful nanoscale microwave oscillators - June 26th, 2012 [June 26th, 2012]
- UCLA-led research team develops world's most powerful nanoscale microwave oscillators - June 26th, 2012 [June 26th, 2012]
- Research and Markets: MEMS, NANO and Smart Systems - Selected papers from the 2011 7th International Conference on ... - June 27th, 2012 [June 27th, 2012]
- A step toward minute factories that produce medicine inside the body - June 28th, 2012 [June 28th, 2012]
- Green feel for collaboration with China - June 28th, 2012 [June 28th, 2012]
- Fibrous Protein Nanocomposites Conference - June 28th, 2012 [June 28th, 2012]
- Going For Gold: The Brains Behind Team GB - July 4th, 2012 [July 4th, 2012]
- NANO Connect Offers International Perspective With South Korean Nanotechnology Education Leader - October 4th, 2012 [October 4th, 2012]
- Hardide appoints a Business Development Manager - October 4th, 2012 [October 4th, 2012]
- Regenerative Medicine Biotech Company, Eqalix, Names Scientific Advisory Board - October 9th, 2012 [October 9th, 2012]
- Quinn uses nanotechnology summit to praise Wheeling High School - October 9th, 2012 [October 9th, 2012]
- Cal Poly Licenses CubeSat Technology to Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems - October 11th, 2012 [October 11th, 2012]
- Improving nanometer-scale manufacturing with infrared spectroscopy - October 11th, 2012 [October 11th, 2012]
- KYOCERA Introduces New Milling Cutters For CNC Machining Featuring Inserts with Proprietary MEGACOAT NANO Technology - October 16th, 2012 [October 16th, 2012]
- iFixit opens up the new iPod nano - October 16th, 2012 [October 16th, 2012]
- Call to assess safety of nano particles - October 16th, 2012 [October 16th, 2012]
- Special Program at SPE ANTEC® Mumbai Will Focus on Nano-Scale Carbonaceous Materials - October 16th, 2012 [October 16th, 2012]
- NUS launches Aerospace Systems initiative for engineering students - October 30th, 2012 [October 30th, 2012]
- Life After MESA - University of California, San Diego - Video - October 30th, 2012 [October 30th, 2012]
- Toulouse, capitale européenne des nanotechnologies du 16 au 20 septembre 2012. - Video - October 30th, 2012 [October 30th, 2012]
- Techno Frühstück - Correspondence of Heart and Beat - Video - October 30th, 2012 [October 30th, 2012]
- CVTC Engineering Programs Commercial - Video - October 30th, 2012 [October 30th, 2012]
- DISSECTED FROG - BIOLOGY LAB FOR NANO ENGINEERING - Video - October 30th, 2012 [October 30th, 2012]
- Renault looking to build an upmarket rival to the Tata Nano, but it will still be very cheap - December 5th, 2012 [December 5th, 2012]
- 'Nano' opens at Discovery Museums - December 8th, 2012 [December 8th, 2012]