Mechanosensitivity of astrocytes on optimized polyacrylamide gels analyzed by quantitative morphometry

Moshayedi P, Costa LDF, Christ A, Lacour SP, Fawcett J, Guck J, Franze K (2010)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2010

Journal

Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter Institute of Physics: Hybrid Open Access

Book Volume: 22

Article Number: 194114

Journal Issue: 19

DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/22/19/194114

Abstract

Cells are able to detect and respond to mechanical cues from their environment. Previous studies have investigated this mechanosensitivity on various cell types, including neural cells such as astrocytes. In this study, we have carefully optimized polyacrylamide gels, commonly used as compliant growth substrates, considering their homogeneity in surface topography, mechanical properties, and coating density, and identified several potential pitfalls for the purpose of mechanosensitivity studies. The resulting astrocyte response to growth on substrates with shear storage moduli of G′ = 100 Pa and G′ = 10kPa was then evaluated as a function of coating density of poly-D-lysine using quantitative morphometric analysis. Astrocytes cultured on stiff substrates showed significantly increased perimeter, area, diameter, elongation, number of extremities and overall complexity if compared to those cultured on compliant substrates. A statistically significant difference in the overall morphological score was confirmed with an artificial intelligence-based shape analysis. The dependence of the cells' morphology on PDL coating density seemed to be weak compared to the effect of the substrate stiffness and was slightly biphasic, with a maximum at 10-100 νgml-1 PDL concentration. Our finding suggests that the compliance of the surrounding tissue in vivo may influence astrocyte morphology and behavior. © 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Authors with CRIS profile

Jochen Guck
Kristian Franze

Involved external institutions

University of São Paulo / Universidade de São Paulo (USP) BR Brazil (BR) University of Cambridge GB United Kingdom (GB)

How to cite

APA:

Moshayedi, P., Costa, L.D.F., Christ, A., Lacour, S.P., Fawcett, J., Guck, J., & Franze, K. (2010). Mechanosensitivity of astrocytes on optimized polyacrylamide gels analyzed by quantitative morphometry. Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 22(19). https://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0953-8984/22/19/194114

MLA:

Moshayedi, Pouria, et al. "Mechanosensitivity of astrocytes on optimized polyacrylamide gels analyzed by quantitative morphometry." Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter 22.19 (2010).

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