A device to study the effects of stretch gradients on cell behavior

Mechanical forces are key regulators of cell function with varying loads capable of modulating behaviors such as alignment, migration, phenotype modulation, and others. Historically, cell-stretching experiments have employed mechanically simple environments (e.g., uniform uniaxial or equibiaxial stretches). However, stretch distributions in vivo can be highly non-uniform, particularly in cases of disease or subsequent to interventional treatments. Herein, we present a cell-stretching device capable of subjecting cells to controllable gradients in biaxial stretch via radial deformation of circular elastomeric membranes. By including either a defect or a rigid fixation at the center of the membrane, various gradients are generated. Capabilities of the device were quantified by tracking marked positions of the membrane while applying various loads, and experimental feasibility was assessed by conducting preliminary experiments with 3T3 fibroblasts and 10T1/2 cells subjected to 24 h of cyclic stretch. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure changes in mRNA expression of a profile of genes representing the major smooth muscle phenotypes. Genes associated with the contractile state were both upregulated (e.g., calponin) and downregulated (e.g., α-2-actin), and genes associated with the synthetic state were likewise both upregulated (e.g., SKI-like oncogene) and downregulated (e.g., collagen III). In addition, cells aligned with an orientation perpendicular to the maximal stretch direction. We have developed an in vitro cell culture device that can produce non-uniform stretch environments similar to in vivo mechanics. Cells stretched with this device showed alignment and altered mRNA expression indicative of phenotype modulation. Understanding these processes as they relate to in vivo pathologies could enable a more accurately targeted treatment to heal or inhibit disease, either through implantable device design or pharmaceutical approaches.     

Orally Administered Lactoperoxidase Increases Expression of the FK506 Binding Protein 5 Gene in Epithelial Cells of the Small Intestine of Mice: A DNA Microarray Study

Lactoperoxidase (LPO) is a component of milk and other external secretions. To study the influence of ingested LPO on the digestive tract, we performed DNA microarray analysis of the small intestine of mice administered LPO. LPO administration upregulated 78 genes, including genes involved in metabolism, immunity, apoptosis, and the cell cycle, and downregulated nine genes, including immunity-related genes. The most upregulated gene was FK506 binding protein 5 (FKBP5), a glucocorticoid regulating immunophilin. The upregulation of this gene was confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR in other samples. In situ hybridization revealed that expression of the FKBP5 gene in the crypt epithelial cells of the small intestine was enhanced by LPO. These results suggest that ingested LPO modulates gene expression in the small intestine and especially increases FKBP5 gene expression in the epithelial cells of the intestine.     

Orally administered lactoperoxidase increases expression of the FK506 binding protein 5 gene in epithelial cells of the small intestine of mice: a DNA microarray study

Lactoperoxidase (LPO) is a component of milk and other external secretions. To study the influence of ingested LPO on the digestive tract, we performed DNA microarray analysis of the small intestine of mice administered LPO. LPO administration upregulated 78 genes, including genes involved in metabolism, immunity, apoptosis, and the cell cycle, and downregulated nine genes, including immunity-related genes. The most upregulated gene was FK506 binding protein 5 (FKBP5), a glucocorticoid regulating immunophilin. The upregulation of this gene was confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR in other samples. In situ hybridization revealed that expression of the FKBP5 gene in the crypt epithelial cells of the small intestine was enhanced by LPO. These results suggest that ingested LPO modulates gene expression in the small intestine and especially increases FKBP5 gene expression in the epithelial cells of the intestine.