Tuning the formation and rupture of single ligand-receptor bonds by hyaluronan-induced repulsion

We used a combination of laminar flow chamber and reflection interference microscopy to study the formation and rupture of single bonds formed between Fc-ICAM-1 attached to a substrate and anti-ICAM-1 carried by micrometric beads in the presence of a repulsive hyaluronan (HA) layer adsorbed onto the substrate. The absolute distance between the colloids and the surface was measured under flow with an accuracy of a few nanometers. We could verify the long-term prediction of classical lubrication theory for the movement of a sphere near a wall in a shear flow. The HA polymer layer exerted long-range repulsive steric force on the beads and the hydrodynamics at the boundary remained more or less unchanged. By incubating HA at various concentrations, the thickness of the layer, as estimated by beads most probable height, was tuned in the range 20-200 nm. Frequency of bond formation was decreased by more than one order of magnitude by increasing the thickness of the repulsive layer, while the lifetime of individual bonds was not affected. This study opens the way for further quantitative studies of the effect of molecular environment and separation distance on ligand-receptor association and dissociation.     

Dynamic force measurements of avidin-biotin and streptavdin-biotin interactions using AFM

Using atomic force microscopy (AFM) we performed dynamic force measurements of the adhesive forces in two model systems: avidin-biotin and streptavidin-biotin. In our experiments we used glutaraldehyde for immobilization of (strept)avidin on the tip and biotin on the sample surface. Such interface layers are more rigid than those usually reported in the literature for AFM studies, when (strept)avidin is coupled with biotinylated bovine albumin and biotin with agarose polymers. We determined the dependence of the rupture forces of avidin-biotin and streptavidin-biotin bonds in the range 300-9600 pN/s. The slope of a semilogarithmic plot of this relation changes at about 1700 pN/s. The existence of two different regimes indicates the presence of two activation barriers of these complexes during the dissociation process. The dissociation rates and activation energy barriers, calculated from the Bell model, for the avidin-biotin and streptavidin-biotin interactions are similar to each other for loading rates > 1700 pN/s but they are different from each other for loading rates < 1700 pN/s. In the latter case, the dissociation rates show a higher stability of the avidin-biotin complex than the streptavidin-biotin complex due to a larger outer activation barrier of 0.8 k(B)T. The bond-rupture force is about 20 pN higher for the avidin-biotin pair than for the streptavidin-biotin pair for loading rates < 1700 pN/s. These two experimental observations are in agreement with the known structural differences between the biotin binding pocket of avidin and of streptavidin.     

Diffusion of microspheres in shear flow near a wall: use to measure binding rates between attached molecules.

The rate and distance-dependence of association between surface-attached molecules may be determined by monitoring the motion of receptor-bearing spheres along ligand-coated surfaces in a flow chamber (Pierres et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 95:9256-9261, 1998). Particle arrests reveal bond formation, and the particle-to-surface distance may be estimated from the ratio between the velocity and the wall shear rate. However, several problems are raised. First, data interpretation requires extensive computer simulations. Second, the relevance of standard results from fluid mechanics to micrometer-size particles separated from surfaces by nanometer distances is not fully demonstrated. Third, the wall shear rate must be known with high accuracy. Here we present a simple derivation of an algorithm permitting one to simulate the motion of spheres near a plane in shear flow. We check that theoretical predictions are consistent with the experimental dependence of motion on medium viscosity or particle size, and the requirement for equilibrium particle height distribution to follow Boltzman's law. The determination of the statistical relationship between particle velocity and acceleration allows one to derive the wall shear rate with 1-s(-1) accuracy and the Hamaker constant of interaction between the particle and the wall with a sensitivity better than 10(-21) J. It is demonstrated that the correlation between particle height and mean velocity during a time interval Deltat is maximal when Deltat is about 0.1-0.2 s for a particle of 1.4-microm radius. When the particle-to-surface distance ranges between 10 and 40 nm, the particle height distribution may be obtained with a standard deviation ranging between 8 and 25 nm, provided the average velocity during a 160-ms period of time is determined with 10% accuracy. It is concluded that the flow chamber allows one to detect the formation of individual bonds with a minimal lifetime of 40 ms in presence of a disruptive force of approximately 5 pN and to assess the distance dependence within the tens of nanometer range.     

Beta-1 integrin-mediated adhesion may be initiated by multiple incomplete bonds, thus accounting for the functional importance of receptor clustering

The regulation of cell integrin receptors involves modulation of membrane expression, shift between different affinity states, and topographical redistribution on the cell membrane. Here we attempted to assess quantitatively the functional importance of receptor clustering. We studied beta-1 integrin-mediated attachment of THP-1 cells to fibronectin-coated surfaces under low shear flow. Cells displayed multiple binding events with a half-life of the order of 1 s. The duration of binding events after the first second after arrest was quantitatively accounted for by a model assuming the existence of a short-time intermediate binding state with 3.6 s(-1) dissociation rate and 1.3 s(-1) transition frequency toward a more stable state. Cell binding to surfaces coated with lower fibronectin densities was concluded to be mediated by single molecular interactions, whereas multiple bonds were formed <1 s after contact with higher fibronectin surface densities. Cell treatment with microfilament inhibitors or a neutral antiintegrin antibody decreased bond number without changing aforementioned kinetic parameters whereas a function enhancing antibody increased the rate of bond formation and/or the lifetime of intermediate state. Receptor aggregation was induced by treating cells with neutral antiintegrin antibody and antiimmunoglobulin antibodies. A semiquantitative confocal microscopy study suggested that this treatment increased between 40% and 100% the average number of integrin receptors located in a volume of approximately 0.045 microm(3) surrounding each integrin. This aggregation induced up to 2.7-fold increase of the average number of bonds. Flow cytometric analysis of fluorescent ligand binding showed that THP-1 cells displayed low-affinity beta-1 integrins with a dissociation constant in the micromolar range. It is concluded that the initial step of cell adhesion was mediated by multiple incomplete bonds rather than a single equilibrium-state ligand receptor association. This interpretation accounts for the functional importance of integrin clustering.     

Proatherogenic flow conditions initiate endothelial apoptosis via thrombospondin-1 and the integrin-associated protein

Recently it has been shown that vascular endothelial cells (EC) are completely devoid of apoptosis if cultivated under a steady laminar flow and that apoptosis is induced by turning off the flow. An autocrine loop of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) and the alpha(v)beta(3) integrin/integrin-associated protein (IAP) complex has been identified as the molecular coupling device between flow and apoptosis. Lack of blood flow is a rare and mostly transient phenomenon whereas irregular flow conditions are permanently present at arterial bifurcations and sites of abnormal vessel morphology. Irregular flow conditions are established here either by the action of a cone-and-plate type flow apparatus generating a uniform turbulent flow or in a flow chamber by insertion of a local hindrance creating a zone of unsteady laminar flow with vortex formation and lowered shear stress. In both cases apoptosis is induced either throughout the entire monolayer or restricted to the locally defined area. Flow disturbance and apoptosis are coupled by the described autocrine loop of TSP-1 and the integrin/IAP receptor complex. In vivo atherosclerotic lesions occur predominantly at sites of flow irregularities, which are thought to be pro-atherogenic. Thus we propose a key role of the identified mechanosensitive apoptosis induction for the initiation of atherosclerosis.     

Cell damage of microcarrier cultures as a function of local energy dissipation created by a rapid extensional flow

Microcarrier cultures of Chinese hamster ovary cells were subjected to a range of energy dissipations created by an abrupt contraction. These flow conditions can be characterized as a rapidly transient, extensional, and shear flow. Cell damage was measured using a lactate dehydrogenase assay. The laminar flow in the device was modeled using two commercial, computation fluid-dynamic codes: POLYFLOW and FLUENT. Cell damage was correlated to numerical values of energy dissipation. The magnitude of energy dissipation at which cell damage began to be detected, 10(4) ergs cm(-3) s(-1) (10(4) cm(2) s(-3)), is consistent with values of energy dissipation estimated in bioreactors operated under conditions which result in cell damage. This magnitude of energy dissipation is orders of magnitude lower than those values reported to cause damage to suspended animals cells which is also consistent with generally accepted experimental observations. Finally, an analysis and discussion of the presence and relative importance with re- spect to cell damage of shear vs. extensional flow is included.     

KLF2-dependent, shear stress-induced expression of CD59: a novel cytoprotective mechanism against complement-mediated injury in the vasculature

Complement activation may predispose to vascular injury and atherogenesis. The atheroprotective actions of unidirectional laminar shear stress led us to explore its influence on endothelial cell expression of complement inhibitory proteins CD59 and decay-accelerating factor. Human umbilical vein and aortic endothelial cells were exposed to laminar shear stress (12 dynes/cm(2)) or disturbed flow (+/- 5 dynes/cm(2) at 1Hz) in a parallel plate flow chamber. Laminar shear induced a flow rate-dependent increase in steady-state CD59 mRNA, reaching 4-fold at 12 dynes/cm(2). Following 24-48 h of laminar shear stress, cell surface expression of CD59 was up-regulated by 100%, whereas decay-accelerating factor expression was unchanged. The increase in CD59 following laminar shear was functionally significant, reducing C9 deposition and complement-mediated lysis of flow-conditioned endothelial cells by 50%. Although CD59 induction was independent of PI3-K, ERK1/2 and nitric oxide, an RNA interference approach demonstrated dependence upon an ERK5/KLF2 signaling pathway. In contrast to laminar shear stress, disturbed flow failed to induce endothelial cell CD59 protein expression. Likewise, CD59 expression on vascular endothelium was significantly higher in atheroresistant regions of the murine aorta exposed to unidirectional laminar shear stress, when compared with atheroprone areas exposed to disturbed flow. We propose that up-regulation of CD59 via ERK5/KLF2 activation leads to endothelial resistance to complement-mediated injury and protects from atherogenesis in regions of laminar shear stress.     

Motion of cells sedimenting on a solid surface in a laminar shear flow.

Cell adhesion often occurs under dynamic conditions, as in flowing blood. A quantitative understanding of this process requires accurate knowledge of the topographical relationships between the cell membrane and potentially adhesive surfaces. This report describes an experimental study made on both the translational and rotational velocities of leukocytes sedimenting of a flat surface under laminar shear flow. The main conclusions are as follows: (a) Cells move close to the wall with constant velocity for several tens of seconds. (b) The numerical values of translational and rotational velocities are inconsistent with Goldman's model of a neutrally buoyant sphere in a laminar shear flow, unless a drag force corresponding to contact friction between cells and the chamber floor is added. The phenomenological friction coefficient was 7.4 millinewton.s/m. (c) Using a modified Goldman's theory, the width of the gap separating cells (6 microns radius) from the chamber floor was estimated at 1.4 micron. (d) It is shown that a high value of the cell-to-substrate gap may be accounted for by the presence of cell surface protrusions of a few micrometer length, in accordance with electron microscope observations performed on the same cell population. (e) In association with previously reported data (Tissot, O., C. Foa, C. Capo, H. Brailly, M. Delaage, and P. Bongrand. 1991. Biocolloids and Biosurfaces. In press), these results are consistent with the possibility that cell-substrate attachment be initiated by the formation of a single molecular bond, which might be considered as the rate limiting step.     

Energy landscape of streptavidin-biotin complexes measured by atomic force microscopy

The dissociation of ligand and receptor involves multiple transitions between intermediate states formed during the unbinding process. In this paper, we explored the energy landscape of the streptavidin-biotin interaction by using the atomic force microscope (AFM) to measure the unbinding dynamics of individual ligand-receptor complexes. The rupture force of the streptavidin-biotin bond increased more than 2-fold over a range of loading rates between 100 and 5000 pN/s. Moreover, the force measurements showed two regimes of loading in the streptavidin-biotin force spectrum, revealing the presence of two activation barriers in the unbinding process. Parallel experiments carried out with a streptavidin mutant (W120F) were used to investigate the molecular determinants of the activation barriers. From these experiments, we attributed the outer activation barrier in the energy landscape to the molecular interaction of the '3-4' loop of streptavidin that closes behind biotin.     

Sequential binding of αVβ3 and ICAM-1 determines fibrin-mediated melanoma capture and stable adhesion to CD11b/CD18 on neutrophils

Fibrin (Fn) deposition defines several type 1 immune responses, including delayed-type hypersensitivity and autoimmunity in which polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) are involved. Fn monomer and fibrinogen are multivalent ligands for a variety of cell receptors during cell adhesion. These cell receptors provide critical linkage among thrombosis, inflammation, and cancer metastasis under venous flow conditions. However, the mechanisms of Fn-mediated interactions among immune cells and circulating tumor cells remain elusive. By using a cone-plate viscometer shear assay and dual-color flow cytometry, we demonstrated that soluble fibrinogen and Fn had different abilities to enhance heterotypic aggregation between PMNs and Lu1205 melanoma cells in a shear flow, regulated by thrombin levels. In addition, the involvement of integrin α(v)β(3), ICAM-1, and CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1) in fibrin(ogen)-mediated melanoma-PMN aggregations was explored. Kinetic studies provided evidence that ICAM-1 mediated initial capture of melanoma cells by PMNs, whereas α(v)β(3) played a role in sustained adhesion of the two cell types at a shear rate of 62.5 s(-1). Quantitative analysis of the melanoma-PMN interactions conducted by a parallel-plate flow chamber assay further revealed that at a shear rate of 20 s(-1), α(v)β(3) had enough contact time to form bonds with Mac-1 via Fn, which could not otherwise occur at a shear rate higher than 62.5 s(-1). Our studies have captured a novel finding that leukocytes could be recruited to tumor cells via thrombin-mediated Fn formation within a tumor microenvironment, and α(v)β(3) and ICAM-1 may participate in multistep fibrin(ogen)-mediated melanoma cell adhesion within the circulation.     

Laminar airflow and nanoparticle or vapor deposition in a human nasal cavity model

The transport and deposition of nanoparticles, i.e., dp = 1-2 nm, or equivalent vapors, in the human nasal cavities is of interest to engineers, scientists, air-pollution regulators, and healthcare officials alike. Tiny ultrafine particles, i.e., dp < or = 5 nm, are of special interest because they are most rapidly absorbed and hence have an elevated toxic or therapeutic impact when compared to larger particles. Assuming transient laminar 3-D incompressible flow in a representative human nasal cavity, the cyclic airflow pattern as well as local and overall nanoparticle depositions were computationally simulated and analyzed. The focus was on transient effects during inhalation/exhalation as compared to the steady-state assumption typically invoked. Then, an equation for a matching steady-state inhalation flow rate was developed that generates the same deposition results as cyclic inhalation. Of special interest is the olfactory region where the narrow channel surfaces receive only about one-half of a percent of the inhaled nanoparticles because the airflow bypasses these recesses located in the superior-most portions in the geometrically complex nasal cavities.     

A microscope-based flow cytophotometer

By means of a new flow chamber, a standard fluorescence microscope with Epi illumination and 100 W mercury arc excitation has been turned into a flow cytophotometer combining high resolution and sensitivity with simplicity of operation. In the flow chamber, cells are passed in a narrow stream through the microscope focus carried by a laminar flow of water running on the open surface of a cover glass which is coupled to the oil immersion microscope objective. Two spectral components of the fluorescence, for example, resulting from specific staining of two different cellular constituents with different dyes, can be measured simultaneously in separate channels so as to produce three-dimensional histograms. The scattered light of the cells is detected in dark field by a second microscope situated opposite the primary objective. Scattered light detection is integrating with regard to scattering angle from 0 degree to 90 degrees. Hence, diffraction pattern effects are eliminated and the light scatter signal is approximately proportional to cell dry weight. The Epi illumination, which implies that excitation and fluorescence collection are parfocal, greatly simplifies instrument adjustment, which is further facilitated by the fact that the cell stream can be viewed at high magnification. Cell measuring time is about 3 microseconds which implies a measuring rate of 3 x 10(3) cells/s at 1% coincidence rate. Sensitivity is sufficient for measuring the DNA content of bacteria (that is, approximately 5 x 10(-15) g/cell) with a coefficient of variance (CV) of about 6%. CV less than 1% is achieved for DNA histograms of mammalian cells. A 5 W argon laser as excitation source facilitates slit scan analysis and increases the sensitivity and measuring rate by one to two orders of magnitude.     

A flow system for the study of shear forces upon cultured endothelial cells

A parallel plate chamber in a flow system has been designed to study the effects of fluid shear stresses on cells. The system was applied to the study of cultured endothelial cells grown on cover slips which were accommodated in recessed wells in the base plate. Dye injection studies in the chamber indicated laminar flow over the cells. Shear rates measured over the cover slips by an electrochemical technique were found to be linear with flow rate. Laser doppler anemometry showed parabolic profiles between the plates. Endothelial cells subjected to flow showed a correlation between the time required for orientation and the magnitude of the shear stress.     

Oxygen consumption in the foraging honeybee depends on the reward rate at the food source

Oxygen consumption of the honeybee Apis mellifera ligustica was measured as a function of the flow rate supply of sucrose solution at an automatic feeder located inside a respirometric chamber. Trained bees freely entered the respirometric chamber and collected the sucrose solution supplied. The mean value of the O₂ consumption rate per visit increased with the sucrose flow rate, and for a given flow rate, with increasing locomotor activity. However, when no locomotor activity was displayed, O₂ consumption also increased with increasing nectar flow rate. Crop load attained at the end of the visit showed a positive relationship with the nectar flow rate; however, for a given flow rate, O₂ consumption showed either no correlation or a negative one with the final crop load attained. It is concluded that the energy expenditure of the foraging bee is controlled by a motivational drive whose intensity depends on the reward rate at the food source. Accepted: 30 July 1996     

Energy landscape roughness of the streptavidin-biotin interaction

Molecular interactions between receptors and ligands can be characterized by their free energy landscape. In its simplest representation, the energy landscape is described by a barrier of certain height and width that determines the dissociation rate of the complex, as well as its dynamic strength. Some interactions, however, require a more complex landscape with additional barriers and roughness along the reaction coordinate. This roughness slows down the dissociation kinetics of the interaction and contributes to its dynamic strength. The streptavidin-biotin complex has been extensively studied due to its remarkably low dissociation kinetics. However, single molecule measurements from independent experiments showed scattered and disparate results. In this work, the energy landscape roughness of the streptavidin-biotin interaction was estimated to be in the range of 5-8kBT using dynamic force spectroscopy (DFS) measurements at three different temperatures. These results can be used to explain both its slow dissociation kinetics and the discrepancies in the reported force measurements.     

Flow dynamics and energy efficiency of flow in the left ventricle during myocardial infarction

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide, where myocardial infarction (MI) is a major category. After infarction, the heart has difficulty providing sufficient energy for circulation, and thus, understanding the heart’s energy efficiency is important. We induced MI in a porcine animal model via circumflex ligation and acquired multiple-slice cine magnetic resonance (MR) images in a longitudinal manner—before infarction, and 1 week (acute) and 4 weeks (chronic) after infarction. Computational fluid dynamic simulations were performed based on MR images to obtain detailed fluid dynamics and energy dynamics of the left ventricles. Results showed that energy efficiency flow through the heart decreased at the acute time point. Since the heart was observed to experience changes in heart rate, stroke volume and chamber size over the two post-infarction time points, simulations were performed to test the effect of each of the three parameters. Increasing heart rate and stroke volume were found to significantly decrease flow energy efficiency, but the effect of chamber size was inconsistent. Strong complex interplay was observed between the three parameters, necessitating the use of non-dimensional parameterization to characterize flow energy efficiency. The ratio of Reynolds to Strouhal number, which is a form of Womersley number, was found to be the most effective non-dimensional parameter to represent energy efficiency of flow in the heart. We believe that this non-dimensional number can be computed for clinical cases via ultrasound and hypothesize that it can serve as a biomarker for clinical evaluations.     

Microparticle adhesive dynamics and rolling mediated by selectin-specific antibodies under flow

In vitro studies were performed to characterize the relative performance of candidate receptors to target microparticles to inflammatory markers on vascular endothelium. To model the interactions of drug-bearing microparticles or imaging contrast agents with the vasculature, 6 micron polystyrene particles bearing antibodies, peptides, or carbohydrates were perfused over immobilized E- or P-selectin in a flow chamber. Microparticles conjugated with HuEP5C7.g2 (HuEP), a monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific to E- and P-selectin, supported leukocyte-like rolling and transient adhesion at venular shear rates. In contrast, microparticles conjugated with a higher affinity mAb specific for P-selectin (G1) were unable to form bonds at venular flow rates. When both HuEP and G1 were conjugated to the microparticle, HuEP supported binding to P-selectin in flow which allowed G1 to form bonds leading to stable adhesion. While the microparticle attachment and rolling performance was not as stable as that mediated by the natural ligands P-selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1 or sialyl Lewis(x), HuEP performed significantly better than any previously characterized mAb in terms of mediating microparticle binding under flow conditions. HuEP may be a viable alternative to natural ligands to selectins for targeting particles to inflamed endothelium.     

Determination of the membrane permeability coefficient and the reflection coefficient by the two-dimensional laminar flow model for intestinal perfusion experiments

We performed single perfusion experiments in the small intestine of rats in order to prove that the two-dimensional laminar flow model is suitable to determine the membrane permeability coefficient and the reflection coefficient. We used progesterone as an aqueous-diffusion-limited drug, urea as a membrane transport-limited drug and the tritiated water as an intermediate substance. The membrane permeability coefficient for progesterone was calculated to be 3.6 X 10(-4) cm/s. This value did not change when the thickness of the aqueous diffusion layer was altered by increasing the perfusion rate 10-fold. It was directly demonstrated that the two-dimensional laminar flow model was suitable to analyze the data of intestinal perfusion experiments. Membrane permeability coefficients for urea and tritiated water were determined to be 3.4 X 10(-5) cm/s and 8.9 X 10(-5) cm/s, respectively. In the presence of water absorption with the hypotonic perfusion solution, the reflection coefficient for urea was 0.84. This value is thought to be theoretically reasonable, suggesting the usefullness of the two-dimensional laminar flow model to obtain the reflection coefficient in the intestinal membrane.     

Increased mass transfer to microorganisms with fluid motion

The effect of fluid flow and laminar shear on bacterial uptake was examined under conditions representative of the fluid environment of unattached and attached cells in wastewater treatment bioreactors. Laminar shear rates below 50 s(-1) did not increase leucine uptake by suspended cultures of Zoogloea ramigera. However, leucine uptake by cells fixed in a flow field of approximately 1 mm s(-1) was 55-65% greater than uptake by suspended cells. Enhanced microbial uptake with advective motion is consistent with mass transfer rates calculated using Sherwood number correlations. Advective flow increases microbial uptake by increasing collisions between substrate molecules and cells through compression of the concentration boundary layer surrounding a cell. The rate of leucine uptake suggests that binding proteins used to transport leucine into the cell can occupy approximately 1% of the cell surface area.     

Numerical modeling of turbulent and laminar airflow and odorant transport during sniffing in the human and rat nose

Human sniffing behavior usually involves bouts of short, high flow rate inhalation (>300 ml/s through each nostril) with mostly turbulent airflow. This has often been characterized as a factor enabling higher amounts of odorant to deposit onto olfactory mucosa than for laminar airflow and thereby aid in olfactory detection. Using computational fluid dynamics human nasal cavity models, however, we found essentially no difference in predicted olfactory odorant flux (g/cm2 s) for turbulent versus laminar flow for total nasal flow rates between 300 and 1000 ml/s and for odorants of quite different mucosal solubility. This lack of difference was shown to be due to the much higher resistance to lateral odorant mass transport in the mucosal nasal airway wall than in the air phase. The simulation also revealed that the increase in airflow rate during sniffing can increase odorant uptake flux to the nasal/olfactory mucosa but lower the cumulative total uptake in the olfactory region when the inspired air/odorant volume was held fixed, which is consistent with the observation that sniff duration may be more important than sniff strength for optimizing olfactory detection. In contrast, in rats, sniffing involves high-frequency bouts of both inhalation and exhalation with laminar airflow. In rat nose odorant uptake simulations, it was observed that odorant deposition was highly dependent on solubility and correlated with the locations of different types of receptors.