Gold nanoparticles induce surface morphological transformation in polyurethane and affect the cellular response

Nanocomposites from a hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI)-based polyester-type waterborne polyurethane (PU) containing different amounts (17.4-174 ppm) of gold (Au) nanoparticles (approximately 5 nm) were prepared. The microstructure and physiochemical properties of the nanocomposites were characterized. The cell attachment and proliferation, platelet activation, and bacterial adhesion on the nanocomposites were evaluated. Gold nanoparticles in small amounts induced significant changes in surface morphology and domain structures, from hard segment lamellae to soft segment micelles. These changes resembled the morphological transformation among different mesophases occurred in diblock copolymers. Better cellular proliferation, lower platelet activation, and reduced bacterial adhesion were demonstrated for the PU nanocomposite with 43.5 or 65 ppm of Au than the pure PU or the nanocomposite containing a different amount of Au. The different cellular response on PU-Au nanocomposites was attributed to the extensively modified surface morphology and phase separation in the presence of a small amount of Au nanoparticles.     

Epstein-Barr virus nuclear protein 2 transactivation of the latent membrane protein 1 promoter is mediated by J kappa and PU.1.

Expression of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) oncogene is regulated by the EBV nuclear protein 2 (EBNA-2) transactivator. EBNA-2 is known to interact with the cellular DNA-binding protein J kappa and is recruited to promoters containing the GTGGGAA J kappa recognition sequence. The minimal EBNA-2-responsive LMP-1 promoter includes one J kappa-binding site, and we now show that mutation of that site, such that J kappa cannot bind, reduces EBNA-2 responsiveness by 60%. To identify other factors which interact with the LMP-1 EBNA-2 response element (E2RE), a -236/-145 minimal E2RE was used as a probe in an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The previously characterized factors J kappa, PU.1, and AML1 bind to the LMP-1 E2RE, along with six other unidentified factors (LBF2 to LBF7). Binding sites were mapped for each factor. LBF4 is B- and T-cell specific and recognizes the PU.1 GGAA core sequence as shown by methylation interference. LBF4 has a molecular mass of 105 kDa and is probably unrelated to PU.1. LBF2 was found only in epithelial cell lines, whereas LBF3, LBF5, LBF6, and LBF7 were not cell type specific. Mutations of the AML1- or LBF4-binding sites had no effect on EBNA-2 transactivation, whereas mutation of the PU.1-binding site completely eliminated EBNA-2 responses. A gst-EBNA-2 fusion protein specifically depleted PU.1 from nuclear extracts and bound in vitro translated PU.1, providing biochemical evidence for a direct EBNA-2-PU.1 interaction. Thus, EBNA-2 transactivation of the LMP-1 promoter is dependent on interaction with at least two distinct sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins, J kappa and PU.1. LBF3, LBF5, LBF6, or LBF7 may also be involved, since their binding sites also contribute to EBNA-2 responsiveness.     

Microfluidic device‐assisted etching of p‐HEMA for cell or protein patterning

The construction of biomaterials with which to limit the growth of cells or to limit the adsorption of proteins is essential for understanding biological phenomena. Here, we describe a novel method to simply and easily create thin layers of poly (2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (p‐HEMA) for protein and cellular patterning via etching with ethanol and microfluidic devices. First, a cell culture surface or glass coverslip is coated with p‐HEMA. Next, a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic is placed onto the p‐HEMA surface, and ethanol is aspirated through the device. The PDMS device is removed, and the p‐HEMA surface is ready for protein adsorption or cell plating. This method allows for the fabrication of 0.3 µm thin layers of p‐HEMA, which can be etched to 10 µm wide channels. Furthermore, it creates regions of differential protein adhesion, as shown by Coomassie staining and fluorescent labeling, and cell adhesion, as demonstrated by C2C12 myoblast growth. This method is simple, versatile, and allows biologists and bioengineers to manipulate regions for cell culture adhesion and growth. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:243–248, 2018     

Vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 mediates trafficking of α5β1 integrin to the plasma membrane

Integrins are major receptors for cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM). As transmembrane proteins, the levels of integrins at the plasma membrane or the cell surface are ultimately determined by the balance between two vesicle trafficking events: endocytosis of integrins at the plasma membrane and exocytosis of the vesicles that transport integrins. Here, we report that vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2), a SNARE protein that mediates vesicle fusion with the plasma membrane, is involved in the trafficking of α5β1 integrin. VAMP2 was present on vesicles containing endocytosed β1 integrin. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) silencing of VAMP2 markedly reduced cell surface α5β1 and inhibited cell adhesion and chemotactic migration to fibronectin, the ECM ligand of α5β1, without altering cell surface expression of α2β1 integrin or α3β1 integrin. By contrast, silencing of VAMP8, another SNARE protein, had no effect on cell surface expression of the integrins or cell adhesion to fibronectin. In addition, VAMP2-mediated trafficking is involved in cell adhesion to collagen but not to laminin. Consistent with disruption of integrin functions in cell proliferation and survival, VAMP2 silencing diminished proliferation and triggered apoptosis. Collectively, these data indicate that VAMP2 mediates the trafficking of α5β1 integrin to the plasma membrane and VAMP2-dependent integrin trafficking is critical in cell adhesion, migration and survival.     

RGD-conjugated copolymer incorporated into composite of poly(lactide-co-glycotide) and poly(L-lactide)-grafted nanohydroxyapatite for bone tissue engineering

Various surface modification methods of RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) peptides on biomaterials have been developed to improve cell adhesion. This study aimed to examine a RGD-conjugated copolymer RGD/MPEG-PLA-PBLG (RGD-copolymer) for its ability to promote bone regeneration by mixing it with the composite of poly(lactide-co-glycotide) (PLGA) and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles surface-grafted with poly(L-lactide) (g-HAP). The porous scaffolds were prepared using solvent casting/particulate leaching method and grafted to repair the rabbit radius defects after seeding with autologous bone marrow mesenchymal cells (MSCs) of rabbits. After incorporation of RGD-copolymer, there were no significant influences on scaffold's porosity and pore size. Nitrogen of RGD peptide, and calcium and phosphor of g-HAP could be exposed on the surface of the scaffold simultaneously. Although the cell viability of its leaching liquid was 92% that was lower than g-HAP/PLGA, its cell adhesion and growth of 3T3 and osteoblasts were promoted significantly. The greatest increment in cell adhesion ratios (131.2-157.1% higher than g-HAP/PLGA) was observed when its contents were 0.1-1 wt % but only at 0.5 h after cell seeding. All the defects repaired with the implants were bridged after 24 weeks postsurgery, but the RGD-copolymer contained composite had larger new bone formation and better fusion interface. The composites containing RGD-copolymer enhanced bone ingrowth but presented more woven bones than others. The combined application of RGD-copolymer and bone morphological protein 2 (BMP-2) exhibited the best bone healing quality and was recommended as an optimal strategy for the use of RGD peptides.     

Differences in Caco-2 cell attachment, migration on collagen and fibronectin coated polyelectrolyte surfaces

Metastasis mechanisms depend on cell metabolism changes, migration and adhesion to different tissues. To understand their choice of interaction site, the tumoral cell adhesion to model surfaces was studied. The response of Caco-2 tumoral cells cultured on polyelectrolyte film-functionalized surfaces with or without adhesion proteins (fibronectin or collagen IV) was analyzed. Using the layer-by- layer method, multilayer films were prepared with cationic poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and anionic poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) polyelectrolytes. Film surface wettability was evaluated. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analyses were carried out to control the elaborated surfaces on which Caco-2 tumoral cells were cultured. The cell velocity was studied by video-microscopy and a cell colorimetric assay (WST-1) was used to quantify cell viability. The film surface parameters as well as the protein nature and localization in the film were found to modulate cell response. Results demonstrated that the cancer cell motility and proliferation were higher when cultured onto pure collagen located above the polyelectrolyte film and that the reverse surprisingly was observed when proteins were inserted into the polyelectrolyte film. Data also showed that cell motility was correlated with a high charge transfer resistance (Rct) and a low surface free energy (SFE) polar component (electron donor character). This relationship was valid only for pure external proteins. Thus, fibronectin exhibited a low Rct and a high SFE polar component, which decreased cell motility and proliferation.     

Hepatocyte adhesion on a poly[N-p-vinylbenzyl-4-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-D-glucoamide]-coated poly(L-lactic acid) surface

A surface of poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) was modified by coating with poly[N-p-vinylbenzyl-4-O-beta-d-galactopyranosyl-d-glucoamide] (PVLA), which was employed to improve the hepatocyte adhesion owing to its amphiphilic property and the presence of a hepatocyte recognition motif. We characterized the surface properties through water contact angle, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA), and scanning probe microscopy (SPM). The effect of PVLA coating on the efficiency of hepatocyte adhesion was evaluated by protein assay and optical microscopy. The surface morphology was under the influence of the concentration of PVLA coating solution and it played a critical role in hepatocyte adhesion. It was confirmed that galactose moieties in PVLA, which can bind to the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) on hepatocytes, have a more dominant effect on hepatocyte adhesion than enhanced hydrophilicity. We suggest that the PVLA-PLLA system will be a useful method to improve hepatocyte cell seeding and adhesion onto scaffold matrices.     

Identification of sequences required for the efficient localization of the focal adhesion kinase, pp125FAK, to cellular focal adhesions

The integrin family of heterodimeric cell surface receptors play critical roles in multiple biological processes by mediating cellular adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Adhesion triggers intracellular signaling cascades, including tyrosine phosphorylation and elevation of [Ca2+]i. The Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK or pp125FAK), a protein tyrosine kinase that colocalizes with integrins in cellular focal adhesions, is a prime candidate for a mediator of integrin signaling events. Here we report an analysis of the domain structure of FAK in which we have identified a contiguous stretch of 159 amino acids within the COOH terminus essential for correct subcellular localization. When placed in the context of an unrelated cytosolic protein, this Focal Adhesion Targeting (FAT) sequence functions to efficiently mediate the focal adhesion localization of this fusion protein. Furthermore, this analysis suggests that pp125FAK cannot be activated oncogenically by mutation. This result could be explained if pp125FK either exhibits a narrow substrate specificity or is diametrically opposed by cellular phosphatases or other cellular processes.     

Expression of presenilin 1 on the cell surface in motile polarized cells

Most cases of familial early-onset Alzheimer's disease are caused by mutations in the presenilin 1 (PS1) gene. However, the cellular functions of PS1 are not yet completely understood. We showed that endogenous PS1 and the adhesion protein CD44 are redistributed on the surface of cell projections (lamellipodia) in polarized T- lymphocytes (Jurkat cells) after the adhesion to a collagen matrix. This effect was not observed for another surface protein of T lymphocytes, which is not involved in cell adhesion processes, the T cell receptor. In primary cultures of mouse cortical neurons, PS1 was concentrated at the surface of extended growth cones and at the sites of neurite contacts. The concentration of PS1 at the surface of cellular structures that promote cell motility and cell contacts suggests an important role of PSI in cell adhesion in motile polarized cells.     

Decreased astroglial cell adhesion and proliferation on zinc oxide nanoparticle polyurethane composites

Nanomaterials offer a number of properties that are of interest to the field of neural tissue engineering. Specifically, materials that exhibit nanoscale surface dimensions have been shown to promote neuron function while simultaneously minimizing the activity of cells such as astrocytes that inhibit central nervous system regeneration. Studies demonstrating enhanced neural tissue regeneration in electrical fields through the use of conductive materials have led to interest in piezoelectric materials (or those materials which generate a transient electrical potential when mechanically deformed) such as zinc oxide (ZnO). It has been speculated that ZnO nanoparticles possess increased piezoelectric properties over ZnO micron particles. Due to this promise in neural applications, the objective of the present in vitro study was, for the first time, to assess the activity of astroglial cells on ZnO nanoparticle polymer composites. ZnO nanoparticles embedded in polyurethane were analyzed via scanning electron microscopy to evaluate nanoscale surface features of the composites. The surface chemistry was characterized via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Astroglial cell response was evaluated based on cell adhesion and proliferation. Astrocyte adhesion was significantly reduced on ZnO nanoparticle/polyurethane (PU) composites with a weight ratio of 50:50 (PU:ZnO) wt.%, 75:25 (PU:ZnO) wt.%, and 90:10 (PU:ZnO) wt.% in comparison to pure PU. The successful production of ZnO nanoparticle composite scaffolds suitable for decreasing astroglial cell density demonstrates their potential as a nerve guidance channel material with greater efficiency than what may be available today.     

Expression and characterization of hydrophobin HGFI fused with the cell-specific peptide TPS in Pichia pastoris

The cell-specific peptide TPS (TPSLEQRTVYAK) has been proposed as a potential candidate for fabricating tissue engineering scaffolds based on its ability of binding to human endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) with high affinity and specificity. In this study, the class I hydrophobin hgfI gene from Grifola frondosa and the tps were fused and cloned into pPIC9. The fusion gene was expressed in Pichia pastoris under the control of alcohol oxidase 1 promoter. Tricine-SDS-PAGE and Western blotting confirmed that the fusion protein TPS-linker-HGFI (TLH) was successfully secreted into the culture medium. The fusion protein TLH was purified by ultrafiltration and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Water contact angle (WCA) demonstrated that similar to recombinant HGFI (rHGFI), the purified TLH could convert the surface wettability of polystyrene and mica. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements indicated that the purified TLH could form stable films on the hydrophobic siliconized glass surface. The cell adhesion examination showed that the TLH modified poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) could specially facilitate the EPC (particularly EPC derived from human) binding, while rHGFI modified PCL could nonselectively enhance cells adhesion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that demonstrates that the TPS peptide was immobilized on biomaterial-PCL surface by fusion with hydrophobin. The potential application of this finding in combination with biomedical devices for EPC culture, will facilitate the current techniques used for cell-based therapies.     

Dominant negative mutation in cell surface beta 1,4- galactosyltransferase inhibits cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions

In addition to its traditional location within the Golgi complex, beta 1,4-galactosyltransferase (GalTase) is also present on the cell surface, where it is thought to function as a cell adhesion molecule by binding to extracellular oligosaccharide ligands. Recent studies suggest that cells contain two forms of GalTase with distinct cytoplasmic domains. The longer form of GalTase contains a 13-amino acid cytoplasmic extension and is preferentially targeted to the plasma membrane, relative to the shorter GalTase protein that is confined primarily to the Golgi compartment. In this study, we created a dominant negative mutation that interferes with the function of cell surface GalTase by transfecting into cells cDNAs encoding truncated versions of the long form of GalTase containing the complete cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains, but devoid of the catalytic domain. In both F9 embryonal carcinoma cells and Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts, overexpressing the truncated long GalTase (TLGT) protein displaced the endogenous cell surface GalTase from its association with the cytoskeleton, resulting in a loss of intercellular adhesion and cell spreading specifically on matrices that use GalTase as a cell surface receptor. In contrast, overexpressing the analogous truncated short GalTase (TSGT) protein did not affect cell morphology or GalTase activity. In control assays, inducing the TLGT protein had no effect on cell interactions with fibronectin (which is independent of GalTase), or on the cytoskeleton attachment of another matrix receptor (beta 1 integrin), or on overall glycoprotein synthesis, thus eliminating nonspecific effects of the TLGT protein on cellular adhesion and metabolism. These results represent the first molecular manipulation of cell surface GalTase expression and confirm its function as a cell adhesion molecule. These studies further suggest that the cytoskeleton contains a defined, saturable number of binding sites for GalTase, which enables it to function as an adhesion molecule.     

Fetuin-A associates with histones intracellularly and shuttles them to exosomes to promote focal adhesion assembly resulting in rapid adhesion and spreading in breast carcinoma cells

The present analyses were undertaken to define the mechanisms by which fetuin-A modulates cellular adhesion. FLAG-tagged fetuin-A was expressed in breast carcinoma and HEK-293T cells. We demonstrated by confocal microscopy that fetuin-A co-localizes with histone H2A in the cell nucleus, forms stable complexes with histones such as H2A and H3 in solution, and shuttles histones to exosomes. The rate of cellular adhesion and spreading to either fibronectin or laminin coated wells was accelerated significantly in the presence of either endogenous fetuin-A or serum derived protein. More importantly, the formation of focal adhesion complexes on surfaces coated by laminin or fibronectin was accelerated in the presence of fetuin-A or histone coated exosomes. Cellular adhesion mediated by histone coated exosomes was abrogated by heparin and heparinase III. Heparinase III cleaves heparan sulfate from cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Lastly, the uptake of histone coated exosomes and subsequent cellular adhesion, was abrogated by heparin. Taken together, the data suggest a mechanism where fetuin-A, either endogenously synthesized or supplied extracellularly can extract histones from the nucleus or elsewhere in the cytosol/membrane and load them on cellular exosomes which then mediate adhesion by interacting with cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans via bound histones.     

Tenascin-C inhibits beta1 integrin-dependent cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth on fibronectin by a disialoganglioside-mediated signaling mechanism

We have previously shown that the extracellular matrix molecule tenascin-C inhibits fibronectin-mediated cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth by an interaction with a cellular RGD-independent receptor which interferes with the adhesion and neurite outgrowth promoting activities of the fibronectin receptor(s). Here we demonstrate that the inhibitory effect of tenascin-C on beta1integrin-dependent cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth is mediated by the interaction of the protein with membrane-associated disialogangliosides, which interferes with protein kinase C-related signaling pathways. First, in substratum mixtures with fibronectin, an RGD sequence-containing fragment of the molecule or synthetic peptide, tenascin-C inhibited cell adhesion and spreading by a disialoganglioside-dependent, sialidase-sensitive mechanism leading to an inhibition of protein kinase C. Second, the interaction of intact or trypsinized, i.e., cell surface glycoprotein- free, cells with immobilized tenascin-C was strongly inhibited by gangliosides or antibodies to gangliosides and tenascin-C. Third, preincubation of immobilized tenascin-C with soluble disialogangliosides resulted in a delayed cell detachment as a function of time. Similar to tenascin-C, immobilized antibody to GD2 (3F8) or sphingosine, a protein kinase C inhibitor, strongly inhibited RGD- dependent cell spreading. Finally, the degree of tenascin-C-induced inhibition of cell adhesion was proportional to the degree of disialoganglioside levels of expression by different cells suggesting the relevance of such mechanism in modulating integrin-mediated cell- matrix interactions during pattern formation or tumor progression.      

Functional analysis of N-linked glycosylation mutants of the measles virus fusion protein synthesized by recombinant vaccinia virus vectors.

The role of N-linked glycosylation in the biological activity of the measles virus (MV) fusion (F) protein was analyzed by expressing glycosylation mutants with recombinant vaccinia virus vectors. There are three potential N-linked glycosylation sites located on the F2 subunit polypeptide of MV F, at asparagine residues 29, 61, and 67. Each of the three potential glycosylation sites was mutated separately as well as in combination with the other sites. Expression of mutant proteins in mammalian cells showed that all three sites are used for the addition of N-linked oligosaccharides. Cell surface expression of mutant proteins was reduced by 50% relative to the wild-type level when glycosylation at either Asn-29 or Asn-61 was abolished. Despite the similar levels of cell surface expression, the Asn-29 and Asn-61 mutant proteins had different biological activities. While the Asn-61 mutant was capable of inducing syncytium formation, the Asn-29 mutant protein did not exhibit any significant cell fusion activity. Inactivation of the Asn-67 glycosylation site also reduced cell surface transport of mutant protein but had little effect on its ability to cause cell fusion. However, when the Asn-67 mutation was combined with mutations at either of the other two sites, cleavage-dependent activation, cell surface expression, and cell fusion activity were completely abolished. Our data show that the loss of N-linked oligosaccharides markedly impaired the proteolytic cleavage, stability, and biological activity of the MV F protein. The oligosaccharide side chains in MV F are thus essential for optimum conformation of the extracellular F2 subunit that is presumed to bind cellular membranes.     

Fibroblast response is enhanced by poly(L-lactic acid) nanotopography edge density and proximity

The development of scaffolds for use in tissue engineering applications requires careful choice of macroscale properties, such as mechanical characteristics, porosity and biodegradation. The micro- and nano-scale properties of the scaffold surface are also an important design criterion as these influence cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. The cellular response is known to be affected by surface topography but the mechanisms governing this remain unclear. Homogenous poly(L-lactic acid) was textured with surface nanotopographies by two-stage replication molding of heterogeneous demixed polymer films. Initial cell adhesion was improved on nanotextured surfaces compared with smooth controls, but subsequent cell density was significantly reduced on the roughest surfaces. Improvements in cell response were found to correlate with focal contact and actin microfilament development. Cell response was found to trend both with the surface density of topography edges and with inter-topography spacing, indicating possible roles for edges stimulating cell adhesion/proliferation or for spacing to modulate the ability of integrin-ligand bonds to cluster and form focal adhesions. This study furthers understanding of the geometric properties of surface nanotopographies that affect cellular response. It is hoped that identification of the mechanisms governing cell-topography interactions will allow rule-based design of biomaterial surface to engineer specific cellular responses.     

Addition of biological functionality to poly(epsilon-caprolactone) films

Biodegradable polyesters such as poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) have a number of biomedical applications; however, their usage is often limited by a lack of biological functionality. In this paper, a PCL-based polymer containing pendent groups activated by 4-nitrophenyl chloroformate (NPC) and reactive toward primary amines has been cast into thin films. The reactivity of the films toward poly(l-lysine) and the cell adhesion peptide, GRGDS, was assessed, and their cell adhesive capabilities were characterized. ATR-FTIR analysis found that NPC functional groups were present on the surface of the cast film, and the synthesis, conjugation, and visualization of a fluorescent molecule on these films further demonstrated the success of this functionalization methodology. The immersion of these films into a solution of either poly(l-lysine) (PLL) or GRGDS in PBS (pH 7.4) and subsequent 3T3 fibroblast adhesion studies demonstrated significant improvement in cell adhesion and spreading over films cast from unmodified PCL. This investigation has shown that this novel NPC-containing polymer can be utilized in many applications where increased cellular adhesion is required, or the coupling of specific molecules to polymer surfaces is of interest.