Preparation of Tunable Extracellular Matrix Microenvironments to Evaluate Schwann Cell Phenotype Specification

Summary

This methodology aims to illustrate the mechanisms by which extracellular matrix cues such as substrate stiffness, protein composition and cell morphology regulate Schwann cell (SC) phenotype.

Abstract

Traumatic peripheral nervous system (PNS) injuries currently lack suitable treatments to regain full functional recovery. Schwann cells (SCs), as the major glial cells of the PNS, play a vital role in promoting PNS regeneration by dedifferentiating into a regenerative cell phenotype following injury. However, the dedifferentiated state of SCs is challenging to maintain through the time-period needed for regeneration and is impacted by changes in the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM). Therefore, determining the complex interplay between SCs and differing ECM to provide cues of regenerative potential of SCs is essential. To address this, a strategy was created where different ECM proteins were adsorbed onto a tunable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate which provided a platform where stiffness and protein composition can be modulated. SCs were seeded onto the tunable substrates and critical cellular functions representing the dynamics of SC phenotype were measured. To illustrate the interplay between SC protein expression and cellular morphology, differing seeding densities of SCs in addition to individual microcontact printed cellular patterns were utilized and characterized by immunofluorescence staining and western blot. Results showed that cells with a smaller spreading area and higher extent of cellular elongation promoted higher levels of SC regenerative phenotypic markers. This methodology not only begins to unravel the significant relationship between the ECM and cellular function of SCs, but also provides guidelines for the future optimization of biomaterials in peripheral nerve repair.

Introduction

Peripheral nervous system (PNS) injuries remain a major clinical challenge in healthcare by compromising the quality of life for patients and creating a significant impact through a multitude of socioeconomic factors^1,2. Schwann cells (SC), as the major glial cells in the PNS, provide necessary molecular and physical cues to induce PNS regeneration and aid in functional recoveries in short gap injuries. This is due to the remarkable ability of SCs to dedifferentiate into a “repair” cell phenotype from a myelinating or Remak phenotype³. The repair SC is a distinctive cell phe....

Protocol

1. Tunable cell culture substrate preparation and characterization

1. Substrate preparation
   1. Mix the PDMS base elastomer and curing agents using a pipette tip vigorously at a ratio between 10:1 and 60:1 until bubbles are homogeneously dispersed within the mixture. Remove bubbles using vacuum desiccation until bubbles are dissipated.
      NOTE: During PDMS polymerization, curing agent crosslinks with the base elastomer to provide final polymer desired mechanical properties. Crosslink ratios can be adjusted to alter PDMS stiffness.
   2. Place a drop (~0.2 mL) of desiccated PDMS mixture on a square or circular coverslip (e.g., ....

Results

To analyze and quantify the interplay between substrate stiffness and protein composition on SC phenotype, a tunable PDMS cell culture substrate was developed (Figure 1A). Compression testing of the polymer at differing base: curing agent ratios was utilized to quantify the Young’s modulus (E) of the substrate (Figure 1B). The resulting range of modulus values represents physiologically relevant substrate conditions. Following preparation of substrates, SCs were.......

Discussion

SCs can promote nerve regeneration due to their phenotypic transformation and regenerative potential following nerve injury. However, how ECM cues regulate this regenerative capacity remains mostly unclear, potentially hindering not only the development of biomaterials that aim to promote nerve regeneration but also the understanding of the mechanisms involved in nerve regeneration. To begin to examine this interplay, cell culture substrates were created where ECM cues such as stiffness, protein coating, and adhesive top.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Albumin from Bovine Serum (BSA), Texas Red conjugate	Thermo Fisher Scientific	A23017	BSA staining to show micropatterns
Anti-mouse IgG, HRP-linked Antibody	Cell Signaling Technology	7076S	Antibody used for western blot analysis
Anti-rabbit IgG, HRP-linked Antibody	Cell Signaling Technology	7074S	Antibody used for western blot analysis
BrdU	Thermo Fisher Scientific	B23151	Reagent used to measure cell proliferation
BrdU primary antibody conjugated with Alexa Fluor 488	Thermo Fisher Scientific	B35130	Used to visualize BrdU in cell proliferation assays
Collagen I	Thermo Fisher Scientific	A10483-01	Protein used to coat coverslips
Compression force test machine	TestResources		Instrument to quantify mechanical properties of polymers
Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium	Thermo Fisher Scientific	11965092	Cell culture medium
Fetal Bovine Serum	Thermo Fisher Scientific	16000044	Cell culture medium supplemental
Fibronectin	Thermo Fisher Scientific	33010-018	Protein used to coat coverslips
Fluorescence microscope	Nikon	Eclipse Ti2	Fluorescence microscope
Halt Protease and Phosphatase Inhibitor Cocktail (100X)	Thermo Fisher Scientific	78440	Protease and Phosphatase Inhibitor
Laminin	Thermo Fisher Scientific	23017015	Protein used to coat coverslips
Mounting medium with DAPI	Thermo Fisher Scientific	P36971	Coverslip mountant and nuclei staining
Mouse c-Jun primary antibody	Thermo Fisher Scientific	711202	Primary antibody to visualize c-Jun protein
Mouse β-Actin primary antibody	Cell Signaling Technology	3700S	Loading control for western blot experiments
Penicillin-Streptomycin	Thermo Fisher Scientific	15140122	Cell culture medium supplemental
Photoresist SU 2010	KAYAKU	SU8-2010	Photoresist
Pluronic F-127	Sigma Aldrich	P-2443	Block non-specific protein binding
Rabbit c-Jun primary antibody	Cell Signaling Technology	9165S	Primary antibody for visualization of c-Jun protein
Rabbit myelin basic protein primary antibody	Abcam	ab40390	Primary antibody for visualization of MBP
Rabbit p75NTR primary antibody	Cell Signaling Technology	8238S	Primary antibody for visualization of p75NTR
Rhodamine phalloidin	Thermo Fisher Scientific	R415	Visualization of cell cytoskeleton
RIPA buffer	Abcam	ab156034	Cell lysis buffer
RT4-D6P2T Schwann cell line	ATCC	CRL-2768	Cell line used in experiments
SYLGARD 184 PDMS base and curing agent	Sigma Aldrich	761036	Tunable polymer used to coat coverslips
Trypsin	Thermo Fisher Scientific	15090-046	Cell dissociation reagent
UV-Ozone cleaner	Novascan		Increase hydrophicility of PDMS
Versene (1x)	Thermo Fisher Scientific	15040066	Cell dissociation reagent