Development of microdevices to investigate cellular curvature-sensing mechanisms based on mechanobiology of adhesion interface

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K20679
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 90110:Biomedical engineering-related
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: Yamashita Tadahiro 慶應義塾大学, 理工学部(矢上), 助教 (00827339)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 曲率 / 血管平滑筋細胞 / マイクロデバイス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We developed a new micro-cell-culture platform that enables temporal change of curvature of the cell-adhering surface, to investigate the detail of unique behaviours that vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) show on curved surfaces at the scale of several hundred micrometres. To prove the concept, VSMCs were exposed to a sudden change of the curvature of the cell-adhering plane, and their response in orientation was monitored, showing their acute sensitivity to the surface curvature. Additionally, cellular contractility was measured by improving the controlling system. These observations on VSMCs on curved surfaces suggest that the curvature of the cell-adhering plane has a significant impact on the phenotype of VSMCs.

Free Research Field

メカノバイオロジー

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、これまで生物学分野で焦点が当てられてこなかった「培養面のわずかな曲率が細胞に与える影響」を解析するための新しい技術基盤を構築した。そして、単一細胞よりもはるかに大きい直径数mm程度の曲面が細胞の配向や表現型に影響を与えることを実験的に明らかにした。これらの知見は、将来の再生医療において、細胞の挙動を制御し、体外で組織や臓器の構築を行う際の、足場材料の形状設計指針となることが期待される。