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Matrix Deformation with Ectopic Cells Induced by Rotational Motion in Bioengineered Neural Tissues
Nicolas Rouleau1,2,3, Nirosha J Murugan1,3,4, William Rusk1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Science & Technology Center, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA.
Annals of Biomedical Engineering
|July 17, 2020
Summary
Mechanical shaking deforms the brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomechanical Engineering
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The brain's extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial for neural network formation and maintenance.
- Brain injuries can lead to abnormal structure and function, including ectopic cell presence.
- Spaceflight and aviation expose individuals to forces potentially causing mechanodisruptive brain pathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model non-impact brain injury induced by extracellular matrix deformation.
- To investigate the effects of mechanical shaking simulating rotational acceleration on neural tissue.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a bioengineered 3D neural tissue platform for repetitive mechanical shaking.
- Simulated subtle rotational acceleration to induce matrix deformation.
- Applied the shaking paradigm to neonatal rat brains to observe in vivo effects.
Main Results:
- Mechanical shaking induced ectopic cell clustering in the 3D model.
- Tissue deformation of the collagen substrate was observed post-shaking.
- Shaking deformed extracellular spaces in neonatal rat cerebral cortices and reduced cell bodies at higher accelerations.
Conclusions:
- Extracellular matrix deformation may play a significant role in brain injury progression.
- Mechanical shaking serves as a viable model for studying mechanodisruptive brain injury.
- Physical restraint of tissue movement can inhibit shaking-induced ectopic cell clustering.
