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Decellularized Spinach Biomaterials Support Physiologically Relevant Mechanical Cyclic Strain and Prompt a
Ashlee F Harris1, Jerome Lacombe1,2, Noelia M Sanchez-Ballester3,4
1Center for Applied NanoBioscience and Medicine, College of Medicine Phoenix, University of Arizona, 475 North 5th Street, Phoenix, Arizona85004, United States.
ACS Applied Bio Materials
|November 11, 2022
Summary
Decellularized spinach leaves exhibit elasticity similar to human lungs, supporting cell growth and response to mechanical strain. This plant-based biomaterial shows promise for tissue engineering applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Plant Biology
Background:
- Decellularized plant biomaterials are emerging as potential scaffolds for tissue engineering.
- Understanding their mechanical properties, particularly elasticity, is crucial for mimicking physiological dynamism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the elasticity and biomechanical properties of decellularized plant leaves under physiological strain.
- To determine if cells seeded on these scaffolds can sense and respond to mechanical stimuli.
Main Methods:
- Constructed a device to apply cyclic strain (10-20% elongation at 12-20 movements/min) to decellularized spinach leaf scaffolds.
- Performed mechanical testing, imaging, and cellular assays to evaluate scaffold integrity, cell behavior, and molecular responses.
Main Results:
- Decellularized spinach leaves supported cyclic strain for 24 hours, showing heterogeneous strain values and a Poisson's ratio comparable to mammalian lungs.
- The vegetal scaffold maintained structural integrity, porosity, and water retention while exhibiting strain hardening.
- Seeded cells demonstrated mechanosensing, evidenced by nuclear reorientation, YAP pathway activation, increased cytoplasmic calcium, and elevated collagen gene expression and secretion.
Conclusions:
- Decellularized plant leaf tissues possess inherent elastic properties suitable for tissue engineering scaffolds.
- These plant-based scaffolds can support cellular responses to mechanical strain, mimicking aspects of the mammalian system.
