StretchView - A Multi-Axial Cell-Stretching Device for Long-Term Automated Videomicroscopy of Living Cells

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Cell Biology
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Mechanical stretching of cells in tissue culture is vital for understanding mechanobiology and its applications in regenerative medicine.
• Existing cell-stretching devices often lack compatibility with automated live-cell imaging, hindering dynamic cellular process analysis.
• Automated live-cell imaging is essential for characterizing cellular responses to mechanical stimuli.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce StretchView, a multi-axial cell-stretching platform designed for automated, time-resolved live-cell imaging.
• To demonstrate the platform's capability for long-term, automated imaging of cells under mechanical stretching.
• To investigate the effects of mechanical stretching on cell kinematics and E-cadherin localization in MDCK cell monolayers.

Main Methods:

• Development of a multi-axial cell-stretching platform (StretchView) compatible with live-cell imaging systems.
• Long-term (12 h) automated image acquisition of cells in relaxed and stretched states.
• Demonstration of homogeneous and stable strain fields for 18 h of cyclic stretching.
• Analysis of cell kinematics and E-cadherin localization using live-cell imaging data.

Main Results:

• StretchView enables unprecedented long-term, automated live-cell imaging during mechanical stretching.
• The platform provides stable and homogeneous strain fields for extended periods (18 h).
• Mechanical stretching of MDCK cell monolayers leads to a monotonic increase in junctional E-cadherin localization.

Conclusions:

• StretchView is a robust platform for studying cell mechanobiology with live-cell imaging.
• Mechanical stretching enhances cell-cell adhesion and suggests increased monolayer barrier integrity.
• The platform offers significant potential for advancing research in cell mechanobiology and related fields.