Optical Tweezer-Driven Mechanotransduction: Probing pN-Scale Forces and Calcium-Mediated Redox Signaling in Single...

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Cell Biology
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Endothelial cells (ECs) are vital for vascular homeostasis, converting mechanical forces into biochemical signals.
• The precise molecular mechanisms of picoNewton (pN)-scale mechanotransduction in ECs are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying pN-scale mechanotransduction in endothelial cells.
• To elucidate the role of mechanical forces in regulating Ca2+-mediated redox signaling (nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species).

Main Methods:

• Development of an optical tweezer-integrated confocal microscopy system for precise mechanical manipulation (0-100 pN).
• In situ monitoring of Ca2+ influx, NO, and ROS production in single ECs under controlled force parameters.

Main Results:

• pN-scale mechanical stimulation directly regulates extracellular Ca2+ influx.
• This influx triggers downstream production of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), impacting redox homeostasis.
• Mechanosensitive ion channels (Piezo1, TRPV4) and F-actin are key mediators of force-induced redox signaling.

Conclusions:

• A mechanistic framework connecting pN-scale mechanical inputs to redox-regulated vascular homeostasis was established.
• The study highlights the differential roles of membrane tension models in force transmission pathways.
• Findings provide novel insights into the mechanobiology of endothelial cells and vascular function.