Fibronectin-based nanomechanical biosensors to map 3D surface strains in live cells and tissue

Daniel J. Shiwarski, Joshua W. Tashman, Alkiviadis Tsamis, Jaci M. Bliley, Malachi A. Blundon, Edgar Aranda-Michel, Quentin Jallerat, John M. Szymanski, Brooke M. McCartney and Adam W. Feinberg ()
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Daniel J. Shiwarski: Carnegie Mellon University
Joshua W. Tashman: Carnegie Mellon University
Alkiviadis Tsamis: Carnegie Mellon University
Jaci M. Bliley: Carnegie Mellon University
Malachi A. Blundon: Carnegie Mellon University
Edgar Aranda-Michel: Carnegie Mellon University
Quentin Jallerat: Carnegie Mellon University
John M. Szymanski: Carnegie Mellon University
Brooke M. McCartney: Carnegie Mellon University
Adam W. Feinberg: Carnegie Mellon University

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract Mechanical forces are integral to cellular migration, differentiation and tissue morphogenesis; however, it has proved challenging to directly measure strain at high spatial resolution with minimal perturbation in living sytems. Here, we fabricate, calibrate, and test a fibronectin (FN)-based nanomechanical biosensor (NMBS) that can be applied to the surface of cells and tissues to measure the magnitude, direction, and strain dynamics from subcellular to tissue length-scales. The NMBS is a fluorescently-labeled, ultra-thin FN lattice-mesh with spatial resolution tailored by adjusting the width and spacing of the lattice from 2–100 µm. Time-lapse 3D confocal imaging of the NMBS demonstrates 2D and 3D surface strain tracking during mechanical deformation of known materials and is validated with finite element modeling. Analysis of the NMBS applied to single cells, cell monolayers, and Drosophila ovarioles highlights the NMBS’s ability to dynamically track microscopic tensile and compressive strains across diverse biological systems where forces guide structure and function.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19659-z

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