Hydrogels with tunable mechanical plasticity regulate endothelial cell outgrowth in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis

Zhao Wei, Meng Lei, Yaohui Wang, Yizhou Xie, Xueyong Xie, Dongwei Lan, Yuanbo Jia, Jingyi Liu, Yufei Ma, Bo Cheng, Sharon Gerecht () and Feng Xu ()
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Zhao Wei: Xi’an Jiaotong University
Meng Lei: Xi’an Jiaotong University
Yaohui Wang: Xi’an Jiaotong University
Yizhou Xie: Xi’an Jiaotong University
Xueyong Xie: Xi’an Jiaotong University
Dongwei Lan: Xi’an Jiaotong University
Yuanbo Jia: Xi’an Jiaotong University
Jingyi Liu: Xi’an Jiaotong University
Yufei Ma: Xi’an Jiaotong University
Bo Cheng: Xi’an Jiaotong University
Sharon Gerecht: Duke University
Feng Xu: Xi’an Jiaotong University

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Abstract The endothelial cell (EC) outgrowth in both vasculogenesis and angiogenesis starts with remodeling surrounding matrix and proceeds with the crosstalk between cells for the multicellular vasculature formation. The mechanical plasticity of matrix, defined as the ability to permanently deform by external traction, is pivotal in modulating cell behaviors. Nevertheless, the implications of matrix plasticity on cell-to-cell interactions during EC outgrowth, along with the molecular pathways involved, remain elusive. Here we develop a collagen-hyaluronic acid based hydrogel platform with tunable plasticity by using compositing strategy of dynamic and covalent networks. We show that although the increasing plasticity of the hydrogel facilitates the matrix remodeling by ECs, the largest tubular lumens and the longest invading distance unexpectedly appear in hydrogels with medium plasticity instead of the highest ones. We unravel that the high plasticity of the hydrogels promotes stable integrin cluster of ECs and recruitment of focal adhesion kinase with an overenhanced contractility which downregulates the vascular endothelial cadherin expression and destabilizes the adherens junctions between individual ECs. Our results, further validated with mathematical simulations and in vivo angiogenic tests, demonstrate that a balance of matrix plasticity facilitates both cell-matrix binding and cell-to-cell adherens, for promoting vascular assembly and invasion.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43768-0

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