Exploring the Bio-Functional Breaking Point of Living Tissue Subjected to External Physical Pressure

Abstract

Long before reaching its mechanical breaking point, a bio-system begins responding to stress at its own “bio-functional breaking point,” a phase of life activity dysfunction. However, little is known about the correlation between tissue flexibility and the conditions under which cellular response, damage, and death occur. We are now developing a new confocal microscopy-based observation method to analyze cell aggregates (spheroids) that are under physical pressure. The method concomitantly assesses cellular responses, stress levels, and cellular structure changes. Using this method, we found that the artificial suppression of the gene expression of fibronectin, a major component of the extracellular matrix, provides different mechanical characteristics to hepatoma-derived cell line spheroids than does the control wild type. This study may aid in the prediction of the characteristics of a tissue of interest by simply analyzing the tissue gene expression pattern, providing valuable information for the development and operation of wearable devices. It may also help in the preparation of custom devices that suit specific individuals.