Volker Huck

Blood-clotting-inspired reversible polymer–colloid composite assembly in flow

Blood clotting is a process by which a haemostatic plug is assembled at the site of injury. The formation of such a plug, which is essentially a (bio)polymer-colloid composite, is believed to be driven by shear flow in its initial phase, and contrary to our intuition, its assembly is enhanced under stronger flowing conditions. Here, inspired by blood clotting, we show that polymer-colloid composite assembly in shear flow is a universal process that can be tailored to obtain different types of aggregates including loose and dense aggregates, as well as hydrodynamically induced log-type aggregates. The process is highly controllable and reversible, depending mostly on the shear rate and the strength of the polymer-colloidbinding potential. Our results have important implications for the assembly of polymer-colloid composites, an important challenge of immense technological relevance. Furthermore, flow-driven reversible composite formation represents a new paradigm in non-equilibrium self-assembly.

Microfluidic reveals generation of platelet-strings on tumoractivated endothelium

Neoplastic diseases are often associated with thromboembolic events, however the precise mechanism underlying this observation is a matter of ongoing investigation. It is known that matrixmetalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) canonically activates the thrombin receptor (PAR-1) and we recently reported that highly metastatic tumor cells of melanoma and colon cancer are secreting matrixmetalloproteinase-1. This tumor-derived MMP1 was shown to be a major activator of endothelial PAR-1, thus leading to endothelial cell activation. As tumor-induced thrombosis is a characteristic of metastazing tumors, we investigated whether tumor-derived supernatant (TUSN) from melanoma and colon cancer may induce adhesion of circulating platelets, an initial step in thrombus formation. A time-course study revealed that TU-SN induces a rapid secretion of von Willebrand factor (VWF) within minutes. Using a novel microfluidic device we analyzed platelet-endothelial interactions in a closed circuit. Immunofluorescence imaging showed that TU-SN rapidly induces platelet-string formation via secreted VWF. We demonstrated that tumor-derived supernatant is a potent agonist inducing platelet adhesion under flow conditions.

Delay of acute intracellular pH recovery after acidosis decreases endothelial cell activation

Reperfusion after ischemic conditions induces massive endothelial cell (EC) activation, an initial step of reperfusion injury. Reperfusion is characterized by reoxygenation, realkalinization and a localized increase of inflammatory stimuli. In this study, we focused on the influence of extracellular realkalinization on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) activation. We examined intracellular pH (pHin) and intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]in), a second messenger known to mediate von Willebrand factor (VWF) exocytosis in endothelium, upon realkalinization. Furthermore, we measured the agonist‐stimulated exocytosis of VWF, Interleukin‐8 and soluble P‐selectin (sP‐Selectin) as markers of EC activation. To verify a morphological correlate of EC activation, we finally observed platelet‐endothelial adherence during realkalinization using shear flow. Realkalinization of HUVEC was simulated by switching from bicarbonate buffered Ringer solution of an acidotic pHex of 6.4 to a physiologic pHex of 7.4. Extracellular realkalinization was accompanied by pHin recovery from 6.5 to 7.2 within 10 min. Application of cariporide, an inhibitor of the Na+/H+ exchanger subtype 1 (NHE), during extracellular realkalinization significantly delayed the early kinetics of intracellular realkalinization. Histamine stimulated [Ca2+]in was significantly increased upon realkalinization compared to control cells. Also agonist‐stimulated release of VWF, Interleukin‐8 and sP‐Selectin was massively enhanced during pHin recovery in comparison to control. Furthermore, we observed an increased platelet binding to endothelium. Interestingly, each of these realkalinization‐induced effects were significantly reduced by early application of cariporide. Therefore, delay of acute NHE‐dependent pHin recovery may represent a promising mechanism for inhibition of EC activation upon reperfusion. J. Cell. Physiol. 211: 399–409, 2007.

From morphology to biochemical state – intravital multiphoton fluorescence lifetime imaging of inflamed human skin

The application of multiphoton microscopy in the field of biomedical research and advanced diagnostics promises unique insights into the pathophysiology of inflammatory skin diseases. In the present study, we combined multiphoton-based intravital tomography (MPT) and fluorescence lifetime imaging (MPT-FLIM) within the scope of a clinical trial of atopic dermatitis with the aim of providing personalised data on the aetiopathology of inflammation in a non-invasive manner at patients’ bedsides. These ‘optical biopsies’ generated via MPT were morphologically analysed and aligned with classical skin histology. Because of its subcellular resolution, MPT provided evidence of a redistribution of mitochondria in keratinocytes, indicating an altered cellular metabolism. Two independent morphometric algorithms reliably showed an even distribution in healthy skin and a perinuclear accumulation in inflamed skin. Moreover, using MPT-FLIM, detection of the onset and progression of inflammatory processes could be achieved. In conclusion, the change in the distribution of mitochondria upon inflammation and the verification of an altered cellular metabolism facilitate a better understanding of inflammatory skin diseases and may permit early diagnosis and therapy.

Circulating but not immobilized N-deglycosylated von Willebrand factor increases platelet adhesion under flow conditions

The role of von Willebrand factor (VWF) as a shear stress activated platelet adhesive has been related to a coiled-elongated shape conformation. The forces dominating this transition have been suggested to be controlled by the proteins polymeric architecture. However, the fact that 20% of VWF molecular weight originates from glycan moieties has so far been neglected in these calculations. In this study, we present a systematic experimental investigation on the role of N-glycosylation for VWF mediated platelet adhesion under flow. A microfluidic flow chamber with a stenotic compartment that allows one to mimic various physiological flow conditions was designed for the efficient analysis of the adhesion spectrum. Surprisingly, we found an increase in platelet adhesion with elevated shear rate, both qualitatively and quantitatively fully conserved when N-deglycosylated VWF (N-deg-VWF) instead of VWF was immobilized in the microfluidic channel. This has been demonstrated consistently over four orders of magnitude in shear rate. In contrast, when N-deg-VWF was added to the supernatant, an increase in adhesion rate by a factor of two was detected compared to the addition of wild-type VWF. It appears that once immobilized, the role of glycans is at least modified if not-as found here for the case of adhesion-negated. These findings strengthen the physical impact of the circulating polymer on shear dependent platelet adhesion events. At present, there is no theoretical explanation for an increase in platelet adhesion to VWF in the absence of its N-glycans. However, our data indicate that the effective solubility of the protein and hence its shape or conformation may be altered by the degree of glycosylation and is therefore a good candidate for modifying the forces required to uncoil this biopolymer.

Mechanism and functional impact of CD40 ligand-induced von Willebrand factor release from endothelial cells

Co-stimulation via CD154 binding to CD40, pivotal for both innate and adaptive immunity, may also link haemostasis to vascular remodelling. Here we demonstrate that human platelet-bound or recombinant soluble CD154 (sCD154) elicit the release from and tethering of ultra-large (UL) von Willebrand factor (vWF) multimers to the surface of human cultured endothelial cells (ECs) exposed to shear stress. This CD40-mediated ULVWF multimer release from the Weibel-Palade bodies was triggered by consecutive activation of TRAF6, the tyrosine kinase c-Src and phospholipase Cγ1 followed by inositol-1,4,5 trisphosphate-mediated calcium mobilisation. Subsequent exposure to human washed platelets caused ULVWF multimer-platelet string formation on the EC surface in a shear stress-dependent manner. Platelets tethered to these ULVWF multimers exhibited P-selectin on their surface and captured labelled monocytes from the superfusate. When exposed to shear stress and sCD154, native ECs from wild-type but not CD40 or vWF-deficient mice revealed a comparable release of ULVWF multimers to which murine washed platelets rapidly adhered, turning P-selectin-positive and subsequently capturing monocytes from the perfusate. This novel CD154-provoked ULVWF multimer-platelet string formation at normal to fast flow may contribute to vascular remodelling processes requiring the perivascular or intravascular accumulation of pro-inflammatory macrophages such as arteriogenesis or atherosclerosis.

Melanoma-derived IL-1 converts vascular endothelium to a proinflammatory and procoagulatory phenotype via NFκB activation

Spreading of melanoma is associated with efficient extravasation of circulating tumor cells from the vascular system into distant target organs. This process is accompanied and supported by proinflammatory and procoagulatory conditions. In this study, we analysed the ability of human melanoma cell lines to activate endothelial cells (ECs) in vitro. Some melanoma cells, that is, MV3, were shown to trigger an prompt calcium‐flux‐dependent, procoagulatory endothelial response that was accompanied by luminal release of ultra‐large von Willebrand factor (ULVWF) fibres that were immobilized to the endothelial surface layer. In contrast to MV3‐derived supernatant, prolonged treatment of ECs with WM9‐derived supernatant mediated a pronounced activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB). NFκB activation in ECs was dependent on both IL‐1α and IL‐1β secreted from melanoma cells. Melanoma‐derived IL‐1 mediated an upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines IL‐6 and IL‐8, the intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), the vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) and the procoagulatory tissue factor (TF) in ECs. Our data show that melanoma cells activate ECs either directly and within seconds or by an IL‐1‐mediated NFκB activation. Both pathways of EC activation convert the regular repressive function of ECs on inflammation and coagulation to a proinflammatory and procoagulatory surface that supports tumor progression.

5D-intravital tomography as a novel tool for non-invasive in-vivo analysis of human skin

Some years ago, CE-marked clinical multiphoton systems for 3D imaging of human skin with subcellular resolution have been launched. These tomographs provide optical biopsies with submicron resolution based on two-photon excited autofluorescence (NAD(P)H, flavoproteins, keratin, elastin, melanin, porphyrins) and second harmonic generation by collagen. The 3D tomograph was now transferred into a 5D imaging system by the additional detection of the emission spectrum and the fluorescence lifetime based on spatially and spectrally resolved time-resolved single photon counting. The novel 5D intravital tomograph (5D-IVT) was employed for the early detection of atopic dermatitis and the analysis of treatment effects.

The von Willebrand factor Tyr2561 allele is a gain-of-function variant and a risk factor for early myocardial infarction

The frequent von Willebrand factor (VWF) variant p.Phe2561Tyr is located within the C4 domain, which also harbors the platelet GPIIb/IIIa-binding RGD sequence. To investigate its potential effect on hemostasis, we genotyped 865 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), 915 with myocardial infarction (MI), and 417 control patients (Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health Study) and performed functional studies of this variant. A univariate analysis of male and female carriers of the Tyr2561 allele aged 55 years or younger revealed an elevated risk for repeated MI (odds ratio, 2.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-5.98). The odds ratio was even higher in females aged 55 years or younger, at a value of 5.93 (95% CI, 1.12-31.24). Cone and plate aggregometry showed that compared with Phe2561, Tyr2561 was associated with increased platelet aggregate size both in probands blood and with the recombinant variants. Microfluidic assays revealed that the critical shear rate for inducing aggregate formation was decreased to 50% by Tyr2561 compared with Phe2561. Differences in C-domain circular dichroism spectra resulting from Tyr2561 suggest an increased shear sensitivity of VWF as a result of altered association of the C domains that disrupts the normal dimer interface. In summary, our data emphasize the functional effect of the VWF C4 domain for VWF-mediated platelet aggregation in a shear-dependent manner and provide the first evidence that a functional variant of VWF plays a role in arterial thromboembolism.

Investigation of endothelial growth using a sensors-integrated microfluidic system to simulate physiological barriers

Abstract In this paper we present a microfluidic system based on transparent biocompatible polymers with a porous membrane as substrate for various cell types which allows the simulation of various physiological barriers under continuous laminar flow conditions at distinct tunable shear rates. Besides live cell and fluorescence microscopy, integrated electrodes enable the investigation of the permeability and barrier function of the cell layer as well as their interaction with external manipulations using the Electric Cell-substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS) method.