Defective mesothelium and limited physical space are drivers of dysregulated lung development in a genetic model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a developmental disorder associated with diaphragm defects and lung hypoplasia. The etiology of CDH is complex and its clinical presentation is variable. We investigated the role of the pulmonary mesothelium in dysregulated lung growth noted in the Wt1 knockout mouse model of CDH. Loss of WT1 leads to intrafetal effusions, altered lung growth, and branching defects prior to normal closure of the diaphragm. We found significant differences in key genes; however, when Wt1 null lungs were cultured ex vivo, growth and branching were indistinguishable from wild-type littermates. Micro-CT imaging of embryos in situ within the uterus revealed a near absence of space in the dorsal chest cavity, but no difference in total chest cavity volume in Wt1 null embryos, indicating a redistribution of pleural space. The altered space and normal ex vivo growth suggest that physical constraints are contributing to the CDH lung phenotype observed in this mouse model. These studies emphasize the importance of examining the mesothelium and chest cavity as a whole, rather than focusing on single organs in isolation to understand early CDH etiology.

Connecting clinical, environmental, and genetic factors point to an essential role for vitamin A signaling in the pathogenesis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a developmental disorder that results in incomplete diaphragm formation, pulmonary hypoplasia, and pulmonary hypertension. Although a variety of genes have been linked to its etiology, CDH is not a monogenetic disease, and the cause of the condition is still unclear in the vast majority of clinical cases. By comparing human clinical data and experimental rodent data from the literature, we present clear support demonstrating the importance of vitamin A (vitA) during the early window of pregnancy when the diaphragm and lung are forming. Alteration of vitA signaling via dietary and genetic perturbations can create diaphragmatic defects. Unfortunately, vitA deficiency is chronic among people of child-bearing age, and this early window of diaphragm development occurs before many might be aware of pregnancy. Furthermore, there is an increased demand for vitA during this critical period, which exacerbates the likelihood of deficiency. It would be beneficial for the field to further investigate the connections between maternal vitA and CDH incidence, with the goal of determining vitA status as a CDH risk factor. Regular clinical monitoring of vitA levels in child-bearing years is a tractable method by which CDH outcomes could be prevented or improved.

Molecular insights using spatial transcriptomics of the distal lung in congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Abnormal pulmonary vascular development and function in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a significant factor leading to pulmonary hypertension. The lung is a very heterogenous organ and has marked cellular diversity that is differentially responsive to injury and therapeutic agents. Spatial transcriptomics provides the unmatched capability of discerning the differences in the transcriptional signature of these distinct cell subpopulations in the lung with regional specificity. We hypothesized that the distal lung parenchyma (selected as a region of interest) would show a distinct transcriptomic profile in the CDH lung compared with control (normal lung). We subjected lung sections obtained from male and female CDH and control neonates to spatial transcriptomics using the Nanostring GeoMx platform. Spatial transcriptomic analysis of the human CDH and control lung revealed key differences in the gene expression signature. Increased expression of alveolar epithelial-related genes (SFTPA1 and SFTPC) and angiogenesis-related genes (EPAS1 and FHL1) was seen in control lungs compared with CDH lungs. Response to vitamin A was enriched in the control lungs as opposed to abnormality of the coagulation cascade and TNF-alpha signaling via NF-kappa B in the CDH lung parenchyma. In male patients with CDH, higher expression of COL1A1 (ECM remodeling) and CD163 was seen. Increased type 2 alveolar epithelial cells (AT-2) and arterial and lung capillary endothelial cells were seen in control lung samples compared with CDH lung samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first use of spatial transcriptomics in patients with CDH that identifies the contribution of different lung cellular subpopulations in CDH pathophysiology and highlights sex-specific differences.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first use of spatial transcriptomics in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) that identifies the contribution of different lung cellular subpopulations in CDH pathophysiology and highlights sex-specific differences.

Sex-related external factors influence pulmonary vascular angiogenesis in a sex-dependent manner.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a disease with a significant sexual dimorphism where males have a disadvantage compared with their female counterparts. Although mechanisms behind this sexual dimorphism are poorly understood, sex differences in angiogenesis have been identified as one possible source of the male disadvantage in BPD. Pulmonary angiogenesis was assessed in vitro using a bead sprouting assay with pooled male or female human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs, 18-19 wk gestation, canalicular stage of human lung development) in standard (sex-hormone containing) and hormone-stripped medium. We identified sex-specific phenotypes in angiogenesis where male HPMECs produce fewer but longer sprouts compared with female HPMECs. The presence of sex hormones from standard culture medium modifies the male HPMEC phenotype with shorter and fewer sprouts but does not influence the female phenotype. Using a conditioned medium model, we further characterized the influence of the sex-specific secretome. Male and female HPMECs secrete factors that increase the maximum length of sprouts in female, but not male HPMECs. The presence of sex hormones abolishes this response. The male HPMEC secretome inhibits angiogenic sprouting in male HPMECs in the absence of sex hormones. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the pulmonary endothelial cell phenotypes are influenced by sex hormones and sex-specific secreted factors in a sex-dependent manner.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We identified a sex-specific phenotype wherein male HPMECs produce fewer but longer sprouts than females. Surprisingly, the presence of sex hormones only modifies the male phenotype, resulting in shorter and even fewer sprouts. Furthermore, we found the sex-specific secretome has a sex-dependent influence on angiogenesis that is also sex-hormone sensitive. These new and surprising findings point to the unappreciated role of sex and sex-related exogenous factors in early developmental angiogenesis.

Lung Development in a Dish: Models to Interrogate the Cellular Niche and the Role of Mechanical Forces in Development.

Over the past decade, emphasis has been placed on recapitulating in vitro the architecture and multicellular interactions found in organs in vivo [1, 2]. Whereas traditional reductionist approaches to in vitro models enable teasing apart the precise signaling pathways, cellular interactions, and response to biochemical and biophysical cues, model systems that incorporate higher complexity are needed to ask questions about physiology and morphogenesis at the tissue scale. Significant advancements have been made in establishing in vitro models of lung development to understand cell-fate specification, gene regulatory networks, sexual dimorphism, three-dimensional organization, and how mechanical forces interact to drive lung organogenesis [3-5]. In this chapter, we highlight recent advances in the rapid development of various lung organoids, organ-on-a-chip models, and whole lung ex vivo explant models currently used to dissect the roles of these cellular signals and mechanical cues in lung development and potential avenues for future investigation (Fig. 3.1).

Molecular and mechanical signals determine morphogenesis of the cerebral hemispheres in the chicken embryo.

During embryonic development, the telecephalon undergoes extensive growth and cleaves into right and left cerebral hemispheres. Although molecular signals have been implicated in this process and linked to congenital abnormalities, few studies have examined the role of mechanical forces. In this study, we quantified morphology, cell proliferation and tissue growth in the forebrain of chicken embryos during Hamburger-Hamilton stages 17-21. By altering embryonic cerebrospinal fluid pressure during development, we found that neuroepithelial growth depends on not only chemical morphogen gradients but also mechanical feedback. Using these data, as well as published information on morphogen activity, we developed a chemomechanical growth law to mathematically describe growth of the neuroepithelium. Finally, we constructed a three-dimensional computational model based on these laws, with all parameters based on experimental data. The resulting model predicts forebrain shapes consistent with observations in normal embryos, as well as observations under chemical or mechanical perturbation. These results suggest that molecular and mechanical signals play important roles in early forebrain morphogenesis and may contribute to the development of congenital malformations.

Gold nanoparticle biodistribution in pregnant mice following intravenous administration varies with gestational age.

The use of nanoparticles (NPs) to deliver therapeutics to reproductive organs is an emerging approach to safely and effectively treat mothers and babies facing pregnancy complications. This study investigates the biodistribution of two different sized gold-based NPs in pregnant mice following systemic delivery as a function of gestational age. Poly(ethylene glycol)-coated 15 nm gold nanoparticles or 150 nm diameter silica core/gold nanoshells were intravenously administered to pregnant mice at gestational days (E)9.5 or 14.5. NP distribution was analyzed twenty-four hours later by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and silver staining of histological specimens. More NPs accumulated in placentas than embryos and delivery to these tissues was greater at E9.5 than E14.5. Neither NP type affected fetal weight or placental weight, indicating minimal short-term toxicity in early to mid-stage pregnancy. These findings warrant continued development of NPs as tools to deliver therapeutics to reproductive tissues safely.

Microfluidic chest cavities reveal that transmural pressure controls the rate of lung development.

Mechanical forces are increasingly recognized to regulate morphogenesis, but how this is accomplished in the context of the multiple tissue types present within a developing organ remains unclear. Here, we use bioengineered 'microfluidic chest cavities' to precisely control the mechanical environment of the fetal lung. We show that transmural pressure controls airway branching morphogenesis, the frequency of airway smooth muscle contraction, and the rate of developmental maturation of the lungs, as assessed by transcriptional analyses. Time-lapse imaging reveals that branching events are synchronized across distant locations within the lung, and are preceded by long-duration waves of airway smooth muscle contraction. Higher transmural pressure decreases the interval between systemic smooth muscle contractions and increases the rate of morphogenesis of the airway epithelium. These data reveal that the mechanical properties of the microenvironment instruct crosstalk between different tissues to control the development of the embryonic lung.

A Microfluidic System to Measure Neonatal Lung Compliance Over Late Stage Development as a Functional Measure of Lung Tissue Mechanics.

Premature birth interrupts the development of the lung, resulting in functional deficiencies and the onset of complex pathologies, like bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), that further decrease the functional capabilities of the immature lung. The dysregulation of molecular targets has been implicated in the presentation of BPD, but there is currently no method to correlate resultant morphological changes observed in tissue histology with these perturbations to differences in function throughout saccular and alveolar lung development. Lung compliance is an aggregate measure of the lung's mechanical properties that is highly sensitive to a number of molecular, cellular, and architectural characteristics, but little is known about compliance in the neonatal mouse lung due to measurement challenges. We have developed a novel method to quantify changes in lung volume and pressure to determine inspiratory and expiratory compliance throughout neonatal mouse lung development. The compliance measurements obtained were validated against compliance values from published studies using mature lungs following enzymatic degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The system was then used to quantify changes in compliance that occurred over the entire span of neonatal mouse lung development. These methods fill a critically important gap connecting powerful mouse models of development and disease to measures of functional lung mechanics critical to respiration and enable insights into the genetic, molecular, and cellular underpinnings of BPD pathology to improve lung function in premature infants.

MicroRNA-30a as a candidate underlying sex-specific differences in neonatal hyperoxic lung injury: implications for BPD.

Premature male neonates are at a greater risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The reasons underlying sexually dimorphic outcomes in premature neonates are not known. The role of miRNAs in mediating sex biases in BPD is understudied. Analysis of the pulmonary transcriptome revealed that a large percentage of angiogenesis-related differentially expressed genes are miR-30a targets. We tested the hypothesis that there is differential expression of miR-30a in vivo and in vitro in neonatal human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs) upon exposure to hyperoxia. Neonatal male and female mice (C57BL/6) were exposed to hyperoxia [95% fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), postnatal day ( PND) 1-5] and euthanized on PND 7 and 21. HPMECs (18-24-wk gestation donors) were subjected to hyperoxia (95% O2 and 5% CO2) or normoxia (air and 5% CO2) up to 72 h. miR-30a expression was increased in both males and females in the acute phase ( PND 7) after hyperoxia exposure. However, at PND 21 (recovery phase), female mice showed significantly higher miR-30a expression in the lungs compared with male mice. Female HPMECs showed greater expression of miR-30a in vitro upon exposure to hyperoxia. Delta-like ligand 4 (Dll4) was an miR-30a target in HPMECs and showed sex-specific differential expression. miR-30a increased angiogenic sprouting in vitro in female HPMECs. Lastly, we show decreased expression of miR-30a and increased expression of DLL4 in human BPD lung samples compared with controls. These results support the hypothesis that miR-30a could, in part, contribute to the sex-specific molecular mechanisms in play that lead to the sexual dimorphism in BPD.

Pulmonary endothelial cells exhibit sexual dimorphism in their response to hyperoxia.

Abnormal pulmonary vascular development is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Despite the well-established sex-specific differences in the incidence of BPD, the molecular mechanism(s) behind these are not completely understood. Exposure to a high concentration of oxygen (hyperoxia) contributes to BPD and creates a profibrotic environment in the lung. Our objective was to elucidate the sex-specific differences in neonatal human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs) in normoxic and hyperoxic conditions, including the propensity for endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. HPMECs (18- to 24-wk gestation donors, 6 male donors and 5 female donors) were subjected to hyperoxia (95% O2 and 5% CO2) or normoxia (air and 5% CO2) up to 72 h. We assessed cell migration and angiogenesis at baseline. Cell proliferation, viability, and expression of endothelial (CD31) and fibroblast markers (α-smooth muscle actin) were measured upon exposure to hyperoxia. Female HPMECs had significantly higher cell migration when assessed by the wound healing assay (40.99 ± 4.4%) compared with male HPMECs (14.76 ± 3.7%) and showed greater sprouting (1710 ± 962 µm in female cells vs. 789 ± 324 in male cells) compared with male endothelial cells in normoxia. Hyperoxia exposure decreased cell viability (by 9.8% at 48 h and 11.7% at 72 h) and proliferation (by 26.7% at 72 h) markedly in male HPMECs, whereas viability was sustained in female endothelial cells. There was greater expression of α-smooth muscle actin (2.5-fold) and decreased expression (5-fold) of CD31 in male HPMECs upon exposure to hyperoxia. The results indicate that cellular sex affects response in HPMECs in normoxia and hyperoxia. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cellular sex affects response in human neonatal pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells in normoxia and hyperoxia. Under normoxic conditions, female human neonatal pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells display greater migration and angiogenic sprouting compared with male endothelial cells. Compared with female endothelial cells, hyperoxia exposure decreased cell viability and proliferation and increased α-smooth muscle actin and decreased CD31 expression in male endothelial cells, indicating an increased endothelial-mesenchymal transition.

Mechanically patterning the embryonic airway epithelium.

Collections of cells must be patterned spatially during embryonic development to generate the intricate architectures of mature tissues. In several cases, including the formation of the branched airways of the lung, reciprocal signaling between an epithelium and its surrounding mesenchyme helps generate these spatial patterns. Several molecular signals are thought to interact via reaction-diffusion kinetics to create distinct biochemical patterns, which act as molecular precursors to actual, physical patterns of biological structure and function. Here, however, we show that purely physical mechanisms can drive spatial patterning within embryonic epithelia. Specifically, we find that a growth-induced physical instability defines the relative locations of branches within the developing murine airway epithelium in the absence of mesenchyme. The dominant wavelength of this instability determines the branching pattern and is controlled by epithelial growth rates. These data suggest that physical mechanisms can create the biological patterns that underlie tissue morphogenesis in the embryo.

Host epithelial geometry regulates breast cancer cell invasiveness.

Breast tumor development is regulated in part by cues from the local microenvironment, including interactions with neighboring nontumor cells as well as the ECM. Studies using homogeneous populations of breast cancer cell lines cultured in 3D ECM have shown that increased ECM stiffness stimulates tumor cell invasion. However, at early stages of breast cancer development, malignant cells are surrounded by normal epithelial cells, which have been shown to exert a tumor-suppressive effect on cocultured cancer cells. Here we explored how the biophysical characteristics of the host microenvironment affect the proliferative and invasive tumor phenotype of the earliest stages of tumor development, by using a 3D microfabrication-based approach to engineer ducts composed of normal mammary epithelial cells that contained a single tumor cell. We found that the phenotype of the tumor cell was dictated by its position in the duct: proliferation and invasion were enhanced at the ends and blocked when the tumor cell was located elsewhere within the tissue. Regions of invasion correlated with high endogenous mechanical stress, as shown by finite element modeling and bead displacement experiments, and modulating the contractility of the host epithelium controlled the subsequent invasion of tumor cells. Combining microcomputed tomographic analysis with finite element modeling suggested that predicted regions of high mechanical stress correspond to regions of tumor formation in vivo. This work suggests that the mechanical tone of nontumorigenic host epithelium directs the phenotype of tumor cells and provides additional insight into the instructive role of the mechanical tumor microenvironment.

Stochastic to Deterministic: A straightforward approach to create serially perfusable multiscale capillary beds.

Generation of in vitro tissue models with serially perfused hierarchical vasculature would allow greater control of fluid perfusion throughout the network and enable direct mechanistic investigation of vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, and vascular remodeling. In this work, we have developed a method to produce a closed, serially perfused, multiscale vessel network embedded within an acellular hydrogel. We confirmed that the acellular and cellular gel-gel interface was functionally annealed without preventing or biasing cell migration and endothelial self-assembly. Multiscale connectivity of the vessel network was validated via high-resolution microscopy techniques to confirm anastomosis between self-assembled and patterned vessels. Lastly, using fluorescently labeled microspheres, the multiscale network was serially perfused to confirm patency and barrier function. Directional flow from inlet to outlet man-dated flow through the capillary bed. This method for producing closed, multiscale vascular networks was developed with the intention of straightforward fabrication and engineering techniques so as to be a low barrier to entry for researchers who wish to investigate mechanistic questions in vascular biology. This ease of use offers a facile extension of these methods for incorporation into organoid culture, organ-on-a-chip (OOC) models, and bioprinted tissues.

A straightforward cell culture insert model to incorporate biochemical and biophysical stromal properties into transplacental transport studies.

Introduction: The placental extracellular matrix (ECM) dynamically remodels over pregnancy and in disease. How these changes impact placental barrier function is poorly understood as there are limited in vitro models of the placenta with a modifiable stromal compartment to mechanistically investigate these extracellular factors. We developed a straightforward method to incorporate uniform hydrogels into standard cell culture inserts for transplacental transport studies. Methods: Uniform polyacrylamide (PAA) gels were polymerized within cell culture inserts by (re)using the insert packaging to create a closed, controllable environmental chamber. PAA pre-polymer solution was added dropwise via a syringe to the cell culture insert and the atmosphere was purged with an inert gas. Transport and cell culture studies were conducted to validate the model. Results: We successfully incorporated and ECM functionalized uniform PAA gels to cell culture inserts enable cell adhesion and monolayer formation. Imaging and analyte transport studies validated gel formation and expected mass transport results and successful cell studies confirmed cell viability, monolayer formation, and that the model could be used transplacental transport studies. Detailed methods and validation protocols are included. Discussion: It is well appreciated that ECM biophysical and biochemical properties impact cell phenotype and cell signaling in many tissues including the placenta. The incorporation of a PAA gel within a cell culture insert enables independent study of placental ECM biophysical and biochemical properties in the context of transplacental transport. These straightforward and low-cost methods to build three dimensional cellular models are readily adoptable by the wider scientific community.

Systematic development of ionizable lipid nanoparticles for placental mRNA delivery using a design of experiments approach.

Ionizable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have gained attention as mRNA delivery platforms for vaccination against COVID-19 and for protein replacement therapies. LNPs enhance mRNA stability, circulation time, cellular uptake, and preferential delivery to specific tissues compared to mRNA with no carrier platform. However, LNPs are only in the beginning stages of development for safe and effective mRNA delivery to the placenta to treat placental dysfunction. Here, we develop LNPs that enable high levels of mRNA delivery to trophoblasts in vitro and to the placenta in vivo with no toxicity. We conducted a Design of Experiments to explore how LNP composition, including the type and molar ratio of each lipid component, drives trophoblast and placental delivery. Our data revealed that utilizing C12-200 as the ionizable lipid and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) as the phospholipid in the LNP design yields high transfection efficiency in vitro. Analysis of lipid molar composition as a design parameter in LNPs displayed a strong correlation between apparent pKa and poly (ethylene) glycol (PEG) content, as a reduction in PEG molar amount increases apparent pKa. Further, we present one LNP platform that exhibits the highest delivery of placental growth factor mRNA to the placenta in pregnant mice, resulting in synthesis and secretion of a potentially therapeutic protein. Lastly, our high-performing LNPs have no toxicity to both the pregnant mice and fetuses. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of LNPs as a platform for mRNA delivery to the placenta, and our top LNP formulations may provide a therapeutic platform to treat diseases that originate from placental dysfunction during pregnancy.

Sculpting organs: mechanical regulation of tissue development.

The ramified architectures of organs such as the mammary gland and lung are generated via branching morphogenesis, a developmental process through which individual cells bud and pinch off of pre-existing epithelial sheets. Although specified by signaling programs, organ development requires integration of all aspects of the microenvironment. We describe the essential role of endogenous cellular contractility in the formation of branching tubes. We also highlight the role of exogenous forces in normal and aberrant branching.

Inhibitory morphogens and monopodial branching of the embryonic chicken lung.

BACKGROUND: Branching morphogenesis generates a diverse array of epithelial patterns, including dichotomous and monopodial geometries. Dichotomous branching can be instructed by concentration gradients of epithelial-derived inhibitory morphogens, including transforming growth factor-ß (TGFß), which is responsible for ramification of the pubertal mammary gland. Here, we investigated the role of autocrine inhibitory morphogens in monopodial branching morphogenesis of the embryonic chicken lung. RESULTS: Computational modeling and experiments using cultured organ explants each separately revealed that monopodial branching patterns cannot be specified by a single epithelial-derived autocrine morphogen gradient. Instead, signaling by means of TGFß1 and bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4) differentially affect the rates of branching and growth of the airways. Allometric analysis revealed that development of the epithelial tree obeys power-law dynamics; TGFß1 and BMP4 have distinct but reversible effects on the scaling coefficient of the power law. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that although autocrine inhibition cannot specify monopodial branching, inhibitory morphogens define the dynamics of lung morphogenesis.

A Large-format Polyacrylamide Gel with Controllable Matrix Mechanics for Mammalian Cell Culture and Conditioned Media Production.

Tissue culture plastic has been used for routine cell culture and in vitro experiments for over 50 years. However, cells are mechanically responsive and behave differently on hard surfaces than they do on softer substrates. Polyacrylamide gels have become a popular hydrogel of choice for controlling surface stiffness and ligand density for cell adhesion. Many synthesis methods use coverslips and small gel surface areas for cell culture, which are amenable to microscopy-based experiments. However, none of the currently published methods can be scaled up to increase the surface area to accommodate conditioned media production, high volume analyte collection, or cell line expansion. To overcome this size limitation, we developed a protocol for synthesizing polyacrylamide in glass dishes using commercially available materials. This enables routine cell culture on soft surfaces and facilitates experiments that require large amounts of analyte, especially studies involving extracellular vesicles and secreted factors.