Viscoelastic Properties of ECM-Rich Embryonic Microenvironments

• Main Authors: Zsuzsa Akos, Dona Greta Isai, Sheeja Rajasingh, Edina Kosa, Saba Ghazvini, Prajnaparamita Dhar, Andras Czirok
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2020-08-01
• Series: Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
• Subjects: ECM; quail embryo; microrheology; elasticity; Young's modulus; Zener solid
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fcell.2020.00674/full

The material properties of tissues and their mechanical state is an important factor in development, disease, regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Here we describe a microrheological measurement technique utilizing aggregates of microinjected ferromagnetic nickel particles to probe the viscoelastic properties of embryonic tissues. Quail embryos were cultured in a plastic incubator chamber located at the center of two pairs of crossed electromagnets. We found a pronounced viscoelastic behavior within the ECM-rich region separating the mesoderm and endoderm in Hamburger Hamilton stage 10 quail embryos, consistent with a Zener (standard generalized solid) model. The viscoelastic response is about 45% of the total response, with a characteristic relaxation time of 1.3 s.