Scopus İndeksli Yayınlar Koleksiyonu / Scopus Indexed Publications Collection

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11147/7148

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  • Article
    Magnetic Levitation-Based Determination of Single-Nuclei Density
    (Elsevier, 2026) Anil-Inevi, Muge; Sarigil, Oyku; Unal, Yagmur Ceren; Tekin, H. Cumhur; Mese, Gulistan; Ozcivici, Engin
    The biophysical properties of cells and intracellular compartments provide critical insights into their structural and functional states, holding significant potential for biological and medical applications. Single-cell density has recently emerged as a promising biomarker in various research areas, including disease detection, making its precise measurement in biological samples an important analytical objective. Magnetic levitation offers significant advantages over traditional density detection techniques by enabling single-cell analysis rather than bulk measurements, providing precise quantification while preserving natural sample properties and eliminating the need for complex and expensive equipment. While magnetic levitation has been successfully applied to singlecell and cell-aggregate analysis, its use for subcellular compartments remains unexplored. Here, we demonstrate the first application of magnetic levitation technology for the density-based analysis of cell nuclei, a critical organelle essential for genomic preservation and organization. To accommodate the unique size and density characteristics of nuclei compared to whole cells, we systematically investigated appropriate paramagnetic agents, sample loading concentrations, and nuclear equilibrium times required for optimal levitation. We mapped density distributions of nuclei from different cell lines and conducted parallel assessments of cellular and nuclear density changes following cell cycle perturbations and treatments inducing cell death through distinct mechanisms. Our findings establish magnetic levitation as a powerful tool for subcellular density analysis, with potential applications in cell biology research and clinical diagnostics through improved understanding of subcellular physical parameters.
  • Review
    Citation - WoS: 23
    Citation - Scopus: 24
    Microfluidic-Based Technologies for Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment of Covid-19: Recent Advances and Future Directions
    (Springer, 2023) Tarım, Ergün Alperay; Anıl İnevi, Müge; Özkan, İlayda; Keçili, Seren; Bilgi, Eyüp; Başlar, Muhammet Semih; Özçivici, Engin; Öksel Karakuş, Ceyda; Tekin, Hüseyin Cumhur
    The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to existing healthcare systems around the world. The urgent need for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for COVID-19 has boomed the demand for new technologies that can improve current healthcare approaches, moving towards more advanced, digitalized, personalized, and patient-oriented systems. Microfluidic-based technologies involve the miniaturization of large-scale devices and laboratory-based procedures, enabling complex chemical and biological operations that are conventionally performed at the macro-scale to be carried out on the microscale or less. The advantages microfluidic systems offer such as rapid, low-cost, accurate, and on-site solutions make these tools extremely useful and effective in the fight against COVID-19. In particular, microfluidic-assisted systems are of great interest in different COVID-19-related domains, varying from direct and indirect detection of COVID-19 infections to drug and vaccine discovery and their targeted delivery. Here, we review recent advances in the use of microfluidic platforms to diagnose, treat or prevent COVID-19. We start by summarizing recent microfluidic-based diagnostic solutions applicable to COVID-19. We then highlight the key roles microfluidics play in developing COVID-19 vaccines and testing how vaccine candidates perform, with a focus on RNA-delivery technologies and nano-carriers. Next, microfluidic-based efforts devoted to assessing the efficacy of potential COVID-19 drugs, either repurposed or new, and their targeted delivery to infected sites are summarized. We conclude by providing future perspectives and research directions that are critical to effectively prevent or respond to future pandemics.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 7
    Citation - Scopus: 7
    Connexin 32 Overexpression Increases Proliferation, Reduces Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication, Motility and Epithelial-To Transition in Hs578t Breast Cancer Cells
    (Springer, 2022) Uğur, Deniz; Güngül, Taha Buğra; Yücel, Simge; Özçivici, Engin; Yalçın Özuysal, Özden; Meşe Özçivici, Gülistan
    Connexins (Cx) are primary components of gap junctions that selectively allow molecules to be exchanged between adjacent cells, regulating multiple cellular functions. Along with their channel forming functions, connexins play a variety of roles in different stages of tumorigenesis and their roles in tumor initiation and progression is isoform- and tissue-specific. While Cx26 and Cx43 were downregulated during breast tumorigenesis, Cx32 was accumulated in the cytoplasm of the cells in lymph node metastasis of breast cancers and Cx32 was further upregulated in metastasis. Cx32's effect on cell proliferation, gap junctional communication, hemichannel activity, cellular motility and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were investigated by overexpressing Cx32 in Hs578T and MCF7 breast cancer cells. Additionally, the expression and localization of Cx26 and Cx43 upon Cx32 overexpression were examined by Western blot and immunostaining experiments, respectively. We observed that MCF7 cells had endogenous Cx32 while Hs578T cells did not and when Cx32 was overexpressed in these cells, it caused a significant increase in the percentages of Hs578T cells at the S phase in addition to increasing their proliferation. Further, while Cx32 overexpression did not induce hemichannel activity in either cell, it decreased gap junctional communication between Hs578T cells. Additionally, Cx32 was mainly observed in the cytoplasm in both cells, where it did not form gap junction plaques but Cx32 overexpression reduced Cx43 levels without affecting Cx26. Moreover, migration and invasion potentials of Hs578T and migration in MCF7 were reduced upon Cx32 overexpression. Finally, the protein level of mesenchymal marker N-cadherin decreased while epithelial marker ZO-1 and E-cadherin increased in Hs578T cells. We observed that Cx32 overexpression altered cell proliferation, communication, migration and EMT in Hs578T, suggesting a tumor suppressor role in these cells while it had minor effects on MCF7 cells.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 3
    Citation - Scopus: 4
    Frequency-Specific Sensitivity of 3t3-L1 Preadipocytes To Low-Intensity Vibratory Stimulus During Adipogenesis
    (Springer, 2022) Baskan, Öznur; Sarıgil, Öykü; Meşe Özçivici, Gülistan; Özçivici, Engin
    Adipocyte accumulation in the bone marrow is a severe complication leading to bone defects and reduced regenerative capacity. Application of external mechanical signals to bone marrow cellular niche is a non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical methodology to improve osteogenesis and suppress adipogenesis. However, in the literature, the specific parameters related to the nature of low-intensity vibratory (LIV) signals appear to be arbitrarily selected for amplitude, bouts, and applied frequency. In this study, we performed a LIV frequency sweep ranging from 30 to 120 Hz with increments of 15 Hz applied onto preadipocytes during adipogenesis for 10 d. We addressed the effect of LIV with different frequencies on single-cell density, adipogenic gene expression, lipid morphology, and triglycerides content. Results showed that LIV signals with 75-Hz frequency had the most significant suppressive effect during adipogenesis. Our results support the premise that mechanical-based interventions for suppressing adipogenesis may benefit from optimizing input parameters.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 1
    Citation - Scopus: 1
    Viability of 3t3-L1 Preadipocytes Is Modulated by the Applied Frequency but Not the Exposure Duration of Low Intensity Vibratory Stimulation
    (World Scientific Publishing, 2022) Baskan, Öznur; Özçivici, Engin
    Mechanical forces are the integral determinants in cell and tissue homeostasis and regeneration, and they can affect numerous biological process from proliferation to fate determination. Mechanical forces that possess low magnitude and high frequency characteristics are also known as low intensity vibrations (LIVs). These signals were studied widely on many cell types for regenerative purposes, however most of these studies select components of LIV signals (e.g., magnitude, frequency, duration, etc.) arbitrarily. Here, we addressed the effect of LIV applied frequency, LIV daily exposure time and fate induction on the viability of preadipocyte 3T3-L1 cells. For this, we performed a frequency sweep that was ranging from 30Hz to 120Hz with 15Hz increments applied for 5, 10 or 20min during quiescent growth or adipogenesis for up to 10 days. Results suggest that the applied frequency and fate induction was an important determinant of cell viability while daily exposure time had no effect. These findings contribute to the effort of optimizing a relevant mechanical stimulus that can inhibit adipogenesis.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 14
    Lamin A/C Is Dispensable To Mechanical Repression of Adipogenesis
    (MDPI, 2021) Goelzer, Matthew; Dudakovic, Amel; Olçum, Melis; Sen, Buer; Özçivici, Engin; Rubin, Janet; van Wijnen, Andre J.
    Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) maintain the musculoskeletal system by differentiating into multiple lineages, including osteoblasts and adipocytes. Mechanical signals, including strain and low-intensity vibration (LIV), are important regulators of MSC differentiation via control exerted through the cell structure. Lamin A/C is a protein vital to the nuclear architecture that supports chromatin organization and differentiation and contributes to the mechanical integrity of the nucleus. We investigated whether lamin A/C and mechanoresponsiveness are functionally coupled during adipogenesis in MSCs. siRNA depletion of lamin A/C increased the nuclear area, height, and volume and decreased the circularity and stiffness. Lamin A/C depletion significantly decreased markers of adipogenesis (adiponectin, cellular lipid content) as did LIV treatment despite depletion of lamin A/C. Phosphorylation of focal adhesions in response to mechanical challenge was also preserved during loss of lamin A/C. RNA-seq showed no major adipogenic transcriptome changes resulting from LIV treatment, suggesting that LIV regulation of adipogenesis may not occur at the transcriptional level. We observed that during both lamin A/C depletion and LIV, interferon signaling was downregulated, suggesting potentially shared regulatory mechanism elements that could regulate protein translation. We conclude that the mechanoregulation of adipogenesis and the mechanical activation of focal adhesions function independently from those of lamin A/C.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 21
    Citation - Scopus: 22
    Daily Application of Low Magnitude Mechanical Stimulus Inhibits the Growth of Mda-Mb Breast Cancer Cells in Vitro
    (BioMed Central Ltd., 2014) Ölçüm, Melis; Özçivici, Engin
    Introduction: Mechanical loads can regulate cell proliferation and differentiation at various stages of development and homeostasis. However, the extension of this regulatory effect of mechanical loads on cancer cells is largely unknown. Increased physical compliance is one of the key features of cancer cells, which may hamper the transmission of mechanical loads to these cells within tumor microenvironment. Here we tested whether brief daily application of an external low magnitude mechanical stimulus (LMMS), would impede the growth of MDA-MB-231 aggressive type breast cancer cells in vitro for 3 wks of growth. Methods: The signal was applied in oscillatory form at 90 Hz and 0.15 g, a regimen that would induce mechanical loads on MDA-MB-231 cells via inertial properties of cells rather than matrix deformations. Experimental cells were exposed to LMMS 15 min/day, 5 days/week in ambient conditions while control cells were sham loaded. Cell proliferation, viability, cycle, apoptosis, morphology and migration were tested via Trypan Blue dye exclusion, MTT, PI, Annexin V, Calcein-AM and phalloidin stains and scratch wound assays. Results: Compared to sham controls, daily application of LMMS reduced the number and viability of cancerous MDA-MB-231 cells significantly after first week in the culture, while non-cancerous MCF10A cells were found to be unaffected. Flow cytomety analyses suggested that the observed decrease for the cancer cells in the LMMS group was due to a cell cycle arrest rather than apoptosis. LMMS further reduced cancer cell circularity and increased cytoskeletal actin in MDA-MB-231 cells. Conclusion: Combined, results suggest that direct application of mechanical loads negatively regulate the proliferation of aggressive type cancer cells. If confirmed, this non-invasive approach may be integrated to the efforts for the prevention and/or treatment of cancer.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 5
    Citation - Scopus: 5
    Low Magnitude High Frequency Vibrations Expedite the Osteogenesis of Bone Marrow Stem Cells on Paper Based 3d Scaffolds
    (Springer, 2020) Karadaş, Özge; Meşe, Gülistan; Özçivici, Engin
    Anabolic effects of low magnitude high frequency (LMHF) vibrations on bone tissue were consistently shown in the literature in vivo, however in vitro efforts to elucidate underlying mechanisms are generally limited to 2D cell culture studies. Three dimensional cell culture platforms better mimic the natural microenvironment and biological processes usually differ in 3D compared to 2D culture. In this study, we used laboratory grade filter paper as a scaffold material for studying the effects of LHMF vibrations on osteogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in a 3D system. LMHF vibrations were applied 15 min/day at 0.1 g acceleration and 90 Hz frequency for 21 days to residing cells under quiescent and osteogenic conditions. mRNA expression analysis was performed for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OCN) genes, Alizarin red S staining was performed for mineral nodule formation and infrared spectroscopy was performed for determination of extracellular matrix composition. The highest osteocalcin expression, mineral nodule formation and the phosphate bands arising from the inorganic phase was observed for the cells incubated in osteogenic induction medium with vibration. Our results showed that filter paper can be used as a model scaffold system for studying the effects of mechanical loads on cells, and LMHF vibrations induced the osteogenic differentiation of stem cells.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 22
    Citation - Scopus: 24
    Scaffold-Free Biofabrication of Adipocyte Structures With Magnetic Levitation
    (John Wiley and Sons Inc., 2021) Sarıgil, Öykü; Yalçın Özuysal, Özden; Anıl İnevi, Müge; Meşe Özçivici, Gülistan; Fıratlıgil Yıldırır, Burcu; Fıratlıgil Yıldırır, Burcu; Ünal, Yağmur Ceren; Ünal, Yağmur Ceren; Yalçın Özuysal, Özden; Özçivici, Engin; Meşe, Gülistan; Sarıgil, Öykü; Özçivici, Engin; Anıl İnevi, Müge; Meşe Özçivici, Gülistan
    Tissue engineering research aims to repair the form and/or function of impaired tissues. Tissue engineering studies mostly rely on scaffold-based techniques. However, these techniques have certain challenges, such as the selection of proper scaffold material, including mechanical properties, sterilization, and fabrication processes. As an alternative, we propose a novel scaffold-free adipose tissue biofabrication technique based on magnetic levitation. In this study, a label-free magnetic levitation technique was used to form three-dimensional (3D) scaffold-free adipocyte structures with various fabrication strategies in a microcapillary-based setup. Adipogenic-differentiated 7F2 cells and growth D1 ORL UVA stem cells were used as model cells. The morphological properties of the 3D structures of single and cocultured cells were analyzed. The developed procedure leads to the formation of different patterns of single and cocultured adipocytes without a scaffold. Our results indicated that adipocytes formed loose structures while growth cells were tightly packed during 3D culture in the magnetic levitation platform. This system has potential for ex vivo modeling of adipose tissue for drug testing and transplantation applications for cell therapy in soft tissue damage. Also, it will be possible to extend this technique to other cell and tissue types.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 28
    Citation - Scopus: 30
    Bone Marrow Stem Cells Adapt To Low-Magnitude Vibrations by Altering Their Cytoskeleton During Quiescence and Osteogenesis
    (TUBITAK, 2015) Demiray, Levent; Özçivici, Engin
    Application of mechanical vibrations is anabolic to bone tissue, not only by guiding mature bone cells to increased formation, but also by increasing the osteogenic commitment of progenitor cells. However, the sensitivity and adaptive response of bone marrow stem cells to this loading regimen has not yet been identified. In this study, we subjected mouse bone marrow stem cell line D1-ORL-UVA to daily mechanical vibrations (0.15 g, 90 Hz, 15 min/day) for 7 days, both during quiescence and osteogenic commitment, to identify corresponding ultrastructural adaptations on cellular and molecular levels. During quiescence, mechanical vibrations significantly increased total actin content and actin fiber thickness, as measured by phalloidin staining and fluorescent microscopy. Cellular height also increased, as measured by atomic force microscopy, along with the expression of focal adhesion kinase (PTK2) mRNA levels. During osteogenesis, mechanical vibrations increased the total actin content, actin fiber thickness, and cytoplasmic membrane roughness, with significant increase in Runx2 mRNA levels. These results show that bone marrow stem cells demonstrate similar cytoskeletal adaptations to low-magnitude high-frequency mechanical loads both during quiescence and osteogenesis, potentially becoming more sensitive to additional loads by increased structural stiffness.