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Hamza Atcha

As seen in: Nature, Science Magazine, Cell Reports
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Articles by Hamza Atcha

Matrix viscoelasticity amplifies pro-fibrotic crosstalk between cardiac fibroblasts and macrophages

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By Hamza Atcha, Carrie Bishop, Thomas Molley, Abhinaba Banerjee, Alis Balayan, Adam Engler
| Cell Reports Verified
Keywords macrophage cardiac fibroblasts inflammation biomaterials mechanics Research topic(s) CP: cell biology Introduction The myocardium is a highly viscoelastic tissue,1,2 whose mechanical behavior arises in part from the coordinated interactions between cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and architecture.3,4 This cooperative behavior helps enable the heart to dissipate mechanical energy, undergo stress relaxation, and maintain efficient contraction during...
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Mechanically activated ion channel Piezo1 modulates macrophage polarization and stiffness sensing

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By Hamza Atcha, Amit Jairaman, Jesse Holt, Vijaykumar S. Meli
| Nature Verified
Abstract Macrophages perform diverse functions within tissues during immune responses to pathogens and injury, but molecular mechanisms by which physical properties of the tissue regulate macrophage behavior are less well understood. Here, we examine the role of the mechanically activated cation channel Piezo1 in macrophage polarization and sensing of microenvironmental stiffness. We show that macrophages lacking Piezo1 exhibit reduced inflammation and enhanced wound healing responses.
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YAP-mediated mechanotransduction tunes the macrophage inflammatory response

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By Vijaykumar S. Meli, Hamza Atcha, Praveen Krishna Veerasubramanian, Raji R. Nagalla
| Science Magazine Verified
Abstract Macrophages are innate immune cells that adhere to the extracellular matrix within tissues. However, how matrix properties regulate their function remains poorly understood. Here, we report that the adhesive microenvironment tunes the macrophage inflammatory response through the transcriptional coactivator YAP. We find that adhesion to soft hydrogels reduces inflammation when compared to adhesion on stiff materials and is associated with reduced YAP expression and nuclear localization.
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