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Rojas F, Hernandez ME, Silva M, Li L, Subramanian S, Wilson MJ, Liu P. The Oncogenic Response to MiR-335 Is Associated with Cell Surface Expression of Membrane-Type 1 Matrix Metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) Activity. PLoS One 2015. [PMID: 26204513 PMCID: PMC4512721 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA miR-335 has been reported to have both tumor suppressor and oncogenic activities. In order to determine possible tissue and cell type differences in response to miR-335, we examined the effect of miR-335 on cell expression of MT1-MMP, a proteinase commonly expressed in tumors and associated with cell proliferation and migration. miR-335 increased cell surface expression of MT1-MMP in fibrosarcoma HT-1080 and benign prostate BPH-1 cells, but not in prostate LNCaP or breast MCF-7 tumor cells. miR-335 stimulated proliferation and cell migration in a wound healing in vitro assay in HT-1080, BPH-1, and U87 glioblastoma cells, cells which demonstrated significant cell surface expression of MT1-MMP. In contrast, miR-335 did not affect proliferation or migration in cells without a prominent plasma membrane associated MT1-MMP activity. Our data suggest that differences in response to miR-335 by tumor cells may lie in part in the mechanism of regulation of MT1-MMP production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fausto Rojas
- Centro de Investigaciones Cerebrales, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Maria E. Hernandez
- Centro de Investigaciones Cerebrales, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Milagros Silva
- Centro de Investigaciones Cerebrales, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Lihua Li
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Subbaya Subramanian
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Michael J. Wilson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Ping Liu
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
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Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is an insidious type of cancer with its symptoms manifested upon extensive disease. The overall 5-year survival rates between 0.4 and 4%. Surgical resection is an option for only 10% of the patients with pancreatic cancer. Local recurrence and hepatic metastases occur within 2 years after surgery. There are currently several molecular pathways investigated and novel targeted treatments are on the market. However; the nature of pancreatic cancer with its ability to spread locally in the primary site and lymph nodes indicates that further experimentation with local interventional therapies could be a future treatment proposal as palliative care or adjunct to gene therapy and chemotherapy/radiotherapy. In the current review, we will summarize the molecular pathways and present the interventional treatment options for pancreatic cancer.
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53
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Tatti O, Gucciardo E, Pekkonen P, Holopainen T, Louhimo R, Repo P, Maliniemi P, Lohi J, Rantanen V, Hautaniemi S, Alitalo K, Ranki A, Ojala PM, Keski-Oja J, Lehti K. MMP16 Mediates a Proteolytic Switch to Promote Cell-Cell Adhesion, Collagen Alignment, and Lymphatic Invasion in Melanoma. Cancer Res 2015; 75:2083-94. [PMID: 25808867 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-1923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Lymphatic invasion and accumulation of continuous collagen bundles around tumor cells are associated with poor melanoma prognosis, but the underlying mechanisms and molecular determinants have remained unclear. We show here that a copy-number gain or overexpression of the membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase MMP16 (MT3-MMP) is associated with poor clinical outcome, collagen bundle assembly around tumor cell nests, and lymphatic invasion. In cultured WM852 melanoma cells derived from human melanoma metastasis, silencing of MMP16 resulted in cell-surface accumulation of the MMP16 substrate MMP14 (MT1-MMP) as well as L1CAM cell adhesion molecule, identified here as a novel MMP16 substrate. When limiting the activities of these trans-membrane protein substrates toward pericellular collagen degradation, cell junction disassembly, and blood endothelial transmigration, MMP16 supported nodular-type growth of adhesive collagen-surrounded melanoma cell nests, coincidentally steering cell collectives into lymphatic vessels. These results uncover a novel mechanism in melanoma pathogenesis, whereby restricted collagen infiltration and limited mesenchymal invasion are unexpectedly associated with the properties of the most aggressive tumors, revealing MMP16 as a putative indicator of adverse melanoma prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Tatti
- Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. Translational Cancer Biology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Erika Gucciardo
- Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pirita Pekkonen
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tanja Holopainen
- Translational Cancer Biology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Riku Louhimo
- Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pauliina Repo
- Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pilvi Maliniemi
- Skin and Allergy Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jouko Lohi
- Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ville Rantanen
- Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sampsa Hautaniemi
- Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kari Alitalo
- Translational Cancer Biology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Annamari Ranki
- Skin and Allergy Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Päivi M Ojala
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. Finnish Cancer Institute, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jorma Keski-Oja
- Translational Cancer Biology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kaisa Lehti
- Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. Finnish Cancer Institute, Helsinki, Finland.
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54
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Carey SP, Rahman A, Kraning-Rush CM, Romero B, Somasegar S, Torre OM, Williams RM, Reinhart-King CA. Comparative mechanisms of cancer cell migration through 3D matrix and physiological microtracks. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2015; 308:C436-47. [PMID: 25500742 PMCID: PMC4360026 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00225.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Tumor cell invasion through the stromal extracellular matrix (ECM) is a key feature of cancer metastasis, and understanding the cellular mechanisms of invasive migration is critical to the development of effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Since cancer cell migration is highly adaptable to physiochemical properties of the ECM, it is critical to define these migration mechanisms in a context-specific manner. Although extensive work has characterized cancer cell migration in two- and three-dimensional (3D) matrix environments, the migration program employed by cells to move through native and cell-derived microtracks within the stromal ECM remains unclear. We previously reported the development of an in vitro model of patterned type I collagen microtracks that enable matrix metalloproteinase-independent microtrack migration. Here we show that collagen microtracks closely resemble channel-like gaps in native mammary stroma ECM and examine the extracellular and intracellular mechanisms underlying microtrack migration. Cell-matrix mechanocoupling, while critical for migration through 3D matrix, is not necessary for microtrack migration. Instead, cytoskeletal dynamics, including actin polymerization, cortical tension, and microtubule turnover, enable persistent, polarized migration through physiological microtracks. These results indicate that tumor cells employ context-specific mechanisms to migrate and suggest that selective targeting of cytoskeletal dynamics, but not adhesion, proteolysis, or cell traction forces, may effectively inhibit cancer cell migration through preformed matrix microtracks within the tumor stroma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn P Carey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Aniqua Rahman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | | | - Bethsabe Romero
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Sahana Somasegar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Olivia M Torre
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Rebecca M Williams
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
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55
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Sun L, Lin P, Qin Z, Liu Y, Deng LL, Lu C. Hypoxia promotes HO-8910PM ovarian cancer cell invasion via Snail-mediated MT1-MMP upregulation. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2015; 240:1434-45. [PMID: 25681470 DOI: 10.1177/1535370215570205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms of ovarian cancer cell invasion under hypoxia remain unclear. Here we employed a 3D collagen model and chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) invasion assay to explore the influence of hypoxia on ovarian cancer cell invasion. Hypoxia (both 1% O2 and CoCl2 150 and 250 µM) induced HO-8910PM ovarian cancer cell invasion in 3D collagen and collagenolysis determined by hydroxyproline. Pretreatment with a hypoxia inducible factor-1α inhibitor, YC-1, or MMP inhibitor, GM6001, significantly inhibited 3D collagen invasion and degradation and cell proliferation. Hypoxia stimulated both mRNA and protein expressions of membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) and promoted MT1-MMP translocation to the cell surface in an YC-1 sensitive manner. MT1-siRNA transfection inhibited hypoxia-induced invasion, proliferation, and collagen degradation of cells in 3D collagen. Hypoxia stimulated Snail mRNA and protein expression as well as translocation to nucleus in an YC-1 sensitive manner. Overexpression of Snail with a recombinant plasmid in HO-8910PM cells resulted in an enhanced invasion in 3D collagen. Transfection with Snail-specific siRNA significantly decreased MT1-MMP expression and 3D collagen invasion. Hypoxia-treated cells significantly broke the upper CAM surface of 11-day-old chick embryos and infiltrated interstitial tissue, completely blocked in the presence of YC-1 or GM6001, or after MT1-MMP siRNA or Snail siRNA transfection. Together, these data suggest that hypoxia promotes HO-8910PM ovarian cancer cell traffic through 3D matrix via Snail-mediated MT1-MMP upregulation, a possible molecular mechanism of ovarian cancer cell invasion under hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Sun
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University,Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P. R. China
| | - Ping Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P. R. China
| | - Zhuo Qin
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University,Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P. R. China
| | - Yusi Liu
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University,Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P. R. China
| | - Li-Li Deng
- Department of Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P. R. China
| | - Changlian Lu
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University,Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, P. R. China
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56
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Chen QY, Jiao DM, Wang LF, Wang L, Hu HZ, Song J, Yan J, Wu LJ, Shi JG. Curcumin inhibits proliferation–migration of NSCLC by steering crosstalk between a Wnt signaling pathway and an adherens junction via EGR-1. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2015; 11:859-68. [PMID: 25578635 DOI: 10.1039/c4mb00336e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Crosstalk between Wnt pathways and adherens junction is associated with NSCLC. Curcumin blocks cell proliferation and migration in non-small cell cancer by regulating EGR-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-yong Chen
- Department of Respiratory Disease
- The 117th hospital of PLA
- Hangzhou
- P. R. China
| | - De-min Jiao
- Department of Respiratory Disease
- The 117th hospital of PLA
- Hangzhou
- P. R. China
| | - Li-feng Wang
- Department of Information
- The 117th hospital of PLA
- Hangzhou
- P. R. China
| | - Lishan Wang
- FengHe (ShangHai) Information Technology Co., Ltd
- Bio-X Institutes
- Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education)
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Shanghai 200030
| | - Hui-zhen Hu
- Department of Respiratory Disease
- The 117th hospital of PLA
- Hangzhou
- P. R. China
| | - Jia Song
- Department of Respiratory Disease
- The 117th hospital of PLA
- Hangzhou
- P. R. China
| | - Jie Yan
- Department of Respiratory Disease
- The 117th hospital of PLA
- Hangzhou
- P. R. China
| | - Li-jun Wu
- Department of Respiratory Disease
- The 117th hospital of PLA
- Hangzhou
- P. R. China
| | - Jian-guo Shi
- Department of Oncology Disease
- The 117th hospital of PLA
- Hangzhou
- P. R. China
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57
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3D tissue-engineered model of Ewing's sarcoma. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2014; 79-80:155-71. [PMID: 25109853 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2014.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2014] [Revised: 06/28/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Despite longstanding reliance upon monolayer culture for studying cancer cells, and numerous advantages from both a practical and experimental standpoint, a growing body of evidence suggests that more complex three-dimensional (3D) models are necessary to properly mimic many of the critical hallmarks associated with the oncogenesis, maintenance and spread of Ewing's sarcoma (ES), the second most common pediatric bone tumor. And as clinicians increasingly turn to biologically-targeted therapies that exert their effects not only on the tumor cells themselves, but also on the surrounding extracellular matrix, it is especially important that preclinical models evolve in parallel to reliably measure antineoplastic effects and possible mechanisms of de novo and acquired drug resistance. Herein, we highlight a number of innovative methods used to fabricate biomimetic ES tumors, encompassing both the surrounding cellular milieu and the extracellular matrix (ECM), and suggest potential applications to advance our understanding of ES biology, preclinical drug testing, and personalized medicine.
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58
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Maridonneau-Parini I. Control of macrophage 3D migration: a therapeutic challenge to limit tissue infiltration. Immunol Rev 2014; 262:216-31. [DOI: 10.1111/imr.12214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Maridonneau-Parini
- CNRS UMR 5089; Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale; Toulouse France
- Université de Toulouse; Toulouse France
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59
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A 3D matrix platform for the rapid generation of therapeutic anti-human carcinoma monoclonal antibodies. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:14882-7. [PMID: 25267635 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1410996111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Efforts to develop unbiased screens for identifying novel function-blocking monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in human carcinomatous states have been hampered by the limited ability to design in vitro models that recapitulate tumor cell behavior in vivo. Given that only invasive carcinoma cells gain permanent access to type I collagen-rich interstitial tissues, an experimental platform was established in which human breast cancer cells were embedded in 3D aldimine cross-linked collagen matrices and used as an immunogen to generate mAb libraries. In turn, cancer-cell-reactive antibodies were screened for their ability to block carcinoma cell proliferation within collagen hydrogels that mimic the in vivo environment. As a proof of principle, a single function-blocking mAb out of 15 identified was selected for further analysis and found to be capable of halting carcinoma cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and exerting global changes in gene expression in vitro. The ability of this mAb to block carcinoma cell proliferation and metastatic activity was confirmed in vivo, and the target antigen was identified by mass spectroscopy as the α2 subunit of the α2β1 integrin, one of the major type I collagen-binding receptors in mammalian cells. Validating the ability of the in vitro model to predict patterns of antigen expression in the disease setting, immunohistochemical analyses of tissues from patients with breast cancer verified markedly increased expression of the α2 subunit in vivo. These results not only highlight the utility of this discovery platform for rapidly selecting and characterizing function-blocking, anticancer mAbs in an unbiased fashion, but also identify α2β1 as a potential target in human carcinomatous states.
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60
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Cheung KJ, Ewald AJ. Illuminating breast cancer invasion: diverse roles for cell-cell interactions. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2014; 30:99-111. [PMID: 25137487 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2014.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Revised: 07/26/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Metastasis begins when tumors invade into surrounding tissues. In breast cancer, the study of cell interactions has provided fundamental insights into this complex process. Powerful intravital and 3D organoid culture systems have emerged that enable biologists to model the complexity of cell interactions during cancer invasion in real-time. Recent studies utilizing these techniques reveal distinct mechanisms through which multiple cancer cell and stromal cell subpopulations interact, including paracrine signaling, direct cell-cell adhesion, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Three cell interaction mechanisms have emerged to explain how breast tumors become invasive: epithelial-mesenchymal transition, collective invasion, and the macrophage-tumor cell feedback loop. Future work is needed to distinguish whether these mechanisms are mutually exclusive or whether they cooperate to drive metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J Cheung
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Cell Dynamics, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N. Wolfe St, 452 Rangos Bldg, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N. Wolfe St, 452 Rangos Bldg, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Andrew J Ewald
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Cell Dynamics, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N. Wolfe St, 452 Rangos Bldg, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 855 N. Wolfe St, 452 Rangos Bldg, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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61
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Zegers MM. 3D in vitro cell culture models of tube formation. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2014; 31:132-40. [PMID: 24613912 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2014.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Revised: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Building the complex architecture of tubular organs is a highly dynamic process that involves cell migration, polarization, shape changes, adhesion to neighboring cells and the extracellular matrix, physicochemical characteristics of the extracellular matrix and reciprocal signaling with the mesenchyme. Understanding these processes in vivo has been challenging as they take place over extended time periods deep within the developing organism. Here, I will discuss 3D in vitro models that have been crucial to understand many of the molecular and cellular mechanisms and key concepts underlying branching morphogenesis in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjam M Zegers
- Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Department of Cell Biology, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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62
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Mohammadi H, McCulloch CA. Impact of elastic and inelastic substrate behaviors on mechanosensation. SOFT MATTER 2014; 10:408-420. [PMID: 24652008 DOI: 10.1039/c3sm52729h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In this review we summarize current data on the mechanics of synthetic and naturally occurring biopolymers that are routinely employed in examination of contractility and cellular mechanosensation. We discuss the effect of physical boundaries on the mechanical behaviors of cell substrates and cellular mechanosensation. The application of contractile forces to underlying substrates enables anchorage-dependent cells to probe the physical properties of their microenvironment. Compliant substrates deform as a result of contractile forces generated by adherent cells and, in turn, the mechanical response of substrates influences numerous cellular processes. Unlike synthetic polymers that exhibit linear elastic responses to forces applied by adherent cells, naturally-occurring biopolymers exhibit non-linear, viscoelastic behavior. In turn, the viscoelastic behavior of fibrillar biopolymers may contribute to irreversible network compaction after application of cell-derived forces. Comprehensive characterization of the unusual mechanical properties of extracellular matrix proteins like collagen has provided novel insights into cell contractility and mechanosensation. We suggest that in the future, fabrication and application of novel substrates with fibrillar structures and non-linear viscoelastic behavior will be needed for a better understanding of the role of mechanosensation in many physiological and pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Mohammadi
- Matrix Dynamics Group, University of Toronto, Room 243, Fitzgerald Building, Toronto, ON M5S 3E2, Canada.
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