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Onwudiwe K, Najera J, Holen L, Burchett AA, Rodriguez D, Zarodniuk M, Siri S, Datta M. Single-cell mechanical assay unveils viscoelastic similarities in normal and neoplastic brain cells. Biophys J 2024; 123:1098-1105. [PMID: 38544410 PMCID: PMC11079864 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding cancer cell mechanics allows for the identification of novel disease mechanisms, diagnostic biomarkers, and targeted therapies. In this study, we utilized our previously established fluid shear stress assay to investigate and compare the viscoelastic properties of normal immortalized human astrocytes and invasive human glioblastoma (GBM) cells when subjected to physiological levels of shear stress that are present in the brain microenvironment. We used a parallel-flow microfluidic shear system and a camera-coupled optical microscope to expose single cells to fluid shear stress and monitor the resulting deformation in real time, respectively. From the video-rate imaging, we fed cell deformation information from digital image correlation into a three-parameter generalized Maxwell model to quantify the nuclear and cytoplasmic viscoelastic properties of single cells. We further quantified actin cytoskeleton density and alignment in immortalized human astrocytes and GBM cells via fluorescence microscopy and image analysis techniques. Results from our study show that contrary to the behavior of many extracranial cells, normal and cancerous brain cells do not exhibit significant differences in their viscoelastic properties. Moreover, we also found that the viscoelastic properties of the nucleus and cytoplasm as well as the actin cytoskeletal densities of both brain cell types are similar. Our work suggests that malignant GBM cells exhibit unique mechanical behaviors not seen in other cancer cell types. These results warrant future studies to elucidate the distinct biophysical characteristics of the brain and reveal novel mechanical attributes of GBM and other primary brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Killian Onwudiwe
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
| | - Julian Najera
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
| | - Luke Holen
- Department of Pre-Professional Studies, College of Science, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
| | - Alice A Burchett
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
| | - Dorielis Rodriguez
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana; Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Maksym Zarodniuk
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
| | - Saeed Siri
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
| | - Meenal Datta
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana.
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Onwudiwe K, Najera J, Holen L, Burchett AA, Rodriguez D, Zarodniuk M, Siri S, Datta M. Single-cell mechanical analysis reveals viscoelastic similarities between normal and neoplastic brain cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.23.559055. [PMID: 37808779 PMCID: PMC10557591 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.23.559055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Understanding cancer cell mechanics allows for the identification of novel disease mechanisms, diagnostic biomarkers, and targeted therapies. In this study, we utilized our previously established fluid shear stress assay to investigate and compare the viscoelastic properties of normal immortalized human astrocytes (IHAs) and invasive human glioblastoma (GBM) cells when subjected to physiological levels of shear stress that are present in the brain microenvironment. We used a parallel-flow microfluidic shear system and a camera-coupled optical microscope to expose single cells to fluid shear stress and monitor the resulting deformation in real-time, respectively. From the video-rate imaging, we fed cell deformation information from digital image correlation into a three-parameter generalized Maxwell model to quantify the nuclear and cytoplasmic viscoelastic properties of single cells. We further quantified actin cytoskeleton density and alignment in IHAs and GBM cells via immunofluorescence microscopy and image analysis techniques. Results from our study show that contrary to the behavior of many extracranial cells, normal and cancerous brain cells do not exhibit significant differences in their viscoelastic behavior. Moreover, we also found that the viscoelastic properties of the nucleus and cytoplasm as well as the actin cytoskeletal densities of both brain cell types are similar. Our work suggests that malignant GBM cells exhibit unique mechanical behaviors not seen in other cancer cell types. These results warrant future study to elucidate the distinct biophysical characteristics of the brain and reveal novel mechanical attributes of GBM and other primary brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Killian Onwudiwe
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Julian Najera
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Luke Holen
- Department of Pre-Professional Studies, College of Science, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Alice A. Burchett
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Dorielis Rodriguez
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00918, USA
| | - Maksym Zarodniuk
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Saeed Siri
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Meenal Datta
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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Aina T, Salifu AA, Kizhakkepura S, Danyuo Y, Obayemi JD, Oparah JC, Ezenwafor TC, Onwudiwe KC, Ani CJ, Biswas SS, Onyekanne C, Odusanya OS, Madukwe J, Soboyejo WO. Sustained release of alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) antibody-conjugated and free doxorubicin from silica nanoparticles for prostate cancer cell growth inhibition. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2023; 111:665-683. [PMID: 36314600 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.35185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
This article presents silica nanoparticles for the sustained release of AMACR antibody-conjugated and free doxorubicin (DOX) for the inhibition of prostate cancer cell growth. Inorganic MCM-41 silica nanoparticles were synthesized, functionalized with phenylboronic acid groups (MCM-B), and capped with dextran (MCM-B-D). The nanoparticles were then characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, zeta potential analysis, nitrogen sorption, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis, before exploring their potential for drug loading and controlled drug release. This was done using a model prostate cancer drug, DOX, and a targeted prostate cancer drug, α-Methyl Acyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) antibody-conjugated DOX, which attaches specifically to AMACR proteins that are overexpressed on the surfaces of prostate cancer cells. The kinetics of sustained drug release over 30 days was then studied using zeroth order, first order, second order, Higuchi, and the Korsmeyer-Peppas models, while the thermodynamics of drug release was elucidated by determining the entropy and enthalpy changes. The flux of the released DOX was also simulated using the COMSOL Multiphysics software package. Generally, the AMACR antibody-conjugated DOX drug-loaded nanoparticles were more effective than the free DOX drug-loaded formulations in inhibiting the growth of prostate cancer cells in vitro over a 96 h period. The implications of the results are then discussed for the development of drug-eluting structures for the localized and targeted treatment of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toyin Aina
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria.,Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ali A Salifu
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sonu Kizhakkepura
- Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit (CPMU), Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) Jakkur, Bengaluru, India
| | - Yiporo Danyuo
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ashesi University, Accra, Ghana
| | - John D Obayemi
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Josephine C Oparah
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria.,Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Theresa C Ezenwafor
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria.,Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Killian C Onwudiwe
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria.,Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chukwuemeka J Ani
- Department of Civil Engineering, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Suchi S Biswas
- Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit (CPMU), Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) Jakkur, Bengaluru, India
| | - Chinyerem Onyekanne
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria.,Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Olushola S Odusanya
- Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Advanced Laboratory, Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Jonathan Madukwe
- Department of Histopathology, National Hospital Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Winston O Soboyejo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria.,Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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Ezenwafor T, Anye V, Madukwe J, Amin S, Obayemi J, Odusanya O, Soboyejo W. Nanoindentation study of the viscoelastic properties of human triple negative breast cancer tissues: Implications for mechanical biomarkers. Acta Biomater 2023; 158:374-392. [PMID: 36640950 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents the results of a combined experimental and theoretical study of the structure and viscoelastic properties of human non-tumorigenic mammary breast tissues and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) tissues of different histological grades. A combination of immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, and atomic force microscopy is used to study the actin cytoskeletal structures of non-tumorigenic and tumorigenic breast tissues (grade I to grade III). A combination of nanoindentation and statistical techniques is then used to measure viscoelastic properties of non-tumorigenic and human TNBC of different histological grades. A Standard Fluid Model/Anti-Zener Model II is also used to characterize the viscoelastic properties of the non-tumorigenic and tumorigenic TNBC tissues of different grades. The implications of the results are discussed for the potential application of nanoindentation and statistical deconvolution techniques to the development of mechanical biomarkers for TNBC detection/cancer diagnosis. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: There is increasing interest in the development of mechanical biomarkers for cancer diagnosis. Here, we show that nanoindentation techniques can be used to characterize the viscoelastic properties of normal breast tissue and TNBC tissues of different histological grades. The Standard Fluid Model (Anti-Zener Model II) is used to classify the viscoelastic properties of breast tissues of different TNBC histological grades. Our results suggest that breast tissue and TNBC tissue viscoelastic properties can be used as mechanical biomarkers for the detection of TNBC at different stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Ezenwafor
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology, Km 10 Airport Road, Galadimawa, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria; NASENI Centre of Excellence in Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Km 4, Ondo Road, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria; Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 60 Prescott Street, Gateway Park Life Sciences and Bioengineering Centre, Worcester, MA 01609, United States
| | - Vitalis Anye
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology, Km 10 Airport Road, Galadimawa, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria
| | - Jonathan Madukwe
- Department of Histopathology, National Hospital Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria
| | - Said Amin
- Department of Histopathology, National Hospital Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria
| | - John Obayemi
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 60 Prescott Street, Gateway Park Life Sciences and Bioengineering Centre, Worcester, MA 01609, United States
| | - Olushola Odusanya
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology, Km 10 Airport Road, Galadimawa, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria; Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Advanced Laboratory, Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), Kwale, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Winston Soboyejo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology, Km 10 Airport Road, Galadimawa, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria; Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 60 Prescott Street, Gateway Park Life Sciences and Bioengineering Centre, Worcester, MA 01609, United States.
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