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Dickinson RB, Abolghasemzade S, Lele TP. Rethinking nuclear shaping: insights from the nuclear drop model. SOFT MATTER 2024. [PMID: 39105242 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00683f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Changes in the nuclear shape caused by cellular shape changes are generally assumed to reflect an elastic deformation from a spherical nuclear shape. Recent evidence, however, suggests that the nuclear lamina, which forms the outer nuclear surface together with the nuclear envelope, possesses more area than that of a sphere of the same volume. This excess area manifests as folds/wrinkles in the nuclear surface in rounded cells and allows facile nuclear flattening during cell spreading without any changes in nuclear volume or surface area. When the lamina becomes smooth and taut, it is inextensible, and supports a surface tension. At this point, it is possible to mathematically calculate the limiting nuclear shape purely based on geometric considerations. In this paper, we provide a commentary on the "nuclear drop model" which seeks to integrate the above features. We outline its testable physical properties and explore its biological implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard B Dickinson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, 1030 Center Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
| | - Samere Abolghasemzade
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 101 Bizzell St., College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
| | - Tanmay P Lele
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 101 Bizzell St., College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 3122 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 2121 W Holcombe St., Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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2
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Mottareale R, Frascogna C, La Verde G, Arrichiello C, Muto P, Netti PA, Fusco S, Panzetta V, Pugliese M. Impact of ionizing radiation on cell-ECM mechanical crosstalk in breast cancer. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1408789. [PMID: 38903185 PMCID: PMC11187264 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1408789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The stiffness of the extracellular matrix plays a crucial role in cell motility and spreading, influencing cell morphology through cytoskeleton organization and transmembrane proteins' expression. In this context, mechanical characterization of both cells and the extracellular matrix gains prominence for enhanced diagnostics and clinical decision-making. Here, we investigate the combined effect of mechanotransduction and ionizing radiations on altering cells' mechanical properties, analysing mammary cell lines (MCF10A and MDA-MB-231) after X-ray radiotherapy (2 and 10 Gy). We found that ionizing radiations sensitively affect adenocarcinoma cells cultured on substrates mimicking cancerous tissue stiffness (15 kPa), inducing an increased structuration of paxillin-rich focal adhesions and cytoskeleton: this process translates in the augmentation of tension at the actin filaments level, causing cellular stiffness and consequently affecting cytoplasmatic/nuclear morphologies. Deeper exploration of the intricate interplay between mechanical factors and radiation should provide novel strategies to orient clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Mottareale
- Department of Physics “E. Pancini”, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems E. Caianiello (CNR-ISASI), Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Crescenzo Frascogna
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare @CRIB, Italian Institute of Technology, Naples, Italy
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe La Verde
- Department of Physics “E. Pancini”, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Cecilia Arrichiello
- Radiotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione “G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Muto
- Radiotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione “G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo A. Netti
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare @CRIB, Italian Institute of Technology, Naples, Italy
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Sabato Fusco
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare @CRIB, Italian Institute of Technology, Naples, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Valeria Panzetta
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare @CRIB, Italian Institute of Technology, Naples, Italy
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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3
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Pickett MR, Chen YI, Kamra M, Kumar S, Kalkunte N, Sugerman GP, Varodom K, Rausch MK, Zoldan J, Yeh HC, Parekh SH. Assessing the impact of extracellular matrix fiber orientation on breast cancer cellular metabolism. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:199. [PMID: 38840117 PMCID: PMC11151503 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03385-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic and complex microenvironment that modulates cell behavior and cell fate. Changes in ECM composition and architecture have been correlated with development, differentiation, and disease progression in various pathologies, including breast cancer [1]. Studies have shown that aligned fibers drive a pro-metastatic microenvironment, promoting the transformation of mammary epithelial cells into invasive ductal carcinoma via the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) [2]. The impact of ECM orientation on breast cancer metabolism, however, is largely unknown. Here, we employ two non-invasive imaging techniques, fluorescence-lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) and intensity-based multiphoton microscopy, to assess the metabolic states of cancer cells cultured on ECM-mimicking nanofibers in a random and aligned orientation. By tracking the changes in the intrinsic fluorescence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and flavin adenine dinucleotide, as well as expression levels of metastatic markers, we reveal how ECM fiber orientation alters cancer metabolism and EMT progression. Our study indicates that aligned cellular microenvironments play a key role in promoting metastatic phenotypes of breast cancer as evidenced by a more glycolytic metabolic signature on nanofiber scaffolds of aligned orientation compared to scaffolds of random orientation. This finding is particularly relevant for subsets of breast cancer marked by high levels of collagen remodeling (e.g. pregnancy associated breast cancer), and may serve as a platform for predicting clinical outcomes within these subsets [3-6].
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison R Pickett
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 107 W Dean Keeton Street Stop C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
| | - Yuan-I Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 107 W Dean Keeton Street Stop C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Mohini Kamra
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 107 W Dean Keeton Street Stop C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Sachin Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 107 W Dean Keeton Street Stop C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, India
| | - Nikhith Kalkunte
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 107 W Dean Keeton Street Stop C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Gabriella P Sugerman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 107 W Dean Keeton Street Stop C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Kelsey Varodom
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 107 W Dean Keeton Street Stop C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Manuel K Rausch
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 107 W Dean Keeton Street Stop C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin, 78712, Austin, TX, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 78712, Austin, TX, USA
- Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, 78712, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Janet Zoldan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 107 W Dean Keeton Street Stop C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Hsin-Chin Yeh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 107 W Dean Keeton Street Stop C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Texas Materials Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Sapun H Parekh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 107 W Dean Keeton Street Stop C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
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Almangush A, Hagström J, Haglund C, Kowalski LP, Coletta RD, Mäkitie AA, Salo T, Leivo I. The prognostic role of single cell invasion and nuclear diameter in early oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:213. [PMID: 38360653 PMCID: PMC10870554 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-11954-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The clinical significance of single cell invasion and large nuclear diameter is not well documented in early-stage oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC). METHODS We used hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections to evaluate the presence of single cell invasion and large nuclei in a multicenter cohort of 311 cases treated for early-stage OTSCC. RESULTS Single cell invasion was associated in multivariable analysis with poor disease-specific survival (DSS) with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.089 (95% CI 1.224-3.566, P = 0.007), as well as with disease-free survival (DFS) with a HR of 1.666 (95% CI 1.080-2.571, P = 0.021). Furthermore, large nuclei were associated with worse DSS (HR 2.070, 95% CI 1.216-3.523, P = 0.007) and with DFS in multivariable analysis (HR 1.645, 95% CI 1.067-2.538, P = 0.024). CONCLUSION Single cell invasion and large nuclei can be utilized for classifying early OTSCC into risk groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alhadi Almangush
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, FI-00014, Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu, P.O. Box 21, Finland.
- Institute of Biomedicine, Pathology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- Faculty of Dentistry, Misurata University, Misurata, Libya.
| | - Jaana Hagström
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, FI-00014, Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu, P.O. Box 21, Finland
- Research Programs Unit, Translational Cancer Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, Finland
- Department of Oral Pathology and Radiology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Caj Haglund
- Research Programs Unit, Translational Cancer Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, Finland
- Department of Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Luiz Paulo Kowalski
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery and Otorhinolaryngology, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, 05402-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ricardo D Coletta
- Department of Oral Diagnosis and Graduate Program in Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, University of Campinas, 13414-018, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Antti A Mäkitie
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, FI-00029 HUS, Helsinki, P.O. Box 263, Finland
- Division of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases, Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tuula Salo
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, FI-00014, Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu, P.O. Box 21, Finland
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilmo Leivo
- Institute of Biomedicine, Pathology, University of Turku, Turku University Central Hospital, 20520, Turku, Finland
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Villagomez FR, Lang J, Webb P, Neville M, Woodruff ER, Bitler BG. Claudin-4 modulates autophagy via SLC1A5/LAT1 as a tolerance mechanism for genomic instability in ovarian cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.18.576263. [PMID: 38293054 PMCID: PMC10827183 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.18.576263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Genome instability is key for tumor heterogeneity and derives from defects in cell division and DNA damage repair. Tumors show tolerance for this characteristic, but its accumulation is regulated somehow to avoid catastrophic chromosomal alterations and cell death. Claudin-4 is upregulated and closely associated with genome instability and worse patient outcome in ovarian cancer. This protein is commonly described as a junctional protein participating in processes such as cell proliferation and DNA repair. However, its biological association with genomic instability is still poorly-understood. Here, we used CRISPRi and a claudin mimic peptide (CMP) to modulate the cladudin-4 expression and its function, respectively in in-vitro (high-grade serous carcinoma cells) and in-vivo (patient-derived xenograft in a humanized-mice model) systems. We found that claudin-4 promotes a protective cellular-mechanism that links cell-cell junctions to genome integrity. Disruption of this axis leads to irregular cellular connections and cell cycle that results in chromosomal alterations, a phenomenon associated with a novel functional link between claudin-4 and SLC1A5/LAT1 in regulating autophagy. Consequently, claudin-4's disruption increased autophagy and associated with engulfment of cytoplasm-localized DNA. Furthermore, the claudin-4/SLC1A5/LAT1 biological axis correlates with decrease ovarian cancer patient survival and targeting claudin-4 in-vivo with CMP resulted in increased niraparib (PARPi) efficacy, correlating with increased tumoral infiltration of T CD8+ lymphocytes. Our results show that the upregulation of claudin-4 enables a mechanism that promotes tolerance to genomic instability and immune evasion in ovarian cancer; thus, suggesting the potential of claudin-4 as a translational target for enhancing ovarian cancer treatment.
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Dickinson RB, Lele TP. A new function for nuclear lamins: providing surface tension to the nuclear drop. CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2023; 28:100483. [PMID: 38283102 PMCID: PMC10812902 DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2023.100483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
The nuclear lamina, a conserved structure in metazoans, provides mechanical rigidity to the nuclear envelope. A decrease in lamin levels and/or lamin mutations are associated with a host of human diseases. Despite being only about 15 nm thick, perturbation of components of the nuclear lamina dramatically impacts the deformation response of the entire nucleus through mechanisms that are not well understood. Here we discuss evidence for the recently proposed 'nuclear drop' model that explains the role of A-type lamins in nuclear deformation in migrating cells. In this model, the nuclear lamina acts as an inextensible surface, supporting a surface tension when fully unfolded, that balances nuclear interior pressure. Much like a liquid drop surface where the molecularly thin interface governs surface tension and drop shape under external forces, the thin nuclear lamina imparts a surface tension on the nuclear drop to resist nuclear deformation as well as to establish nuclear shape. We discuss implications of the nuclear drop model for the function of this crucially important eukaryotic organelle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard B. Dickinson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, 1030 Center Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Tanmay P. Lele
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 101 Bizzell St., College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 3122 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 2121 W Holcombe St., Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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7
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Bastianello G, Foiani M. Mechanisms controlling the mechanical properties of the nuclei. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2023; 84:102222. [PMID: 37619290 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2023.102222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
The mechanical properties of the nucleus influence different cellular and nuclear functions and have relevant implications for several human diseases. The nucleus protects genetic information while acting as a mechano-sensory hub in response to internal and external forces. Cells have evolved mechano-transduction signaling to respond to physical cellular and nuclear perturbations and adopted a multitude of molecular pathways to maintain nuclear shape stability and prevent morphological abnormalities of the nucleus. Here we describe those key biological processes that control nuclear mechanics and discuss emerging perspectives on the mechanobiology of the nucleus as a diagnostic tool and clinical target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Bastianello
- IFOM, The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan 20139, Italy; Oncology and Haemato-Oncology Department, University of Milan, Milan 20122, Italy.
| | - Marco Foiani
- IFOM, The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan 20139, Italy; Oncology and Haemato-Oncology Department, University of Milan, Milan 20122, Italy.
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8
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Cheng Y, Qu Z, Jiang Q, Xu T, Zheng H, Ye P, He M, Tong Y, Ma Y, Bao A. Functional Materials for Subcellular Targeting Strategies in Cancer Therapy: Progress and Prospects. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023:e2305095. [PMID: 37665594 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202305095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies have made significant progress in cancer treatment. However, tumor adjuvant therapy still faces challenges due to the intrinsic heterogeneity of cancer, genomic instability, and the formation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Functional materials possess unique biological properties such as long circulation times, tumor-specific targeting, and immunomodulation. The combination of functional materials with natural substances and nanotechnology has led to the development of smart biomaterials with multiple functions, high biocompatibilities, and negligible immunogenicities, which can be used for precise cancer treatment. Recently, subcellular structure-targeting functional materials have received particular attention in various biomedical applications including the diagnosis, sensing, and imaging of tumors and drug delivery. Subcellular organelle-targeting materials can precisely accumulate therapeutic agents in organelles, considerably reduce the threshold dosages of therapeutic agents, and minimize drug-related side effects. This review provides a systematic and comprehensive overview of the research progress in subcellular organelle-targeted cancer therapy based on functional nanomaterials. Moreover, it explains the challenges and prospects of subcellular organelle-targeting functional materials in precision oncology. The review will serve as an excellent cutting-edge guide for researchers in the field of subcellular organelle-targeted cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxiang Cheng
- Department of Gynecology, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, No.238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang, Wuhan, 430060, P. R. China
| | - Zhen Qu
- Department of Blood Transfusion Research, Wuhan Blood Center (WHBC), HUST-WHBC United Hematology Optical Imaging Center, No.8 Baofeng 1st Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Qian Jiang
- Department of Blood Transfusion Research, Wuhan Blood Center (WHBC), HUST-WHBC United Hematology Optical Imaging Center, No.8 Baofeng 1st Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Tingting Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Wuhan Blood Center (WHBC), No.8 Baofeng 1st Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Hongyun Zheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, No.238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang, Wuhan, 430060, P. R. China
| | - Peng Ye
- Department of Pharmacy, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, No.238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang, Wuhan, 430060, P. R. China
| | - Mingdi He
- Department of Blood Transfusion Research, Wuhan Blood Center (WHBC), HUST-WHBC United Hematology Optical Imaging Center, No.8 Baofeng 1st Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Yongqing Tong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, No.238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang, Wuhan, 430060, P. R. China
| | - Yan Ma
- Department of Blood Transfusion Research, Wuhan Blood Center (WHBC), HUST-WHBC United Hematology Optical Imaging Center, No.8 Baofeng 1st Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Anyu Bao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, No.238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang, Wuhan, 430060, P. R. China
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Lele TP, Levy DL, Mishra K. Editorial: Nuclear morphology in development and disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1267645. [PMID: 37614225 PMCID: PMC10443097 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1267645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tanmay P. Lele
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Daniel L. Levy
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, United States
| | - Krishnaveni Mishra
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
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McKinley S, Taylor A, Peeples C, Jacob M, Khaparde G, Walter Y, Ekpenyong A. Simulated Microgravity-Induced Changes to Drug Response in Cancer Cells Quantified Using Fluorescence Morphometry. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1683. [PMID: 37629540 PMCID: PMC10455503 DOI: 10.3390/life13081683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Unlike plants that have special gravity-sensing cells, such special cells in animals are yet to be discovered. However, microgravity, the condition of apparent weightlessness, causes bone, muscular and immune system dysfunctions in astronauts following spaceflights. Decades of investigations show correlations between these organ and system-level dysfunctions with changes induced at the cellular level both by simulated microgravity as well as microgravity conditions in outer space. Changes in single bone, muscle and immune cells include morphological abnormalities, altered gene expression, protein expression, metabolic pathways and signaling pathways. These suggest that human cells mount some response to microgravity. However, the implications of such adjustments on many cellular functions and responses are not clear. Here, we addressed the question whether microgravity induces alterations to drug response in cancer cells. We used both adherent cancer cells (T98G) and cancer cells in suspension (K562) to confirm the known effects of simulated microgravity and then treated the K562 cells with common cancer drugs (hydroxyurea and paclitaxel) following 48 h of exposure to simulated microgravity via a NASA-developed rotary cell culture system. Through fluorescence-guided morphometry, we found that microgravity abolished a significant reduction (p < 0.01) in the nuclear-to-cytoplasm ratio of cancer cells treated with hydroxyurea. Our results call for more studies on the impact of microgravity on cellular drug response, in light of the growing need for space medicine, as space exploration grows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer McKinley
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (S.M.); (A.T.); (M.J.); (G.K.)
| | - Adam Taylor
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (S.M.); (A.T.); (M.J.); (G.K.)
| | - Conner Peeples
- Physics Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (C.P.); (Y.W.)
| | - Megha Jacob
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (S.M.); (A.T.); (M.J.); (G.K.)
| | - Gargee Khaparde
- Biology Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (S.M.); (A.T.); (M.J.); (G.K.)
| | - Yohan Walter
- Physics Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (C.P.); (Y.W.)
| | - Andrew Ekpenyong
- Physics Department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (C.P.); (Y.W.)
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11
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Dickinson RB, Lele TP. Nuclear shapes are geometrically determined by the excess surface area of the nuclear lamina. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1058727. [PMID: 37397244 PMCID: PMC10308086 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1058727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Nuclei have characteristic shapes dependent on cell type, which are critical for proper cell function, and nuclei lose their distinct shapes in multiple diseases including cancer, laminopathies, and progeria. Nuclear shapes result from deformations of the sub-nuclear components-nuclear lamina and chromatin. How these structures respond to cytoskeletal forces to form the nuclear shape remains unresolved. Although the mechanisms regulating nuclear shape in human tissues are not fully understood, it is known that different nuclear shapes arise from cumulative nuclear deformations post-mitosis, ranging from the rounded morphologies that develop immediately after mitosis to the various nuclear shapes that roughly correspond to cell shape (e.g., elongated nuclei in elongated cells, flat nuclei in flat cells). Methods: We formulated a mathematical model to predict nuclear shapes of cells in various contexts under the geometric constraints of fixed cell volume, nuclear volume and lamina surface area. Nuclear shapes were predicted and compared to experiments for cells in various geometries, including isolated on a flat surface, on patterned rectangles and lines, within a monolayer, isolated in a well, or when the nucleus is impinging against a slender obstacle. Results and Discussion: The close agreement between predicted and experimental shapes demonstrates a simple geometric principle of nuclear shaping: the excess surface area of the nuclear lamina (relative to that of a sphere of the same volume) permits a wide range of highly deformed nuclear shapes under the constraints of constant surface area and constant volume. When the lamina is smooth (tensed), the nuclear shape can be predicted entirely from these geometric constraints alone for a given cell shape. This principle explains why flattened nuclear shapes in fully spread cells are insensitive to the magnitude of the cytoskeletal forces. Also, the surface tension in the nuclear lamina and nuclear pressure can be estimated from the predicted cell and nuclear shapes when the cell cortical tension is known, and the predictions are consistent with measured forces. These results show that excess surface area of the nuclear lamina is the key determinant of nuclear shapes. When the lamina is smooth (tensed), the nuclear shape can be determined purely by the geometric constraints of constant (but excess) nuclear surface area, nuclear volume, and cell volume, for a given cell adhesion footprint, independent of the magnitude of the cytoskeletal forces involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard B. Dickinson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Tanmay P. Lele
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University College Station, College Station, TX, United States
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
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Tuning between Nuclear Organization and Functionality in Health and Disease. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050706. [PMID: 36899842 PMCID: PMC10000962 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The organization of eukaryotic genome in the nucleus, a double-membraned organelle separated from the cytoplasm, is highly complex and dynamic. The functional architecture of the nucleus is confined by the layers of internal and cytoplasmic elements, including chromatin organization, nuclear envelope associated proteome and transport, nuclear-cytoskeletal contacts, and the mechano-regulatory signaling cascades. The size and morphology of the nucleus could impose a significant impact on nuclear mechanics, chromatin organization, gene expression, cell functionality and disease development. The maintenance of nuclear organization during genetic or physical perturbation is crucial for the viability and lifespan of the cell. Abnormal nuclear envelope morphologies, such as invagination and blebbing, have functional implications in several human disorders, including cancer, accelerated aging, thyroid disorders, and different types of neuro-muscular diseases. Despite the evident interplay between nuclear structure and nuclear function, our knowledge about the underlying molecular mechanisms for regulation of nuclear morphology and cell functionality during health and illness is rather poor. This review highlights the essential nuclear, cellular, and extracellular components that govern the organization of nuclei and functional consequences associated with nuclear morphometric aberrations. Finally, we discuss the recent developments with diagnostic and therapeutic implications targeting nuclear morphology in health and disease.
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