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Shu J, Deng H, Zhang Y, Wu F, He J. Cancer cell response to extrinsic and intrinsic mechanical cue: opportunities for tumor apoptosis strategies. Regen Biomater 2024; 11:rbae016. [PMID: 38476678 PMCID: PMC10932484 DOI: 10.1093/rb/rbae016] [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: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Increasing studies have revealed the importance of mechanical cues in tumor progression, invasiveness and drug resistance. During malignant transformation, changes manifest in either the mechanical properties of the tissue or the cellular ability to sense and respond to mechanical signals. The major focus of the review is the subtle correlation between mechanical cues and apoptosis in tumor cells from a mechanobiology perspective. To begin, we focus on the intracellular force, examining the mechanical properties of the cell interior, and outlining the role that the cytoskeleton and intracellular organelle-mediated intracellular forces play in tumor cell apoptosis. This article also elucidates the mechanisms by which extracellular forces guide tumor cell mechanosensing, ultimately triggering the activation of the mechanotransduction pathway and impacting tumor cell apoptosis. Finally, a comprehensive examination of the present status of the design and development of anti-cancer materials targeting mechanotransduction is presented, emphasizing the underlying design principles. Furthermore, the article underscores the need to address several unresolved inquiries to enhance our comprehension of cancer therapeutics that target mechanotransduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Shu
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, PR China
| | - Huan Deng
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, PR China
| | - Yu Zhang
- College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, PR China
| | - Fang Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, PR China
| | - Jing He
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, PR China
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Negri ML, D'Annunzio S, Vitali G, Zippo A. May the force be with you: Nuclear condensates function beyond transcription control: Potential nongenetic functions of nuclear condensates in physiological and pathological conditions. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2300075. [PMID: 37530178 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, research has revealed biomolecular condensates' relevance in diverse cellular functions. Through a phase separation process, they concentrate macromolecules in subcompartments shaping the cellular organization and physiology. In the nucleus, biomolecular condensates assemble relevant biomolecules that orchestrate gene expression. We here hypothesize that chromatin condensates can also modulate the nongenetic functions of the genome, including the nuclear mechanical properties. The importance of chromatin condensates is supported by the genetic evidence indicating that mutations in their members are causative of a group of rare Mendelian diseases named chromatinopathies (CPs). Despite a broad spectrum of clinical features and the perturbations of the epigenetic machinery characterizing the CPs, recent findings highlighted negligible changes in gene expression. These data argue in favor of possible noncanonical functions of chromatin condensates in regulating the genome's spatial organization and, consequently, the nuclear mechanics. In this review, we discuss how condensates may impact nuclear mechanical properties, thus affecting the cellular response to mechanical cues and, eventually, cell fate and identity. Chromatin condensates organize macromolecules in the nucleus orchestrating the transcription regulation and mutations in their members are responsible for rare diseases named chromatinopathies. We argue that chromatin condensates, in concert with the nuclear lamina, may also govern the nuclear mechanical properties affecting the cellular response to external cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luce Negri
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Sarah D'Annunzio
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Giulia Vitali
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Alessio Zippo
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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Liu S, Li Y, Hong Y, Wang M, Zhang H, Ma J, Qu K, Huang G, Lu TJ. Mechanotherapy in oncology: Targeting nuclear mechanics and mechanotransduction. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 194:114722. [PMID: 36738968 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Mechanotherapy is proposed as a new option for cancer treatment. Increasing evidence suggests that characteristic differences are present in the nuclear mechanics and mechanotransduction of cancer cells compared with those of normal cells. Recent advances in understanding nuclear mechanics and mechanotransduction provide not only further insights into the process of malignant transformation but also useful references for developing new therapeutic approaches. Herein, we present an overview of the alterations of nuclear mechanics and mechanotransduction in cancer cells and highlight their implications in cancer mechanotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaobao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, PR China; MIIT Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Lightweight Materials and Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics, Nanjing 210016, PR China
| | - Yuan Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Yuan Hong
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Ming Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, PR China; MIIT Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Lightweight Materials and Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics, Nanjing 210016, PR China
| | - Jinlu Ma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China
| | - Kai Qu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Xian Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China
| | - Guoyou Huang
- Department of Engineering Mechanics, School of Civil Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, PR China.
| | - Tian Jian Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, PR China; MIIT Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Lightweight Materials and Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics, Nanjing 210016, PR China.
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Brás MM, Sousa SR, Carneiro F, Radmacher M, Granja PL. Mechanobiology of Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1945. [PMID: 35454852 PMCID: PMC9028036 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, the mechanobiology of colorectal cancer (CRC) are discussed. Mechanotransduction of CRC is addressed considering the relationship of several biophysical cues and biochemical pathways. Mechanobiology is focused on considering how it may influence epithelial cells in terms of motility, morphometric changes, intravasation, circulation, extravasation, and metastization in CRC development. The roles of the tumor microenvironment, ECM, and stroma are also discussed, taking into account the influence of alterations and surface modifications on mechanical properties and their impact on epithelial cells and CRC progression. The role of cancer-associated fibroblasts and the impact of flow shear stress is addressed in terms of how it affects CRC metastization. Finally, some insights concerning how the knowledge of biophysical mechanisms may contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies and targeting molecules and how mechanical changes of the microenvironment play a role in CRC disease are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Manuela Brás
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.M.B.); (S.R.S.); (F.C.); (P.L.G.)
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto (FEUP), 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Susana R. Sousa
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.M.B.); (S.R.S.); (F.C.); (P.L.G.)
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (ISEP), Instituto Politécnico do Porto (IPP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Fátima Carneiro
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.M.B.); (S.R.S.); (F.C.); (P.L.G.)
- Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto (IPATIMUP), 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- Serviço de Patologia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João (CHUSJ), 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto (FMUP), 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Manfred Radmacher
- Institute for Biophysics, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany
| | - Pedro L. Granja
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.M.B.); (S.R.S.); (F.C.); (P.L.G.)
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
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Chen YQ, Hung CY, Wei MT, Kuo JC, Yang MH, Cheng HY, Chiou A. Snail Augments Nuclear Deformability to Promote Lymph Node Metastasis of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:809738. [PMID: 35265612 PMCID: PMC8899106 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.809738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Up to 50% of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients have lymph node (LN) metastasis, resulting in poor survival rate. Numerous studies have supported the notion that the alterations of gene expression and mechanical properties of cancer cells play an important role in cancer metastasis. However, which genes and how they regulate the biomechanical properties of HNSCC cells to promote LN metastasis remains elusive. In this study, we used an LN-metastatic mouse model in vivo to generate an LN-metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line and compared the differences in the biomolecular and biomechanical properties of LN-metastatic and non-metastatic cells. Our results showed that LN-metastatic cells had a higher level of Snail expression compared to non-LN-metastatic cells. The higher Snail expression promoted the cellular invasion capability in confined environments, mainly by increasing the longitudinal strain of the cell nuclei, which could be attributed to the stronger cell traction force and softer nuclear stiffness. These two biomechanical changes were correlated, respectively, to a larger amount of focal adhesion and less amount of nuclear lamins. Taken together, our works revealed not only the biomechanical profiles of LN-metastatic cells but also the corresponding biomolecular expressions to pinpoint the key process in LN metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin-Quan Chen
- Cancer Progression Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Yin-Quan Chen,
| | - Chen-Yu Hung
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tzo Wei
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States
| | - Jean-Cheng Kuo
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Muh-Hwa Yang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Han-Ying Cheng
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Arthur Chiou
- Institute of Biophotonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Shmelev ME, Titov SI, Belousov AS, Farniev VM, Zhmenia VM, Lanskikh DV, Penkova AO, Kumeiko VV. Cell and Tissue Nanomechanics: From Early Development to Carcinogenesis. Biomedicines 2022; 10:345. [PMID: 35203554 PMCID: PMC8961777 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell and tissue nanomechanics, being inspired by progress in high-resolution physical mapping, has recently burst into biomedical research, discovering not only new characteristics of normal and diseased tissues, but also unveiling previously unknown mechanisms of pathological processes. Some parallels can be drawn between early development and carcinogenesis. Early embryogenesis, up to the blastocyst stage, requires a soft microenvironment and internal mechanical signals induced by the contractility of the cortical actomyosin cytoskeleton, stimulating quick cell divisions. During further development from the blastocyst implantation to placenta formation, decidua stiffness is increased ten-fold when compared to non-pregnant endometrium. Organogenesis is mediated by mechanosignaling inspired by intercellular junction formation with the involvement of mechanotransduction from the extracellular matrix (ECM). Carcinogenesis dramatically changes the mechanical properties of cells and their microenvironment, generally reproducing the structural properties and molecular organization of embryonic tissues, but with a higher stiffness of the ECM and higher cellular softness and fluidity. These changes are associated with the complete rearrangement of the entire tissue skeleton involving the ECM, cytoskeleton, and the nuclear scaffold, all integrated with each other in a joint network. The important changes occur in the cancer stem-cell niche responsible for tumor promotion and metastatic growth. We expect that the promising concept based on the natural selection of cancer cells fixing the most invasive phenotypes and genotypes by reciprocal regulation through ECM-mediated nanomechanical feedback loop can be exploited to create new therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail E. Shmelev
- Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University, 690922 Vladivostok, Russia; (M.E.S.); (S.I.T.); (A.S.B.); (V.M.F.); (V.M.Z.); (D.V.L.); (A.O.P.)
| | - Sergei I. Titov
- Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University, 690922 Vladivostok, Russia; (M.E.S.); (S.I.T.); (A.S.B.); (V.M.F.); (V.M.Z.); (D.V.L.); (A.O.P.)
| | - Andrei S. Belousov
- Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University, 690922 Vladivostok, Russia; (M.E.S.); (S.I.T.); (A.S.B.); (V.M.F.); (V.M.Z.); (D.V.L.); (A.O.P.)
| | - Vladislav M. Farniev
- Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University, 690922 Vladivostok, Russia; (M.E.S.); (S.I.T.); (A.S.B.); (V.M.F.); (V.M.Z.); (D.V.L.); (A.O.P.)
| | - Valeriia M. Zhmenia
- Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University, 690922 Vladivostok, Russia; (M.E.S.); (S.I.T.); (A.S.B.); (V.M.F.); (V.M.Z.); (D.V.L.); (A.O.P.)
| | - Daria V. Lanskikh
- Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University, 690922 Vladivostok, Russia; (M.E.S.); (S.I.T.); (A.S.B.); (V.M.F.); (V.M.Z.); (D.V.L.); (A.O.P.)
| | - Alina O. Penkova
- Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University, 690922 Vladivostok, Russia; (M.E.S.); (S.I.T.); (A.S.B.); (V.M.F.); (V.M.Z.); (D.V.L.); (A.O.P.)
| | - Vadim V. Kumeiko
- Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University, 690922 Vladivostok, Russia; (M.E.S.); (S.I.T.); (A.S.B.); (V.M.F.); (V.M.Z.); (D.V.L.); (A.O.P.)
- A.V. Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 690041 Vladivostok, Russia
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Hobson CM, Falvo MR, Superfine R. A survey of physical methods for studying nuclear mechanics and mechanobiology. APL Bioeng 2021; 5:041508. [PMID: 34849443 PMCID: PMC8604565 DOI: 10.1063/5.0068126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
It is increasingly appreciated that the cell nucleus is not only a home for DNA but also a complex material that resists physical deformations and dynamically responds to external mechanical cues. The molecules that confer mechanical properties to nuclei certainly contribute to laminopathies and possibly contribute to cellular mechanotransduction and physical processes in cancer such as metastasis. Studying nuclear mechanics and the downstream biochemical consequences or their modulation requires a suite of complex assays for applying, measuring, and visualizing mechanical forces across diverse length, time, and force scales. Here, we review the current methods in nuclear mechanics and mechanobiology, placing specific emphasis on each of their unique advantages and limitations. Furthermore, we explore important considerations in selecting a new methodology as are demonstrated by recent examples from the literature. We conclude by providing an outlook on the development of new methods and the judicious use of the current techniques for continued exploration into the role of nuclear mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael R. Falvo
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Richard Superfine
- Department of Applied Physical Science, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
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Nuclear Morphological Characteristics in Breast Cancer: Correlation with Hormone Receptor and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2. Anal Cell Pathol (Amst) 2021; 2021:3037993. [PMID: 34804778 PMCID: PMC8604609 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3037993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hormone receptor (HR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) are the common diagnostic/prognostic markers in breast cancer. Few articles have recently reported the correlation between cytology and molecular subtypes. We combined nuclear morphological characteristics with HR and HER2 status to observe the relationship and provide ideas for machine learning. Methods We reanalyzed fine-needle aspiration cytology samples and core-needle puncture histological specimens from 142 patients with invasive breast cancer between March 2019 and December 2019, and the findings were compared with the two groups (HR+/HER2- and HR-/HER2+) following nuclear cytomorphological features: nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, difference of nuclear size, nuclear pleomorphism, chromatin feature, nuclear membrane and nucleoli, and Nottingham grading. Results Two groups were significantly associated with the difference of nuclear size, nuclear pleomorphism, and nucleoli (P < 0.001) and consistent with histological grading (P < 0.001). Moreover, nucleolar characteristics of size and number had obviously statistical significance (P < 0.001). Multiple micro-nucleoli were frequently seen in the HR+/HER2- group compared with the HR-/HER2+ group which mostly were observed centered medium-large nucleoli. We described four interesting nuclear morphologies in the experiment. Conclusions There were significant differences in nuclear characteristics between two groups. HR and HER2 status not only might be predicted in cytological samples, but some specific nuclear morphological features might have potential value to help us understand molecular function and predict more information.
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Luo D, Liu Y, Li Z, Zhu H, Yu X. NR2F1-AS1 Promotes Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Progression Through Competing Endogenous RNA Regulatory Network Constructed by Sponging miRNA-146a-5p/miRNA-877-5p. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:736980. [PMID: 34650983 PMCID: PMC8505696 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.736980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of NR2F1-AS1 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the biological mechanism of NR2F1-AS1 in PDAC. The expression of NR2F1-AS1 was measured by using microarray data and real-time PCR. The effects of NR2F1-AS1 knockdown on proliferation, cell cycle progression, invasion in vitro and tumorigenesis in vivo were investigated. The mechanism of competitive endogenous RNAs was determined from bioinformatics analyses and validated by a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Potential target mRNAs from TargetScan 7.2 were selected for subsequent bioinformatics analysis. Key target mRNAs were further identified by screening hub genes and coexpressed protein-coding genes (CEGs) of NR2F1-AS1. NR2F1-AS1 was highly expressed in PDAC, and the overexpression of NR2F1-AS1 was associated with overall survival and disease-free survival. The knockdown of NR2F1-AS1 impaired PDAC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tumorigenesis. NR2F1-AS1 competitively sponged miR-146a-5p and miR-877-5p, and low expression of the two miRNAs was associated with a poor prognosis. An integrative expression and survival analysis of the hub genes and CEGs demonstrated that the NR2F1-AS1–miR-146a-5p/miR-877-5p–GALNT10/ZNF532/SLC39A1/PGK1/LCO3A1/NRP2/LPCAT2/PSMA4 and CLTC ceRNA networks were linked to the prognosis of PDAC. In conclusion, NR2F1-AS1 overexpression was significantly associated with poor prognosis. NR2F1-AS1 functions as an endogenous RNA to construct a novel ceRNA network by competitively binding to miR-146a-5p/miR-877-5p, which may contribute to PDAC pathogenesis and could represent a promising diagnostic biomarker or potential novel therapeutic target in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Luo
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yunfei Liu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhiqiang Li
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hongwei Zhu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao Yu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Chowdhury F, Huang B, Wang N. Cytoskeletal prestress: The cellular hallmark in mechanobiology and mechanomedicine. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2021; 78:249-276. [PMID: 33754478 PMCID: PMC8518377 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence demonstrates that mechanical forces, in addition to soluble molecules, impact cell and tissue functions in physiology and diseases. How living cells integrate mechanical signals to perform appropriate biological functions is an area of intense investigation. Here, we review the evidence of the central role of cytoskeletal prestress in mechanotransduction and mechanobiology. Elevating cytoskeletal prestress increases cell stiffness and reinforces cell stiffening, facilitates long-range cytoplasmic mechanotransduction via integrins, enables direct chromatin stretching and rapid gene expression, spurs embryonic development and stem cell differentiation, and boosts immune cell activation and killing of tumor cells whereas lowering cytoskeletal prestress maintains embryonic stem cell pluripotency, promotes tumorigenesis and metastasis of stem cell-like malignant tumor-repopulating cells, and elevates drug delivery efficiency of soft-tumor-cell-derived microparticles. The overwhelming evidence suggests that the cytoskeletal prestress is the governing principle and the cellular hallmark in mechanobiology. The application of mechanobiology to medicine (mechanomedicine) is rapidly emerging and may help advance human health and improve diagnostics, treatment, and therapeutics of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhan Chowdhury
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy ProcessesSouthern Illinois University CarbondaleCarbondaleIllinoisUSA
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences & State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular BiologyChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Mechanical Science and EngineeringUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
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Protean Regulation of Leukocyte Function by Nuclear Lamins. Trends Immunol 2021; 42:323-335. [PMID: 33653660 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2021.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The leukocyte nucleus must be sufficiently elastic to squeeze through tissue barriers during migration, but not so collapsible as to risk damaging chromatin. The proper balance is struck in part by the composition of the nuclear lamina, a flexible meshwork composed mainly of intermediate filaments woven from type A and type B lamin proteins, that is located subjacent to the inner nuclear membrane. There is now increasing evidence that, in addition to influencing nuclear shape and stiffness and cell migration, lamins and lamin-interacting proteins may also interact functionally with chromatin to influence leukocyte gene expression, differentiation, and effector function, including T cell differentiation, B cell somatic hypermutation, and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETosis).
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12
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Antmen E, Demirci U, Hasirci V. Micropatterned Surfaces Expose the Coupling between Actin Cytoskeleton-Lamin/Nesprin and Nuclear Deformability of Breast Cancer Cells with Different Malignancies. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2021; 5:e2000048. [PMID: 33724728 PMCID: PMC9049775 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mechanotransduction proteins transfer mechanical stimuli through nucleo-cytoskeletal coupling and affect the nuclear morphology of cancer cells. However, the contribution of actin filament integrity has never been studied directly. It is hypothesized that differences in nuclear deformability of cancer cells are influenced by the integrity of actin filaments. In this study, transparent micropatterned surfaces as simple tools to screen cytoskeletal and nuclear distortions are presented. Surfaces decorated with micropillars are used to culture and image breast cancer cells and quantify their deformation using shape descriptors (circularity, area, perimeter). Using two drugs (cytochalasin D and jasplakinolide), actin filaments are disrupted. Deformation of cells on micropillars is decreased upon drug treatment as shown by increased circularity. However, the effect is much smaller on benign MCF10A than on malignant MCF7 and MDAMB231 cells. On micropatterned surfaces, molecular analysis shows that Lamin A/C and Nesprin-2 expressions decreased but, after drug treatment, increased in malignant cells but not in benign cells. These findings suggest that Lamin A/C, Nesprin-2 and actin filaments are critical in mechanotransduction of cancer cells. Consequently, transparent micropatterned surfaces can be used as image analysis platforms to provide robust, high throughput measurements of nuclear deformability of cancer cells, including the effect of cytoskeletal elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezgi Antmen
- BIOMATEN, Middle East Technical University (METU) Center of Excellence in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Ankara, Turkey
- METU, Department of Biotechnology, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Utkan Demirci
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Vasif Hasirci
- BIOMATEN, Middle East Technical University (METU) Center of Excellence in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Ankara, Turkey
- METU, Department of Biological Sciences, Ankara, Turkey
- Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Department of Medical Engineering, Atasehir, Istanbul, Turkey
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Shear Stress Modulates Osteoblast Cell and Nucleus Morphology and Volume. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218361. [PMID: 33171812 PMCID: PMC7664694 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical loading preserves bone mass and function—yet, little is known about the cell biological basis behind this preservation. For example, cell and nucleus morphology are critically important for cell function, but how these morphological characteristics are affected by the physiological mechanical loading of bone cells is under-investigated. This study aims to determine the effects of fluid shear stress on cell and nucleus morphology and volume of osteoblasts, and how these effects relate to changes in actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesion formation. Mouse calvaria 3T3-E1 (MC3T3-E1) osteoblasts were treated with or without 1 h pulsating fluid flow (PFF). Live-cell imaging was performed every 10 min during PFF and immediately after PFF. Cytoskeletal organization and focal adhesions were visualized, and gene and protein expression quantified. Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) morphometric analyses were made using MeasureStack and medical imaging interaction toolkit (MITK) software. 2D-images revealed that 1 h PFF changed cell morphology from polygonal to triangular, and nucleus morphology from round to ellipsoid. PFF also reduced cell surface area (0.3-fold), cell volume (0.3-fold), and nucleus volume (0.2-fold). During PFF, the live-cell volume gradually decreased from 6000 to 3000 µm3. After PFF, α-tubulin orientation was more disorganized, but F-actin fluorescence intensity was enhanced, particularly around the nucleus. 3D-images obtained from Z-stacks indicated that PFF increased F-actin fluorescence signal distribution around the nucleus in the XZ and YZ direction (2.3-fold). PFF increased protein expression of phospho-paxillin (2.0-fold) and integrin-α5 (2.8-fold), but did not increase mRNA expression of paxillin-a (PXNA), paxillin-b (PXNB), integrin-α5 (ITGA51), or α-tubulin protein expression. In conclusion, PFF induced substantial changes in osteoblast cytoskeleton, as well as cell and nucleus morphology and volume, which was accompanied by elevated gene and protein expression of adhesion and structural proteins. More insights into the mechanisms whereby mechanical cues drive morphological changes in bone cells, and thereby, possibly in bone cell behavior, will aid the guidance of clinical treatment, particularly in the field of orthodontics, (oral) implantology, and orthopedics.
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Sun J, Chen J, Mohagheghian E, Wang N. Force-induced gene up-regulation does not follow the weak power law but depends on H3K9 demethylation. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaay9095. [PMID: 32270037 PMCID: PMC7112933 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aay9095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical forces play important roles in development, physiology, and diseases, but how force is transduced into gene transcription remains elusive. Here, we show that transcription of transgene DHFR or endogenous genes egr-1 and Cav1 is rapidly up-regulated in response to cyclic forces applied via integrins at low frequencies but not at 100 Hz. Gene up-regulation does not follow the weak power law with force frequency. Force-induced transcription up-regulation at the nuclear interior is associated with demethylation of histone H3 lysine-9 trimethylation (H3K9me3), whereas no transcription up-regulation near the nuclear periphery is associated with H3K9me3 that inhibits Pol II recruitment to the promoter site. H3K9me3 demethylation induces Pol II recruitment and increases force-induced transcription of egr-1 and Cav1 at the nuclear interior and activates mechano-nonresponsive gene FKBP5 near the nuclear periphery, whereas H3K9me3 hypermethylation has opposite effects. Our findings demonstrate that rapid up-regulation of endogenous mechanoresponsive genes depends on H3K9me3 demethylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Sun
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Junwei Chen
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Laboratory for Cellular Biomechanics and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Erfan Mohagheghian
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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15
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Zhang J, Yang H, Abali BE, Li M, Xia Y, Haag R. Dynamic Mechanics-Modulated Hydrogels to Regulate the Differentiation of Stem-Cell Spheroids in Soft Microniches and Modeling of the Nonlinear Behavior. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2019; 15:e1901920. [PMID: 31183958 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201901920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Although mechanisms of how physical forces convert into biochemical signals are increasingly understood, it is still unknown how soft cues guide cell behavior. Herein, it is shown that the commitment and differentiation of encapsulating human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) spheroids in thermosensitive 3D hydrogels are simply altered by interpenetrating poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (NIPAM-HEMA) nanogel to a gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) network. This cell-laden hydrogel provides dynamic mechanics with covalent crosslinking coordinated reversible physical networks, which can regulate hMSCs in situ by reversibly stiffening soft niches via multicyclic temperature changes from 25 to 37 °C. The spreading of hMSC spheroids in the hydrogel is strongly dependent on myosin-dependent traction stress with dynamic mechanical stimuli through focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling. Notably, the dynamic microenvironment gradually influences the expression and distribution from the basal to apical side of nuclear lamin A/C and increases the Yes-associated protein (YAP) nuclear localization with cycles, which ultimately favors hMSCs undergoing osteogenesis (but not adipogenesis) in the soft microniche. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the viscoelastic behavior of the soft microniche can be guided by temperature through a nonlinear model. These findings highlight the central roles of the dynamic relationship between the biomechanical signals and mechanosensitive transcriptional regulators in cellular mechanosensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianguang Zhang
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hua Yang
- Institute of Mechanics, Chair of Continuum Mechanics and Constitutive Theory, Technische Universität Berlin, Einsteinufer 5, 10587, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bilen Emek Abali
- Institute of Mechanics, Chair of Continuum Mechanics and Constitutive Theory, Technische Universität Berlin, Einsteinufer 5, 10587, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mingjun Li
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yi Xia
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rainer Haag
- Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 3, 14195, Berlin, Germany
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