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Microvascular Experimentation in the Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane as a Model for Screening Angiogenic Agents including from Gene-Modified Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010452. [PMID: 35008876 PMCID: PMC8745510 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay model of angiogenesis has been highlighted as a relatively quick, low cost and effective model for the study of pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors. The chick CAM is a highly vascularised extraembryonic membrane which functions for gas exchange, nutrient exchange and waste removal for the growing chick embryo. It is beneficial as it can function as a treatment screening tool, which bridges the gap between cell based in vitro studies and in vivo animal experimentation. In this review, we explore the benefits and drawbacks of the CAM assay to study microcirculation, by the investigation of each distinct stage of the CAM assay procedure, including cultivation techniques, treatment applications and methods of determining an angiogenic response using this assay. We detail the angiogenic effect of treatments, including drugs, metabolites, genes and cells used in conjunction with the CAM assay, while also highlighting the testing of genetically modified cells. We also present a detailed exploration of the advantages and limitations of different CAM analysis techniques, including visual assessment, histological and molecular analysis along with vascular casting methods and live blood flow observations.
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Schneider-Stock R, Ribatti D. The CAM Assay as an Alternative In Vivo Model for Drug Testing. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2020; 265:303-323. [PMID: 32776283 DOI: 10.1007/164_2020_375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In the last decade, the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay has been re-discovered in cancer research to study the molecular mechanisms of anti-cancer drug effects. Literature about the CAM assay as an alternative in vivo cancer xenograft model according to the 3R principles has exploded in the last 3 years. Following a summary of the basic knowledge about the chicken embryo, we compare advantages and disadvantages with the classical mouse xenograft model, exemplify established and innovative imaging techniques that are used in the CAM model, and give examples of its successful utilization for studying major hallmarks of cancer such as angiogenesis, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regine Schneider-Stock
- Experimental Tumorpathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Domenico Ribatti
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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Avram S, Coricovac DE, Pavel IZ, Pinzaru I, Ghiulai R, Baderca F, Soica C, Muntean D, Branisteanu DE, Spandidos DA, Tsatsakis AM, Dehelean CA. Standardization of A375 human melanoma models on chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane and Balb/c nude mice. Oncol Rep 2017; 38:89-99. [PMID: 28535001 PMCID: PMC5492638 DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is a metastatic disease characterized by high resistance to treatment, the incidence of which has alarmingly increased worldwide over the past years. A thorough characterization of tumor onset, progression and metastasis is compulsory to overcome the gaps existent in melanoma biology. The present study suggests a well-established protocol and a detailed histological description of human melanoma models in ovo and in vivo obtained by the inoculation of A375 cells to chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and Balb/c nude mice. The inoculation of A375 cells on CAM led to the formation of compact primary and secondary tumors on day 4 post-inoculation, with mean surface area values of 2.2±0.4 mm2 and 1.5±0.3 mm2, respectively. Moreover, the vessels around the tumors presented a spike wheel pattern, indicating a strong angiogenic reaction. All the injected mice, apart from one, developed solid polypoid primary tumors with lobulated surfaces and intense vascularization, and achromic epithelioid malignant melanocytes with vesiculous nuclei and necrosis area were detected. Metastasis was histologically confirmed in only 30% of the mice with the tumor xenografts. These data indicate that the standardization protocols proposed are complex and reproducible, and can be further employed for the therapeutic surveillance of antiangiogenic and anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefana Avram
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, 'Victor Babeș' University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara 30004, Romania
| | - Dorina-Elena Coricovac
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, 'Victor Babeș' University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara 30004, Romania
| | - Ioana Zinuca Pavel
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, 'Victor Babeș' University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara 30004, Romania
| | - Iulia Pinzaru
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, 'Victor Babeș' University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara 30004, Romania
| | - Roxana Ghiulai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, 'Victor Babeș' University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara 30004, Romania
| | - Flavia Baderca
- Department of Microscopic Morphology, Faculty of Medicine, 'Victor Babeș' University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara 300041, Romania
| | - Codruta Soica
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, 'Victor Babeș' University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara 30004, Romania
| | - Danina Muntean
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, 'Victor Babeș' University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara 300041, Romania
| | - Daciana E Branisteanu
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, 'Grigore T. Popa' University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi, Iasi 7000115, Romania
| | - Demetrios A Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion 71003, Greece
| | - Aristides M Tsatsakis
- Department of Forensic Sciences and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion 71003, Greece
| | - Cristina Adriana Dehelean
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, 'Victor Babeș' University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara 30004, Romania
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Coelho P, Almeida J, Prudêncio C, Fernandes R, Soares R. Effect of Adipocyte Secretome in Melanoma Progression and Vasculogenic Mimicry. J Cell Biochem 2016; 117:1697-706. [PMID: 26666522 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Obesity, favored by the modern lifestyle, acquired epidemic proportions nowadays. Obesity has been associated with various major causes of death and morbidity including malignant neoplasms. This increased prevalence has been accompanied by a worldwide increase in cutaneous melanoma incidence rates during the last decades. Obesity involvement in melanoma aetiology has been recognized, but the implicated mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we address this relationship and investigate the influence of adipocytes secretome on B16-F10 and MeWo melanoma cell lines. Using the 3T3-L1 adipocyte cell line, as well as ex vivo subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral (VAT) adipose tissue conditioned medium, we were able to show that adipocyte-released factors play a dual role in increasing melanoma cell overall survival, both by enhancing proliferation and decreasing apoptosis. B16-F10 cell migration and cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion capacity were predominantly enhanced in the presence of SAT and VAT released factors. Melanocytes morphology and melanin content were also altered by exposure to adipocyte conditioned medium disclosing a more dedifferentiated phenotype of melanocytes. In addition, exposure to adipocyte-secreted molecules induced melanocytes to rearrange, on 3D cultures, into vessel-like structures, and generate characteristic vasculogenic mimicry patterns. These findings are corroborated by the released factors profile of 3T3-L1, SAT, and VAT assessed by microarrays, and led us to highlight the mechanisms by which adipose secretome from sub-cutaneous or visceral depots promote melanoma progression. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1697-1706, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Coelho
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Ciências Químicas e Biomoléculas, Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Inovação e Investigação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Almeida
- Ciências Químicas e Biomoléculas, Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Inovação e Investigação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristina Prudêncio
- Ciências Químicas e Biomoléculas, Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Inovação e Investigação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rúben Fernandes
- Ciências Químicas e Biomoléculas, Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Inovação e Investigação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel Soares
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Inovação e Investigação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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The chicken chorioallantoic membrane model in biology, medicine and bioengineering. Angiogenesis 2014; 17:779-804. [PMID: 25138280 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-014-9440-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 289] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 08/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) is a simple, highly vascularized extraembryonic membrane, which performs multiple functions during embryonic development, including but not restricted to gas exchange. Over the last two decades, interest in the CAM as a robust experimental platform to study blood vessels has been shared by specialists working in bioengineering, development, morphology, biochemistry, transplant biology, cancer research and drug development. The tissue composition and accessibility of the CAM for experimental manipulation, makes it an attractive preclinical in vivo model for drug screening and/or for studies of vascular growth. In this article we provide a detailed review of the use of the CAM to study vascular biology and response of blood vessels to a variety of agonists. We also present distinct cultivation protocols discussing their advantages and limitations and provide a summarized update on the use of the CAM in vascular imaging, drug delivery, pharmacokinetics and toxicology.
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The chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane as a model for tumor biology. Exp Cell Res 2014; 328:314-24. [PMID: 24972385 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2014.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Among the in vivo models, the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) has been used to implant several tumor types as well as malignant cell lines to study their growth rate, angiogenic potential and metastatic capability. This review article is focused on the major compelling literature data on the use of the CAM to investigate tumor growth and the metastatic process.
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Abstract
The process of de novo vessel formation, called angiogenesis, is essential for tumor progression and spreading. Targeting of molecular pathways involved in such tumor angiogenetic processes by using specific drugs or inhibitors is important for developing new anticancer therapies. Drug discovery remains to be the main focus for biomedical research and represents the essence of antiangiogenesis cancer research. To pursue these molecular and pharmacological goals, researchers need to use animal models that facilitate the elucidation of tumor angiogenesis mechanisms and the testing of antiangiogenic therapies. The past few years have seen the zebrafish system emerge as a valid model organism to study developmental angiogenesis and, more recently, as an alternative vertebrate model for cancer research. In this review, we will discuss why the zebrafish model system has the advantage of being a vertebrate model equipped with easy and powerful transgenesis as well as imaging tools to investigate not only physiological angiogenesis but also tumor angiogenesis. We will also highlight the potential of zebrafish for identifying antitumor angiogenesis drugs to block tumor development and progression. We foresee the zebrafish model as an important system that can possibly complement well-established mouse models in cancer research to generate novel insights into the molecular mechanism of the tumor angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo M Santoro
- From the Laboratory of Endothelial Molecular Biology, Vesalius Research Center, Katholieke University Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; and Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.
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Ronca R, Di Salle E, Giacomini A, Leali D, Alessi P, Coltrini D, Ravelli C, Matarazzo S, Ribatti D, Vermi W, Presta M. Long Pentraxin-3 Inhibits Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition in Melanoma Cells. Mol Cancer Ther 2013; 12:2760-71. [DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-13-0487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Inactivation of the mTORC1-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E pathway alters stress granule formation. Mol Cell Biol 2013; 33:2285-301. [PMID: 23547259 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01517-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress granules (SG) are cytoplasmic multimeric RNA bodies that form under stress conditions known to inhibit cap-dependent translation. SG contain translation initiation factors, RNA binding proteins, and signaling molecules. SG are known to inhibit apoptotic pathways, thus contributing to chemo- and radioresistance in tumor cells. However, whether stress granule formation involves oncogenic signaling pathways is currently unknown. Here, we report a novel role of the mTORC1-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) pathway, a key regulator of cap-dependent translation initiation of oncogenic factors, in SG formation. mTORC1 specifically drives the eIF4E-mediated formation of SG through the phosphorylation of 4E-BP1, a key factor known to inhibit formation of the mTORC1-dependent eIF4E-eIF4GI interactions. Disrupting formation of SG by inactivation of mTOR with its specific inhibitor pp242 or by depletion of eIF4E or eIF4GI blocks the SG-associated antiapoptotic p21 pathway. Finally, pp242 sensitizes cancer cells to death in vitro and inhibits the growth of chemoresistant tumors in vivo. This work therefore highlights a novel role of the oncogenic mTORC1-eIF4E pathway, namely, the promotion of formation of antiapoptotic SG.
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Martowicz A, Spizzo G, Gastl G, Untergasser G. Phenotype-dependent effects of EpCAM expression on growth and invasion of human breast cancer cell lines. BMC Cancer 2012; 12:501. [PMID: 23110550 PMCID: PMC3519683 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-12-501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2012] [Accepted: 10/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) has been shown to be overexpressed in breast cancer and stem cells and has emerged as an attractive target for immunotherapy of breast cancer patients. This study analyzes the effects of EpCAM on breast cancer cell lines with epithelial or mesenchymal phenotype. Methods For this purpose, shRNA-mediated knockdown of EpCAM gene expression was performed in EpCAMhigh breast cancer cell lines with epithelial phenotype (MCF-7, T47D and SkBR3). Moreover, EpCAMlow breast carcinoma cell lines with mesenchymal phenotype (MDA-MB-231, Hs578t) and inducible overexpression of EpCAM were used to study effects on proliferation, migration and in vivo growth. Results In comparison to non-specific silencing controls (n/s-crtl) knockdown of EpCAM (E#2) in EpCAMhigh cell lines resulted in reduced cell proliferation under serum-reduced culture conditions. Moreover, DNA synthesis under 3D culture conditions in collagen was significantly reduced. Xenografts of MCF-7 and T47D cells with knockdown of EpCAM formed smaller tumors that were less invasive. EpCAMlow cell lines with tetracycline-inducible overexpression of EpCAM showed no increased cell proliferation or migration under serum-reduced growth conditions. MDA-MB-231 xenografts with EpCAM overexpression showed reduced invasion into host tissue and more infiltrates of chicken granulocytes. Conclusions The role of EpCAM in breast cancer strongly depends on the epithelial or mesenchymal phenotype of tumor cells. Cancer cells with epithelial phenotype need EpCAM as a growth- and invasion-promoting factor, whereas tumor cells with a mesenchymal phenotype are independent of EpCAM in invasion processes and tumor progression. These findings might have clinical implications for EpCAM-based targeting strategies in patients with invasive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Martowicz
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
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