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Rodríguez-Cruz D, Boquet-Pujadas A, López-Muñoz E, Rincón-Heredia R, Paredes-Díaz R, Flores-Fortis M, Olivo-Marin JC, Guillén N, Aguilar-Rojas A. Three-dimensional cell culture conditions promoted the Mesenchymal-Amoeboid Transition in the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1435708. [PMID: 39156975 PMCID: PMC11327030 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1435708] [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: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of death among women, primarily due to its potential for metastasis. As BC progresses, the extracellular matrix (ECM) produces more type-I collagen, resulting in increased stiffness. This alteration influences cellular behaviors such as migration, invasion, and metastasis. Specifically, cancer cells undergo changes in gene expression that initially promote an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and subsequently, a transition from a mesenchymal to an amoeboid (MAT) migration mode. In this way, cancer cells can migrate more easily through the stiffer microenvironment. Despite their importance, understanding MATs remains challenging due to the difficulty of replicating in vitro the conditions for cell migration that are observed in vivo. Methods To address this challenge, we developed a three-dimensional (3D) growth system that replicates the different matrix properties observed during the progression of a breast tumor. We used this model to study the migration and invasion of the Triple-Negative BC (TNBC) cell line MDA-MB-231, which is particularly subject to metastasis. Results Our results indicate that denser collagen matrices present a reduction in porosity, collagen fiber size, and collagen fiber orientation, which are associated with the transition of cells to a rounder morphology with bleb-like protrusions. We quantified how this transition is associated with a more persistent migration, an enhanced invasion capacity, and a reduced secretion of matrix metalloproteinases. Discussion Our findings suggest that the proposed 3D growth conditions (especially those with high collagen concentrations) mimic key features of MATs, providing a new platform to study the physiology of migratory transitions and their role in BC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Rodríguez-Cruz
- Medical Research Unit in Reproductive Medicine, High Specialty Medical Unit in Gynecology and Obstetrics No. 4 “Luis Castelazo Ayala”, Mexican Social Security Institute, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Aleix Boquet-Pujadas
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Biomedical Imaging Group, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Bioimage Analysis Unit, Pasteur Institute, Paris, France
- National Center for Scientific Research, CNRS UMR3691, Paris, France
| | - Eunice López-Muñoz
- Medical Research Unit in Reproductive Medicine, High Specialty Medical Unit in Gynecology and Obstetrics No. 4 “Luis Castelazo Ayala”, Mexican Social Security Institute, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ruth Rincón-Heredia
- Microscopy Core Unit, Institute of Cellular Physiology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rodolfo Paredes-Díaz
- Microscopy Core Unit, Institute of Cellular Physiology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mauricio Flores-Fortis
- Cuajimalpa Unit, Engineering and Natural Science Doctoral Program, Metropolitan Autonomous University, Mexico City, Mexico
- Cuajimalpa Unit, Department of Natural Science, Metropolitan Autonomous University, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jean-Christophe Olivo-Marin
- Bioimage Analysis Unit, Pasteur Institute, Paris, France
- National Center for Scientific Research, CNRS UMR3691, Paris, France
| | - Nancy Guillén
- Bioimage Analysis Unit, Pasteur Institute, Paris, France
- National Center for Scientific Research, CNRS ERL9195, Paris, France
| | - Arturo Aguilar-Rojas
- Medical Research Unit in Reproductive Medicine, High Specialty Medical Unit in Gynecology and Obstetrics No. 4 “Luis Castelazo Ayala”, Mexican Social Security Institute, Mexico City, Mexico
- Bioimage Analysis Unit, Pasteur Institute, Paris, France
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Niraula G, Pyne A, Wang X. Develop Tandem Tension Sensor to Gauge Integrin-Transmitted Molecular Forces. ACS Sens 2024; 9:3660-3670. [PMID: 38968930 PMCID: PMC11287754 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.4c00756] [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: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
DNA-based tension sensors have innovated the imaging and calibration of mechanosensitive receptor-transmitted molecular forces, such as integrin tensions. However, these sensors mainly serve as binary reporters, only indicating if molecular forces exceed one predefined threshold. Here, we have developed tandem tension sensor (TTS), which comprises two consecutive force-sensing units, each with unique force detection thresholds and distinct fluorescence spectra, thereby enabling the quantification of molecular forces with dual reference levels. With TTS, we revealed that vinculin is not required for transmitting integrin tensions at approximately 10 pN (piconewtons) but is essential for elevating integrin tensions beyond 20 pN in focal adhesions (FAs). Such high tensions have emerged during the early stage of FA formation. TTS also successfully detected changes in integrin tensions in response to disrupted actin formation, inhibited myosin activity, and tuned substrate elasticity. We also applied TTS to examine integrin tensions in platelets and revealed two force regimes, with integrin tensions surpassing 20 pN at cell central regions and 13-20 pN integrin tensions at the cell edge. Overall, TTS, especially the construct consisting of a hairpin DNA (13 pN opening force) and a shearing DNA (20 pN opening force), stands as a valuable tool for the quantification of receptor-transmitted molecular forces within living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopal Niraula
- Department
of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Arghajit Pyne
- Research
Division in Hoxworth Center, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219, United States
| | - Xuefeng Wang
- Research
Division in Hoxworth Center, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219, United States
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Zubiarrain-Laserna A, Martínez-Moreno D, López de Andrés J, de Lara-Peña L, Guaresti O, Zaldua AM, Jiménez G, Marchal JA. Beyond stiffness: deciphering the role of viscoelasticity in cancer evolution and treatment response. Biofabrication 2024; 16:042002. [PMID: 38862006 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad5705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that cancer progression is linked to tissue viscoelasticity, which challenges the commonly accepted notion that stiffness is the main mechanical hallmark of cancer. However, this new insight has not reached widespread clinical use, as most clinical trials focus on the application of tissue elasticity and stiffness in diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical planning. Therefore, there is a need to advance the fundamental understanding of the effect of viscoelasticity on cancer progression, to develop novel mechanical biomarkers of clinical significance. Tissue viscoelasticity is largely determined by the extracellular matrix (ECM), which can be simulatedin vitrousing hydrogel-based platforms. Since the mechanical properties of hydrogels can be easily adjusted by changing parameters such as molecular weight and crosslinking type, they provide a platform to systematically study the relationship between ECM viscoelasticity and cancer progression. This review begins with an overview of cancer viscoelasticity, describing how tumor cells interact with biophysical signals in their environment, how they contribute to tumor viscoelasticity, and how this translates into cancer progression. Next, an overview of clinical trials focused on measuring biomechanical properties of tumors is presented, highlighting the biomechanical properties utilized for cancer diagnosis and monitoring. Finally, this review examines the use of biofabricated tumor models for studying the impact of ECM viscoelasticity on cancer behavior and progression and it explores potential avenues for future research on the production of more sophisticated and biomimetic tumor models, as well as their mechanical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Zubiarrain-Laserna
- Leartiker S. Coop., Xemein Etorbidea 12A, 48270 Markina-Xemein, Spain
- BioFab i3D- Biofabrication and 3D (bio)printing Laboratory, University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research, (CIBM) University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Daniel Martínez-Moreno
- BioFab i3D- Biofabrication and 3D (bio)printing Laboratory, University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research, (CIBM) University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit 'Modeling Nature' (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Julia López de Andrés
- BioFab i3D- Biofabrication and 3D (bio)printing Laboratory, University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research, (CIBM) University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit 'Modeling Nature' (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Laura de Lara-Peña
- BioFab i3D- Biofabrication and 3D (bio)printing Laboratory, University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research, (CIBM) University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit 'Modeling Nature' (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Olatz Guaresti
- Leartiker S. Coop., Xemein Etorbidea 12A, 48270 Markina-Xemein, Spain
| | - Ane Miren Zaldua
- Leartiker S. Coop., Xemein Etorbidea 12A, 48270 Markina-Xemein, Spain
| | - Gema Jiménez
- BioFab i3D- Biofabrication and 3D (bio)printing Laboratory, University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research, (CIBM) University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit 'Modeling Nature' (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Department of Health Science, Faculty of Experimental Science, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain
| | - Juan Antonio Marchal
- BioFab i3D- Biofabrication and 3D (bio)printing Laboratory, University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research, (CIBM) University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit 'Modeling Nature' (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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Hilai K, Grubich D, Akrawi M, Zhu H, Zaghloul R, Shi C, Do M, Zhu D, Zhang J. Mechanical evolution of metastatic cancer cells in three-dimensional microenvironment. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.27.601015. [PMID: 39005477 PMCID: PMC11244934 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.27.601015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Cellular biomechanics plays critical roles in cancer metastasis and tumor progression. Existing studies on cancer cell biomechanics are mostly conducted in flat 2D conditions, where cells' behavior can differ considerably from those in 3D physiological environments. Despite great advances in developing 3D in vitro models, probing cellular elasticity in 3D conditions remains a major challenge for existing technologies. In this work, we utilize optical Brillouin microscopy to longitudinally acquire mechanical images of growing cancerous spheroids over the period of eight days. The dense mechanical mapping from Brillouin microscopy enables us to extract spatially resolved and temporally evolving mechanical features that were previously inaccessible. Using an established machine learning algorithm, we demonstrate that incorporating these extracted mechanical features significantly improves the classification accuracy of cancer cells, from 74% to 95%. Building on this finding, we have developed a deep learning pipeline capable of accurately differentiating cancerous spheroids from normal ones solely using Brillouin images, suggesting the mechanical features of cancer cells could potentially serve as a new biomarker in cancer classification and detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlin Hilai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Daniil Grubich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Marcus Akrawi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Hui Zhu
- Department of Computer Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Razanne Zaghloul
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Chenjun Shi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Man Do
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Dongxiao Zhu
- Department of Computer Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Jitao Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
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5
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Chapman M, Rajagopal V, Stewart A, Collins DJ. Critical review of single-cell mechanotyping approaches for biomedical applications. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:3036-3063. [PMID: 38804123 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00978e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Accurate mechanical measurements of cells has the potential to improve diagnostics, therapeutics and advance understanding of disease mechanisms, where high-resolution mechanical information can be measured by deforming individual cells. Here we evaluate recently developed techniques for measuring cell-scale stiffness properties; while many such techniques have been developed, much of the work examining single-cell stiffness is impacted by difficulties in standardization and comparability, giving rise to large variations in reported mechanical moduli. We highlight the role of underlying mechanical theories driving this variability, and note opportunities to develop novel mechanotyping devices and theoretical models that facilitate convenient and accurate mechanical characterisation. Moreover, many high-throughput approaches are confounded by factors including cell size, surface friction, natural population heterogeneity and convolution of elastic and viscous contributions to cell deformability. We nevertheless identify key approaches based on deformability cytometry as a promising direction for further development, where both high-throughput and accurate single-cell resolutions can be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Chapman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Vijay Rajagopal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Alastair Stewart
- ARC Centre for Personalised Therapeutics Technologies, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - David J Collins
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Graeme Clarke Institute University of Melbourne Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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6
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Hou X, Ouyang J, Tang L, Wu P, Deng X, Yan Q, Shi L, Fan S, Fan C, Guo C, Liao Q, Li Y, Xiong W, Li G, Zeng Z, Wang F. KCNK1 promotes proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer cells by activating lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) and up-regulating H3K18 lactylation. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002666. [PMID: 38905316 PMCID: PMC11192366 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy and the most significant contributor to mortality in female oncology patients. Potassium Two Pore Domain Channel Subfamily K Member 1 (KCNK1) is differentially expressed in a variety of tumors, but the mechanism of its function in breast cancer is unknown. In this study, we found for the first time that KCNK1 was significantly up-regulated in human breast cancer and was correlated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. KCNK1 promoted breast cancer proliferation, invasion, and metastasis in vitro and vivo. Further studies unexpectedly revealed that KCNK1 increased the glycolysis and lactate production in breast cancer cells by binding to and activating lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), which promoted histones lysine lactylation to induce the expression of a series of downstream genes and LDHA itself. Notably, increased expression of LDHA served as a vicious positive feedback to reduce tumor cell stiffness and adhesion, which eventually resulted in the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of breast cancer. In conclusion, our results suggest that KCNK1 may serve as a potential breast cancer biomarker, and deeper insight into the cancer-promoting mechanism of KCNK1 may uncover a novel therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangchan Hou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jiawei Ouyang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Le Tang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Pan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiangying Deng
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qijia Yan
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Department of Pathology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Songqing Fan
- Department of Pathology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chunmei Fan
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Can Guo
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qianjin Liao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Medicine, Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Guiyuan Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Fuyan Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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7
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Handler C, Testi C, Scarcelli G. Advantages of integrating Brillouin microscopy in multimodal mechanical mapping of cells and tissues. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2024; 88:102341. [PMID: 38471195 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2024.102341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Recent research has highlighted the growing significance of the mechanical properties of cells and tissues in the proper execution of physiological functions within an organism; alterations to these properties can potentially result in various diseases. These mechanical properties can be assessed using various techniques that vary in spatial and temporal resolutions as well as applications. Due to the wide range of mechanical behaviors exhibited by cells and tissues, a singular mapping technique may be insufficient in capturing their complexity and nuance. Consequently, by utilizing a combination of methods-multimodal mechanical mapping-researchers can achieve a more comprehensive characterization of mechanical properties, encompassing factors such as stiffness, modulus, viscoelasticity, and forces. Furthermore, different mapping techniques can provide complementary information and enable the exploration of spatial and temporal variations to enhance our understanding of cellular dynamics and tissue mechanics. By capitalizing on the unique strengths of each method while mitigating their respective limitations, a more precise and holistic understanding of cellular and tissue mechanics can be obtained. Here, we spotlight Brillouin microscopy (BM) as a noncontact, noninvasive, and label-free mechanical mapping modality to be coutilized alongside established mechanical probing methods. This review summarizes some of the most widely adopted individual mechanical mapping techniques and highlights several recent multimodal approaches demonstrating their utility. We envision that future studies aim to adopt multimodal techniques to drive advancements in the broader realm of mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenchen Handler
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Claudia Testi
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; Center for Life Nano- and Neuro- Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Giuliano Scarcelli
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
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Goldstein Y, Cohen OT, Wald O, Bavli D, Kaplan T, Benny O. Particle uptake in cancer cells can predict malignancy and drug resistance using machine learning. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj4370. [PMID: 38809990 PMCID: PMC11314625 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj4370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Tumor heterogeneity is a primary factor that contributes to treatment failure. Predictive tools, capable of classifying cancer cells based on their functions, may substantially enhance therapy and extend patient life span. The connection between cell biomechanics and cancer cell functions is used here to classify cells through mechanical measurements, via particle uptake. Machine learning (ML) was used to classify cells based on single-cell patterns of uptake of particles with diverse sizes. Three pairs of human cancer cell subpopulations, varied in their level of drug resistance or malignancy, were studied. Cells were allowed to interact with fluorescently labeled polystyrene particles ranging in size from 0.04 to 3.36 μm and analyzed for their uptake patterns using flow cytometry. ML algorithms accurately classified cancer cell subtypes with accuracy rates exceeding 95%. The uptake data were especially advantageous for morphologically similar cell subpopulations. Moreover, the uptake data were found to serve as a form of "normalization" that could reduce variation in repeated experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoel Goldstein
- Institute for Drug Research, The School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Ora T. Cohen
- Institute for Drug Research, The School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Ori Wald
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Danny Bavli
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Tommy Kaplan
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Ofra Benny
- Institute for Drug Research, The School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
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Xin Y, Hu B, Li K, Hu G, Zhang C, Chen X, Tang K, Du P, Tan Y. Circulating tumor cells with metastasis-initiating competence survive fluid shear stress during hematogenous dissemination through CXCR4-PI3K/AKT signaling. Cancer Lett 2024; 590:216870. [PMID: 38614386 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
To seed lethal secondary lesions, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) must survive all rate-limiting factors during hematogenous dissemination, including fluid shear stress (FSS) that poses a grand challenge to their survival. We thus hypothesized that CTCs with the ability to survive FSS in vasculature might hold metastasis-initiating competence. This study reported that FSS of physiologic magnitude selected a small subpopulation of suspended tumor cells in vitro with the traits of metastasis-initiating cells, including stemness, migration/invasion potential, cellular plasticity, and biophysical properties. These shear-selected cells generated local and metastatic tumors at the primary and distal sites efficiently, implicating their metastasis competence. Mechanistically, FSS activated the mechanosensitive protein CXCR4 and the downstream PI3K/AKT signaling, which were essential in shear-mediated selection of metastasis-competent CTCs. In summary, these findings conclude that CTCs with metastasis-initiating competence survive FSS during hematogenous dissemination through CXCR4-PI3K/AKT signaling, which may provide new therapeutic targets for the early prevention of tumor metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xin
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China; Research Institute of Smart Ageing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Bing Hu
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China; Research Institute of Smart Ageing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Keming Li
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China; Research Institute of Smart Ageing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Guanshuo Hu
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China; Research Institute of Smart Ageing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Cunyu Zhang
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China; Research Institute of Smart Ageing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Xi Chen
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China; Research Institute of Smart Ageing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Kai Tang
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China; Research Institute of Smart Ageing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Pengyu Du
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China; Research Institute of Smart Ageing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Youhua Tan
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China; Research Institute of Smart Ageing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, China.
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Connaughton M, Dabagh M. Modeling Physical Forces Experienced by Cancer and Stromal Cells Within Different Organ-Specific Tumor Tissue. IEEE JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL ENGINEERING IN HEALTH AND MEDICINE 2024; 12:413-434. [PMID: 38765886 PMCID: PMC11100865 DOI: 10.1109/jtehm.2024.3388561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Mechanical force exerted on cancer cells by their microenvironment have been reported to drive cells toward invasive phenotypes by altering cells' motility, proliferation, and apoptosis. These mechanical forces include compressive, tensile, hydrostatic, and shear forces. The importance of forces is then hypothesized to be an alteration of cancer cells' and their microenvironment's biophysical properties as the indicator of a tumor's malignancy state. Our objective is to investigate and quantify the correlation between a tumor's malignancy state and forces experienced by the cancer cells and components of the microenvironment. In this study, we have developed a multicomponent, three-dimensional model of tumor tissue consisting of a cancer cell surrounded by fibroblasts and extracellular matrix (ECM). Our results on three different organs including breast, kidney, and pancreas show that: A) the stresses within tumor tissue are impacted by the organ specific ECM's biophysical properties, B) more invasive cancer cells experience higher stresses, C) in pancreas which has a softer ECM (Young modulus of 1.0 kPa) and stiffer cancer cells (Young modulus of 2.4 kPa and 1.7 kPa) than breast and kidney, cancer cells experienced significantly higher stresses, D) cancer cells in contact with ECM experienced higher stresses compared to cells surrounded by fibroblasts but the area of tumor stroma experiencing high stresses has a maximum length of 40 μm when the cancer cell is surrounded by fibroblasts and 12 μm for when the cancer cell is in vicinity of ECM. This study serves as an important first step in understanding of how the stresses experienced by cancer cells, fibroblasts, and ECM are associated with malignancy states of cancer cells in different organs. The quantification of forces exerted on cancer cells by different organ-specific ECM and at different stages of malignancy will help, first to develop theranostic strategies, second to predict accurately which tumors will become highly malignant, and third to establish accurate criteria controlling the progression of cancer cells malignancy. Furthermore, our in silico model of tumor tissue can yield critical, useful information for guiding ex vivo or in vitro experiments, narrowing down variables to be investigated, understanding what factors could be impacting cancer treatments or even biomarkers to be looking for.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Connaughton
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukeeWI53211USA
| | - Mahsa Dabagh
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukeeWI53211USA
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11
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Massey A, Stewart J, Smith C, Parvini C, McCormick M, Do K, Cartagena-Rivera AX. Mechanical properties of human tumour tissues and their implications for cancer development. NATURE REVIEWS. PHYSICS 2024; 6:269-282. [PMID: 38706694 PMCID: PMC11066734 DOI: 10.1038/s42254-024-00707-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
The mechanical properties of cells and tissues help determine their architecture, composition and function. Alterations to these properties are associated with many diseases, including cancer. Tensional, compressive, adhesive, elastic and viscous properties of individual cells and multicellular tissues are mostly regulated by reorganization of the actomyosin and microtubule cytoskeletons and extracellular glycocalyx, which in turn drive many pathophysiological processes, including cancer progression. This Review provides an in-depth collection of quantitative data on diverse mechanical properties of living human cancer cells and tissues. Additionally, the implications of mechanical property changes for cancer development are discussed. An increased knowledge of the mechanical properties of the tumour microenvironment, as collected using biomechanical approaches capable of multi-timescale and multiparametric analyses, will provide a better understanding of the complex mechanical determinants of cancer organization and progression. This information can lead to a further understanding of resistance mechanisms to chemotherapies and immunotherapies and the metastatic cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Massey
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jamie Stewart
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- These authors contributed equally: Jamie Stewart, Chynna Smith
| | - Chynna Smith
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- These authors contributed equally: Jamie Stewart, Chynna Smith
| | - Cameron Parvini
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Moira McCormick
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kun Do
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alexander X. Cartagena-Rivera
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Aragón-Franco R, Ruiz-Manzano RA, Nava-Castro KE, Del Rìo Araiza VH, Garay-Canales CA, Pérez-Torres A, Chacón-Salinas R, Girón-Pérez MI, Morales-Montor J. Convergence between helminths and breast cancer: intratumoral injection of the excretory/secretory antigens of the human parasite Toxocara canis (EST) increase lung macro and micro metastasis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1332933. [PMID: 38576624 PMCID: PMC10993691 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1332933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Worldwide, breast cancer is the most important cancer in incidence and prevalence in women. Different risk factors interact to increase the probability of developing it. Biological agents such as helminth parasites, particularly their excretory/secretory antigens, may play a significant role in tumor development. Helminths and their antigens have been recognized as inducers or promoters of cancer due to their ability to regulate the host's immune response. Previously in our laboratory, we demonstrated that chronic infection by Toxocara canis increases the size of mammary tumors, affecting the systemic response to the parasite. However, the parasite does not invade the tumor, and we decided to study if the excretion/secretion of antigens from Toxocara canis (EST) can affect the progression of mammary tumors or the pathophysiology of cancer which is metastasis. Thus, this study aimed to determine whether excretion/secretion T. canis antigens, injected directly into the tumor, affect tumor growth and metastasis. Methods We evaluated these parameters through the monitoring of the intra-tumoral immune response. Results Mice injected intratumorally with EST did not show changes in the size and weight of the tumors; although the tumors showed an increased microvasculature, they did develop increased micro and macro-metastasis in the lung. The analysis of the immune tumor microenvironment revealed that EST antigens did not modulate the proportion of immune cells in the tumor, spleen, or peripheral lymph nodes. Macroscopic and microscopic analyses of the lungs showed increased metastasis in the EST-treated animals compared to controls, accompanied by an increase in VEGF systemic levels. Discussion Thus, these findings showed that intra-tumoral injection of T. canis EST antigens promote lung metastasis through modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Aragón-Franco
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional (ENCB-IPN), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Rocío Alejandra Ruiz-Manzano
- Laboratorio de Neuroinmunoendocrinología, Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Karen Elizabeth Nava-Castro
- Laboratorio de Biología y Química Atmosférica, Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales, Instituto de Ciencias de la Atmósfera y Cambio Climático, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Víctor Hugo Del Rìo Araiza
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Endocrinoinmunitarias en Enfermedades Parasitarias, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Departamento de Parasitología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Claudia Angelica Garay-Canales
- Laboratorio de Neuroinmunoendocrinología, Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Armando Pérez-Torres
- Departamento de Biologia Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Romel Chacón-Salinas
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional (ENCB-IPN), Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Manuel Iván Girón-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Inmunotoxicología, Secretaría de Investigación y Posgrado, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico
| | - Jorge Morales-Montor
- Laboratorio de Neuroinmunoendocrinología, Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
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13
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Sutanto R, Neahring L, Serra Marques A, Jacobo Jacobo M, Kilinc S, Goga A, Dumont S. The oncogene cyclin D1 promotes bipolar spindle integrity under compressive force. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296779. [PMID: 38478555 PMCID: PMC10936824 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The mitotic spindle is the bipolar, microtubule-based structure that segregates chromosomes at each cell division. Aberrant spindles are frequently observed in cancer cells, but how oncogenic transformation affects spindle mechanics and function, particularly in the mechanical context of solid tumors, remains poorly understood. Here, we constitutively overexpress the oncogene cyclin D1 in human MCF10A cells to probe its effects on spindle architecture and response to compressive force. We find that cyclin D1 overexpression increases the incidence of spindles with extra poles, centrioles, and chromosomes. However, it also protects spindle poles from fracturing under compressive force, a deleterious outcome linked to multipolar cell divisions. Our findings suggest that cyclin D1 overexpression may adapt cells to increased compressive stress, possibly contributing to its prevalence in cancers such as breast cancer by allowing continued proliferation in mechanically challenging environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renaldo Sutanto
- Department of Bioengineering & Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Lila Neahring
- Department of Bioengineering & Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Andrea Serra Marques
- Department of Bioengineering & Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Mauricio Jacobo Jacobo
- Department of Bioengineering & Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Cell & Tissue Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Seda Kilinc
- Department of Cell & Tissue Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Andrei Goga
- Department of Cell & Tissue Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Sophie Dumont
- Department of Bioengineering & Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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14
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Wang J, Zhang B, Chen X, Xin Y, Li K, Zhang C, Tang K, Tan Y. Cell mechanics regulate the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via JNK signaling. Acta Biomater 2024; 176:321-333. [PMID: 38272199 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, especially those with metastatic competence, show reduced stiffness compared to the non-malignant counterparts. However, it is still unclear whether and how the mechanics of HCC cells influence their migration and invasion. This study reports that HCC cells with enhanced motility show reduced mechanical stiffness and cytoskeleton, suggesting the inverse correlation between cellular stiffness and motility. Through pharmacologic and genetic approaches, inhibiting actomyosin activity reduces HCC cellular stiffness but promotes their migration and invasion, while activating it increases cell stiffness but impairs cell motility. Actomyosin regulates cell motility through the influence on cellular stiffness. Mechanistically, weakening/strengthening cells inhibits/promotes c-Jun N terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation, activation/inhibition of which rescues the effects of cell mechanics on their migration and invasion. Further, HCC cancer stem cells (CSCs) exhibit higher motility but lower stiffness than control cells. Increasing CSC stiffness weakens migration and invasion through the activation of JNK signaling. In conclusion, our findings unveil a new regulatory role of actomyosin-mediated cellular mechanics in tumor cell motility and present new evidence to support that tumor cell softening may be one driving force for HCC metastasis. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Tumor cells progressively become softened during metastasis and low cell stiffness is associated with high metastatic potential. However, it remains unclear whether tumor cell softening is a by-product of or a driving force for tumor progression. This work reports that the stiffness of hepatocellular carcinoma cells is linked to their migration and invasion. Importantly, tumor cell softening promotes migration and invasion, while cell stiffening impairs the mobility. Weakening/strengthening cells inhibits/promotes JNK phosphorylation, activation/inhibition of which rescues the effects of cell mechanics on their migration and invasion ability. Further, stiffening liver cancer stem cells attenuates their motility through activating JNK signaling. In summary, our study uncovers a previously unappreciated role of tumor cell mechanics in migration and invasion and implicates the therapeutic potential of cell mechanics in the mechanotargeting of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfan Wang
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Bai Zhang
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Xi Chen
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Ying Xin
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Keming Li
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Cunyu Zhang
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Kai Tang
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Youhua Tan
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China.
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15
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Clevenger AJ, McFarlin MK, Gorley JPM, Solberg SC, Madyastha AK, Raghavan SA. Advances in cancer mechanobiology: Metastasis, mechanics, and materials. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:011502. [PMID: 38449522 PMCID: PMC10917464 DOI: 10.1063/5.0186042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Within the tumor microenvironment (TME), tumor cells are exposed to numerous mechanical forces, both internally and externally, which contribute to the metastatic cascade. From the initial growth of the tumor to traveling through the vasculature and to the eventual colonization of distant organs, tumor cells are continuously interacting with their surroundings through physical contact and mechanical force application. The mechanical forces found in the TME can be simplified into three main categories: (i) shear stress, (ii) tension and strain, and (iii) solid stress and compression. Each force type can independently impact tumor growth and progression. Here, we review recent bioengineering strategies, which have been employed to establish the connection between mechanical forces and tumor progression. While many cancers are explored in this review, we place great emphasis on cancers that are understudied in their response to mechanical forces, such as ovarian and colorectal cancers. We discuss the major steps of metastatic transformation and present novel, recent advances in model systems used to study how mechanical forces impact the study of the metastatic cascade. We end by summarizing systems that incorporate multiple forces to expand the complexity of our understanding of how tumor cells sense and respond to mechanical forces in their environment. Future studies would also benefit from the inclusion of time or the aspect of mechanical memory to further enhance this field. While the knowledge of mechanical forces and tumor metastasis grows, developing novel materials and in vitro systems are essential to providing new insight into predicting, treating, and preventing cancer progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maygan K. McFarlin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - John Paul M. Gorley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Spencer C. Solberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Anirudh K. Madyastha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
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16
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Xie X, Sauer F, Grosser S, Lippoldt J, Warmt E, Das A, Bi D, Fuhs T, Käs JA. Effect of non-linear strain stiffening in eDAH and unjamming. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:1996-2007. [PMID: 38323652 PMCID: PMC10900305 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00630a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
In cell clusters, the prominent factors at play encompass contractility-based enhanced tissue surface tension and cell unjamming transition. The former effect pertains to the boundary effect, while the latter constitutes a bulk effect. Both effects share outcomes of inducing significant elongation in cells. This elongation is so substantial that it surpasses the limits of linear elasticity, thereby giving rise to additional effects. To investigate these effects, we employ atomic force microscopy (AFM) to analyze how the mechanical properties of individual cells change under such considerable elongation. Our selection of cell lines includes MCF-10A, chosen for its pronounced demonstration of the extended differential adhesion hypothesis (eDAH), and MDA-MB-436, selected due to its manifestation of cell unjamming behavior. In the AFM analyses, we observe a common trend in both cases: as elongation increases, both cell lines exhibit strain stiffening. Notably, this effect is more prominent in MCF-10A compared to MDA-MB-436. Subsequently, we employ AFM on a dynamic range of 1-200 Hz to probe the mechanical characteristics of cell spheroids, focusing on both surface and bulk mechanics. Our findings align with the results from single cell investigations. Specifically, MCF-10A cells, characterized by strong contractile tissue tension, exhibit the greatest stiffness on their surface. Conversely, MDA-MB-436 cells, which experience significant elongation, showcase their highest stiffness within the bulk region. Consequently, the concept of single cell strain stiffening emerges as a crucial element in understanding the mechanics of multicellular spheroids (MCSs), even in the case of MDA-MB-436 cells, which are comparatively softer in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofan Xie
- Soft Matter Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Frank Sauer
- Soft Matter Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Steffen Grosser
- Soft Matter Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Jürgen Lippoldt
- Soft Matter Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Enrico Warmt
- Soft Matter Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Amit Das
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Dapeng Bi
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Thomas Fuhs
- Soft Matter Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Josef A Käs
- Soft Matter Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, University of Leipzig, Germany.
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17
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Csonti K, Fazakas C, Molnár K, Wilhelm I, Krizbai IA, Végh AG. Breast adenocarcinoma cells adhere stronger to brain pericytes than to endothelial cells. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2024; 234:113751. [PMID: 38241889 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2024.113751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Most of the malignancies detected within the brain parenchyma are of metastatic origin. As the brain lacks classical lymphatic circulation, the primary way for metastasis relies on hematogenous routes. Dissemination of metastatic cells to the brain implies attachment to the luminal surface of brain endothelial cells, transmigration through the vessel wall, and adhesion to the brain surface of the vasculature. During this process, tumor cells must interact with brain endothelial cells and later on with pericytes. Physical interaction between tumor cells and brain vascular cells might be crucial in the successful extravasation of metastatic cells through blood vessels and later in their survival within the brain environment. Therefore, we applied single-cell force spectroscopy to investigate the nanoscale adhesive properties of living breast adenocarcinoma cells to brain endothelial cells and pericytes. We found target cell type-dependent adhesion characteristics, i.e. increased adhesion of the tumor cells to pericytes in comparison to endothelial cells, which underlines the existence of metastatic potential-related nanomechanical differences relying partly on membrane tether dynamics. Varying adhesion strength of the tumor cells to different cell types of brain vessels presumably reflects the transitory adhesion to endothelial cells before extravasation and the long-lasting strong interaction with pericytes during survival and proliferation in the brain. Our results highlight the importance of specific mechanical interactions between tumor cells and host cells during metastasis formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katalin Csonti
- HUN-REN BRC, Szeged, Institute of Biophysics, Hungary; Doctoral School of Physics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary; Semilab Semiconductor Physics Laboratory Co. Ltd., Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Kinga Molnár
- HUN-REN BRC, Szeged, Institute of Biophysics, Hungary
| | - Imola Wilhelm
- HUN-REN BRC, Szeged, Institute of Biophysics, Hungary; Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldiş Western University, Arad, Romania
| | - István A Krizbai
- HUN-REN BRC, Szeged, Institute of Biophysics, Hungary; Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldiş Western University, Arad, Romania
| | - Attila G Végh
- HUN-REN BRC, Szeged, Institute of Biophysics, Hungary.
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18
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Wendong Y, Jiali J, Qiaomei F, Yayun W, Xianze X, Zheng S, Wei H. Biomechanical forces and force-triggered drug delivery in tumor neovascularization. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 171:116117. [PMID: 38171243 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor angiogenesis is one of the typical hallmarks of tumor occurrence and development, and tumor neovascularization also exhibits distinct characteristics from normal blood vessels. As the number of cells and matrix inside the tumor increases, the biomechanical force is enhanced, specifically manifested as solid stress, fluid stress, stiffness, and topology. This mechanical microenvironment also provides shelter for tumors and intensifies angiogenesis, providing oxygen and nutritional support for tumor progression. During tumor development, the biomechanical microenvironment also emerges, which in turn feeds back to regulate the tumor progression, including tumor angiogenesis, and biochemical and biomechanical signals can regulate tumor angiogenesis. Blood vessels possess inherent sensitivity to mechanical stimuli, but compared to the extensive research on biochemical signal regulation, the study of the regulation of tumor neovascularization by biomechanical signals remains relatively scarce. Biomechanical forces can affect the phenotypic characteristics and mechanical signaling pathways of tumor blood vessels, directly regulating angiogenesis. Meanwhile, they can indirectly regulate tumor angiogenesis by causing an imbalance in angiogenesis signals and affecting stromal cell function. Understanding the regulatory mechanism of biomechanical forces in tumor angiogenesis is beneficial for better identifying and even taming the mechanical forces involved in angiogenesis, providing new therapeutic targets for tumor vascular normalization. Therefore, we summarized the composition of biomechanical forces and their direct or indirect regulation of tumor neovascularization. In addition, this review discussed the use of biomechanical forces in combination with anti-angiogenic therapies for the treatment of tumors, and biomechanical forces triggered delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wendong
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310005, China
| | - Jiang Jiali
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310005, China
| | - Fan Qiaomei
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310005, China
| | - Weng Yayun
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310005, China
| | - Xie Xianze
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310005, China
| | - Shi Zheng
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310005, China.
| | - Huang Wei
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310005, China.
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Rajora AK, Ahire ED, Rajora M, Singh S, Bhattacharya J, Zhang H. Emergence and impact of theranostic-nanoformulation of triple therapeutics for combination cancer therapy. SMART MEDICINE 2024; 3:e20230035. [PMID: 39188518 PMCID: PMC11235932 DOI: 10.1002/smmd.20230035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
Cancer remains a major global health threat necessitating the multipronged approaches for its prevention and management. Traditional approaches in the form of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy are often encountered with poor patient outcomes evidenced by high mortality and morbidity, compelling the need for precision medicine for cancer patients to enable personalized and targeted cancer treatment. There has been an emergence of smart multimodal theranostic nanoformulation for triple combination cancer therapy in the last few years, which dramatically enhances the overall safety of the nanoformulation for in vivo and potential clinical applications with minimal toxicity. However, it is imperative to gain insight into the limitations of this system in terms of clinical translation, cost-effectiveness, accessibility, and multidisciplinary collaboration. This review paper aims to highlight and compare the impact of the recent theranostic nanoformulations of triple therapeutics in a single nanocarrier for effective management of cancer and provide a new dimension for diagnostic and treatment simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Kumar Rajora
- NanoBiotechnology LabSchool of BiotechnologyJawaharlal Nehru UniversityNew DelhiIndia
| | - Eknath D. Ahire
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Mumbai Educational Trust (MET), Institute of PharmacyAffiliated to Savitribai Phule, Pune UniversityNashikMaharashtraIndia
| | - Manju Rajora
- College of NursingAll India Institute of Medical SciencesNew DelhiIndia
| | - Sukhvir Singh
- Radiological Physics and Internal Dosimetry (RAPID) GroupInstitute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied SciencesDefense Research & Development Organization, Ministry of DefenseTimarpurDelhiIndia
| | - Jaydeep Bhattacharya
- NanoBiotechnology LabSchool of BiotechnologyJawaharlal Nehru UniversityNew DelhiIndia
| | - Hongbo Zhang
- Pharmaceutical Sciences LaboratoryFaculty of Science and EngineeringÅbo Akademi UniversityTurkuFinland
- Turku Bioscience CenterUniversity of Turku and Åbo Akademi UniversityTurkuFinland
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20
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Sacco JL, Vaneman ZT, Gomez EW. Extracellular matrix viscoelasticity regulates TGFβ1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and apoptosis via integrin linked kinase. J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:e31165. [PMID: 38149820 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31165] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 is a multifunctional cytokine that plays important roles in health and disease. Previous studies have revealed that TGFβ1 activation, signaling, and downstream cell responses including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and apoptosis are regulated by the elasticity or stiffness of the extracellular matrix. However, tissues within the body are not purely elastic, rather they are viscoelastic. How matrix viscoelasticity impacts cell fate decisions downstream of TGFβ1 remains unknown. Here, we synthesized polyacrylamide hydrogels that mimic the viscoelastic properties of breast tumor tissue. We found that increasing matrix viscous dissipation reduces TGFβ1-induced cell spreading, F-actin stress fiber formation, and EMT-associated gene expression changes, and promotes TGFβ1-induced apoptosis in mammary epithelial cells. Furthermore, TGFβ1-induced expression of integrin linked kinase (ILK) and colocalization of ILK with vinculin at cell adhesions is attenuated in mammary epithelial cells cultured on viscoelastic substrata in comparison to cells cultured on nearly elastic substrata. Overexpression of ILK promotes TGFβ1-induced EMT and reduces apoptosis in cells cultured on viscoelastic substrata, suggesting that ILK plays an important role in regulating cell fate downstream of TGFβ1 in response to matrix viscoelasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Sacco
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Zachary T Vaneman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Esther W Gomez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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21
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Jadav N, Velamoor S, Huang D, Cassin L, Hazelton N, Eruera AR, Burga LN, Bostina M. Beyond the surface: Investigation of tumorsphere morphology using volume electron microscopy. J Struct Biol 2023; 215:108035. [PMID: 37805154 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2023.108035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
The advent of volume electron microscopy (vEM) has provided unprecedented insights into cellular and subcellular organization, revolutionizing our understanding of cancer biology. This study presents a previously unexplored comparative analysis of the ultrastructural disparities between cancer cells cultured as monolayers and tumorspheres. By integrating a robust workflow that incorporates high-pressure freezing followed by freeze substitution (HPF/FS), serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM), manual and deep learning-based segmentation, and statistical analysis, we have successfully generated three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of monolayer and tumorsphere cells, including their subcellular organelles. Our findings reveal a significant degree of variation in cellular morphology in tumorspheres. We observed the increased prevalence of nuclear envelope invaginations in tumorsphere cells compared to monolayers. Furthermore, we detected a diverse range of mitochondrial morphologies exclusively in tumorsphere cells, as well as intricate cellular interconnectivity within the tumorsphere architecture. These remarkable ultrastructural differences emphasize the use of tumorspheres as a superior model for cancer research due to their relevance to in vivo conditions. Our results strongly advocate for the utilization of tumorsphere cells in cancer research studies, enhancing the precision and relevance of experimental outcomes, and ultimately accelerating therapeutic advancements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nickhil Jadav
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Sailakshmi Velamoor
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Daniel Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Léna Cassin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Niki Hazelton
- Otago Micro and Nano Imaging (OMNI) Electron Microscopy Suite, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Alice-Roza Eruera
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Laura N Burga
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Mihnea Bostina
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Otago Micro and Nano Imaging (OMNI) Electron Microscopy Suite, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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22
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Cho DH, Aguayo S, Cartagena-Rivera AX. Atomic force microscopy-mediated mechanobiological profiling of complex human tissues. Biomaterials 2023; 303:122389. [PMID: 37988897 PMCID: PMC10842832 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Tissue mechanobiology is an emerging field with the overarching goal of understanding the interplay between biophysical and biochemical responses affecting development, physiology, and disease. Changes in mechanical properties including stiffness and viscosity have been shown to describe how cells and tissues respond to mechanical cues and modify critical biological functions. To quantitatively characterize the mechanical properties of tissues at physiologically relevant conditions, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has emerged as a highly versatile biomechanical technology. In this review, we describe the fundamental principles of AFM, typical AFM modalities used for tissue mechanics, and commonly used elastic and viscoelastic contact mechanics models to characterize complex human tissues. Furthermore, we discuss the application of AFM-based mechanobiology to characterize the mechanical responses within complex human tissues to track their developmental, physiological/functional, and diseased states, including oral, hearing, and cancer-related tissues. Finally, we discuss the current outlook and challenges to further advance the field of tissue mechanobiology. Altogether, AFM-based tissue mechanobiology provides a mechanistic understanding of biological processes governing the unique functions of tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Cho
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sebastian Aguayo
- Dentistry School, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Schools of Engineering, Medicine, and Biological Sciences, Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexander X Cartagena-Rivera
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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23
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Zhou C, Yang Y, Duan M, Chen C, Pi C, Zhang D, Liu X, Xie J. Biomimetic Fibers Based on Equidistant Micropillar Arrays Determines Chondrocyte Fate via Mechanoadaptability. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2301685. [PMID: 37596884 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202301685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
It is recognized that the changes in the physical properties of extracellular matrix (ECM) result in fine-tuned cell responses including cell morphology, proliferation and differentiation. In this study, a novel patterned equidistant micropillar substrate based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is designed to mimic the collagen fiber-like network of the cartilage matrix. By changing the component of the curing agent to an oligomeric base, micropillar substrates with the same topology but different stiffnesses are obtained and it is found that chondrocytes seeded onto the soft micropillar substrate maintain their phenotype by gathering type II collagen and aggrecan more effectively than those seeded onto the stiff micropillar substrate. Moreover, chondrocytes sense and respond to micropillar substrates with different stiffnesses by altering the ECM-cytoskeleton-focal adhesion axis. Further, it is found that the soft substrate-preserved chondrocyte phenotype is dependent on the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Finally, it is indicated that the changes in osteoid-like region formation and cartilage phenotype loss in the stiffened sclerotic area of osteoarthritis cartilage to validate the changes triggered by micropillar substrates with different stiffnesses. This study provides the cell behavior changes that are more similar to those of real chondrocytes at tissue level during the transition from a normal state to a state of osteoarthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenchen Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China
| | - Yueyi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China
| | - Mengmeng Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China
| | - Cheng Chen
- College of Medical Informatics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Caixia Pi
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China
| | - Demao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China
| | - Xiaoheng Liu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China
| | - Jing Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China
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24
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Poonja S, Forero Pinto A, Lloyd MC, Damaghi M, Rejniak KA. Dynamics of Fibril Collagen Remodeling by Tumor Cells: A Model of Tumor-Associated Collagen Signatures. Cells 2023; 12:2688. [PMID: 38067116 PMCID: PMC10705683 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Many solid tumors are characterized by a dense extracellular matrix (ECM) composed of various ECM fibril proteins. These proteins provide structural support and a biological context for the residing cells. The reciprocal interactions between growing and migrating tumor cells and the surrounding stroma result in dynamic changes in the ECM architecture and its properties. With the use of advanced imaging techniques, several specific patterns in the collagen surrounding the breast tumor have been identified in both tumor murine models and clinical histology images. These tumor-associated collagen signatures (TACS) include loosely organized fibrils far from the tumor and fibrils aligned either parallel or perpendicular to tumor colonies. They are correlated with tumor behavior, such as benign growth or invasive migration. However, it is not fully understood how one specific fibril pattern can be dynamically remodeled to form another alignment. Here, we present a novel multi-cellular lattice-free (MultiCell-LF) agent-based model of ECM that, in contrast to static histology images, can simulate dynamic changes between TACSs. This model allowed us to identify the rules of cell-ECM physical interplay and feedback that guided the emergence and transition among various TACSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharan Poonja
- Integrated Mathematical Oncology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Ana Forero Pinto
- Integrated Mathematical Oncology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Cancer Biology PhD Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Mark C. Lloyd
- Fujifilm Healthcare US, Inc., Lexington, MA 02421, USA;
| | - Mehdi Damaghi
- Department of Pathology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Katarzyna A. Rejniak
- Integrated Mathematical Oncology Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Department of Oncologic Sciences, Morsani School of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
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25
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Tufail M. Unlocking the potential of the tumor microenvironment for cancer therapy. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 251:154846. [PMID: 37837860 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) holds a crucial role in the progression of cancer. Epithelial-derived tumors share common traits in shaping the TME. The Warburg effect is a notable phenomenon wherein tumor cells exhibit resistance to apoptosis and an increased reliance on anaerobic glycolysis for energy production. Recognizing the pivotal role of the TME in controlling tumor growth and influencing responses to chemotherapy, researchers have focused on developing potential cancer treatment strategies. A wide array of therapies, including immunotherapies, antiangiogenic agents, interventions targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), and therapies directed at the extracellular matrix, have been under investigation and have demonstrated efficacy. Additionally, innovative techniques such as tumor tissue explants, "tumor-on-a-chip" models, and multicellular tumor spheres have been explored in laboratory research. This comprehensive review aims to provide insights into the intricate cross-talk between cancer-associated signaling pathways and the TME in cancer progression, current therapeutic approaches targeting the TME, the immune landscape within solid tumors, the role of the viral TME, and cancer cell metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Tufail
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
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26
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Chen MB, Javanmardi Y, Shahreza S, Serwinski B, Aref A, Djordjevic B, Moeendarbary E. Mechanobiology in oncology: basic concepts and clinical prospects. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1239749. [PMID: 38020912 PMCID: PMC10644154 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1239749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The interplay between genetic transformations, biochemical communications, and physical interactions is crucial in cancer progression. Metastasis, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, involves a series of steps, including invasion, intravasation, circulation survival, and extravasation. Mechanical alterations, such as changes in stiffness and morphology, play a significant role in all stages of cancer initiation and dissemination. Accordingly, a better understanding of cancer mechanobiology can help in the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Targeting the physical properties of tumours and their microenvironment presents opportunities for intervention. Advancements in imaging techniques and lab-on-a-chip systems enable personalized investigations of tumor biomechanics and drug screening. Investigation of the interplay between genetic, biochemical, and mechanical factors, which is of crucial importance in cancer progression, offers insights for personalized medicine and innovative treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle B. Chen
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Yousef Javanmardi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Somayeh Shahreza
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bianca Serwinski
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- 199 Biotechnologies Ltd., London, United Kingdom
- Northeastern University London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amir Aref
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Boris Djordjevic
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- 199 Biotechnologies Ltd., London, United Kingdom
| | - Emad Moeendarbary
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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27
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Narayanan V, Purkayastha P, Yu B, Pendyala K, Chukkapalli S, Cabe JI, Dickinson RB, Conway DE, Lele TP. Rho activation drives luminal collapse and eversion in epithelial acini. Biophys J 2023; 122:3630-3645. [PMID: 36617192 PMCID: PMC10541472 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial cells lining a gland and cells grown in a soft extracellular matrix polarize with apical proteins exposed to the lumen and basal proteins in contact with the extracellular matrix. Alterations to polarity, including an apical-out polarity, occur in human cancers. Although some aberrant polarity states may result from altered protein trafficking, recent observations of an extraordinary tissue-level inside-out unfolding suggest an alternative pathway for altered polarity. Because mechanical alterations are common in human cancer, including an upregulation of RhoA-mediated actomyosin tension in acinar epithelia, we explored whether perturbing mechanical homeostasis could cause apical-out eversion. Acinar eversion was robustly induced by direct activation of RhoA in normal and tumor epithelial acini, or indirect activation of RhoA through blockage of β1-integrins, disruption of the LINC complex, oncogenic Ras activation, or Rac1 inhibition. Furthermore, laser ablation of a portion of the untreated acinus was sufficient to induce eversion. Analyses of acini revealed high curvature and low phosphorylated myosin in the apical cell surfaces relative to the basal surfaces. A vertex-based mathematical model that balances tension at cell-cell interfaces revealed a fivefold greater basal cell surface tension relative to the apical cell surface tension. The model suggests that the difference in surface energy between the apical and basal surfaces is the driving force for acinar eversion. Our findings raise the possibility that a loss of mechanical homeostasis may cause apical-out polarity states in human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vani Narayanan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Purboja Purkayastha
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Bo Yu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Kavya Pendyala
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Sasanka Chukkapalli
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Jolene I Cabe
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Richard B Dickinson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
| | - Daniel E Conway
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; The Ohio State University and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio.
| | - Tanmay P Lele
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
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28
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Daniel C, Traub F, Sachsenmaier S, Riester R, Mederake M, Konrads C, Danalache M. An exploratory study of cell stiffness as a mechanical label-free biomarker across multiple musculoskeletal sarcoma cells. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:862. [PMID: 37700272 PMCID: PMC10498616 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11375-3] [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: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer cells are characterized by changes in cell cytoskeletal architecture and stiffness. Despite advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of musculoskeletal cancers, the corresponding cellular mechanical properties remain largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in cellular stiffness and the associated cytoskeleton configuration alterations in various musculoskeletal cancer cells. METHODS Cell lines from five main sarcoma types of the musculoskeletal system (chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, fibrosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma) as well as their healthy cell counterparts (chondrocytes, osteoblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, fibroblasts, skeletal muscle cells) were subjected to cell stiffness measurements via atomic force microscopy (AFM). Biochemical and structural changes of the cytoskeleton (F-actin, β-tubulin and actin-related protein 2/3) were assessed by means of fluorescence labelling, ELISA and qPCR. RESULTS While AFM stiffness measurements showed that the majority of cancer cells (osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, fibrosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma) were significantly less stiff than their corresponding non-malignant counterparts (p < 0.001), the chondrosarcoma cells were significant stiffer than the chondrocytes (p < 0.001). Microscopically, the distribution of F-actin differed between malignant entities and healthy counterparts: the organisation in well aligned stress fibers was disrupted in cancer cell lines and the proteins was mainly concentrated at the periphery of the cell, whereas β-tubulin had a predominantly perinuclear localization. While the F-actin content was lower in cancer cells, particularly Ewing sarcoma (p = 0.018) and Fibrosarcoma (p = 0.023), this effect was even more pronounced in the case of β-tubulin for all cancer-healthy cell duos. Interestingly, chondrosarcoma cells were characterized by a significant upregulation of β-tubulin gene expression (p = 0.005) and protein amount (p = 0.032). CONCLUSION Modifications in cellular stiffness, along with structural and compositional cytoskeleton rearrangement, constitute typical features of sarcomas cells, when compared to their healthy counterpart. Notably, whereas a decrease in stiffness is typically a feature of malignant entities, chondrosarcoma cells were stiffer than chondrocytes, with chondrosarcoma cells exhibiting a significantly upregulated β-tubulin expression. Each Sarcoma entity may have his own cellular-stiffness and cytoskeleton organisation/composition fingerprint, which in turn may be exploited for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Daniel
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Frank Traub
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55122, Mainz, Germany
| | - Saskia Sachsenmaier
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Rosa Riester
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Moritz Mederake
- Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, BG Clinic, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian Konrads
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hanseatic Hospital Stralsund, 18437, Stralsund, Germany
| | - Marina Danalache
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
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29
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Zbiral B, Weber A, Vivanco MDM, Toca-Herrera JL. Characterization of Breast Cancer Aggressiveness by Cell Mechanics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12208. [PMID: 37569585 PMCID: PMC10418463 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512208] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In healthy tissues, cells are in mechanical homeostasis. During cancer progression, this equilibrium is disrupted. Cancer cells alter their mechanical phenotype to a softer and more fluid-like one than that of healthy cells. This is connected to cytoskeletal remodeling, changed adhesion properties, faster cell proliferation and increased cell motility. In this work, we investigated the mechanical properties of breast cancer cells representative of different breast cancer subtypes, using MCF-7, tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7, MCF10A and MDA-MB-231 cells. We derived viscoelastic properties from atomic force microscopy force spectroscopy measurements and showed that the mechanical properties of the cells are associated with cancer cell malignancy. MCF10A are the stiffest and least fluid-like cells, while tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7 cells are the softest ones. MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 show an intermediate mechanical phenotype. Confocal fluorescence microscopy on cytoskeletal elements shows differences in actin network organization, as well as changes in focal adhesion localization. These findings provide further evidence of distinct changes in the mechanical properties of cancer cells compared to healthy cells and add to the present understanding of the complex alterations involved in tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Zbiral
- Institute of Biophysics, Department of Bionanosciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria; (B.Z.); (A.W.)
| | - Andreas Weber
- Institute of Biophysics, Department of Bionanosciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria; (B.Z.); (A.W.)
| | - Maria dM. Vivanco
- Cancer Heterogeneity Lab, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, 48160 Derio, Spain;
| | - José L. Toca-Herrera
- Institute of Biophysics, Department of Bionanosciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria; (B.Z.); (A.W.)
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30
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Merkher Y, Kontareva E, Bogdan E, Achkasov K, Maximova K, Grolman JM, Leonov S. Encapsulation and adhesion of nanoparticles as a potential biomarker for TNBC cells metastatic propensity. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12289. [PMID: 37516753 PMCID: PMC10387085 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33540-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the main cause of cancer-related mortality; therefore, the ability to predict its propensity can remarkably affect survival rate. Metastasis development is predicted nowadays by lymph-node status, tumor size, histopathology, and genetic testing. However, all these methods may have inaccuracies, and some require weeks to complete. Identifying novel prognostic markers will open an essential source for risk prediction, possibly guiding to elevated patient treatment by personalized strategies. Cancer cell invasion is a critical step in metastasis. The cytoskeletal mechanisms used by metastatic cells for the invasion process are very similar to the utilization of actin cytoskeleton in the endocytosis process. In the current study, the adhesion and encapsulation efficiency of low-cost carboxylate-modified fluorescent nanoparticles by breast cancer cells with high (HM) and low metastatic potential (LM) have been evaluated; benign cells were used as control. Using high-content fluorescence imaging and analysis, we have revealed (within a short time of 1 h), that efficiency of nanoparticles adherence and encapsulation is sufficiently higher in HM cells compared to LM cells, while benign cells are not encapsulating or adhering the particles during experiment time at all. We have utilized custom-made automatic image analysis algorithms to find quantitative co-localization (Pearson's coefficients) of the nanoparticles with the imaged cells. The method proposed here is straightforward; it does not require especial equipment or expensive materials nor complicated cell manipulations, it may be potentially applicable for various cells, including patient-derived cells. Effortless and quantitative determination of the metastatic likelihood has the potential to be performed using patient-specific biopsy/surgery sample, which will directly influence the choice of protocols for cancer patient's treatment and, as a result, increase their life expectancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia Merkher
- Laboratory of Innovative Medicine and Agrobiotechnology, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia.
| | - Elizaveta Kontareva
- Laboratory of Innovative Medicine and Agrobiotechnology, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Elizaveta Bogdan
- Laboratory of Innovative Medicine and Agrobiotechnology, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Konstantin Achkasov
- Laboratory of Innovative Medicine and Agrobiotechnology, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Ksenia Maximova
- Laboratory of Innovative Medicine and Agrobiotechnology, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Joshua M Grolman
- The Biomechanic Materials Lab, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Sergey Leonov
- Laboratory of Innovative Medicine and Agrobiotechnology, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia.
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31
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Oh M, Batty S, Banerjee N, Kim TH. High extracellular glucose promotes cell motility by modulating cell deformability and contractility via the cAMP-RhoA-ROCK axis in human breast cancer cells. Mol Biol Cell 2023; 34:ar79. [PMID: 37195739 PMCID: PMC10398875 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e22-12-0560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanical properties, or mechanotypes, of cells are largely determined by their deformability and contractility. The ability of cancer cells to deform and generate contractile force is critical in multiple steps of metastasis. Identifying soluble cues that regulate cancer cell mechanotypes and understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms regulating these cellular mechanotypes could provide novel therapeutic targets to prevent metastasis. Although a strong correlation between high glucose level and cancer metastasis has been demonstrated, the causality has not been elucidated, and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, using novel high-throughput mechanotyping assays, we show that human breast cancer cells become less deformable and more contractile with increased extracellular glucose levels (>5 mM). These altered cell mechanotypes are due to increased F-actin rearrangement and nonmuscle myosin II (NMII) activity. We identify the cAMP-RhoA-ROCK-NMII axis as playing a major role in regulating cell mechanotypes at high extracellular glucose levels, whereas calcium and myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) are not required. The altered mechanotypes are also associated with increased cell migration and invasion. Our study identifies key components in breast cancer cells that convert high extracellular glucose levels into changes in cellular mechanotype and behavior relevant in cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mijung Oh
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131
| | - Skylar Batty
- Undergraduate Pipeline Network Summer Research Program, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
| | - Nayan Banerjee
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, West Bengal, India
| | - Tae-Hyung Kim
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131
- University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131
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32
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Sampaio JG, Pressete CG, Costa AV, Martins FT, de Almeida Lima GD, Ionta M, Teixeira RR. Methoxylated Cinnamic Esters with Antiproliferative and Antimetastatic Effects on Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1428. [PMID: 37511803 PMCID: PMC10381754 DOI: 10.3390/life13071428] [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: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, and malignant melanomas are highly lethal owing to their elevated metastatic potential. Despite improvements in therapeutic approaches, cancer treatments are not completely effective. Thus, new drug candidates are continuously sought. We synthesized mono- and di-methoxylated cinnamic acid esters and investigated their antitumor potential. A cell viability assay was performed to identify promising substances against A549 (non-small-cell lung cancer) and SK-MEL-147 (melanoma) cells. (E)-2,5-dimethoxybenzyl 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)acrylate (4m), a monomethoxylated cinnamic acid derivative, was identified as the lead antitumor compound, and its antitumor potential was deeply investigated. Various approaches were employed to investigate the antiproliferative (clonogenic assay and cell cycle analysis), proapoptotic (annexin V assay), and antimigratory (wound-healing and adhesion assays) activities of 4m on A549 cells. In addition, western blotting was performed to explore its mechanism of action. We demonstrated that 4m inhibits the proliferation of A549 by promoting cyclin B downregulation and cell cycle arrest at G2/M. Antimigratory and proapoptotic activities of 4m on A549 were also observed. The antitumor potential of 4m involved its ability to modulate the mitogen-activated protein kinases/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathway once phosphorylated-ERK expression was considerably reduced in response to treatment. Our findings demonstrate that 4m is a promising anticancer drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Graciano Sampaio
- Grupo de Síntese e Pesquisa de Compostos Bioativos (GSPCB), Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil
| | - Carolina Girotto Pressete
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-000, MG, Brazil
| | - Adilson Vidal Costa
- Departamento de Química e Física, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Guararema, Alegre 29500-000, ES, Brazil
| | - Felipe Terra Martins
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
| | - Graziela Domingues de Almeida Lima
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-000, MG, Brazil
| | - Marisa Ionta
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências Aplicadas à Saúde, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-000, MG, Brazil
| | - Róbson Ricardo Teixeira
- Grupo de Síntese e Pesquisa de Compostos Bioativos (GSPCB), Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, MG, Brazil
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Ghosh D, Hsu J, Soriano K, Peña CM, Lee AH, Dizon DS, Dawson MR. Spatial Heterogeneity in Cytoskeletal Mechanics Response to TGF-β1 and Hypoxia Mediates Partial Epithelial-to-Meshenchymal Transition in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3186. [PMID: 37370796 PMCID: PMC10296400 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123186] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic progression of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) involves the partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of cancer cells in the primary tumor and dissemination into peritoneal fluid. In part to the high degree of heterogeneity in EOC cells, the identification of EMT in highly epithelial cells in response to differences in matrix mechanics, growth factor signaling, and tissue hypoxia is very difficult. We analyzed different degrees of EMT by tracking changes in cell and nuclear morphology, along with the organization of cytoskeletal proteins. In our analysis, we see a small percentage of individual cells that show dramatic response to TGF-β1 and hypoxia treatment. We demonstrate that EOC cells are spatially aware of their surroundings, with a subpopulation of EOC cells at the periphery of a cell cluster in 2D environments exhibited a greater degree of EMT. These peripheral cancer cells underwent partial EMT, displaying a hybrid of mesenchymal and epithelial characteristics, which often included less cortical actin and more perinuclear cytokeratin expression. Collectively, these data show that tumor-promoting microenvironment conditions can mediate invasive cell behavior in a spatially regulated context in a small subpopulation of highly epithelial clustered cancer cells that maintain epithelial characteristics while also acquiring some mesenchymal traits through partial EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepraj Ghosh
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; (D.G.); (C.M.P.)
| | - Jeffrey Hsu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; (D.G.); (C.M.P.)
| | - Kylen Soriano
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; (D.G.); (C.M.P.)
| | - Carolina Mejia Peña
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; (D.G.); (C.M.P.)
| | - Amy H. Lee
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA;
| | - Don S. Dizon
- Lifespan Cancer Institute, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA;
| | - Michelle R. Dawson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; (D.G.); (C.M.P.)
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA;
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
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Javanmardi Y, Agrawal A, Malandrino A, Lasli S, Chen M, Shahreza S, Serwinski B, Cammoun L, Li R, Jorfi M, Djordjevic B, Szita N, Spill F, Bertazzo S, Sheridan GK, Shenoy V, Calvo F, Kamm R, Moeendarbary E. Endothelium and Subendothelial Matrix Mechanics Modulate Cancer Cell Transendothelial Migration. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2206554. [PMID: 37051804 PMCID: PMC10238207 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202206554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cell extravasation, a key step in the metastatic cascade, involves cancer cell arrest on the endothelium, transendothelial migration (TEM), followed by the invasion into the subendothelial extracellular matrix (ECM) of distant tissues. While cancer research has mostly focused on the biomechanical interactions between tumor cells (TCs) and ECM, particularly at the primary tumor site, very little is known about the mechanical properties of endothelial cells and the subendothelial ECM and how they contribute to the extravasation process. Here, an integrated experimental and theoretical framework is developed to investigate the mechanical crosstalk between TCs, endothelium and subendothelial ECM during in vitro cancer cell extravasation. It is found that cancer cell actin-rich protrusions generate complex push-pull forces to initiate and drive TEM, while transmigration success also relies on the forces generated by the endothelium. Consequently, mechanical properties of the subendothelial ECM and endothelial actomyosin contractility that mediate the endothelial forces also impact the endothelium's resistance to cancer cell transmigration. These results indicate that mechanical features of distant tissues, including force interactions between the endothelium and the subendothelial ECM, are key determinants of metastatic organotropism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousef Javanmardi
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity College LondonTorrington PlaceLondonWC1E 7JEUK
| | - Ayushi Agrawal
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity College LondonTorrington PlaceLondonWC1E 7JEUK
| | - Andrea Malandrino
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMA02139USA
- Biomaterials, Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering GroupDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering and Research Center for Biomedical EngineeringUniversitat Politécnica de Catalunya (UPC)08019BarcelonaSpain
| | - Soufian Lasli
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity College LondonTorrington PlaceLondonWC1E 7JEUK
| | - Michelle Chen
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMA02139USA
| | - Somayeh Shahreza
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity College LondonTorrington PlaceLondonWC1E 7JEUK
| | - Bianca Serwinski
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity College LondonTorrington PlaceLondonWC1E 7JEUK
- 199 Biotechnologies LtdGloucester RoadLondonW2 6LDUK
| | - Leila Cammoun
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMA02139USA
| | - Ran Li
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMA02139USA
| | - Mehdi Jorfi
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMA02139USA
| | - Boris Djordjevic
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity College LondonTorrington PlaceLondonWC1E 7JEUK
- 199 Biotechnologies LtdGloucester RoadLondonW2 6LDUK
| | - Nicolas Szita
- Department of Biochemical EngineeringUniversity College LondonLondonWC1E 6BTUK
| | - Fabian Spill
- School of MathematicsUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB152TSUK
| | - Sergio Bertazzo
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity College LondonLondonWC1E 6BTUK
| | - Graham K Sheridan
- School of Life SciencesQueen's Medical CentreUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamNG7 2UHUK
| | - Vivek Shenoy
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPA19104USA
| | - Fernando Calvo
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Cantabria)Santander39011Spain
| | - Roger Kamm
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMA02139USA
| | - Emad Moeendarbary
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity College LondonTorrington PlaceLondonWC1E 7JEUK
- Department of Biological EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMA02139USA
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Sutanto R, Neahring L, Marques AS, Kilinc S, Goga A, Dumont S. The oncogene cyclin D1 promotes bipolar spindle integrity under compressive force. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.30.542893. [PMID: 37398487 PMCID: PMC10312523 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.30.542893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
The mitotic spindle is the bipolar, microtubule-based structure that segregates chromosomes at each cell division. Aberrant spindles are frequently observed in cancer cells, but how oncogenic transformation affects spindle mechanics and function, particularly in the mechanical context of solid tumors, remains poorly understood. Here, we constitutively overexpress the oncogene cyclin D1 in human MCF10A cells to probe its effects on spindle architecture and response to compressive force. We find that cyclin D1 overexpression increases the incidence of spindles with extra poles, centrioles, and chromosomes. However, it also protects spindle poles from fracturing under compressive force, a deleterious outcome linked to multipolar cell divisions. Our findings suggest that cyclin D1 overexpression may adapt cells to increased compressive stress, contributing to its prevalence in cancers such as breast cancer by allowing continued proliferation in mechanically challenging environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renaldo Sutanto
- Department of Bioengineering & Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Lila Neahring
- Department of Bioengineering & Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Andrea Serra Marques
- Department of Bioengineering & Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Seda Kilinc
- Department of Cell & Tissue Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Andrei Goga
- Department of Cell & Tissue Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Sophie Dumont
- Department of Bioengineering & Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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36
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Lou L, Paolino L, Agarwal A. Bridging the Gap in Ashby's Map for Soft Material Properties for Tissue Engineering. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:24197-24208. [PMID: 37178192 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c04331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Ashby's map's role in rationally selecting materials for optimal performance is well-established in traditional engineering applications. However, there is a major gap in Ashby's maps in selecting materials for tissue engineering, which are very soft with an elastic modulus of less than 100 kPa. To fill the gap, we create an elastic modulus database to effectively connect soft engineering materials with biological tissues such as the cardiac, kidney, liver, intestine, cartilage, and brain. This soft engineering material mechanical property database is created for widely applied agarose hydrogels based on big-data screening and experiments conducted using ultra-low-concentration (0.01-0.5 wt %) hydrogels. Based on that, an experimental and analysis protocol is established for evaluating the elastic modulus of ultra-soft engineering materials. Overall, we built a mechanical bridge connecting soft matter and tissue engineering by fine-tuning the agarose hydrogel concentration. Meanwhile, a soft matter scale (degree of softness) is established to enable the manufacturing of implantable bio-scaffolds for tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Lou
- Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Florida International University, 10555 West Flagler Street, Miami, Florida 33174, United States
| | - Lia Paolino
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Florida International University, 10555 West Flagler Street, Miami, Florida 33174, United States
| | - Arvind Agarwal
- Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Florida International University, 10555 West Flagler Street, Miami, Florida 33174, United States
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37
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Wakefield L, Agarwal S, Tanner K. Preclinical models for drug discovery for metastatic disease. Cell 2023; 186:1792-1813. [PMID: 37059072 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Despite many advances, metastatic disease remains essentially uncurable. Thus, there is an urgent need to better understand mechanisms that promote metastasis, drive tumor evolution, and underlie innate and acquired drug resistance. Sophisticated preclinical models that recapitulate the complex tumor ecosystem are key to this process. We begin with syngeneic and patient-derived mouse models that are the backbone of most preclinical studies. Second, we present some unique advantages of fish and fly models. Third, we consider the strengths of 3D culture models for resolving remaining knowledge gaps. Finally, we provide vignettes on multiplexed technologies to advance our understanding of metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lalage Wakefield
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Seema Agarwal
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell Reprogramming, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
| | - Kandice Tanner
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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38
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Cassel de Camps C, Mok S, Ashby E, Li C, Lépine P, Durcan TM, Moraes C. Compressive molding of engineered tissues via thermoresponsive hydrogel devices. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:2057-2067. [PMID: 36916609 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00007a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Biofabrication of tissues requires sourcing appropriate combinations of cells, and then arranging those cells into a functionally-useful construct. Recently, organoids with diverse cell populations have shown great promise as building blocks from which to assemble more complex structures. However, organoids typically adopt spherical or uncontrolled morphologies, which intrinsically limit the tissue structures that can be produced using this bioassembly technique. Here, we develop microfabricated smart hydrogel platforms in thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) to compressively mold microtissues such as spheroids or organoids into customized forms, on demand. These Compressive Hydrogel Molders (CHyMs) compact at cell culture temperatures to force loaded tissues into a new shape, and then expand to release the tissues for downstream applications. As a first demonstration, breast cancer spheroids were biaxially compacted in cylindrical cavities, and uniaxially compacted in rectangular ones. Spheroid shape changes persisted after the tissues were released from the CHyMs. We then demonstrate long-term molding of spherical brain organoids in ring-shaped CHyMs over one week. Fused bridges formed only when brain organoids were encased in Matrigel, and the resulting ring-shaped organoids expressed tissue markers that correspond with expected differentiation profiles. These results demonstrate that tissues differentiate appropriately even during long-term molding in a CHyM. This platform hence provides a new tool to shape pre-made tissues as desired, via temporary compression and release, allowing an exploration of alternative organoid geometries as building blocks for bioassembly applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephanie Mok
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, H3A 0C5 QC, Canada
| | - Emily Ashby
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, H3A 0C5 QC, Canada
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, H3A 0C5 QC, Canada
| | - Paula Lépine
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montréal, H3A 2B4 QC, Canada
| | - Thomas M Durcan
- Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montréal, H3A 2B4 QC, Canada
| | - Christopher Moraes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, H3A 2B4 QC, Canada.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, H3A 0C5 QC, Canada
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, H3A 1A3 QC, Canada
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, H4A 3J1, QC, Canada
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39
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Melnik D, Cortés-Sánchez JL, Sandt V, Kahlert S, Kopp S, Grimm D, Krüger M. Dexamethasone Selectively Inhibits Detachment of Metastatic Thyroid Cancer Cells during Random Positioning. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061641. [PMID: 36980530 PMCID: PMC10046141 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
We recently reported that synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX) is able to suppress metastasis-like spheroid formation in a culture of follicular thyroid cancer (FTC)-133 cells cultured under random positioning. We now show that this inhibition was selective for two metastatic thyroid carcinoma cells, FTC-133 and WRO, whereas benign Nthy-ori 3-1 thyrocytes and recurrent ML-1 follicular thyroid cancer cells were not affected by DEX. We then compare Nthy-ori 3-1 and FTC-133 cells concerning their adhesion and mechanosignaling. We demonstrate that DEX disrupts random positioning-triggered p38 stress signaling in FTC-133 cells, thereby antagonizing a variety of biological functions. Thus, DEX treatment of FTC-133 cells is associated with increased adhesiveness, which is mainly caused by the restored, pronounced formation of a normal number of tight junctions. Moreover, we show that Nthy-ori 3-1 and ML-1 cells upregulate the anti-adhesion protein mucin-1 during random positioning, presumably as a protection against mechanical stress. In summary, mechanical stress seems to be an important component in this metastasis model system that is processed differently by metastatic and healthy cells. The balance between adhesion, anti-adhesion and cell–cell connections enables detachment of adherent human cells on the random positioning machine—or not, allowing selective inhibition of thyroid in vitro metastasis by DEX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Melnik
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - José Luis Cortés-Sánchez
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Viviann Sandt
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Kahlert
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Institute of Anatomy, Otto von Guericke University, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sascha Kopp
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Core Facility Tissue Engineering, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Grimm
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Marcus Krüger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group “Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt- und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen” (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-391-6757471
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40
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Biophysical determinants of cancer organotropism. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:188-197. [PMID: 36494310 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis remains the leading cause of cancer lethality. The 'seed/soil' hypothesis provides the framework to explain this cancer phenomenon where the concept of organotropism has been in part mechanistically explained by the properties of the tumor cells and their compatibility with the stromal environment of the distal site. The 'mechanical' hypothesis counters that non-random seeding is driven solely by the circulation patterns and vascular networks of organ systems. We incorporate concepts of mechanobiology and revisit the two hypotheses to provide additional insights into the mechanisms that regulate organ selection during metastatic outgrowth. We focus on the latter stages of the metastatic cascade and examine the role of the endothelium in regulating organ selectivity.
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41
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Tumor decellularization reveals proteomic and mechanical characteristics of the extracellular matrix of primary liver cancer. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2023; 146:213289. [PMID: 36724550 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Tumor initiation and progression are critically dependent on interaction of cancer cells with their cellular and extracellular microenvironment. Alterations in the composition, integrity, and mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) dictate tumor processes including cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Also in primary liver cancer, consisting of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), the dysregulation of the extracellular environment by liver fibrosis and tumor desmoplasia is pertinent. Yet, the exact changes occurring in liver cancer ECM remain uncharacterized and underlying tumor-promoting mechanisms remain largely unknown. Herein, an integrative molecular and mechanical approach is used to extensively characterize the ECM of HCC and CCA tumors by utilizing an optimized decellularization technique. We identified a myriad of proteins in both tumor and adjacent liver tissue, uncovering distinct malignancy-related ECM signatures. The resolution of this approach unveiled additional ECM-related proteins compared to large liver cancer transcriptomic datasets. The differences in ECM protein composition resulted in divergent mechanical properties on a macro- and micro-scale that are tumor-type specific. Furthermore, the decellularized tumor ECM was employed to create a tumor-specific hydrogel that supports patient-derived tumor organoids, which provides a new avenue for personalized medicine applications. Taken together, this study contributes to a better understanding of alterations to composition, stiffness, and collagen alignment of the tumor ECM that occur during liver cancer development.
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Nellinger S, Kluger PJ. How Mechanical and Physicochemical Material Characteristics Influence Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Fate. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043551. [PMID: 36834966 PMCID: PMC9961531 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are a subpopulation of mesenchymal stem cells. Compared to bone marrow-derived stem cells, they can be harvested with minimal invasiveness. ASCs can be easily expanded and were shown to be able to differentiate into several clinically relevant cell types. Therefore, this cell type represents a promising component in various tissue engineering and medical approaches (e.g., cell therapy). In vivo cells are surrounded by the extracellular matrix (ECM) that provides a wide range of tissue-specific physical and chemical cues, such as stiffness, topography, and chemical composition. Cells can sense the characteristics of their ECM and respond to them in a specific cellular behavior (e.g., proliferation or differentiation). Thus, in vitro biomaterial properties represent an important tool to control ASCs behavior. In this review, we give an overview of the current research in the mechanosensing of ASCs and current studies investigating the impact of material stiffens, topography, and chemical modification on ASC behavior. Additionally, we outline the use of natural ECM as a biomaterial and its interaction with ASCs regarding cellular behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Nellinger
- Reutlingen Research Institute, Reutlingen University, 72762 Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Petra Juliane Kluger
- School of Life Sciences, Reutlingen University, 72762 Reutlingen, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-07121-271-2061
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Karimnia V, Stanley ME, Fitzgerald CT, Rizvi I, Slack FJ, Celli JP. Photodynamic Stromal Depletion Enhances Therapeutic Nanoparticle Delivery in 3D Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Tumor Models. Photochem Photobiol 2023; 99:120-131. [PMID: 35699307 PMCID: PMC10082669 DOI: 10.1111/php.13663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the most lethal of human malignancies. PDAC is characterized by dense fibrous stroma which obstructs drug delivery and plays complex tumor-promoting roles. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a light-based modality which has been demonstrated to be clinically feasible and effective for tumors of the pancreas. Here, we use in vitro heterocellular 3D co-culture models in conjunction with imaging, bulk rheology and microrheology to investigate photodegradation of non-cellular components of PDAC stroma (photodynamic stromal depletion, PSD). By measuring the rheology of extracellular matrix (ECM) before and after PDT we find that softening of ECM is concomitant with increased transport of nanoparticles (NPs). At the same time, as shown by us previously, photodestruction of stromal fibroblasts leads to enhanced tumor response to PDT. Here we specifically evaluate the capability of PSD to enhance RNA nanomedicine delivery, using a NP carrying an inhibitor of miR-21-5P, a PDAC oncomiR. We confirm improved delivery of this therapeutic NP after PSD by observation of increased expression of PDCD4, a protein target of miR-21-5P. Collectively, these results in 3D tumor models suggest that PSD could be developed to enhance delivery of other cancer therapeutics and improve tumor response to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vida Karimnia
- Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts at Boston, Boston, MA
| | - M Elizabeth Stanley
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Christian T Fitzgerald
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Imran Rizvi
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Frank J Slack
- Department of Pathology, BIDMC Cancer Center/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Jonathan P Celli
- Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts at Boston, Boston, MA
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He F, Yang C, Liu H, Wang J. Changes in the mechanical properties of human mesenchymal stem cells during differentiation. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:220607. [PMID: 36636310 PMCID: PMC9810430 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
A thorough understanding of the changes in mechanical property behind intracellular biophysical and biochemical processes during differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) is helpful to direct and enhance the commitment of cells to a particular lineage. In this study, displacement creep of the mesenchymal cell lineages (osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic hMSCs) were determined by using atomic force microscopy, which was then used to determine their mechanical properties. We found that at any stages of differentiation, the mesenchymal cell lineages are linear viscoelastic materials and well matched with a simple power-law creep compliance. In addition, the viscoelasticity of mesenchymal cell lineages showed different trends during differentiation. The adipogenic hMSCs showed continuous softening at all stages. The osteogenic and chondrogenic hMSCs only continuously soften and become more fluid-like in the early stage of differentiation, and get stiffened and less fluid-like in the later stage. These findings will help more accurately imitate cellular biomechanics in the microenvironment, and provided an important reference in the biophysics biomimetic design of stem cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei He
- Key Laboratory of Mechanics on Disaster and Environment in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Chendong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Mechanics on Disaster and Environment in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoye Liu
- Key Laboratory of Mechanics on Disaster and Environment in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jizeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Mechanics on Disaster and Environment in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, People's Republic of China
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Chen SWW, Teulon JM, Kaur H, Godon C, Pellequer JL. Nano-structural stiffness measure for soft biomaterials of heterogeneous elasticity. NANOSCALE HORIZONS 2022; 8:75-82. [PMID: 36314544 DOI: 10.1039/d2nh00390b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Measuring the structural stiffness aims to reveal the impact of nanostructured components or various physiological circumstances on the elastic response of material to an external indentation. With a pyramidal tip at a nano-scale, we employed the atomic force microscopy (AFM) to indent the surfaces of two compositions of polyacrylamide gels with different softness and seedling roots of Arabidopsis thaliana. We found that the stiffness-depth curve derived from the measured force exhibits a heterogeneous character in elasticity. According to the tendency of stiffness-depth curve, we decomposed the responding force into depth-impact (FC), Hookean (FH) and tip-shape (FS) components, called trimechanic, where FS and its gradient should be offset at the surface or subsurfaces of the indented material. Thereby, trimechnic theory allows us to observe how the three restoring nanomechanics change with varied depth. Their strengths are represented by the respective spring constants (kC, kH, kS) of three parallel-connected spring (3PCS) analogs to differentiate restoring nanomechansims of indented materials. The effective Young's modulus Ê and the total stiffness kT (= kH + kS) globally unambiguously distinguish the softness between the two gel categories. Data fluctuations were observed in the elasticity parameters of individual samples, reflecting nanostructural variations in the gel matrix. Similar tendencies were found in the results from growing plant roots, though the data fluctuations are expectedly much more dramatic. The zone-wise representation of stiffness by the trimechanic-3PCS framework demonstrates a stiffness measure that reflects beneath nanostructures encountered by deepened depth. The trimechanic-3PCS framework can apply any mechanical model of power-law based force-depth relationship and is compatible with thin layer corrections. It provides a new paradigm for analyzing restoring nanomechanics of soft biomaterials in response to indenting forces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Wen W Chen
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IBS, F-38000 Grenoble, France.
- Rue Cyprien Jullin, Vinay, 38470, France
| | - Jean-Marie Teulon
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IBS, F-38000 Grenoble, France.
| | - Harinderbir Kaur
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IBS, F-38000 Grenoble, France.
| | - Christian Godon
- Aix Marseille University, CEA, CNRS, BIAM, 13108 Saint Paul-Lez-Durance, Cadarache, France
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Hernandez DS, Michelson KE, Romanovicz D, Ritschdorff ET, Shear JB. Laser-imprinting of micro-3D printed protein hydrogels enables real-time independent modification of substrate topography and elastic modulus. BIOPRINTING (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 28:e00250. [PMID: 37601117 PMCID: PMC10438846 DOI: 10.1016/j.bprint.2022.e00250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Independent control over the Young's modulus and topography of a hydrogel cell culture substrate is necessary to characterize how attributes of its adherent surface affect cellular responses. Arbitrary, real-time manipulation of these parameters at the micron scale would further provide cellular biologists and bioengineers with the tools to study and control numerous highly dynamic behaviors including cellular adhesion, motility, metastasis, and differentiation. Although physical, chemical, thermal, and light-based strategies have been developed to influence Young's modulus and topography of hydrogel substrates, independent control of these physical attributes has remained elusive, spatial resolution is often limited, and features commonly must be pre-patterned. We recently reported a strategy in which biomaterials having specified three-dimensional (3D) morphologies are micro-3D printed in a two-step process: laser-scanning bioprinting of a protein-based hydrogel, followed by biocompatible hydrogel re-scanning to create microscale imprinted features at user-defined times. In this approach, a pulsed near-infrared laser beam is focused within the printed hydrogel to promote matrix contraction through multiphoton crosslinking, where scanning the laser focus projects a user-defined topographical pattern on the surface without subjecting the hydrogel-solution interface to damaging light intensities. Here, we extend this strategy, demonstrating the ability to decouple dynamic topographical changes from changes in hydrogel Young's modulus at the substrate surface by increasing the isolation distance between the surface and re-scanning planes. Using atomic force microscopy, we show that robust topographic changes can be imposed without altering the Young's modulus measured at the substrate surface by scanning at a depth of greater than ~6 μm. Transmission electron microscopy of hydrogel thin sections reveals changes to hydrogel porosity and density distribution within scanned regions, and that such changes to the hydrogel matrix are highly localized to regions of laser exposure. These results represent valuable new capabilities for deconvolving the effects of substrate dynamic physical attributes on the behavior of adherent cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dwight Romanovicz
- Department of Chemistry, 1 University Station A5300, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
| | - Eric T. Ritschdorff
- Department of Chemistry, 1 University Station A5300, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
| | - Jason B. Shear
- Department of Chemistry, 1 University Station A5300, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
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Verbruggen ASK, McCarthy EC, Dwyer RM, McNamara LM. Temporal and spatial changes in bone mineral content and mechanical properties during breast-cancer bone metastases. Bone Rep 2022; 17:101597. [PMID: 35754558 PMCID: PMC9218171 DOI: 10.1016/j.bonr.2022.101597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells favour migration and metastasis to bone tissue for 70–80 % of advanced breast cancer patients and it has been proposed that bone tissue provides attractive physical properties that facilitate tumour invasion, resulting in osteolytic and or osteoblastic metastasis. However, it is not yet known how specific bone tissue composition is associated with tumour invasion. In particular, how compositional and nano-mechanical properties of bone tissue evolve during metastasis, and where in the bone they arise, may affect the overall aggressiveness of tumour invasion, but this is not well understood. The objective of this study is to develop an advanced understanding of temporal and spatial changes in nano-mechanical properties and composition of bone tissue during metastasis. Primary mammary tumours were induced by inoculation of immune-competent BALB/c mice with 4T1 breast cancer cells in the mammary fat pad local to the right femur. Microcomputed tomography and nanoindentation were conducted to quantify cortical and trabecular bone matrix mineralisation and nano-mechanical properties. Analysis was performed in proximal and distal femur regions (spatial analysis) of tumour-adjacent (ipsilateral) and contralateral femurs after 3 weeks and 6 weeks of tumour and metastasis development (temporal analysis). By 3 weeks post-inoculation there was no significant difference in bone volume fraction or nano-mechanical properties of bone tissue between the metastatic femora and healthy controls. However, early osteolysis was indicated by trabecular thinning in the distal and proximal trabecular compartment of tumour-bearing femora. Moreover, cortical thickness was significantly increased in the distal region, and the mean mineral density was significantly higher in cortical and trabecular bone tissue in both proximal and distal regions, of ipsilateral (tumour-bearing) femurs compared to healthy controls. By 6 weeks post-inoculation, overt osteolytic lesions were identified in all ipsilateral metastatic femora, but also in two of four contralateral femora of tumour-bearing mice. Bone volume fraction, cortical area, cortical and trabecular thickness were all significantly decreased in metastatic femora (both ipsilateral and contralateral). Trabecular bone tissue stiffness in the proximal femur decreased in the ipsilateral femurs compared to contralateral and control sites. Temporal and spatial analysis of bone nano-mechanical properties and mineralisation during breast cancer invasion reveals changes in bone tissue composition prior to and following overt metastatic osteolysis, local and distant from the primary tumour site. These changes may alter the mechanical environment of both the bone and tumour cells, and thereby play a role in perpetuating the cancer vicious cycle during breast cancer metastasis to bone tissue. Temporal and spatial analyses of bone tissue properties following breast cancer metastasis Trabecular thinning initiated by 3 weeks but overt osteolysis not evident until 6 weeks. Increased bone mineralisation and distal cortical thickness by 3-weeks post-inoculation
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Affiliation(s)
- Anneke S K Verbruggen
- Mechanobiology and Medical Device Research group (MMDRG), Biomedical Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
| | - Elan C McCarthy
- Discipline of Surgery, Lambe Institute for Translational Research, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
| | - Roisin M Dwyer
- Discipline of Surgery, Lambe Institute for Translational Research, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
| | - Laoise M McNamara
- Mechanobiology and Medical Device Research group (MMDRG), Biomedical Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
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48
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Acousto-holographic reconstruction of whole-cell stiffness maps. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7351. [PMID: 36446776 PMCID: PMC9709086 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35075-x] [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: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Accurate assessment of cell stiffness distribution is essential due to the critical role of cell mechanobiology in regulation of vital cellular processes like proliferation, adhesion, migration, and motility. Stiffness provides critical information in understanding onset and progress of various diseases, including metastasis and differentiation of cancer. Atomic force microscopy and optical trapping set the gold standard in stiffness measurements. However, their widespread use has been hampered with long processing times, unreliable contact point determination, physical damage to cells, and unsuitability for multiple cell analysis. Here, we demonstrate a simple, fast, label-free, and high-resolution technique using acoustic stimulation and holographic imaging to reconstruct stiffness maps of single cells. We used this acousto-holographic method to determine stiffness maps of HCT116 and CTC-mimicking HCT116 cells and differentiate between them. Our system would enable widespread use of whole-cell stiffness measurements in clinical and research settings for cancer studies, disease modeling, drug testing, and diagnostics.
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49
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Chen F, Zhong Z, Zhang C, Lu Y, Chan YT, Wang N, Zhao D, Feng Y. Potential Focal Adhesion Kinase Inhibitors in Management of Cancer: Therapeutic Opportunities from Herbal Medicine. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13334. [PMID: 36362132 PMCID: PMC9659249 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a multifunctional protein involved in cellular communication, integrating and transducing extracellular signals from cell-surface membrane receptors. It plays a central role intracellularly and extracellularly within the tumor microenvironment. Perturbations in FAK signaling promote tumor occurrence and development, and studies have revealed its biological behavior in tumor cell proliferation, migration, and adhesion. Herein we provide an overview of the complex biology of the FAK family members and their context-dependent nature. Next, with a focus on cancer, we highlight the activities of FAK signaling in different types of cancer and how knowledge of them is being used for screening natural compounds used in herbal medicine to fight tumor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiyu Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhangfeng Zhong
- Macau Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuanjun Lu
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yau-Tuen Chan
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ning Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Di Zhao
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yibin Feng
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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50
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Nguyen LTS, Jacob MAC, Parajón E, Robinson DN. Cancer as a biophysical disease: Targeting the mechanical-adaptability program. Biophys J 2022; 121:3573-3585. [PMID: 35505610 PMCID: PMC9617128 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.04.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
With the number of cancer cases projected to significantly increase over time, researchers are currently exploring "nontraditional" research fields in the pursuit of novel therapeutics. One emerging area that is steadily gathering interest revolves around cellular mechanical machinery. When looking broadly at the physical properties of cancer, it has been debated whether a cancer could be defined as either stiffer or softer across cancer types. With numerous articles supporting both sides, the evidence instead suggests that cancer is not particularly regimented. Instead, cancer is highly adaptable, allowing it to endure the constantly changing microenvironments cancer cells encounter, such as tumor compression and the shear forces in the vascular system and body. What allows cancer cells to achieve this adaptability are the particular proteins that make up the mechanical network, leading to a particular mechanical program of the cancer cell. Coincidentally, some of these proteins, such as myosin II, α-actinins, filamins, and actin, have either altered expression in cancer and/or some type of direct involvement in cancer progression. For this reason, targeting the mechanical system as a therapeutic strategy may lead to more efficacious treatments in the future. However, targeting the mechanical program is far from trivial. As involved as the mechanical program is in cancer development and metastasis, it also helps drive many other key cellular processes, such as cell division, cell adhesion, metabolism, and motility. Therefore, anti-cancer treatments targeting the mechanical program must take great care to avoid potential side effects. Here, we introduce the potential of targeting the mechanical program while also providing its challenges and shortcomings as a strategy for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ly T S Nguyen
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mark Allan C Jacob
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Eleana Parajón
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Douglas N Robinson
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
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