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Sales Conniff A, Tur J, Kohena K, Zhang M, Gibbons J, Heller LC. DNA Electrotransfer Regulates Molecular Functions in Skeletal Muscle. Bioelectricity 2024; 6:80-90. [PMID: 39119567 PMCID: PMC11304878 DOI: 10.1089/bioe.2022.0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Tissues, such as skeletal muscle, have been targeted for the delivery of plasmid DNA (pDNA) encoding vaccines and therapeutics. The application of electric pulses (electroporation or electrotransfer) increases cell membrane permeability to enhance plasmid delivery and expression. However, the molecular effects of DNA electrotransfer on the muscle tissue are poorly characterized. Materials and Methods Four hours after intramuscular plasmid electrotransfer, we evaluated gene expression changes by RNA sequencing. Differentially expressed genes were analyzed by gene ontology (GO) pathway enrichment analysis. Results GO analysis highlighted many enriched molecular functions. The terms regulated by pulse application were related to muscle stress, the cytoskeleton and inflammation. The terms regulated by pDNA injection were related to a DNA-directed response and its control. Several terms regulated by pDNA electrotransfer were similar to those regulated by pulse application. However, the terms related to pDNA injection differed, focusing on entry of the plasmid into the cells and intracellular trafficking. Conclusion Each muscle stimulus resulted in specific regulated molecular functions. Identifying the unique intrinsic molecular changes driven by intramuscular DNA electrotransfer will aid in the design of preventative and therapeutic gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Sales Conniff
- Department of Medical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Jared Tur
- Department of Medical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Kristopher Kohena
- Department of Medical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Min Zhang
- USF Genomics Core, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Justin Gibbons
- USF Omics Hub, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Loree C. Heller
- Department of Medical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
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2
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Bhandary M, Sales Conniff A, Miranda K, Heller LC. Acute Effects of Intratumor DNA Electrotransfer. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14102097. [PMID: 36297532 PMCID: PMC9611921 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14102097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Intratumor therapeutic DNA electroporation or electrotransfer is in clinical trials in the United States and is under development in many other countries. Acute changes in endogenous gene expression in response to DNA or to pulse application may significantly modulate the therapeutic efficacy of the expressed proteins. Oligonucleotide arrays were used in this study to quantify changes in mRNA expression in B16-F10 mouse melanoma tumors four hours after DNA electrotransfer. The data were subjected to the DAVID v6.8 web server for functional annotation to reveal regulated genes and genetic pathways. Gene ontology analysis revealed several molecular functions related to cytoskeletal remodeling and inflammatory signaling. In B16-F10 cells, F-actin remodeling was confirmed by phalloidin staining in cells that received pulse application alone or in the presence of DNA. Chemokine secretion was confirmed in cells receiving DNA electrotransfer. These results indicate that pulse application alone or in the presence of DNA may modulate the therapeutic efficacy of therapeutic DNA electrotransfer.
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3
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Wiener GI, Kadosh D, Weihs D. Mechanical interactions of invasive cancer cells through their substrate evolve from additive to synergistic. J Biomech 2021; 129:110759. [PMID: 34601215 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Non-contacting, adjacent cancer cells can mechanically interact through their substrate to increase their invasive and migratory capacities that underly metastases-formation. Such mechanical interactions may induce additive or synergistic enhancement of invasiveness, potentially indicating different underlying force-mechanisms. To identify cell-cell-gel interactions, we monitor the time-evolution of three-dimensional traction strains induced by MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells adhering on physiological-stiffness (1.8 kPa) collagen gels and compare to simulations. Single metastatic cells apply strain energies of 0.2-2 pJ (average 0.51 ± 0.06 pJ) at all observation times (30-174 min) inducing a mechanical volume-of-effect in the collagen gel that is initially (<60 min from seeding) on the cell-volume scale (∼3000 µm3) and on average increases with time from cell seeding. When cells adhere closely adjacent, at short times (<60 min) we distinguish the additive contributions of neighboring cells to the strains, while at longer times strain fields are synergistically amplified and may facilitate increased cooperative/collective cancer-cell-invasiveness. The results of well-spaced and closely adjacent cells at short times match our simulations of additive deformations induced by radially applied strains with experimentally based inverse-distance decay. We thus reveal a time-dependent evolution from additive to synergistic interactions of adjacently adhering cells that may facilitate metastatic invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy I Wiener
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Dana Kadosh
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel; Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3525433, Israel(1)
| | - Daphne Weihs
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel.
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4
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Actin as a Target to Reduce Cell Invasiveness in Initial Stages of Metastasis. Ann Biomed Eng 2020; 49:1342-1352. [PMID: 33145677 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-020-02679-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrate the relative roles of the cell cytoskeleton, and specific importance of actin in facilitating mechanical aspects of metastatic invasion. A crucial step in metastasis, the typically lethal spread of cancer to distant body-sites, is cell invasion through dense tissues composed of extracellular matrix and various non-cancerous cells. Cell invasion requires cell-cytoskeleton remodeling to facilitate dynamic morphological changes and force application. We have previously shown invasive cell subsets in heterogeneous samples can rapidly (2 h) and forcefully indent non-degradable, impenetrable, synthetic gels to cell-scale depths. The amounts of indenting cells and their attained depths provide the mechanical invasiveness of the sample, which as we have shown agrees with the in vitro metastatic potential and the in vivo metastatic risk in humans. To identify invasive force-application mechanisms, we evaluated changes in mechanical invasiveness following chemical perturbations targeting the structure and function of cytoskeleton elements and associated proteins. We evaluate effects on short-term (2-hr) indentations of single, well-spaced or closely situated cells as compared to long-time-scale Boyden chamber migration. We show that actomyosin inhibition may be used to reduce (mechanical) invasiveness of single or collectively invading cells, while actin-disruption may induce escape-response of treated single-cells, which may promote metastasis.
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5
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Graybill PM, Davalos RV. Cytoskeletal Disruption after Electroporation and Its Significance to Pulsed Electric Field Therapies. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1132. [PMID: 32366043 PMCID: PMC7281591 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulsed electric fields (PEFs) have become clinically important through the success of Irreversible Electroporation (IRE), Electrochemotherapy (ECT), and nanosecond PEFs (nsPEFs) for the treatment of tumors. PEFs increase the permeability of cell membranes, a phenomenon known as electroporation. In addition to well-known membrane effects, PEFs can cause profound cytoskeletal disruption. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of cytoskeletal disruption after PEFs. Compiling available studies, we describe PEF-induced cytoskeletal disruption and possible mechanisms of disruption. Additionally, we consider how cytoskeletal alterations contribute to cell-cell and cell-substrate disruption. We conclude with a discussion of cytoskeletal disruption-induced anti-vascular effects of PEFs and consider how a better understanding of cytoskeletal disruption after PEFs may lead to more effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip M. Graybill
- BEMS Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA;
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Rafael V. Davalos
- BEMS Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA;
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
- Virginia Tech–Wake Forest University, School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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6
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Alvarez-Elizondo MB, Barenholz-Cohen T, Weihs D. Sodium pyruvate pre-treatment prevents cell death due to localised, damaging mechanical strains in the context of pressure ulcers. Int Wound J 2019; 16:1153-1163. [PMID: 31407500 DOI: 10.1111/iwj.13173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
We demonstrate sodium pyruvate (NaPy) pre-treatment as a successful approach for pressure ulcer (PU) prevention by averting their aetiological origin-cell-level damage and death by large, sustained mechanical loads. We evaluated the NaPy pre-treatment effect on permeability changes in the cell's plasma membrane (PM) following application of in vitro damaging-level strains. Fibroblasts or myoblasts, respectively, models for superficial or deep-tissue damage were grown in 0 or 1 mM NaPy, emulating typical physiological or cell culture conditions. Cells were pre-treated for 4 hours with 0 to 5 mM NaPy prior to 3-hour sustained, damaging-level loads (12% strain). PM permeability was quantified by the cell uptake of small (4 kDa), fluorescent dextran compared with unstrained control using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Pre-treatment with 1 mM, and especially 5 mM, NaPy significantly reduces damage to PM integrity. Long-term NaPy pre-exposure can improve protective treatment, affecting fibroblasts and myoblasts differently. Pre-treating with NaPy, a natural cell metabolite, allows cells under damaging-level mechanical loads to maintain their PM integrity, that is, to avoid loss of homeostasis and inevitable, eventual cell death, by preventing initial, microscale stages of PU formation. This pre-treatment may be applied prior to planned periods of immobility, for example, planned surgery or transport, to prolong safe time in a position by preventing initial cell damage that can cascade and lead to PU formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tamar Barenholz-Cohen
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Daphne Weihs
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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7
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Printable low-cost, sustained and dynamic cell stretching apparatus. J Biomech 2016; 49:1336-1339. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2016.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 03/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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8
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Unal M, Alapan Y, Jia H, Varga AG, Angelino K, Aslan M, Sayin I, Han C, Jiang Y, Zhang Z, Gurkan UA. Micro and Nano-Scale Technologies for Cell Mechanics. Nanobiomedicine (Rij) 2014; 1:5. [PMID: 30023016 PMCID: PMC6029242 DOI: 10.5772/59379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell mechanics is a multidisciplinary field that bridges cell biology, fundamental mechanics, and micro and nanotechnology, which synergize to help us better understand the intricacies and the complex nature of cells in their native environment. With recent advances in nanotechnology, microfabrication methods and micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS), we are now well situated to tap into the complex micro world of cells. The field that brings biology and MEMS together is known as Biological MEMS (BioMEMS). BioMEMS take advantage of systematic design and fabrication methods to create platforms that allow us to study cells like never before. These new technologies have been rapidly advancing the study of cell mechanics. This review article provides a succinct overview of cell mechanics and comprehensively surveys micro and nano-scale technologies that have been specifically developed for and are relevant to the mechanics of cells. Here we focus on micro and nano-scale technologies, and their applications in biology and medicine, including imaging, single cell analysis, cancer cell mechanics, organ-on-a-chip systems, pathogen detection, implantable devices, neuroscience and neurophysiology. We also provide a perspective on the future directions and challenges of technologies that relate to the mechanics of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Unal
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
| | - Yunus Alapan
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
- Case Biomanufacturing and Microfabrication Laboratory, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
| | - Hao Jia
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
| | - Adrienn G. Varga
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
| | - Keith Angelino
- Department of Civil Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
| | - Mahmut Aslan
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
- Case Biomanufacturing and Microfabrication Laboratory, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
| | - Ismail Sayin
- Case Biomanufacturing and Microfabrication Laboratory, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
| | - Chanjuan Han
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
| | - Yanxia Jiang
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
| | - Zhehao Zhang
- Department of Civil Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
| | - Umut A. Gurkan
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
- Case Biomanufacturing and Microfabrication Laboratory, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
- Department of Orthopaedics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
- Advanced Platform Technology Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, USA
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9
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Chevry L, Colin R, Abou B, Berret JF. Intracellular micro-rheology probed by micron-sized wires. Biomaterials 2013; 34:6299-305. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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10
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Nikolova B, Kostadinova A, Dimitrov B, Zhelev Z, Bakalova R, Aoki I, Saga T, Tsoneva I. Fluorescent imaging for assessment of the effect of combined application of electroporation and rifampicin on HaCaT cells as a new therapeutic approach for psoriasis. SENSORS 2013; 13:3625-34. [PMID: 23493125 PMCID: PMC3658765 DOI: 10.3390/s130303625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2013] [Revised: 02/13/2013] [Accepted: 03/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The study aimed to clarify the role of electric pulses in combination with chemotherapy on the viability of keratinocyte cell line HaCaT, in the context of its application as a new therapeutic approach for psoriasis. The data show that electroporation of HaCaT cells in combination with rifampicin induces cytoskeleton disruption and increases permeability of cell monolayer due to cell-cell junctions' interruption, visualized by fluorescent imaging of E-cadherin and actin integrity. This was accompanied with synergistic reduction of cell viability. The study proposes a new opportunity for more effective skin treatment than chemotherapy. The future application of this electrochemotherapeutic approach for combined local treatment of psoriasis may have serous benefits because of a high possibility to avoid side-effects of conventional chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biliana Nikolova
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad.G. Bonchev Str., bl. 21, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria; E-Mails: (B.N.); (A.K.); (B.D.); (Z.Z.); (I.T.)
| | - Anelia Kostadinova
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad.G. Bonchev Str., bl. 21, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria; E-Mails: (B.N.); (A.K.); (B.D.); (Z.Z.); (I.T.)
| | - Borislav Dimitrov
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad.G. Bonchev Str., bl. 21, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria; E-Mails: (B.N.); (A.K.); (B.D.); (Z.Z.); (I.T.)
| | - Zhivko Zhelev
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad.G. Bonchev Str., bl. 21, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria; E-Mails: (B.N.); (A.K.); (B.D.); (Z.Z.); (I.T.)
- Medical Faculty, Trakia University, 11 Armeiska Str., Stara Zagora 6000, Bulgaria
| | - Rumiana Bakalova
- Molecular Imaging Center, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; E-Mails: (I.A.); (T.S.)
- Medical Faculty, Sofia University, 1 Koziak Str., Sofia 1407, Bulgaria
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +81-42-206-3274; Fax: +81-42-206-9470
| | - Ichio Aoki
- Molecular Imaging Center, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; E-Mails: (I.A.); (T.S.)
| | - Tsuneo Saga
- Molecular Imaging Center, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; E-Mails: (I.A.); (T.S.)
| | - Iana Tsoneva
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad.G. Bonchev Str., bl. 21, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria; E-Mails: (B.N.); (A.K.); (B.D.); (Z.Z.); (I.T.)
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11
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Abuhattoum S, Weihs D. Location-dependent intracellular particle tracking using a cell-based coordinate system. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin 2013; 16:1042-9. [PMID: 23452183 DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2012.761694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular structure and active processes have been studied by particle tracking using the motion of internalised probes. Intracellular particle motion is driven by a complex combination of active and thermal processes within heterogeneous and dynamically changing micro-environments. Regions in the cells may react differently to environmental changes or following treatment, exhibiting location-dependent responses. Hence, to reveal such responses, we introduce cell-specific polar coordinate systems. The coordinates are defined for each cell by its nucleus location and orientation, providing relative particle locations in the cytoplasm. The utility of our approach is demonstrated by comparing Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)-depleted and control cells. In both cells, we observe differences in particle transport with the distance from the nucleus. Following ATP depletion, basic particle motion analysis shows an expected reduction in activity driving particle transport. However, it is our location-dependent approach which reveals that while morphology changes primarily at the cortex, the cell response is actually nearly uniform across the cytoplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shada Abuhattoum
- a Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology , Haifa , 32000 , Israel
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12
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Verbitsky O. Experimental versus evaluation unit and multiplicity problem in cell biology study. Cell Biochem Biophys 2012; 66:157-9. [PMID: 23111984 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-012-9464-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Yizraeli and Weihs, Cell Biochem Biophys, 61: 605-618, 2011 evaluated the effect of electrical treatment on proliferative metabolic-activity of three experimental cell conditions. They reported, that the "...three independent experiments were done in triplicate (three samples in parallel, O.V.) for each condition...", in three time-points. Therefore, I suggest, that any three samples in parallel (triplicate) in the same experiment shared more similar environmental conditions compared to any three samples (no triplicate) from three different independent experiments. Moreover, the absence of basic statistical information in the manuscript of Yizraeli and Weihs (2011) might be associated with hidden common statistical errors: (a) implicit pseudoreplication due to incorrect determination of the experimental and evaluation units and (b) simultaneous inference without correction of p-values due to ignoring the overall type I error rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleg Verbitsky
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, 32000, Haifa, Israel.
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13
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Intracellular mechanics and activity of breast cancer cells correlate with metastatic potential. Cell Biochem Biophys 2012; 63:199-209. [PMID: 22555560 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-012-9356-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mechanics of cancer cells are directly linked to their metastatic potential, or ability to produce a secondary tumor at a distant site. Metastatic cells survive in the circulatory system in a non-adherent state, and can squeeze through barriers in the body. Such considerable structural changes in cells rely on rapid remodeling of internal structure and mechanics. While external mechanical measurements have demonstrated enhanced pliability of cancer cells with increased metastatic potential, little is known about dynamics of their interior and we expect that to change significantly in metastatic cells. We perform a comparative study, using particle-tracking to evaluate the intracellular mechanics of living epithelial breast cells with varying invasiveness. Particles in all examined cell lines exhibit super-diffusion with a scaling exponent of 1.4 at short lag times, likely related to active transport by fluctuating microtubules and their associated molecular motors. Specifics of probe-particle transport differ between the cell types, depending on the cytoskeleton network-structure and interactions with it. Our study shows that the internal microenvironment of the highly metastatic cells evaluated here is more pliable and their cytoskeleton is less dense than the poorly metastatic and benign cells. We thus reveal intracellular structure and mechanics that can support the unique function and invasive capabilities of highly metastatic cells.
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Pehlivanova VN, Tsoneva IH, Tzoneva RD. Multiple effects of electroporation on the adhesive behaviour of breast cancer cells and fibroblasts. Cancer Cell Int 2012; 12:9. [PMID: 22439612 PMCID: PMC3382426 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2867-12-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2012] [Accepted: 03/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently electroporation using biphasic pulses was successfully applied in clinical developments for treating tumours in humans and animals. We evaluated the effects of electrical treatment on cell adhesion behaviour of breast cancer cells and fibroblasts. By applying bipolar electrical pulses we studied short- and long-lived effects on cell adhesion and survival, actin cytoskeleton and cell adhesion contacts in adherent cancer cells and fibroblasts. METHODS Two cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) and one fibroblast cell line 3T3 were used. Cells were exposed to high field intensity (200 - 1000 V/cm). Cell adhesion and survival after electrical exposure were studied by crystal violet assay and MTS assay. Cytoskeleton rearrangement and cell adhesion contacts were visualized by actin staining and fluorescent microscope. RESULTS The degree of electropermeabilization of the adherent cells elevated steadily with the increasing of the field intensity. Adhesion behaviour of fibroblasts and MCF-7 was not significantly affected by electrotreatment. Interestingly, treating the loosely adhesive cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 with 200 V/cm and 500 V/cm resulted in increased cell adhesion. Cell replication of both studied cancer cell lines was disturbed after electropermeabilization. Electroporation influenced the actin cytoskeleton in cancer cells and fibroblasts in different ways. Since it disturbed temporarily the actin cytoskeleton in 3T3 cells, in cancer cells treated with lower and middle field intensity actin cytoskeleton was well presented in stress fibers, filopodia and lamellipodia. The electrotreatment for cancer cells provoked preferentially cell-cell adhesion contacts for MCF-7 and cell-ECM contacts for MDA-MB- 231. CONCLUSIONS Cell adhesion and survival as well as the type of cell adhesion (cell-ECM or cell-cell adhesion) induced by the electroporation process is cell specific. The application of suitable electric pulses can provoke changes in the cytoskeleton organization and cell adhesiveness, which could contribute to the restriction of tumour invasion and thus leads to the amplification of anti-tumour effect of electroporation-based tumour therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria N Pehlivanova
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl. 21, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria
| | - Iana H Tsoneva
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl. 21, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria
| | - Rumiana D Tzoneva
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl. 21, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria
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15
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Bioengineering embryonic stem cell microenvironments for the study of breast cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2011; 12:7662-91. [PMID: 22174624 PMCID: PMC3233430 DOI: 10.3390/ijms12117662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2011] [Revised: 10/27/2011] [Accepted: 10/31/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most prevalent disease amongst women worldwide and metastasis is the main cause of death due to breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer cells and embryonic stem (ES) cells display similar characteristics. However, unlike metastatic breast cancer cells, ES cells are nonmalignant. Furthermore, embryonic microenvironments have the potential to convert metastatic breast cancer cells into a less invasive phenotype. The creation of in vitro embryonic microenvironments will enable better understanding of ES cell-breast cancer cell interactions, help elucidate tumorigenesis, and lead to the restriction of breast cancer metastasis. In this article, we will present the characteristics of breast cancer cells and ES cells as well as their microenvironments, importance of embryonic microenvironments in inhibiting tumorigenesis, convergence of tumorigenic and embryonic signaling pathways, and state of the art in bioengineering embryonic microenvironments for breast cancer research. Additionally, the potential application of bioengineered embryonic microenvironments for the prevention and treatment of invasive breast cancer will be discussed.
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