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Ascheid D, Baumann M, Pinnecker J, Friedrich M, Szi-Marton D, Medved C, Bundalo M, Ortmann V, Öztürk A, Nandigama R, Hemmen K, Ergün S, Zernecke A, Hirth M, Heinze KG, Henke E. A vascularized breast cancer spheroid platform for the ranked evaluation of tumor microenvironment-targeted drugs by light sheet fluorescence microscopy. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3599. [PMID: 38678014 PMCID: PMC11055956 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48010-z] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Targeting the supportive tumor microenvironment (TME) is an approach of high interest in cancer drug development. However, assessing TME-targeted drug candidates presents a unique set of challenges. We develop a comprehensive screening platform that allows monitoring, quantifying, and ranking drug-induced effects in self-organizing, vascularized tumor spheroids (VTSs). The confrontation of four human-derived cell populations makes it possible to recreate and study complex changes in TME composition and cell-cell interaction. The platform is modular and adaptable for tumor entity or genetic manipulation. Treatment effects are recorded by light sheet fluorescence microscopy and translated by an advanced image analysis routine in processable multi-parametric datasets. The system proved to be robust, with strong interassay reliability. We demonstrate the platform's utility for evaluating TME-targeted antifibrotic and antiangiogenic drugs side-by-side. The platform's output enabled the differential evaluation of even closely related drug candidates according to projected therapeutic needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ascheid
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Magdalena Baumann
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Pinnecker
- Chair of Molecular Microscopy, Rudolf-Virchow-Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mike Friedrich
- Chair of Molecular Microscopy, Rudolf-Virchow-Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Szi-Marton
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Cornelia Medved
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Maja Bundalo
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Vanessa Ortmann
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Asli Öztürk
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Rajender Nandigama
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Katherina Hemmen
- Chair of Molecular Microscopy, Rudolf-Virchow-Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Süleymann Ergün
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alma Zernecke
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Hirth
- Institut für Medientechnik, Technische Universität Illmenau, Illmenau, Germany
| | - Katrin G Heinze
- Chair of Molecular Microscopy, Rudolf-Virchow-Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Erik Henke
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
- Graduate School for Life Sciences, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
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2
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Dzobo K, Dandara C. The Extracellular Matrix: Its Composition, Function, Remodeling, and Role in Tumorigenesis. Biomimetics (Basel) 2023; 8:146. [PMID: 37092398 PMCID: PMC10123695 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics8020146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a ubiquitous member of the body and is key to the maintenance of tissue and organ integrity. Initially thought to be a bystander in many cellular processes, the extracellular matrix has been shown to have diverse components that regulate and activate many cellular processes and ultimately influence cell phenotype. Importantly, the ECM's composition, architecture, and stiffness/elasticity influence cellular phenotypes. Under normal conditions and during development, the synthesized ECM constantly undergoes degradation and remodeling processes via the action of matrix proteases that maintain tissue homeostasis. In many pathological conditions including fibrosis and cancer, ECM synthesis, remodeling, and degradation is dysregulated, causing its integrity to be altered. Both physical and chemical cues from the ECM are sensed via receptors including integrins and play key roles in driving cellular proliferation and differentiation and in the progression of various diseases such as cancers. Advances in 'omics' technologies have seen an increase in studies focusing on bidirectional cell-matrix interactions, and here, we highlight the emerging knowledge on the role played by the ECM during normal development and in pathological conditions. This review summarizes current ECM-targeted therapies that can modify ECM tumors to overcome drug resistance and better cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Dzobo
- Medical Research Council, SA Wound Healing Unit, Hair and Skin Research Laboratory, Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Collet Dandara
- Division of Human Genetics and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- The South African Medical Research Council-UCT Platform for Pharmacogenomics Research and Translation, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
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3
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Peng X, Huang J, Li M, Chen Z, Yan W, Qu J. Lipid Membrane Alterations in Tumor Spheroids Revealed by Fluorescence Lifetime Microscopy Imaging. Anal Chem 2023; 95:575-580. [PMID: 36576346 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) cultured tumor spheroid models, as one type of in vitro model, have been proven to have more physiological similarities to in vivo animal models than cells in 2D cultures. Tumor spheroids have been widely used in preclinical experiments of anticancer drug treatments, providing reliable data in pathogenetic research. Currently, different 3D cell culture conditions, even in the same cell line, generate heterogeneous spheroids in morphology and size, resulting in different growth rates or drug-killing responses. Therefore, the measurement and evaluation of the properties of tumor spheroids have become highly demanding tasks with huge challenges. For functional characterization of tumor spheroids, the microenvironment sensitivity and quantitative properties of the fluorescence lifetime microscopy imaging (FLIM) technique have great advantages for improving the reliability of cell physiological testing. In this paper, we have proposed a FLIM-based approach to observe the lipid components labeled with Nile red of cells in both 3D and 2D cultures. The imaging data and analysis provided basic information on the sizes, morphologies, and cell membrane fluorescence lifetime values of the tumor spheroids. FLIM data showed that the microenvironment of the cell membrane in the 3D model was largely altered compared to that in the 2D culture. Next, a series of parameters that may influence the lipid components of tumor cells and tumor spheroids were tested by FLIM, including pH, viscosity, and polarity. The results showed that pH and viscosity contributed little to the change in fluorescence lifetime values, while the change in cell membrane polarity was the main cause of the alterations in fluorescence lifetime data, suggesting that cell membrane polarity should be considered a marker in distinguishing tumor spheroids from cellular physiological status. In conclusion, this FLIM-based testing process has been proven to be a quantitative method for measuring the differences between the cells of the 3D model from the 2D cultured cells with satisfactory sensitivity and accuracy, providing a high potential standard assay in the quality evaluation and control of tumor spheroids for future anticancer drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Peng
- College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonics and Biophotonics, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen518060, P. R. China
| | - Jingwen Huang
- College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonics and Biophotonics, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen518060, P. R. China
| | - Mingyue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Sipailou #2, Nanjing, Jiangsu210096, P. R. China
| | - Zaozao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Sipailou #2, Nanjing, Jiangsu210096, P. R. China
| | - Wei Yan
- College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonics and Biophotonics, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen518060, P. R. China
| | - Junle Qu
- College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonics and Biophotonics, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen518060, P. R. China
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4
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McCreery KP, Luetkemeyer CM, Calve S, Neu CP. Hyperelastic characterization reveals proteoglycans drive the nanoscale strain-stiffening response in hyaline cartilage. J Biomech 2023; 146:111397. [PMID: 36469996 PMCID: PMC9922104 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA) result in deterioration of cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) components, significantly compromising tissue function. For measurement of mechanical properties at micron resolution, atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a leading technique in biomaterials research, including in the study of OA. It is common practice to determine material properties by applying classical Hertzian contact theory to AFM data. However, errors are consequential because the application of a linear elastic contact model to tissue ignores the fact that soft materials exhibit nonlinear properties even at small strains, influencing the biological conclusions of clinically-relevant studies. Additionally, nonlinear material properties are not well characterized, limiting physiological relevance of Young's modulus. Here, we probe the ECM of hyaline cartilage with AFM and explore the application of Hertzian theory in comparison to five hyperelastic models: NeoHookean, Mooney-Rivlin, Arruda-Boyce, Fung, and Ogden. The Fung and Ogden models achieved the best fits of the data, but the Fung model demonstrated robust sensitivity during model validation, demonstrating its ideal application to cartilage ECM and potentially other connective tissues. To develop a biological understanding of the Fung nonlinear parameter, we selectively degraded ECM components to target collagens (purified collagenase), hyaluronan (bacterial hyaluronidase), and glycosaminoglycans (chondroitinase ABC). We found significant differences in both Fung parameters in response to enzymatic treatment, indicating that proteoglycans drive the nonlinear response of cartilage ECM, and validating biological relevance of these phenomenological parameters. Our findings add value to the biomechanics community of using two-parameter material models for microindentation of soft biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin P McCreery
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA; Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Callan M Luetkemeyer
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.
| | - Sarah Calve
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA; Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Corey P Neu
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA; Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.
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5
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Micalet A, Moeendarbary E, Cheema U. 3D In Vitro Models for Investigating the Role of Stiffness in Cancer Invasion. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021. [PMID: 34081437 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumorigenesis is attributed to the interactions of cancer cells with the tumor microenvironment through both biochemical cues and physical stimuli. Increased matrix deposition and realignment of the collagen fibers are detected by cancer cells, inducing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, which in turn stimulates cell motility and invasiveness. METHODS This review provides an overview of current research on the role of the physical microenvironment in cancer invasion. This was achieved by using a systematic approach and providing meta-analyses. Particular focus was placed on in vitro three-dimensional models of epithelial cancers. We investigated questions such as the effect of matrix stiffening, activation of stromal cells, and identified potential advances in mechano-based therapies. RESULTS Meta-analysis revealed that 64% of studies report cancer invasion promotion as stiffness increases, while 36% report the opposite. Experimental approaches and data interpretations were varied, each affecting the invasion of cancer differently. Examples are the experimental timeframes used (24 h to 21 days), the type of polymer used (24 types), and choice of cell line (33 cell lines). The stiffness of the 3D matrices varied from 0.5 to 300 kPa and 19% of these matrices' stiffness were outside commonly accepted physiological range. 100% of the studies outside biological stiffness range (above 20 kPa) report that stiffness does not promote cancer invasion. CONCLUSIONS Taking this analysis into account, we inform on the type of experimental approaches that could be the most relevant and provide what would be a standardized protocol and reporting strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Auxtine Micalet
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London (UCL), Torrington Place, London, U.K. WC1E 6BT.,Division of Surgery and Interventional Sciences, UCL Centre for 3D Models of Health and Disease, University College London (UCL), Charles Bell House, London, U.K. W1W 7TS
| | - Emad Moeendarbary
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London (UCL), Torrington Place, London, U.K. WC1E 6BT.,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Umber Cheema
- Division of Surgery and Interventional Sciences, UCL Centre for 3D Models of Health and Disease, University College London (UCL), Charles Bell House, London, U.K. W1W 7TS
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7
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Fernando K, Kwang LG, Lim JTC, Fong ELS. Hydrogels to engineer tumor microenvironments in vitro. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:2362-2383. [DOI: 10.1039/d0bm01943g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Illustration of engineered hydrogel to recapitulate aspects of the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanishka Fernando
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- National University of Singapore
- Singapore
| | - Leng Gek Kwang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- National University of Singapore
- Singapore
| | - Joanne Tze Chin Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- National University of Singapore
- Singapore
| | - Eliza Li Shan Fong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- National University of Singapore
- Singapore
- The N.1 Institute for Health
- National University of Singapore
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8
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Barros da Silva P, Coelho M, Bidarra SJ, Neves SC, Barrias CC. Reshaping in vitro Models of Breast Tissue: Integration of Stromal and Parenchymal Compartments in 3D Printed Hydrogels. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:494. [PMID: 32596217 PMCID: PMC7300215 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast tissue consists of an epithelial parenchyma embedded in stroma, of heterogeneous and complex composition, undergoing several morphological and functional alterations throughout females' lifespan. Improved knowledge on the crosstalk between parenchymal and stromal mammary cells should provide important insights on breast tissue dynamics, both under healthy and diseased states. Here, we describe an advanced 3D in vitro model of breast tissue, combining multiple components, namely stromal cells and their extracellular matrix (ECM), as well as parenchymal epithelial cells, in a hybrid system. To build the model, porous scaffolds were produced by extrusion 3D printing of peptide-modified alginate hydrogels, and then populated with human mammary fibroblasts. Seeded fibroblasts were able to adhere, spread and produce endogenous ECM, providing adequate coverage of the scaffold surface, without obstructing the pores. On a second stage, a peptide-modified alginate pre-gel laden with mammary gland epithelial cells was used to fill the scaffold's pores, forming a hydrogel in situ by ionic crosslinking. Throughout time, epithelial cells formed prototypical mammary acini-like structures, in close proximity with fibroblasts and their ECM. This generated a heterotypic 3D model that partially recreates both stromal and parenchymal compartments of breast tissue, promoting cell-cell and cell-matrix crosstalk. Furthermore, the hybrid system could be easily dissolved for cell recovery and subsequent analysis by standard cellular/molecular assays. In particular, we show that retrieved cell populations could be discriminated by flow cytometry using cell-type specific markers. This integrative 3D model stands out as a promising in vitro platform for studying breast stroma-parenchyma interactions, both under physiological and pathological settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Barros da Silva
- i3S—Instituto de Inovação e Investigação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal
- INEB—Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- FEUP—Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana Coelho
- i3S—Instituto de Inovação e Investigação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal
- INEB—Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS—Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sílvia Joana Bidarra
- i3S—Instituto de Inovação e Investigação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal
- INEB—Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS—Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Carvalheira Neves
- i3S—Instituto de Inovação e Investigação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal
- INEB—Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- FEUP—Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristina Carvalho Barrias
- i3S—Instituto de Inovação e Investigação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal
- INEB—Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS—Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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9
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Berger AJ, Renner CM, Hale I, Yang X, Ponik SM, Weisman PS, Masters KS, Kreeger PK. Scaffold stiffness influences breast cancer cell invasion via EGFR-linked Mena upregulation and matrix remodeling. Matrix Biol 2020; 85-86:80-93. [PMID: 31323325 PMCID: PMC6962577 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2019.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Clinically, increased breast tumor stiffness is associated with metastasis and poorer outcomes. Yet, in vitro studies of tumor cells in 3D scaffolds have found decreased invasion in stiffer environments. To resolve this apparent contradiction, MDA-MB-231 breast tumor spheroids were embedded in 'low' (2 kPa) and 'high' (12 kPa) stiffness 3D hydrogels comprised of methacrylated gelatin/collagen I, a material that allows for physiologically-relevant changes in stiffness while matrix density is held constant. Cells in high stiffness materials exhibited delayed invasion, but more abundant actin-enriched protrusions, compared to those in low stiffness. We find that cells in high stiffness had increased expression of Mena, an invadopodia protein associated with metastasis in breast cancer, as a result of EGFR and PLCγ1 activation. As invadopodia promote invasion through matrix remodeling, we examined matrix organization and determined that spheroids in high stiffness displayed a large fibronectin halo. Interestingly, this halo did not result from increased fibronectin production, but rather from Mena/α5 integrin dependent organization. In high stiffness environments, FN1 knockout inhibited invasion while addition of exogenous cellular fibronectin lessened the invasion delay. Analysis of fibronectin isoforms demonstrated that EDA-fibronectin promoted invasion and that clinical invasive breast cancer specimens displayed elevated EDA-fibronectin. Combined, our data support a mechanism by which breast cancer cells respond to stiffness and render the environment conducive to invasion. More broadly, these findings provide important insight on the roles of matrix stiffness, composition, and organization in promoting tumor invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Berger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Carine M Renner
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Isaac Hale
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Xinhai Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Suzanne M Ponik
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America; Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Paul S Weisman
- Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America; Department of Pathology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Kristyn S Masters
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America; Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America; Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America.
| | - Pamela K Kreeger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America; Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America; Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America.
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10
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Liu T, Zhou L, Yang K, Iwasawa K, Kadekaro AL, Takebe T, Andl T, Zhang Y. The β-catenin/YAP signaling axis is a key regulator of melanoma-associated fibroblasts. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2019; 4:63. [PMID: 31885878 PMCID: PMC6928146 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-019-0100-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
β-catenin is a multifunctional protein that plays crucial roles in embryonic development, physiological homeostasis, and a wide variety of human cancers. Previously, we showed that in vivo targeted ablation of β-catenin in melanoma-associated fibroblasts after melanoma formation significantly suppressed tumor growth. However, when the expression of β-catenin was ablated in melanoma-associated fibroblasts before tumor initiation, melanoma development was surprisingly accelerated. How stromal β-catenin deficiency leads to opposite biological effects in melanoma progression is not completely understood. Here, we report that β-catenin is indispensable for the activation of primary human stromal fibroblasts and the mediation of fibroblast-melanoma cell interactions. Using coimmunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assays, we identified Yes-associated protein (YAP) as an important β-catenin-interacting partner in stromal fibroblasts. YAP is highly expressed in the nuclei of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in both human and murine melanomas. Mechanistic investigation revealed that YAP nuclear translocation is significantly modulated by Wnt/β-catenin activity in fibroblasts. Blocking Wnt/β-catenin signaling in stromal fibroblasts inhibited YAP nuclear translocation. In the absence of YAP, the ability of stromal fibroblasts to remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM) was inhibited, which is consistent with the phenotype observed in cells with β-catenin deficiency. Further studies showed that the expression of ECM proteins and enzymes required for remodeling the ECM was suppressed in stromal fibroblasts after YAP ablation. Collectively, our data provide a new paradigm in which the β-catenin-YAP signaling axis regulates the activation and tumor-promoting function of stromal fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Liu
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267 USA
| | - Linli Zhou
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267 USA
| | - Kun Yang
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267 USA
| | - Kentaro Iwasawa
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA
| | - Ana Luisa Kadekaro
- Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267 USA
| | - Takanori Takebe
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039 USA
- Institute of Research, Tokyo Medical and Dental University 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510 Japan
| | - Thomas Andl
- Burnett School of Biological Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816 USA
| | - Yuhang Zhang
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267 USA
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11
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Roy Choudhury A, Gupta S, Chaturvedi PK, Kumar N, Pandey D. Mechanobiology of Cancer Stem Cells and Their Niche. CANCER MICROENVIRONMENT : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL CANCER MICROENVIRONMENT SOCIETY 2019; 12:17-27. [PMID: 31004332 PMCID: PMC6529500 DOI: 10.1007/s12307-019-00222-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Though the existence of cancer stem cells remained enigmatic initially, over the time their participation in tumorigenesis and tumor progression has become highly evident. Today, they are also appreciated as the causal element for tumor heterogeneity and drug-resistance. Cancer stem cells activate a set of molecular pathways some of which are triggered by the unique mechanical properties of the tumor tissue stroma. A relatively new field called mechanobiology has emerged, which aims to critically evaluate the mechanical properties associated with biological events like tissue morphogenesis, cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions, cellular migration and also the development and progression of cancer. Development of more realistic model systems and biophysical instrumentation for observation and manipulation of cell-dynamics in real-time has invoked a hope for some novel therapeutic modalities against cancer in the future. This review discusses the fundamental concepts of cancer stem cells from an intriguing viewpoint of mechanobiology and some important breakthroughs to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Roy Choudhury
- Department of Reproductive Biology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Surabhi Gupta
- Department of Reproductive Biology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Pradeep Kumar Chaturvedi
- Department of Reproductive Biology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Neeraj Kumar
- Department of Reproductive Biology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Deepak Pandey
- Department of Reproductive Biology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India.
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Senthebane DA, Jonker T, Rowe A, Thomford NE, Munro D, Dandara C, Wonkam A, Govender D, Calder B, Soares NC, Blackburn JM, Parker MI, Dzobo K. The Role of Tumor Microenvironment in Chemoresistance: 3D Extracellular Matrices as Accomplices. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E2861. [PMID: 30241395 PMCID: PMC6213202 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19102861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The functional interplay between tumor cells and their adjacent stroma has been suggested to play crucial roles in the initiation and progression of tumors and the effectiveness of chemotherapy. The extracellular matrix (ECM), a complex network of extracellular proteins, provides both physical and chemicals cues necessary for cell proliferation, survival, and migration. Understanding how ECM composition and biomechanical properties affect cancer progression and response to chemotherapeutic drugs is vital to the development of targeted treatments. METHODS 3D cell-derived-ECMs and esophageal cancer cell lines were used as a model to investigate the effect of ECM proteins on esophageal cancer cell lines response to chemotherapeutics. Immunohistochemical and qRT-PCR evaluation of ECM proteins and integrin gene expression was done on clinical esophageal squamous cell carcinoma biopsies. Esophageal cancer cell lines (WHCO1, WHCO5, WHCO6, KYSE180, KYSE 450 and KYSE 520) were cultured on decellularised ECMs (fibroblasts-derived ECM; cancer cell-derived ECM; combinatorial-ECM) and treated with 0.1% Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), 4.2 µM cisplatin, 3.5 µM 5-fluorouracil and 2.5 µM epirubicin for 24 h. Cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, colony formation, apoptosis, migration and activation of signaling pathways were used as our study endpoints. RESULTS The expression of collagens, fibronectin and laminins was significantly increased in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC) tumor samples compared to the corresponding normal tissue. Decellularised ECMs abrogated the effect of drugs on cancer cell cycling, proliferation and reduced drug induced apoptosis by 20⁻60% that of those plated on plastic. The mitogen-activated protein kinase-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK-ERK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathways were upregulated in the presence of the ECMs. Furthermore, our data show that concomitant addition of chemotherapeutic drugs and the use of collagen- and fibronectin-deficient ECMs through siRNA inhibition synergistically increased cancer cell sensitivity to drugs by 30⁻50%, and reduced colony formation and cancer cell migration. CONCLUSION Our study shows that ECM proteins play a key role in the response of cancer cells to chemotherapy and suggest that targeting ECM proteins can be an effective therapeutic strategy against chemoresistant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimakatso Alice Senthebane
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town Component, Wernher and Beit Building (South), UCT Campus, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
| | - Tina Jonker
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town Component, Wernher and Beit Building (South), UCT Campus, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
| | - Arielle Rowe
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town Component, Wernher and Beit Building (South), UCT Campus, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
| | - Nicholas Ekow Thomford
- Pharmacogenetics Research Group, Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology and Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
| | - Daniella Munro
- Pharmacogenetics Research Group, Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology and Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
| | - Collet Dandara
- Pharmacogenetics Research Group, Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology and Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
| | - Ambroise Wonkam
- Pharmacogenetics Research Group, Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology and Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
| | - Dhirendra Govender
- Division of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, NHLS-Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
| | - Bridget Calder
- Division of Chemical and Systems Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
| | - Nelson C Soares
- Division of Chemical and Systems Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
| | - Jonathan M Blackburn
- Division of Chemical and Systems Biology, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
| | - M Iqbal Parker
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
| | - Kevin Dzobo
- Division of Medical Biochemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town Component, Wernher and Beit Building (South), UCT Campus, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
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Berger AJ, Linsmeier KM, Kreeger PK, Masters KS. Decoupling the effects of stiffness and fiber density on cellular behaviors via an interpenetrating network of gelatin-methacrylate and collagen. Biomaterials 2017; 141:125-135. [PMID: 28683337 PMCID: PMC5556948 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.06.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2017] [Revised: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The extracellular microenvironment provides critical cues that guide tissue development, homeostasis, and pathology. Deciphering the individual roles of these cues in tissue function necessitates the development of physically tunable culture platforms, but current approaches to create such materials have produced scaffolds that either exhibit a limited mechanical range or are unable to recapitulate the fibrous nature of in vivo tissues. Here we report a novel interpenetrating network (IPN) of gelatin-methacrylate (gelMA) and collagen I that enables independent tuning of fiber density and scaffold stiffness across a physiologically-relevant range of shear moduli (2-12 kPa), while maintaining constant extracellular matrix content. This biomaterial system was applied to examine how changes in the physical microenvironment affect cell types associated with the tumor microenvironment. By increasing fiber density while maintaining constant stiffness, we found that MDA-MB-231 breast tumor cells required the presence of fibers to invade the surrounding matrix, while endothelial cells (ECs) did not. Meanwhile, increasing IPN stiffness independently of fiber content yielded decreased invasion and sprouting for both MDA-MB-231 cells and ECs. These results highlight the importance of decoupling features of the microenvironment to uncover their individual effects on cell behavior, in addition to demonstrating that individual cell types within a tissue may be differentially affected by the same changes in physical features. The mechanical range and fibrous nature of this tunable biomaterial platform enable mimicry of a wide variety of tissues, and may yield more precise identification of targets which may be exploited to develop interventions to control tissue function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Berger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Kelsey M Linsmeier
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Pamela K Kreeger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States; Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States; Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States.
| | - Kristyn S Masters
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States; Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States; Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.
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The Role of Tumor Microenvironment in Chemoresistance: To Survive, Keep Your Enemies Closer. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18071586. [PMID: 28754000 PMCID: PMC5536073 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18071586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 277] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 07/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemoresistance is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer and it continues to be a challenge in cancer treatment. Chemoresistance is influenced by genetic and epigenetic alterations which affect drug uptake, metabolism and export of drugs at the cellular levels. While most research has focused on tumor cell autonomous mechanisms of chemoresistance, the tumor microenvironment has emerged as a key player in the development of chemoresistance and in malignant progression, thereby influencing the development of novel therapies in clinical oncology. It is not surprising that the study of the tumor microenvironment is now considered to be as important as the study of tumor cells. Recent advances in technological and analytical methods, especially ‘omics’ technologies, has made it possible to identify specific targets in tumor cells and within the tumor microenvironment to eradicate cancer. Tumors need constant support from previously ‘unsupportive’ microenvironments. Novel therapeutic strategies that inhibit such microenvironmental support to tumor cells would reduce chemoresistance and tumor relapse. Such strategies can target stromal cells, proteins released by stromal cells and non-cellular components such as the extracellular matrix (ECM) within the tumor microenvironment. Novel in vitro tumor biology models that recapitulate the in vivo tumor microenvironment such as multicellular tumor spheroids, biomimetic scaffolds and tumor organoids are being developed and are increasing our understanding of cancer cell-microenvironment interactions. This review offers an analysis of recent developments on the role of the tumor microenvironment in the development of chemoresistance and the strategies to overcome microenvironment-mediated chemoresistance. We propose a systematic analysis of the relationship between tumor cells and their respective tumor microenvironments and our data show that, to survive, cancer cells interact closely with tumor microenvironment components such as mesenchymal stem cells and the extracellular matrix.
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Advanced biomaterials and microengineering technologies to recapitulate the stepwise process of cancer metastasis. Biomaterials 2017; 133:176-207. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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