1
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Iyer RR, Applegate CC, Arogundade OH, Bangru S, Berg IC, Emon B, Porras-Gomez M, Hsieh PH, Jeong Y, Kim Y, Knox HJ, Moghaddam AO, Renteria CA, Richard C, Santaliz-Casiano A, Sengupta S, Wang J, Zambuto SG, Zeballos MA, Pool M, Bhargava R, Gaskins HR. Inspiring a convergent engineering approach to measure and model the tissue microenvironment. Heliyon 2024; 10:e32546. [PMID: 38975228 PMCID: PMC11226808 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the molecular and physical complexity of the tissue microenvironment (TiME) in the context of its spatiotemporal organization has remained an enduring challenge. Recent advances in engineering and data science are now promising the ability to study the structure, functions, and dynamics of the TiME in unprecedented detail; however, many advances still occur in silos that rarely integrate information to study the TiME in its full detail. This review provides an integrative overview of the engineering principles underlying chemical, optical, electrical, mechanical, and computational science to probe, sense, model, and fabricate the TiME. In individual sections, we first summarize the underlying principles, capabilities, and scope of emerging technologies, the breakthrough discoveries enabled by each technology and recent, promising innovations. We provide perspectives on the potential of these advances in answering critical questions about the TiME and its role in various disease and developmental processes. Finally, we present an integrative view that appreciates the major scientific and educational aspects in the study of the TiME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishyashring R. Iyer
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Catherine C. Applegate
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Opeyemi H. Arogundade
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Sushant Bangru
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Ian C. Berg
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Bashar Emon
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Marilyn Porras-Gomez
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Pei-Hsuan Hsieh
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Yoon Jeong
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Yongdeok Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Hailey J. Knox
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Amir Ostadi Moghaddam
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Carlos A. Renteria
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Craig Richard
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Ashlie Santaliz-Casiano
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Sourya Sengupta
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Jason Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Samantha G. Zambuto
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Maria A. Zeballos
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Marcia Pool
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Rohit Bhargava
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- NIH/NIBIB P41 Center for Label-free Imaging and Multiscale Biophotonics (CLIMB), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - H. Rex Gaskins
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
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Lima I, Silva A, Sousa F, Ferreira W, Freire R, de Oliveira C, de Sousa J. Measuring the viscoelastic relaxation function of cells with a time-dependent interpretation of the Hertz-Sneddon indentation model. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30623. [PMID: 38770291 PMCID: PMC11103437 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The Hertz-Sneddon elastic indentation model is widely adopted in the biomechanical investigation of living cells and other soft materials using atomic force microscopy despite the explicit viscoelastic nature of these materials. In this work, we demonstrate that an exact analytical viscoelastic force model for power-law materials, can be interpreted as a time-dependent Hertz-Sneddon-like model. Characterizing fibroblasts (L929) and osteoblasts (OFCOLII) demonstrates the model's accuracy. Our results show that the difference between Young's modulus E Y obtained by fitting force curves with the Hertz-Sneddon model and the effective Young's modulus derived from the viscoelastic force model is less than 3%, even when cells are probed at large forces where nonlinear deformation effects become significant. We also propose a measurement protocol that involves probing samples at different indentation speeds and forces, enabling the construction of the average viscoelastic relaxation function of samples by conveniently fitting the force curves with the Hertz-Sneddon model.
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Affiliation(s)
- I.V.M. Lima
- Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 60440-900, Ceará, Brazil
| | - A.V.S. Silva
- Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 60440-900, Ceará, Brazil
- Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Pau dos Ferros, 59900-000, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - F.D. Sousa
- Núcleo de Biologia Experimental, Universidade de Fortaleza, Fortaleza, 60811-905, Ceará, Brazil
| | - W.P. Ferreira
- Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 60440-900, Ceará, Brazil
| | - R.S. Freire
- Central Analítica, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 60440-900, Ceará, Brazil
| | - C.L.N. de Oliveira
- Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 60440-900, Ceará, Brazil
| | - J.S. de Sousa
- Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 60440-900, Ceará, Brazil
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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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4
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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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5
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Najera J, Rosenberger MR, Datta M. Atomic Force Microscopy Methods to Measure Tumor Mechanical Properties. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3285. [PMID: 37444394 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133285] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a popular tool for evaluating the mechanical properties of biological materials (cells and tissues) at high resolution. This technique has become particularly attractive to cancer researchers seeking to bridge the gap between mechanobiology and cancer initiation, progression, and treatment resistance. The majority of AFM studies thus far have been extensively focused on the nanomechanical characterization of cells. However, these approaches fail to capture the complex and heterogeneous nature of a tumor and its host organ. Over the past decade, efforts have been made to characterize the mechanical properties of tumors and tumor-bearing tissues using AFM. This has led to novel insights regarding cancer mechanopathology at the tissue scale. In this Review, we first explain the principles of AFM nanoindentation for the general study of tissue mechanics. We next discuss key considerations when using this technique and preparing tissue samples for analysis. We then examine AFM application in characterizing the mechanical properties of cancer tissues. Finally, we provide an outlook on AFM in the field of cancer mechanobiology and its application in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Najera
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Matthew R Rosenberger
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Meenal Datta
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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6
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Stashko C, Hayward MK, Northey JJ, Pearson N, Ironside AJ, Lakins JN, Oria R, Goyette MA, Mayo L, Russnes HG, Hwang ES, Kutys ML, Polyak K, Weaver VM. A convolutional neural network STIFMap reveals associations between stromal stiffness and EMT in breast cancer. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3561. [PMID: 37322009 PMCID: PMC10272194 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39085-1] [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: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Intratumor heterogeneity associates with poor patient outcome. Stromal stiffening also accompanies cancer. Whether cancers demonstrate stiffness heterogeneity, and if this is linked to tumor cell heterogeneity remains unclear. We developed a method to measure the stiffness heterogeneity in human breast tumors that quantifies the stromal stiffness each cell experiences and permits visual registration with biomarkers of tumor progression. We present Spatially Transformed Inferential Force Map (STIFMap) which exploits computer vision to precisely automate atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation combined with a trained convolutional neural network to predict stromal elasticity with micron-resolution using collagen morphological features and ground truth AFM data. We registered high-elasticity regions within human breast tumors colocalizing with markers of mechanical activation and an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The findings highlight the utility of STIFMap to assess mechanical heterogeneity of human tumors across length scales from single cells to whole tissues and implicates stromal stiffness in tumor cell heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor Stashko
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mary-Kate Hayward
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jason J Northey
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Alastair J Ironside
- Department of Pathology, Western General Hospital, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Johnathon N Lakins
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Roger Oria
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Marie-Anne Goyette
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lakyn Mayo
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hege G Russnes
- Department of Pathology and Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - E Shelley Hwang
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Matthew L Kutys
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- UCSF Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kornelia Polyak
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Valerie M Weaver
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- UCSF Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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7
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Pancreatic Cancer Presents Distinct Nanomechanical Properties During Progression. Ann Biomed Eng 2023:10.1007/s10439-023-03168-3. [PMID: 36813931 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-023-03168-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Cancer progression is closely related to changes in the structure and mechanical properties of the tumor microenvironment (TME). In many solid tumors, including pancreatic cancer, the interplay among the different components of the TME leads to a desmoplastic reaction mainly due to collagen overproduction. Desmoplasia is responsible for the stiffening of the tumor, poses a major barrier to effective drug delivery and has been associated with poor prognosis. The understanding of the involved mechanisms in desmoplasia and the identification of nanomechanical and collagen-based properties that characterize the state of a particular tumor can lead to the development of novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. In this study, in vitro experiments were conducted using two human pancreatic cell lines. Morphological and cytoskeleton characteristics, cells' stiffness and invasive properties were assessed using optical and atomic force microscopy techniques and cell spheroid invasion assay. Subsequently, the two cell lines were used to develop orthotopic pancreatic tumor models. Tissue biopsies were collected at different times of tumor growth for the study of the nanomechanical and collagen-based optical properties of the tissue using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and picrosirius red polarization microscopy, respectively. The results from the in vitro experiments demonstrated that the more invasive cells are softer and present a more elongated shape with more oriented F-actin stress fibers. Furthermore, ex vivo studies of orthotopic tumor biopsies on MIAPaCa-2 and BxPC-3 murine tumor models highlighted that pancreatic cancer presents distinct nanomechanical and collagen-based optical properties relevant to cancer progression. The stiffness spectrums (in terms of Young's modulus values) showed that the higher elasticity distributions were increasing during cancer progression mainly due desmoplasia (collagen overproduction), while a lower elasticity peak was evident - due to cancer cells softening - on both tumor models. Optical microscopy studies highlighted that collagen content increases while collagen fibers tend to form align patterns. Consequently, during cancer progression nanomechanical and collagen-based optical properties alter in relation to changes in collagen content. Therefore, they have the potential to be used as novel biomarkers for assessing and monitoring tumor progression and treatment outcomes.
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8
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Nanoscale Prognosis of Colorectal Cancer Metastasis from AFM Image Processing of Histological Sections. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041220. [PMID: 36831563 PMCID: PMC9953928 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041220] [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: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Early ascertainment of metastatic tumour phases is crucial to improve cancer survival, formulate an accurate prognostic report of disease advancement, and, most importantly, quantify the metastatic progression and malignancy state of primary cancer cells with a universal numerical indexing system. This work proposes an early improvement to metastatic cancer detection with 97.7 nm spatial resolution by indexing the metastatic cancer phases from the analysis of atomic force microscopy images of human colorectal cancer histological sections. The procedure applies variograms of residuals of Gaussian filtering and theta statistics of colorectal cancer tissue image settings. This methodology elucidates the early metastatic progression at the nanoscale level by setting metastatic indexes and critical thresholds based on relatively large histological sections and categorising the malignancy state of a few suspicious cells not identified with optical image analysis. In addition, we sought to detect early tiny morphological differentiations indicating potential cell transition from epithelial cell phenotypes of low metastatic potential to those of high metastatic potential. This metastatic differentiation, which is also identified in higher moments of variograms, sets different hierarchical levels for metastatic progression dynamics.
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9
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Stylianou A, Mpekris F, Voutouri C, Papoui A, Constantinidou A, Kitiris E, Kailides M, Stylianopoulos T. Nanomechanical properties of solid tumors as treatment monitoring biomarkers. Acta Biomater 2022; 154:324-334. [PMID: 36244596 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Many tumors, such as types of sarcoma and breast cancer, stiffen as they grow in a host healthy tissue, while individual cancer cells are becoming softer. Tumor stiffening poses major pathophysiological barriers to the effective delivery of drugs and compromises treatment efficacy. It has been established that normalization of the mechanical properties of a tumor by targeting components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) enhances the delivery of anti-cancer agents and consequently the therapeutic outcome. Consequently, there is an urgent need for the development of biomarkers, which characterize the mechanical state of a particular tumor for the development of personalized treatments or for monitoring therapeutic strategies that target the TME. In this work, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was used to assess human and murine nanomechanical properties from tumor biopsies. In the case of murine tumor models, the nanomechanical properties during tumor progression were measured and a TME normalization drug (tranilast) along with chemotherapy doxorubicin were employed in order to investigate whether AFM has the ability to capture changes in the nanomechanical properties of a tumor during treatment. The nanomechanical data were further correlated with ex vivo characterization of structural components of the TME. The results highlighted that nanomechanical properties alter during cancer progression and AFM measurements are sensitive enough to capture even small alterations during different types of treatments, namely normalization and chemotherapy. The identification of unique AFM-based nanomechanical properties can lead to the development of biomarkers for treatment prediction and monitoring. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cancer progression is associated with vast remodeling of the tumor microenvironment resulting in changes in the mechanical properties of the tissue. Indeed, many tumors stiffen as they grow and this stiffening compromises treatment efficacy. As a result, a number of treatments target tumor microenvironment in order to normalize its mechanical properties. Consequently, there is an urgent need for the development of innovative tools that can assess the mechanical properties of a particular tumor and monitor tumor progression and treatment outcomes. This work highlights the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) for assessing the elasticity spectrum of solid tumors at different stages and during treatment. This knowledge is essential for the development of AFM-based nanomechanical biomarkers for treatment prediction and monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Stylianou
- Cancer Mechanobiology and Applied Biophysics Group, Basic and Translational Cancer Research Center, School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, Cyprus; European University Research Centre Ltd, Nicosia, Cyprus; Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Cyprus.
| | - Fotios Mpekris
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Cyprus
| | - Chrysovalantis Voutouri
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Cyprus
| | - Antonia Papoui
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Cyprus
| | - Anastasia Constantinidou
- Medical School, University of Cyprus, Cyprus; Bank of Cyprus Oncology Center, Cyprus; Cyprus Cancer Research Institute, Cyprus
| | | | | | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Cyprus.
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10
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Cathelicidin LL-37 in Health and Diseases of the Oral Cavity. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051086. [PMID: 35625823 PMCID: PMC9138798 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms for maintaining oral cavity homeostasis are subject to the constant influence of many environmental factors, including various chemicals and microorganisms. Most of them act directly on the oral mucosa, which is the mechanical and immune barrier of the oral cavity, and such interaction might lead to the development of various oral pathologies and systemic diseases. Two important players in maintaining oral health or developing oral pathology are the oral microbiota and various immune molecules that are involved in controlling its quantitative and qualitative composition. The LL-37 peptide is an important molecule that upon release from human cathelicidin (hCAP-18) can directly perform antimicrobial action after insertion into surface structures of microorganisms and immunomodulatory function as an agonist of different cell membrane receptors. Oral LL-37 expression is an important factor in oral homeostasis that maintains the physiological microbiota but is also involved in the development of oral dysbiosis, infectious diseases (including viral, bacterial, and fungal infections), autoimmune diseases, and oral carcinomas. This peptide has also been proposed as a marker of inflammation severity and treatment outcome.
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11
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Benech JC, Romanelli G. Atomic force microscopy indentation for nanomechanical characterization of live pathological cardiovascular/heart tissue and cells. Micron 2022; 158:103287. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2022.103287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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12
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Assessing Collagen D-Band Periodicity with Atomic Force Microscopy. MATERIALS 2022; 15:ma15041608. [PMID: 35208148 PMCID: PMC8877100 DOI: 10.3390/ma15041608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The collagen superfamily includes more than fifty collagen and/or collagen-like proteins with fibril-forming collagen type I being the most abundant protein within the extracellular matrix. Collagen type I plays a crucial role in a variety of functions, it has been associated with many pathological conditions and it is widely used due to its unique properties. One unique nano-scale characteristic of natural occurring collagen type I fibers is the so-called D-band periodicity, which has been associated with collagen natural structure and properties, while it seems to play a crucial role in the interactions between cells and collagen and in various pathological conditions. An accurate characterization of the surface and structure of collagen fibers, including D-band periodicity, on collagen-based tissues and/or (nano-)biomaterials can be achieved by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). AFM is a scanning probe microscope and is among the few techniques that can assess D-band periodicity. This review covers issues related to collagen and collagen D-band periodicity and the use of AFM for studying them. Through a systematic search in databases (PubMed and Scopus) relevant articles were identified. The study of these articles demonstrated that AFM can offer novel information concerning D-band periodicity. This study highlights the importance of studying collagen D-band periodicity and proves that AFM is a powerful tool for investigating a number of different properties related to collagen D-band periodicity.
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13
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The Hertzian theory in AFM nanoindentation experiments regarding biological samples: Overcoming limitations in data processing. Micron 2022; 155:103228. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2022.103228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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14
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Stylianou A, Gkretsi V, Louca M, Zacharia LC, Stylianopoulos T. Collagen content and extracellular matrix cause cytoskeletal remodelling in pancreatic fibroblasts. J R Soc Interface 2020; 16:20190226. [PMID: 31113335 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2019.0226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In many solid tumours a desmoplastic reaction takes place, which results in tumour tissue stiffening due to the extensive production of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, such as collagen, by stromal cells, mainly fibroblasts (FBs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). In this study, we investigated the effect of collagen stiffness on pancreatic FBs and CAFs, particularly on specific cytoskeleton properties and gene expression involved in tumour invasion. We found that cells become stiffer when they are cultured on stiff substrates and express higher levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Also, it was confirmed that on stiff substrates, CAFs are softer than FBs, while on soft substrates they have comparable Young's moduli. Furthermore, the number of spread FBs and CAFs was higher in stiffer substrates, which was also confirmed by Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 ( RAC1) mRNA expression, which mediates cell spreading. Although stress fibres in FBs become more oriented on stiff substrates, CAFs have oriented stress fibres regardless of substrate stiffness. Subsequently, we demonstrated that cells' invasion has a differential response to stiffness, which was associated with regulation of Ras homologue family member ( RhoA) and Rho-associated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 ( ROCK-1) mRNA expression. Overall, our results demonstrate that collagen stiffness modulates FBs and CAFs cytoskeleton remodelling and alters their invasion properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Stylianou
- 1 Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus , Nicosia 1678 , Cyprus
| | - Vasiliki Gkretsi
- 1 Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus , Nicosia 1678 , Cyprus
| | - Maria Louca
- 1 Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus , Nicosia 1678 , Cyprus
| | - Lefteris C Zacharia
- 2 Department of Life and Health Sciences, School of Sciences and Engineering, University of Nicosia , 1700 Nicosia , Cyprus
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- 1 Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus , Nicosia 1678 , Cyprus
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15
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Ras suppressor-1 (RSU-1) promotes cell invasion in aggressive glioma cells and inhibits it in non-aggressive cells through STAT6 phospho-regulation. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7782. [PMID: 31123330 PMCID: PMC6533309 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44200-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Most gliomas are invasive tumors formed from glial cells and associated with high mortality rates. In this study, we characterized four glioma cell lines of varying degree of aggressiveness (H4, SW1088, A172 and U87-MG) in terms of morphology, cytoskeleton organization and stiffness, and evaluated their invasive potential by performing invasion, colony forming and spheroid invasion assays. Cells were divided into two distinct groups: aggressive cell lines (A172 and U87-MG) with more elongated, softer and highly invasive cells and less aggressive cells (H4 and SW088). Interestingly, we found that Ras Suppressor-1 (RSU-1), a cell-matrix adhesion protein involved in cancer cell invasion, was significantly upregulated in more aggressive glioma cells compared to less aggressive. Importantly, RSU-1 silencing had opposing effects on glioma cell invasion depending on their aggressiveness, inhibiting migration and invasion of aggressive cells and promoting those of less aggressive cells. Finally, we found that RSU-1 silencing in aggressive cells led to decreased Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription6 (STAT6) phosphorylation and Matrix Metalloproteinase13 (MMP13) expression in contrast to less invasive cells. Our study demonstrates that RSU-1 promotes invasion of aggressive glioma cells and inhibits it in the non-aggressive cells, indicating that it could serve as a predictor of gliomas progression.
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Stylianou A, Kontomaris SV, Grant C, Alexandratou E. Atomic Force Microscopy on Biological Materials Related to Pathological Conditions. SCANNING 2019; 2019:8452851. [PMID: 31214274 PMCID: PMC6535871 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8452851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 02/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is an easy-to-use, powerful, high-resolution microscope that allows the user to image any surface and under any aqueous condition. AFM has been used in the investigation of the structural and mechanical properties of a wide range of biological matters including biomolecules, biomaterials, cells, and tissues. It provides the capacity to acquire high-resolution images of biosamples at the nanoscale and allows at readily carrying out mechanical characterization. The capacity of AFM to image and interact with surfaces, under physiologically relevant conditions, is of great importance for realistic and accurate medical and pharmaceutical applications. The aim of this paper is to review recent trends of the use of AFM on biological materials related to health and sickness. First, we present AFM components and its different imaging modes and we continue with combined imaging and coupled AFM systems. Then, we discuss the use of AFM to nanocharacterize collagen, the major fibrous protein of the human body, which has been correlated with many pathological conditions. In the next section, AFM nanolevel surface characterization as a tool to detect possible pathological conditions such as osteoarthritis and cancer is presented. Finally, we demonstrate the use of AFM for studying other pathological conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), through the investigation of amyloid fibrils and viruses, respectively. Consequently, AFM stands out as the ideal research instrument for exploring the detection of pathological conditions even at very early stages, making it very attractive in the area of bio- and nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Stylianou
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 2238, Cyprus
| | - Stylianos-Vasileios Kontomaris
- Mobile Radio Communications Laboratory, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Iroon Polytechniou, Athens 15780, Greece
- Athens Metropolitan College, Sorou 74, Marousi 15125, Greece
| | - Colin Grant
- Hitachi High-Technologies Europe, Techspace One, Keckwick Lane, Warrington WA4 4AB, UK
| | - Eleni Alexandratou
- Biomedical Optics and Applied Biophysics Laboratory, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Iroon Polytechniou, Athens 15780, Greece
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17
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Stylianou A, Lekka M, Stylianopoulos T. AFM assessing of nanomechanical fingerprints for cancer early diagnosis and classification: from single cell to tissue level. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:20930-20945. [PMID: 30406223 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr06146g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Cancer development and progression are closely associated with changes both in the mechano-cellular phenotype of cancer and stromal cells and in the extracellular matrix (ECM) structure, composition, and mechanics. In this paper, we review the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) as a tool for assessing the nanomechanical fingerprints of solid tumors, so as to be potentially used as a diagnostic biomarker for more accurate identification and early cancer grading/classification. The development of such a methodology is expected to provide new insights and a novel approach for cancer diagnosis. We propose that AFM measurements could be employed to complement standard biopsy procedures, offering an objective, novel and quantitative diagnostic approach with the properties of a blind assay, allowing unbiased evaluation of the sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Stylianou
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Cyprus.
| | - Malgorzata Lekka
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Cyprus.
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18
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Stylianou A, Gkretsi V, Stylianopoulos T. Transforming growth factor-β modulates pancreatic cancer associated fibroblasts cell shape, stiffness and invasion. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2018; 1862:1537-1546. [PMID: 29477748 PMCID: PMC5957271 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2018.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor microenvironment consists of the extracellular matrix (ECM), stromal cells, such as fibroblasts (FBs) and cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and a myriad of soluble factors. In many tumor types, including pancreatic tumors, the interplay between stromal cells and the other tumor microenvironment components leads to desmoplasia, a cancer-specific type of fibrosis that hinders treatment. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and CAFs are thought to play a crucial role in this tumor desmoplastic reaction, although the involved mechanisms are unknown. METHODS Optical/fluorescence microscopy, atomic force microscopy, image processing techniques, invasion assay in 3D collagen I gels and real-time PCR were employed to investigate the effect of TGF-β on normal pancreatic FBs and CAFs with regard to crucial cellular morphodynamic characteristics and relevant gene expression involved in tumor progression and metastasis. RESULTS CAFs present specific myofibroblast-like characteristics, such as α-smooth muscle actin expression and cell elongation, they also form more lamellipodia and are softer than FBs. TGF-β treatment increases cell stiffness (Young's modulus) of both FBs and CAFs and increases CAF's (but not FB's) elongation, cell spreading, lamellipodia formation and spheroid invasion. Gene expression analysis shows that these morphodynamic characteristics are mediated by Rac, RhoA and ROCK expression in CAFs treated with TGF-β. CONCLUSIONS TGF-β modulates CAFs', but not FBs', cell shape, stiffness and invasion. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Our findings elucidate on the effects of TGF-β on CAFs' behavior and stiffness providing new insights into the mechanisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Stylianou
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
| | - Vasiliki Gkretsi
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus.
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Stylianou A, Gkretsi V, Stylianopoulos T. Atomic force microscopy nano-characterization of 3D collagen gels with tunable stiffness. MethodsX 2018; 5:503-513. [PMID: 30023313 PMCID: PMC6046612 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2018.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
As extracellular matrix (ECM) nano-characteristics play a crucial role in cell behavior, including cancer development and metastasis, several ECM in vitro models have been used in order to study cells behavior under different biochemical and mechanical conditions. Among the ECM constituents, collagen (especially collagen type I) has been extensively used as an essential component of ECM models, since it is one of the most abundant ECM protein. Use of three-dimensional (3D) collagen gels provides the advantage of allowing the cells to grow in a 3D environment that bears strong similarities to their natural, in vivo setting. Thus, the ability to form collagen gels with tunable stiffness and well defined naturally occurring nano-characteristics is crucial for these studies. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is a unique tool that is ideal for the complete characterization of such models, in terms of morphology and mechanical properties without destroying the collagen fiber structure. In this protocol, the development and the AFM nano-scale characterization of 3D collagen type I gels is presented. The protocol includes: The formation of 3D collagen type I gels with tunable stiffness The preparation of histological sections from collagen gels The AFM-based morphological and mechanical nano-characterization of the gels
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Stylianou
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, Nicosia, 1678, Cyprus
| | - Vasiliki Gkretsi
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, Nicosia, 1678, Cyprus
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, Nicosia, 1678, Cyprus
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20
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Malandrino A, Mak M, Kamm RD, Moeendarbary E. Complex mechanics of the heterogeneous extracellular matrix in cancer. EXTREME MECHANICS LETTERS 2018; 21:25-34. [PMID: 30135864 PMCID: PMC6097546 DOI: 10.1016/j.eml.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) performs many critical functions, one of which is to provide structural and mechanical integrity, and many of the constituent proteins have clear mechanical roles. The composition and structural characteristics of the ECM are widely variable among different tissues, suiting diverse functional needs. In diseased tissues, particularly solid tumors, the ECM is complex and influences disease progression. Cancer and stromal cells can significantly influence the matrix composition and structure and thus the mechanical properties of the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this review, we describe the interactions that give rise to the structural heterogeneity of the ECM and present the techniques that are widely employed to measure ECM properties and remodeling dynamics. Furthermore, we review the tools for measuring the distinct nature of cell-ECM interactions within the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Malandrino
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michael Mak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Roger D. Kamm
- Departments of Biological Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Emad Moeendarbary
- Departments of Biological Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
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21
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AFM contribution to unveil pro- and eukaryotic cell mechanical properties. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 73:177-187. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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22
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Hernández Velázquez J, Mejía-Rosales S, Gama Goicochea A. Nanorheology of poly - and monodispersed polymer brushes under oscillatory flow as models of epithelial cancerous and healthy cell brushes. POLYMER 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2017.09.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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23
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Stylianou A, Gkretsi V, Patrickios CS, Stylianopoulos T. Exploring the Nano-Surface of Collagenous and Other Fibrotic Tissues with AFM. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1627:453-489. [PMID: 28836219 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7113-8_29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Atomic force microscope (AFM) is a powerful and invaluable tool for imaging and probing the mechanical properties of biological samples at the nanometric scale. The importance of nano-scale characterization and nanomechanics of soft biological tissues is becoming widely appreciated, and AFM offers unique advantages in this direction. In this chapter, we describe the procedure to collect data sets (imaging and mechanical properties measurement) of collagen gels and tumor tissues. We provide step-by-step instructions throughout the procedure, from sample preparation to cantilever calibration, data acquisition, analysis, and visualization, using two commercial AFM systems (PicoPlus and Cypher ES) and software that accompanied the AFM systems and/or are freeware available (WSxM, AtomicJ). Our protocols are written specifically for these two systems and the mentioned software; however, most of the general concepts can be readily translated to other AFM systems and software.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Stylianou
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus, Greece.
| | - Vasiliki Gkretsi
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus, Greece
| | | | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus, Greece.
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