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Sohrabi A, Seidlits SK. Protocol for in vitro evaluation of effects of stiffness on patient-derived glioblastoma. STAR Protoc 2024; 5:103266. [PMID: 39146187 PMCID: PMC11372794 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103266] [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: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and lethal type of primary brain tumor. Physiologically, GBM cells experience a heterogeneous mechanical landscape. Here, we present an in vitro method to study the effects of tissue stiffness on patient-derived GBM that utilizes hyaluronic acid (HA)-based, mechanically tunable scaffolds for three-dimensional (3D) culture of patient-derived GBM spheroids. We describe steps to fabricate and characterize HA-based scaffolds, culture GBM spheroids within 3D hydrogel scaffolds, and prepare cultured cells for a variety of experimental assessments. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Sohrabi et al.1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Sohrabi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Stephanie K Seidlits
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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2
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Lee VK, Tejero R, Silvia N, Sattiraju A, Ramakrishnan A, Shen L, Wojcinski A, Kesari S, Friedel RH, Zou H, Dai G. 3D Brain Vascular Niche Model Captures Invasive Behavior and Gene Signatures of Glioblastoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.09.601756. [PMID: 39026692 PMCID: PMC11257506 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.09.601756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a lethal brain cancer with no effective treatment; understanding how GBM cells respond to tumor microenvironment remains challenging as conventional cell cultures lack proper cytoarchitecture while in vivo animal models present complexity all at once. Developing a culture system to bridge the gap is thus crucial. Here, we employed a multicellular approach using human glia and vascular cells to optimize a 3-dimensional (3D) brain vascular niche model that enabled not only long-term culture of patient derived GBM cells but also recapitulation of key features of GBM heterogeneity, in particular invasion behavior and vascular association. Comparative transcriptomics of identical patient derived GBM cells in 3D and in vivo xenotransplants models revealed that glia-vascular contact induced genes concerning neural/glia development, synaptic regulation, as well as immune suppression. This gene signature displayed region specific enrichment in the leading edge and microvascular proliferation zones in human GBM and predicted poor prognosis. Gene variance analysis also uncovered histone demethylation and xylosyltransferase activity as main themes for gene adaption of GBM cells in vivo . Furthermore, our 3D model also demonstrated the capacity to provide a quiescence and a protective niche against chemotherapy. In summary, an advanced 3D brain vascular model can bridge the gap between 2D cultures and in vivo models in capturing key features of GBM heterogeneity and unveil previously unrecognized influence of glia-vascular contact for transcriptional adaption in GBM cells featuring neural/synaptic interaction and immunosuppression.
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3
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Tedeschi G, Palomba F, Scipioni L, Digman MA. Multimodal Phasor Approach to study breast cancer cells invasion in 3D spheroid model. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.10.598307. [PMID: 38915530 PMCID: PMC11195137 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.10.598307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
We implemented a multimodal set of functional imaging techniques optimized for deep-tissue imaging to investigate how cancer cells invade surrounding tissues and how their physiological properties change in the process. As a model for cancer invasion of the extracellular matrix, we created 3D spheroids from triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) and non-tumorigenic breast epithelial cells (MCF-10A). We analyzed multiple hallmarks of cancer within the same spheroid by combining a number of imaging techniques, such as metabolic imaging of NADH by Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (NADH-FLIM), hyperspectral imaging of a solvatochromic lipophilic dye (Nile Red) and extracellular matrix imaging by Second Harmonic Generation (SHG). We included phasor-based bioimage analysis of spheroids at three different time points, tracking both morphological and biological properties, including cellular metabolism, fatty acids storage, and collagen organization. Employing this multimodal deep-imaging framework, we observed and quantified cancer cell plasticity in response to changes in the environment composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Tedeschi
- Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics, Biomedical Engineering Department, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617 (USA)
| | - Francesco Palomba
- Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics, Biomedical Engineering Department, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617 (USA)
| | - Lorenzo Scipioni
- Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics, Biomedical Engineering Department, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617 (USA)
| | - Michelle A Digman
- Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics, Biomedical Engineering Department, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617 (USA)
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4
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Kondapaneni RV, Gurung SK, Nakod PS, Goodarzi K, Yakati V, Lenart NA, Rao SS. Glioblastoma mechanobiology at multiple length scales. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2024; 160:213860. [PMID: 38640876 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.213860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a primary brain cancer, is one of the most aggressive forms of human cancer, with a very low patient survival rate. A characteristic feature of GBM is the diffuse infiltration of tumor cells into the surrounding brain extracellular matrix (ECM) that provide biophysical, topographical, and biochemical cues. In particular, ECM stiffness and composition is known to play a key role in controlling various GBM cell behaviors including proliferation, migration, invasion, as well as the stem-like state and response to chemotherapies. In this review, we discuss the mechanical characteristics of the GBM microenvironment at multiple length scales, and how biomaterial scaffolds such as polymeric hydrogels, and fibers, as well as microfluidic chip-based platforms have been employed as tissue mimetic models to study GBM mechanobiology. We also highlight how such tissue mimetic models can impact the field of GBM mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghu Vamsi Kondapaneni
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Sumiran Kumar Gurung
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Pinaki S Nakod
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Kasra Goodarzi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Venu Yakati
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Nicholas A Lenart
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Shreyas S Rao
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA.
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5
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Amofa KY, Patterson KM, Ortiz J, Kumar S. Dissecting TGF-β-induced glioblastoma invasion with engineered hyaluronic acid hydrogels. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:026125. [PMID: 38894960 PMCID: PMC11184968 DOI: 10.1063/5.0203213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioma stem cells (GSCs) contribute to rapid cellular invasion in glioblastoma (GBM). Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has been strongly implicated in supporting key GSC functions, including stemness, immunosuppression, and resistance. Although TGF-β is well-known as a driver of cancer invasion, how TGF-β supports the invasion of GSCs is not well understood. Progress in understanding mechanisms of TGF-β-driven invasion in GSC-derived tumors has been limited by an absence of three-dimensional (3D) culture systems that support TGF-β-stimulated invasion. Here, we show that 3D hyaluronic acid (HA) matrices can address this need. We perform bioinformatic analysis of human glioma datasets, which reveals progressive enrichment of TGF-β-related gene expression with increasingly aggressive glioma grade and GBM subtype. We then experimentally screen the invasion of a panel of human GSC spheroids through a set of 3D matrix systems, including collagen I, Matrigel, and HA, and find that only HA recapitulates TGF-β-induced invasion. We then show that GSCs differ in their ability to invade HA in a way that can be predicted from TGF-β receptor 2 expression and SMAD2 phosphorylation. GSC spheroid invasion depends strongly on the presence of RGD peptides on the HA backbone but is surprisingly independent of matrix metalloprotease degradability. Finally, we demonstrate that TGF-β stimulates invasion through SMAD-dependent signaling, consistent with recent observations that TGF-β/SMAD signals drive tumor microtube formation and invasion. Our work supports further development of HA as a matrix platform for dissecting contributions of TGF-β and other cytokines to GBM invasion and screening of cytokine-dependent invasion in human tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sanjay Kumar
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
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6
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Onubogu U, Gatenbee CD, Prabhakaran S, Wolfe KL, Oakes B, Salatino R, Vaubel R, Szentirmai O, Anderson AR, Janiszewska M. Spatial analysis of recurrent glioblastoma reveals perivascular niche organization. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e179853. [PMID: 38805346 PMCID: PMC11383164 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.179853] [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] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor evolution is driven by genetic variation; however, it is the tumor microenvironment (TME) that provides the selective pressure contributing to evolution in cancer. Despite high histopathological heterogeneity within glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive brain tumor, the interactions between the genetically distinct GBM cells and the surrounding TME are not fully understood. To address this, we analyzed matched primary and recurrent GBM archival tumor tissues with imaging-based techniques aimed to simultaneously evaluate tumor tissues for the presence of hypoxic, angiogenic, and inflammatory niches, extracellular matrix (ECM) organization, TERT promoter mutational status, and several oncogenic amplifications on the same slide and location. We found that the relationships between genetic and TME diversity are different in primary and matched recurrent tumors. Interestingly, the texture of the ECM, identified by label-free reflectance imaging, was predictive of single-cell genetic traits present in the tissue. Moreover, reflectance of ECM revealed structured organization of the perivascular niche in recurrent GBM, enriched in immunosuppressive macrophages. Single-cell spatial transcriptomics further confirmed the presence of the niche-specific macrophage populations and identified interactions between endothelial cells, perivascular fibroblasts, and immunosuppressive macrophages. Our results underscore the importance of GBM tissue organization in tumor evolution and highlight genetic and spatial dependencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugoma Onubogu
- The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Chandler D Gatenbee
- Department of Mathematical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Sandhya Prabhakaran
- Department of Mathematical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Kelsey L Wolfe
- The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Benjamin Oakes
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Roberto Salatino
- The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Rachael Vaubel
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Oszkar Szentirmai
- Center for Neurological Surgery and Neuroscience, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA
| | - Alexander Ra Anderson
- Department of Mathematical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Michalina Janiszewska
- The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, Florida, USA
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Castillo C, Grieco M, D'Amone S, Lolli MG, Ursini O, Cortese B. Hypoxia effects on glioblastoma progression through YAP/TAZ pathway regulation. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216792. [PMID: 38453044 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
The resistance of glioblastomas (GBM) to standard therapies poses a clinical challenge with limited survival despite interventions. The tumor microenvironment (TME) orchestrates GBM progression, comprising stromal and immune cells and is characterized by extensive hypoxic regions. Hypoxia activates the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) pathway, interacting with the Hippo pathway (YAP/TAZ) in crucial cellular processes. We discuss here the related signaling crosstalk between YAP/TAZ and regions of hypoxia in the TME with particular attention on the MST1/2 and LATS1/2-regulated YAP/TAZ activation, impacting cell proliferation, invasion, and stemness. Moreover, the hypoxia-YAP/TAZ axis influence on angiogenesis, stem cells, and metabolic regulators is defined. By reviewing extracellular matrix alterations activation of YAP/TAZ, modulation of signaling pathways we also discuss the significance of spatial constraints and epigenetic modifications contribution to GBM progression, with potential therapeutic targets in YAP/TAZ-mediated gene regulation. Comprehensive understanding of the hypoxia-Hippo pathway-TME interplay offers insights for novel therapeutic strategies, aiming to provide new directions for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Castillo
- National Research Council - Institute of Nanotechnology (CNR Nanotec), C/o Department of Physics "E. Fermi", University Sapienza, Pz.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Maddalena Grieco
- National Research Council- Institute of Nanotechnology (CNR Nanotec), C/o Ecotekne, University of Salento, Via Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Stefania D'Amone
- National Research Council- Institute of Nanotechnology (CNR Nanotec), C/o Ecotekne, University of Salento, Via Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Lolli
- National Research Council - Institute of Nanotechnology (CNR Nanotec), C/o Department of Physics "E. Fermi", University Sapienza, Pz.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Ornella Ursini
- National Research Council - Institute of Nanotechnology (CNR Nanotec), C/o Department of Physics "E. Fermi", University Sapienza, Pz.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Cortese
- National Research Council - Institute of Nanotechnology (CNR Nanotec), C/o Department of Physics "E. Fermi", University Sapienza, Pz.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
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8
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Yui A, Oudin MJ. The Rigidity Connection: Matrix Stiffness and Its Impact on Cancer Progression. Cancer Res 2024; 84:958-960. [PMID: 38558132 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-24-0394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) has always been studied in the context of the structural support it provides tissues. However, more recently, it has become clear that ECM proteins do more to regulate biological processes relevant to cancer progression: from activating complex signaling pathways to presenting soluble growth factors. In 2009, Ulrich and colleagues provided evidence that the physical properties of the ECM could also contribute to glioblastoma tumor cell proliferation and invasion using tunable hydrogels, emphasizing a role for tumor rigidity in central nervous system cancer progression. Here, we will discuss the results of this landmark article, as well as highlight other work that has shown the importance of tissue stiffness in glioblastoma and other tumor types in the tumor microenvironment. Finally, we will discuss how this research has led to the development of novel treatments for cancer that target tumor rigidity. See related article by Ulrich and colleagues, Cancer Res 2009;69:4167-74.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Yui
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts
| | - Madeleine J Oudin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts
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Cha J, Ding EA, Carvalho EM, Fowler A, Aghi MK, Kumar S. Glioma Cells Secrete Collagen VI to Facilitate Invasion. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.12.571198. [PMID: 38168332 PMCID: PMC10760023 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.12.571198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
While glioblastoma (GBM) progression is associated with extensive extracellular matrix (ECM) secretion, the causal contributions of ECM secretion to invasion remain unclear. Here we investigate these contributions by combining engineered materials, proteomics, analysis of patient data, and a model of bevacizumab-resistant GBM. We find that GBM cells cultured in engineered 3D hyaluronic acid hydrogels secrete ECM prior to invasion, particularly in the absence of exogenous ECM ligands. Proteomic measurements reveal extensive secretion of collagen VI, and collagen VI-associated transcripts are correspondingly enriched in microvascular proliferation regions of human GBMs. We further show that bevacizumab-resistant GBM cells deposit more collagen VI than their responsive counterparts, which is associated with marked cell-ECM stiffening. COL6A3 deletion in GBM cells reduces invasion, β-catenin signaling, and expression of mesenchymal markers, and these effects are amplified in hypoxia. Our studies strongly implicate GBM cell-derived collagen VI in microenvironmental remodeling to facilitate invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junghwa Cha
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Erika A Ding
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Emily M Carvalho
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Annabelle Fowler
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Manish K Aghi
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences University of California San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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