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Meng J, Xu X, Jiang C, Xia P, Xu P, Tian L, Xu Y, Li D, Tan Y, Ji B. Tensile force field plays a crucial role in local invasion of tumor cells through a mechano-chemical coupling mechanism. SOFT MATTER 2024. [PMID: 39027971 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00335g] [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
Cancer metastasis starts from early local invasion, during which tumor cells detach from the primary tumor, penetrate the extracellular matrix (ECM), and then invade neighboring tissues. However, the cellular mechanics in the detaching and penetrating processes have not been fully understood, and the underlying mechanisms that influence cell polarization and migration in the 3D matrix during tumor invasion remain largely unknown. In this study, we employed a dual tumor-spheroid model to investigate the cellular mechanisms of the tumor invasion. Our results revealed that the tensional force field developed by the active contraction of cells and tissues played a pivotal role in tumor invasion, acting as the driving force for remodeling the collagen fibers during the invasion process. The remodeled collagen fibers promoted cell polarization and migration because of the stiffening of the fiber matrix. The aligned fibers facilitated tumor cell invasion and directed migration from one spheroid to the other. Inhibiting/shielding the cellular contractility abolished matrix remodeling and re-alignment and significantly decreased tumor cell invasion. By developing a coarse-grained cell model that considers the mutual interaction between cells and fibers, we predicted the tensional force field in the fiber network and the associated cell polarization and cell-matrix interaction during cell invasion, which revealed a mechano-chemical coupling mechanism at the cellular level of the tumor invasion process. Our study highlights the roles of cellular mechanics at the early stage of tumor metastasis and may provide new therapeutic strategies for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Meng
- Institute of Biomechanics and Applications, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou 325001, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Xiangyu Xu
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou 325001, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Chaohui Jiang
- Institute of Biomechanics and Applications, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou 325001, China
| | - Peng Xia
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Science Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Pengfei Xu
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Liangfei Tian
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Yingke Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Dechang Li
- Institute of Biomechanics and Applications, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Youhua Tan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Baohua Ji
- Institute of Biomechanics and Applications, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
- Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
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2
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Fabiano AR, Robbins SC, Knoblauch SV, Rowland SJ, Dombroski JA, King MR. Multiplex, high-throughput method to study cancer and immune cell mechanotransduction. Commun Biol 2024; 7:674. [PMID: 38824207 PMCID: PMC11144229 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06327-x] [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: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Studying cellular mechanoresponses during cancer metastasis is limited by sample variation or complex protocols that current techniques require. Metastasis is governed by mechanotransduction, whereby cells translate external stimuli, such as circulatory fluid shear stress (FSS), into biochemical cues. We present high-throughput, semi-automated methods to expose cells to FSS using the VIAFLO96 multichannel pipetting device custom-fitted with 22 G needles, increasing the maximum FSS 94-fold from the unmodified tips. Specifically, we develop protocols to semi-automatically stain live samples and to fix, permeabilize, and intracellularly process cells for flow cytometry analysis. Our first model system confirmed that the pro-apoptotic effects of TRAIL therapeutics in prostate cancer cells can be enhanced via FSS-induced Piezo1 activation. Our second system implements this multiplex methodology to show that FSS exposure (290 dyn cm-2) increases activation of murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. These methodologies greatly improve the mechanobiology workflow, offering a high-throughput, multiplex approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail R Fabiano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, 2414 Highland Ave, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA
| | - Spencer C Robbins
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, 2414 Highland Ave, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA
| | - Samantha V Knoblauch
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, 2414 Highland Ave, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA
| | - Schyler J Rowland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, 2414 Highland Ave, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA
| | - Jenna A Dombroski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, 2414 Highland Ave, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA
| | - Michael R King
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, 2414 Highland Ave, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA.
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3
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Mai Z, Lin Y, Lin P, Zhao X, Cui L. Modulating extracellular matrix stiffness: a strategic approach to boost cancer immunotherapy. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:307. [PMID: 38693104 PMCID: PMC11063215 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06697-4] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
The interplay between extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness and the tumor microenvironment is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in cancer progression and the efficacy of immunotherapy. This review comprehensively discusses the key factors regulating ECM remodeling, including the activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts and the accumulation and crosslinking of ECM proteins. Furthermore, it provides a detailed exploration of how ECM stiffness influences the behaviors of both tumor and immune cells. Significantly, the impact of ECM stiffness on the response to various immunotherapy strategies, such as immune checkpoint blockade, adoptive cell therapy, oncolytic virus therapy, and therapeutic cancer vaccines, is thoroughly examined. The review also addresses the challenges in translating research findings into clinical practice, highlighting the need for more precise biomaterials that accurately mimic the ECM and the development of novel therapeutic strategies. The insights offered aim to guide future research, with the potential to enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizhao Mai
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China
| | - Yunfan Lin
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China
| | - Pei Lin
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinyuan Zhao
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China.
| | - Li Cui
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China.
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4
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Pan C, Hao X, Deng X, Lu F, Liu J, Hou W, Xu T. The roles of Hippo/YAP signaling pathway in physical therapy. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:197. [PMID: 38670949 PMCID: PMC11053014 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01972-x] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular behavior is regulated by mechanical signals within the cellular microenvironment. Additionally, changes of temperature, blood flow, and muscle contraction also affect cellular state and the development of diseases. In clinical practice, physical therapy techniques such as ultrasound, vibration, exercise, cold therapy, and hyperthermia are commonly employed to alleviate pain and treat diseases. However, the molecular mechanism about how these physiotherapy methods stimulate local tissues and control gene expression remains unknow. Fortunately, the discovery of YAP filled this gap, which has been reported has the ability to sense and convert a wide variety of mechanical signals into cell-specific programs for transcription, thereby offering a fresh perspective on the mechanisms by which physiotherapy treat different diseases. This review examines the involvement of Hippo/YAP signaling pathway in various diseases and its role in different physical therapy approaches on diseases. Furthermore, we explore the potential therapeutic implications of the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway and address the limitations and controversies surrounding its application in physiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunran Pan
- Department of Rehabilitation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoxia Hao
- Department of Rehabilitation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaofeng Deng
- Department of Rehabilitation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fan Lu
- Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiawei Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenjie Hou
- Department of Rehabilitation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tao Xu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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Xu Q, Diekwisch TGH. Tissue pressure and YAP during organogenesis. Nat Cell Biol 2024; 26:510-511. [PMID: 38600237 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-024-01392-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Xu
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Thomas G H Diekwisch
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA.
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Pamplona R, González-Lana S, Ochoa I, Martín-Rapún R, Sánchez-Somolinos C. Evaluation of gelatin-based hydrogels for colon and pancreas studies using 3D in vitro cell culture. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:3144-3160. [PMID: 38456751 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb02640j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Biomimetic 3D models emerged some decades ago to address 2D cell culture limitations in the field of replicating biological phenomena, structures or functions found in nature. The fabrication of hydrogels for cancer disease research enables the study of cell processes including growth, proliferation and migration and their 3D design is based on the encapsulation of tumoral cells within a tunable matrix. In this work, a platform of gelatin methacrylamide (GelMA)-based photocrosslinked scaffolds with embedded colorectal (HCT-116) or pancreatic (MIA PaCa-2) cancer cells is presented. Prior to cell culture, the mechanical characterization of hydrogels was assessed in terms of stiffness and swelling behavior. Modifications of the UV curing time enabled a fine tuning of the mechanical properties, which at the same time, showed susceptibility to the chemical composition and crosslinking mechanism. All scaffolds displayed excellent cytocompatibility with both tumoral cells while eliciting various cell responses depending on the microenvironment features. Individual and collective cell migration were observed for HCT-116 and MIA PaCa-2 cell lines, highlighting the ability of the colorectal cancer cells to cluster into aggregates of different sizes governed by the surrounding matrix. Additionally, metabolic activity results pointed out to the development of a more proliferative phenotype within stiffer networks. These findings confirm the suitability of the presented platform of GelMA-based hydrogels to conduct 3D cell culture experiments and explore biological processes associated with colorectal and pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Pamplona
- Aragón Institute of Nanoscience and Materials (INMA), CSIC-University of Zaragoza, Department of Organic Chemistry, C/Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Sandra González-Lana
- BEONCHIP S.L., CEMINEM, Campus Río Ebro. C/Mariano Esquillor Gómez s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Tissue Microenvironment (TME) Lab. Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, C/Mariano Esquillor s/n, 500018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ochoa
- Tissue Microenvironment (TME) Lab. Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, C/Mariano Esquillor s/n, 500018 Zaragoza, Spain
- CIBER in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
- Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Paseo de Isabel La Católica 1-3, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Rafael Martín-Rapún
- Aragón Institute of Nanoscience and Materials (INMA), CSIC-University of Zaragoza, Department of Organic Chemistry, C/Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain.
- CIBER in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
- Universidad de Zaragoza, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Química Orgánica, C/Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Carlos Sánchez-Somolinos
- CIBER in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
- Aragón Institute of Nanoscience and Materials (INMA), CSIC-University of Zaragoza, Department of Condensed Matter Physics (Faculty of Science), C/Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain.
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7
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Thomasy SM, Leonard BC, Greiner MA, Skeie JM, Raghunathan VK. Squishy matters - Corneal mechanobiology in health and disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 99:101234. [PMID: 38176611 PMCID: PMC11193890 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2023.101234] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
The cornea, as a dynamic and responsive tissue, constantly interacts with mechanical forces in order to maintain its structural integrity, barrier function, transparency and refractive power. Cells within the cornea sense and respond to various mechanical forces that fundamentally regulate their morphology and fate in development, homeostasis and pathophysiology. Corneal cells also dynamically regulate their extracellular matrix (ECM) with ensuing cell-ECM crosstalk as the matrix serves as a dynamic signaling reservoir providing biophysical and biochemical cues to corneal cells. Here we provide an overview of mechanotransduction signaling pathways then delve into the recent advances in corneal mechanobiology, focusing on the interplay between mechanical forces and responses of the corneal epithelial, stromal, and endothelial cells. We also identify species-specific differences in corneal biomechanics and mechanotransduction to facilitate identification of optimal animal models to study corneal wound healing, disease, and novel therapeutic interventions. Finally, we identify key knowledge gaps and therapeutic opportunities in corneal mechanobiology that are pressing for the research community to address especially pertinent within the domains of limbal stem cell deficiency, keratoconus and Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. By furthering our understanding corneal mechanobiology, we can contextualize discoveries regarding corneal diseases as well as innovative treatments for them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Thomasy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States; California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA, United States.
| | - Brian C Leonard
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States; Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Mark A Greiner
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States; Iowa Lions Eye Bank, Coralville, IA, United States
| | - Jessica M Skeie
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States; Iowa Lions Eye Bank, Coralville, IA, United States
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8
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Kolahi Azar H, Gharibshahian M, Rostami M, Mansouri V, Sabouri L, Beheshtizadeh N, Rezaei N. The progressive trend of modeling and drug screening systems of breast cancer bone metastasis. J Biol Eng 2024; 18:14. [PMID: 38317174 PMCID: PMC10845631 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-024-00408-5] [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: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Bone metastasis is considered as a considerable challenge for breast cancer patients. Various in vitro and in vivo models have been developed to examine this occurrence. In vitro models are employed to simulate the intricate tumor microenvironment, investigate the interplay between cells and their adjacent microenvironment, and evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions for tumors. The endeavor to replicate the latency period of bone metastasis in animal models has presented a challenge, primarily due to the necessity of primary tumor removal and the presence of multiple potential metastatic sites.The utilization of novel bone metastasis models, including three-dimensional (3D) models, has been proposed as a promising approach to overcome the constraints associated with conventional 2D and animal models. However, existing 3D models are limited by various factors, such as irregular cellular proliferation, autofluorescence, and changes in genetic and epigenetic expression. The imperative for the advancement of future applications of 3D models lies in their standardization and automation. The utilization of artificial intelligence exhibits the capability to predict cellular behavior through the examination of substrate materials' chemical composition, geometry, and mechanical performance. The implementation of these algorithms possesses the capability to predict the progression and proliferation of cancer. This paper reviewed the mechanisms of bone metastasis following primary breast cancer. Current models of breast cancer bone metastasis, along with their challenges, as well as the future perspectives of using these models for translational drug development, were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanieh Kolahi Azar
- Department of Pathology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Regenerative Medicine Group (REMED), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Maliheh Gharibshahian
- Department of Tissue Engineering, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
- Regenerative Medicine Group (REMED), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Rostami
- Division of Food Safety and Hygiene, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Food Science and Nutrition Group (FSAN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Mansouri
- Gene Therapy Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Regenerative Medicine Group (REMED), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Sabouri
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Paramedicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
- Regenerative Medicine Group (REMED), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Beheshtizadeh
- Department of Tissue Engineering, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Regenerative Medicine Group (REMED), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.
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Rahman Z, Bordoloi AD, Rouhana H, Tavasso M, van der Zon G, Garbin V, Ten Dijke P, Boukany PE. Interstitial flow potentiates TGF-β/Smad-signaling activity in lung cancer spheroids in a 3D-microfluidic chip. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:422-433. [PMID: 38087979 PMCID: PMC10826459 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00886j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Within the tumor microenvironment (TME), cancer cells use mechanotransduction pathways to convert biophysical forces to biochemical signals. However, the underlying mechanisms and functional significance of these pathways remain largely unclear. The upregulation of mechanosensitive pathways from biophysical forces such as interstitial flow (IF), leads to the activation of various cytokines, including transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). TGF-β promotes in part via a Smad-dependent signaling pathway the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer cells. The latter process is linked to increased cancer cell motility and invasion. Current research models have limited ability to investigate the combined effects of biophysical forces (such as IF) and cytokines (TGF-β) in a 3D microenvironment. We used a 3D-matrix based microfluidic platform to demonstrate the potentiating effect of IF on exogenous TGF-β induced upregulation of the Smad-signaling activity and the expression of mesenchymal marker vimentin in A549 lung cancer spheroids. To monitor this, we used stably integrated fluorescent based reporters into the A549 cancer cell genome. Our results demonstrate that IF enhances exogenous TGF-β induced Smad-signaling activity in lung cancer spheroids embedded in a matrix microenvironment. In addition, we observed an increased cell motility for A549 spheroids when exposed to IF and TGF-β. Our 3D-microfluidic model integrated with real-time imaging provides a powerful tool for investigating cancer cell signaling and motility associated with invasion characteristics in a physiologically relevant TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaid Rahman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Ankur Deep Bordoloi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Haifa Rouhana
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Margherita Tavasso
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Gerard van der Zon
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Valeria Garbin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Pouyan E Boukany
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
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Wu Z, Huang D, Wang J, Zhao Y, Sun W, Shen X. Engineering Heterogeneous Tumor Models for Biomedical Applications. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2304160. [PMID: 37946674 PMCID: PMC10767453 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Tumor tissue engineering holds great promise for replicating the physiological and behavioral characteristics of tumors in vitro. Advances in this field have led to new opportunities for studying the tumor microenvironment and exploring potential anti-cancer therapeutics. However, the main obstacle to the widespread adoption of tumor models is the poor understanding and insufficient reconstruction of tumor heterogeneity. In this review, the current progress of engineering heterogeneous tumor models is discussed. First, the major components of tumor heterogeneity are summarized, which encompasses various signaling pathways, cell proliferations, and spatial configurations. Then, contemporary approaches are elucidated in tumor engineering that are guided by fundamental principles of tumor biology, and the potential of a bottom-up approach in tumor engineering is highlighted. Additionally, the characterization approaches and biomedical applications of tumor models are discussed, emphasizing the significant role of engineered tumor models in scientific research and clinical trials. Lastly, the challenges of heterogeneous tumor models in promoting oncology research and tumor therapy are described and key directions for future research are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuhao Wu
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyNanjing Drum Tower HospitalSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Danqing Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyNanjing Drum Tower HospitalSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Jinglin Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyNanjing Drum Tower HospitalSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyNanjing Drum Tower HospitalSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
- Department of Gastrointestinal SurgeryThe First Affiliated HospitalWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou325035China
| | - Weijian Sun
- Department of Gastrointestinal SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou325027China
| | - Xian Shen
- Department of Rheumatology and ImmunologyNanjing Drum Tower HospitalSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjing210096China
- Department of Gastrointestinal SurgeryThe First Affiliated HospitalWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou325035China
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11
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Kim C, Robitaille M, Christodoulides J, Ng Y, Raphael M, Kang W. Hs27 fibroblast response to contact guidance cues. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21691. [PMID: 38066191 PMCID: PMC10709656 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48913-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Contact guidance is the phenomena of how cells respond to the topography of their external environment. The morphological and dynamic cell responses are strongly influenced by topographic features such as lateral and vertical dimensions, namely, ridge and groove widths and groove depth ([Formula: see text], respectively). However, experimental studies that independently quantify the effect of the individual dimensions as well as their coupling on cellular function are still limited. In this work, we perform extensive parametric studies in the dimensional space-well beyond the previously studied range in the literature-to explore topographical effects on morphology and migration of Hs27 fibroblasts via static and dynamic analyses of live cell images. Our static analysis reveals that the [Formula: see text] is most significant, followed by the [Formula: see text]. The fibroblasts appear to be more elongated and aligned in the groove direction as the [Formula: see text] increases, but their trend changes after 725 nm. Interestingly, the cell shape and alignment show a very strong correlation regardless of [Formula: see text]. Our dynamic analysis confirms that directional cell migration is also strongly influenced by the [Formula: see text], while the effect of the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is statistically insignificant. Directional cell migration, as observed in the static cell behavior, shows the statistically significant transition when the [Formula: see text] is 725 nm, showing the intimate links between cell morphology and migration. We propose possible scenarios to offer mechanistic explanations of the observed cell behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Kim
- Mechanical Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA
| | - M Robitaille
- US Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, 20375, USA
| | | | - Y Ng
- Mechanical Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA
| | - M Raphael
- US Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, 20375, USA
| | - W Kang
- Mechanical Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA.
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12
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Beedle AE, Jaganathan A, Albajar-Sigalés A, Yavitt FM, Bera K, Andreu I, Granero-Moya I, Zalvidea D, Kechagia Z, Wiche G, Trepat X, Ivaska J, Anseth KS, Shenoy VB, Roca-Cusachs P. Fibrillar adhesion dynamics govern the timescales of nuclear mechano-response via the vimentin cytoskeleton. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.08.566191. [PMID: 37986921 PMCID: PMC10659263 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.08.566191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The cell nucleus is continuously exposed to external signals, of both chemical and mechanical nature. To ensure proper cellular response, cells need to regulate not only the transmission of these signals, but also their timing and duration. Such timescale regulation is well described for fluctuating chemical signals, but if and how it applies to mechanical signals reaching the nucleus is still unknown. Here we demonstrate that the formation of fibrillar adhesions locks the nucleus in a mechanically deformed conformation, setting the mechanical response timescale to that of fibrillar adhesion remodelling (~1 hour). This process encompasses both mechanical deformation and associated mechanotransduction (such as via YAP), in response to both increased and decreased mechanical stimulation. The underlying mechanism is the anchoring of the vimentin cytoskeleton to fibrillar adhesions and the extracellular matrix through plectin 1f, which maintains nuclear deformation. Our results reveal a mechanism to regulate the timescale of mechanical adaptation, effectively setting a low pass filter to mechanotransduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E.M. Beedle
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Physics, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Anuja Jaganathan
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Aina Albajar-Sigalés
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - F. Max Yavitt
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303 USA
| | - Kaustav Bera
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303 USA
| | - Ion Andreu
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Instituto Biofisika (UPV/EHU, CSIC), University of the Basque Country, E-48940, Leioa, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Ignasi Granero-Moya
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dobryna Zalvidea
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Zanetta Kechagia
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gerhard Wiche
- Max Perutz Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Xavier Trepat
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Johanna Ivaska
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, FI-20520 Turku, Finland
- InFLAMES Research Flagship Center, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Foundation for the Finnish Cancer Institute, Tukholmankatu 8, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kristi S. Anseth
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80303 USA
| | - Vivek B. Shenoy
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Pere Roca-Cusachs
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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13
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Sarkar A, Niraula G, LeVine D, Zhao Y, Tu Y, Mollaeian K, Ren J, Que L, Wang X. Development of a Ratiometric Tension Sensor Exclusively Responding to Integrin Tension Magnitude in Live Cells. ACS Sens 2023; 8:3701-3712. [PMID: 37738233 PMCID: PMC10788086 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.3c00606] [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: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Integrin tensions are critical for cell mechanotransduction. By converting force to fluorescence, molecular tension sensors image integrin tensions in live cells with a high resolution. However, the fluorescence signal intensity results collectively from integrin tension magnitude, tension dwell time, integrin density, sensor accessibility, and so forth, making it highly challenging to specifically monitor the molecular force level of integrin tensions. Here, a ratiometric tension sensor (RTS) was developed to exclusively monitor the integrin tension magnitude. The RTS consists of two tension-sensing units that are coupled in series and always subject to the same integrin tension. These two units are activated by tension to fluoresce in separate spectra and with different activation rates. The ratio of their activation probabilities, reported by fluorescence ratiometric measurement, is solely determined by the local integrin tension magnitude. RTS responded sensitively to the variation of integrin tension magnitude in platelets and focal adhesions due to different cell plating times, actomyosin inhibition, or vinculin knockout. At last, RTS confirmed that integrin tension magnitude in platelets and focal adhesions decreases monotonically with the substrate rigidity, verifying the rigidity dependence of integrin tensions in live cells and suggesting that integrin tension magnitude could be a key biomechanical factor in cell rigidity sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anwesha Sarkar
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Gopal Niraula
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Dana LeVine
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Yuanchang Zhao
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Ying Tu
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Keyvan Mollaeian
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Juan Ren
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Long Que
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Xuefeng Wang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- Hoxworth Blood Center, College of Medicine, The University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219, United States
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14
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Huang M, Wang H, Mackey C, Chung MC, Guan J, Zheng G, Roy A, Xie M, Vulpe C, Tang X. YAP at the Crossroads of Biomechanics and Drug Resistance in Human Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12491. [PMID: 37569866 PMCID: PMC10419175 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512491] [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: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomechanical forces are of fundamental importance in biology, diseases, and medicine. Mechanobiology is an emerging interdisciplinary field that studies how biological mechanisms are regulated by biomechanical forces and how physical principles can be leveraged to innovate new therapeutic strategies. This article reviews state-of-the-art mechanobiology knowledge about the yes-associated protein (YAP), a key mechanosensitive protein, and its roles in the development of drug resistance in human cancer. Specifically, the article discusses three topics: how YAP is mechanically regulated in living cells; the molecular mechanobiology mechanisms by which YAP, along with other functional pathways, influences drug resistance of cancer cells (particularly lung cancer cells); and finally, how the mechanical regulation of YAP can influence drug resistance and vice versa. By integrating these topics, we present a unified framework that has the potential to bring theoretical insights into the design of novel mechanomedicines and advance next-generation cancer therapies to suppress tumor progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Huang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Heyang Wang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Cole Mackey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA
| | - Michael C. Chung
- Department of Physics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Juan Guan
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Guangrong Zheng
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA
| | - Arkaprava Roy
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA
| | - Mingyi Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA
| | - Christopher Vulpe
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA
| | - Xin Tang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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15
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Moon SY, de Campos PS, Matte BF, Placone JK, Zanella VG, Martins MD, Lamers ML, Engler AJ. Cell contractility drives mechanical memory of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Mol Biol Cell 2023; 34:ar89. [PMID: 37342880 PMCID: PMC10398896 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e22-07-0266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Matrix stiffening is ubiquitous in solid tumors and can direct epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer cell migration. Stiffened niche can even cause poorly invasive oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines to acquire a less adherent, more migratory phenotype, but mechanisms and durability of this acquired "mechanical memory" are unclear. Here, we observed that contractility and its downstream signals could underlie memory acquisition; invasive SSC25 cells overexpress myosin II (vs. noninvasive Cal27 cells) consistent with OSCC. However, prolonged exposure of Cal27 cells to a stiff niche or contractile agonists up-regulated myosin and EMT markers and enabled them to migrate as fast as SCC25 cells, which persisted even when the niche softened and indicated "memory" of their prior niche. Stiffness-mediated mesenchymal phenotype acquisition required AKT signaling and was also observed in patient samples, whereas phenotype recall on soft substrates required focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activity. Phenotype durability was further observed in transcriptomic differences between preconditioned Cal27 cells cultured without or with FAK or AKT antagonists, and such transcriptional differences corresponded to discrepant patient outcomes. These data suggest that mechanical memory, mediated by contractility via distinct kinase signaling, may be necessary for OSCC to disseminate.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Youn Moon
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | | | | | - Jesse K. Placone
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Department of Physics and Engineering, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, West Chester, PA 19383
| | - Virgı´lio G. Zanella
- Department of Oral Pathology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Santa Rita Hospital, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto, Alegre
| | | | - Marcelo Lazzaron Lamers
- Department of Oral Pathology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
- Deparment of Morphological Sciences, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 90035, Brazil
| | - Adam J. Engler
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92037
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16
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Rashid SA, Dong Y, Ogasawara H, Vierengel M, Essien ME, Salaita K. All-Covalent Nuclease-Resistant and Hydrogel-Tethered DNA Hairpin Probes Map pN Cell Traction Forces. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:33362-33372. [PMID: 37409737 PMCID: PMC10360067 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c04826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Cells sense and respond to the physical properties of their environment through receptor-mediated signaling, a process known as mechanotransduction, which can modulate critical cellular functions such as proliferation, differentiation, and survival. At the molecular level, cell adhesion receptors, such as integrins, transmit piconewton (pN)-scale forces to the extracellular matrix, and the magnitude of the force plays a critical role in cell signaling. The most sensitive approach to measuring integrin forces involves DNA hairpin-based sensors, which are used to quantify and map forces in living cells. Despite the broad use of DNA hairpin sensors to study a variety of mechanotransduction processes, these sensors are typically anchored to rigid glass slides, which are orders of magnitude stiffer than the extracellular matrix and hence modulate native biological responses. Here, we have developed nuclease-resistant DNA hairpin probes that are all covalently tethered to PEG hydrogels to image cell traction forces on physiologically relevant substrate stiffness. Using HeLa cells as a model cell line, we show that the molecular forces transmitted by integrins are highly sensitive to the bulk modulus of the substrate, and cells cultured on the 6 and 13 kPa gels produced a greater number of hairpin unfolding events compared to the 2 kPa substrates. Tension signals are spatially colocalized with pY118-paxillin, confirming focal adhesion-mediated probe opening. Additionally, we found that integrin forces are greater than 5.8 pN but less than 19 pN on 13 kPa gels. This work provides a general strategy to integrate molecular tension probes into hydrogels, which can better mimic in vivo mechanotransduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sk Aysha Rashid
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Yixiao Dong
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Hiroaki Ogasawara
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Maia Vierengel
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Mark Edoho Essien
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Khalid Salaita
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
- Wallace
H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
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17
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Mehrdadi S. Drug Delivery of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) to Target Brain Tumors. Adv Pharm Bull 2023; 13:512-520. [PMID: 37646057 PMCID: PMC10460802 DOI: 10.34172/apb.2023.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain, predisposed to local and metastasized tumors, has always been the focus of oncological studies. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common invasive primary tumor of the brain, is responsible for 4% of all cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite novel technologies, the average survival rate is 2 years. Physiological barriers such as blood-brain barrier (BBB) prevent drug molecules penetration into brain. Most of the pharmaceuticals present in the market cannot infiltrate BBB to have their maximum efficacy and this in turn imposes a major challenge. This mini review discusses GBM and physiological and biological barriers for anticancer drug delivery, challenges for drug delivery across BBB, drug delivery strategies focusing on SLNs and NLCs and their medical applications in on-going clinical trials. Numerous nanomedicines with various characteristics have been introduced in the last decades to overcome the delivery challenge. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) were introduced as oral drug delivery nanomedicines which can be encapsulated by both hydrophilic and lipophilic pharmaceutical compounds. Their biocompatibility, biodegradability, lower toxicity and side effects, enhanced bioavailability, solubility and permeability, prolonged half-life and stability and finally tissue-targeted drug delivery makes them unique among all.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheil Mehrdadi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
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18
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Tunable hybrid hydrogels with multicellular spheroids for modeling desmoplastic pancreatic cancer. Bioact Mater 2023; 25:360-373. [PMID: 36879666 PMCID: PMC9984297 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment consists of diverse, complex etiological factors. The matrix component of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) plays an important role not only in physical properties such as tissue rigidity but also in cancer progression and therapeutic responsiveness. Although significant efforts have been made to model desmoplastic PDAC, existing models could not fully recapitulate the etiology to mimic and understand the progression of PDAC. Here, two major components in desmoplastic pancreatic matrices, hyaluronic acid- and gelatin-based hydrogels, are engineered to provide matrices for tumor spheroids composed of PDAC and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF). Shape analysis profiles reveals that incorporating CAF contributes to a more compact tissue formation. Higher expression levels of markers associated with proliferation, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, mechanotransduction, and progression are observed for cancer-CAF spheroids cultured in hyper desmoplastic matrix-mimicking hydrogels, while the trend can be observed when those are cultured in desmoplastic matrix-mimicking hydrogels with the presence of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). The proposed multicellular pancreatic tumor model, in combination with proper mechanical properties and TGF-β1 supplement, makes strides in developing advanced pancreatic models for resembling and monitoring the progression of pancreatic tumors, which could be potentially applicable for realizing personalized medicine and drug testing applications.
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19
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Kurma K, Alix-Panabières C. Mechanobiology and survival strategies of circulating tumor cells: a process towards the invasive and metastatic phenotype. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1188499. [PMID: 37215087 PMCID: PMC10196185 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1188499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic progression is the deadliest feature of cancer. Cancer cell growth, invasion, intravasation, circulation, arrest/adhesion and extravasation require specific mechanical properties to allow cell survival and the completion of the metastatic cascade. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) come into contact with the capillary bed during extravasation/intravasation at the beginning of the metastatic cascade. However, CTC mechanobiology and survival strategies in the bloodstream, and specifically in the microcirculation, are not well known. A fraction of CTCs can extravasate and colonize distant areas despite the biomechanical constriction forces that are exerted by the microcirculation and that strongly decrease tumor cell survival. Furthermore, accumulating evidence shows that several CTC adaptations, via molecular factors and interactions with blood components (e.g., immune cells and platelets inside capillaries), may promote metastasis formation. To better understand CTC journey in the microcirculation as part of the metastatic cascade, we reviewed how CTC mechanobiology and interaction with other cell types in the bloodstream help them to survive the harsh conditions in the circulatory system and to metastasize in distant organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keerthi Kurma
- Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells (LCCRH), University Medical Centre of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES), University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
- European Liquid Biopsy Society (E LBS), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Catherine Alix-Panabières
- Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells (LCCRH), University Medical Centre of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES), University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
- European Liquid Biopsy Society (E LBS), Hamburg, Germany
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20
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Mechanotransduction in tumor dynamics modeling. Phys Life Rev 2023; 44:279-301. [PMID: 36841159 DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2023.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Mechanotherapy is a groundbreaking approach to impact carcinogenesis. Cells sense and respond to mechanical stimuli, translating them into biochemical signals in a process known as mechanotransduction. The impact of stress on tumor growth has been studied in the last three decades, and many papers highlight the role of mechanics as a critical self-inducer of tumor fate at the in vitro and in vivo biological levels. Meanwhile, mathematical models attempt to determine laws to reproduce tumor dynamics. This review discusses biological mechanotransduction mechanisms and mathematical-biomechanical models together. The aim is to provide a common framework for the different approaches that have emerged in the literature from the perspective of tumor avascularity and to provide insight into emerging mechanotherapies that have attracted interest in recent years.
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21
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Saha S, Pradhan N, B N, Mahadevappa R, Minocha S, Kumar S. Cancer plasticity: Investigating the causes for this agility. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 88:138-156. [PMID: 36584960 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is not a hard-wired phenomenon but an evolutionary disease. From the onset of carcinogenesis, cancer cells continuously adapt and evolve to satiate their ever-growing proliferation demands. This results in the formation of multiple subtypes of cancer cells with different phenotypes, cellular compositions, and consequently displaying varying degrees of tumorigenic identity and function. This phenomenon is referred to as cancer plasticity, during which the cancer cells exist in a plethora of cellular states having distinct phenotypes. With the advent of modern technologies equipped with enhanced resolution and depth, for example, single-cell RNA-sequencing and advanced computational tools, unbiased cancer profiling at a single-cell resolution are leading the way in understanding cancer cell rewiring both spatially and temporally. In this review, the processes and mechanisms that give rise to cancer plasticity include both intrinsic genetic factors such as epigenetic changes, differential expression due to changes in DNA, RNA, or protein content within the cancer cell, as well as extrinsic environmental factors such as tissue perfusion, extracellular milieu are detailed and their influence on key cancer plasticity hallmarks such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer cell stemness (CSCs) are discussed. Due to therapy evasion and drug resistance, tumor heterogeneity caused by cancer plasticity has major therapeutic ramifications. Hence, it is crucial to comprehend all the cellular and molecular mechanisms that control cellular plasticity. How this process evades therapy, and the therapeutic avenue of targeting cancer plasticity must be diligently investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubhraneel Saha
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Nikita Pradhan
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Neha B
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Ravikiran Mahadevappa
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Science, Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management, Deemed to be University, Bengaluru, Karnataka 562163, India
| | - Shilpi Minocha
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India.
| | - Saran Kumar
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India.
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22
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Liu L, Qu Y, Cheng L, Yoon CW, He P, Monther A, Guo T, Chittle S, Wang Y. Engineering chimeric antigen receptor T cells for solid tumour therapy. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e1141. [PMID: 36495108 PMCID: PMC9736813 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-based immunotherapy, for example, chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell immunotherapy, has revolutionized cancer treatment, particularly for blood cancers. However, factors such as insufficient T cell tracking, tumour heterogeneity, inhibitory tumour microenvironment (TME) and T cell exhaustion limit the broad application of CAR-based immunotherapy for solid tumours. In particular, the TME is a complex and evolving entity, which is composed of cells of different types (e.g., cancer cells, immune cells and stromal cells), vasculature, soluble factors and extracellular matrix (ECM), with each component playing a critical role in CAR-T immunotherapy. Thus, developing approaches to mitigate the inhibitory TME factors is critical for future success in applying CAR-T cells for solid tumour treatment. Accordingly, understanding the bilateral interaction of CAR-T cells with the TME is in pressing need to pave the way for more efficient therapeutics. In the following review, we will discuss TME-associated aspects with an emphasis on T cell trafficking, ECM barriers, abnormal vasculature, solid tumour heterogenicity and immune suppressive microenvironment. We will then summarize current engineering strategies to overcome the challenges posed by the TME-associated factors. Lastly, the future directions for engineering efficient CAR-T cells for solid tumour therapy will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longwei Liu
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Yunjia Qu
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Leonardo Cheng
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Chi Woo Yoon
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Peixiang He
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Abdula Monther
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Tianze Guo
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sarah Chittle
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Yingxiao Wang
- Department of BioengineeringInstitute of Engineering in MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
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23
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Zheng J, Wyse Jackson T, Fortier LA, Bonassar LJ, Delco ML, Cohen I. STRAINS: A big data method for classifying cellular response to stimuli at the tissue scale. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278626. [PMID: 36480531 PMCID: PMC9731430 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular response to stimulation governs tissue scale processes ranging from growth and development to maintaining tissue health and initiating disease. To determine how cells coordinate their response to such stimuli, it is necessary to simultaneously track and measure the spatiotemporal distribution of their behaviors throughout the tissue. Here, we report on a novel SpatioTemporal Response Analysis IN Situ (STRAINS) tool that uses fluorescent micrographs, cell tracking, and machine learning to measure such behavioral distributions. STRAINS is broadly applicable to any tissue where fluorescence can be used to indicate changes in cell behavior. For illustration, we use STRAINS to simultaneously analyze the mechanotransduction response of 5000 chondrocytes-over 20 million data points-in cartilage during the 50 ms to 4 hours after the tissue was subjected to local mechanical injury, known to initiate osteoarthritis. We find that chondrocytes exhibit a range of mechanobiological responses indicating activation of distinct biochemical pathways with clear spatial patterns related to the induced local strains during impact. These results illustrate the power of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyang Zheng
- Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Thomas Wyse Jackson
- Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Lisa A. Fortier
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Lawrence J. Bonassar
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Michelle L. Delco
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Itai Cohen
- Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
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24
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Yoon CW, Pan Y, Wang Y. The application of mechanobiotechnology for immuno-engineering and cancer immunotherapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1064484. [PMID: 36483679 PMCID: PMC9725026 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1064484] [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: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune-engineering is a rapidly emerging field in the past few years, as immunotherapy evolved from a paradigm-shifting therapeutic approach for cancer treatment to promising immuno-oncology models in clinical trials and commercial products. Linking the field of biomedical engineering with immunology, immuno-engineering applies engineering principles and utilizes synthetic biology tools to study and control the immune system for diseases treatments and interventions. Over the past decades, there has been a deeper understanding that mechanical forces play crucial roles in regulating immune cells at different stages from antigen recognition to actual killing, which suggests potential opportunities to design and tailor mechanobiology tools to novel immunotherapy. In this review, we first provide a brief introduction to recent technological and scientific advances in mechanobiology for immune cells. Different strategies for immuno-engineering are then discussed and evaluated. Furthermore, we describe the opportunities and challenges of applying mechanobiology and related technologies to study and engineer immune cells and ultimately modulate their function for immunotherapy. In summary, the synergetic integration of cutting-edge mechanical biology techniques into immune-engineering strategies can provide a powerful platform and allow new directions for the field of immunotherapy.
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25
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Proestaki M, Sarkar M, Burkel BM, Ponik SM, Notbohm J. Effect of hyaluronic acid on microscale deformations of collagen gels. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2022; 135:105465. [PMID: 36154991 PMCID: PMC9575965 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2022.105465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
As fibrous collagen is the most abundant protein in mammalian tissues, gels of collagen fibers have been extensively used as an extracellular matrix scaffold to study how cells sense and respond to cues from their microenvironment. Other components of native tissues, such as glycosaminoglycans like hyaluronic acid, can affect cell behavior in part by changing the mechanical properties of the collagen gel. Prior studies have quantified the effects of hyaluronic acid on the mechanical properties of collagen gels in experiments of uniform shear or compression at the macroscale. However, there remains a lack of experimental studies of how hyaluronic acid changes the mechanical properties of collagen gels at the scale of a cell. Here, we studied how addition of hyaluronic acid to gels of collagen fibers affects the local field of displacements in response to contractile loads applied on length scales similar to those of a contracting cell. Using spherical poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) particles, which contract when heated, we induced displacement in gels of collagen and collagen with hyaluronic acid. Displacement fields were quantified using a combination of confocal microscopy and digital image correlation. Results showed that hyaluronic acid suppressed the distance over which displacements propagated, suggesting that it caused the network to become more linear. Additionally, hyaluronic acid had no statistical effect on heterogeneity of the displacement fields, but it did make the gels more elastic by substantially reducing the magnitude of permanent deformations. Lastly, we examined the effect of hyaluronic acid on fiber remodeling due to localized forces and found that hyaluronic acid partially - but not fully - inhibited remodeling. This result is consistent with prior studies suggesting that fiber remodeling is associated with a phase transition resulting from an instability caused by nonlinearity of the collagen gel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Proestaki
- Department of Engineering Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Mainak Sarkar
- Department of Engineering Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Brian M Burkel
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Suzanne M Ponik
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jacob Notbohm
- Department of Engineering Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA.
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26
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Huang S, Chen Z, Hou X, Han K, Xu B, Zhang M, Ding S, Wang Y, Yang Y. Promotion of Melanoma Cell Proliferation by Cyclic Straining through Regulatory Morphogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:11884. [PMID: 36233186 PMCID: PMC9569601 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The genotype and phenotype of acral melanoma are obviously different from UV-radiation-induced melanoma. Based on the clinical data, mechanical stimulation is believed to be a potential cause of acral melanoma. In this case, it is desirable to clarify the role of mechanical stimulation in the progression of acral melanoma. However, the pathological process of cyclic straining that stimulates acral melanoma is still unclear. In this study, the influence of cyclic straining on melanoma cell proliferation was analyzed by using a specifically designed cell culture system. In the results, cyclic straining could promote melanoma cell proliferation but was inefficient after the disruption of cytoskeleton organization. Therefore, the mechanotransduction mechanism of promoted proliferation was explored. Both myosin and actin polymerization were demonstrated to be related to cyclic straining and further influenced the morphogenesis of melanoma cells. Additionally, the activation of mechanosensing transcription factor YAP was related to regulatory morphogenesis. Furthermore, expression levels of melanoma-involved genes were regulated by cyclic straining and, finally, accelerated DNA synthesis. The results of this study will provide supplementary information for the understanding of acral melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Huang
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710026, China
| | - Zhu Chen
- School of Electro-Mechanical Engineering, Xidian University, Xi’an 710071, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Hou
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710026, China
| | - Kuankuan Han
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710026, China
| | - Bingshe Xu
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710026, China
| | - Miao Zhang
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710026, China
| | - Shukai Ding
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710026, China
| | - Yongtao Wang
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yingjun Yang
- Materials Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710026, China
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Yang H, Hou C, Xiao W, Qiu Y. The role of mechanosensitive ion channels in the gastrointestinal tract. Front Physiol 2022; 13:904203. [PMID: 36060694 PMCID: PMC9437298 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.904203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanosensation is essential for normal gastrointestinal (GI) function, and abnormalities in mechanosensation are associated with GI disorders. There are several mechanosensitive ion channels in the GI tract, namely transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, Piezo channels, two-pore domain potassium (K2p) channels, voltage-gated ion channels, large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels, and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). These channels are located in many mechanosensitive intestinal cell types, namely enterochromaffin (EC) cells, interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs), smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and intrinsic and extrinsic enteric neurons. In these cells, mechanosensitive ion channels can alter transmembrane ion currents in response to mechanical forces, through a process known as mechanoelectrical coupling. Furthermore, mechanosensitive ion channels are often associated with a variety of GI tract disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and GI tumors. Mechanosensitive ion channels could therefore provide a new perspective for the treatment of GI diseases. This review aims to highlight recent research advances regarding the function of mechanosensitive ion channels in the GI tract. Moreover, it outlines the potential role of mechanosensitive ion channels in related diseases, while describing the current understanding of interactions between the GI tract and mechanosensitive ion channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyu Yang
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chaofeng Hou
- Experimental Center of Basic Medicine, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Weidong Xiao
- Department of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuan Qiu
- Department of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Yuan Qiu,
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28
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Onwudiwe K, Burchett AA, Datta M. Mechanical and metabolic interplay in the brain metastatic microenvironment. Front Oncol 2022; 12:932285. [PMID: 36059679 PMCID: PMC9436395 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.932285] [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: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In this Perspective, we provide our insights and opinions about the contribution-and potential co-regulation-of mechanics and metabolism in incurable breast cancer brain metastasis. Altered metabolic activity can affect cancer metastasis as high glucose supply and demand in the brain microenvironment favors aerobic glycolysis. Similarly, the altered mechanical properties of disseminating cancer cells facilitate migration to and metastatic seeding of the brain, where local metabolites support their progression. Cancer cells in the brain and the brain tumor microenvironment often possess opposing mechanical and metabolic properties compared to extracranial cancer cells and their microenvironment, which inhibit the ease of extravasation and metastasis of these cells outside the central nervous system. We posit that the brain provides a metabolic microenvironment that mechanically reinforces the cellular structure of cancer cells and supports their metastatic growth while restricting their spread from the brain to external organs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Meenal Datta
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States
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29
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Sahan AZ, Baday M, Patel CB. Biomimetic Hydrogels in the Study of Cancer Mechanobiology: Overview, Biomedical Applications, and Future Perspectives. Gels 2022; 8:gels8080496. [PMID: 36005097 PMCID: PMC9407355 DOI: 10.3390/gels8080496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogels are biocompatible polymers that are tunable to the system under study, allowing them to be widely used in medicine, bioprinting, tissue engineering, and biomechanics. Hydrogels are used to mimic the three-dimensional microenvironment of tissues, which is essential to understanding cell–cell interactions and intracellular signaling pathways (e.g., proliferation, apoptosis, growth, and survival). Emerging evidence suggests that the malignant properties of cancer cells depend on mechanical cues that arise from changes in their microenvironment. These mechanobiological cues include stiffness, shear stress, and pressure, and have an impact on cancer proliferation and invasion. The hydrogels can be tuned to simulate these mechanobiological tissue properties. Although interest in and research on the biomedical applications of hydrogels has increased in the past 25 years, there is still much to learn about the development of biomimetic hydrogels and their potential applications in biomedical and clinical settings. This review highlights the application of hydrogels in developing pre-clinical cancer models and their potential for translation to human disease with a focus on reviewing the utility of such models in studying glioblastoma progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Z. Sahan
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University California at San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Murat Baday
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Precision Health and Integrated Diagnostics Center, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (C.B.P.)
| | - Chirag B. Patel
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Cancer Biology Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (C.B.P.)
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30
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Chen Y, Guo K, Jiang L, Zhu S, Ni Z, Xiang N. Microfluidic deformability cytometry: A review. Talanta 2022; 251:123815. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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Cheng X, Lou K, Ding L, Zou X, Huang R, Xu G, Zou J, Zhang G. Clinical potential of the Hippo-YAP pathway in bladder cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:925278. [PMID: 35912245 PMCID: PMC9336529 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.925278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the world’s most frequent cancers. Surgery coupled with adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy is the current standard of therapy for BC. However, a high proportion of patients progressed to chemotherapy-resistant or even neoplasm recurrence. Hence, identifying novel treatment targets is critical for clinical treatment. Current studies indicated that the Hippo-YAP pathway plays a crucial in regulating the survival of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which is related to the progression and reoccurrence of a variety of cancers. In this review, we summarize the evidence that Hippo-YAP mediates the occurrence, progression and chemotherapy resistance in BC, as well as the role of the Hippo-YAP pathway in regulating bladder cancer stem-like cells (BCSCs). Finally, the clinical potential of Hippo-YAP in the treatment of BC was prospected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Cheng
- First Clinical College, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Institute of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Kecheng Lou
- First Clinical College, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Institute of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Liang Ding
- First Clinical College, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Institute of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zou
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Institute of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Department of Jiangxi Engineering Technology Research Center of Calculi Prevention, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Ruohui Huang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Institute of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Department of Jiangxi Engineering Technology Research Center of Calculi Prevention, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Gang Xu
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Institute of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Department of Jiangxi Engineering Technology Research Center of Calculi Prevention, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Junrong Zou
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Institute of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Department of Jiangxi Engineering Technology Research Center of Calculi Prevention, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Guoxi Zhang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Institute of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Department of Jiangxi Engineering Technology Research Center of Calculi Prevention, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Guoxi Zhang,
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32
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Guo T, He C, Venado A, Zhou Y. Extracellular Matrix Stiffness in Lung Health and Disease. Compr Physiol 2022; 12:3523-3558. [PMID: 35766837 PMCID: PMC10088466 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c210032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides structural support and imparts a wide variety of environmental cues to cells. In the past decade, a growing body of work revealed that the mechanical properties of the ECM, commonly known as matrix stiffness, regulate the fundamental cellular processes of the lung. There is growing appreciation that mechanical interplays between cells and associated ECM are essential to maintain lung homeostasis. Dysregulation of ECM-derived mechanical signaling via altered mechanosensing and mechanotransduction pathways is associated with many common lung diseases. Matrix stiffening is a hallmark of lung fibrosis. The stiffened ECM is not merely a sequelae of lung fibrosis but can actively drive the progression of fibrotic lung disease. In this article, we provide a comprehensive view on the role of matrix stiffness in lung health and disease. We begin by summarizing the effects of matrix stiffness on the function and behavior of various lung cell types and on regulation of biomolecule activity and key physiological processes, including host immune response and cellular metabolism. We discuss the potential mechanisms by which cells probe matrix stiffness and convert mechanical signals to regulate gene expression. We highlight the factors that govern matrix stiffness and outline the role of matrix stiffness in lung development and the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. We envision targeting of deleterious matrix mechanical cues for treatment of fibrotic lung disease. Advances in technologies for matrix stiffness measurements and design of stiffness-tunable matrix substrates are also explored. © 2022 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 12:3523-3558, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Guo
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central-South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chao He
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Aida Venado
- Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yong Zhou
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Nguyen DT, Ogando-Rivas E, Liu R, Wang T, Rubin J, Jin L, Tao H, Sawyer WW, Mendez-Gomez HR, Cascio M, Mitchell DA, Huang J, Sawyer WG, Sayour EJ, Castillo P. CAR T Cell Locomotion in Solid Tumor Microenvironment. Cells 2022; 11:1974. [PMID: 35741103 PMCID: PMC9221866 DOI: 10.3390/cells11121974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The promising outcomes of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy in hematologic malignancies potentiates its capability in the fight against many cancers. Nevertheless, this immunotherapy modality needs significant improvements for the treatment of solid tumors. Researchers have incrementally identified limitations and constantly pursued better CAR designs. However, even if CAR T cells are armed with optimal killer functions, they must overcome and survive suppressive barriers imposed by the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this review, we will discuss in detail the important role of TME in CAR T cell trafficking and how the intrinsic barriers contribute to an immunosuppressive phenotype and cancer progression. It is of critical importance that preclinical models can closely recapitulate the in vivo TME to better predict CAR T activity. Animal models have contributed immensely to our understanding of human diseases, but the intensive care for the animals and unreliable representation of human biology suggest in vivo models cannot be the sole approach to CAR T cell therapy. On the other hand, in vitro models for CAR T cytotoxic assessment offer valuable insights to mechanistic studies at the single cell level, but they often lack in vivo complexities, inter-individual heterogeneity, or physiologically relevant spatial dimension. Understanding the advantages and limitations of preclinical models and their applications would enable more reliable prediction of better clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duy T. Nguyen
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (D.T.N.); (W.W.S.); (W.G.S.)
| | - Elizabeth Ogando-Rivas
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA; (E.O.-R.); (R.L.); (L.J.); (H.T.); (H.R.M.-G.); (D.A.M.); (J.H.); (E.J.S.)
| | - Ruixuan Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA; (E.O.-R.); (R.L.); (L.J.); (H.T.); (H.R.M.-G.); (D.A.M.); (J.H.); (E.J.S.)
| | - Theodore Wang
- College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
| | - Jacob Rubin
- Warrington College of Business, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
| | - Linchun Jin
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA; (E.O.-R.); (R.L.); (L.J.); (H.T.); (H.R.M.-G.); (D.A.M.); (J.H.); (E.J.S.)
| | - Haipeng Tao
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA; (E.O.-R.); (R.L.); (L.J.); (H.T.); (H.R.M.-G.); (D.A.M.); (J.H.); (E.J.S.)
| | - William W. Sawyer
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (D.T.N.); (W.W.S.); (W.G.S.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
| | - Hector R. Mendez-Gomez
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA; (E.O.-R.); (R.L.); (L.J.); (H.T.); (H.R.M.-G.); (D.A.M.); (J.H.); (E.J.S.)
| | - Matthew Cascio
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
| | - Duane A. Mitchell
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA; (E.O.-R.); (R.L.); (L.J.); (H.T.); (H.R.M.-G.); (D.A.M.); (J.H.); (E.J.S.)
| | - Jianping Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA; (E.O.-R.); (R.L.); (L.J.); (H.T.); (H.R.M.-G.); (D.A.M.); (J.H.); (E.J.S.)
| | - W. Gregory Sawyer
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (D.T.N.); (W.W.S.); (W.G.S.)
| | - Elias J. Sayour
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA; (E.O.-R.); (R.L.); (L.J.); (H.T.); (H.R.M.-G.); (D.A.M.); (J.H.); (E.J.S.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
| | - Paul Castillo
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
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Green BJ, Marazzini M, Hershey B, Fardin A, Li Q, Wang Z, Giangreco G, Pisati F, Marchesi S, Disanza A, Frittoli E, Martini E, Magni S, Beznoussenko GV, Vernieri C, Lobefaro R, Parazzoli D, Maiuri P, Havas K, Labib M, Sigismund S, Fiore PPD, Gunby RH, Kelley SO, Scita G. PillarX: A Microfluidic Device to Profile Circulating Tumor Cell Clusters Based on Geometry, Deformability, and Epithelial State. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2106097. [PMID: 35344274 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202106097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cell (CTC) clusters are associated with increased metastatic potential and worse patient prognosis, but are rare, difficult to count, and poorly characterized biophysically. The PillarX device described here is a bimodular microfluidic device (Pillar-device and an X-magnetic device) to profile single CTCs and clusters from whole blood based on their size, deformability, and epithelial marker expression. Larger, less deformable clusters and large single cells are captured in the Pillar-device and sorted according to pillar gap sizes. Smaller, deformable clusters and single cells are subsequently captured in the X-device and separated based on epithelial marker expression using functionalized magnetic nanoparticles. Clusters of established and primary breast cancer cells with variable degrees of cohesion driven by different cell-cell adhesion protein expression are profiled in the device. Cohesive clusters exhibit a lower deformability as they travel through the pillar array, relative to less cohesive clusters, and have greater collective invasive behavior. The ability of the PillarX device to capture clusters is validated in mouse models and patients of metastatic breast cancer. Thus, this device effectively enumerates and profiles CTC clusters based on their unique geometrical, physical, and biochemical properties, and could form the basis of a novel prognostic clinical tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda J Green
- IFOM-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello, 16, Milan, 20139, Italy
| | - Margherita Marazzini
- IFOM-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello, 16, Milan, 20139, Italy
| | - Ben Hershey
- IFOM-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello, 16, Milan, 20139, Italy
| | - Amir Fardin
- IEO, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, Milan, 20141, Italy
| | - Qingsen Li
- IFOM-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello, 16, Milan, 20139, Italy
| | - Zongjie Wang
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 144 College St, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Giovanni Giangreco
- IEO, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, Milan, 20141, Italy
- Tumour Cell Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Rd, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Federica Pisati
- IFOM-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello, 16, Milan, 20139, Italy
| | - Stefano Marchesi
- IFOM-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello, 16, Milan, 20139, Italy
| | - Andrea Disanza
- IFOM-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello, 16, Milan, 20139, Italy
| | - Emanuela Frittoli
- IFOM-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello, 16, Milan, 20139, Italy
| | - Emanuele Martini
- IFOM-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello, 16, Milan, 20139, Italy
| | - Serena Magni
- IFOM-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello, 16, Milan, 20139, Italy
| | | | - Claudio Vernieri
- IFOM-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello, 16, Milan, 20139, Italy
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via G. Venezian 1, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Riccardo Lobefaro
- IFOM-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello, 16, Milan, 20139, Italy
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via G. Venezian 1, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Dario Parazzoli
- IFOM-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello, 16, Milan, 20139, Italy
| | - Paolo Maiuri
- IFOM-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello, 16, Milan, 20139, Italy
| | - Kristina Havas
- IFOM-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello, 16, Milan, 20139, Italy
| | - Mahmoud Labib
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Sara Sigismund
- IEO, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, Milan, 20141, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Haemato-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Festa del Perdono, 7, Milan, 20122, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Di Fiore
- IEO, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, Milan, 20141, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Haemato-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Festa del Perdono, 7, Milan, 20122, Italy
| | - Rosalind H Gunby
- IEO, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia IRCCS, Via Ripamonti 435, Milan, 20141, Italy
| | - Shana O Kelley
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 144 College St, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3M2, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Giorgio Scita
- IFOM-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Via Adamello, 16, Milan, 20139, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Haemato-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Festa del Perdono, 7, Milan, 20122, Italy
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Liang C, Huang M, Li T, Li L, Sussman H, Dai Y, Siemann DW, Xie M, Tang X. Towards an integrative understanding of cancer mechanobiology: calcium, YAP, and microRNA under biophysical forces. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:1112-1148. [PMID: 35089300 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm01618k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
An increasing number of studies have demonstrated the significant roles of the interplay between microenvironmental mechanics in tissues and biochemical-genetic activities in resident tumor cells at different stages of tumor progression. Mediated by molecular mechano-sensors or -transducers, biomechanical cues in tissue microenvironments are transmitted into the tumor cells and regulate biochemical responses and gene expression through mechanotransduction processes. However, the molecular interplay between the mechanotransduction processes and intracellular biochemical signaling pathways remains elusive. This paper reviews the recent advances in understanding the crosstalk between biomechanical cues and three critical biochemical effectors during tumor progression: calcium ions (Ca2+), yes-associated protein (YAP), and microRNAs (miRNAs). We address the molecular mechanisms underpinning the interplay between the mechanotransduction pathways and each of the three effectors. Furthermore, we discuss the functional interactions among the three effectors in the context of soft matter and mechanobiology. We conclude by proposing future directions on studying the tumor mechanobiology that can employ Ca2+, YAP, and miRNAs as novel strategies for cancer mechanotheraputics. This framework has the potential to bring insights into the development of novel next-generation cancer therapies to suppress and treat tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyu Liang
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering (HWCOE), Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
- UF Health Cancer Center (UFHCC), Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Miao Huang
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering (HWCOE), Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
- UF Health Cancer Center (UFHCC), Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Tianqi Li
- UF Health Cancer Center (UFHCC), Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine (COM), Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
| | - Lu Li
- UF Health Cancer Center (UFHCC), Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine (COM), Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
| | - Hayley Sussman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, COM, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Yao Dai
- UF Health Cancer Center (UFHCC), Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- UF Genetics Institute (UFGI), University of Florida (UF), Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Dietmar W Siemann
- UF Health Cancer Center (UFHCC), Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- UF Genetics Institute (UFGI), University of Florida (UF), Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Mingyi Xie
- UF Health Cancer Center (UFHCC), Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine (COM), Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering (COE), University of Delaware (UD), Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Xin Tang
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering (HWCOE), Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
- UF Health Cancer Center (UFHCC), Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
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36
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FAK in Cancer: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031726. [PMID: 35163650 PMCID: PMC8836199 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, is overexpressed and activated in many cancer types. FAK regulates diverse cellular processes, including growth factor signaling, cell cycle progression, cell survival, cell motility, angiogenesis, and the establishment of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments through kinase-dependent and kinase-independent scaffolding functions in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Mounting evidence has indicated that targeting FAK, either alone or in combination with other agents, may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for various cancers. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms underlying FAK-mediated signaling networks during tumor development. We also summarize the recent progress of FAK-targeted small-molecule compounds for anticancer activity from preclinical and clinical evidence.
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37
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Shi Y, Sivarajan S, Xiang KM, Kostecki GM, Tung L, Crocker JC, Reich DH. Pervasive cytoquakes in the actomyosin cortex across cell types and substrate stiffness. Integr Biol (Camb) 2021; 13:246-257. [PMID: 34875067 DOI: 10.1093/intbio/zyab017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
The actomyosin cytoskeleton enables cells to resist deformation, crawl, change their shape and sense their surroundings. Despite decades of study, how its molecular constituents can assemble together to form a network with the observed mechanics of cells remains poorly understood. Recently, it has been shown that the actomyosin cortex of quiescent cells can undergo frequent, abrupt reconfigurations and displacements, called cytoquakes. Notably, such fluctuations are not predicted by current physical models of actomyosin networks, and their prevalence across cell types and mechanical environments has not previously been studied. Using micropost array detectors, we have performed high-resolution measurements of the dynamic mechanical fluctuations of cells' actomyosin cortex and stress fiber networks. This reveals cortical dynamics dominated by cytoquakes-intermittent events with a fat-tailed distribution of displacements, sometimes spanning microposts separated by 4 μm, in all cell types studied. These included 3T3 fibroblasts, where cytoquakes persisted over substrate stiffnesses spanning the tissue-relevant range of 4.3 kPa-17 kPa, and primary neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, human embryonic kidney cells and human bone osteosarcoma epithelial (U2OS) cells, where cytoquakes were observed on substrates in the same stiffness range. Overall, these findings suggest that the cortex self-organizes into a marginally stable mechanical state whose physics may contribute to cell mechanical properties, active behavior and mechanosensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Shi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Shankar Sivarajan
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Katherine M Xiang
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Geran M Kostecki
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Leslie Tung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - John C Crocker
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Daniel H Reich
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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38
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Gil-Redondo JC, Weber A, Zbiral B, Vivanco MDM, Toca-Herrera JL. Substrate stiffness modulates the viscoelastic properties of MCF-7 cells. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2021; 125:104979. [PMID: 34826769 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cells sense stiffness of surrounding tissues and adapt their activity, proliferation, motility and mechanical properties based on such interactions. Cells probe the stiffness of the substrate by anchoring and pulling to their surroundings, transmitting force to the extracellular matrix and other cells, and respond to the resistance they sense, mainly through changes in their cytoskeleton. Cancer and other diseases alter stiffness of tissues, and the response of cancer cells to this stiffness can also be affected. In the present study we show that MCF-7 breast cancer cells seeded on polyacrylamide gels have the ability to detect the stiffness of the substrate and alter their mechanical properties in response. MCF-7 cells plated on soft substrates display lower stiffness and viscosity when compared to those seeded on stiffer gels or glass. These differences can be associated with differences in the morphology and cytoskeleton organisation, since cells seeded on soft substrates have a round morphology, while cells seeded on stiffer substrates acquire a flat and spread morphology with formation of actin filaments, similar to that observed when seeded on glass. These findings show that MCF-7 cells can detect the stiffness of the surrounding microenvironment and thus, modify their mechanical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Gil-Redondo
- Institute of Biophysics, Department of Nanobiotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Muthgasse 11, 1190, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Andreas Weber
- Institute of Biophysics, Department of Nanobiotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Muthgasse 11, 1190, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Barbara Zbiral
- Institute of Biophysics, Department of Nanobiotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Muthgasse 11, 1190, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Maria dM Vivanco
- Cancer Heterogeneity Lab, CIC BioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance, BRTA, Bizkaia Technology Park, 48160, Derio, Spain.
| | - José L Toca-Herrera
- Institute of Biophysics, Department of Nanobiotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Muthgasse 11, 1190, Vienna, Austria.
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39
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Osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells on diamond-like carbon-coated silicon plates: Field emission scanning electron microscopy data. Data Brief 2021; 38:107385. [PMID: 34604478 PMCID: PMC8473662 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2021.107385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Diamond-like carbon (DLC) is an amorphous form of carbon that contains aspects of both the diamond and graphite structures. It is composed of carbon and hydrogen, and owing to its texture, high mechanical hardness, chemical inertness, and optical transparency, DLC is widely used as a protective coating in the form of a thin film, which is applied to the surfaces of many materials. Recently, it has attracted attention as a biomedical material because of its high biocompatibility and stability [1,2]. DLC is particularly suitable to be embedded in the body owing to its low friction properties and selective cell surface attachment properties [3]. The material is currently being developed for the treatment of bone fractures [4]. However, unlike fibroblasts, the attachment of osteoblasts has not been extensively examined and no morphological data is available on how osteoblastic cells form contacts with the surface of biocompatible DLC-coated materials. Herein, such data were collected by coating DLC on the surface of silicon plates. The attachment of mouse cells to the DLC-coated plates was examined by colorimetric cell proliferation assay, and morphological observations were made using a field emission scanning electron microscope. Also, the flat cross section of the cell and plate was obtained by the ion milling method.
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40
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The Effect of Fluid Flow Shear Stress and Substrate Stiffness on Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) Activity and Osteogenesis in Murine Osteosarcoma Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133128. [PMID: 34201496 PMCID: PMC8268052 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is an aggressive bone cancer originating in the mesenchymal lineage. Prognosis for metastatic disease is poor, with a mortality rate of approximately 40%; OS is an aggressive disease for which new treatments are needed. All bone cells are sensitive to their mechanical/physical surroundings and changes in these surroundings can affect their behavior. However, it is not well understood how OS cells specifically respond to fluid movement, or substrate stiffness-two stimuli of relevance in the tumor microenvironment. We used cells from spontaneous OS tumors in a mouse engineered to have a bone-specific knockout of pRb-1 and p53 in the osteoblast lineage. We silenced Sox2 (which regulates YAP) and tested the effect of fluid flow shear stress (FFSS) and substrate stiffness on YAP expression/activity-which was significantly reduced by loss of Sox2, but that effect was reversed by FFSS but not by substrate stiffness. Osteogenic gene expression was also reduced in the absence of Sox2 but again this was reversed by FFSS and remained largely unaffected by substrate stiffness. Thus we described the effect of two distinct stimuli on the mechanosensory and osteogenic profiles of OS cells. Taken together, these data suggest that modulation of fluid movement through, or stiffness levels within, OS tumors could represent a novel consideration in the development of new treatments to prevent their progression.
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41
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Yin F, Dong J, Kang LI, Liu X. Hippo-YAP signaling in digestive system tumors. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:2495-2507. [PMID: 34249412 PMCID: PMC8263672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is an evolutionally conserved pathway and plays an important role in regulating tissue hemostasis and organ size control. Deregulation of the Hippo pathway is implicated in various human digestive system tumors. The past two decades have witnessed the discovery and elucidation of key signaling components and molecular mechanisms of the Hippo pathway. Among these, the signaling transducers YAP/TAZ are in the center of this complex network to sense and respond to extracellular cues such as cell contact, matrix stiffness and growth factors. In this review, we summarize the biological and clinical significance of Hippo-YAP signaling in the digestive system tumors, and explore the novel therapeutic strategies for targeting Hippo-YAP signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Yin
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of MissouriColumbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Jixin Dong
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical CenterOmaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Liang-I Kang
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of MedicineSt. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Xiuli Liu
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Lab Medicine, University of FloridaGainesville, Florida, USA
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42
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Abdollahiyan P, Oroojalian F, Baradaran B, de la Guardia M, Mokhtarzadeh A. Advanced mechanotherapy: Biotensegrity for governing metastatic tumor cell fate via modulating the extracellular matrix. J Control Release 2021; 335:596-618. [PMID: 34097925 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Mechano-transduction is the procedure of mechanical stimulus translation via cells, among substrate shear flow, topography, and stiffness into a biochemical answer. TAZ and YAP are transcriptional coactivators which are recognized as relay proteins that promote mechano-transduction within the Hippo pathway. With regard to healthy cells in homeostasis, mechano-transduction regularly restricts proliferation, and TAZ and YAP are totally inactive. During cancer development a YAP/TAZ - stimulating positive response loop is formed between the growing tumor and the stiffening ECM. As tumor developments, local stromal and cancerous cells take advantage of mechanotransduction to enhance proliferation, induce their migratory into remote tissues, and promote chemotherapeutic resistance. As a newly progresses paradigm, nanoparticle-conjunctions (such as magnetic nanoparticles, and graphene derivatives nanoparticles) hold significant promises for remote regulation of cells and their relevant events at molecular scale. Despite outstanding developments in employing nanoparticles for drug targeting studies, the role of nanoparticles on cellular behaviors (proliferation, migration, and differentiation) has still required more evaluations in the field of mechanotherapy. In this paper, the in-depth contribution of mechano-transduction is discussed during tumor progression, and how these consequences can be evaluated in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fatemeh Oroojalian
- Department of Advanced Sciences and Technologies in Medicine, School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran; Natural Products and Medicinal Plants Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran.
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Miguel de la Guardia
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Valencia, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ahad Mokhtarzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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43
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Vasilaki D, Bakopoulou A, Tsouknidas A, Johnstone E, Michalakis K. Biophysical interactions between components of the tumor microenvironment promote metastasis. Biophys Rev 2021; 13:339-357. [PMID: 34168685 PMCID: PMC8214652 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-021-00811-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
During metastasis, tumor cells need to adapt to their dynamic microenvironment and modify their mechanical properties in response to both chemical and mechanical stimulation. Physical interactions occur between cancer cells and the surrounding matrix including cell movements and cell shape alterations through the process of mechanotransduction. The latter describes the translation of external mechanical cues into intracellular biochemical signaling. Reorganization of both the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a critical role in these spreading steps. Migrating tumor cells show increased motility in order to cross the tumor microenvironment, migrate through ECM and reach the bloodstream to the metastatic site. There are specific factors affecting these processes, as well as the survival of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in the blood flow until they finally invade the secondary tissue to form metastasis. This review aims to study the mechanisms of metastasis from a biomechanical perspective and investigate cell migration, with a focus on the alterations in the cytoskeleton through this journey and the effect of biologic fluids on metastasis. Understanding of the biophysical mechanisms that promote tumor metastasis may contribute successful therapeutic approaches in the fight against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Vasilaki
- Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Athina Bakopoulou
- Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alexandros Tsouknidas
- Laboratory for Biomaterials and Computational Mechanics, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, Kozani, Greece
| | | | - Konstantinos Michalakis
- Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Division of Graduate Prosthodontics, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA USA
- University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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44
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Nanomechanical Hallmarks of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Pediatric Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115624. [PMID: 34070700 PMCID: PMC8198391 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: the molecular mechanism of gastric cancer development related to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has not been fully understood, and further studies are still needed. Information regarding nanomechanical aspects of pathophysiological events that occur during H. pylori infection can be crucial in the development of new prevention, treatment, and diagnostic measures against clinical consequences associated with H. pylori infection, including gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, and gastric cancer. Methods: in this study, we assessed mechanical properties of children’s healthy and H. pylori positive stomach tissues and the mechanical response of human gastric cells exposed to heat-treated H. pylori cells using atomic force microscopy (AFM NanoWizard 4 BioScience JPK Instruments Bruker). Elastic modulus (i.e., the Young’s modulus) was derived from the Hertz–Sneddon model applied to force-indentation curves. Human tissue samples were evaluated using rapid urease tests to identify H. pylori positive samples, and the presence of H. pylori cells in those samples was confirmed using immunohistopathological staining. Results and conclusion: collected data suggest that nanomechanical properties of infected tissue might be considered as markers indicated H. pylori presence since infected tissues are softer than uninfected ones. At the cellular level, this mechanical response is at least partially mediated by cell cytoskeleton remodeling indicating that gastric cells are able to tune their mechanical properties when subjected to the presence of H. pylori products. Persistent fluctuations of tissue mechanical properties in response to H. pylori infection might, in the long-term, promote induction of cancer development.
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45
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Macnamara CK. Biomechanical modelling of cancer: Agent‐based force‐based models of solid tumours within the context of the tumour microenvironment. COMPUTATIONAL AND SYSTEMS ONCOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/cso2.1018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cicely K. Macnamara
- School of Mathematics and Statistics Mathematical Institute University of St Andrews St Andrews Fife UK
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46
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Xuan B, Ghosh D, Dawson MR. Contributions of the distinct biophysical phenotype of polyploidal giant cancer cells to cancer progression. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 81:64-72. [PMID: 33992783 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) are a commonly observed histological feature of human tumors and are particularly prominent in late stage and drug resistant cancers. The chromosomal duplication conferred by their aneuploidy gives rise to DNA damage resistance and complex tumor cell karyotypes, a driving factor in chemotherapy resistance and disease relapse. Furthermore, PGCCs also exhibit key cytoskeletal features that give rise to a distinct biophysical phenotype, including increased density of polymerized actin and vimentin intermediate filaments, nuclear and cytoskeletal stiffening, increased traction force, and migratory persistence. Despite recent research highlighting the role PGCCs play in cancer progression, this population of tumor cells remains poorly characterized in terms of their biophysical properties. In this review, we will discuss the various aspects of their biomolecular phenotype, such as increased stemness as well as a mixed EMT signature. These features have been extensively associated with tumorigenesis and recurrence, and aggressive cancers. Additionally, we will also examine the distinct PGCC cytoskeletal features of actin and filamentous vimentin. Specifically, how the differential organization of these networks serve to support their increased size and drive migratory persistence. These findings could shed light on potential therapeutic strategies that allow for specific elimination or mitigation of the invasive potential of these polyploid cancer cells. Lastly, we will examine how the biophysical and molecular phenotype of PGCCs combine to tip the scale in favor of promoting cancer progression, presenting an important target in the clinical treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Botai Xuan
- Brown University, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, & Biotechnology, Providence, 02912, USA
| | - Deepraj Ghosh
- Brown University, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, & Biotechnology, Providence, 02912, USA
| | - Michelle R Dawson
- Brown University, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, & Biotechnology, Providence, 02912, USA; Brown University, Center for Biomedical Engineering, Providence, 02912, USA; Brown University, School of Engineering, Providence, 02912, USA.
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47
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Pogoda K, Cieśluk M, Deptuła P, Tokajuk G, Piktel E, Król G, Reszeć J, Bucki R. Inhomogeneity of stiffness and density of the extracellular matrix within the leukoplakia of human oral mucosa as potential physicochemical factors leading to carcinogenesis. Transl Oncol 2021; 14:101105. [PMID: 33946032 PMCID: PMC8111093 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral leukoplakia is a clinical term relating to various morphological lesions, including squamous cell hyperplasia, dysplasia and carcinoma. Leukoplakia morphologically manifested as hyperplasia with epithelial dysplasia is clinically treated as precancerous condition. Nevertheless, there is a lack of good markers indicating the transformation of premalignancies towards cancer. A better understanding of the mechanical environment within the tissues where tumors grow might be beneficial for the development of prevention, diagnostic, and treatment methods in cancer management. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and immunohistology techniques were used to assess changes in the stiffness and morphology of oral mucosa and leukoplakia samples at different stages of their progression towards cancer. The Young's moduli of the tested leukoplakia samples were significantly higher than those of the surrounding mucus. Robust inhomogeneity of stiffness within leukoplakia samples, reflecting an increase in regeneration and collagen accumulation (increasing density) in the extracellular matrix (ECM), was observed. Within the histologically confirmed cancer samples, Young's moduli were significantly lower than those within the precancerous ones. Inhomogeneous stiffness within leukoplakia might act as "a mechanoagonist" that promotes oncogenesis. In contrast, cancer growth might require the reorganization of tissue structure to create a microenvironment with lower and homogenous stiffness. The immunohistology data collected here indicates that changes in tissue stiffness are achieved by increasing cell/ECM density. The recognition of new markers of premalignancy will aid in the development of new therapies and will expand the diagnostic methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Pogoda
- Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342 Krakow, Poland
| | - Mateusz Cieśluk
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2c, PL-15222 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Piotr Deptuła
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2c, PL-15222 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Grażyna Tokajuk
- Department of Integrated Dentistry, Medical University of Bialystok, PL-15269 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Ewelina Piktel
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Bialystok, Mickiewicza 2c, PL-15222 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Król
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, PL-25317 Kielce, Poland
| | - Joanna Reszeć
- Department of Medical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Bialystok, PL-15269 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Robert Bucki
- Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342 Krakow, Poland; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, PL-25317 Kielce, Poland.
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48
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Purkayastha P, Pendyala K, Saxena AS, Hakimjavadi H, Chamala S, Dixit P, Baer CF, Lele TP. Reverse Plasticity Underlies Rapid Evolution by Clonal Selection within Populations of Fibroblasts Propagated on a Novel Soft Substrate. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:3279-3293. [PMID: 33871606 PMCID: PMC8321517 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical properties such as substrate stiffness are a ubiquitous feature of a cell’s environment. Many types of animal cells exhibit canonical phenotypic plasticity when grown on substrates of differing stiffness, in vitro and in vivo. Whether such plasticity is a multivariate optimum due to hundreds of millions of years of animal evolution, or instead is a compromise between conflicting selective demands, is unknown. We addressed these questions by means of experimental evolution of populations of mouse fibroblasts propagated for approximately 90 cell generations on soft or stiff substrates. The ancestral cells grow twice as fast on stiff substrate as on soft substrate and exhibit the canonical phenotypic plasticity. Soft-selected lines derived from a genetically diverse ancestral population increased growth rate on soft substrate to the ancestral level on stiff substrate and evolved the same multivariate phenotype. The pattern of plasticity in the soft-selected lines was opposite of the ancestral pattern, suggesting that reverse plasticity underlies the observed rapid evolution. Conversely, growth rate and phenotypes did not change in selected lines derived from clonal cells. Overall, our results suggest that the changes were the result of genetic evolution and not phenotypic plasticity per se. Whole-transcriptome analysis revealed consistent differentiation between ancestral and soft-selected populations, and that both emergent phenotypes and gene expression tended to revert in the soft-selected lines. However, the selected populations appear to have achieved the same phenotypic outcome by means of at least two distinct transcriptional architectures related to mechanotransduction and proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Purboja Purkayastha
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Kavya Pendyala
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ayush S Saxena
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Srikar Chamala
- University of Florida Genetics Institute, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Purushottam Dixit
- University of Florida Genetics Institute, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Department of Physics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Charles F Baer
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,University of Florida Genetics Institute, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Tanmay P Lele
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.,Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX, USA
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49
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Rheinlaender J, Wirbel H, Schäffer TE. Spatial correlation of cell stiffness and traction forces in cancer cells measured with combined SICM and TFM. RSC Adv 2021; 11:13951-13956. [PMID: 35423943 PMCID: PMC8697701 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra01277k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanical properties of cancer cells at the single-cell and the subcellular level might be the key for answering long-standing questions in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. However, the subcellular distribution of two main mechanical properties, cell stiffness and traction forces, has been investigated only rarely and qualitatively yet. Here, we present the first direct combination of scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) and traction force microscopy (TFM), which we used to identify a correlation between the local stiffness and the local traction force density in living cells. We found a correlation in normal breast epithelial cells, but no correlation in cancerous breast epithelial cells. This indicates that the interplay between cell stiffness and traction forces is altered in cancer cells as compared to healthy cells, which might give new insight in the research field of cancer cell mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Rheinlaender
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen Auf der Morgenstelle 10 72076 Tübingen Germany +49 7071 29 5093 +49 7071 29 76030
| | - Hannes Wirbel
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen Auf der Morgenstelle 10 72076 Tübingen Germany +49 7071 29 5093 +49 7071 29 76030
| | - Tilman E Schäffer
- Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen Auf der Morgenstelle 10 72076 Tübingen Germany +49 7071 29 5093 +49 7071 29 76030
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50
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Le MCN, Xu K, Wang Z, Beverung S, Steward RL, Florczyk SJ. Evaluation of the effect of 3D porous Chitosan-alginate scaffold stiffness on breast cancer proliferation and migration. J Biomed Mater Res A 2021; 109:1990-2000. [PMID: 33811775 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BCa) is one of the most common cancers for women and metastatic BCa causes the majority of deaths. The extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffens during cancer progression and provides biophysical signals to modulate proliferation, morphology, and metastasis. Cells utilize mechanotransduction and integrins to sense and respond to ECM stiffness. Chitosan-alginate (CA) scaffolds have been used for 3D culture, but lack integrin binding ligands, resulting in round cell morphology and limited cell-material interaction. In this study, 2, 4, and 6 wt% CA scaffolds were produced to mimic the stages of BCa progression and evaluate the BCa response to CA scaffold stiffness. All three CA scaffold compositions highly porous with interconnected pores and scaffold stiffness increased with increasing polymer concentration. MDA-MB-231 (231) cells were cultured in CA scaffolds and 2D cultures for 7 d. All CA scaffold cultures had similar cell numbers at 7 d and the 231 cells formed clusters that increased in size during the culture. The 2 wt% CA had the largest clusters throughout the 7 d culture compared with the 4 and 6 wt% CA. The 231 cell migration was evaluated on 2D surfaces after 7 d culture. The 6 wt% CA cultured cells had the greatest migration speed, followed by 4 wt% CA, 2D cultures, and 2 wt% CA. These results suggest that 231 cells sensed the stiffness of CA scaffolds without the presence of focal adhesions. This indicates that a non-integrin-based mechanism may explain the observed mechanotransduction response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh-Chau N Le
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA.,Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Kailei Xu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Zi Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Sean Beverung
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Robert L Steward
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA.,Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Stephanie J Florczyk
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA.,Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
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