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Tkachev S, Chepelova N, Galechyan G, Ershov B, Golub D, Popova E, Antoshin A, Giliazova A, Voloshin S, Efremov Y, Istranova E, Timashev P. Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Micro-CT Visualization within Collagen Scaffolds in an Aqueous Environment. Cells 2024; 13:1234. [PMID: 39120266 PMCID: PMC11311787 DOI: 10.3390/cells13151234] [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: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Among all of the materials used in tissue engineering in order to develop bioequivalents, collagen shows to be the most promising due to its superb biocompatibility and biodegradability, thus becoming one of the most widely used materials for scaffold production. However, current imaging techniques of the cells within collagen scaffolds have several limitations, which lead to an urgent need for novel methods of visualization. In this work, we have obtained groups of collagen scaffolds and selected the contrasting agents in order to study pores and patterns of cell growth in a non-disruptive manner via X-ray computed microtomography (micro-CT). After the comparison of multiple contrast agents, a 3% aqueous phosphotungstic acid solution in distilled water was identified as the most effective amongst the media, requiring 24 h of incubation. The differences in intensity values between collagen fibers, pores, and masses of cells allow for the accurate segmentation needed for further analysis. Moreover, the presented protocol allows visualization of porous collagen scaffolds under aqueous conditions, which is crucial for the multimodal study of the native structure of samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Tkachev
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Natalia Chepelova
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Gevorg Galechyan
- Laboratory of Clinical Smart Nanotechnologies, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Boris Ershov
- Laboratory of Clinical Smart Nanotechnologies, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Danila Golub
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Elena Popova
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Artem Antoshin
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Aliia Giliazova
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Sergei Voloshin
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Yuri Efremov
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Elena Istranova
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Peter Timashev
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- Laboratory of Clinical Smart Nanotechnologies, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
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Pospelov AD, Kutova OM, Efremov YM, Nekrasova AA, Trushina DB, Gefter SD, Cherkasova EI, Timofeeva LB, Timashev PS, Zvyagin AV, Balalaeva IV. Breast Cancer Cell Type and Biomechanical Properties of Decellularized Mouse Organs Drives Tumor Cell Colonization. Cells 2023; 12:2030. [PMID: 37626840 PMCID: PMC10453279 DOI: 10.3390/cells12162030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue engineering has emerged as an indispensable tool for the reconstruction of organ-specific environments. Organ-derived extracellular matrices (ECM) and, especially, decellularized tissues (DCL) are recognized as the most successful biomaterials in regenerative medicine, as DCL preserves the most essential organ-specific ECM properties such as composition alongside biomechanics characterized by stiffness and porosity. Expansion of the DCL technology to cancer biology research, drug development, and nanomedicine is pending refinement of the existing DCL protocols whose reproducibility remains sub-optimal varying from organ to organ. We introduce a facile decellularization protocol universally applicable to murine organs, including liver, lungs, spleen, kidneys, and ovaries, with demonstrated robustness, reproducibility, high purification from cell debris, and architecture preservation, as confirmed by the histological and SEM analysis. The biomechanical properties of as-produced DCL organs expressed in terms of the local and total stiffness were measured using our facile methodology and were found well preserved in comparison with the intact organs. To demonstrate the utility of the developed DCL model to cancer research, we engineered three-dimensional tissue constructs by recellularization representative decellularized organs and collagenous hydrogel with human breast cancer cells of pronounced mesenchymal (MDA-MB-231) or epithelial (SKBR-3) phenotypes. The biomechanical properties of the DCL organs were found pivotal to determining the cancer cell fate and progression. Our histological and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study revealed that the larger the ECM mean pore size and the smaller the total stiffness (as in lung and ovary), the more proliferative and invasive the mesenchymal cells became. At the same time, the low local stiffness ECMs (ranged 2.8-3.6 kPa) did support the epithelial-like SKBR-3 cells' viability (as in lung and spleen), while stiff ECMs did not. The total and local stiffness of the collagenous hydrogel was measured too low to sustain the proliferative potential of both cell lines. The observed cell proliferation patterns were easily interpretable in terms of the ECM biomechanical properties, such as binding sites, embedment facilities, and migration space. As such, our three-dimensional tissue engineering model is scalable and adaptable for pharmacological testing and cancer biology research of metastatic and primary tumors, including early metastatic colonization in native organ-specific ECM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton D. Pospelov
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Ave., Nizhny Novgorod 603950, Russia; (A.D.P.); (O.M.K.); (S.D.G.); (E.I.C.); (L.B.T.); (A.V.Z.)
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya, 16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia;
| | - Olga M. Kutova
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Ave., Nizhny Novgorod 603950, Russia; (A.D.P.); (O.M.K.); (S.D.G.); (E.I.C.); (L.B.T.); (A.V.Z.)
| | - Yuri M. Efremov
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 117418, Russia; (Y.M.E.); (A.A.N.)
| | - Albina A. Nekrasova
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 117418, Russia; (Y.M.E.); (A.A.N.)
- Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny 141701, Russia
| | - Daria B. Trushina
- Federal Research Center Crystallography and Photonics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia;
- Institute of Molecular Theranostics, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119435, Russia
| | - Sofia D. Gefter
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Ave., Nizhny Novgorod 603950, Russia; (A.D.P.); (O.M.K.); (S.D.G.); (E.I.C.); (L.B.T.); (A.V.Z.)
| | - Elena I. Cherkasova
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Ave., Nizhny Novgorod 603950, Russia; (A.D.P.); (O.M.K.); (S.D.G.); (E.I.C.); (L.B.T.); (A.V.Z.)
| | - Lidia B. Timofeeva
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Ave., Nizhny Novgorod 603950, Russia; (A.D.P.); (O.M.K.); (S.D.G.); (E.I.C.); (L.B.T.); (A.V.Z.)
- Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 10/1, Minin and Pozharsky Sq., Nizhny Novgorod 603950, Russia
| | - Peter S. Timashev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Miklukho-Maklaya, 16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia;
- Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory 1–3, Moscow 119991, Russia
- Laboratory of Clinical Smart Nanotechnology, Sechenov University, Moscow 117418, Russia
| | - Andrei V. Zvyagin
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Ave., Nizhny Novgorod 603950, Russia; (A.D.P.); (O.M.K.); (S.D.G.); (E.I.C.); (L.B.T.); (A.V.Z.)
- Institute of Molecular Theranostics, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119435, Russia
- Laboratory of Clinical Smart Nanotechnology, Sechenov University, Moscow 117418, Russia
| | - Irina V. Balalaeva
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Ave., Nizhny Novgorod 603950, Russia; (A.D.P.); (O.M.K.); (S.D.G.); (E.I.C.); (L.B.T.); (A.V.Z.)
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Nasser M, Ghosh G. Engineering tumor constructs to study matrix-dependent angiogenic signaling of breast cancer cells. Biotechnol Prog 2022; 38:e3250. [PMID: 35312222 PMCID: PMC9233024 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3250] [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: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among females globally. The crosstalk between tumor microenvironment and neoplastic cells is the key for promoting tumor growth, stimulating tumor angiogenesis, and metastasis to distant organs. Thus, it is highly important to investigate tumor cell-matrix interactions to facilitate screening of different anti-cancer agents, individually or in combination. We, herein report, the development of an in vitro three-dimensional (3D) breast cancer model to investigate the effect of stromal crosslinking and consequent, stiffening on the angiogenic activity of cancer cells. Crosslinking of collagen gels was altered via non-enzymatic glycation and highly aggressive breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231, were encapsulated in these gels. Cells encapsulated in glycated/stiffer matrices displayed an increased expression of pro-angiogenesis-related signals. Inhibition of mechanotransduction pathways on the angiogenic activity of aggressive tumor cells in stiff matrices was investigated using Y-27632, blebbistatin, and cytochalasin D. Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, Y-27632, diminished the pro-angiogenic signaling, thereby suggesting the potential dependence of breast cancer cells on the Rho/ROCK pathway in regulating tumor angiogenesis. Our findings highlight the potential of the developed model to be used as a tool to investigate matrix-associated tumor angiogenesis and screen different therapeutic agents towards inhibiting it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malak Nasser
- Bioengineering Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan, USA
| | - Gargi Ghosh
- Bioengineering Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan, USA
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Thai VL, Griffin KH, Thorpe SW, Randall RL, Leach JK. Tissue engineered platforms for studying primary and metastatic neoplasm behavior in bone. J Biomech 2021; 115:110189. [PMID: 33385867 PMCID: PMC7855491 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.110189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more than 560,000 lives each year. Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant tumor of bone in children and young adults, while bone is a common site of metastasis for tumors initiating from other tissues. The heterogeneity, continual evolution, and complexity of this disease at different stages of tumor progression drives a critical need for physiologically relevant models that capture the dynamic cancer microenvironment and advance chemotherapy techniques. Monolayer cultures have been favored for cell-based research for decades due to their simplicity and scalability. However, the nature of these models makes it impossible to fully describe the biomechanical and biochemical cues present in 3-dimensional (3D) microenvironments, such as ECM stiffness, degradability, surface topography, and adhesivity. Biomaterials have emerged as valuable tools to model the behavior of various cancers by creating highly tunable 3D systems for studying neoplasm behavior, screening chemotherapeutic drugs, and developing novel treatment delivery techniques. This review highlights the recent application of biomaterials toward the development of tumor models, details methods for their tunability, and discusses the clinical and therapeutic applications of these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria L Thai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Katherine H Griffin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States; School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Steven W Thorpe
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - R Lor Randall
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States
| | - J Kent Leach
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States.
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Selig M, Lauer JC, Hart ML, Rolauffs B. Mechanotransduction and Stiffness-Sensing: Mechanisms and Opportunities to Control Multiple Molecular Aspects of Cell Phenotype as a Design Cornerstone of Cell-Instructive Biomaterials for Articular Cartilage Repair. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5399. [PMID: 32751354 PMCID: PMC7432012 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Since material stiffness controls many cell functions, we reviewed the currently available knowledge on stiffness sensing and elucidated what is known in the context of clinical and experimental articular cartilage (AC) repair. Remarkably, no stiffness information on the various biomaterials for clinical AC repair was accessible. Using mRNA expression profiles and morphology as surrogate markers of stiffness-related effects, we deduced that the various clinically available biomaterials control chondrocyte (CH) phenotype well, but not to equal extents, and only in non-degenerative settings. Ample evidence demonstrates that multiple molecular aspects of CH and mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) phenotype are susceptible to material stiffness, because proliferation, migration, lineage determination, shape, cytoskeletal properties, expression profiles, cell surface receptor composition, integrin subunit expression, and nuclear shape and composition of CHs and/or MSCs are stiffness-regulated. Moreover, material stiffness modulates MSC immuno-modulatory and angiogenic properties, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1)-induced lineage determination, and CH re-differentiation/de-differentiation, collagen type II fragment production, and TGF-β1- and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β)-induced changes in cell stiffness and traction force. We then integrated the available molecular signaling data into a stiffness-regulated CH phenotype model. Overall, we recommend using material stiffness for controlling cell phenotype, as this would be a promising design cornerstone for novel future-oriented, cell-instructive biomaterials for clinical high-quality AC repair tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mischa Selig
- G.E.R.N. Research Center for Tissue Replacement, Regeneration & Neogenesis, Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center—Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (M.S.); (J.C.L.); (M.L.H.)
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jasmin C. Lauer
- G.E.R.N. Research Center for Tissue Replacement, Regeneration & Neogenesis, Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center—Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (M.S.); (J.C.L.); (M.L.H.)
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Melanie L. Hart
- G.E.R.N. Research Center for Tissue Replacement, Regeneration & Neogenesis, Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center—Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (M.S.); (J.C.L.); (M.L.H.)
| | - Bernd Rolauffs
- G.E.R.N. Research Center for Tissue Replacement, Regeneration & Neogenesis, Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center—Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (M.S.); (J.C.L.); (M.L.H.)
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Nasser M, Wu Y, Danaoui Y, Ghosh G. Engineering microenvironments towards harnessing pro-angiogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2019; 102:75-84. [PMID: 31147047 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2019.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapy for promoting vascular regeneration is a promising strategy for treating ischemic diseases. However, low engraftment and retention rate of MSCs at the target site highlights the importance of paracrine signaling of MSCs in the reparative process. Thus, harnessing MSC-secretome is essential for rational design of MSC-based therapies. The role of microenvironment in regulating the paracrine signaling of MSCs is not well known. In this study, human bone marrow-derived MSCs were seeded on matrices with varying stiffness or cell adhesive sites, and conditioned media was collected. The concentrations of angiogenic molecules in the media was measured via ELISA. In addition, the bioactivity of the released molecules was investigated via assessing the proliferation and capillary morphogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) incubated with conditioned media. Our study revealed that secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is dependent on substrate stiffness. Maximal secretion was observed when MSCs were seeded on hydrogel matrices of 5.0 kPa stiffness. Proliferation and tubulogenesis of HUVECs supported ELISA data. On the other hand, variation of cell adhesive sites while maintaining a uniform optimal stiffness, did not influence the pro-angiogenic activity of MSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malak Nasser
- Bioengineering Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Dearborn, United States of America
| | - Yang Wu
- Bioengineering Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Dearborn, United States of America
| | - Youssef Danaoui
- Bioengineering Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Dearborn, United States of America
| | - Gargi Ghosh
- Bioengineering Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Dearborn, United States of America.
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Gutierrez S, Boada MD. Neuropeptide-induced modulation of carcinogenesis in a metastatic breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231 LUC+). Cancer Cell Int 2018; 18:216. [PMID: 30598641 PMCID: PMC6303888 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-018-0707-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Metastatic cancer to bone is well-known to produce extreme pain. It has been suggested that the magnitude of this perceived pain is associated with disease progression and poor prognosis. These data suggest a potential cross-talk between cancer cells and nociceptors that contribute not only to pain, but also to cancer aggressiveness although the underlying mechanisms are yet to be stablished. Methods The in vitro dose dependent effect of neuropeptides (NPs) (substance P [SP], calcitonin gene-related peptide and neurokinin A [NKA]) and/or its combination, on the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231LUC+ were assessed by wound healing and collagen-based cell invasion assays, respectively. The effect of NPs on the expression of its receptors (SP [NK1] and neurokinin A receptors [NK2], CALCRL and RAMP1) and kininogen (high-molecular-weight kininogen) release to the cell culture supernatant of MDA-MB-231LUC+, were measured using western-blot analysis and an ELISA assay, respectively. Statistical significance was tested using one-way ANOVA, repeated measures ANOVA, or the paired t-test. Post-hoc testing was performed with correction for multiple comparisons as appropriate. Results Our data show that NPs strongly modify the chemokinetic capabilities of a cellular line commonly used as a model of metastatic cancer to bone (MDA-MB-231LUC+) and increased the expression of their receptors (NK1R, NK2R, RAMP1, and CALCRL) on these cells. Finally, we demonstrate that NPs also trigger the acute release of HMWK (Bradykinin precursor) by MDA-MB-231LUC+, a molecule with both tumorigenic and pro-nociceptive activity. Conclusions Based on these observations we conclude that NPs exposure modulates this breast cancer cellular line aggressiveness by increasing its ability to migrate and invade new tissues. Furthermore, these results also support the pro nociceptive and cancer promoter role of the peripheral nervous system, during the initial stages of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Gutierrez
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Mechanisms Lab, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1009 USA
| | - M Danilo Boada
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Mechanisms Lab, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1009 USA
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Liang X, Wu B, Shang H, Han X, Jing H, Sun Y, Cheng W. VTIQ evaluates antitumor effects of NET-1 siRNA by UTMD in HCC xenograft models. Oncol Lett 2018; 16:2893-2902. [PMID: 30127877 PMCID: PMC6096142 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.8994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study used a virtual touch tissue imaging and quantification (VTIQ) method to investigate the change in elasticity in xenograft tumor tissue models following silencing of the neuroepithelial-transforming protein 1 (NET-1) gene by ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD). A total of 24 xenograft models were established by subcutaneous injection of human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells in BALB/c female nude mice. Then, NET-1 small interfering RNA (siRNA)-conjugated nanobubbles and a glypican-3 antibody were synthesized. The mean and maximum shear wave speed (SWSmean and SWSmax) in the tumor tissue were measured prior to, during, and following therapy using VTIQ. The growth of the tumor size and survival time were recorded. The levels of NET-1 protein were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. In addition, tumor, liver and kidney tissues of the nude mice were collected to confirm whether gene transfection treatment was toxic in vivo. In the UTMD delivery gene group, SWSmean was correlated with the maximum diameter of the tumor (r=0.9806, P=0.0194). The immunohistochemical staining data indicated that the level of NET-1 protein in the treated groups was significantly decreased compared with those in the control groups. Additionally, no structural damage was observed in the nude mice liver and kidney tissues following treatment. Therefore, VTIQ measurement identified potential changes in the elastic properties of the tumors, which in turn may be associated with the stages of tumor development. The delivery method, UTMD, improves the antitumor effects of NET-1 siRNA and supports gene transfection as a promising therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xitian Liang
- Department of Ultrasonography, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nangang, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150000, P.R. China
| | - Bolin Wu
- Department of Ultrasonography, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nangang, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150000, P.R. China
| | - Haitao Shang
- Department of Ultrasonography, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nangang, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150000, P.R. China
| | - Xue Han
- Department of Ultrasonography, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nangang, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150000, P.R. China
| | - Hui Jing
- Department of Ultrasonography, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nangang, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150000, P.R. China
| | - Yixin Sun
- Department of Ultrasonography, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nangang, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150000, P.R. China
| | - Wen Cheng
- Department of Ultrasonography, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nangang, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150000, P.R. China
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Pogoda K, Bucki R, Byfield FJ, Cruz K, Lee T, Marcinkiewicz C, Janmey PA. Soft Substrates Containing Hyaluronan Mimic the Effects of Increased Stiffness on Morphology, Motility, and Proliferation of Glioma Cells. Biomacromolecules 2017; 18:3040-3051. [PMID: 28858529 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b00324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Unlike many other cancer cells that grow in tumors characterized by an abnormally stiff collagen-enriched stroma, glioma cells proliferate and migrate in the much softer environment of the brain, which generally lacks the filamentous protein matrix characteristic of breast, liver, colorectal, and other types of cancer. Glial cell-derived tumors and the cells derived from them are highly heterogeneous and variable in their mechanical properties, their response to treatments, and their properties in vitro. Some glioma samples are stiffer than normal brain when measured ex vivo, but even those that are soft in vitro stiffen after deformation by pressure gradients that arise in the tumor environment in vivo. Such mechanical differences can strongly alter the phenotype of cultured glioma cells. Alternatively, chemical signaling might elicit the same phenotype as increased stiffness by activating intracellular messengers common to both initial stimuli. In this study the responses of three different human glioma cell lines to changes in substrate stiffness are compared with their responses on very soft substrates composed of a combination of hyaluronic acid and a specific integrin ligand, either laminin or collagen I. By quantifying cell morphology, stiffness, motility, proliferation, and secretion of the cytokine IL-8, glioma cell responses to increased stiffness are shown to be nearly identically elicited by substrates containing hyaluronic acid, even in the absence of increased stiffness. PI3-kinase activity was required for the response to hyaluronan but not to stiffness. This outcome suggests that hyaluronic acid can trigger the same cellular response, as can be obtained by mechanical force transduced from a stiff environment, and demonstrates that chemical and mechanical features of the tumor microenvironment can achieve equivalent reactions in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Pogoda
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , 3340 Smith Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences , PL-31342 Krakow, Poland
| | - Robert Bucki
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , 3340 Smith Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Department of Microbiological and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Bialystok , 15-222 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Fitzroy J Byfield
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , 3340 Smith Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Katrina Cruz
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , 3340 Smith Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Tongkeun Lee
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , 3340 Smith Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Cezary Marcinkiewicz
- CoE Department of Bioengineering, Temple University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, United States
| | - Paul A Janmey
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania , 3340 Smith Walk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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Tadeo I, Berbegall AP, Navarro S, Castel V, Noguera R. A stiff extracellular matrix is associated with malignancy in peripheral neuroblastic tumors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2017; 64. [PMID: 28121069 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.26449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE Improved prognosis for patients with peripheral neuroblastic tumors (PNB) depends on enhanced pretreatment risk stratification combined with research into new therapeutic targets. This study investigated the potential contribution of extracellular matrix (ECM) elements toward this endeavor. METHODS We characterized certain elements such as reticulin fibers, collagen type I fibers, and elastic fibers by digital pathology in almost 400 untreated PNB. RESULTS A reticular and poorly porous ECM was identified in neuroblastomas (NBs) from patients with clinical and biological features associated with poor prognosis compared with a loose and permeable matrix found in NBs of the favorable cohort. CONCLUSIONS Aggressiveness patterns of ECM can be accurately determined by morphometric tools and could become candidate elements for novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Tadeo
- Pathology Department, Medical School, University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana P Berbegall
- Pathology Department, Medical School, University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
| | - Samuel Navarro
- Pathology Department, Medical School, University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
| | - Victoria Castel
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, University and Polytechnic Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rosa Noguera
- Pathology Department, Medical School, University of Valencia-INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
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Mechanical phenotyping of cells and extracellular matrix as grade and stage markers of lung tumor tissues. Acta Biomater 2017; 57:334-341. [PMID: 28483699 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Revised: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The mechanical cross-talk between cells and the extra-cellular matrix (ECM) regulates the properties, functions and healthiness of the tissues. When this is disturbed it changes the mechanical state of the tissue components, singularly or together, and cancer, along with other diseases, may start and progress. However, the bi-univocal mechanical interplay between cells and the ECM is still not properly understood. In this study we show how a microrheology technique gives us the opportunity to evaluate the mechanics of cells and the ECM at the same time. The mechanical phenotyping was performed on the surgically removed tissues of 10 patients affected by adenocarcinoma of the lung. A correlation between the mechanics and the grade and stage of the tumor was reported and compared to the mechanical characteristics of the healthy tissue. Our findings suggest a sort of asymmetric modification of the mechanical properties of the cells and the extra-cellular matrix in the tumor, being the more compliant cell even though it resides in a stiffer matrix. Overall, the simultaneous mechanical characterization of the tissues constituents (cells and ECM) provided new support for diagnosis and offered alternative points of analysis for cancer mechanobiology. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE When the integrity of the mechanical cross-talk between cells and the extra-cellular matrix is disturbed cancer, along with other diseases, may initiate and progress. Here, we show how a new technique gives the opportunity to evaluate the mechanics of cells and the ECM at the same time. It was applied on surgically removed tissues of 10 patients affected by adenocarcinoma of the lung and a correlation between the mechanics and the grade and stage of the tumor was reported and compared to the mechanical characteristics of the healthy tissue.
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Abrahamsson A, Rzepecka A, Dabrosin C. Increased nutrient availability in dense breast tissue of postmenopausal women in vivo. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42733. [PMID: 28198437 PMCID: PMC5309876 DOI: 10.1038/srep42733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer. Nutrient availability in the tissue microenvironment determines cellular events and may play a role in breast carcinogenesis. High mammographic density is an independent risk factor for breast cancer. Whether nutrient availability differs in normal breast tissues with various densities is unknown. Therefore we investigated whether breast tissues with various densities exhibited differences in nutrient availability. Healthy postmenopausal women from the regular mammographic screening program who had either predominantly fatty breast tissue (nondense), n = 18, or extremely dense breast tissue (dense), n = 20, were included. Microdialysis was performed for the in vivo sampling of amino acids (AAs), analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectroscopy, glucose, lactate and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in breast tissues and, as a control, in abdominal subcutaneous (s.c.) fat. We found that dense breast tissue exhibited significantly increased levels of 20 proteinogenic AAs and that 18 of these AAs correlated significantly with VEGF. No differences were found in the s.c. fat, except for one AA, suggesting tissue-specific alterations in the breast. Glucose and lactate were unaltered. Our findings provide novel insights into the biology of dense breast tissue that may be explored for breast cancer prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelie Abrahamsson
- Department of Oncology and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anna Rzepecka
- Department of Radiology and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Charlotta Dabrosin
- Department of Oncology and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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El-Mohri H, Wu Y, Mohanty S, Ghosh G. Impact of matrix stiffness on fibroblast function. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2017; 74:146-151. [PMID: 28254279 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Chronic non-healing wounds, caused by impaired production of growth factors and reduced vascularization, represent a significant burden to patients, health care professionals, and health care system. While several wound dressing biomaterials have been developed, the impact of the mechanical properties of the dressings on the residing cells and consequently on the healing of the wounds is largely overlooked. The primary focus of this study is to explore whether manipulation of the substrate mechanics can regulate the function of fibroblasts, particularly in the context of their angiogenic activity. A photocrosslinkable hydrogel platform with orthogonal control over gel modulus and cell adhesive sites was developed to explore the quantitative relationship between ECM compliance and fibroblast function. Increase in matrix stiffness resulted in enhanced fibroblast proliferation and stress fiber formation. However, the angiogenic activity of fibroblasts was found to be optimum when the cells were seeded on compliant matrices. Thus, the observations suggest that the stiffness of the wound dressing material may play an important role in the progression of wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hichem El-Mohri
- Bioengineering Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Dearborn, 4901 Evergreen Road, Dearborn, MI 48128, United States
| | - Yang Wu
- Bioengineering Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Dearborn, 4901 Evergreen Road, Dearborn, MI 48128, United States
| | - Swetaparna Mohanty
- Bioengineering Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Dearborn, 4901 Evergreen Road, Dearborn, MI 48128, United States
| | - Gargi Ghosh
- Bioengineering Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Dearborn, 4901 Evergreen Road, Dearborn, MI 48128, United States.
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