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Starodubtseva MN, Shkliarava NM, Chelnokova IA, Villalba MI, Krylov AY, Nadyrov EA, Kasas S. Mechanical Properties and Nanomotion of BT-20 and ZR-75 Breast Cancer Cells Studied by Atomic Force Microscopy and Optical Nanomotion Detection Method. Cells 2023; 12:2362. [PMID: 37830577 PMCID: PMC10572077 DOI: 10.3390/cells12192362] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells of two molecular genetic types of breast cancer-hormone-dependent breast cancer (ZR-75 cell line) and triple-negative breast cancer (BT-20 cell line)-were studied using atomic force microscopy and an optical nanomotion detection method. Using the Peak Force QNM and Force Volume AFM modes, we revealed the unique patterns of the dependence of Young's modulus on the indentation depth for two cancer cell lines that correlate with the features of the spatial organization of the actin cytoskeleton. Within a 200-300 nm layer just under the cell membrane, BT-20 cells are stiffer than ZR-75 cells, whereas in deeper cell regions, Young's modulus of ZR-75 cells exceeds that of BT-20 cells. Two cancer cell lines also displayed a difference in cell nanomotion dynamics upon exposure to cytochalasin D, a potent actin polymerization inhibitor. The drug strongly modified the nanomotion pattern of BT-20 cells, whereas it had almost no effect on the ZR-75 cells. We are confident that nanomotion monitoring and measurement of the stiffness of cancer cells at various indentation depths deserve further studies to obtain effective predictive parameters for use in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria N. Starodubtseva
- Department of Medical and Biological Physics, Gomel State Medical University, 246000 Gomel, Belarus
- Laboratory of the Stability of Biological Systems, Radiobiology Institute of NAS of Belarus, 246007 Gomel, Belarus; (N.M.S.); (I.A.C.)
| | - Nastassia M. Shkliarava
- Laboratory of the Stability of Biological Systems, Radiobiology Institute of NAS of Belarus, 246007 Gomel, Belarus; (N.M.S.); (I.A.C.)
| | - Irina A. Chelnokova
- Laboratory of the Stability of Biological Systems, Radiobiology Institute of NAS of Belarus, 246007 Gomel, Belarus; (N.M.S.); (I.A.C.)
| | - María I. Villalba
- Laboratory of Biological Electron Microscopy, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), University of Lausanne (UNIL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; (M.I.V.); (S.K.)
- Centre Universitaire Romand de Médecine Légale, UFAM, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andrei Yu. Krylov
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Further Training and Retraining of the Personnel, State Forensic Examination Committee of the Republic of Belarus, 220033 Minsk, Belarus;
| | - Eldar A. Nadyrov
- Department of Histology, Cytology and Embryology, Gomel State Medical University, 246000 Gomel, Belarus;
| | - Sandor Kasas
- Laboratory of Biological Electron Microscopy, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), University of Lausanne (UNIL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; (M.I.V.); (S.K.)
- Centre Universitaire Romand de Médecine Légale, UFAM, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Onwudiwe K, Najera J, Holen L, Burchett AA, Rodriguez D, Zarodniuk M, Siri S, Datta M. Single-cell mechanical analysis reveals viscoelastic similarities between normal and neoplastic brain cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.23.559055. [PMID: 37808779 PMCID: PMC10557591 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.23.559055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Understanding cancer cell mechanics allows for the identification of novel disease mechanisms, diagnostic biomarkers, and targeted therapies. In this study, we utilized our previously established fluid shear stress assay to investigate and compare the viscoelastic properties of normal immortalized human astrocytes (IHAs) and invasive human glioblastoma (GBM) cells when subjected to physiological levels of shear stress that are present in the brain microenvironment. We used a parallel-flow microfluidic shear system and a camera-coupled optical microscope to expose single cells to fluid shear stress and monitor the resulting deformation in real-time, respectively. From the video-rate imaging, we fed cell deformation information from digital image correlation into a three-parameter generalized Maxwell model to quantify the nuclear and cytoplasmic viscoelastic properties of single cells. We further quantified actin cytoskeleton density and alignment in IHAs and GBM cells via immunofluorescence microscopy and image analysis techniques. Results from our study show that contrary to the behavior of many extracranial cells, normal and cancerous brain cells do not exhibit significant differences in their viscoelastic behavior. Moreover, we also found that the viscoelastic properties of the nucleus and cytoplasm as well as the actin cytoskeletal densities of both brain cell types are similar. Our work suggests that malignant GBM cells exhibit unique mechanical behaviors not seen in other cancer cell types. These results warrant future study to elucidate the distinct biophysical characteristics of the brain and reveal novel mechanical attributes of GBM and other primary brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Killian Onwudiwe
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Julian Najera
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Luke Holen
- Department of Pre-Professional Studies, College of Science, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Alice A. Burchett
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Dorielis Rodriguez
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00918, USA
| | - Maksym Zarodniuk
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Saeed Siri
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Meenal Datta
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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Ezenwafor T, Anye V, Madukwe J, Amin S, Obayemi J, Odusanya O, Soboyejo W. Nanoindentation study of the viscoelastic properties of human triple negative breast cancer tissues: Implications for mechanical biomarkers. Acta Biomater 2023; 158:374-392. [PMID: 36640950 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents the results of a combined experimental and theoretical study of the structure and viscoelastic properties of human non-tumorigenic mammary breast tissues and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) tissues of different histological grades. A combination of immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, and atomic force microscopy is used to study the actin cytoskeletal structures of non-tumorigenic and tumorigenic breast tissues (grade I to grade III). A combination of nanoindentation and statistical techniques is then used to measure viscoelastic properties of non-tumorigenic and human TNBC of different histological grades. A Standard Fluid Model/Anti-Zener Model II is also used to characterize the viscoelastic properties of the non-tumorigenic and tumorigenic TNBC tissues of different grades. The implications of the results are discussed for the potential application of nanoindentation and statistical deconvolution techniques to the development of mechanical biomarkers for TNBC detection/cancer diagnosis. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: There is increasing interest in the development of mechanical biomarkers for cancer diagnosis. Here, we show that nanoindentation techniques can be used to characterize the viscoelastic properties of normal breast tissue and TNBC tissues of different histological grades. The Standard Fluid Model (Anti-Zener Model II) is used to classify the viscoelastic properties of breast tissues of different TNBC histological grades. Our results suggest that breast tissue and TNBC tissue viscoelastic properties can be used as mechanical biomarkers for the detection of TNBC at different stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Ezenwafor
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology, Km 10 Airport Road, Galadimawa, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria; NASENI Centre of Excellence in Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Km 4, Ondo Road, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria; Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 60 Prescott Street, Gateway Park Life Sciences and Bioengineering Centre, Worcester, MA 01609, United States
| | - Vitalis Anye
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology, Km 10 Airport Road, Galadimawa, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria
| | - Jonathan Madukwe
- Department of Histopathology, National Hospital Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria
| | - Said Amin
- Department of Histopathology, National Hospital Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria
| | - John Obayemi
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 60 Prescott Street, Gateway Park Life Sciences and Bioengineering Centre, Worcester, MA 01609, United States
| | - Olushola Odusanya
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology, Km 10 Airport Road, Galadimawa, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria; Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Advanced Laboratory, Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), Kwale, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Winston Soboyejo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, African University of Science and Technology, Km 10 Airport Road, Galadimawa, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria; Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 60 Prescott Street, Gateway Park Life Sciences and Bioengineering Centre, Worcester, MA 01609, United States.
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Do Tumor Mechanical Stresses Promote Cancer Immune Escape? Cells 2022; 11:cells11233840. [PMID: 36497097 PMCID: PMC9740277 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune evasion-a well-established cancer hallmark-is a major barrier to immunotherapy efficacy. While the molecular mechanisms and biological consequences underpinning immune evasion are largely known, the role of tissue mechanical stresses in these processes warrants further investigation. The tumor microenvironment (TME) features physical abnormalities (notably, increased fluid and solid pressures applied both inside and outside the TME) that drive cancer mechanopathologies. Strikingly, in response to these mechanical stresses, cancer cells upregulate canonical immune evasion mechanisms, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and autophagy. Consideration and characterization of the origins and consequences of tumor mechanical stresses in the TME may yield novel strategies to combat immunotherapy resistance. In this Perspective, we posit that tumor mechanical stresses-namely fluid shear and solid stresses-induce immune evasion by upregulating EMT and autophagy. In addition to exploring the basis for our hypothesis, we also identify explicit gaps in the field that need to be addressed in order to directly demonstrate the existence and importance of this biophysical relationship. Finally, we propose that reducing or neutralizing fluid shear stress and solid stress-induced cancer immune escape may improve immunotherapy outcomes.
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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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Dadhich R, Kapoor S. Lipidomic and Membrane Mechanical Signatures in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Scope for Membrane-Based Theranostics. Mol Cell Biochem 2022; 477:2507-2528. [PMID: 35595957 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-022-04459-4] [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: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive form of breast cancer associated with poor prognosis, higher grade, and a high rate of metastatic occurrence. Limited therapeutic interventions and the compounding issue of drug resistance in triple-negative breast cancer warrants the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and diagnostic modules. To this view, in addition to proteins, lipids also regulate cellular functions via the formation of membranes that modulate membrane protein function, diffusion, and their localization; thus, orchestrating signaling hot spots enriched in specific lipids/proteins on cell membranes. Lipid deregulation in cancer leads to reprogramming of the membrane dynamics and functions impacting cell proliferation, metabolism, and metastasis, providing exciting starting points for developing lipid-based approaches for treating TNBC. In this review, we provide a detailed account of specific lipidic changes in breast cancer, link the altered lipidome with membrane structure and mechanical properties, and describe how these are linked to subsequent downstream functions implicit in cancer progression, metastasis, and chemoresistance. At the fundamental level, we discuss how the lipid-centric findings in TNBC are providing cues for developing lipid-inspired theranostic strategies while bridging existing gaps in our understanding of the functional involvement of lipid membranes in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchika Dadhich
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Shobhna Kapoor
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India. .,Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, 739-8528, Japan.
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Onwudiwe K, Obayemi J, Hu J, Oparah J, Onyekanne C, Nwazojie C, Aina T, Uzonwanne V, Salifu A, Soboyejo W. Investigation of creep properties and the cytoskeletal structures of non-tumorigenic breast cells and triple-negative breast cancer cells. J Biomed Mater Res A 2021; 110:1004-1020. [PMID: 34967111 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
This article presents the correlation of creep and viscoelastic properties to the cytoskeletal structure of both tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic cells. Unique shear assay and strain mapping techniques were used to study the creep and viscoelastic properties of single non-tumorigenic and tumorigenic cells. At least 20 individual cells, three locations per cell, were studied. From the results, lower densities in the volume of actin, and keratin 18 structures were observed with the progression of cancer and were correlated to the increased creep rates and reduced mechanical properties (Young's moduli and viscosities) of tumorigenic (MDA-MB-231) cells. The study reveals significant differences between the creep and viscoelastic properties of non-tumorigenic breast cells versus tumorigenic cells. The variations in the creep strain rates are shown to be well characterized by lognormal distributions, while the statistical variations in the viscoelastic properties are well-described by normal distributions. The implications of the results are discussed for the study of discrete cell behaviors, strain and viscoelastic responses of the cell, and the role of cell cytoskeleton in the onset and progression of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Killian Onwudiwe
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Biomaterials Lab, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - John Obayemi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Gateway Park Life Sciences Center, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jingjie Hu
- Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.,Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Josephine Oparah
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Biomaterials Lab, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Chinyerem Onyekanne
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Biomaterials Lab, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Chukwudalu Nwazojie
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Biomaterials Lab, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Toyin Aina
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Biomaterials Lab, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Vanessa Uzonwanne
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ali Salifu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Gateway Park Life Sciences Center, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Winston Soboyejo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Biomaterials Lab, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Nigeria.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Gateway Park Life Sciences Center, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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