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Jiang X, Xu S, Miao Y, Huang K, Wang B, Ding B, Zhang Z, Zhao Z, Zhang X, Shi X, Yu M, Tian F, Gan Y. Curvature-mediated rapid extravasation and penetration of nanoparticles against interstitial fluid pressure for improved drug delivery. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2319880121. [PMID: 38768353 PMCID: PMC11145294 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2319880121] [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: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Elevated interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) within pathological tissues (e.g., tumors, obstructed kidneys, and cirrhotic livers) creates a significant hindrance to the transport of nanomedicine, ultimately impairing the therapeutic efficiency. Among these tissues, solid tumors present the most challenging scenario. While several strategies through reducing tumor IFP have been devised to enhance nanoparticle delivery, few approaches focus on modulating the intrinsic properties of nanoparticles to effectively counteract IFP during extravasation and penetration, which are precisely the stages obstructed by elevated IFP. Herein, we propose an innovative solution by engineering nanoparticles with a fusiform shape of high curvature, enabling efficient surmounting of IFP barriers during extravasation and penetration within tumor tissues. Through experimental and theoretical analyses, we demonstrate that the elongated nanoparticles with the highest mean curvature outperform spherical and rod-shaped counterparts against elevated IFP, leading to superior intratumoral accumulation and antitumor efficacy. Super-resolution microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations uncover the underlying mechanisms in which the high curvature contributes to diminished drag force in surmounting high-pressure differentials during extravasation. Simultaneously, the facilitated rotational movement augments the hopping frequency during penetration. This study effectively addresses the limitations posed by high-pressure impediments, uncovers the mutual interactions between the physical properties of NPs and their environment, and presents a promising avenue for advancing cancer treatment through nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohe Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Sai Xu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Nanoscience National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing100190, China
| | - Yunqiu Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Kang Huang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Nanoscience National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing100190, China
| | - Bingqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Bingwen Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Zhuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing210023, China
| | - Zitong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng475004, China
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
| | - Xinghua Shi
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Nanoscience National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing100190, China
| | - Miaorong Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
| | - Falin Tian
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Nanoscience National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing100190, China
| | - Yong Gan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100049, China
- National Medical Products Administration Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing100050, China
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冯 唐, 杨 欣, 王 琦, 刘 肖. [Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Derived Exosomes: Key Players in Intercellular Communication Within the Tumor Microenvironment]. SICHUAN DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF SICHUAN UNIVERSITY. MEDICAL SCIENCE EDITION 2024; 55:6-12. [PMID: 38322525 PMCID: PMC10839483 DOI: 10.12182/20240160203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the world. Due to the insidious onset and rapid progression and a lack of effective treatments, the prognosis of patients with HCC is extremely poor, with the average 5-year survival rate being less than 10%. The tumor microenvironment (TME), the internal environment in which HCC develops, can regulate the oncogenesis, development, invasion, and metastasis of HCC. During the process of cancer progression, HCC cells can regulate the biological behaviors of tumor cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, cancer-associated immune cells, and other cells in the TME by releasing exosomes containing specific signals, thereby promoting cancer progression. However, the exact molecular mechanisms and the roles of exosomes in the specific cellular regulation of these processes are not fully understood. Herein, we summarized the TME components of HCC, the sources and the biological traits of exosomes in the TME, and the impact of mechanical factors on exosomes. In addition, special attention was given to the discussion of the effects of HCC-exosomes on different types of cells in the microenvironment. There are still many difficulties to be overcome before exosomes can be applied as carriers in clinical cancer treatment. First of all, the homogeneity of exosomes is difficult to ensure. Secondly, exosomes are mainly administered through subcutaneous injection. Although this method is simple and easy to implement, the absorption efficiency is not ideal. Thirdly, exosome extraction methods are limited in number and inefficient, making it difficult to prepare exosomes in large quantities. It is important to ensure that exosomes are used in sufficient quantities to trigger an effective tumor immune response, especially for exosome-mediated tumor immunotherapy. With the improvement in identification, isolation, and purification technology, exosomes are expected to be successfully used in the clinical diagnosis of early-stage HCC and the clinical treatment of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- 唐 冯
- 四川大学华西基础医学与法医学院 生物医学工程研究室 (成都 610041)Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - 欣蕊 杨
- 四川大学华西基础医学与法医学院 生物医学工程研究室 (成都 610041)Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - 琦为 王
- 四川大学华西基础医学与法医学院 生物医学工程研究室 (成都 610041)Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - 肖珩 刘
- 四川大学华西基础医学与法医学院 生物医学工程研究室 (成都 610041)Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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3
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Xin Y, Li K, Huang M, Liang C, Siemann D, Wu L, Tan Y, Tang X. Biophysics in tumor growth and progression: from single mechano-sensitive molecules to mechanomedicine. Oncogene 2023; 42:3457-3490. [PMID: 37864030 PMCID: PMC10656290 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02844-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Evidence from physical sciences in oncology increasingly suggests that the interplay between the biophysical tumor microenvironment and genetic regulation has significant impact on tumor progression. Especially, tumor cells and the associated stromal cells not only alter their own cytoskeleton and physical properties but also remodel the microenvironment with anomalous physical properties. Together, these altered mechano-omics of tumor tissues and their constituents fundamentally shift the mechanotransduction paradigms in tumorous and stromal cells and activate oncogenic signaling within the neoplastic niche to facilitate tumor progression. However, current findings on tumor biophysics are limited, scattered, and often contradictory in multiple contexts. Systematic understanding of how biophysical cues influence tumor pathophysiology is still lacking. This review discusses recent different schools of findings in tumor biophysics that have arisen from multi-scale mechanobiology and the cutting-edge technologies. These findings range from the molecular and cellular to the whole tissue level and feature functional crosstalk between mechanotransduction and oncogenic signaling. We highlight the potential of these anomalous physical alterations as new therapeutic targets for cancer mechanomedicine. This framework reconciles opposing opinions in the field, proposes new directions for future cancer research, and conceptualizes novel mechanomedicine landscape to overcome the inherent shortcomings of conventional cancer diagnosis and therapies.
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Grants
- R35 GM150812 NIGMS NIH HHS
- This work was financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project no. 11972316, Y.T.), Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission (Project no. JCYJ20200109142001798, SGDX2020110309520303, and JCYJ20220531091002006, Y.T.), General Research Fund of Hong Kong Research Grant Council (PolyU 15214320, Y. T.), Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF18191421, Y.T.), Hong Kong Polytechnic University (1-CD75, 1-ZE2M, and 1-ZVY1, Y.T.), the Cancer Pilot Research Award from UF Health Cancer Center (X. T.), the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award number R35GM150812 (X. T.), the National Science Foundation under grant number 2308574 (X. T.), the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under award number FA9550-23-1-0393 (X. T.), the University Scholar Program (X. T.), UF Research Opportunity Seed Fund (X. T.), the Gatorade Award (X. T.), and the National Science Foundation REU Site at UF: Engineering for Healthcare (Douglas Spearot and Malisa Sarntinoranont). We are deeply grateful for the insightful discussions with and generous support from all members of Tang (UF)’s and Tan (PolyU)’s laboratories and all staff members of the MAE/BME/ECE/Health Cancer Center at UF and BME at PolyU.
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)
- Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xin
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Keming Li
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Miao Huang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Chenyu Liang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Dietmar Siemann
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lizi Wu
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Youhua Tan
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
- Research Institute of Smart Ageing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Xin Tang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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4
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Wang Y, Lu H, Huang L, Li D, Qiu W, Li L, Xu G, Su M, Zhou J, Li F. Noninvasive Estimation of Tumor Interstitial Fluid Pressure from Subharmonic Scattering of Ultrasound Contrast Microbubbles. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:bios13050528. [PMID: 37232888 DOI: 10.3390/bios13050528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The noninvasive estimation of interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) using ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) microbubbles as pressure sensors will provide tumor treatments and efficacy assessments with a promising tool. This study aimed to verify the efficacy of the optimal acoustic pressure in vitro in the prediction of tumor IFPs based on UCA microbubbles' subharmonic scattering. A customized ultrasound scanner was used to generate subharmonic signals from microbubbles' nonlinear oscillations, and the optimal acoustic pressure was determined in vitro when the subharmonic amplitude reached the most sensitive to hydrostatic pressure changes. This optimal acoustic pressure was then applied to predict IFPs in tumor-bearing mouse models, which were further compared with the reference IFPs measured using a standard tissue fluid pressure monitor. An inverse linear relationship and good correlation (r = -0.853, p < 0.001) existed between the subharmonic amplitude and tumor IFPs at the optimal acoustic pressure of 555 kPa, and pressure sensitivity was 1.019 dB/mmHg. No statistical differences were found between the pressures measured by the standard device and those estimated via the subharmonic amplitude, as confirmed by cross-validation (mean absolute errors from 2.00 to 3.09 mmHg, p > 0.05). Our findings demonstrated that in vitro optimized acoustic parameters for UCA microbubbles' subharmonic scattering can be applied for the noninvasive estimation of tumor IFPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Wang
- Department of Ultrasound, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Huimin Lu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Laixin Huang
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Deyu Li
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Weibao Qiu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Lingling Li
- Department of Ultrasound, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Gang Xu
- Liver Transplant Center, Organ Transplant Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610093, China
| | - Min Su
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jianhua Zhou
- Department of Ultrasound, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Fei Li
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
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5
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Zhao B, Lv Y. A biomechanical view of epigenetic tumor regulation. J Biol Phys 2023:10.1007/s10867-023-09633-3. [PMID: 37004697 PMCID: PMC10397176 DOI: 10.1007/s10867-023-09633-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The occurrence and development of tumors depend on a complex regulation by not only biochemical cues, but also biomechanical factors in tumor microenvironment. With the development of epigenetic theory, the regulation of biomechanical stimulation on tumor progress genetically is not enough to fully illustrate the mechanism of tumorigenesis. However, biomechanical regulation on tumor progress epigenetically is still in its infancy. Therefore, it is particularly important to integrate the existing relevant researches and develop the potential exploration. This work sorted out the existing researches on the regulation of tumor by biomechanical factors through epigenetic means, which contains summarizing the tumor epigenetic regulatory mode by biomechanical factors, exhibiting the influence of epigenetic regulation under mechanical stimulation, illustrating its existing applications, and prospecting the potential. This review aims to display the relevant knowledge through integrating the existing studies on epigenetic regulation in tumorigenesis under mechanical stimulation so as to provide theoretical basis and new ideas for potential follow-up research and clinical applications. Mechanical factors under physiological conditions stimulate the tumor progress through epigenetic ways, and new strategies are expected to be found with the development of epidrugs and related delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyuan Zhao
- Mechanobiology and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonggang Lv
- State Key Laboratory of New Textile Materials and Advanced Processing Technologies, Wuhan Textile University, No. 1 Sunshine Avenue, Jiangxia District, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430200, People's Republic of China.
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Nævdal G, Rofstad EK, Søreide K, Evje S. Fluid-sensitive migration mechanisms predict association between metastasis and high interstitial fluid pressure in pancreatic cancer. J Biomech 2022; 145:111362. [PMID: 36368256 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111362] [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: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
A remarkable feature in pancreatic cancer is the propensity to metastasize early, even for small, early stage cancers. We use a computer-based pancreatic model to simulate tumor progression behavior where fluid-sensitive migration mechanisms are accounted for as a plausible driver for metastasis. The model has been trained to comply with in vitro results to determine input parameters that characterize the migration mechanisms. To mimic previously studied preclinical xenografts we run the computer model informed with an ensemble of stochastic-generated realizations of unknown parameters related to tumor microenvironment only constrained such that pathological realistic values for interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) are obtained. The in silico model suggests the occurrence of a steady production of small clusters of cancer cells that detach from the primary tumor and form isolated islands and thereby creates a natural prerequisite for a strong invasion into the lymph nodes and venous system. The model predicts that this behavior is associated with high interstitial fluid pressure (IFP), consistent with published experimental findings. The continuum-based model is the first to explain published results for preclinical models which have reported associations between high IFP and high metastatic propensity and thereby serves to shed light on possible mechanisms behind the clinical aggressiveness of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geir Nævdal
- NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS, Bergen, Norway
| | - Einar K Rofstad
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kjetil Søreide
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway; Gastrointestinal Translational Research Group, Laboratory for Molecular medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Norway
| | - Steinar Evje
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Group of Computational Engineering, University of Stavanger, Norway.
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Barui S, Percivalle NM, Conte M, Dumontel B, Racca L, Carofiglio M, Cauda V. Development of doped ZnO-based biomimicking and tumor-targeted nanotheranostics to improve pancreatic cancer treatment. Cancer Nanotechnol 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s12645-022-00140-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractDespite different nanomaterials were developed so far against cancer, their potential drawbacks are still scarcely considered. The off-target delivery of a therapeutic compound, as well as the non-specific uptake of these nanomaterials by healthy tissues or organs, and their potential immunogenicity are some of the major issues that still have to be faced prior to a successful clinical translation. This work aims to develop an innovative theranostic, biocompatible, and drug-loaded nanoconstruct based on Gadolinium-doped Zinc Oxide (ZnO-Gd) nanocrystals (NCs), focusing on one of the most lethal diseases, i.e., pancreatic cancer. The use of zinc oxide is motivated by the huge potential of this nanomaterial already demonstrated for in vitro and in vivo applications, while the Gadolinium doping confers magnetic properties useful for diagnostics. Furthermore, an innovative biomimetic shell is here used to coat the NCs: it is composed of a lipid bilayer made from extracellular vesicles (EVs) combined with other synthetic lipids and a peptide targeting the pancreatic tumor microenvironment. To complete the nanoconstruct therapeutic function, Gemcitabine, a first-line drug for pancreatic cancer treatment, was adsorbed on the ZnO-Gd NCs prior to the coating with the above-mentioned lipidic shell. The aim of this work is thus to strongly enhance the therapeutic capability of the final nanoconstruct, providing it with high biocompatibility, colloidal stability in biological media, efficient cargo loading and release properties, as well as active targeting for site-selective drug delivery. Furthermore, the magnetic properties of the ZnO-Gd NCs core can in future allow efficient in situ bioimaging capabilities based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging technique. The obtained nanoconstructs were tested on two different pancreatic cancer cell lines, i.e., BxPC-3 and the metastatic AsPC-1, proving high cell internalization levels, mediated by the targeting peptide exposed on the nanoconstruct. Cellular cytotoxicity assay performed on both cell lines dictated ~ 20% increased cell killing efficacy of Gemcitabine when delivered through the nanoconstruct rather than as a free drug. Taken together, our designed theranostic nanoconstruct can have a significant impact on the standard treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Zhang T, Jia Y, Yu Y, Zhang B, Xu F, Guo H. Targeting the tumor biophysical microenvironment to reduce resistance to immunotherapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 186:114319. [PMID: 35545136 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy based on immune checkpoint inhibitors has evolved into a new pillar of cancer treatment in clinics, but dealing with treatment resistance (either primary or acquired) is a major challenge. The tumor microenvironment (TME) has a substantial impact on the pathological behaviors and treatment response of many cancers. The biophysical clues in TME have recently been considered as important characteristics of cancer. Furthermore, there is mounting evidence that biophysical cues in TME play important roles in each step of the cascade of cancer immunotherapy that synergistically contribute to immunotherapy resistance. In this review, we summarize five main biophysical cues in TME that affect resistance to immunotherapy: extracellular matrix (ECM) structure, ECM stiffness, tumor interstitial fluid pressure (IFP), solid stress, and vascular shear stress. First, the biophysical factors involved in anti-tumor immunity and therapeutic antibody delivery processes are reviewed. Then, the causes of these five biophysical cues and how they contribute to immunotherapy resistance are discussed. Finally, the latest treatment strategies that aim to improve immunotherapy efficacy by targeting these biophysical cues are shared. This review highlights the biophysical cues that lead to immunotherapy resistance, also supplements their importance in related technologies for studying TME biophysical cues in vitro and therapeutic strategies targeting biophysical cues to improve the effects of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Yuanbo Jia
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Baojun Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Feng Xu
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China.
| | - Hui Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, PR China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China.
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Pressure increases PD-L1 expression in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells and causes resistance to anti-ROR1 CAR T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6919. [PMID: 35484298 PMCID: PMC9051206 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10905-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the abnormal vasculation and proliferation, the tumor microenvironment is hypoxic, lacking nutrients, and under high interstitial pressure. Compared to oxygen and nutrients, the effect of pressure on cancer biology remains poorly studied. Here we constructed αROR1-CAR T cells and co-cultured with A549 cells with and without elevated pressure. We then measured apoptosis and cell death by flow cytometry and luciferase activity. We also measured cytokine (IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) release by ELISA. The results show that pressure-preconditioned A549 cells are much resistant to αROR1-CAR T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Pressure preconditioning does not appear to affect the expression of αROR1-CAR or cytokine production. However, pressure preconditioning upregulates PD-L1 expression in A549 cells and decreases cytokine release from αROR1-CAR T cells. In addition, Pembrolizumab and Cemiplimab that block PD-1::PD-L1 interaction increase the cytokine production in αROR1-CAR T cells, increase the apoptotic cell death in A549 cells, and improve the αROR1-CAR T-mediated cytotoxicity. In xenograft mice, pressure preconditioning increases tumorigenesis of A549 cells, which can be blocked by a combined therapy using Pembrolizumab and αROR1-CAR T cells. Together, our studies suggest that elevated pressure in the tumor microenvironment could blunt the T cell therapy by upregulating PD-L1 expression, which could be overcome by combining CAR T therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Waldeland JO, Gaustad JV, Rofstad EK, Evje S. In silico investigations of intratumoral heterogeneous interstitial fluid pressure. J Theor Biol 2021; 526:110787. [PMID: 34087266 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2021.110787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Recent preclinical studies have shown that interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) within tumors can be heterogeneous Andersen et al. (2019). In that study tumors of two xenograft models, respectively, HL-16 cervical carcinoma and Panc-1 pancreatic carcinoma, were investigated. Significant heterogeneity in IFP was reported and it was proposed that this was associated with division of tissue into compartments separated by thick connective tissue bands for the HL-16 tumors and with dense collagen-rich extracellular matrix for the Panc-1 tumors. The purpose of the current work is to explore these experimental observations by using in silico generated tumor models. We consider a mathematical multiphase model which accounts for tumor cells, fibroblasts and interstitial fluid. The model has been trained to comply with experimental in vitro results reported in Shieh et al. (2011) which has identified autologous chemotaxis, ECM remodeling, and cell-fibroblast interaction as drivers for invasive tumor cell behavior. The in silico model is informed with parameters that characterize the leaky intratumoral vascular network, the peritumoral lymphatics which collect the fluid, and the density of ECM as represented through the hydraulic conductivity of the interstitial space. Heterogeneous distribution of solid stress may result in heterogeneous compression of blood vessels and, thus, heterogeneous vascular density inside the tumor. To mimic this we expose the in silico tumor to an intratumoral vasculature whose net effect of density of blood vesssels and vessel wall conductivity is varied through a 2D Gaussian variogram constrained such that the resulting IFPs lie within the range as reported from the preclinical study. The in silico cervical carcinoma model illustrates that sparse ECM was associated with uniform intratumoral IFP in spite of heterogeneous microvascular network, whereas compartment structures resulted in more heterogeneous IFP. Similarly, the in silico pancreatic model shows that heterogeneity in the microvascular network combined with dense ECM structure prevents IFP to even out and gives rise to heterogeneous IFP. The computer model illustrates how a heterogeneous invasive front might form where groups of tumor cells detach from the primary tumor and form isolated islands, a behavior which is natural to associate with metastatic propensity. However, unlike experimental studies, the current version of the in silico model does not show an association between metastatic propensity and elevated IFP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jahn Otto Waldeland
- University of Stavanger, Faculty of Science and Technology, NO-4068 Stavanger, Norway
| | - Jon-Vidar Gaustad
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Einar K Rofstad
- Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Steinar Evje
- University of Stavanger, Faculty of Science and Technology, NO-4068 Stavanger, Norway.
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Shao J, Zheng X, Feng L, Lan T, Ding D, Cai Z, Zhu X, Liang R, Wei B. Targeting Fluorescence Imaging of RGD-Modified Indocyanine Green Micelles on Gastric Cancer. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:575365. [PMID: 33102459 PMCID: PMC7546337 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.575365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Early diagnosis and complete resection of the tumor is an important way to improve the quality of life of patients with gastric cancer. In recent years, near-infrared (NIR) materials show great potential in fluorescence-based imaging of the tumors. To realize a satisfying intraoperative fluorescence tumor imaging, there are two pre-requirements. One is to obtain a stable agent with a relatively longer circulation time. The second is to make it good biocompatible and specific targeting to the tumor. Here, we developed an RGD-modified Distearyl acylphosphatidyl ethanolamine-polyethylene glycol micelle (DSPE-PEG-RGD) to encapsulate indocyanine green (ICG) for targeting fluorescence imaging of gastric cancer, aimed at realizing tumor-targeted accumulation and NIR imaging. 1H NMR spectroscopy confirmed its molecular structure. The characteristics and stability results indicated that the DSPE-PEG-RGD@ICG had a relatively uniform size of <200 nm and longer-term fluorescence stability. RGD peptides had a high affinity to integrin αvβ3 and the specific targeting effect on SGC7901 was assessed by confocal microscopy in vitro. Additionally, the results of cytotoxicity and blood compatibility in vitro were consistent with the acute toxicity test in vivo, which revealed good biocompatibility. The biodistribution and tumor targeting image of DSPE-PEG-RGD@ICG were observed by an imaging system in tumor-bearing mice. DSPE-PEG-RGD@ICG demonstrated an improved accumulation in tumors and longer circulation time when compared with free ICG or DSPE-PEG@ICG. In all, DSPE-PEG-RGD@ICG demonstrated ideal properties for tumor target imaging, thus, providing a promising way for the detection and accurate resection of gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Shao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoming Zheng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Longbao Feng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tianyun Lan
- Central Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongbing Ding
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zikai Cai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xudong Zhu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rongpu Liang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bo Wei
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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