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Mahaffey BJ, Fowler ZP, Lung Z, Dang V, Lee H, Johnson AM, Munoz MA, Goodin DA, Frieboes HB, Williams BJ, Chen J. The prognostic effect of mechanical, ultrastructural, and ECM signatures in glioblastoma core and rim. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:036101. [PMID: 38946776 PMCID: PMC11209891 DOI: 10.1063/5.0203570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly invasive, aggressive brain cancer that carries a median survival of 15 months and is resistant to standard therapeutics. Recent studies have demonstrated that intratumoral heterogeneity plays a critical role in promoting resistance by mediating tumor adaptation through microenvironmental cues. GBM can be separated into two distinct regions-a core and a rim, which are thought to drive specific aspects of tumor evolution. These differences in tumor progression are regulated by the diverse biomolecular and biophysical signals in these regions, but the acellular biophysical characteristics remain poorly described. This study investigates the mechanical and ultrastructural characteristics of the tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) in patient-matched GBM core and rim tissues. Seven patient-matched tumor core and rim samples and one non-neoplastic control were analyzed using atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence imaging to quantify mechanical, ultrastructural, and ECM composition changes. The results reveal significant differences in biophysical parameters between GBM core, rim, and non-neoplastic tissues. The GBM core is stiffer, denser, and is rich in ECM proteins hyaluronic acid and tenascin-C when compared to tumor rim and non-neoplastic tissues. These alterations are intimately related and have prognostic effect with stiff, dense tissue correlating with longer progression-free survival. These findings reveal new insights into the spatial heterogeneity of biophysical parameters in the GBM tumor microenvironment and identify a set of characteristics that may correlate with patient prognosis. In the long term, these characteristics may aid in the development of strategies to combat therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley J. Mahaffey
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, USA
| | - Zachary P. Fowler
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, USA
| | - Zoe Lung
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, USA
| | - Vivien Dang
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
| | - Hyunchul Lee
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA
| | | | - Marco A. Munoz
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, USA
| | - Dylan A. Goodin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, USA
| | | | | | - Joseph Chen
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:. Tel.: (502) 852–3971
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Karunasagara S, Taghizadeh A, Kim SH, Kim SJ, Kim YJ, Taghizadeh M, Kim MY, Oh KY, Lee JH, Kim HS, Hyun J, Kim HW. Tissue Mechanics and Hedgehog Signaling Crosstalk as a Key Epithelial-Stromal Interplay in Cancer Development. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2400063. [PMID: 38976559 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202400063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Epithelial-stromal interplay through chemomechanical cues from cells and matrix propels cancer progression. Elevated tissue stiffness in potentially malignant tissues suggests a link between matrix stiffness and enhanced tumor growth. In this study, employing chronic oral/esophageal injury and cancer models, it is demonstrated that epithelial-stromal interplay through matrix stiffness and Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is key in compounding cancer development. Epithelial cells actively interact with fibroblasts, exchanging mechanoresponsive signals during the precancerous stage. Specifically, epithelial cells release Sonic Hh, activating fibroblasts to produce matrix proteins and remodeling enzymes, resulting in tissue stiffening. Subsequently, basal epithelial cells adjacent to the stiffened tissue become proliferative and undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, acquiring migratory and invasive properties, thereby promoting invasive tumor growth. Notably, transcriptomic programs of oncogenic GLI2, mechano-activated by actin cytoskeletal tension, govern this process, elucidating the crucial role of non-canonical GLI2 activation in orchestrating the proliferation and mesenchymal transition of epithelial cells. Furthermore, pharmacological intervention targeting tissue stiffening proves highly effective in slowing cancer progression. These findings underscore the impact of epithelial-stromal interplay through chemo-mechanical (Hh-stiffness) signaling in cancer development, and suggest that targeting tissue stiffness holds promise as a strategy to disrupt chemo-mechanical feedback, enabling effective cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanika Karunasagara
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Ali Taghizadeh
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hyun Kim
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science & Technology, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - So Jung Kim
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Jae Kim
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Mohsen Taghizadeh
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Moon-Young Kim
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu-Young Oh
- Department of Oral Pathology, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hwan Lee
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Mechanobiology Dental Medicine Research Center, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- UCL Eastman-Korea Dental Medicine Innovation Centre, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomaterials Science, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Cell & Matter Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Sung Kim
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Mechanobiology Dental Medicine Research Center, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- UCL Eastman-Korea Dental Medicine Innovation Centre, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongeun Hyun
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Mechanobiology Dental Medicine Research Center, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- UCL Eastman-Korea Dental Medicine Innovation Centre, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Regenerative Dental Medicine, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae-Won Kim
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Mechanobiology Dental Medicine Research Center, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- UCL Eastman-Korea Dental Medicine Innovation Centre, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Regenerative Dental Medicine, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
- Cell & Matter Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
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Aydin HB, Ozcelikkale A, Acar A. Exploiting Matrix Stiffness to Overcome Drug Resistance. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024. [PMID: 38967485 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.4c00445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Drug resistance is arguably one of the biggest challenges facing cancer research today. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of drug resistance in tumor progression and metastasis are essential in developing better treatment modalities. Given the matrix stiffness affecting the mechanotransduction capabilities of cancer cells, characterization of the related signal transduction pathways can provide a better understanding for developing novel therapeutic strategies. In this review, we aimed to summarize the recent advancements in tumor matrix biology in parallel to therapeutic approaches targeting matrix stiffness and its consequences in cellular processes in tumor progression and metastasis. The cellular processes governed by signal transduction pathways and their aberrant activation may result in activating the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, cancer stemness, and autophagy, which can be attributed to drug resistance. Developing therapeutic strategies to target these cellular processes in cancer biology will offer novel therapeutic approaches to tailor better personalized treatment modalities for clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hakan Berk Aydin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Altug Ozcelikkale
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Middle East Technical University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
- Graduate Program of Biomedical Engineering, Middle East Technical University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Acar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
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Ijima S, Saito Y, Yamamoto S, Nagaoka K, Iwamoto T, Kita A, Miyajima M, Sato T, Miyazaki A, Chikenji TS. Senescence-associated secretory phenotypes in mesenchymal cells contribute to cytotoxic immune response in oral lichen planus. Immun Ageing 2023; 20:72. [PMID: 38053160 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-023-00400-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory condition that adversely affects the oral mucosa; however, its etiology remains elusive. Consequently, therapeutic interventions for oral lichen planus are limited to symptomatic management. This study provides evidence of the accumulation of senescent mesenchymal cells, CD8 + T cells, and natural killer cells in patients with oral lichen planus. We profiled the patients' tissues using the National Center for Biotechnology Information Gene Expression Omnibus database and found that senescence-related genes were upregulated in these tissues by gene set enrichment analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis showed increased senescent mesenchymal cells in the subepithelial layer of patients with oral lichen planus. Single-cell RNA-seq data retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus database of patients with oral lichen planus revealed that mesenchymal cells were marked by the upregulation of senescence-related genes. Cell-cell communication analysis using CellChat showed that senescent mesenchymal cells significantly influenced CD8 + T cells and natural killer cells via CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling, which is known to activate and recruit CD8 + T cells and NK cells. Finally, in vitro assays demonstrated that the secretion of senescence-associated factors from mesenchymal cells stimulated the activation of T cells and natural killer cells and promoted epithelial cell senescence and cytotoxicity. These findings suggest that the accumulation of mesenchymal cells with senescence-associated secretory phenotype may be a key driver of oral lichen planus pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shogo Ijima
- Department of Oral Surgery, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
| | - Yuki Saito
- Department of Anatomy, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan.
| | - Sena Yamamoto
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Kentaro Nagaoka
- Department of Anatomy, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
| | - Taiki Iwamoto
- Department of Anatomy, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
| | - Arisa Kita
- Department of Anatomy, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
| | - Maki Miyajima
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Sato
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Akihiro Miyazaki
- Department of Oral Surgery, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
| | - Takako S Chikenji
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan.
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Mowla A, Belford R, Köhn-Gaone J, Main N, Tirnitz-Parker JEE, Yeoh GC, Kennedy BF. Biomechanical assessment of chronic liver injury using quantitative micro-elastography. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2022; 13:5050-5066. [PMID: 36187256 PMCID: PMC9484444 DOI: 10.1364/boe.467684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most lethal cancers worldwide, causing almost 700,000 deaths annually. It mainly arises from cirrhosis, which, in turn, results from chronic injury to liver cells and corresponding fibrotic changes. Although it is known that chronic liver injury increases the elasticity of liver tissue, the role of increased elasticity of the microenvironment as a possible hepatocarcinogen is yet to be investigated. One reason for this is the paucity of imaging techniques capable of mapping the micro-scale elasticity variation in liver and correlating that with cancerous mechanisms on the cellular scale. The clinical techniques of ultrasound elastography and magnetic resonance elastography typically do not provide micro-scale resolution, while atomic force microscopy can only assess the elasticity of a limited number of cells. We propose quantitative micro-elastography (QME) for mapping the micro-scale elasticity of liver tissue into images known as micro-elastograms, and therefore, as a technique capable of correlating the micro-environment elasticity of tissue with cellular scale cancerous mechanisms in liver. We performed QME on 13 freshly excised healthy and diseased mouse livers and present micro-elastograms, together with co-registered histology, in four representative cases. Our results indicate a significant increase in the mean (×6.3) and standard deviation (×6.0) of elasticity caused by chronic liver injury and demonstrate that the onset and progression of pathological features such as fibrosis, hepatocyte damage, and immune cell infiltration correlate with localized variations in micro-elastograms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Mowla
- BRITElab, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- Department of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Rose Belford
- BRITElab, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- Department of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Julia Köhn-Gaone
- Curtin Medical School & Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Nathan Main
- Curtin Medical School & Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Janina E. E. Tirnitz-Parker
- Curtin Medical School & Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
- Centre for Medical Research, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - George C. Yeoh
- Centre for Medical Research, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Brendan F. Kennedy
- BRITElab, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- Department of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre for Personalised Therapeutics Technologies, Australia
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Microenvironment in Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders: Multi-Dimensional Characteristics and Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168940. [PMID: 36012205 PMCID: PMC9409092 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) are a group of diseases involving the oral mucosa and that have a risk of carcinogenesis. The microenvironment is closely related to carcinogenesis and cancer progression by regulating the immune response, cell metabolic activities, and mechanical characteristics. Meanwhile, there are extensive interactions between the microenvironments that remodel and provide favorable conditions for cancer initiation. However, the changes, exact roles, and interactions of microenvironments during the carcinogenesis of OPMDs have not been fully elucidated. Here, we present an updated landscape of the microenvironments in OPMDs, emphasizing the changes in the immune microenvironment, metabolic microenvironment, mechanical microenvironment, and neural microenvironment during carcinogenesis and their carcinogenic mechanisms. We then propose an immuno–metabolic–mechanical–neural interaction network to describe their close relationships. Lastly, we summarize the therapeutic strategies for targeting microenvironments, and provide an outlook on future research directions and clinical applications. This review depicts a vivid microenvironment landscape and sheds light on new strategies to prevent the carcinogenesis of OPMDs.
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Wei J, Yao J, Yan M, Xie Y, Liu P, Mao Y, Li X. The role of matrix stiffness in cancer stromal cell fate and targeting therapeutic strategies. Acta Biomater 2022; 150:34-47. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Mechanical Properties of the Extracellular Environment of Human Brain Cells Drive the Effectiveness of Drugs in Fighting Central Nervous System Cancers. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12070927. [PMID: 35884733 PMCID: PMC9313046 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12070927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The evaluation of nanomechanical properties of tissues in health and disease is of increasing interest to scientists. It has been confirmed that these properties, determined in part by the composition of the extracellular matrix, significantly affect tissue physiology and the biological behavior of cells, mainly in terms of their adhesion, mobility, or ability to mutate. Importantly, pathophysiological changes that determine disease development within the tissue usually result in significant changes in tissue mechanics that might potentially affect the drug efficacy, which is important from the perspective of development of new therapeutics, since most of the currently used in vitro experimental models for drug testing do not account for these properties. Here, we provide a summary of the current understanding of how the mechanical properties of brain tissue change in pathological conditions, and how the activity of the therapeutic agents is linked to this mechanical state.
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Cathelicidin LL-37 in Health and Diseases of the Oral Cavity. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051086. [PMID: 35625823 PMCID: PMC9138798 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms for maintaining oral cavity homeostasis are subject to the constant influence of many environmental factors, including various chemicals and microorganisms. Most of them act directly on the oral mucosa, which is the mechanical and immune barrier of the oral cavity, and such interaction might lead to the development of various oral pathologies and systemic diseases. Two important players in maintaining oral health or developing oral pathology are the oral microbiota and various immune molecules that are involved in controlling its quantitative and qualitative composition. The LL-37 peptide is an important molecule that upon release from human cathelicidin (hCAP-18) can directly perform antimicrobial action after insertion into surface structures of microorganisms and immunomodulatory function as an agonist of different cell membrane receptors. Oral LL-37 expression is an important factor in oral homeostasis that maintains the physiological microbiota but is also involved in the development of oral dysbiosis, infectious diseases (including viral, bacterial, and fungal infections), autoimmune diseases, and oral carcinomas. This peptide has also been proposed as a marker of inflammation severity and treatment outcome.
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