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Alvear-Hernandez NP, Hernández-Ramírez VI, Villegas-Pineda JC, Osorio-Trujillo JC, Guzmán-Mendoza JJ, Gallardo-Rincón D, Toledo-Leyva A, Talamás-Rohana P. Overexpression of Fut 2, 4, and 8, and nuclear localization of Fut 4 in ovarian cancer cell lines induced by ascitic fluids from epithelial ovarian cancer patients. Cell Biol Int 2024; 48:610-625. [PMID: 38263584 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12132] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Fucosyltransferases (Fut) regulate the fucosylation process associated with tumorogenesis in different cancer types. Ascitic fluid (AF) from patients diagnosed with advanced stage of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is considered as a dynamic tumor microenvironment associated with poor prognosis. Previous studies from our laboratory showed increased fucosylation in SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3, cancer-derived cell lines, when these cells were incubated with AFs derived from patients diagnosed with EOC. In the present work we studied three fucosyltransferases (Fut 2, Fut 4, and Fut 8) in SKOV-3, OVCAR-3 and CAOV-3 cell lines in combination with five different AFs from patients diagnosed with this disease, confirming that all tested AFs increased fucosylation. Then, we demonstrate that mRNAs of these three enzymes were overexpressed in the three cell lines under treatment with AFs. SKOV-3 showed the higher overexpression of Fut 2, Fut 4, and Fut 8 in comparison with the control condition. We further confirmed, in the SKOV-3 cell line, by endpoint PCR, WB, and confocal microscopy, that the three enzymes were overexpressed, being Fut 4 the most overexpressed enzyme compared to Fut 2 and Fut 8. These enzymes were concentrated in vesicular structures with a homogeneous distribution pattern throughout the cytoplasm. Moreover, we found that among the three enzymes, only Fut 4 was located inside the nuclei. The nuclear location of Fut 4 was confirmed for the three cell lines. These results allow to propose Fut 2, Fut 4, and Fut 8 as potential targets for EOC treatment or as diagnostic tools for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayely Paulina Alvear-Hernandez
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Gustavo A Madero, Mexico
| | | | - Julio César Villegas-Pineda
- Departamento de Microbiología y, Patología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México
| | - Juan Carlos Osorio-Trujillo
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Gustavo A Madero, Mexico
| | - José Jesús Guzmán-Mendoza
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Gustavo A Madero, Mexico
| | | | - Alfredo Toledo-Leyva
- Unidad de Investigación en Virología y Cáncer, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Patricia Talamás-Rohana
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Gustavo A Madero, Mexico
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Khademi R, Malekzadeh H, Bahrami S, Saki N, Khademi R, Villa-Diaz LG. Regulation and Functions of α6-Integrin (CD49f) in Cancer Biology. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3466. [PMID: 37444576 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133466] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades, our knowledge of integrins has evolved from being understood as simple cell surface adhesion molecules to receptors that have a complex range of intracellular and extracellular functions, such as delivering chemical and mechanical signals to cells. Consequently, they actively control cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Dysregulation of integrin signaling is a major factor in the development and progression of many tumors. Many reviews have covered the broader integrin family in molecular and cellular studies and its roles in diseases. Nevertheless, further understanding of the mechanisms specific to an individual subunit of different heterodimers is more useful. Thus, we describe the current understanding of and exploratory investigations on the α6-integrin subunit (CD49f, VLA6; encoded by the gene itga6) in normal and cancer cells. The roles of ITGA6 in cell adhesion, stemness, metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance, and as a diagnosis biomarker, are discussed. The role of ITGA6 differs based on several features, such as cell background, cancer type, and post-transcriptional alterations. In addition, exosomal ITGA6 also implies metastatic organotropism. The importance of ITGA6 in the progression of a number of cancers, including hematological malignancies, suggests its potential usage as a novel prognostic or diagnostic marker and useful therapeutic target for better clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahele Khademi
- Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Expert Group (SRMEG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran 1419733151, Iran
- Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (Immuno_TACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran 1419733151, Iran
| | - Hossein Malekzadeh
- Department of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 6135715794, Iran
| | - Sara Bahrami
- Resident of Restorative Dentistry, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin 3419759811, Iran
| | - Najmaldin Saki
- Thalassemia & Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 6135715794, Iran
| | - Reyhane Khademi
- Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Expert Group (SRMEG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran 1419733151, Iran
- Immunology Board for Transplantation and Cell-Based Therapeutics (Immuno_TACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran 1419733151, Iran
- Thalassemia & Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 6135715794, Iran
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Para-Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 6135715794, Iran
| | - Luis G Villa-Diaz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309, USA
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Horst EN, Bregenzer ME, Mehta P, Snyder CS, Repetto T, Yang-Hartwich Y, Mehta G. Personalized models of heterogeneous 3D epithelial tumor microenvironments: Ovarian cancer as a model. Acta Biomater 2021; 132:401-420. [PMID: 33940195 PMCID: PMC8969826 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.04.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Intractable human diseases such as cancers, are context dependent, unique to both the individual patient and to the specific tumor microenvironment. However, conventional cancer treatments are often nonspecific, targeting global similarities rather than unique drivers. This limits treatment efficacy across heterogeneous patient populations and even at different tumor locations within the same patient. Ultimately, this poor efficacy can lead to adverse clinical outcomes and the development of treatment-resistant relapse. To prevent this and improve outcomes, it is necessary to be selective when choosing a patient's optimal adjuvant treatment. In this review, we posit the use of personalized, tumor-specific models (TSM) as tools to achieve this remarkable feat. First, using ovarian cancer as a model disease, we outline the heterogeneity and complexity of both the cellular and extracellular components in the tumor microenvironment. Then we examine the advantages and disadvantages of contemporary cancer models and the rationale for personalized TSM. We discuss how to generate precision 3D models through careful and detailed analysis of patient biopsies. Finally, we provide clinically relevant applications of these versatile personalized cancer models to highlight their potential impact. These models are ideal for a myriad of fundamental cancer biology and translational studies. Importantly, these approaches can be extended to other carcinomas, facilitating the discovery of new therapeutics that more effectively target the unique aspects of each individual patient's TME. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this article, we have presented the case for the application of biomaterials in developing personalized models of complex diseases such as cancers. TSM could bring about breakthroughs in the promise of precision medicine. The critical components of the diverse tumor microenvironments, that lead to treatment failures, include cellular- and extracellular matrix- heterogeneity, and biophysical signals to the cells. Therefore, we have described these dynamic components of the tumor microenvironments, and have highlighted how contemporary biomaterials can be utilized to create personalized in vitro models of cancers. We have also described the application of the TSM to predict the dynamic patterns of disease progression, and predict effective therapies that can produce durable responses, limit relapses, and treat any minimal residual disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric N Horst
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Michael E Bregenzer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Pooja Mehta
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Catherine S Snyder
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Taylor Repetto
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Yang Yang-Hartwich
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, United States
| | - Geeta Mehta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Macromolecular Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Precision Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States.
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Tofani LB, Sousa LO, Luiz MT, Abriata JP, Marchetti JM, Leopoldino AM, Swiech K. Generation of a Three-Dimensional in Vitro Ovarian Cancer Co-Culture Model for Drug Screening Assays. J Pharm Sci 2021; 110:2629-2636. [PMID: 33848527 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In vitro 3D culture models have emerged in the cancer field due to their ability to recapitulate characteristics of the in vivo tumor. Herein, we described the establishment and characterization of 3D multicellular spheroids using ovarian cancer cells (SKOV-3) in co-culture with mesenchymal cells (MUC-9) or fibroblasts (CCD27-Sk). We demonstrated that SKOV-3 cells in co-culture were able to form regular and compact spheroids with diameters ranging from 300 to 400 µm and with a roundness close to 1.0 regardless of the type of stromal cell used. In the 3D culture an increase was not observed in spheroid diameter nor was there significant cell growth. What is more, the 3D co-cultures presented an up regulation of genes related to tumorigenesis, angiogenesis and metastases (MMP2, VEGFA, SNAI1, ZEB1 and VIM) when compared with 2D and 3D monoculture. As expected, both 3D cultures (mono and co-cultures) exhibited a higher Paclitaxel chemoresistance when compared to 2D condition. Although we did not observe differences in the Paclitaxel resistance between the 3D mono and co-cultures, the gene expression results indicate that the presence of mesenchymal cells and fibroblasts better recapitulate the in vivo tumor microenvironment, being able, therefore, to more accurately evaluate drug efficacy for ovarian cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Bueno Tofani
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida do Café w/n, Ribeirão Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Oliveira Sousa
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida do Café w/n, Ribeirão Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcela Tavares Luiz
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida do Café w/n, Ribeirão Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Palma Abriata
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida do Café w/n, Ribeirão Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana Maldonado Marchetti
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida do Café w/n, Ribeirão Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andréia Machado Leopoldino
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida do Café w/n, Ribeirão Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kamilla Swiech
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida do Café w/n, Ribeirão Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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Wu A, Zhang S, Liu J, Huang Y, Deng W, Shu G, Yin G. Integrated Analysis of Prognostic and Immune Associated Integrin Family in Ovarian Cancer. Front Genet 2020; 11:705. [PMID: 32765584 PMCID: PMC7379341 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Human integrin receptors are important for cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion in normal epithelial cells. Emerging evidences have indicated integrin members are involved in cancer development and progression as well. However, the expression patterns and clinical significance of the whole integrin family in ovarian cancer (OC) have not yet been well understood. In the present study, we utilized the public datasets including GEPIA, GEO, ONCOMINE, cBioPortal, Kaplan-Meier Plotter, TIMER databases, to analyze the expression and prognostic value of integrin members in OC. We found ITGA3/B4/B6/B7/B8 were abnormally overexpressed in OC; ITGA6 was good prognosis predictor in OC; ITGA3/ B4/B8 were poor prognosis predictor specially in advanced OC patients; elevated ITGA3/B4 might promote metastasis and elevated ITGA3/B8 might promote platinum resistance of OC; ITGA3 and ITGB4 might synergistically or independently regulate cell adhesion and proliferation; ITGA4/AL/AM/AX/B2/B7 showed strong correlations with various tumor immune infiltrates (TILs), especially with pro-tumor immunes cell types like monocyte, M2 macrophage and exhaustion T cells infiltration; ITGAL/AM/B2/B7 and residing memory CD8+ T cells marker ITGAE were specially associated with early OC patients outcome. Our results implied that ITGA3/B4 were important prognostic markers of advanced OC, ITGAL/AM/ B2/B7 were immune associated prognosis markers of early OC, together they might render important therapeutic targets for OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Wu
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Sai Zhang
- Deparment of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiaqi Liu
- Deparment of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yifeng Huang
- Department of Anesthesia, School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenyu Deng
- Departmemt of Nursing, School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Guang Shu
- Deparment of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Gang Yin
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Deparment of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Ascites from Ovarian Cancer Induces Novel Fucosylated Proteins. CANCER MICROENVIRONMENT 2019; 12:181-195. [PMID: 31267484 DOI: 10.1007/s12307-019-00227-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is considered to be the most lethal type of gynecological cancer. During the advanced stages of ovarian cancer, an accumulation of ascites is observed. Fucosylation has been classified as an abnormal post-translational modification that is present in many diseases, including ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer cells that are cultured with ascites stimulation change their morphology; concomitantly, the fucosylation process is altered. However, it is not known which fucosylated proteins are modified. The goal of this work was to identify the differentially fucosylated proteins that are expressed by ovarian cancer cell lines that are cultured with ovarian cancer patients' ascites. Aleuria aurantia lectin was used to detect fucosylation, and some changes were observed, especially in the cell membrane. Affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) were used to identify 6 fucosylated proteins. Four proteins (Intermediate filament family orphan 1 [IFFO1], PHD finger protein 20-like protein 1 [PHF20L1], immunoglobulin gamma 1 heavy chain variable region partial [IGHV1-2], and Zinc finger protein 224 [ZNF224]) were obtained from cell cultures stimulated with ascites, and the other two proteins (Peregrin [BRPF1] and Dystrobrevin alpha [DTNA]) were obtained under normal culture conditions. The fucosylated state of some of these proteins was further analyzed. The experimental results show that the ascites of ovarian cancer patients modulated the fucosylation process. The PHD finger protein 20-like protein 1, Zinc finger protein 224 and Peregrin proteins colocalize with fucosylation at different levels.
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Hossein G, Halvaei S, Heidarian Y, Dehghani-Ghobadi Z, Hassani M, Hosseini H, Naderi N, Sheikh Hassani S. Pectasol-C Modified Citrus Pectin targets Galectin-3-induced STAT3 activation and synergize paclitaxel cytotoxic effect on ovarian cancer spheroids. Cancer Med 2019; 8:4315-4329. [PMID: 31197964 PMCID: PMC6675724 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.2334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Here we sought to determine the relationship between STAT3 activity and Galectin‐3 (Gal‐3) and to investigate the cytotoxic effect of PectaSol‐C Modified Citrus Pectin (Pect‐MCP) as a specific competitive inhibitor of Galectin‐3 (Gal‐3) in combination with Paclitaxel (PTX) to kill the ovarian cancer cell SKOV‐3 multicellular tumor spheroid (MCTS). To this order, SKOV‐3 cells in 2D and 3D cultures were treated with exogenous Gal‐3 for the assessment of STAT3 activity. Two‐way ANOVA main effect and IC50 of each drug Paclitaxel (PTX) and Pect‐MCP or in combination were obtained from MTT assay results. The phosphorylated STAT3 levels, migration, invasion, integrin mRNA and p‐AKTser473 levels were assessed in the absence or presence of each drug alone or in combination. Gal‐3 expression levels were assessed in human serous ovarian cancer (SOC) specimens and its correlation with different integrin mRNA levels was further assessed. Our results showed that Gal‐3 expression level was significantly increased in MCTS compared to monolayer SKOV‐3 cells which triggered STAT3 phosphorylation. Moreover, Pect‐MCP synergized with PTX to kill SKOV3 MCTS through abrogation of STAT3 activity and reduced expression of its downstream target HIF‐1α, reduced integrin mRNA levels, and subsequently decreased AKT activity. There were higher expression levels of Gal‐3 in human high‐grade SOC specimens compared to the normal ovary and borderline SOC which positively and significantly correlated with α5, β2 and β6 integrin mRNA levels. Together, these results revealed for the first time that Pect‐MCP could be considered as a potential drug to enhance the PTX effect on ovarian cancer cells MCTS through inhibition of STAT3 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghamartaj Hossein
- Department of Animal Biology, Developmental Biology Laboratory, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sina Halvaei
- Department of Animal Biology, Developmental Biology Laboratory, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yassaman Heidarian
- Department of Animal Biology, Developmental Biology Laboratory, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran, Kish, Iran
| | - Zeinab Dehghani-Ghobadi
- Department of Animal Biology, Developmental Biology Laboratory, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mina Hassani
- Department of Animal Biology, Developmental Biology Laboratory, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Homa Hosseini
- Department of Animal Biology, Developmental Biology Laboratory, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Naderi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University (Medical Sciences), Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahrzad Sheikh Hassani
- Department of Gynecology Oncology Valiasr, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
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McKenzie AJ, Hicks SR, Svec KV, Naughton H, Edmunds ZL, Howe AK. The mechanical microenvironment regulates ovarian cancer cell morphology, migration, and spheroid disaggregation. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7228. [PMID: 29740072 PMCID: PMC5940803 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25589-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
There is growing appreciation of the importance of the mechanical properties of the tumor microenvironment on disease progression. However, the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness and cellular mechanotransduction in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is largely unknown. Here, we investigated the effect of substrate rigidity on various aspects of SKOV3 human EOC cell morphology and migration. Young’s modulus values of normal mouse peritoneum, a principal target tissue for EOC metastasis, were determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and hydrogels were fabricated to mimic these values. We find that cell spreading, focal adhesion formation, myosin light chain phosphorylation, and cellular traction forces all increase on stiffer matrices. Substrate rigidity also positively regulates random cell migration and, importantly, directional increases in matrix tension promote SKOV3 cell durotaxis. Matrix rigidity also promotes nuclear translocation of YAP1, an oncogenic transcription factor associated with aggressive metastatic EOC. Furthermore, disaggregation of multicellular EOC spheroids, a behavior associated with dissemination and metastasis, is enhanced by matrix stiffness through a mechanotransduction pathway involving ROCK, actomyosin contractility, and FAK. Finally, this pattern of mechanosensitivity is maintained in highly metastatic SKOV3ip.1 cells. These results establish that the mechanical properties of the tumor microenvironment may play a role in EOC metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J McKenzie
- University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, and the University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, United States
| | - Stephanie R Hicks
- University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, and the University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, United States
| | - Kathryn V Svec
- University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, and the University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, United States
| | - Hannah Naughton
- University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, and the University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, United States
| | - Zöe L Edmunds
- University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, and the University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, United States
| | - Alan K Howe
- University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, and the University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, United States.
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The Role of Tumor Microenvironment in Chemoresistance: To Survive, Keep Your Enemies Closer. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18071586. [PMID: 28754000 PMCID: PMC5536073 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18071586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 277] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 07/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemoresistance is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer and it continues to be a challenge in cancer treatment. Chemoresistance is influenced by genetic and epigenetic alterations which affect drug uptake, metabolism and export of drugs at the cellular levels. While most research has focused on tumor cell autonomous mechanisms of chemoresistance, the tumor microenvironment has emerged as a key player in the development of chemoresistance and in malignant progression, thereby influencing the development of novel therapies in clinical oncology. It is not surprising that the study of the tumor microenvironment is now considered to be as important as the study of tumor cells. Recent advances in technological and analytical methods, especially ‘omics’ technologies, has made it possible to identify specific targets in tumor cells and within the tumor microenvironment to eradicate cancer. Tumors need constant support from previously ‘unsupportive’ microenvironments. Novel therapeutic strategies that inhibit such microenvironmental support to tumor cells would reduce chemoresistance and tumor relapse. Such strategies can target stromal cells, proteins released by stromal cells and non-cellular components such as the extracellular matrix (ECM) within the tumor microenvironment. Novel in vitro tumor biology models that recapitulate the in vivo tumor microenvironment such as multicellular tumor spheroids, biomimetic scaffolds and tumor organoids are being developed and are increasing our understanding of cancer cell-microenvironment interactions. This review offers an analysis of recent developments on the role of the tumor microenvironment in the development of chemoresistance and the strategies to overcome microenvironment-mediated chemoresistance. We propose a systematic analysis of the relationship between tumor cells and their respective tumor microenvironments and our data show that, to survive, cancer cells interact closely with tumor microenvironment components such as mesenchymal stem cells and the extracellular matrix.
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