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Cho Y, Laird MS, Bishop T, Li R, Jazwinska DE, Ruffo E, Lohmueller J, Zervantonakis IK. CAR T cell infiltration and cytotoxic killing within the core of 3D breast cancer spheroids under the control of antigen sensing in microwell arrays. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:036105. [PMID: 39049849 PMCID: PMC11268919 DOI: 10.1063/5.0207941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in blood cancers has intensified efforts to develop CAR T therapies for solid cancers. In the solid tumor microenvironment, CAR T cell trafficking and suppression of cytotoxic killing represent limiting factors for therapeutic efficacy. Here, we present a microwell platform to study CAR T cell interactions with 3D breast tumor spheroids and determine predictors of anti-tumor CAR T cell function. To precisely control antigen sensing, we utilized a switchable adaptor CAR system that covalently attaches to co-administered antibody adaptors and mediates antigen recognition. Following the addition of an anti-HER2 adaptor antibody, primary human CAR T cells exhibited higher infiltration, clustering, and secretion of effector cytokines. By tracking CAR T cell killing in individual spheroids, we showed the suppressive effects of spheroid size and identified the initial CAR T cell to spheroid area ratio as a predictor of cytotoxicity. We demonstrate that larger spheroids exhibit higher hypoxia levels and are infiltrated by CAR T cells with a suppressed activation state, characterized by reduced expression of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and granzyme B. Spatiotemporal analysis revealed lower CAR T cell numbers and cytotoxicity in the spheroid core compared to the periphery. Finally, increasing CAR T cell seeding density resulted in higher CAR T cell infiltration and cancer cell elimination in the spheroid core. Our findings provide new quantitative insight into CAR T cell function within 3D cancer spheroids. Given its miniaturized nature and live imaging capabilities, our microfabricated system holds promise for screening cellular immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngbin Cho
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, USA
| | - Matthew S. Laird
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, USA
| | - Teddi Bishop
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, USA
| | - Ruxuan Li
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, USA
| | - Dorota E. Jazwinska
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, USA
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Atwani R, Nagare RP, Rogers A, Prasad M, Lazar V, Sandusky G, Tong Y, Pin F, Condello S. Integrin-linked kinase-frizzled 7 interaction maintains cancer stem cells to drive platinum resistance in ovarian cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:156. [PMID: 38822429 PMCID: PMC11143768 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03083-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Platinum-based chemotherapy regimens are a mainstay in the management of ovarian cancer (OC), but emergence of chemoresistance poses a significant clinical challenge. The persistence of ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSCs) at the end of primary treatment contributes to disease recurrence. Here, we hypothesized that the extracellular matrix protects CSCs during chemotherapy and supports their tumorigenic functions by activating integrin-linked kinase (ILK), a key enzyme in drug resistance. METHODS TCGA datasets and OC models were investigated using an integrated proteomic and gene expression analysis and examined ILK for correlations with chemoresistance pathways and clinical outcomes. Canonical Wnt pathway components, pro-survival signaling, and stemness were examined using OC models. To investigate the role of ILK in the OCSC-phenotype, a novel pharmacological inhibitor of ILK in combination with carboplatin was utilized in vitro and in vivo OC models. RESULTS In response to increased fibronectin secretion and integrin β1 clustering, aberrant ILK activation supported the OCSC phenotype, contributing to OC spheroid proliferation and reduced response to platinum treatment. Complexes formed by ILK with the Wnt receptor frizzled 7 (Fzd7) were detected in tumors and correlated with metastatic progression. Moreover, TCGA datasets confirmed that combined expression of ILK and Fzd7 in high grade serous ovarian tumors is correlated with reduced response to chemotherapy and poor patient outcomes. Mechanistically, interaction of ILK with Fzd7 increased the response to Wnt ligands, thereby amplifying the stemness-associated Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Notably, preclinical studies showed that the novel ILK inhibitor compound 22 (cpd-22) alone disrupted ILK interaction with Fzd7 and CSC proliferation as spheroids. Furthermore, when combined with carboplatin, this disruption led to sustained AKT inhibition, apoptotic damage in OCSCs and reduced tumorigenicity in mice. CONCLUSIONS This "outside-in" signaling mechanism is potentially actionable, and combined targeting of ILK-Fzd7 may lead to new therapeutic approaches to eradicate OCSCs and improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rula Atwani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Rohit Pravin Nagare
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Amber Rogers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Mayuri Prasad
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Virginie Lazar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - George Sandusky
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Yan Tong
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Fabrizio Pin
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Salvatore Condello
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
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VandenHeuvel SN, Chau E, Mohapatra A, Dabbiru S, Roy S, O'Connell C, Kamat A, Godin B, Raghavan SA. Macrophage Checkpoint Nanoimmunotherapy Has the Potential to Reduce Malignant Progression in Bioengineered In Vitro Models of Ovarian Cancer. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024. [PMID: 38558434 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00076] [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] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Most ovarian carcinoma (OvCa) patients present with advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. Malignant, metastatic OvCa is invasive and has poor prognosis, exposing the need for improved therapeutic targeting. High CD47 (OvCa) and SIRPα (macrophage) expression has been linked to decreased survival, making this interaction a significant target for therapeutic discovery. Even so, previous attempts have fallen short, limited by CD47 antibody specificity and efficacy. Macrophages are an important component of the OvCa tumor microenvironment and are manipulated to aid in cancer progression via CD47-SIRPα signaling. Thus, we have leveraged lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs) to design a therapy uniquely situated to home to phagocytic macrophages expressing the SIRPα protein in metastatic OvCa. CD47-SIRPα presence was evaluated in patient histological sections using immunohistochemistry. 3D tumor spheroids generated on a hanging drop array with OVCAR3 high-grade serous OvCa and THP-1-derived macrophages created a representative model of cellular interactions involved in metastatic OvCa. Microfluidic techniques were employed to generate LNPs encapsulating SIRPα siRNA (siSIRPα) to affect the CD47-SIRPα signaling between the OvCa and macrophages. siSIRPα LNPs were characterized for optimal size, charge, and encapsulation efficiency. Uptake of the siSIRPα LNPs by macrophages was assessed by Incucyte. Following 48 h of 25 nM siSIRPα treatment, OvCa/macrophage heterospheroids were evaluated for SIRPα knockdown, platinum chemoresistance, and invasiveness. OvCa patient tumors and in vitro heterospheroids expressed CD47 and SIRPα. Macrophages in OvCa spheroids increased carboplatin resistance and invasion, indicating a more malignant phenotype. We observed successful LNP uptake by macrophages causing significant reduction in SIRPα gene and protein expressions and subsequent reversal of pro-tumoral alternative activation. Disrupting CD47-SIRPα interactions resulted in sensitizing OvCa/macrophage heterospheroids to platinum chemotherapy and reversal of cellular invasion outside of heterospheroids. Ultimately, our results strongly indicate the potential of using LNP-based nanoimmunotherapy to reduce malignant progression of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina N VandenHeuvel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 3120 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Eric Chau
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Avenue, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Arpita Mohapatra
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 3120 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Sameera Dabbiru
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 3120 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Sanjana Roy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 3120 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Cailin O'Connell
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Avenue, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- School of Engineering Medicine, Texas A&M University, 1020 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Aparna Kamat
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Houston Methodist Hospital, 6550 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Houston Methodist Hospital, 6550 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center, 6445 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Biana Godin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 3120 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Avenue, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Houston Methodist Hospital, 6550 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
- Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center, 6445 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Shreya A Raghavan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 3120 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
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Hu J, Liu K, Ghosh C, Khaket TP, Shih H, Kebebew E. Anaplastic thyroid cancer spheroids as preclinical models to test therapeutics. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:85. [PMID: 38500204 PMCID: PMC10949686 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03009-8] [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: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is the most aggressive thyroid cancer. Despite advances in tissue culture techniques, a robust model for ATC spheroid culture is yet to be developed. In this study, we created an efficient and cost-effective 3D tumor spheroids culture system from human ATC cells and existing cell lines that better mimic patient tumors and that can enhance our understanding of in vivo treatment response. We found that patient-derived ATC cells and cell lines can readily form spheroids in culture with a unique morphology, size, and cytoskeletal organization. We observed both cohesive (dense and solid structures) and discohesive (irregularly shaped structures) spheroids within the same culture condition across different cell lines. BRAFWT ATC spheroids grew in a cohesive pattern, while BRAFV600E-mutant ATC spheroids had a discohesive organization. In the patient-derived BRAFV600E-mutant ATC spheroids, we observed both growth patterns, but mostly the discohesive type. Histologically, ATC spheroids had a similar morphology to the patient's tumor through H&E staining and proliferation marker staining. Moreover, RNA sequencing analysis revealed that the gene expression profile of tumor cells derived from the spheroids closely matched parental patient tumor-derived cells in comparison to monolayer cultures. In addition, treatment response to combined BRAF and MEK inhibition in BRAFV600E-mutant ATC spheroids exhibited a similar sensitivity to the patient clinical response. Our study provides a robust and novel ex vivo spheroid model system that can be used in both established ATC cell lines and patient-derived tumor samples to better understand the biology of ATC and to test therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangnan Hu
- Department of Surgery and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Kaili Liu
- Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Chandrayee Ghosh
- Department of Surgery and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Tejinder Pal Khaket
- Department of Surgery and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Helen Shih
- Department of Surgery and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Electron Kebebew
- Department of Surgery and Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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Cho Y, Laird M, Bishop T, Li R, Ruffo E, Lohmueller J, Zervantonakis IK. CAR T cell infiltration and cytotoxic killing within the core of 3D breast cancer spheroids under control of antigen sensing in microwell arrays. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.14.585033. [PMID: 38654820 PMCID: PMC11037865 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.14.585033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells in blood cancers has intensified efforts to develop CAR T therapies for solid cancers. In the solid tumor microenvironment, CAR T cell trafficking and suppression of cytotoxic killing represent limiting factors for therapeutic efficacy. Here, we present a microwell platform to study CAR T cell interactions with 3D tumor spheroids and determine predictors of anti-tumor CAR T cell function. To precisely control antigen sensing by CAR T cells, we utilized a switchable adaptor CAR system, that instead of directly binding to an antigen of interest, covalently attaches to co-administered antibody adaptors that mediate tumor antigen recognition. Following addition of an anti-HER2 adaptor antibody, primary human CAR T cells exhibited higher infiltration and clustering compared to the no adaptor control. By tracking CAR T cell killing at the individual spheroid level, we showed the suppressive effects of spheroid size and identified the initial CAR T cell : spheroid area ratio as a predictor of cytotoxicity. Spatiotemporal analysis revealed lower CAR T cell numbers and cytotoxicity in the spheroid core compared to the periphery. Finally, increasing CAR T cell seeding density, resulted in higher CAR T cell infiltration and cancer cell elimination in the spheroid core. Our findings provide new quantitative insights into CAR T cell-mediated killing of HER2+ breast tumor cells. Given the miniaturized nature and live imaging capabilities, our microfabricated system holds promise for discovering cell-cell interaction mechanisms that orchestrate antitumor CAR T cell functions and screening cellular immunotherapies in 3D tumor models.
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Atwani R, Rogers A, Nagare R, Prasad M, Lazar V, Sandusky G, Pin F, Condello S. Integrin-linked kinase-frizzled 7 interaction maintains cancer stem cells to drive platinum resistance in ovarian cancer. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4086737. [PMID: 38559125 PMCID: PMC10980163 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4086737/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Background Platinum-based chemotherapy regimens are a mainstay in the management of ovarian cancer (OC), but emergence of chemoresistance poses a significant clinical challenge. The persistence of ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSCs) at the end of primary treatment contributes to disease recurrence. Here, we hypothesized that the extracellular matrix protects CSCs during chemotherapy and supports their tumorigenic functions by activating integrin-linked kinase (ILK), a key enzyme in drug resistance. Methods TCGA datasets and OC models were investigated using an integrated proteomic and gene expression analysis and examined ILK for correlations with chemoresistance pathways and clinical outcomes. Canonical Wnt pathway components, pro-survival signaling, and stemness were examined using OC models. To investigate the role of ILK in the OCSC-phenotype, a novel pharmacological inhibitor of ILK in combination with carboplatin was utilized in vitro and in vivo OC models. Results In response to increased fibronectin (FN) secretion and integrin β1 clustering, aberrant ILK activation supported the OCSC phenotype, contributing to OC spheroid proliferation and reduced response to platinum treatment. Complexes formed by ILK with the Wnt receptor frizzled 7 (Fzd7) were detected in tumors and showed a strong correlation with metastatic progression. Moreover, TCGA datasets confirmed that combined expression of ILK and Fzd7 in high grade serous ovarian tumors is correlated with reduced response to chemotherapy and poor patient outcomes. Mechanistically, interaction of ILK with Fzd7 increased the response to Wnt ligands, thereby amplifying the stemness-associated Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Notably, preclinical studies showed that the novel ILK inhibitor compound 22 (cpd-22) alone disrupted ILK interaction with Fzd7 and CSC proliferation as spheroids. Furthermore, when combined with carboplatin, this disruption led to sustained AKT inhibition, apoptotic damage in OCSCs and reduced tumorigenicity in mice. Conclusions This "outside-in" signaling mechanism is potentially actionable, and combined targeting of ILK-Fzd7 may represent a new therapeutic strategy to eradicate OCSCs and improve patient outcomes.
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Rasouli M, Safari F, Kanani MH, Ahvati H. Principles of Hanging Drop Method (Spheroid Formation) in Cell Culture. Methods Mol Biol 2024. [PMID: 38411887 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2024_527] [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: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
A type of three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models which is simple and easy is hanging drop method. The hanging drop method emerges as a pivotal technique with diverse applications in cancer research and cell biology. This method facilitates the formation of multicellular spheroids, providing a unique environment for studying cell behavior dynamics. The hanging drop method's theoretical underpinning relies on gravity-enforced self-assembly, allowing for cost-effective, reproducible 3D cell cultures with controlled spheroid sizes. The advantages of this approach include its efficiency in producing cellular heterogeneity, particularly in non-adherent 3D cultures, and its ability to create hypoxic spheroids, making it a suitable model for studying cancer. Moreover, the hanging drop method has proven valuable in investigating various aspects such as tissue structure, signaling pathways, immune activation of cancer cells, and notably, cell proliferation. Researchers have utilized the hanging drop method to explore the dynamics of cell proliferation, studying the effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) secretome on cancer cells. The method's application involves co-culturing different cell lines, assessing spheroid formations, and quantifying their sizes over time. These studies have unveiled intricate cell behavior dynamics, demonstrating how the MSC secretome influences cancer cell growth and viability within a three-dimensional co-culture paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Rasouli
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Safari
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
| | | | - Hiva Ahvati
- School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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Huang L, Xu Y, Wang N, Yi K, Xi X, Si H, Zhang Q, Xiang M, Rong Y, Yuan Y, Wang F. Next-Generation Preclinical Functional Testing Models in Cancer Precision Medicine: CTC-Derived Organoids. SMALL METHODS 2024; 8:e2301009. [PMID: 37882328 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202301009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Basic and clinical cancer research requires tumor models that consistently recapitulate the characteristics of prima tumors. As ex vivo 3D cultures of patient tumor cells, patient-derived tumor organoids possess the biological properties of primary tumors and are therefore excellent preclinical models for cancer research. Patient-derived organoids can be established using primary tumor tissues, peripheral blood, pleural fluid, ascites, and other samples containing tumor cells. Circulating tumor cells acquired by non-invasive sampling feature dynamic circulation and high heterogeneity. Circulating tumor cell-derived organoids are prospective tools for the dynamic monitoring of tumor mutation evolution profiles because they reflect the heterogeneity of the original tumors to a certain extent. This review discusses the advantages and applications of patient-derived organoids. Meanwhile, this work highlights the biological functions of circulating tumor cells, the latest advancement in research of circulating tumor cell-derived organoids, and potential application and challenges of this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanxiang Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yaqi Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Na Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Kezhen Yi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xiaodan Xi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Huaqi Si
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Ming Xiang
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yuan Rong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yufeng Yuan
- Department of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Clinical Medicine Research Center for Minimally Invasive Procedure of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Fubing Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Tumor Liquid Biopsy, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Wuhan Research Center for Infectious Diseases and Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
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Domingues M, Leite Pereira C, Sarmento B, Castro F. Mimicking 3D breast tumor-stromal interactions to screen novel cancer therapeutics. Eur J Pharm Sci 2023; 190:106560. [PMID: 37557927 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2023.106560] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Most of the 3D breast tumor models used in drug screening studies only comprise tumor cells, keeping out other essential cell players of the tumor microenvironment. Tumor-associated macrophages and fibroblasts are frequently correlated with tumor progression and therapy resistance, and targeting these cells at the tumor site has been appointed as a promising therapeutic strategy. However, the translation of new therapies to the clinic has been hampered by the absence of cellular models that more closely mimic the features of in vivo breast tumor microenvironment. Therefore, the development of innovative 3D models able to provide consistent and predictive responses about the in vivo efficacy of novel therapeutics is still an unmet preclinical need. Herein, we have established an in vitro 3D heterotypic spheroid model including MCF-7 breast tumor cells, human mammary fibroblasts and human macrophages. To establish this model, different cell densities have been combined and characterized through the evaluation of the spheroid size and metabolic activity, as well as histological and immunohistochemistry analysis of the 3D multicellular structures. The final optimized 3D model consisted in a multicellular spheroid seeded at the initial density of 5000 cells and cell ratio of 1:2:1 (MCF-7:monocytes:fibroblasts). Our model recapitulates several features of the breast tumor microenvironment, including the formation of a necrotic core, spatial organization, and extracellular matrix production. Further, it was validated as a platform for drug screening studies, using paclitaxel, a currently approved drug for breast cancer treatment, and Gefitinib, a chemotherapeutic approved for lung cancer and in preclinical evaluation for breast cancer. Generally, the impact on the cell viability of the 3D model was less evident than in 2D model, reinforcing the relevance of such complex 3D models in addressing novel treatment approaches. Overall, the use of a 3D heterotypic spheroid of breast cancer could be a valuable tool to predict the therapeutic effect of new treatments for breast cancer patients, by recapitulating key features of the breast cancer microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Domingues
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto 4200-135, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto 4200-135, Portugal; FEUP - Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Rua Doutor Roberto Frias, Porto 4200-465, Portugal
| | - Catarina Leite Pereira
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto 4200-135, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Bruno Sarmento
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto 4200-135, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto 4200-135, Portugal; CESPU - Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, Rua Central de Gandra 1317, Gandra 4585-116, Portugal.
| | - Flávia Castro
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto 4200-135, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto 4200-135, Portugal.
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Sun Y, Ma H. Application of three-dimensional cell culture technology in screening anticancer drugs. Biotechnol Lett 2023; 45:1073-1092. [PMID: 37421554 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-023-03410-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
The drug development process involves a variety of drug activity evaluations, which can determine drug efficacy, strictly analyze the biological indicators after the drug action, and use these indicators as the preclinical drug evaluation criteria. At present, most of the screening of preclinical anticancer drugs mainly relies on traditional 2D cell culture. However, this traditional technology cannot simulate the tumor microenvironment in vivo, let alone reflect the characteristics of solid tumors in vivo, and has a relatively poor ability to predict drug activity. 3D cell culture is a technology between 2D cell culture and animal experiments, which can better reflect the biological state in vivo and reduce the consumption of animal experiments. 3D cell culture can link the individual study of cells with the study of the whole organism, reproduce in vitro the biological phenotype of cells in vivo more greatly, and thus predict the activity and resistance of anti-tumor drugs more accurately. In this paper, the common techniques of 3D cell culture are discussed, with emphasis on its main advantages and application in the evaluation of anti-tumor resistance, which can provide strategies for the screening of anti-tumor drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqian Sun
- Oncology laboratory, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China.
| | - Haiyang Ma
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Shanxi, 030024, People's Republic of China
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11
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Zhao B, Lv Y. Suspension state and shear stress enhance breast tumor cells EMT through YAP by microRNA-29b. Cell Biol Toxicol 2023; 39:1037-1052. [PMID: 34618275 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-021-09661-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Except for biochemical effects, suspension state (Sus) is proved to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) mechanically. However, the difference between the effects of the mechanical microenvironment in capillaries (simplified as shear stress (SS) and Sus) and single Sus on EMT is unclear, nor the underlying mechanism. Here, breast tumor cells (BTCs) were loaded with Sus and SS to mimic the situation of CTCs stimulated by these two kinds of mechanics. It was demonstrated that the EMT of BTCs was enhanced by Sus and SS and the mechanotransductor yes-associated protein (YAP) was partially cytoplasmic stored with microRNA (miR)-29b decreased, which was detected by miR sequencing. Though it couldn't possess a feedback regulation, YAP promoted miR-29b expression and posttranscriptionally regulated BTCs EMT through miR-29b, where transforming growth factor β involved. Analysis of clinical database showed that high miR-29b expression was beneficial to high survival rate stabilizing its role of tumor suppressor. This study discovers the mechanism that Sus and SS promote BTCs EMT by YAP through miR-29b posttranscriptionally and highlight the potential of YAP and miR-29b in tumor therapy. The combination of suspension state and shear stress promotes transforming growth factor β involved epithelial-mesenchymal transition by yes-associated protein through microRNA-29b.
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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
- Mechanobiology and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, People's Republic of China.
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12
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Tomas E, Shepherd TG. Insights into high-grade serous carcinoma pathobiology using three-dimensional culture model systems. J Ovarian Res 2023; 16:70. [PMID: 37038202 PMCID: PMC10088149 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-023-01145-x] [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: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) research has become more complex as researchers try to fully understand the metastatic process. Especially as we delve into the concept of tumour dormancy, where cells transition between proliferative and dormant states to survive during disease progression. Thus, the in vitro models used to conduct this research need to reflect this vast biological complexity. The innovation behind the many three-dimensional (3D) spheroid models has been refined to easily generate reproducible spheroids so that we may understand the various molecular signaling changes of cells during metastasis and determine therapeutic efficacy of treatments. This ingenuity was then used to develop the 3D ex vivo patient-derived organoid model, as well as multiple co-culture model systems for EOC research. Although, researchers need to continue to push the boundaries of these current models for in vitro and even in vivo work in the future. In this review, we describe the 3D models already in use, where these models can be developed further and how we can use these models to gain the most knowledge on EOC pathogenesis and discover new targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Tomas
- London Regional Cancer Program, The Mary & John Knight Translational Ovarian Cancer Research Unit, 790 Commissioners Rd. E. Room A4-836, London, ON, N6A 4L6, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Trevor G Shepherd
- London Regional Cancer Program, The Mary & John Knight Translational Ovarian Cancer Research Unit, 790 Commissioners Rd. E. Room A4-836, London, ON, N6A 4L6, Canada.
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
- Department of Oncology, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
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13
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Micek HM, Rosenstock L, Ma Y, Hielsberg C, Montemorano L, Gari MK, Ponik SM, Kreeger PK. Model of collective detachment in high-grade serous ovarian cancer demonstrates that tumor spheroids produce ECM to support metastatic processes. APL Bioeng 2023; 7:016111. [PMID: 36875739 PMCID: PMC9977464 DOI: 10.1063/5.0132254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) metastasizes through transcoelomic spread, with both single cells and spheroids of tumor cells observed in patient ascites. These spheroids may form through single cells that detach and aggregate (Sph-SC) or through collective detachment (Sph-CD). We developed an in vitro model to generate and separate Sph-SC from Sph-CD to enable study of Sph-CD in disease progression. In vitro-generated Sph-CD and spheroids isolated from ascites were similar in size (mean diameter 51 vs 55 μm, p > 0.05) and incorporated multiple ECM proteins. Using the in vitro model, nascent protein labeling, and qRT-PCR, we determined that ECM was produced after detachment. As fibronectin plays a key role in many cell adhesion events, we confirmed that inhibiting RGD-based adhesion or fibronectin assembly reduced Sph-CD-mesothelial adhesion strength under shear stress. Our model will enable future studies to determine factors that favor formation of Sph-CD, as well as allow investigators to manipulate Sph-CD to better study their effects on HGSOC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M. Micek
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA
| | - Lauren Rosenstock
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA
| | - Yicheng Ma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA
| | - Caitlin Hielsberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA
| | - Lauren Montemorano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA
| | | | | | - Pamela K. Kreeger
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:. Tel.: (608) 890–2915
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14
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Mekhileri NV, Major G, Lim K, Mutreja I, Chitcholtan K, Phillips E, Hooper G, Woodfield T. Biofabrication of Modular Spheroids as Tumor-Scale Microenvironments for Drug Screening. Adv Healthc Mater 2022:e2201581. [PMID: 36495232 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202201581] [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: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
To streamline the drug discovery pipeline, there is a pressing need for preclinical models which replicate the complexity and scale of native tumors. While there have been advancements in the formation of microscale tumor units, these models are cell-line dependent, time-consuming and have not improved clinical trial success rates. In this study, two methods for generating 3D tumor microenvironments are compared, rapidly fabricated hydrogel microspheres and traditional cell-dense spheroids. These modules are then bioassembled into 3D printed thermoplastic scaffolds, using an automated biofabrication process, to form tumor-scale models. Modules are formed with SKOV3 and HFF cells as monocultures and cocultures, and the fabrication efficiency, cell architecture, and drug response profiles are characterized, both as single modules and as multimodular constructs. Cell-encapsulated Gel-MA microspheres are fabricated with high-reproducibility and dimensions necessary for automated tumor-scale bioassembly regardless of cell type, however, only cocultured spheroids form compact modules suitable for bioassembly. Chemosensitivity assays demonstrate the reduced potency of doxorubicin in coculture bioassembled constructs and a ≈five-fold increase in drug resistance of cocultured cells in 3D modules compared with 2D monolayers. This bioassembly system is efficient and tailorable so that a variety of relevant-sized tumor constructs could be developed to study tumorigenesis and modernize drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Vijayan Mekhileri
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Centre for Bioengineering & Nanomedicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, Canterbury, 8011, New Zealand
| | - Gretel Major
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Centre for Bioengineering & Nanomedicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, Canterbury, 8011, New Zealand
| | - Khoon Lim
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Centre for Bioengineering & Nanomedicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, Canterbury, 8011, New Zealand
| | - Isha Mutreja
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Centre for Bioengineering & Nanomedicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, Canterbury, 8011, New Zealand
| | - Kenny Chitcholtan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gynaecological Cancer Research Group, University of Otago, Christchurch, Canterbury, 8011, New Zealand
| | - Elisabeth Phillips
- Mackenzie Cancer Research Group, Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch, Canterbury, 8011, New Zealand
| | - Gary Hooper
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Centre for Bioengineering & Nanomedicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, Canterbury, 8011, New Zealand
| | - Tim Woodfield
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Centre for Bioengineering & Nanomedicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, Canterbury, 8011, New Zealand
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15
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Strategies to capitalize on cell spheroid therapeutic potential for tissue repair and disease modeling. NPJ Regen Med 2022; 7:70. [PMID: 36494368 PMCID: PMC9734656 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-022-00266-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell therapies offer a tailorable, personalized treatment for use in tissue engineering to address defects arising from trauma, inefficient wound repair, or congenital malformation. However, most cell therapies have achieved limited success to date. Typically injected in solution as monodispersed cells, transplanted cells exhibit rapid cell death or insufficient retention at the site, thereby limiting their intended effects to only a few days. Spheroids, which are dense, three-dimensional (3D) aggregates of cells, enhance the beneficial effects of cell therapies by increasing and prolonging cell-cell and cell-matrix signaling. The use of spheroids is currently under investigation for many cell types. Among cells under evaluation, spheroids formed of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are particularly promising. MSC spheroids not only exhibit increased cell survival and retained differentiation, but they also secrete a potent secretome that promotes angiogenesis, reduces inflammation, and attracts endogenous host cells to promote tissue regeneration and repair. However, the clinical translation of spheroids has lagged behind promising preclinical outcomes due to hurdles in their formation, instruction, and use that have yet to be overcome. This review will describe the current state of preclinical spheroid research and highlight two key examples of spheroid use in clinically relevant disease modeling. It will highlight techniques used to instruct the phenotype and function of spheroids, describe current limitations to their use, and offer suggestions for the effective translation of cell spheroids for therapeutic treatments.
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16
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Sevinyan L, Gupta P, Velliou E, Madhuri TK. The Development of a Three-Dimensional Platform for Patient-Derived Ovarian Cancer Tissue Models: A Systematic Literature Review. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5628. [PMID: 36428724 PMCID: PMC9688222 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an unmet biomedical need for ex vivo tumour models that would predict drug responses and in turn help determine treatment regimens and potentially predict resistance before clinical studies. Research has shown that three dimensional models of ovarian cancer (OvCa) are more realistic than two dimensional in vitro systems as they are able to capture patient in vivo conditions in more accurate manner. The vast majority of studies aiming to recapitulate the ovarian tumour morphology, behaviors, and study chemotherapy responses have been using ovarian cancer cell lines. However, despite the advantages of utilising cancer cell lines to set up a platform, they are not as informative as systems applying patient derived cells, as cell lines are not able to recapitulate differences between each individual patient characteristics. In this review we discussed the most recent advances in the creation of 3D ovarian cancer models that have used patient derived material, the challenges to overcome and future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lusine Sevinyan
- Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, Guildford GU2 7XX, UK
- Cancer Research, School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4HQ, UK
| | - Priyanka Gupta
- Centre for 3D Models of Health and Disease, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Bioprocess and Biochemical Engineering Group (BioProChem), Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Eirini Velliou
- Centre for 3D Models of Health and Disease, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Bioprocess and Biochemical Engineering Group (BioProChem), Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Thumuluru Kavitha Madhuri
- Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, Guildford GU2 7XX, UK
- Cancer Research, School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4HQ, UK
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17
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Fabrication of Cell Spheroids for 3D Cell Culture and Biomedical Applications. BIOCHIP JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13206-022-00086-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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18
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Giusti I, Poppa G, D’Ascenzo S, Esposito L, Vitale AR, Calvisi G, Dolo V. Cancer Three-Dimensional Spheroids Mimic In Vivo Tumor Features, Displaying “Inner” Extracellular Vesicles and Vasculogenic Mimicry. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911782. [PMID: 36233083 PMCID: PMC9569704 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as mediators of cell-to-cell communication in cancer progression is widely recognized. In vitro studies are routinely performed on 2D culture models, but recent studies suggest that 3D cultures could represent a more valid model. Human ovarian cancer cells CABA I were cultured by the hanging drop method to form tumor spheroids, that were moved to low adhesion supports to observe their morphology by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and to isolate the EVs. EVs release was verified by SEM and their identity confirmed by morphology (Transmission Electron Microscopy, TEM), size distribution (Nanoparticles Tracking Analysis), and markers (CD63, CD9, TSG-101, Calnexin). CABA I form spheroids with a clinically relevant size, above 400 μm; they release EVs on their external surface and also trap “inner” EVs. They also produce vasculogenic mimicry-like tubules, that bulge from the spheroid and are composed of a hollow lumen delimited by tumor cells. CABA I can be grown as multicellular spheroids to easily isolate EVs. The presence of features typical of in vivo tumors (inner entrapped EVs and vasculogenic mimicry) suggests their use as faithful experimental models to screen therapeutic drugs targeting these pro-tumorigenic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Giusti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Poppa
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Sandra D’Ascenzo
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Letizia Esposito
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Vitale
- Pathology Unit, San Salvatore Hospital, Via Lorenzo Natali, 1, Coppito, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Calvisi
- Pathology Unit, San Salvatore Hospital, Via Lorenzo Natali, 1, Coppito, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Vincenza Dolo
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0862-436665
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19
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Kapur A, Mehta P, Simmons AD, Ericksen SS, Mehta G, Palecek SP, Felder M, Stenerson Z, Nayak A, Dominguez JMA, Patankar M, Barroilhet LM. Atovaquone: An Inhibitor of Oxidative Phosphorylation as Studied in Gynecologic Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092297. [PMID: 35565426 PMCID: PMC9102822 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative phosphorylation is an active metabolic pathway in cancer. Atovaquone is an oral medication that inhibits oxidative phosphorylation and is FDA-approved for the treatment of malaria. We investigated its potential anti-cancer properties by measuring cell proliferation in 2D culture. The clinical formulation of atovaquone, Mepron, was given to mice with ovarian cancers to monitor its effects on tumor and ascites. Patient-derived cancer stem-like cells and spheroids implanted in NSG mice were treated with atovaquone. Atovaquone inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells and ovarian cancer growth in vitro and in vivo. The effect of atovaquone on oxygen radicals was determined using flow and imaging cytometry. The oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in adherent cells was measured using a Seahorse XFe96 Extracellular Flux Analyzer. Oxygen consumption and ATP production were inhibited by atovaquone. Imaging cytometry indicated that the majority of the oxygen radical flux triggered by atovaquone occurred in the mitochondria. Atovaquone decreased the viability of patient-derived cancer stem-like cells and spheroids implanted in NSG mice. NMR metabolomics showed shifts in glycolysis, citric acid cycle, electron transport chain, phosphotransfer, and metabolism following atovaquone treatment. Our studies provide the mechanistic understanding and preclinical data to support the further investigation of atovaquone's potential as a gynecologic cancer therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arvinder Kapur
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (A.K.); (M.F.); (Z.S.)
| | - Pooja Mehta
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (P.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Aaron D Simmons
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (A.D.S.); (S.P.P.)
| | - Spencer S. Ericksen
- Drug Development Core, Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
| | - Geeta Mehta
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (P.M.); (G.M.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Sciences and Engineering, Precision Health, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sean P. Palecek
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (A.D.S.); (S.P.P.)
| | - Mildred Felder
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (A.K.); (M.F.); (Z.S.)
| | - Zach Stenerson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (A.K.); (M.F.); (Z.S.)
| | - Amruta Nayak
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA;
| | | | - Manish Patankar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (A.K.); (M.F.); (Z.S.)
- Correspondence: (M.P.); (L.M.B.); Tel.: +1-608-263-1210 (M.P.); +1-608-265-2319 (L.M.B.)
| | - Lisa M. Barroilhet
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; (A.K.); (M.F.); (Z.S.)
- Correspondence: (M.P.); (L.M.B.); Tel.: +1-608-263-1210 (M.P.); +1-608-265-2319 (L.M.B.)
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20
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Zhang Y, Wang Z, Hu Q, Luo H, Lu B, Gao Y, Qiao Z, Zhou Y, Fang Y, Gu J, Zhang T, Xiong Z. 3D Bioprinted GelMA-Nanoclay Hydrogels Induce Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells Through Activating Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2200364. [PMID: 35229478 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202200364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a rare cell population in tumors that are responsible for tumor recurrence and metastasis. They are a priority as therapeutic targets, however, assays targeting CSCs have been limited by expanding and maintaining CSCs in vitro. Here, the authors find that gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)-nanoclay hybrid hydrogels can induce and enrich colorectal CSCs assisted by three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting. The presence of the nanoclay increases the printability, Young's modulus, pore size, and cytocompatibility of the hydrogels. Bioprinted GelMA-nanoclay hydrogels promote the formation of spheroids expressing elevated levels of the stemness markers LGR5, CD133, CD26, and SOX2. Cancer cells grown in GelMA-nanoclay hydrogel possess higher self-renewal and differentiation capacity in vitro and higher tumorigenic capacity in vivo. GelMA-nanoclay hydrogels induce CSCs by stimulating the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Further studies demonstrate that spheroids from GelMA-nanoclay hydrogels possess increased stemness, higher consistency, yield, and sensitivity to the anti-CSC compounds compared to the classic CSC-enrichment model. Collectively, this study may provide a valuable biomaterial and method for inducing and enriching CSCs, to facilitate the effective CSC-targeting drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanmei Zhang
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- Biomanufacturing and Engineering Living Systems Innovation International Talents Base (111 Base), Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Zixuan Wang
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- Biomanufacturing and Engineering Living Systems Innovation International Talents Base (111 Base), Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Qifan Hu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, BNRIST Bioinformatics Division, Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Hao Luo
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- Biomanufacturing and Engineering Living Systems Innovation International Talents Base (111 Base), Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Bingchuan Lu
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- Biomanufacturing and Engineering Living Systems Innovation International Talents Base (111 Base), Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Yunhe Gao
- Senior Department of General Surgery, the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, P. R. China
| | - Zhi Qiao
- Senior Department of General Surgery, the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, P. R. China
| | - Yongsen Zhou
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- Biomanufacturing and Engineering Living Systems Innovation International Talents Base (111 Base), Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Yongcong Fang
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- Biomanufacturing and Engineering Living Systems Innovation International Talents Base (111 Base), Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Jin Gu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, BNRIST Bioinformatics Division, Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- Biomanufacturing and Engineering Living Systems Innovation International Talents Base (111 Base), Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Zhuo Xiong
- Biomanufacturing Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- Biomanufacturing and Rapid Forming Technology Key Laboratory of Beijing, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
- Biomanufacturing and Engineering Living Systems Innovation International Talents Base (111 Base), Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
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21
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Braccini S, Tacchini C, Chiellini F, Puppi D. Polymeric Hydrogels for In Vitro 3D Ovarian Cancer Modeling. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063265. [PMID: 35328686 PMCID: PMC8954571 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) grows and interacts constantly with a complex microenvironment, in which immune cells, fibroblasts, blood vessels, signal molecules and the extracellular matrix (ECM) coexist. This heterogeneous environment provides structural and biochemical support to the surrounding cells and undergoes constant and dynamic remodeling that actively promotes tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Despite the fact that traditional 2D cell culture systems have led to relevant medical advances in cancer research, 3D cell culture models could open new possibilities for the development of an in vitro tumor microenvironment more closely reproducing that observed in vivo. The implementation of materials science and technology into cancer research has enabled significant progress in the study of cancer progression and drug screening, through the development of polymeric scaffold-based 3D models closely recapitulating the physiopathological features of native tumor tissue. This article provides an overview of state-of-the-art in vitro tumor models with a particular focus on 3D OC cell culture in pre-clinical studies. The most representative OC models described in the literature are presented with a focus on hydrogel-based scaffolds, which guarantee soft tissue-like physical properties as well as a suitable 3D microenvironment for cell growth. Hydrogel-forming polymers of either natural or synthetic origin investigated in this context are described by highlighting their source of extraction, physical-chemical properties, and application for 3D ovarian cancer cell culture.
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22
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Gupta P, Miller A, Olayanju A, Madhuri TK, Velliou E. A Systematic Comparative Assessment of the Response of Ovarian Cancer Cells to the Chemotherapeutic Cisplatin in 3D Models of Various Structural and Biochemical Configurations-Does One Model Type Fit All? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051274. [PMID: 35267582 PMCID: PMC8909317 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Epithelial Ovarian Cancer is considered to be a ‘silent killer’ and a challenge for gynaecological health across the world due to its asymptotic nature in the early stages, its late-stage diagnosis, high recurrence rate and resistance to currently available treatment methods (chemotherapy). These disheartening figures highlight the need for extensive in vitro studies to better understand this disease. A number of in vitro 3D models are currently available to aid in the study of ovarian cancer and its response to therapeutic methods. In this work, we report, for the first time, a comprehensive comparative study of three widely used 3D in vitro models for ovarian cancer, along with chemotherapy assessment of primary and metastatic cells. Our study highlights the importance of selecting an appropriate 3D in vitro platform, which is based on multiple factors including the origin of cells used, experimental time period and experimental design, even for one specific disease. Abstract Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC) is a silent, deadly and aggressive gynaecological disease with a relatively low survival rate. This has been attributed, to some extent, to EOC’s high recurrence rate and resistance to currently available platinum-based chemotherapeutic treatment methods. Multiple groups have studied and reported the effect of chemotherapeutic agents on various EOC 3D in vitro models. However, there are very few studies wherein a direct comparative study has been carried out between the different in vitro 3D models of EOC and the effect of chemotherapy within them. Herein, we report, for the first time, a direct comprehensive systematic comparative study of three different 3D in vitro platforms, namely (i) spheroids, (ii) synthetic PeptiGels/hydrogels of various chemical configurations and (iii) polymeric scaffolds with coatings of various extracellular matrices (ECMs) on the cell growth and response to the chemotherapeutic (Cisplatin) for ovary-derived (A2780) and metastatic (SK-OV-3) EOC cell lines. We report that all three 3D models are able to support the growth of EOC, but for different time periods (varying from 7 days to 4 weeks). We have also reported that chemoresistance to Cisplatin, in vitro, observed especially for metastatic EOC cells, is platform-dependent, in terms of both the structural and biochemical composition of the model/platform. Our study highlights the importance of selecting an appropriate 3D platform for in vitro tumour model development. We have demonstrated that the selection of the best platform for producing in vitro tumour models depends on the cancer/cell type, the experimental time period and the application for which the model is intended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Gupta
- Centre for 3D Models of Health and Disease, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London W1W 7TY, UK;
- Bioprocess and Biochemical Engineering Group (BioProChem), Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Surrey, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Aline Miller
- Manchester BIOGEL, 19F4, Mereside, Alderley Park, Alderley Edge, Chesire SK10 4TG, UK; (A.M.); (A.O.)
| | - Adedamola Olayanju
- Manchester BIOGEL, 19F4, Mereside, Alderley Park, Alderley Edge, Chesire SK10 4TG, UK; (A.M.); (A.O.)
| | - Thumuluru Kavitha Madhuri
- Department of Gynaecological Oncology Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, Egerton Road, Guildford GU2 7XX, UK;
- Honorary Senior Lecturer in Cancer Research, School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, Huxley Building, Lewes Road, Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK
| | - Eirini Velliou
- Centre for 3D Models of Health and Disease, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London W1W 7TY, UK;
- Bioprocess and Biochemical Engineering Group (BioProChem), Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Surrey, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK
- Correspondence:
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Fedi A, Vitale C, Giannoni P, Caluori G, Marrella A. Biosensors to Monitor Cell Activity in 3D Hydrogel-Based Tissue Models. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:1517. [PMID: 35214418 PMCID: PMC8879987 DOI: 10.3390/s22041517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) culture models have gained relevant interest in tissue engineering and drug discovery owing to their suitability to reproduce in vitro some key aspects of human tissues and to provide predictive information for in vivo tests. In this context, the use of hydrogels as artificial extracellular matrices is of paramount relevance, since they allow closer recapitulation of (patho)physiological features of human tissues. However, most of the analyses aimed at characterizing these models are based on time-consuming and endpoint assays, which can provide only static and limited data on cellular behavior. On the other hand, biosensing systems could be adopted to measure on-line cellular activity, as currently performed in bi-dimensional, i.e., monolayer, cell culture systems; however, their translation and integration within 3D hydrogel-based systems is not straight forward, due to the geometry and materials properties of these advanced cell culturing approaches. Therefore, researchers have adopted different strategies, through the development of biochemical, electrochemical and optical sensors, but challenges still remain in employing these devices. In this review, after examining recent advances in adapting existing biosensors from traditional cell monolayers to polymeric 3D cells cultures, we will focus on novel designs and outcomes of a range of biosensors specifically developed to provide real-time analysis of hydrogel-based cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Fedi
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Electronics, Computer and Telecommunication Engineering (IEIIT), 16149 Genoa, Italy; (A.F.); (C.V.)
- Department of Computer Science, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering (DIBRIS), University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy
| | - Chiara Vitale
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Electronics, Computer and Telecommunication Engineering (IEIIT), 16149 Genoa, Italy; (A.F.); (C.V.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Paolo Giannoni
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Guido Caluori
- IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Fondation Bordeaux Université, 33600 Pessac, France;
- INSERM UMR 1045, Cardiothoracic Research Center of Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - Alessandra Marrella
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Electronics, Computer and Telecommunication Engineering (IEIIT), 16149 Genoa, Italy; (A.F.); (C.V.)
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Yee C, Dickson KA, Muntasir MN, Ma Y, Marsh DJ. Three-Dimensional Modelling of Ovarian Cancer: From Cell Lines to Organoids for Discovery and Personalized Medicine. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:836984. [PMID: 35223797 PMCID: PMC8866972 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.836984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality of all of the gynecological malignancies. There are several distinct histotypes of this malignancy characterized by specific molecular events and clinical behavior. These histotypes have differing responses to platinum-based drugs that have been the mainstay of therapy for ovarian cancer for decades. For histotypes that initially respond to a chemotherapeutic regime of carboplatin and paclitaxel such as high-grade serous ovarian cancer, the development of chemoresistance is common and underpins incurable disease. Recent discoveries have led to the clinical use of PARP (poly ADP ribose polymerase) inhibitors for ovarian cancers defective in homologous recombination repair, as well as the anti-angiogenic bevacizumab. While predictive molecular testing involving identification of a genomic scar and/or the presence of germline or somatic BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation are in clinical use to inform the likely success of a PARP inhibitor, no similar tests are available to identify women likely to respond to bevacizumab. Functional tests to predict patient response to any drug are, in fact, essentially absent from clinical care. New drugs are needed to treat ovarian cancer. In this review, we discuss applications to address the currently unmet need of developing physiologically relevant in vitro and ex vivo models of ovarian cancer for fundamental discovery science, and personalized medicine approaches. Traditional two-dimensional (2D) in vitro cell culture of ovarian cancer lacks critical cell-to-cell interactions afforded by culture in three-dimensions. Additionally, modelling interactions with the tumor microenvironment, including the surface of organs in the peritoneal cavity that support metastatic growth of ovarian cancer, will improve the power of these models. Being able to reliably grow primary tumoroid cultures of ovarian cancer will improve the ability to recapitulate tumor heterogeneity. Three-dimensional (3D) modelling systems, from cell lines to organoid or tumoroid cultures, represent enhanced starting points from which improved translational outcomes for women with ovarian cancer will emerge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Yee
- Translational Oncology Group, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Kristie-Ann Dickson
- Translational Oncology Group, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Mohammed N. Muntasir
- Translational Oncology Group, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Yue Ma
- Translational Oncology Group, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Deborah J. Marsh
- Translational Oncology Group, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
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Dunn E, Chitcholtan K, Sykes P, Garrill A. The Anti-Proliferative Effect of PI3K/mTOR and ERK Inhibition in Monolayer and Three-Dimensional Ovarian Cancer Cell Models. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14020395. [PMID: 35053555 PMCID: PMC8773481 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In ovarian cancer patients the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK kinase signaling pathways are frequently dysregulated, making them potential targets of therapeutic inhibitors. In this study, we used four human ovarian cancer cell lines grown in two- and three-dimensional models to investigate the potential efficacy of combining two inhibitors, which target these pathways, against ovarian cancer. The inhibitor combination was found to have cell line- and model-dependent synergistic antiproliferative effect. Abstract Most ovarian cancer patients are diagnosed with advanced stage disease, which becomes unresponsive to chemotherapeutic treatments. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR and the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK kinase signaling pathways are attractive targets for potential therapeutic inhibitors, due to the high frequency of mutations to PTEN, PIK3CA, KRAS and BRAF in several ovarian cancer subtypes. However, monotherapies targeting one of these pathways have shown modest effects in clinical trials. This limited efficacy of the agents could be due to upregulation and increased signaling via the adjacent alternative pathway. In this study, the efficacy of combined PI3K/mTOR (BEZ235) and ERK inhibition (SCH772984) was investigated in four human ovarian cancer cell lines, grown as monolayer and three-dimensional cell aggregates. The inhibitor combination reduced cellular proliferation in a synergistic manner in OV-90 and OVCAR8 monolayers and in OV-90, OVCAR5 and SKOV3 aggregates. Sensitivity to the inhibitors was reduced in three-dimensional cell aggregates in comparison to monolayers. OV-90 cells cultured in large spheroids were sensitive to the inhibitors and displayed a robust synergistic antiproliferative response to the inhibitor combination. In contrast, OVCAR8 spheroids were resistant to the inhibitors. These findings suggest that combined PI3K/mTOR and ERK inhibition could be a useful strategy for overcoming treatment resistance in ovarian cancer and warrants further preclinical investigation. Additionally, in some cell lines the use of different three-dimensional models can influence cell line sensitivity to PI3K/mTOR and RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Dunn
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
- Correspondence: (E.D.); (A.G.)
| | - Kenny Chitcholtan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Otago, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand; (K.C.); (P.S.)
| | - Peter Sykes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Otago, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand; (K.C.); (P.S.)
| | - Ashley Garrill
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
- Biomolecular Interaction Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
- Correspondence: (E.D.); (A.G.)
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Mukundan S, Bell J, Teryek M, Hernandez C, Love AC, Parekkadan B, Chan LLY. Automated Assessment of Cancer Drug Efficacy On Breast Tumor Spheroids in Aggrewell™400 Plates Using Image Cytometry. J Fluoresc 2022; 32:521-531. [PMID: 34989923 DOI: 10.1007/s10895-021-02881-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tumor spheroid models have proven useful in the study of cancer cell responses to chemotherapeutic compounds by more closely mimicking the 3-dimensional nature of tumors in situ. Their advantages are often offset, however, by protocols that are long, complicated, and expensive. Efforts continue for the development of high-throughput assays that combine the advantages of 3D models with the convenience and simplicity of traditional 2D monolayer methods. Herein, we describe the development of a breast cancer spheroid image cytometry assay using T47D cells in Aggrewell™400 spheroid plates. Using the Celigo® automated imaging system, we developed a method to image and individually track thousands of spheroids within the Aggrewell™400 microwell plate over time. We demonstrate the use of calcein AM and propidium iodide staining to study the effects of known anti-cancer drugs Doxorubicin, Everolimus, Gemcitabine, Metformin, Paclitaxel and Tamoxifen. We use the image cytometry results to quantify the fluorescence of calcein AM and PI as well as spheroid size in a dose dependent manner for each of the drugs. We observe a dose-dependent reduction in spheroid size and find that it correlates well with the viability obtained from the CellTiter96® endpoint assay. The image cytometry method we demonstrate is a convenient and high-throughput drug-response assay for breast cancer spheroids under 400 μm in diameter, and may lay a foundation for investigating other three-dimensional spheroids, organoids, and tissue samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpaa Mukundan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Jordan Bell
- Department of Advanced Technology R&D, Nexcelom Bioscience LLC, Lawrence, MA, 01843, USA
| | - Matthew Teryek
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Charles Hernandez
- Department of Advanced Technology R&D, Nexcelom Bioscience LLC, Lawrence, MA, 01843, USA
| | - Andrea C Love
- Department of Advanced Technology R&D, Nexcelom Bioscience LLC, Lawrence, MA, 01843, USA
| | - Biju Parekkadan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.,Department of Medicine, Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Leo Li-Ying Chan
- Department of Advanced Technology R&D, Nexcelom Bioscience LLC, Lawrence, MA, 01843, USA.
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27
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Processing and Analysis of Ascites. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2424:95-104. [PMID: 34918288 PMCID: PMC9675583 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1956-8_5] [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: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The accumulation of peritoneal fluid, referred to as ascites, is common in ovarian cancer. This fluid is a complex mixture that may include cells as well as a diverse array of cytokines and growth factors. Here we describe a comprehensive method to process ascites to maximize data collection. The cellular fraction and fluid are first separated by centrifugation. The fluid can be frozen for later analysis of soluble factors or for use in in vitro experiments. The cellular fraction can be processed to analyze its composition or stored for future use.
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28
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Goudar VS, Koduri MP, Ta YNN, Chen Y, Chu LA, Lu LS, Tseng FG. Impact of a Desmoplastic Tumor Microenvironment for Colon Cancer Drug Sensitivity: A Study with 3D Chimeric Tumor Spheroids. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:48478-48491. [PMID: 34633791 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c18249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) spheroid culture provides opportunities to model tumor growth closer to its natural context. The collagen network in the extracellular matrix supports autonomic tumor cell proliferation, but its presence and role in tumor spheroids remain unclear. In this research, we developed an in vitro 3D co-culture model in a microwell 3D (μ-well 3D) cell-culture array platform to mimic the tumor microenvironment (TME). The modular setup is used to characterize the paracrine signaling molecules and the role of the intraspheroidal collagen network in cancer drug resistance. The μ-well 3D platform is made up of poly(dimethylsiloxane) that contains 630 round wells for individual spheroid growth. Inside each well, the growth surface measured 500 μm in diameter and was functionalized with the amphiphilic copolymer. HCT-8 colon cancer cells and/or NIH3T3 fibroblasts were seeded in each well and incubated for up to 9 days for TME studies. It was observed that NIH3T3 cells promoted the kinetics of tumor organoid formation. The two types of cells self-organized into core-shell chimeric tumor spheroids (CTSs) with fibroblasts confined to the shell and cancer cells localized to the core. Confocal microscopy analysis indicated that a type-I collagen network developed inside the CTS along with increased TGF-β1 and α-SMA proteins. The results were correlated with a significantly increased stiffness in 3D co-cultured CTS up to 52 kPa as compared to two-dimensional (2D) co-culture. CTS was more resistant to 5-FU (IC50 = 14.0 ± 3.9 μM) and Regorafenib (IC50 = 49.8 ± 9.9 μM) compared to cells grown under the 2D condition 5-FU (IC50 = 12.2 ± 3.7 μM) and Regorafenib (IC50 = 5.9 ± 1.9 μM). Targeted collagen homeostasis with Sclerotiorin led to damaged collagen structure and disrupted the type-I collagen network within CTS. Such a treatment significantly sensitized collagen-supported CTS to 5-FU (IC50 = 4.4 ± 1.3 μM) and to Regorafenib (IC50 = 0.5 ± 0.2 μM). In summary, the efficient formation of colon cancer CTSs in a μ-well 3D culture platform allows exploration of the desmoplastic TME. The novel role of intratumor collagen quality as a drug sensitization target warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkanagouda S Goudar
- Department of Engineering and System Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Manohar Prasad Koduri
- International Intercollegiate Ph.D. Program, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace, School of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Harrison Hughes Building, Liverpool L693GH, U.K
| | - Yen-Nhi Ngoc Ta
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yunching Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Li-An Chu
- Department of Biomedical and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, ROC
- Brain Research Center, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Long-Sheng Lu
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan, ROC
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Materials and Tissue Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan, ROC
- International Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Fan-Gang Tseng
- Department of Engineering and System Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, ROC
- International Intercollegiate Ph.D. Program, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, ROC
- Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, ROC
- Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan, ROC
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Transcending toward Advanced 3D-Cell Culture Modalities: A Review about an Emerging Paradigm in Translational Oncology. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071657. [PMID: 34359827 PMCID: PMC8304089 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a disorder characterized by an uncontrollable overgrowth and a fast-moving spread of cells from a localized tissue to multiple organs of the body, reaching a metastatic state. Throughout years, complexity of cancer progression and invasion, high prevalence and incidence, as well as the high rise in treatment failure cases leading to a poor patient prognosis accounted for continuous experimental investigations on animals and cellular models, mainly with 2D- and 3D-cell culture. Nowadays, these research models are considered a main asset to reflect the physiological events in many cancer types in terms of cellular characteristics and features, replication and metastatic mechanisms, metabolic pathways, biomarkers expression, and chemotherapeutic agent resistance. In practice, based on research perspective and hypothesis, scientists aim to choose the best model to approach their understanding and to prove their hypothesis. Recently, 3D-cell models are seen to be highly incorporated as a crucial tool for reflecting the true cancer cell microenvironment in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics studies, in addition to the intensity of anticancer drug response in pharmacogenomics trials. Hence, in this review, we shed light on the unique characteristics of 3D cells favoring its promising usage through a comparative approach with other research models, specifically 2D-cell culture. Plus, we will discuss the importance of 3D models as a direct reflector of the intrinsic cancer cell environment with the newest multiple methods and types available for 3D-cells implementation.
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Koshkin V, De Oliveira MB, Peng C, Ailles LE, Liu G, Covens A, Krylov SN. Multi-drug-resistance efflux in cisplatin-naive and cisplatin-exposed A2780 ovarian cancer cells responds differently to cell culture dimensionality. Mol Clin Oncol 2021; 15:161. [PMID: 34295468 PMCID: PMC8273925 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2021.2323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
A primary reason for chemotherapy failure is chemoresistance, which is driven by various mechanisms. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) is one such mechanism that is responsible for drug extrusion from the intracellular space. MDR can be intrinsic and thus, may pre-exist the first application of chemotherapy. However, MDR may also be acquired during tumor exposure to chemotherapeutic agents. To understand whether cell clustering can influence intrinsic and acquired MDR, the present study assessed cultured monolayers (representing individual cells) and spheroids (representing clusters) formed by cisplatin-naïve (intrinsic MDR) and cisplatin-exposed (acquired MDR) lines of ovarian cancer A2780 cells by determining the cytometry of reaction rate constant (CRRC). MDR efflux was characterized using accurate and robust cell number vs. MDR efflux rate constant (kMDR) histograms. Both cisplatin-naïve and cisplatin-exposed monolayer cells presented unimodal histograms; the histogram of cisplatin-exposed cells was shifted towards a higher kMDR value suggesting greater MDR activity. Spheroids of cisplatin-naïve cells presented a bimodal histogram indicating the presence of two subpopulations with different MDR activity. In contrast, spheroids of cisplatin-exposed cells presented a unimodal histogram qualitatively similar to that of the monolayers of cisplatin-exposed cells but with a moderate shift towards greater MDR activity. A flow-cytometry assessment of multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 transporter levels in monolayers and dissociated spheroids revealed distributions similar to those of kMDR, thus, suggesting a plausible molecular mechanism for the observed differences in MDR activity. The observed greater effect of cell clustering on intrinsic rather than in acquired MDR can help guide the development of new therapeutic strategies targeting clusters of circulating tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasilij Koshkin
- Centre for Research on Biomolecular Interactions, York University, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
| | | | - Chun Peng
- Centre for Research on Biomolecular Interactions, York University, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Laurie E Ailles
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Geoffrey Liu
- Department of Medicine, Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Allan Covens
- Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Sergey N Krylov
- Centre for Research on Biomolecular Interactions, York University, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
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31
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Dhamecha D, Le D, Chakravarty T, Perera K, Dutta A, Menon JU. Fabrication of PNIPAm-based thermoresponsive hydrogel microwell arrays for tumor spheroid formation. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2021; 125:112100. [PMID: 33965110 PMCID: PMC8110948 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.112100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Complex three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures are being increasingly implemented in biomedical research as they provide important insights into complex cancer biology, and cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in the tumor microenvironment. However, most methods used today for 3D cell culture are limited by high cost, the need for specialized skills, low throughput and the use of unnatural culture environments. We report the development of a unique biomimetic hydrogel microwell array platform for the generation and stress-free isolation of cancer spheroids. The poly N-isopropylacrylamide-based hydrogel microwell array (PHMA) has thermoresponsive properties allowing for the attachment and growth of cell aggregates/ spheroids at 37 °C, and their easy isolation at room temperature (RT). The reversible phase transition of the microwell arrays at 35 °C was confirmed visually and by differential scanning calorimetry. Swelling/ shrinking studies and EVOS imaging established that the microwell arrays are hydrophilic and swollen at temperatures <35 °C, while they shrink and are hydrophobic at temperatures >35 °C. Spheroid development within the PHMA was optimized for seeding density, incubation time and cell viability. Spheroids of A549, HeLa and MG-63 cancer cell lines, and human lung fibroblast (HLF) cell line generated within the PHMAs had relatively spherical morphology with hypoxic cores. Finally, using MG-63 cell spheroids as representative models, a proof-of-concept drug response study using doxorubicin hydrochloride was conducted. Overall, we demonstrate that the PHMAs are an innovative alternative to currently used 3D cell culture techniques, for the high-throughput generation of cell spheroids for disease modeling and drug screening applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinesh Dhamecha
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Duong Le
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Tomali Chakravarty
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Kalindu Perera
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Arnob Dutta
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
| | - Jyothi U Menon
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA.
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Boban M, Mehta P, Halvey AK, Repetto T, Tuteja A, Mehta G. Novel Omniphobic Platform for Multicellular Spheroid Generation, Drug Screening, and On-Plate Analysis. Anal Chem 2021; 93:8054-8061. [PMID: 34038078 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c01326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Multicellular spheroids are superior to other culture geometries in reproducing critical physiological conditions of tumors, such as the diffusion of oxygen, nutrients, waste, and drugs, leading to a more precise model of in vivo drug sensitivity and resistance. Previously reported spheroid culture platforms are often difficult to use, expensive, single-use, or mechanically unstable. Here, we report a facile, mechanically stable, high-throughput spheroid culture platform based on hierarchically textured omniphobic surfaces. The developed omniphobic surfaces display very high contact angles with a range of different liquids, including the cell-laden culture media, thereby minimizing the cell surface contact area. Additionally, these surfaces maintain these high contact angles for extended periods of time to ensure cell aggregation. Using this novel platform, we demonstrate the generation and maintenance of robust multicellular spheroids, as well as heterogeneous, multicell-type spheroids. The platform is extremely robust, resistant to mechanical shock, allows for on-plate imaging, and is also the first-ever spheroid generation platform that can be reused repeatedly. Finally, the platform is suitable for on-plate drug screening and enables the first-ever, on-plate immunofluorescence staining and imaging of spheroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew Boban
- Macromolecular Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States.,Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Pooja Mehta
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Alex Kate Halvey
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Taylor Repetto
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Anish Tuteja
- Macromolecular Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States.,Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States.,Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Geeta Mehta
- Macromolecular Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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Heremans R, Jan Z, Timmerman D, Vankelecom H. Organoids of the Female Reproductive Tract: Innovative Tools to Study Desired to Unwelcome Processes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:661472. [PMID: 33959613 PMCID: PMC8093793 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.661472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The pelviperineal organs of the female reproductive tract form an essential cornerstone of human procreation. The system comprises the ectodermal external genitalia, the Müllerian upper-vaginal, cervical, endometrial and oviductal derivatives, and the endodermal ovaries. Each of these organs presents with a unique course of biological development as well as of malignant degeneration. For many decades, various preclinical in vitro models have been employed to study female reproductive organ (patho-)biology, however, facing important shortcomings of limited expandability, loss of representativeness and inadequate translatability to the clinic. The recent emergence of 3D organoid models has propelled the field forward by generating powerful research tools that in vitro replicate healthy as well as diseased human tissues and are amenable to state-of-the-art experimental interventions. Here, we in detail review organoid modeling of the different female reproductive organs from healthy and tumorigenic backgrounds, and project perspectives for both scientists and clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Heremans
- Laboratory of Tissue Plasticity in Health and Disease, Cluster of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
- Cluster Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ziga Jan
- Laboratory of Tissue Plasticity in Health and Disease, Cluster of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
- Cluster Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Gynecology, Klinikum Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria
| | - Dirk Timmerman
- Cluster Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hugo Vankelecom
- Laboratory of Tissue Plasticity in Health and Disease, Cluster of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
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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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Olofsson K, Carannante V, Takai M, Önfelt B, Wiklund M. Ultrasound-Based Scaffold-Free Core-Shell Multicellular Tumor Spheroid Formation. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:mi12030329. [PMID: 33804708 PMCID: PMC8003921 DOI: 10.3390/mi12030329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In cancer research and drug screening, multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTSs) are a popular model to bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo. However, the current techniques to culture mixed co-culture MCTSs do not mimic the structural architecture and cellular spatial distribution in solid tumors. In this study we present an acoustic trapping-based core-shell MCTSs culture method using sequential seeding of the core and shell cells into microwells coated with a protein repellent coating. Scaffold-free core-shell ovarian cancer OVCAR-8 cell line MCTSs were cultured, stained, cleared and confocally imaged on-chip. Image analysis techniques were used to quantify the shell thickness (23.2 ± 1.8 µm) and shell coverage percentage (91.2 ± 2.8%). We also show that the shell thickness was evenly distributed over the MCTS cores with the exception of being slightly thinner close to the microwell bottom. This scaffold-free core-shell MCTSs formation technique and the analysis tools presented herein could be used as an internal migration assay within the MCTS or to form core-shell MCTS co-cultures to study therapy response or the interaction between tumor and stromal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Olofsson
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; (K.O.); (B.Ö.)
| | - Valentina Carannante
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Madoka Takai
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan;
| | - Björn Önfelt
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; (K.O.); (B.Ö.)
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Martin Wiklund
- Department of Applied Physics, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; (K.O.); (B.Ö.)
- Correspondence:
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Decarli MC, do Amaral RLF, Dos Santos DP, Tofani LB, Katayama E, Rezende RA, Silva JVLD, Swiech K, Suazo CAT, Mota C, Moroni L, Moraes ÂM. Cell spheroids as a versatile research platform: formation mechanisms, high throughput production, characterization and applications. Biofabrication 2021; 13. [PMID: 33592595 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/abe6f2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Three-dimensional cell culture has tremendous advantages to closely mimic the in vivo architecture and microenvironment of healthy tissue and organs, as well as of solid tumors. Spheroids are currently the most attractive 3D model to produce uniform reproducible cell structures as well as a potential basis for engineering large tissues and complex organs. In this review we discuss, from an engineering perspective, processes to obtain uniform 3D cell spheroids, comparing dynamic and static cultures and considering aspects such as mass transfer and shear stress. In addition, computational and mathematical modelling of complex cell spheroid systems are discussed. The non-cell-adhesive hydrogel-based method and dynamic cell culture in bioreactors are focused in detail and the myriad of developed spheroid characterization techniques is presented. The main bottlenecks and weaknesses are discussed, especially regarding the analysis of morphological parameters, cell quantification and viability, gene expression profiles, metabolic behavior and high-content analysis. Finally, a vast set of applications of spheroids as tools for in vitro study model systems is examined, including drug screening, tissue formation, pathologies development, tissue engineering and biofabrication, 3D bioprinting and microfluidics, together with their use in high-throughput platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monize Caiado Decarli
- School of Chemical Engineering/Department of Engineering of Materials and of Bioprocesses, University of Campinas, Av. Albert Einstein, 500 - Bloco A - Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz, Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz, Campinas, SP, 13083-852, BRAZIL
| | - Robson Luis Ferraz do Amaral
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto/Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café, no number, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-903, BRAZIL
| | - Diogo Peres Dos Santos
- Departament of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luiz (SP-310), km 235, São Carlos, SP, 13565-905, BRAZIL
| | - Larissa Bueno Tofani
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto/Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café, no number, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14040-903, BRAZIL
| | - Eric Katayama
- Departament of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luiz (SP-310), km 235, São Carlos, SP, 13565-905, BRAZIL
| | - Rodrigo Alvarenga Rezende
- Centro de Tecnologia da Informacao Renato Archer, Rod. Dom Pedro I (SP-65), km 143,6 - Amarais, Campinas, SP, 13069-901, BRAZIL
| | - Jorge Vicente Lopes da Silva
- Centro de Tecnologia da Informacao Renato Archer, Rod. Dom Pedro I (SP-65), km 143,6 - Amarais, Campinas, SP, 13069-901, BRAZIL
| | - Kamilla Swiech
- University of Sao Paulo, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto/Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ribeirao Preto, SP, 14040-903, BRAZIL
| | - Cláudio Alberto Torres Suazo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luiz (SP-310), km 235, São Carlos, SP, 13565-905, BRAZIL
| | - Carlos Mota
- Department of Complex Tissue Regeneration (CTR), University of Maastricht , Universiteitssingel, 40, office 3.541A, Maastricht, 6229 ER, NETHERLANDS
| | - Lorenzo Moroni
- Complex Tissue Regeneration, Maastricht University, Universiteitsingel, 40, Maastricht, 6229ER, NETHERLANDS
| | - Ângela Maria Moraes
- School of Chemical Engineering/Department of Engineering of Materials and of Bioprocesses, University of Campinas, Av. Albert Einstein, 500 - Bloco A - Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz, Campinas, SP, 13083-852, BRAZIL
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Kang SM, Kim D, Lee JH, Takayama S, Park JY. Engineered Microsystems for Spheroid and Organoid Studies. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2001284. [PMID: 33185040 PMCID: PMC7855453 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202001284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
3D in vitro model systems such as spheroids and organoids provide an opportunity to extend the physiological understanding using recapitulated tissues that mimic physiological characteristics of in vivo microenvironments. Unlike 2D systems, 3D in vitro systems can bridge the gap between inadequate 2D cultures and the in vivo environments, providing novel insights on complex physiological mechanisms at various scales of organization, ranging from the cellular, tissue-, to organ-levels. To satisfy the ever-increasing need for highly complex and sophisticated systems, many 3D in vitro models with advanced microengineering techniques have been developed to answer diverse physiological questions. This review summarizes recent advances in engineered microsystems for the development of 3D in vitro model systems. The relationship between the underlying physics behind the microengineering techniques, and their ability to recapitulate distinct 3D cellular structures and functions of diverse types of tissues and organs are highlighted and discussed in detail. A number of 3D in vitro models and their engineering principles are also introduced. Finally, current limitations are summarized, and perspectives for future directions in guiding the development of 3D in vitro model systems using microengineering techniques are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Min Kang
- Department of Green Chemical Engineering, Sangmyung University, Cheonan, Chungnam, 31066, Republic of Korea
| | - Daehan Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hoon Lee
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- The Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Shuichi Takayama
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- The Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Joong Yull Park
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
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Singh T, Neal AS, Moatamed NA, Memarzadeh S. Exploring the Potential of Drug Response Assays for Precision Medicine in Ovarian Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010305. [PMID: 33396714 PMCID: PMC7794771 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the major challenges in the treatment of cancer are differential responses of patients to existing standard of care anti-cancer drugs. These differential responses may, in part, be due to a diverse range of genomic, epigenomic, proteomic, and metabolic alterations among individuals suffering from the same type of cancer. Precision medicine is an emerging approach in cancer therapeutics that takes into account specific molecular alterations, environmental factors as well as lifestyle of individual patients. This approach allows clinicians and researchers to select or predict treatments that would most likely benefit the patient based on their individual tumor characteristics. One class of precision medicine tools are predictive, in vitro drug-response assays designed to test the sensitivity of patient tumor cells to existing or novel therapies. These assays have the potential to rapidly identify the most effective treatments for cancer patients and thus hold great promise in the field of precision medicine. In this review, we have highlighted several drug-response assays developed in ovarian cancer and discussed the current challenges and future prospects of these assays in the clinical management of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Singh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (T.S.); (A.S.N.)
- UCLA Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Adam S. Neal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (T.S.); (A.S.N.)
- UCLA Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Neda A. Moatamed
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
| | - Sanaz Memarzadeh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; (T.S.); (A.S.N.)
- UCLA Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA
- Correspondence:
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Adaptation of metabolism to multicellular aggregation, hypoxia and obese stromal cell incorporation as potential measure of survival of ovarian metastases. Exp Cell Res 2020; 399:112397. [PMID: 33338477 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.112397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian metastases exfoliate from the primary tumor and it is thought that aggregation supports their survival in the peritoneal cavity during dissemination but the underlying mechanisms are not clearly identified. We have previously shown that ovarian cancer cells acquire an increasingly glycolytic and metabolic flexible phenotype during progression. In the present study, we investigated how hypoxia, aggregation, and the incorporation of the obese stromal vascular fraction (SVF) affect cellular metabolism and the response to common anti-cancer and anti-diabetic drugs. Our results show a reduction of glucose uptake, lactate secretion, cellular respiration and ATP synthesis in response to hypoxia and aggregation, suggesting that the observed reduced proliferation of cells aggregated into spheroids is the result of a down-regulation of respiration. Recruitment of SVF to spheroids increased the spheroids invasive capacity but reduced respiration only in the most aggressive cells. Further, aggregation and hypoxia reduced the response to the metabolic drugs AICAR and metformin, and the chemotherapeutic agents cisplatin and paclitaxel. Our results suggest that the adaptation of cellular metabolism may contribute to enhanced survival under non-permissive conditions, and that these metabolic alterations may provide targets for future interventions that aim to enhance the survival of women with metastatic ovarian cancer.
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Kutova OM, Sencha LM, Pospelov AD, Dobrynina OE, Brilkina AA, Cherkasova EI, Balalaeva IV. Comparative Analysis of Cell-Cell Contact Abundance in Ovarian Carcinoma Cells Cultured in Two- and Three-Dimensional In Vitro Models. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9120446. [PMID: 33291824 PMCID: PMC7761996 DOI: 10.3390/biology9120446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Tumor resistance to therapy is a crucial problem of today’s oncology. The emerging data indicate that tumor microenvironment is the key participant in the resistance development. One of the most basic aspect of tumor microenvironment is intercellular adhesion. Our data obtained using monolayer culture, matrix-free and matrix-based three-dimensional in vitro models indicate that the abundance of cell-cell contact proteins is varying depending on the microenvironment. These differences coincided with the degree of the resistance to therapeutics. The importance of adhesion proteins in tumor resistance may provide the fundamental basis for improving cancer treatment approaches and must be taken into account when screening candidate drugs. Abstract Tumor resistance to therapy is associated with the 3D organization and peculiarities of the tumor microenvironment, of which intercellular adhesion is a key participant. In this work, the abundance of contact proteins was compared in SKOV-3 and SKOV-3.ip human ovarian adenocarcinoma cell lines, cultivated in monolayers, tumor spheroids and collagen hydrogels. Three-dimensional models were characterized by extremely low expression of basic molecules of adherens junctions E-cadherin and demonstrated a simultaneous decrease in desmosomal protein desmoglein-2, gap junction protein connexin-43 and tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1. The reduction in the level of contact proteins was most pronounced in collagen hydrogel, accompanied by significantly increased resistance to treatment with doxorubicin and targeted anticancer toxin DARPin-LoPE. Thus, we suggest that 3D models of ovarian cancer, especially matrix-based models, tend to recapitulate tumor microenvironment and treatment responsiveness to a greater extent than monolayer culture, so they can be used as a highly relevant platform for drug efficiency evaluation.
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Liu D, Chen S, Win Naing M. A review of manufacturing capabilities of cell spheroid generation technologies and future development. Biotechnol Bioeng 2020; 118:542-554. [PMID: 33146407 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Spheroid culture provides cells with a three-dimensional environment that can better mimic physiological conditions compared to monolayer culture. Technologies involved in the generation of cell spheroids are continuously being innovated to produce spheroids with enhanced properties. In this paper, we review the manufacturing capabilities of current cell spheroid generation technologies. We propose that spheroid generation technologies should enable tight and robust process controls to produce spheroids of consistent and repeatable quality. Future technology development for the generation of cell spheroids should look into improvement in process control, standardization, scalability and monitoring, in addition to advanced methods of spheroid transfer and characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Liu
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sixun Chen
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - May Win Naing
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
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The effects of size and shape of the ovarian cancer spheroids on the drug resistance and migration. Gynecol Oncol 2020; 159:563-572. [PMID: 32958270 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High fatality in ovarian cancer is attributed to metastasis, propagated by the release of multi-cellular aggregates/spheroids into the peritoneal cavity and their subsequent mesothelial invasion of peritoneal organs. Spheroids are therefore a common and clinically relevant in vitro model for ovarian cancer research. Spheroids in patients vary significantly in size and shape and display enhanced resistance to anti-cancer drugs compared to monolayers. However, there is no consensus on how spheroid size and shape affect drug resistance. Moreover, existing data regarding the influence of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) profile on spheroid shape and migration is inconclusive. METHODS We formed spheroids with OVCAR-3 and OVCAR-8 cells, chosen for their established genetic similarity to the patient tumor samples. We monitored their morphology using confocal microscope with dipping objective and fluorescent microscope. We characterized important EMT biomarkers; E-cadherin, Vimentin and Slug through western blotting in monolayers and spheroids. We treated these spheroids with Taxol and Cisplatin and investigated their migratory profile based on their morphology. RESULTS We report two distinct multicellular structures: loose aggregates (OVCAR-3) and compact spheroids (OVCAR-8). We attribute these different morphologies to the expression of the EMT biomarkers, and their changes upon spheroid formation. Importantly, we did not observe a difference in resistance to the anti-cancer drugs as a function of spheroid size and shape. However, migration capacity of compact spheroid (OVCAR-8) was 15-fold higher compared to that of loose aggregates (OVCAR-3). CONCLUSIONS These results highlight the importance of spheroid size and shape on anti-cancer drug resistance and migration profiles. The results of this study can, therefore, help to elucidate general rules for ovarian cancer studies based on 3D samples.
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Santi M, Mapanao AK, Cappello V, Voliani V. Production of 3D Tumor Models of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas for Nanotheranostics Assessment. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:4862-4869. [PMID: 33395269 PMCID: PMC7735655 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c00617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
As a first approach, standard 2D cell culture techniques are usually employed for the screening of drugs and nanomaterials. Despite the easy handling, findings achieved on 2D cultures are often not efficiently translatable to in vivo preclinical investigations. Furthermore, although animal models are pivotal in preclinical studies, more strict directives have been implemented to promote the use of alternative biological systems. In this context, the development and integration into preclinical research workflow of 3D neoplasm models is particularly appealing to promote the advancement and success of therapeutics in clinical trials while reducing the number of in vivo models. Indeed, 3D tumor models bridge several discrepancies between 2D cell culture and in vivo models, among which are morphology, polarity, drug penetration, osmolality, and gene expressions. Here, we comprehensively describe a robust and high-throughput hanging drop protocol for the production of 3D models of both Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). We also report the standard cascade assays for their characterization and demonstrate their significance in investigations on these aggressive neoplasms. The employment of relevant 3D cancer models is pivotal to produce more reliable and robust findings in terms of biosafety, theranostic efficacy, and biokinetics as well as to promote further knowledge on HNSCC pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Santi
- Center
for Nanotechnology Innovation@NEST, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Piazza San Silvestro, 12-56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Ana Katrina Mapanao
- Center
for Nanotechnology Innovation@NEST, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Piazza San Silvestro, 12-56126 Pisa, Italy
- NEST-Scuola
Normale Superiore, Piazza
San Silvestro, 12-56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Cappello
- Center
for Nanotechnology Innovation@NEST, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Piazza San Silvestro, 12-56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Valerio Voliani
- Center
for Nanotechnology Innovation@NEST, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Piazza San Silvestro, 12-56126 Pisa, Italy
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45
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Semertzidou A, Brosens JJ, McNeish I, Kyrgiou M. Organoid models in gynaecological oncology research. Cancer Treat Rev 2020; 90:102103. [PMID: 32932156 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2020.102103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cell culture and animal models represent experimental cornerstones for the investigation of tissue, organ and body physiology in the context of gynaecological research. However, their ability to accurately reflect human mechanisms in vivo is limited. The development of organoid technologies has begun to address this limitation by providing platforms ex vivo that resemble the phenotype and genotype of the multi-cellular tissue from which they were derived more accurately. In this review, we discuss advances in organoid derivation from endometrial, ovarian, fallopian tube and cervical tissue, both benign and malignant, the manipulation of organoid microenvironment to preserve stem cell populations and achieve long-term expansion and we explore the morphological and molecular kinship of organoids to parent tissue. Apart from providing new insight into mechanisms of carcinogenesis, gynaecological cancer-derived organoids can be utilised as tools for drug screening of chemotherapeutic and hormonal compounds where they exhibit interpatient variability consistent with states in vivo and xenografted tumours allowing for patient-tailored treatment strategies. Bridging organoid with bioengineering accomplishments is clearly the way forward to the generation of organoid-on-a-chip technologies enhancing the robustness of the model and its translational potential. Undeniably, organoids are expected to stand their ground in the years to come and revolutionize development and disease modelling studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Semertzidou
- Department of Surgery and Cancer & Department of Digestion, Metabolism and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK; Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea - Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London W12 0HS, UK
| | - Jan J Brosens
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Science Research Laboratories, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK; Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
| | - Iain McNeish
- Department of Surgery and Cancer & Department of Digestion, Metabolism and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Maria Kyrgiou
- Department of Surgery and Cancer & Department of Digestion, Metabolism and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK; Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea - Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London W12 0HS, UK.
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Frieboes HB, Raghavan S, Godin B. Modeling of Nanotherapy Response as a Function of the Tumor Microenvironment: Focus on Liver Metastasis. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:1011. [PMID: 32974325 PMCID: PMC7466654 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.01011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) presents a challenging barrier for effective nanotherapy-mediated drug delivery to solid tumors. In particular for tumors less vascularized than the surrounding normal tissue, as in liver metastases, the structure of the organ itself conjures with cancer-specific behavior to impair drug transport and uptake by cancer cells. Cells and elements in the TME of hypovascularized tumors play a key role in the process of delivery and retention of anti-cancer therapeutics by nanocarriers. This brief review describes the drug transport challenges and how they are being addressed with advanced in vitro 3D tissue models as well as with in silico mathematical modeling. This modeling complements network-oriented techniques, which seek to interpret intra-cellular relevant pathways and signal transduction within cells and with their surrounding microenvironment. With a concerted effort integrating experimental observations with computational analyses spanning from the molecular- to the tissue-scale, the goal of effective nanotherapy customized to patient tumor-specific conditions may be finally realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermann B. Frieboes
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
- Center for Predictive Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Shreya Raghavan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Biana Godin
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
- Developmental Therapeutics Program, Houston Methodist Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
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Raghavan S, Snyder CS, Wang A, McLean K, Zamarin D, Buckanovich RJ, Mehta G. Carcinoma-Associated Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Chemoresistance in Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells via PDGF Signaling. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12082063. [PMID: 32726910 PMCID: PMC7464970 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the ovarian cancer tumor microenvironment, cancer stem-like cells (CSC) interact with carcinoma associated mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (CA-MSC) through multiple secreted cytokines and growth factors. These paracrine interactions have been revealed to cause enrichment of CSC and their chemoprotection; however, it is still not known if platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling is involved in facilitating these responses. In order to probe this undiscovered bidirectional communication, we created a model of ovarian malignant ascites in the three-dimensional (3D) hanging drop heterospheroid array, with CSC and CA-MSC. We hypothesized that PDGF secretion by CA-MSC increases self-renewal, migration, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and chemoresistance in ovarian CSC. Our results indicate that PDGF signaling in the CSC-MSC heterospheroids significantly increased stemness, metastatic potential and chemoresistance of CSC. Knockdown of PDGFB in MSC resulted in abrogation of these phenotypes in the heterospheroids. Our studies also reveal a cross-talk between PDGF and Hedgehog signaling in ovarian cancer. Overall, our data suggest that when the stromal signaling via PDGF to ovarian CSC is blocked in addition to chemotherapy pressure, the tumor cells are significantly more sensitive to chemotherapy. Our results emphasize the importance of disrupting the signals from the microenvironment to the tumor cells, in order to improve response rates. These findings may lead to the development of combination therapies targeting stromal signaling (such as PDGF and Hedgehog) that can abrogate the tumorigenic, metastatic and platinum resistant phenotypes of ovarian CSC through additional investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Raghavan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.R.); (C.S.S.)
| | - Catherine S. Snyder
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.R.); (C.S.S.)
| | - Anni Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Karen McLean
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Dmitriy Zamarin
- Department of Gynecologic Medical Oncology and Immunotherapeutics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA;
| | - Ronald J. Buckanovich
- Director of Ovarian Cancer Research, Magee Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA;
| | - Geeta Mehta
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.R.); (C.S.S.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Macromolecular Sciences and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Precision Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-734-763-3957; Fax: +1-734-763-4788
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Karimi H, Leszczyński B, Kołodziej T, Kubicz E, Przybyło M, Stępień E. X-ray microtomography as a new approach for imaging and analysis of tumor spheroids. Micron 2020; 137:102917. [PMID: 32693343 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2020.102917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) spheroids mimic important properties of tumors and may soon become a reasonable substitute for animal models and human tissue, eliminating numerous problems related to in vivo and ex vivo experiments and pre-clinical drug trials. Currently, various imaging methods including X-ray microtomography (micro-CT), exist but their spatial resolution is limited. Here, we visualized and provided a morphological analysis of spheroid cell cultures using micro-CT and compared it to that of confocal microscopy. An approach is proposed that can potentially open new diagnostic opportunities to determine the morphology of cancer cells cultured in 3D structures instead of using actual tumors. Spheroids were formed from human melanoma cell lines WM266-4 and WM115 seeded at different cell densities using the hanging drop method. Micro-CT analysis of spheroid showed that spheroid size and shape differed depending on the cell line, initial cell number, and duration of culture. The melanoma cell lines used in this study can successfully be cultured as 3D spheroids and used to substitute human and animal models in pre-clinical studies. The micro-CT allows for high-resolution visualization of the spheroids structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanieh Karimi
- Department of Medical Physics, M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Bartosz Leszczyński
- Department of Medical Physics, M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Tomasz Kołodziej
- Department of Molecular and Interfacial Biophysics, M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Ewelina Kubicz
- Department of Experimental Particle Physics and Applications, M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Przybyło
- Department of Glycoconjugate Biochemistry, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Ewa Stępień
- Department of Medical Physics, M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.
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Tofani LB, Abriata JP, Luiz MT, Marchetti JM, Swiech K. Establishment and characterization of an in vitro
3D
ovarian cancer model for drug screening assays. Biotechnol Prog 2020; 36:e3034. [DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Larissa B. Tofani
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto University of Sao Paulo Ribeirão Preto Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - Juliana P. Abriata
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto University of Sao Paulo Ribeirão Preto Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - Marcela T. Luiz
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto University of Sao Paulo Ribeirão Preto Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - Juliana M. Marchetti
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto University of Sao Paulo Ribeirão Preto Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - Kamilla Swiech
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto University of Sao Paulo Ribeirão Preto Sao Paulo Brazil
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50
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Azadi M, Jamali T, Kianmehr Z, Kavoosi G, Ardestani SK. In-vitro (2D and 3D cultures) and in-vivo cytotoxic properties of Zataria multiflora essential oil (ZEO) emulsion in breast and cervical cancer cells along with the investigation of immunomodulatory potential. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 257:112865. [PMID: 32298750 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Zataria multiflora is an iranian valuable traditional plants, called Avishan Shirazi in Persian language used to reduce inflammation, spasm, pain, and cancer symptoms. Zataria essential oil (ZEO) is one of the essential oils possessing broad biological activities. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim was to investigate the anticancer effects of ZEO both in-vitro and in-vivo using mouse mammary carcinoma 4T1 cell line and mouse cervical cancer TC1 cell line. MATERIAL AND METHODS The in-vitro effects of ZEO on the proliferation of these cell lines were considered in 2D and 3D culture by MTT assay. In the following, to indicate death mode, fluorescence staining, AnnexinV/PI flowcytometry and caspase-3 activity assay of monolayer cells treated with ZEO was done. In order to evaluate the antitumor activities of ZEO, tumor-bearing BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally administered with ZEO and the immunomodulatory effects of ZEO were considered through cytokine assay. Additionally, hematobiochemical factors including aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were investigated to confirm the harmless effects of ZEO. RESULTS The In-vitro results showed that treatment of cells with ZEO leads to significant inhibition of 4T1 and TC1 cell proliferation and apoptosis in monolayer cell culture (2D) and multicellular spheroids (3D). Based on In-vivo results, ZEO was effective in decreasing the tumor weight compared to the control. Furthermore, ZEO was effective in tilting the balance of cytokines in favor of T helper 1 through the increase in the secretion of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2 and decrease in IL-4. During the treatment with ZEO, hematobiochemical factors of mice did not significantly change. CONCLUSION the present study demonstrated that the ZEO has potent antiproliferative, apoptosis-inducing and immune system stimulant properties in breast and cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohadeseh Azadi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Tahereh Jamali
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Zahra Kianmehr
- Institute of Biotechnology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Gholamreza Kavoosi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
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