1
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Zhao S, Xue C, Burns DC, Shoichet MS. Viscoelastic Supramolecular Hyaluronan-Peptide Cross-Linked Hydrogels. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:3946-3958. [PMID: 38913947 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Viscoelasticity plays a key role in hydrogel design. We designed a physically cross-linked hydrogel with tunable viscoelasticity, comprising supramolecular-assembled peptides coupled to hyaluronan (HA), a native extracellular matrix component. We then explored the structural and molecular mechanisms underlying the mechanical properties of a series of these HA-peptide hydrogels. By modifying the peptide sequence, we modulated both long- and short-time stress relaxation rates as a way to target viscoelasticity with limited impact on stiffness, leading to gels that relax up to 60% of stress in 10 min. Gels with the highest viscoelasticity exhibited large mesh sizes and β-sheet secondary structures. The stiffness of the gel correlated with hydrogen bonding between the peptide chains. These gels are cytocompatible: highly viscoelastic gels that mimic the native skin microenvironment promote dermal fibroblast cell spreading. Moreover, HA-peptide gels enabled cell encapsulation, as shown with primary human T cells. Overall, these physically-cross-linked hydrogels enable tunable viscoelasticity that can be used to modulate cell morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer Zhao
- Division of Engineering Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1, Canada
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Chang Xue
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1, Canada
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Darcy C Burns
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Molly S Shoichet
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1, Canada
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1, Canada
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2
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Yoon S, Fuwad A, Jeong S, Cho H, Jeon TJ, Kim SM. Surface Deformation of Biocompatible Materials: Recent Advances in Biological Applications. Biomimetics (Basel) 2024; 9:395. [PMID: 39056836 PMCID: PMC11274418 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics9070395] [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: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The surface topography of substrates is a crucial factor that determines the interaction with biological materials in bioengineering research. Therefore, it is important to appropriately modify the surface topography according to the research purpose. Surface topography can be fabricated in various forms, such as wrinkles, creases, and ridges using surface deformation techniques, which can contribute to the performance enhancement of cell chips, organ chips, and biosensors. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the characteristics of soft, hard, and hybrid substrates used in the bioengineering field and the surface deformation techniques applied to the substrates. Furthermore, this review summarizes the cases of cell-based research and other applications, such as biosensor research, that utilize surface deformation techniques. In cell-based research, various studies have reported optimized cell behavior and differentiation through surface deformation, while, in the biosensor and biofilm fields, performance improvement cases due to surface deformation have been reported. Through these studies, we confirm the contribution of surface deformation techniques to the advancement of the bioengineering field. In the future, it is expected that the application of surface deformation techniques to the real-time interaction analysis between biological materials and dynamically deformable substrates will increase the utilization and importance of these techniques in various fields, including cell research and biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunhee Yoon
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.); (H.C.)
- Industry-Academia Interactive R&E Center for Bioprocess Innovation (BK21), Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Ahmed Fuwad
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (A.F.); (S.J.)
| | - Seorin Jeong
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (A.F.); (S.J.)
| | - Hyeran Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.); (H.C.)
| | - Tae-Joon Jeon
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.); (H.C.)
- Industry-Academia Interactive R&E Center for Bioprocess Innovation (BK21), Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
- Biohybrid Systems Research Center, Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Min Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (S.Y.); (H.C.)
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; (A.F.); (S.J.)
- Biohybrid Systems Research Center, Inha University, 100, Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
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Golo M, Newman PLH, Kempe D, Biro M. Mechanoimmunology in the solid tumor microenvironment. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:1489-1502. [PMID: 38856041 DOI: 10.1042/bst20231427] [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: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex and dynamic ecosystem that adjoins the cancer cells within solid tumors and comprises distinct components such as extracellular matrix, stromal and immune cells, blood vessels, and an abundance of signaling molecules. In recent years, the mechanical properties of the TME have emerged as critical determinants of tumor progression and therapeutic response. Aberrant mechanical cues, including altered tissue architecture and stiffness, contribute to tumor progression, metastasis, and resistance to treatment. Moreover, burgeoning immunotherapies hold great promise for harnessing the immune system to target and eliminate solid malignancies; however, their success is hindered by the hostile mechanical landscape of the TME, which can impede immune cell infiltration, function, and persistence. Consequently, understanding TME mechanoimmunology - the interplay between mechanical forces and immune cell behavior - is essential for developing effective solid cancer therapies. Here, we review the role of TME mechanics in tumor immunology, focusing on recent therapeutic interventions aimed at modulating the mechanical properties of the TME to potentiate T cell immunotherapies, and innovative assays tailored to evaluate their clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Golo
- EMBL Australia, Single Molecule Science node, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Peter L H Newman
- EMBL Australia, Single Molecule Science node, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Daryan Kempe
- EMBL Australia, Single Molecule Science node, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Maté Biro
- EMBL Australia, Single Molecule Science node, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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4
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Underwood S, Jin J, Shao L, Prochazkova M, Shi R, Song HW, Jin P, Shah NN, Somerville RP, Stroncek DF, Highfill SL. T Cell Activators Exhibit Distinct Downstream Effects on Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Phenotype and Function. Immunohorizons 2024; 8:404-414. [PMID: 38864817 PMCID: PMC11220740 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2400008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
T cell activation is an essential step in chimeric Ag receptor (CAR) T (CAR T) cell manufacturing and is accomplished by the addition of activator reagents that trigger the TCR and provide costimulation. We explore several T cell activation reagents and examine their effects on key attributes of CAR T cell cultures, such as activation/exhaustion markers, cell expansion, gene expression, and transduction efficiency. Four distinct activators were examined, all using anti-CD3 and anti-CD28, but incorporating different mechanisms of delivery: Dynabeads (magnetic microspheres), TransAct (polymeric nanomatrix), Cloudz (alginate hydrogel), and Microbubbles (lipid membrane containing perfluorocarbon gas). Clinical-grade lentiviral vector was used to transduce cells with a bivalent CD19/CD22 CAR, and cell counts and flow cytometry were used to monitor the cells throughout the culture. We observed differences in CD4/CD8 ratio when stimulating with the Cloudz activator, where there was a significant skewing toward CD8 T cells. The naive T cell subset expressing CD62L+CCR7+CD45RA+ was the highest in all donors when stimulating with Dynabeads, whereas effector/effector memory cells were highest when using the Cloudz. Functional assays demonstrated differences in killing of target cells and proinflammatory cytokine secretion, with the highest killing from the Cloudz-stimulated cells among all donors. This study demonstrates that the means by which these stimulatory Abs are presented to T cells contribute to the activation, resulting in differing effects on CAR T cell function. These studies highlight important differences in the final product that should be considered when manufacturing CAR T cells for patients in the clinic.
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MESH Headings
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- Humans
- Lymphocyte Activation/immunology
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Phenotype
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Antigens, CD19/immunology
- Antigens, CD19/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Underwood
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Jianjian Jin
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Lipei Shao
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Michaela Prochazkova
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Rongye Shi
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Hannah W. Song
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Ping Jin
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Nirali N. Shah
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Robert P. Somerville
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - David F. Stroncek
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Steven L. Highfill
- Center for Cellular Engineering, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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5
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Skirzynska A, Xue C, Shoichet MS. Engineering Biomaterials to Model Immune-Tumor Interactions In Vitro. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2310637. [PMID: 38349174 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202310637] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Engineered biomaterial scaffolds are becoming more prominent in research laboratories to study drug efficacy for oncological applications in vitro, but do they have a place in pharmaceutical drug screening pipelines? The low efficacy of cancer drugs in phase II/III clinical trials suggests that there are critical mechanisms not properly accounted for in the pre-clinical evaluation of drug candidates. Immune cells associated with the tumor may account for some of these failures given recent successes with cancer immunotherapies; however, there are few representative platforms to study immune cells in the context of cancer as traditional 2D culture is typically monocultures and humanized animal models have a weakened immune composition. Biomaterials that replicate tumor microenvironmental cues may provide a more relevant model with greater in vitro complexity. In this review, the authors explore the pertinent microenvironmental cues that drive tumor progression in the context of the immune system, discuss how these cues can be incorporated into hydrogel design to culture immune cells, and describe progress toward precision oncological drug screening with engineered tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Skirzynska
- Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E5, Canada
- Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College St, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Chang Xue
- Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College St, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Molly S Shoichet
- Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E5, Canada
- Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, 160 College St, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H4, Canada
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Mai Z, Lin Y, Lin P, Zhao X, Cui L. Modulating extracellular matrix stiffness: a strategic approach to boost cancer immunotherapy. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:307. [PMID: 38693104 PMCID: PMC11063215 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06697-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
The interplay between extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness and the tumor microenvironment is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in cancer progression and the efficacy of immunotherapy. This review comprehensively discusses the key factors regulating ECM remodeling, including the activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts and the accumulation and crosslinking of ECM proteins. Furthermore, it provides a detailed exploration of how ECM stiffness influences the behaviors of both tumor and immune cells. Significantly, the impact of ECM stiffness on the response to various immunotherapy strategies, such as immune checkpoint blockade, adoptive cell therapy, oncolytic virus therapy, and therapeutic cancer vaccines, is thoroughly examined. The review also addresses the challenges in translating research findings into clinical practice, highlighting the need for more precise biomaterials that accurately mimic the ECM and the development of novel therapeutic strategies. The insights offered aim to guide future research, with the potential to enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizhao Mai
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China
| | - Yunfan Lin
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China
| | - Pei Lin
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinyuan Zhao
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China.
| | - Li Cui
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China.
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Leyva-Aranda V, Singh S, Telesforo MJ, Young S, Yee C, Hartgerink JD. Nanofibrous MultiDomain Peptide Hydrogels Provide T Cells a 3D, Cytocompatible Environment for Cell Expansion and Antigen-Specific Killing. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:1448-1460. [PMID: 38385283 PMCID: PMC10955686 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c01617] [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] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
T cells have the ability to recognize and kill specific target cells, giving therapies based on their potential for treating infection, diabetes, cancer, and other diseases. However, the advancement of T cell-based treatments has been hindered by difficulties in their ex vivo activation and expansion, the number of cells required for sustained in vivo levels, and preferential localization following systemic delivery. Biomaterials may help to overcome many of these challenges by providing a combined means of proliferation, antigen presentation, and cell localization upon delivery. In this work, we studied self-assembling Multidomain Peptides (MDPs) as scaffolds for T cell culture, activation, and expansion. We evaluated the effect of different MDP chemistries on their biocompatibility with T cells and the maintenance of antigen specificity for T cells cultured in the hydrogels. We also examined the potential application of MDPs as scaffolds for T cell activation and expansion and the effect of MDP encapsulation on T cell phenotype. We found high cell viability when T cells were encapsulated in noncationic MDPs, O5 and D2, and superior retention of antigen specificity and tumor-reactivity were preserved in the anionic MDP, D2. Maintenance of antigen recognition by T cells in D2 hydrogels was confirmed by quantifying immune synapses of T Cells engaged with antigen-presenting cancer cells. When 3D cultured in anionic MDP D2 coloaded with anti-CD3, anti-CD28, IL2, IL7, and IL15, we observed successful T cell proliferation evidenced by upregulation of CD27 and CD107a. This study is the first to investigate the potential of self-assembling peptide-based hydrogels as 3D scaffolds for human T cell applications and demonstrates that MDP hydrogels are a viable platform for enabling T cell in vitro activation, expansion, and maintenance of antigen specificity and therefore a promising tool for future T cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shailbala Singh
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77054, United States
| | - Maria J Telesforo
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Simon Young
- Katz Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77054, United States
| | - Cassian Yee
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77054, United States
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77054, United States
| | - Jeffrey D Hartgerink
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
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8
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Jeffreys N, Brockman JM, Zhai Y, Ingber DE, Mooney DJ. Mechanical forces amplify TCR mechanotransduction in T cell activation and function. APPLIED PHYSICS REVIEWS 2024; 11:011304. [PMID: 38434676 PMCID: PMC10848667 DOI: 10.1063/5.0166848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Adoptive T cell immunotherapies, including engineered T cell receptor (eTCR) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapies, have shown efficacy in treating a subset of hematologic malignancies, exhibit promise in solid tumors, and have many other potential applications, such as in fibrosis, autoimmunity, and regenerative medicine. While immunoengineering has focused on designing biomaterials to present biochemical cues to manipulate T cells ex vivo and in vivo, mechanical cues that regulate their biology have been largely underappreciated. This review highlights the contributions of mechanical force to several receptor-ligand interactions critical to T cell function, with central focus on the TCR-peptide-loaded major histocompatibility complex (pMHC). We then emphasize the role of mechanical forces in (i) allosteric strengthening of the TCR-pMHC interaction in amplifying ligand discrimination during T cell antigen recognition prior to activation and (ii) T cell interactions with the extracellular matrix. We then describe approaches to design eTCRs, CARs, and biomaterials to exploit TCR mechanosensitivity in order to potentiate T cell manufacturing and function in adoptive T cell immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yunhao Zhai
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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9
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Lee M, Jeong H, Lee C, Lee MJ, Delmo BR, Heo WD, Shin JH, Park Y. High-resolution assessment of multidimensional cellular mechanics using label-free refractive-index traction force microscopy. Commun Biol 2024; 7:115. [PMID: 38245624 PMCID: PMC10799850 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05788-4] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
A critical requirement for studying cell mechanics is three-dimensional assessment of cellular shapes and forces with high spatiotemporal resolution. Traction force microscopy with fluorescence imaging enables the measurement of cellular forces, but it is limited by photobleaching and a slow acquisition speed. Here, we present refractive-index traction force microscopy (RI-TFM), which simultaneously quantifies the volumetric morphology and traction force of cells using a high-speed illumination scheme with 0.5-Hz temporal resolution. Without labelling, our method enables quantitative analyses of dry-mass distributions and shear (in-plane) and normal (out-of-plane) tractions of single cells on the extracellular matrix. When combined with a constrained total variation-based deconvolution algorithm, it provides 0.55-Pa shear and 1.59-Pa normal traction sensitivity for a 1-kPa hydrogel substrate. We demonstrate its utility by assessing the effects of compromised intracellular stress and capturing the rapid dynamics of cellular junction formation in the spatiotemporal changes in non-planar traction components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moosung Lee
- Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, South Korea
- KAIST Institute for Health Science and Technology, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, South Korea
- Institute for Functional Matter and Quantum Technologies, Universität Stuttgart, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Hyuntae Jeong
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, South Korea
| | - Chaeyeon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, South Korea
| | - Mahn Jae Lee
- KAIST Institute for Health Science and Technology, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, South Korea
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, South Korea
| | - Benedict Reve Delmo
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, South Korea
| | - Won Do Heo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, South Korea.
- KAIST Institute for the BioCentury (KIB), KAIST, Jaejeo, Daejeon, 34141, South Korea.
| | - Jennifer H Shin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, South Korea.
| | - YongKeun Park
- Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, South Korea.
- KAIST Institute for Health Science and Technology, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, South Korea.
- Tomocube Inc., Daejeon, 34109, South Korea.
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10
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Teer L, Yaddanapudi K, Chen J. Biophysical Control of the Glioblastoma Immunosuppressive Microenvironment: Opportunities for Immunotherapy. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:93. [PMID: 38247970 PMCID: PMC10813491 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11010093] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
GBM is the most aggressive and common form of primary brain cancer with a dismal prognosis. Current GBM treatments have not improved patient survival, due to the propensity for tumor cell adaptation and immune evasion, leading to a persistent progression of the disease. In recent years, the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been identified as a critical regulator of these pro-tumorigenic changes, providing a complex array of biomolecular and biophysical signals that facilitate evasion strategies by modulating tumor cells, stromal cells, and immune populations. Efforts to unravel these complex TME interactions are necessary to improve GBM therapy. Immunotherapy is a promising treatment strategy that utilizes a patient's own immune system for tumor eradication and has exhibited exciting results in many cancer types; however, the highly immunosuppressive interactions between the immune cell populations and the GBM TME continue to present challenges. In order to elucidate these interactions, novel bioengineering models are being employed to decipher the mechanisms of immunologically "cold" GBMs. Additionally, these data are being leveraged to develop cell engineering strategies to bolster immunotherapy efficacy. This review presents an in-depth analysis of the biophysical interactions of the GBM TME and immune cell populations as well as the systems used to elucidate the underlying immunosuppressive mechanisms for improving current therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Landon Teer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA;
| | - Kavitha Yaddanapudi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Immuno-Oncology Program, Brown Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Division of Immunotherapy, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Joseph Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA;
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11
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Mierke CT. Extracellular Matrix Cues Regulate Mechanosensing and Mechanotransduction of Cancer Cells. Cells 2024; 13:96. [PMID: 38201302 PMCID: PMC10777970 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010096] [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: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular biophysical properties have particular implications for a wide spectrum of cellular behaviors and functions, including growth, motility, differentiation, apoptosis, gene expression, cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion, and signal transduction including mechanotransduction. Cells not only react to unambiguously mechanical cues from the extracellular matrix (ECM), but can occasionally manipulate the mechanical features of the matrix in parallel with biological characteristics, thus interfering with downstream matrix-based cues in both physiological and pathological processes. Bidirectional interactions between cells and (bio)materials in vitro can alter cell phenotype and mechanotransduction, as well as ECM structure, intentionally or unintentionally. Interactions between cell and matrix mechanics in vivo are of particular importance in a variety of diseases, including primarily cancer. Stiffness values between normal and cancerous tissue can range between 500 Pa (soft) and 48 kPa (stiff), respectively. Even the shear flow can increase from 0.1-1 dyn/cm2 (normal tissue) to 1-10 dyn/cm2 (cancerous tissue). There are currently many new areas of activity in tumor research on various biological length scales, which are highlighted in this review. Moreover, the complexity of interactions between ECM and cancer cells is reduced to common features of different tumors and the characteristics are highlighted to identify the main pathways of interaction. This all contributes to the standardization of mechanotransduction models and approaches, which, ultimately, increases the understanding of the complex interaction. Finally, both the in vitro and in vivo effects of this mechanics-biology pairing have key insights and implications for clinical practice in tumor treatment and, consequently, clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tanja Mierke
- Biological Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Leipzig University, Linnéstraße 5, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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12
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Shou Y, Teo XY, Wu KZ, Bai B, Kumar ARK, Low J, Le Z, Tay A. Dynamic Stimulations with Bioengineered Extracellular Matrix-Mimicking Hydrogels for Mechano Cell Reprogramming and Therapy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023:e2300670. [PMID: 37119518 PMCID: PMC10375194 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202300670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Cells interact with their surrounding environment through a combination of static and dynamic mechanical signals that vary over stimulus types, intensity, space, and time. Compared to static mechanical signals such as stiffness, porosity, and topography, the current understanding on the effects of dynamic mechanical stimulations on cells remains limited, attributing to a lack of access to devices, the complexity of experimental set-up, and data interpretation. Yet, in the pursuit of emerging translational applications (e.g., cell manufacturing for clinical treatment), it is crucial to understand how cells respond to a variety of dynamic forces that are omnipresent in vivo so that they can be exploited to enhance manufacturing and therapeutic outcomes. With a rising appreciation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) as a key regulator of biofunctions, researchers have bioengineered a suite of ECM-mimicking hydrogels, which can be fine-tuned with spatiotemporal mechanical cues to model complex static and dynamic mechanical profiles. This review first discusses how mechanical stimuli may impact different cellular components and the various mechanobiology pathways involved. Then, how hydrogels can be designed to incorporate static and dynamic mechanical parameters to influence cell behaviors are described. The Scopus database is also used to analyze the relative strength in evidence, ranging from strong to weak, based on number of published literatures, associated citations, and treatment significance. Additionally, the impacts of static and dynamic mechanical stimulations on clinically relevant cell types including mesenchymal stem cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells, are evaluated. The aim is to draw attention to the paucity of studies on the effects of dynamic mechanical stimuli on cells, as well as to highlight the potential of using a cocktail of various types and intensities of mechanical stimulations to influence cell fates (similar to the concept of biochemical cocktail to direct cell fate). It is envisioned that this progress report will inspire more exciting translational development of mechanoresponsive hydrogels for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufeng Shou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Xin Yong Teo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Kenny Zhuoran Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Bingyu Bai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Arun R K Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Jessalyn Low
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Zhicheng Le
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Andy Tay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- NUS Tissue Engineering Program, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117510, Singapore
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13
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Bomb K, LeValley PJ, Woodward I, Cassel SE, Sutherland BP, Bhattacharjee A, Yun Z, Steen J, Kurdzo E, McCoskey J, Burris D, Levine K, Carbrello C, Lenhoff AM, Fromen CA, Kloxin AM. Cell therapy biomanufacturing: integrating biomaterial and flow-based membrane technologies for production of engineered T-cells. ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES 2023; 8:2201155. [PMID: 37600966 PMCID: PMC10437131 DOI: 10.1002/admt.202201155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive T-cell therapies (ATCTs) are increasingly important for the treatment of cancer, where patient immune cells are engineered to target and eradicate diseased cells. The biomanufacturing of ATCTs involves a series of time-intensive, lab-scale steps, including isolation, activation, genetic modification, and expansion of a patient's T-cells prior to achieving a final product. Innovative modular technologies are needed to produce cell therapies at improved scale and enhanced efficacy. In this work, well-defined, bioinspired soft materials were integrated within flow-based membrane devices for improving the activation and transduction of T cells. Hydrogel coated membranes (HCM) functionalized with cell-activating antibodies were produced as a tunable biomaterial for the activation of primary human T-cells. T-cell activation utilizing HCMs led to highly proliferative T-cells that expressed a memory phenotype. Further, transduction efficiency was improved by several fold over static conditions by using a tangential flow filtration (TFF) flow-cell, commonly used in the production of protein therapeutics, to transduce T-cells under flow. The combination of HCMs and TFF technology led to increased cell activation, proliferation, and transduction compared to current industrial biomanufacturing processes. The combined power of biomaterials with scalable flow-through transduction techniques provides future opportunities for improving the biomanufacturing of ATCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kartik Bomb
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
| | - Paige J. LeValley
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
| | - Ian Woodward
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
| | - Samantha E. Cassel
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
| | | | | | - Zaining Yun
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
| | - Jonathan Steen
- EMD Millipore Corporation, Bedford, MA, an affiliate of Merck, Newark, DE
| | - Emily Kurdzo
- EMD Millipore Corporation, Bedford, MA, an affiliate of Merck, Newark, DE
| | - Jacob McCoskey
- EMD Millipore Corporation, Bedford, MA, an affiliate of Merck, Newark, DE
| | - David Burris
- Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
| | - Kara Levine
- EMD Millipore Corporation, Bedford, MA, an affiliate of Merck, Newark, DE
| | | | - Abraham M. Lenhoff
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
| | | | - April M. Kloxin
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
- Material Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
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14
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Yuan Z, Li Y, Zhang S, Wang X, Dou H, Yu X, Zhang Z, Yang S, Xiao M. Extracellular matrix remodeling in tumor progression and immune escape: from mechanisms to treatments. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:48. [PMID: 36906534 PMCID: PMC10007858 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01744-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 86.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The malignant tumor is a multi-etiological, systemic and complex disease characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation and distant metastasis. Anticancer treatments including adjuvant therapies and targeted therapies are effective in eliminating cancer cells but in a limited number of patients. Increasing evidence suggests that the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in tumor development through changes in macromolecule components, degradation enzymes and stiffness. These variations are under the control of cellular components in tumor tissue via the aberrant activation of signaling pathways, the interaction of the ECM components to multiple surface receptors, and mechanical impact. Additionally, the ECM shaped by cancer regulates immune cells which results in an immune suppressive microenvironment and hinders the efficacy of immunotherapies. Thus, the ECM acts as a barrier to protect cancer from treatments and supports tumor progression. Nevertheless, the profound regulatory network of the ECM remodeling hampers the design of individualized antitumor treatment. Here, we elaborate on the composition of the malignant ECM, and discuss the specific mechanisms of the ECM remodeling. Precisely, we highlight the impact of the ECM remodeling on tumor development, including proliferation, anoikis, metastasis, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and immune escape. Finally, we emphasize ECM "normalization" as a potential strategy for anti-malignant treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhennan Yuan
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yingpu Li
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Sifan Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Xueying Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - He Dou
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Xi Yu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Zhiren Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Cell Transplantation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, China.,Institute of Metabolic Disease, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Science, Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Metabolic Disorder and Cancer Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Shanshan Yang
- Department of Gynecological Radiotherapy, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150000, China.
| | - Min Xiao
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, 150081, China.
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15
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Alatoom A, ElGindi M, Sapudom J, Teo JCM. The T Cell Journey: A Tour de Force. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2023; 7:e2200173. [PMID: 36190140 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200173] [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: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
T cells act as the puppeteers in the adaptive immune response, and their dysfunction leads to the initiation and progression of pathological conditions. During their lifetime, T cells experience myriad forces that modulate their effector functions. These forces are imposed by interacting cells, surrounding tissues, and shear forces from fluid movement. In this review, a journey with T cells is made, from their development to their unique characteristics, including the early studies that uncovered their mechanosensitivity. Then the studies pertaining to the responses of T cell activation to changes in antigen-presenting cells' physical properties, to their immediate surrounding extracellular matrix microenvironment, and flow conditions are highlighted. In addition, it is explored how pathological conditions like the tumor microenvironment can hinder T cells and allow cancer cells to escape elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aseel Alatoom
- Laboratory for Immuno Bioengineering Research and Applications Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Campus, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, UAE.,Department of Mechanical Engineering Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, 6 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA
| | - Mei ElGindi
- Laboratory for Immuno Bioengineering Research and Applications Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Campus, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Jiranuwat Sapudom
- Laboratory for Immuno Bioengineering Research and Applications Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Campus, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Jeremy C M Teo
- Laboratory for Immuno Bioengineering Research and Applications Division of Engineering, New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Campus, P.O. Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, UAE.,Department of Mechanical Engineering Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, 6 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, 6 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA
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16
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Blache U, Ford EM, Ha B, Rijns L, Chaudhuri O, Dankers PY, Kloxin AM, Snedeker JG, Gentleman E. Engineered hydrogels for mechanobiology. NATURE REVIEWS. METHODS PRIMERS 2022; 2:98. [PMID: 37461429 PMCID: PMC7614763 DOI: 10.1038/s43586-022-00179-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Cells' local mechanical environment can be as important in guiding cellular responses as many well-characterized biochemical cues. Hydrogels that mimic the native extracellular matrix can provide these mechanical cues to encapsulated cells, allowing for the study of their impact on cellular behaviours. Moreover, by harnessing cellular responses to mechanical cues, hydrogels can be used to create tissues in vitro for regenerative medicine applications and for disease modelling. This Primer outlines the importance and challenges of creating hydrogels that mimic the mechanical and biological properties of the native extracellular matrix. The design of hydrogels for mechanobiology studies is discussed, including appropriate choice of cross-linking chemistry and strategies to tailor hydrogel mechanical cues. Techniques for characterizing hydrogels are explained, highlighting methods used to analyze cell behaviour. Example applications for studying fundamental mechanobiological processes and regenerative therapies are provided, along with a discussion of the limitations of hydrogels as mimetics of the native extracellular matrix. The article ends with an outlook for the field, focusing on emerging technologies that will enable new insights into mechanobiology and its role in tissue homeostasis and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Blache
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology and Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune-Mediated Disease, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Eden M. Ford
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, DE, USA
| | - Byunghang Ha
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, CA, USA
| | - Laura Rijns
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Ovijit Chaudhuri
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, CA, USA
| | - Patricia Y.W. Dankers
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - April M. Kloxin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, DE, USA
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, DE, USA
| | - Jess G. Snedeker
- University Hospital Balgrist and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eileen Gentleman
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
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17
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Deng B, Zhao Z, Kong W, Han C, Shen X, Zhou C. Biological role of matrix stiffness in tumor growth and treatment. J Transl Med 2022; 20:540. [PMID: 36419159 PMCID: PMC9682678 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03768-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the biological role of changes in physical factors in carcinogenesis and progression has attracted increasing attention. Matrix stiffness, also known as ECM stress, is a critical physical factor of tumor microenvironment and remains alternating during carcinogenesis as a result of ECM remodeling through activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts and extracellular collagen accumulation, crosslinking and fibrosis. Different content and density of extracellular collagen in ECM endows matrix with varying stiffness. Physical signals induced by matrix stiffness are transmitted to tumor cells primarily by the integrins receptor family and trigger a series of mechanotransduction that result in changes in tumor cell morphology, proliferative capacity, and invasive ability. Importantly, accumulating evidence revealed that changes in matrix stiffness in tumor tissues greatly control the sensitivity of tumor cells in response to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy through integrin signaling, YAP signaling, and related signaling pathways. Here, the present review analyzes the current research advances on matrix stiffness and tumor cell behavior with a view to contributing to tumor cell growth and treatment, with the hope of improving the understanding of the biological role of matrix stiffness in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boer Deng
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Ziyi Zhao
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Weimin Kong
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Chao Han
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaochang Shen
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Chunxiao Zhou
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Lineberger Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
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18
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Three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds as powerful weapons for tumor immunotherapy. Bioact Mater 2022; 17:300-319. [PMID: 35386452 PMCID: PMC8965033 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Though increasing understanding and remarkable clinical successes have been made, enormous challenges remain to be solved in the field of cancer immunotherapy. In this context, biomaterial-based immunomodulatory strategies are being developed to boost antitumor immunity. For the local immunotherapy, macroscale biomaterial scaffolds with 3D network structures show great superiority in the following aspects: facilitating the encapsulation, localized delivery, and controlled release of immunotherapeutic agents and even immunocytes for more efficient immunomodulation. The concentrating immunomodulation in situ could minimize systemic toxicities, but still exert abscopal effects to harness the power of overall anticancer immune response for eradicating malignancy. To promote such promising immunotherapies, the design requirements of macroscale 3D scaffolds should comprehensively consider their physicochemical and biological properties, such as porosity, stiffness, surface modification, cargo release kinetics, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and delivery modes. To date, increasing studies have focused on the relationships between these parameters and the biosystems which will guide/assist the 3D biomaterial scaffolds to achieve the desired immunotherapeutic outcomes. In this review, by highlighting some recent achievements, we summarized the latest advances in the development of various 3D scaffolds as niches for cancer immunotherapy. We also discussed opportunities, challenges, current trends, and future perspectives in 3D macroscale biomaterial scaffold-assisted local treatment strategies. More importantly, this review put more efforts to illustrate how the 3D biomaterial systems affect to modulate antitumor immune activities, where we discussed how significant the roles and behaviours of 3D macroscale scaffolds towards in situ cancer immunotherapy in order to direct the design of 3D immunotherapeutic. Macroscale biomaterial scaffolds with 3D network structures show great superiority for enhanced tumor immunotherapy. More focuses have been put on the relationships between the properties of 3D scaffolds and the biosystem when immunotherapy. The most recent remarkable 3D cancer immunotherapeutic platforms are summarized for future clinical transformation.
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19
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Petzold J, Gentleman E. Intrinsic Mechanical Cues and Their Impact on Stem Cells and Embryogenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:761871. [PMID: 34820380 PMCID: PMC8606660 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.761871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Although understanding how soluble cues direct cellular processes revolutionised the study of cell biology in the second half of the 20th century, over the last two decades, new insights into how mechanical cues similarly impact cell fate decisions has gained momentum. During development, extrinsic cues such as fluid flow, shear stress and compressive forces are essential for normal embryogenesis to proceed. Indeed, both adult and embryonic stem cells can respond to applied forces, but they can also detect intrinsic mechanical cues from their surrounding environment, such as the stiffness of the extracellular matrix, which impacts differentiation and morphogenesis. Cells can detect changes in their mechanical environment using cell surface receptors such as integrins and focal adhesions. Moreover, dynamic rearrangements of the cytoskeleton have been identified as a key means by which forces are transmitted from the extracellular matrix to the cell and vice versa. Although we have some understanding of the downstream mechanisms whereby mechanical cues are translated into changes in cell behaviour, many of the signalling pathways remain to be defined. This review discusses the importance of intrinsic mechanical cues on adult cell fate decisions, the emerging roles of cell surface mechano-sensors and the cytoskeleton in enabling cells to sense its microenvironment, and the role of intracellular signalling in translating mechanical cues into transcriptional outputs. In addition, the contribution of mechanical cues to fundamental processes during embryogenesis such as apical constriction and convergent extension is discussed. The continued development of tools to measure the biomechanical properties of soft tissues in vivo is likely to uncover currently underestimated contributions of these cues to adult stem cell fate decisions and embryogenesis, and may inform on regenerative strategies for tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonna Petzold
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eileen Gentleman
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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20
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Abou-El-Enein M, Elsallab M, Feldman SA, Fesnak AD, Heslop HE, Marks P, Till BG, Bauer G, Savoldo B. Scalable Manufacturing of CAR T cells for Cancer Immunotherapy. Blood Cancer Discov 2021; 2:408-422. [PMID: 34568831 PMCID: PMC8462122 DOI: 10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-21-0084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
As of April 2021, there are five commercially available chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies for hematological malignancies. With the current transition of CAR T cell manufacturing from academia to industry, there is a shift toward Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliant closed and automated systems to ensure reproducibility and to meet the increased demand for cancer patients. In this review we describe current CAR T cells clinical manufacturing models and discuss emerging technological advances that embrace scaling and production optimization. We summarize measures being used to shorten CAR T-cell manufacturing times and highlight regulatory challenges to scaling production for clinical use. Statement of Significance ∣ As the demand for CAR T cell cancer therapy increases, several closed and automated production platforms are being deployed, and others are in development.This review provides a critical appraisal of these technologies that can be leveraged to scale and optimize the production of next generation CAR T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Abou-El-Enein
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, and Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Joint USC/CHLA Cell Therapy Program, University of Southern California, and Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Magdi Elsallab
- Joint USC/CHLA Cell Therapy Program, University of Southern California, and Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Steven A Feldman
- Stanford Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Andrew D Fesnak
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Helen E Heslop
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Peter Marks
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Brian G Till
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Gerhard Bauer
- Institute for Regenerative Cures (IRC), University of California Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Barbara Savoldo
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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21
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Lust ST, Shanahan CM, Shipley RJ, Lamata P, Gentleman E. Design considerations for engineering 3D models to study vascular pathologies in vitro. Acta Biomater 2021; 132:114-128. [PMID: 33652164 PMCID: PMC7611653 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Many cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are driven by pathological remodelling of blood vessels, which can lead to aneurysms, myocardial infarction, ischaemia and strokes. Aberrant remodelling is driven by changes in vascular cell behaviours combined with degradation, modification, or abnormal deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. The underlying mechanisms that drive the pathological remodelling of blood vessels are multifaceted and disease specific; however, unravelling them may be key to developing therapies. Reductionist models of blood vessels created in vitro that combine cells with biomaterial scaffolds may serve as useful analogues to study vascular disease progression in a controlled environment. This review presents the main considerations for developing such in vitro models. We discuss how the design of blood vessel models impacts experimental readouts, with a particular focus on the maintenance of normal cellular phenotypes, strategies that mimic normal cell-ECM interactions, and approaches that foster intercellular communication between vascular cell types. We also highlight how choice of biomaterials, cellular arrangements and the inclusion of mechanical stimulation using fluidic devices together impact the ability of blood vessel models to mimic in vivo conditions. In the future, by combining advances in materials science, cell biology, fluidics and modelling, it may be possible to create blood vessel models that are patient-specific and can be used to develop and test therapies. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Simplified models of blood vessels created in vitro are powerful tools for studying cardiovascular diseases and understanding the mechanisms driving their progression. Here, we highlight the key structural and cellular components of effective models and discuss how including mechanical stimuli allows researchers to mimic native vessel behaviour in health and disease. We discuss the primary methods used to form blood vessel models and their limitations and conclude with an outlook on how blood vessel models that incorporate patient-specific cells and flows can be used in the future for personalised disease modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzette T Lust
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom; School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine M Shanahan
- School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca J Shipley
- Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 7JE, United Kingdom
| | - Pablo Lamata
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, United Kingdom
| | - Eileen Gentleman
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom.
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22
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Jung P, Zhou X, Iden S, Bischoff M, Qu B. T cell stiffness is enhanced upon formation of immunological synapse. eLife 2021; 10:66643. [PMID: 34313220 PMCID: PMC8360652 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells are activated by target cells via an intimate contact, termed immunological synapse (IS). Cellular mechanical properties, especially stiffness, are essential to regulate cell functions. However, T cell stiffness at a subcellular level at the IS still remains largely elusive. In this work, we established an atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based elasticity mapping method on whole T cells to obtain an overview of the stiffness with a resolution of ~60 nm. Using primary human CD4+ T cells, we show that when T cells form IS with stimulating antibody-coated surfaces, the lamellipodia are stiffer than the cell body. Upon IS formation, T cell stiffness is enhanced both at the lamellipodia and on the cell body. Chelation of intracellular Ca2+ abolishes IS-induced stiffening at the lamellipodia but has no influence on cell-body-stiffening, suggesting different regulatory mechanisms of IS-induced stiffening at the lamellipodia and the cell body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Jung
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Xiangda Zhou
- Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Sandra Iden
- Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, Center of Human and Molecular Biology (ZHMB), Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Markus Bischoff
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Bin Qu
- Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany.,Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Saarbrücken, Germany
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23
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Norman MDA, Ferreira SA, Jowett GM, Bozec L, Gentleman E. Measuring the elastic modulus of soft culture surfaces and three-dimensional hydrogels using atomic force microscopy. Nat Protoc 2021; 16:2418-2449. [PMID: 33854255 PMCID: PMC7615740 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-021-00495-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Growing interest in exploring mechanically mediated biological phenomena has resulted in cell culture substrates and 3D matrices with variable stiffnesses becoming standard tools in biology labs. However, correlating stiffness with biological outcomes and comparing results between research groups is hampered by variability in the methods used to determine Young's (elastic) modulus, E, and by the inaccessibility of relevant mechanical engineering protocols to most biology labs. Here, we describe a protocol for measuring E of soft 2D surfaces and 3D hydrogels using atomic force microscopy (AFM) force spectroscopy. We provide instructions for preparing hydrogels with and without encapsulated live cells, and provide a method for mounting samples within the AFM. We also provide details on how to calibrate the instrument, and give step-by-step instructions for collecting force-displacement curves in both manual and automatic modes (stiffness mapping). We then provide details on how to apply either the Hertz or the Oliver-Pharr model to calculate E, and give additional instructions to aid the user in plotting data distributions and carrying out statistical analyses. We also provide instructions for inferring differential matrix remodeling activity in hydrogels containing encapsulated single cells or organoids. Our protocol is suitable for probing a range of synthetic and naturally derived polymeric hydrogels such as polyethylene glycol, polyacrylamide, hyaluronic acid, collagen, or Matrigel. Although sample preparation timings will vary, a user with introductory training to AFM will be able to use this protocol to characterize the mechanical properties of two to six soft surfaces or 3D hydrogels in a single day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D. A. Norman
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Silvia A. Ferreira
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Geraldine M. Jowett
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Laurent Bozec
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1G6, Canada
| | - Eileen Gentleman
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, London WC1H 0AH, UK
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