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LeBourdais R, Grifno GN, Banerji R, Regan K, Suki B, Nia HT. Mapping the strain-stiffening behavior of the lung and lung cancer at microscale resolution using the crystal ribcage. FRONTIERS IN NETWORK PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 4:1396593. [PMID: 39050550 PMCID: PMC11266057 DOI: 10.3389/fnetp.2024.1396593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Lung diseases such as cancer substantially alter the mechanical properties of the organ with direct impact on the development, progression, diagnosis, and treatment response of diseases. Despite significant interest in the lung's material properties, measuring the stiffness of intact lungs at sub-alveolar resolution has not been possible. Recently, we developed the crystal ribcage to image functioning lungs at optical resolution while controlling physiological parameters such as air pressure. Here, we introduce a data-driven, multiscale network model that takes images of the lung at different distending pressures, acquired via the crystal ribcage, and produces corresponding absolute stiffness maps. Following validation, we report absolute stiffness maps of the functioning lung at microscale resolution in health and disease. For representative images of a healthy lung and a lung with primary cancer, we find that while the lung exhibits significant stiffness heterogeneity at the microscale, primary tumors introduce even greater heterogeneity into the lung's microenvironment. Additionally, we observe that while the healthy alveoli exhibit strain-stiffening of ∼1.75 times, the tumor's stiffness increases by a factor of six across the range of measured transpulmonary pressures. While the tumor stiffness is 1.4 times the lung stiffness at a transpulmonary pressure of three cmH2O, the tumor's mean stiffness is nearly five times greater than that of the surrounding tissue at a transpulmonary pressure of 18 cmH2O. Finally, we report that the variance in both strain and stiffness increases with transpulmonary pressure in both the healthy and cancerous lungs. Our new method allows quantitative assessment of disease-induced stiffness changes in the alveoli with implications for mechanotransduction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Hadi T. Nia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
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2
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Zhang X, Zhang X, Yong T, Gan L, Yang X. Boosting antitumor efficacy of nanoparticles by modulating tumor mechanical microenvironment. EBioMedicine 2024; 105:105200. [PMID: 38876044 PMCID: PMC11225208 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105200] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Nanoparticles have shown great potential for tumor targeting delivery via enhanced permeability and retention effect. However, the tumor mechanical microenvironment, characterized by dense extracellular matrix (ECM), high tumor stiffness and solid stress, leads to only 0.7% of administered dose accumulating in solid tumors and even fewer (∼0.0014%) reaching tumor cells, limiting the therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticles. Furthermore, the tumor mechanical microenvironment can regulate tumor cell stemness, promote tumor invasion, metastasis and reduce treatment efficacy. In this review, methods detecting the mechanical are introduced. Strategies for modulating the mechanical microenvironment including elimination of dense ECM by physical, chemical and biological methods, disruption of ECM formation, depletion or inhibition of cancer-associated fibroblasts, are then summarized. Finally, prospects and challenges for further clinical applications of mechano-modulating strategies to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of nanomedicines are discussed. This review may provide guidance for the rational design and application of nanoparticles in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqiong Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Xiaojuan Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Tuying Yong
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medica, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Lu Gan
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medica, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Xiangliang Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medica, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China.
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3
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Bi Y, Jin J, Wang R, Liu Y, Zhu L, Wang J. Mechanical models and measurement methods of solid stress in tumors. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:363. [PMID: 38842572 PMCID: PMC11156757 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13211-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
In addition to genetic mutations, biomechanical factors also affect the structures and functions of the tumors during tumor growth, including solid stress, interstitial fluid pressure, stiffness, and microarchitecture. Solid stress affects tumors by compressing cancer and stromal cells and deforming blood and lymphatic vessels which reduce supply of oxygen, nutrients and drug delivery, making resistant to treatment. Researchers simulate the stress by creating mechanical models both in vitro and in vivo. Cell models in vitro are divided into two dimensions (2D) and three dimensions (3D). 2D models are simple to operate but exert pressure on apical surface of the cells. 3D models, the multicellular tumor spheres, are more consistent with the actual pathological state in human body. However, the models are more difficult to establish compared with the 2D models. Besides, the procedure of the animal models in vivo is even more complex and tougher to operate. Then, researchers challenged to quantify the solid stress through some measurement methods. We compared the advantages and limitations of these models and methods, which may help to explore new therapeutic targets for normalizing the tumor's physical microenvironment. KEY POINTS: •This is the first review to conclude the mechanical models and measurement methods in tumors. •The merit and demerit of these models and methods are compared. •Insights into further models are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingwei Bi
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Zhongshan Road 222, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Jiacheng Jin
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Zhongshan Road 222, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Zhongshan Road 222, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Yuxin Liu
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Zhongshan Road 222, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Liang Zhu
- Dalian University of Technology, Linggong Road 2, Dalian, 116081, China.
- Dalian Medical University, Lvshun South Road 9, Dalian, 116041, China.
| | - Jianbo Wang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Zhongshan Road 222, Dalian, 116011, China.
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Siri S, Burchett A, Datta M. Simulating the Impact of Tumor Mechanical Forces on Glymphatic Networks in the Brain Parenchyma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.18.594808. [PMID: 38826201 PMCID: PMC11142116 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.18.594808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Background The brain glymphatic system is currently being explored in the context of many neurological disorders and diseases, including traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, and ischemic stroke. However, little is known about the impact of brain tumors on glymphatic function. Mechanical forces generated during tumor development and growth may be responsible for compromised glymphatic transport pathways, reducing waste clearance and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) transport in the brain parenchyma. One such force is solid stress, i.e., growth-induced forces from cell hyperproliferation and excess matrix deposition. Because there are no prior studies assessing the impact of tumor-derived solid stress on glymphatic system structure and performance in the brain parenchyma, this study serves to fill an important gap in the field. Methods We adapted a previously developed Electrical Analog Model using MATLAB Simulink for glymphatic transport coupled with Finite Element Analysis for tumor mechanical stresses and strains in COMSOL. This allowed simulation of the impact of tumor mechanical force generation on fluid transport within brain parenchymal glymphatic units - which include paravascular spaces, astrocytic networks, interstitial spaces, and capillary basement membranes. We conducted a parametric analysis to compare the contributions of tumor size, tumor proximity, and ratio of glymphatic subunits to the stress and strain experienced by the glymphatic unit and corresponding reduction in flow rate of CSF. Results Mechanical stresses intensify with proximity to the tumor and increasing tumor size, highlighting the vulnerability of nearby glymphatic units to tumor-derived forces. Our stress and strain profiles reveal compressive deformation of these surrounding glymphatics and demonstrate that varying the relative contributions of astrocytes vs. interstitial spaces impact the resulting glymphatic structure significantly under tumor mechanical forces. Increased tumor size and proximity caused increased stress and strain across all glymphatic subunits, as does decreased astrocyte composition. Indeed, our model reveals an inverse correlation between extent of astrocyte contribution to the composition of the glymphatic unit and the resulting mechanical stress. This increased mechanical strain across the glymphatic unit decreases the venous efflux rate of CSF, dependent on the degree of strain and the specific glymphatic subunit of interest. For example, a 20% mechanical strain on capillary basement membranes does not significantly decrease venous efflux (2% decrease in flow rates), while the same magnitude of strain on astrocyte networks and interstitial spaces decreases efflux flow rates by 7% and 22%, respectively. Conclusion Our simulations reveal that solid stress from brain tumors directly reduces glymphatic fluid transport, independently from biochemical effects from cancer cells. Understanding these pathophysiological implications is crucial for developing targeted interventions aimed at restoring effective waste clearance mechanisms in the brain.This study opens potential avenues for future experimental research in brain tumor-related glymphatic dysfunction.
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Menshikh K, Banicevic I, Obradovic B, Rimondini L. Biomechanical Aspects in Bone Tumor Engineering. TISSUE ENGINEERING. PART B, REVIEWS 2024; 30:217-229. [PMID: 37830183 PMCID: PMC11001506 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2023.0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
In the past decades, anticancer drug development brought the field of tumor engineering to a new level by the need of robust test systems. Simulating tumor microenvironment in vitro remains a challenge, and osteosarcoma-the most common primary bone cancer-is no exception. The growing evidence points to the inevitable connection between biomechanical stimuli and tumor chemosensitivity and aggressiveness, thus making this component of the microenvironment a mandatory requirement to the developed models. In this review, we addressed the question: is the "in vivo - in vitro" gap in osteosarcoma engineering bridged from the perspective of biomechanical stimuli? The most notable biomechanical cues in the tumor cell microenvironment are observed and compared in the contexts of in vivo conditions and engineered three-dimensional in vitro models. Impact statement The importance of biomechanical stimuli in three-dimensional in vitro models for drug testing is becoming more pronounced nowadays. This review might assist in understanding the key players of the biophysical environment of primary bone cancer and the current state of bone tumor engineering from this perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ksenia Menshikh
- Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Ivana Banicevic
- Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Bojana Obradovic
- Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Lia Rimondini
- Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
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Zheng S, Banerji R, LeBourdais R, Zhang S, DuBois E, O’Shea T, Nia HT. Alteration of mechanical stresses in the murine brain by age and hemorrhagic stroke. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae141. [PMID: 38659974 PMCID: PMC11042661 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Residual mechanical stresses, also known as solid stresses, emerge during rapid differential growth or remodeling of tissues, as observed in morphogenesis and tumor growth. While residual stresses typically dissipate in most healthy adult organs, as the growth rate decreases, high residual stresses have been reported in mature, healthy brains. However, the origins and consequences of residual mechanical stresses in the brain across health, aging, and disease remain poorly understood. Here, we utilized and validated a previously developed method to map residual mechanical stresses in the brains of mice across three age groups: 5-7 days, 8-12 weeks, and 22 months. We found that residual solid stress rapidly increases from 5-7 days to 8-12 weeks and remains high in mature 22 months mice brains. Three-dimensional mapping revealed unevenly distributed residual stresses from the anterior to posterior coronal brain sections. Since the brain is rich in negatively charged hyaluronic acid, we evaluated the contribution of charged extracellular matrix (ECM) constituents in maintaining solid stress levels. We found that lower ionic strength leads to elevated solid stresses, consistent with its unshielding effect and the subsequent expansion of charged ECM components. Lastly, we demonstrated that hemorrhagic stroke, accompanied by loss of cellular density, resulted in decreased residual stress in the murine brain. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of spatiotemporal alterations of residual solid stresses in healthy and diseased brains, a crucial step toward uncovering the biological and immunological consequences of this understudied mechanical phenotype in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyi Zheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rohin Banerji
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rob LeBourdais
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sue Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric DuBois
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Timothy O’Shea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hadi T Nia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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da Silva WN, Carvalho Costa PA, Scalzo Júnior SRA, Ferreira HAS, Prazeres PHDM, Campos CLV, Rodrigues Alves MT, Alves da Silva NJ, de Castro Santos AL, Guimarães LC, Chen Ferris ME, Thatte A, Hamilton A, Bicalho KA, Lobo AO, Santiago HDC, da Silva Barcelos L, Figueiredo MM, Teixeira MM, Vasconcelos Costa V, Mitchell MJ, Frézard F, Pires Goulart Guimaraes P. Ionizable Lipid Nanoparticle-Mediated TRAIL mRNA Delivery in the Tumor Microenvironment to Inhibit Colon Cancer Progression. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:2655-2673. [PMID: 38500680 PMCID: PMC10946446 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s452896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment by harnessing the immune system to enhance antitumor responses while minimizing off-target effects. Among the promising cancer-specific therapies, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has attracted significant attention. Methods Here, we developed an ionizable lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform to deliver TRAIL mRNA (LNP-TRAIL) directly to the tumor microenvironment (TME) to induce tumor cell death. Our LNP-TRAIL was formulated via microfluidic mixing and the induction of tumor cell death was assessed in vitro. Next, we investigated the ability of LNP-TRAIL to inhibit colon cancer progression in vivo in combination with a TME normalization approach using Losartan (Los) or angiotensin 1-7 (Ang(1-7)) to reduce vascular compression and deposition of extracellular matrix in mice. Results Our results demonstrated that LNP-TRAIL induced tumor cell death in vitro and effectively inhibited colon cancer progression in vivo, particularly when combined with TME normalization induced by treatment Los or Ang(1-7). In addition, potent tumor cell death as well as enhanced apoptosis and necrosis was found in the tumor tissue of a group treated with LNP-TRAIL combined with TME normalization. Discussion Together, our data demonstrate the potential of the LNP to deliver TRAIL mRNA to the TME and to induce tumor cell death, especially when combined with TME normalization. Therefore, these findings provide important insights for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the immunotherapy of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walison Nunes da Silva
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | - Heloísa A S Ferreira
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lays Cordeiro Guimarães
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Maria Eduarda Chen Ferris
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Ajay Thatte
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alex Hamilton
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Helton da Costa Santiago
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Lucíola da Silva Barcelos
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Mauro Martins Teixeira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | | | - Michael J Mitchell
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Frédéric Frézard
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Kalli M, Stylianopoulos T. Toward innovative approaches for exploring the mechanically regulated tumor-immune microenvironment. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:011501. [PMID: 38390314 PMCID: PMC10883717 DOI: 10.1063/5.0183302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Within the complex tumor microenvironment, cells experience mechanical cues-such as extracellular matrix stiffening and elevation of solid stress, interstitial fluid pressure, and fluid shear stress-that significantly impact cancer cell behavior and immune responses. Recognizing the significance of these mechanical cues not only sheds light on cancer progression but also holds promise for identifying potential biomarkers that would predict therapeutic outcomes. However, standardizing methods for studying how mechanical cues affect tumor progression is challenging. This challenge stems from the limitations of traditional in vitro cell culture systems, which fail to encompass the critical contextual cues present in vivo. To address this, 3D tumor spheroids have been established as a preferred model, more closely mimicking cancer progression, but they usually lack reproduction of the mechanical microenvironment encountered in actual solid tumors. Here, we review the role of mechanical forces in modulating tumor- and immune-cell responses and discuss how grasping the importance of these mechanical cues could revolutionize in vitro tumor tissue engineering. The creation of more physiologically relevant environments that better replicate in vivo conditions will eventually increase the efficacy of currently available treatments, including immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Kalli
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
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9
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Regan K, LeBourdais R, Banerji R, Zhang S, Muhvich J, Zheng S, Nia HT. Multiscale elasticity mapping of biological samples in 3D at optical resolution. Acta Biomater 2024; 176:250-266. [PMID: 38160857 PMCID: PMC10922809 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.12.036] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The mechanical properties of biological tissues have emerged as an integral determinant of tissue function in health and disease. Nonetheless, characterizing the elasticity of biological samples in 3D and at high resolution remains challenging. Here, we present a µElastography platform: a scalable elastography system that maps the elastic properties of tissues from cellular to organ scales. The platform leverages the use of a biocompatible, thermo-responsive hydrogel to deliver compressive stress to a biological sample and track its resulting deformation. By surrounding the specimen with a reference hydrogel of known Young's modulus, we are able to map the absolute values of elastic properties in biological samples. We validate the experimental and computational components of the platform using a hydrogel phantom and verify the system's ability to detect internal mechanical heterogeneities. We then apply the platform to map the elasticity of multicellular spheroids and the murine lymph node. With these applications, we demonstrate the platform's ability to map tissue elasticity at internal planes of interest, as well as capture mechanical heterogeneities neglected by most macroscale characterization techniques. The µElastography platform, designed to be implementable in any biology lab with access to 3D microscopy (e.g., confocal, multiphoton, or optical coherence microscopy), will provide the capability to characterize the mechanical properties of biological samples to labs across the large community of biological sciences by eliminating the need of specialized instruments such as atomic force microscopy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Understanding the elasticity of biological tissues is of great importance, but characterizing these properties typically requires highly specialized equipment. Utilizing stimulus-responsive hydrogels, we present a scalable, hydrogel-based elastography method that uses readily available reagents and imaging modalities to generate resolved maps of internal elasticity within biomaterials and biological samples at optical resolution. This new approach is capable of detecting internal stiffness heterogeneities within the 3D bulk of samples and is highly scalable across both imaging modalities and biological length scales. Thus, it will have significant impact on the measurement capabilities of labs studying engineered biomaterials, mechanobiology, disease progression, and tissue engineering and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Regan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Robert LeBourdais
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Rohin Banerji
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Sue Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Johnathan Muhvich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Siyi Zheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Hadi T Nia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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10
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Burchett A, Siri S, Li J, Lu X, Datta M. Novel 3-D macrophage spheroid model reveals reciprocal regulation of immunomechanical stress and mechano-immunological response. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.14.580327. [PMID: 38405787 PMCID: PMC10888788 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.14.580327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Purpose In many diseases, an overabundance of macrophages contributes to adverse outcomes. While numerous studies have compared macrophage phenotype after mechanical stimulation or with varying local stiffness, it is unclear if and how macrophages themselves contribute to mechanical forces in their microenvironment. Methods Raw 264.7 murine macrophages were embedded in a confining agarose gel, where they proliferated to form spheroids over time. Gels were synthesized at various concentrations to tune the stiffness and treated with various growth supplements to promote macrophage polarization. The spheroids were then analyzed by immunofluorescent staining and qPCR for markers of proliferation, mechanosensory channels, and polarization. Finally, spheroid geometries were used to computationally model the strain generated in the agarose by macrophage spheroid growth. Results Macrophages form spheroids and generate growth-induced mechanical forces (i.e., solid stress) within confining agarose gels, which can be maintained for at least 16 days in culture. Increasing agarose concentration restricts spheroid expansion, promotes discoid geometries, limits gel deformation, and induces an increase in iNOS expression. LPS stimulation increases spheroid growth, though this effect is reversed with the addition of IFN-γ. Ki67 expression decreases with increasing agarose concentration, in line with the growth measurements. Conclusions Macrophages alone both respond to and generate solid stress. Understanding how macrophage generation of growth-induced solid stress responds to different environmental conditions will help to inform treatment strategies for the plethora of diseases that involve macrophage accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Burchett
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Saeed Siri
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics, University of Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Xin Lu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Meenal Datta
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, IN, USA
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11
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Dwairy M, Reddy JN, Righetti R. Predicting stress and interstitial fluid pressure in tumors based on biphasic theory. Comput Biol Med 2023; 167:107651. [PMID: 37931527 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107651] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
The uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells causes the growth of the tumor mass. Consequently, the normal surrounding tissue exerts a compressive force on the tumor mass to oppose its expansion. These stresses directly promote tumor metastasis and invasion and affect drug delivery. In the past, the mechanical behavior of solid tumors has been extensively studied using linear elastic and nonlinear hyperelastic constitutive models. In this study, we develop a two-dimensional biomechanical model based on the biphasic assumption of the solid matrix and fluid phase of the tissues. Heterogeneous vasculature and nonuniform blood perfusion are also investigated by incorporating in the model a necrotic core and a well-vascularized zone. The findings of our study demonstrate a significant difference between the linear and nonlinear tissue responses to stress, while the interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) distribution is found to be independent of the constitutive model. The proposed biphasic model may be useful for elasticity imaging techniques aiming at predicting stress and IFP in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mutaz Dwairy
- Department of Civil Engineering, Yarmouk University, Irbid, 21163, Jordan.
| | - J N Reddy
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Raffaella Righetti
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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12
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Banerji R, Grifno GN, Shi L, Smolen D, LeBourdais R, Muhvich J, Eberman C, Hiller BE, Lee J, Regan K, Zheng S, Zhang S, Jiang J, Raslan AA, Breda JC, Pihl R, Traber K, Mazzilli S, Ligresti G, Mizgerd JP, Suki B, Nia HT. Crystal ribcage: a platform for probing real-time lung function at cellular resolution. Nat Methods 2023; 20:1790-1801. [PMID: 37710017 PMCID: PMC10860663 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-02004-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the dynamic pathogenesis and treatment response in pulmonary diseases requires probing the lung at cellular resolution in real time. Despite advances in intravital imaging, optical imaging of the lung during active respiration and circulation has remained challenging. Here, we introduce the crystal ribcage: a transparent ribcage that allows multiscale optical imaging of the functioning lung from whole-organ to single-cell level. It enables the modulation of lung biophysics and immunity through intravascular, intrapulmonary, intraparenchymal and optogenetic interventions, and it preserves the three-dimensional architecture, air-liquid interface, cellular diversity and respiratory-circulatory functions of the lung. Utilizing these capabilities on murine models of pulmonary pathologies we probed remodeling of respiratory-circulatory functions at the single-alveolus and capillary levels during disease progression. The crystal ribcage and its broad applications presented here will facilitate further studies of nearly any pulmonary disease as well as lead to the identification of new targets for treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohin Banerji
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gabrielle N Grifno
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Linzheng Shi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dylan Smolen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rob LeBourdais
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Johnathan Muhvich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cate Eberman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bradley E Hiller
- Pulmonary Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jisu Lee
- Pulmonary Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn Regan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Siyi Zheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sue Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John Jiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ahmed A Raslan
- Pulmonary Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Julia C Breda
- Section of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Riley Pihl
- Pulmonary Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katrina Traber
- Pulmonary Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah Mazzilli
- Section of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Giovanni Ligresti
- Pulmonary Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph P Mizgerd
- Pulmonary Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Béla Suki
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hadi T Nia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
- Pulmonary Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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13
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Zhang S, Grifno G, Passaro R, Regan K, Zheng S, Hadzipasic M, Banerji R, O'Connor L, Chu V, Kim SY, Yang J, Shi L, Karrobi K, Roblyer D, Grinstaff MW, Nia HT. Intravital measurements of solid stresses in tumours reveal length-scale and microenvironmentally dependent force transmission. Nat Biomed Eng 2023; 7:1473-1492. [PMID: 37640900 PMCID: PMC10836235 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01080-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
In cancer, solid stresses impede the delivery of therapeutics to tumours and the trafficking and tumour infiltration of immune cells. Understanding such consequences and the origin of solid stresses requires their probing in vivo at the cellular scale. Here we report a method for performing volumetric and longitudinal measurements of solid stresses in vivo, and findings from its applicability to tumours. We used multimodal intravital microscopy of fluorescently labelled polyacrylamide beads injected in breast tumours in mice as well as mathematical modelling to compare solid stresses at the single-cell and tissue scales, in primary and metastatic tumours, in vitro and in mice, and in live mice and post-mortem tissue. We found that solid-stress transmission is scale dependent, with tumour cells experiencing lower stresses than their embedding tissue, and that tumour cells in lung metastases experience substantially higher solid stresses than those in the primary tumours. The dependence of solid stresses on length scale and the microenvironment may inform the development of therapeutics that sensitize cancer cells to such mechanical forces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sue Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gabrielle Grifno
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rachel Passaro
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn Regan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Siyi Zheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Muhamed Hadzipasic
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rohin Banerji
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Logan O'Connor
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vinson Chu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sung Yeon Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jiarui Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Linzheng Shi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kavon Karrobi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Darren Roblyer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mark W Grinstaff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hadi T Nia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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14
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Sauer F, Grosser S, Shahryari M, Hayn A, Guo J, Braun J, Briest S, Wolf B, Aktas B, Horn L, Sack I, Käs JA. Changes in Tissue Fluidity Predict Tumor Aggressiveness In Vivo. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2303523. [PMID: 37553780 PMCID: PMC10502644 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202303523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Cancer progression is caused by genetic changes and associated with various alterations in cell properties, which also affect a tumor's mechanical state. While an increased stiffness has been well known for long for solid tumors, it has limited prognostic power. It is hypothesized that cancer progression is accompanied by tissue fluidization, where portions of the tissue can change position across different length scales. Supported by tabletop magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) on stroma mimicking collagen gels and microscopic analysis of live cells inside patient derived tumor explants, an overview is provided of how cancer associated mechanisms, including cellular unjamming, proliferation, microenvironment composition, and remodeling can alter a tissue's fluidity and stiffness. In vivo, state-of-the-art multifrequency MRE can distinguish tumors from their surrounding host tissue by their rheological fingerprints. Most importantly, a meta-analysis on the currently available clinical studies is conducted and universal trends are identified. The results and conclusions are condensed into a gedankenexperiment about how a tumor can grow and eventually metastasize into its environment from a physics perspective to deduce corresponding mechanical properties. Based on stiffness, fluidity, spatial heterogeneity, and texture of the tumor front a roadmap for a prognosis of a tumor's aggressiveness and metastatic potential is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Sauer
- Soft Matter Physics DivisionPeter‐Debye‐Institute for Soft Matter Physics04103LeipzigGermany
| | - Steffen Grosser
- Soft Matter Physics DivisionPeter‐Debye‐Institute for Soft Matter Physics04103LeipzigGermany
- Institute for Bioengineering of CataloniaThe Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST)Barcelona08028Spain
| | - Mehrgan Shahryari
- Department of RadiologyCharité‐Universitätsmedizin10117BerlinGermany
| | - Alexander Hayn
- Department of HepatologyLeipzig University Hospital04103LeipzigGermany
| | - Jing Guo
- Department of RadiologyCharité‐Universitätsmedizin10117BerlinGermany
| | - Jürgen Braun
- Institute of Medical InformaticsCharité‐Universitätsmedizin10117BerlinGermany
| | - Susanne Briest
- Department of GynecologyLeipzig University Hospital04103LeipzigGermany
| | - Benjamin Wolf
- Department of GynecologyLeipzig University Hospital04103LeipzigGermany
| | - Bahriye Aktas
- Department of GynecologyLeipzig University Hospital04103LeipzigGermany
| | - Lars‐Christian Horn
- Division of Breast, Urogenital and Perinatal PathologyLeipzig University Hospital04103LeipzigGermany
| | - Ingolf Sack
- Department of RadiologyCharité‐Universitätsmedizin10117BerlinGermany
| | - Josef A. Käs
- Soft Matter Physics DivisionPeter‐Debye‐Institute for Soft Matter Physics04103LeipzigGermany
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15
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Zhang S, Regan K, Najera J, Grinstaff MW, Datta M, Nia HT. The peritumor microenvironment: physics and immunity. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:609-623. [PMID: 37156677 PMCID: PMC10523902 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Cancer initiation and progression drastically alter the microenvironment at the interface between healthy and malignant tissue. This site, termed the peritumor, bears unique physical and immune attributes that together further promote tumor progression through interconnected mechanical signaling and immune activity. In this review, we describe the distinct physical features of the peritumoral microenvironment and link their relationship to immune responses. The peritumor is a region rich in biomarkers and therapeutic targets and thus is a key focus for future cancer research as well as clinical outlooks, particularly to understand and overcome novel mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sue Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn Regan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julian Najera
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Mark W Grinstaff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Meenal Datta
- Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA.
| | - Hadi T Nia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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16
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Abstract
ABSTRACT The mechanical traits of cancer include abnormally high solid stress as well as drastic and spatially heterogeneous changes in intrinsic mechanical tissue properties. Whereas solid stress elicits mechanosensory signals promoting tumor progression, mechanical heterogeneity is conducive to cell unjamming and metastatic spread. This reductionist view of tumorigenesis and malignant transformation provides a generalized framework for understanding the physical principles of tumor aggressiveness and harnessing them as novel in vivo imaging markers. Magnetic resonance elastography is an emerging imaging technology for depicting the viscoelastic properties of biological soft tissues and clinically characterizing tumors in terms of their biomechanical properties. This review article presents recent technical developments, basic results, and clinical applications of magnetic resonance elastography in patients with malignant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Guo
- From the Department of Radiology
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17
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Wong SHD, Yin B, Li Z, Yuan W, Zhang Q, Xie X, Tan Y, Wong N, Zhang K, Bian L. Mechanical manipulation of cancer cell tumorigenicity via heat shock protein signaling. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg9593. [PMID: 37418519 PMCID: PMC10328411 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg9593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Biophysical cues of rigid tumor matrix play a critical role in cancer cell malignancy. We report that stiffly confined cancer cells exhibit robust growth of spheroids in the stiff hydrogel that exerts substantial confining stress on the cells. The stressed condition activated Hsp (heat shock protein)-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling via the transient receptor potential vanilloid 4-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt axis, thereby up-regulating the expression of the stemness-related markers in cancer cells, whereas these signaling activities were suppressed in cancer cells cultured in softer hydrogels or stiff hydrogels with stress relief or Hsp70 knockdown/inhibition. This mechanopriming based on three-dimensional culture enhanced cancer cell tumorigenicity and metastasis in animal models upon transplantation, and pharmaceutically inhibiting Hsp70 improved the anticancer efficacy of chemotherapy. Mechanistically, our study reveals the crucial role of Hsp70 in regulating cancer cell malignancy under mechanically stressed conditions and its impacts on cancer prognosis-related molecular pathways for cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siu Hong Dexter Wong
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, P. R. China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
- Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Bohan Yin
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, P. R. China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Zhuo Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Weihao Yuan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Xian Xie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Youhua Tan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, P. R. China
| | - Nathalie Wong
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, P. R. China
| | - Kunyu Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Guangzhou International Campus, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 511442, P. R. China
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Liming Bian
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Guangzhou International Campus, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 511442, P. R. China
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
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18
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Walker BJ, Celora GL, Goriely A, Moulton DE, Byrne HM. Minimal Morphoelastic Models of Solid Tumour Spheroids: A Tutorial. Bull Math Biol 2023; 85:38. [PMID: 36991173 PMCID: PMC10060352 DOI: 10.1007/s11538-023-01141-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Tumour spheroids have been the focus of a variety of mathematical models, ranging from Greenspan's classical study of the 1970 s through to contemporary agent-based models. Of the many factors that regulate spheroid growth, mechanical effects are perhaps some of the least studied, both theoretically and experimentally, though experimental enquiry has established their significance to tumour growth dynamics. In this tutorial, we formulate a hierarchy of mathematical models of increasing complexity to explore the role of mechanics in spheroid growth, all the while seeking to retain desirable simplicity and analytical tractability. Beginning with the theory of morphoelasticity, which combines solid mechanics and growth, we successively refine our assumptions to develop a somewhat minimal model of mechanically regulated spheroid growth that is free from many unphysical and undesirable behaviours. In doing so, we will see how iterating upon simple models can provide rigorous guarantees of emergent behaviour, which are often precluded by existing, more complex modelling approaches. Perhaps surprisingly, we also demonstrate that the final model considered in this tutorial agrees favourably with classical experimental results, highlighting the potential for simple models to provide mechanistic insight whilst also serving as mathematical examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Walker
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
- Department of Mathematics, University College London, Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AY, UK.
| | - Giulia L Celora
- Department of Mathematics, University College London, Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AY, UK
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - Alain Goriely
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - Derek E Moulton
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - Helen M Byrne
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
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19
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Datta M, Chatterjee S, Perez EM, Gritsch S, Roberge S, Duquette M, Chen IX, Naxerova K, Kumar AS, Ghosh M, Emblem KE, Ng MR, Ho WW, Kumar P, Krishnan S, Dong X, Speranza MC, Neagu MR, Iorgulescu JB, Huang RY, Youssef G, Reardon DA, Sharpe AH, Freeman GJ, Suvà ML, Xu L, Jain RK. Losartan controls immune checkpoint blocker-induced edema and improves survival in glioblastoma mouse models. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2219199120. [PMID: 36724255 PMCID: PMC9963691 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2219199120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) have failed in all phase III glioblastoma trials. Here, we found that ICBs induce cerebral edema in some patients and mice with glioblastoma. Through single-cell RNA sequencing, intravital imaging, and CD8+ T cell blocking studies in mice, we demonstrated that this edema results from an inflammatory response following antiprogrammed death 1 (PD1) antibody treatment that disrupts the blood-tumor barrier. Used in lieu of immunosuppressive corticosteroids, the angiotensin receptor blocker losartan prevented this ICB-induced edema and reprogrammed the tumor microenvironment, curing 20% of mice which increased to 40% in combination with standard of care treatment. Using a bihemispheric tumor model, we identified a "hot" tumor immune signature prior to losartan+anti-PD1 therapy that predicted long-term survival. Our findings provide the rationale and associated biomarkers to test losartan with ICBs in glioblastoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenal Datta
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02114
| | - Sampurna Chatterjee
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02114
| | - Elizabeth M. Perez
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02114
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA02142
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Simon Gritsch
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02114
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA02142
| | - Sylvie Roberge
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02114
| | - Mark Duquette
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02114
| | - Ivy X. Chen
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02114
| | - Kamila Naxerova
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02114
| | - Ashwin S. Kumar
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02114
- Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02142
| | - Mitrajit Ghosh
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02114
| | - Kyrre E. Emblem
- Department of Physics and Computational Radiology, Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, 0372Norway
| | - Mei R. Ng
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02114
| | - William W. Ho
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02114
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02142
| | - Pragya Kumar
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02114
| | - Shanmugarajan Krishnan
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02114
| | - Xinyue Dong
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02114
| | - Maria C. Speranza
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA02115
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Martha R. Neagu
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - J. Bryan Iorgulescu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA02115
| | - Raymond Y. Huang
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA02115
| | - Gilbert Youssef
- Center for Neuro-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA02215
| | - David A. Reardon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA02115
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Arlene H. Sharpe
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA02142
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Gordon J. Freeman
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA02115
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Mario L. Suvà
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02114
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA02142
| | - Lei Xu
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02114
| | - Rakesh K. Jain
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02114
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20
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Do Tumor Mechanical Stresses Promote Cancer Immune Escape? Cells 2022; 11:cells11233840. [PMID: 36497097 PMCID: PMC9740277 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune evasion-a well-established cancer hallmark-is a major barrier to immunotherapy efficacy. While the molecular mechanisms and biological consequences underpinning immune evasion are largely known, the role of tissue mechanical stresses in these processes warrants further investigation. The tumor microenvironment (TME) features physical abnormalities (notably, increased fluid and solid pressures applied both inside and outside the TME) that drive cancer mechanopathologies. Strikingly, in response to these mechanical stresses, cancer cells upregulate canonical immune evasion mechanisms, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and autophagy. Consideration and characterization of the origins and consequences of tumor mechanical stresses in the TME may yield novel strategies to combat immunotherapy resistance. In this Perspective, we posit that tumor mechanical stresses-namely fluid shear and solid stresses-induce immune evasion by upregulating EMT and autophagy. In addition to exploring the basis for our hypothesis, we also identify explicit gaps in the field that need to be addressed in order to directly demonstrate the existence and importance of this biophysical relationship. Finally, we propose that reducing or neutralizing fluid shear stress and solid stress-induced cancer immune escape may improve immunotherapy outcomes.
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21
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Wang J, Han Y, Li Y, Zhang F, Cai M, Zhang X, Chen J, Ji C, Ma J, Xu F. Targeting Tumor Physical Microenvironment for Improved Radiotherapy. SMALL METHODS 2022; 6:e2200570. [PMID: 36116123 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202200570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Radiotherapy has led to important clinical advances; existing cancer radiotherapy resistance is one remaining major challenge. Recently, biophysical cues in the tumor microenvironment (TME) have been regarded as the new hallmarks of cancer, playing pivotal roles in various cancer behaviors and treatment responses, including radiotherapy resistance. With recent advances in micro/nanotechnologies and functional biomaterials, radiotherapy exerts great influence on biophysical cues in TME, which, in turn, significantly affect the response to radiotherapy. Besides, various strategies have emerged that target biophysical cues in TME, to potentially enhance radiotherapy efficacy. Therefore, this paper reviews the four biophysical cues (i.e., extracellular matrix (ECM) microarchitecture, ECM stiffness, interstitial fluid pressure, and solid stress) that may play important roles in radiotherapy resistance, their possible mechanisms for inducing it, and their change after radiotherapy. The emerging therapeutic strategies targeting the biophysical microenvironment, to explore the mechanism of radiotherapy resistance and develop effective strategies to revert it for improved treatment efficacy are further summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P. R. China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Yulong Han
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Li
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
| | - Fengping Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P. R. China
| | - Mengjiao Cai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P. R. China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P. R. China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P. R. China
| | - Chao Ji
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P. R. China
| | - Jinlu Ma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, P. R. China
| | - Feng Xu
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China
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22
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Chen J, Zhang Z, Li Y, Zeng H, Li Z, Wang C, Xu C, Deng Q, Wang Q, Yang X, Li Z. Precise fibrin decomposition and tumor mechanics modulation with hydroxyethyl starch-based smart nanomedicine for enhanced antitumor efficacy. J Mater Chem B 2022; 10:8193-8210. [PMID: 36172808 DOI: 10.1039/d2tb01812h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Chemotherapy is a conventional cancer treatment in clinical settings. Although numerous nano drug delivery systems have been developed, the chemotherapeutic effect is greatly limited by abnormal tumor mechanics in solid tumors. Tumor stiffening and accumulated solid stress compress blood vessels and inhibit drug delivery to tumor cells, becoming critical challenges for chemotherapy. By loading doxorubicin (DOX), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), and fibrin targeting peptide CREKA (Cys-Arg-Glu-Lys-Ala) within pH responsive amphiphilic block polymers, pyridyldithio-hydroxyethyl starch-Schiff base-polylactic acid (PA-HES-pH-PLA), we report a smart nanomedicine, DOX@CREKA/tPA-HES-pH-PLA (DOX@CREKA/tPA-HP), which exhibits a potent antitumor efficacy. In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) 4T1 tumors, DOX@CREKA/tPA-HP precisely targeted and effectively decomposed fibrin matrix. By measuring Young's Modulus of tumor slices and quantifying tumor openings, we demonstrated that DOX@CREKA/tPA-HP remarkably reduced tumor stiffness and solid stress. Consequently, the alleviated tumor mechanics decompressed tumor blood vessels, promoted drug delivery, and led to amplified antitumor effect. Our work reveals that decomposing fibrin is a significant means for modulating tumor mechanics, and DOX@CREKA/tPA-HP is a promising smart nanomedicine for treating TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitang Chen
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China.
| | - Zhijie Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China.
| | - Yining Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China.
| | - Haowen Zeng
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China.
| | - Zheng Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China.
| | - Chong Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China.
| | - Chen Xu
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China.
| | - Qingyuan Deng
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China.
| | - Qiang Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China.
| | - Xiangliang Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China. .,Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medical, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China.,Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China.,GBA Research Innovation Institute for Nanotechnology, Guangdong, 510530, P. R. China
| | - Zifu Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China. .,Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Materia Medical, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China.,Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China.,Wuhan Institute of Biotechnology, High Tech Road 666, East Lake high tech Zone, Wuhan, 430040, P. R. China
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23
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Nishi R, Oda Y, Morikura T, Miyata S. Effect of Compressive Stress in Tumor Microenvironment on Malignant Tumor Spheroid Invasion Process. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137091. [PMID: 35806095 PMCID: PMC9266885 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we proposed an in vitro tumor model to simulate the mechanical microenvironment and investigate the effect of compressive stress on the invasion process of malignant tumors. It has been pointed out that the biomechanical environment, as well as the biochemical environment, could affect the transformation of cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. We hypothesized that the solid stress caused by the exclusion of surrounding tissue could transform tumor cells from noninvasive to invasive phenotypes. Colorectal cell spheroids were embedded and cultured in agarose gels of varying concentrations to simulate the earliest stages of tumor formation and invasion. The spheroids embedded in gels at higher concentrations showed peculiar growth after 72 h of culture, and the external compressive loading imposed on them caused peculiar growth even in the gels at lower concentrations. In conclusion, the mechanical microenvironment caused the transformation of tumor cell phenotypes, promoting the growth and invasion of tumor cell spheroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Nishi
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan; (R.N.); (T.M.)
| | - Yudai Oda
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan;
| | - Takashi Morikura
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan; (R.N.); (T.M.)
| | - Shogo Miyata
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan;
- Correspondence:
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24
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Luo Z, Yao X, Li M, Fang D, Fei Y, Cheng Z, Xu Y, Zhu B. Modulating tumor physical microenvironment for fueling CAR-T cell therapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 185:114301. [PMID: 35439570 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has achieved unprecedented clinical success against hematologic malignancies. However, the transition of CAR-T cell therapies for solid tumors is limited by heterogenous antigen expression, immunosuppressive microenvironment (TME), immune adaptation of tumor cells and impeded CAR-T-cell infiltration/transportation. Recent studies increasingly reveal that tumor physical microenvironment could affect various aspects of tumor biology and impose profound impacts on the antitumor efficacy of CAR-T therapy. In this review, we discuss the critical roles of four physical cues in solid tumors for regulating the immune responses of CAR-T cells, which include solid stress, interstitial fluid pressure, stiffness and microarchitecture. We highlight new strategies exploiting these features to enhance the therapeutic potency of CAR-T cells in solid tumors by correlating with the state-of-the-art technologies in this field. A perspective on the future directions for developing new CAR-T therapies for solid tumor treatment is also provided.
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25
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Ding X, Li M, Cheng B, Wei Z, Dong Y, Xu F. Microsphere sensors for characterizing stress fields within three-dimensional extracellular matrix. Acta Biomater 2022; 141:1-13. [PMID: 34979325 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.12.033] [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: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Stress in the three-dimensional extracellular matrix is one of the key cues in regulating multiscale biological processes. Thus far, noticeable progress in methods and techniques (e.g., micropipette aspiration, AFM, and molecule probes) has been made to quantify stress in cell microenvironment at different length scales. Among them, the microsphere sensor-based method (MSS-based method) has emerged as an advantageous approach over conventional techniques in quantifying stress in situ and in vivo at cellular and supra-cellular scales. This method is implemented by seven sequential steps, including fabrication, modification, characterization, cell adhesion, imaging, displacement field extraction and stress calculation. Precise control of each step and inter-tunning between steps can provide quantitative characterization of stress field. However, detailed procedural information associated with each step and process has been scattered. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of MSS-based method, systematically summarizing the principles and research progresses. Firstly, the basic principles are introduced, and the specific experiment and calculation processes of MSS-based method are presented in detail. Then, recent advances and applications of this method are summarized. Finally, perspectives of the limitations and development trends of MSS-based method are discussed. This specific and comprehensive review would provide a guideline for the widespread application of MSS-based method as an advantageous method for in situ and in vivo stress characterization at cellular and supra-cellular scale within three-dimensional extracellular matrix. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this review, a method based on a microsphere sensor (MSS-based method) as an advantageous approach over conventional techniques in quantifying stress in situ and in vivo at cellular and supra-cellular scales is introduced and discussed. This technique is implemented by seven sequential steps, including fabrication, modification, characterization, cell junction, imaging, displacement field extraction, and stress calculation. Precise control of each step and inter-tunning between steps can provide quantitative stress field. However, detailed procedural information associated with each step has been scattered. Thus, a comprehensive review collating recent advances and perspective discussions is a necessity to introduce a better option for quantifying the stress field in biological processes at the cellular and supra-cellular scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ding
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Moxiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanics and Control of Mechanical Structures, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, PR China
| | - Bo Cheng
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Zhao Wei
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Yuqing Dong
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China.
| | - Feng Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China.
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26
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Beshay PE, Cortes-Medina MG, Menyhert MM, Song JW. The biophysics of cancer: emerging insights from micro- and nanoscale tools. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2022; 2:2100056. [PMID: 35156093 PMCID: PMC8827905 DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202100056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a complex and dynamic disease that is aberrant both biologically and physically. There is growing appreciation that physical abnormalities with both cancer cells and their microenvironment that span multiple length scales are important drivers for cancer growth and metastasis. The scope of this review is to highlight the key advancements in micro- and nano-scale tools for delineating the cause and consequences of the aberrant physical properties of tumors. We focus our review on three important physical aspects of cancer: 1) solid mechanical properties, 2) fluid mechanical properties, and 3) mechanical alterations to cancer cells. Beyond posing physical barriers to the delivery of cancer therapeutics, these properties are also known to influence numerous biological processes, including cancer cell invasion and migration leading to metastasis, and response and resistance to therapy. We comment on how micro- and nanoscale tools have transformed our fundamental understanding of the physical dynamics of cancer progression and their potential for bridging towards future applications at the interface of oncology and physical sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter E. Beshay
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | | | - Miles M. Menyhert
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Jonathan W. Song
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210,The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
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27
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Yan H, Ramirez-Guerrero D, Lowengrub J, Wu M. Stress generation, relaxation and size control in confined tumor growth. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1009701. [PMID: 34932555 PMCID: PMC8726498 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Experiments on tumor spheroids have shown that compressive stress from their environment can reversibly decrease tumor expansion rates and final sizes. Stress release experiments show that nonuniform anisotropic elastic stresses can be distributed throughout. The elastic stresses are maintained by structural proteins and adhesive molecules, and can be actively relaxed by a variety of biophysical processes. In this paper, we present a new continuum model to investigate how the growth-induced elastic stresses and active stress relaxation, in conjunction with cell size control feedback machinery, regulate the cell density and stress distributions within growing tumors as well as the tumor sizes in the presence of external physical confinement and gradients of growth-promoting chemical fields. We introduce an adaptive reference map that relates the current position with the reference position but adapts to the current position in the Eulerian frame (lab coordinates) via relaxation. This type of stress relaxation is similar to but simpler than the classical Maxwell model of viscoelasticity in its formulation. By fitting the model to experimental data from two independent studies of tumor spheroid growth and their cell density distributions, treating the tumors as incompressible, neo-Hookean elastic materials, we find that the rates of stress relaxation of tumor tissues can be comparable to volumetric growth rates. Our study provides insight on how the biophysical properties of the tumor and host microenvironment, mechanical feedback control and diffusion-limited differential growth act in concert to regulate spatial patterns of stress and growth. When the tumor is stiffer than the host, our model predicts tumors are more able to change their size and mechanical state autonomously, which may help to explain why increased tumor stiffness is an established hallmark of malignant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaming Yan
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Daniel Ramirez-Guerrero
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Studies, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - John Lowengrub
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Studies, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Department Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
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28
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Snipstad S, Vikedal K, Maardalen M, Kurbatskaya A, Sulheim E, Davies CDL. Ultrasound and microbubbles to beat barriers in tumors: Improving delivery of nanomedicine. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 177:113847. [PMID: 34182018 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Successful delivery of drugs and nanomedicine to tumors requires a functional vascular network, extravasation across the capillary wall, penetration through the extracellular matrix, and cellular uptake. Nanomedicine has many merits, but penetration deep into the tumor interstitium remains a challenge. Failure of cancer treatment can be caused by insufficient delivery of the therapeutic agents. After intravenous administration, nanomedicines are often found in off-target organs and the tumor extracellular matrix close to the capillary wall. With circulating microbubbles, ultrasound exposure focused toward the tumor shows great promise in improving the delivery of therapeutic agents. In this review, we address the impact of focused ultrasound and microbubbles to overcome barriers for drug delivery such as perfusion, extravasation, and transport through the extracellular matrix. Furthermore, we discuss the induction of an immune response with ultrasound and delivery of immunotherapeutics. The review discusses mainly preclinical results and ends with a summary of ongoing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Snipstad
- Department of Physics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, SINTEF Industry, Trondheim, Norway; Cancer Clinic, St. Olav's Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Krister Vikedal
- Department of Physics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Matilde Maardalen
- Department of Physics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Anna Kurbatskaya
- Department of Physics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Einar Sulheim
- Department of Physics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, SINTEF Industry, Trondheim, Norway
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29
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Karimnia V, Slack FJ, Celli JP. Photodynamic Therapy for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174354. [PMID: 34503165 PMCID: PMC8431269 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the most lethal of human cancers. Numerous clinical trials evaluating various combinations of chemotherapy and targeted agents and radiotherapy have failed to provide meaningful improvements in survival. A growing number of studies however have indicated that photodynamic therapy (PDT) may be a viable approach for treatment of some pancreatic tumors. PDT, which uses light to activate a photosensitizing agent in target tissue, has seen widespread adoption primarily for dermatological and other applications where superficial light delivery is relatively straightforward. Advances in fiber optic light delivery and dosimetry however have been leveraged to enable PDT even for challenging internal sites, including the pancreas. The aim of this article is to help inform future directions by reviewing relevant literature on the basic science, current clinical status, and potential challenges in the development of PDT as a treatment for PDAC. Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the most lethal of human cancers. Clinical trials of various chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted agents and combination strategies have generally failed to provide meaningful improvement in survival for patients with unresectable disease. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a photochemistry-based approach that enables selective cell killing using tumor-localizing agents activated by visible or near-infrared light. In recent years, clinical studies have demonstrated the technical feasibility of PDT for patients with locally advanced PDAC while a growing body of preclinical literature has shown that PDT can overcome drug resistance and target problematic and aggressive disease. Emerging evidence also suggests the ability of PDT to target PDAC stroma, which is known to act as both a barrier to drug delivery and a tumor-promoting signaling partner. Here, we review the literature which indicates an emergent role of PDT in clinical management of PDAC, including the potential for combination with other targeted agents and RNA medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vida Karimnia
- Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts at Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA;
| | - Frank J. Slack
- Department of Pathology, BIDMC Cancer Center/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA;
| | - Jonathan P. Celli
- Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts at Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA;
- Correspondence:
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30
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Chen J, Li S, Liu X, Liu S, Xiao C, Zhang Z, Li S, Li Z, Yang X. Transforming growth factor-β blockade modulates tumor mechanical microenvironments for enhanced antitumor efficacy of photodynamic therapy. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:9989-10001. [PMID: 34076013 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr01552d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is frequently used in cancer treatment in clinical settings. However, its applications in stroma-rich solid tumors, e.g., triple negative breast cancer, are limited by abnormal mechanical microenvironments. Solid stress accumulated in stroma-rich solid tumors compresses tumor blood vessels, hampers the delivery of photosensitizers (PSs) in tumor tissues, and poses a major challenge for potent PDT. Here, we report a novel combination strategy to augment PDT based cancer therapy by combining hydroxyethyl starch-chlorin e6 conjugate self-assembled nanoparticles (HES-Ce6 NPs) with the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) inhibitor LY2157299 (LY). HES-Ce6 conjugates, as synthesized by one step esterification reaction, could self-assemble into uniform HES-Ce6 NPs, which exhibited enhanced photostability and generated more reactive oxygen species (ROS) under 660 nm laser irradiation than free Ce6. Prior to PDT, intragastric administration of LY decreased collagen deposition, alleviated solid stress, and decompressed tumor blood vessels. As a result, the reconstructed tumor mechanical microenvironment promoted accumulation and penetration of HES-Ce6 NPs into tumor tissues, contributing to augmented antitumor efficacy of HES-Ce6 NP mediated PDT. Modulating tumor mechanical microenvironments using TGFβ blockade to enhance the delivery of PSs in tumors with excessive extracellular matrix represents an efficient strategy for treating stroma-rich solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitang Chen
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China.
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31
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Chowdhury F, Huang B, Wang N. Cytoskeletal prestress: The cellular hallmark in mechanobiology and mechanomedicine. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2021; 78:249-276. [PMID: 33754478 PMCID: PMC8518377 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence demonstrates that mechanical forces, in addition to soluble molecules, impact cell and tissue functions in physiology and diseases. How living cells integrate mechanical signals to perform appropriate biological functions is an area of intense investigation. Here, we review the evidence of the central role of cytoskeletal prestress in mechanotransduction and mechanobiology. Elevating cytoskeletal prestress increases cell stiffness and reinforces cell stiffening, facilitates long-range cytoplasmic mechanotransduction via integrins, enables direct chromatin stretching and rapid gene expression, spurs embryonic development and stem cell differentiation, and boosts immune cell activation and killing of tumor cells whereas lowering cytoskeletal prestress maintains embryonic stem cell pluripotency, promotes tumorigenesis and metastasis of stem cell-like malignant tumor-repopulating cells, and elevates drug delivery efficiency of soft-tumor-cell-derived microparticles. The overwhelming evidence suggests that the cytoskeletal prestress is the governing principle and the cellular hallmark in mechanobiology. The application of mechanobiology to medicine (mechanomedicine) is rapidly emerging and may help advance human health and improve diagnostics, treatment, and therapeutics of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhan Chowdhury
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy ProcessesSouthern Illinois University CarbondaleCarbondaleIllinoisUSA
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences & State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular BiologyChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijingChina
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Mechanical Science and EngineeringUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
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32
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Spencer A, Sligar AD, Chavarria D, Lee J, Choksi D, Patil NP, Lee H, Veith AP, Riley WJ, Desai S, Abbaspour A, Singeetham R, Baker AB. Biomechanical regulation of breast cancer metastasis and progression. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9838. [PMID: 33972619 PMCID: PMC8110548 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89288-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Physical activity has been consistently linked to decreased incidence of breast cancer and a substantial increase in the length of survival of patients with breast cancer. However, the understanding of how applied physical forces directly regulate breast cancer remains limited. We investigated the role of mechanical forces in altering the chemoresistance, proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer cells. We found that applied mechanical tension can dramatically alter gene expression in breast cancer cells, leading to decreased proliferation, increased resistance to chemotherapeutic treatment and enhanced adhesion to inflamed endothelial cells and collagen I under fluidic shear stress. A mechanistic analysis of the pathways involved in these effects supported a complex signaling network that included Abl1, Lck, Jak2 and PI3K to regulate pro-survival signaling and enhancement of adhesion under flow. Studies using mouse xenograft models demonstrated reduced proliferation of breast cancer cells with orthotopic implantation and increased metastasis to the skull when the cancer cells were treated with mechanical load. Using high throughput mechanobiological screens we identified pathways that could be targeted to reduce the effects of load on metastasis and found that the effects of mechanical load on bone colonization could be reduced through treatment with a PI3Kγ inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrianne Spencer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, BME 5.202D, C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Andrew D Sligar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, BME 5.202D, C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Daniel Chavarria
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, BME 5.202D, C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Jason Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, BME 5.202D, C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Darshil Choksi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, BME 5.202D, C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Nikita P Patil
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, BME 5.202D, C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - HooWon Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, BME 5.202D, C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Austin P Veith
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, BME 5.202D, C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - William J Riley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, BME 5.202D, C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Shubh Desai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, BME 5.202D, C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Ali Abbaspour
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, BME 5.202D, C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Rohan Singeetham
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, BME 5.202D, C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Aaron B Baker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, BME 5.202D, C0800, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
- Institute for Biomaterials, Drug Delivery and Regenerative Medicine, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
- Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
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Pagé G, Tardieu M, Gennisson JL, Besret L, Garteiser P, Van Beers BE. Tumor Solid Stress: Assessment with MR Elastography under Compression of Patient-Derived Hepatocellular Carcinomas and Cholangiocarcinomas Xenografted in Mice. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13081891. [PMID: 33920771 PMCID: PMC8071192 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13081891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant tumors have abnormal biomechanical characteristics, including high viscoelasticity, solid stress, and interstitial fluid pressure. Magnetic resonance (MR) elastography is increasingly used to non-invasively assess tissue viscoelasticity. However, solid stress and interstitial fluid pressure measurements are performed with invasive methods. We studied the feasibility and potential role of MR elastography at basal state and under controlled compression in assessing altered biomechanical features of malignant liver tumors. MR elastography was performed in mice with patient-derived, subcutaneously xenografted hepatocellular carcinomas or cholangiocarcinomas to measure the basal viscoelasticity and the compression stiffening rate, which corresponds to the slope of elasticity versus applied compression. MR elastography measurements were correlated with invasive pressure measurements and digital histological readings. Significant differences in MR elastography parameters, pressure, and histological measurements were observed between tumor models. In multivariate analysis, collagen content and interstitial fluid pressure were determinants of basal viscoelasticity, whereas solid stress, in addition to collagen content, cellularity, and tumor type, was an independent determinant of compression stiffening rate. Compression stiffening rate had high AUC (0.87 ± 0.08) for determining elevated solid stress, whereas basal elasticity had high AUC for tumor collagen content (AUC: 0.86 ± 0.08). Our results suggest that MR elastography compression stiffening rate, in contrast to basal viscoelasticity, is a potential marker of solid stress in malignant liver tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwenaël Pagé
- Laboratory of Imaging Biomarkers, Center of Research on Inflammation, Université de Paris, UMR 1149, Inserm, F-75018 Paris, France; (P.G.); (B.E.V.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Marion Tardieu
- Montpellier Cancer Research Institute (IRCM), INSERM U1194, University of Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier, France;
- Montpellier Cancer Institute (ICM), 34298 Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Luc Gennisson
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Inserm, BioMaps, 91401 Orsay, France;
| | | | - Philippe Garteiser
- Laboratory of Imaging Biomarkers, Center of Research on Inflammation, Université de Paris, UMR 1149, Inserm, F-75018 Paris, France; (P.G.); (B.E.V.B.)
| | - Bernard E. Van Beers
- Laboratory of Imaging Biomarkers, Center of Research on Inflammation, Université de Paris, UMR 1149, Inserm, F-75018 Paris, France; (P.G.); (B.E.V.B.)
- Department of Radiology, AP-HP, Beaujon University Hospital Paris Nord, F-92110 Clichy, France
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34
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Li W, Li S, Chen IX, Liu Y, Ramjiawan RR, Leung CH, Gerweck LE, Fukumura D, Loeffler JS, Jain RK, Duda DG, Huang P. Combining losartan with radiotherapy increases tumor control and inhibits lung metastases from a HER2/neu-positive orthotopic breast cancer model. Radiat Oncol 2021; 16:48. [PMID: 33663521 PMCID: PMC7934382 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-021-01775-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with metastatic HER2/neu-positive (HER2/neu +) breast cancer (BC) often experience treatment resistance, disease recurrences and metastases. Thus, new approaches for improving the treatment of HER2/neu + BC to prevent metastatic dissemination are urgently needed. Our previous studies have shown that losartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker, increases tumor perfusion and decreases hypoxia in a number of tumor models. Hypoxia reduces the efficacy of radiation and increases metastases. We therefore hypothesized that by modifying tumor stroma and increasing oxygenation, losartan will improve the outcome of radiotherapy and inhibit disease progression in a highly metastatic HER2/neu + murine BC model. METHODS We established a metastatic HER2/neu + murine BC line (MCa-M3C) and used it to generate mammary fat pad isografts in syngeneic female FVB/N mice. Starting on day 3 after orthotopic tumor implantation, we administered a 7-day losartan treatment (40 mg/kg BW, gavage daily); or a 7-day losartan treatment followed by 20 Gy single dose local irradiation (S-IR) on day 10 (tumor size ~ 100 mm3), or 20 Gy local fractionated (5 × 4 Gy daily) irradiation (F-IR) on days 10-14. We analyzed tumor-growth delay (TGD), development of spontaneous lung metastases, animal survival, tumor vascular density, and tumor hypoxia. RESULTS Treatments with S-IR, F-IR, Losartan + S-IR, or Losartan + F-IR resulted in a significantly increased TGD (8-16 days) in MCa-M3C tumors versus controls. However, the combination of Losartan + S-IR and Losartan + F-IR further enhanced tumor response to radiation alone by increasing TGD an additional 5 to 8 days for both single and fractionated dose irradiation (P < 0.01), decreasing lung metastasis (Losartan + IR vs. Control, P < 0.025), and increasing animal survival (Losartan + IR vs. Control, P = 0.0303). In addition, losartan treatment significantly increased tumor vascularity (P = 0.0314) and decreased pimonidazole positive (hypoxic) area (P = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS Combining losartan with local irradiation significantly enhanced tumor response, at least in part via reduced tumor hypoxia presumably due to increased tumor perfusion. Our findings suggest that combining losartan with radiotherapy is a potential new treatment strategy for local control and inhibiting metastasis in HER2 + BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wende Li
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 100 Blossom Street, Cox-7, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Guangdong Laboratory Animal Monitoring Institute, Guangzhou, 510663, People's Republic of China
| | - Sen Li
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 100 Blossom Street, Cox-7, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Department of Spinal Surgery, Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Ivy X Chen
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 100 Blossom Street, Cox-7, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Yujiao Liu
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 100 Blossom Street, Cox-7, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Rakesh R Ramjiawan
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 100 Blossom Street, Cox-7, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Chi-Ho Leung
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 100 Blossom Street, Cox-7, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Leo E Gerweck
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 100 Blossom Street, Cox-7, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Dai Fukumura
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 100 Blossom Street, Cox-7, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Jay S Loeffler
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 100 Blossom Street, Cox-7, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Rakesh K Jain
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 100 Blossom Street, Cox-7, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Dan G Duda
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 100 Blossom Street, Cox-7, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Peigen Huang
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 100 Blossom Street, Cox-7, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
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Yang J, Yang X, Gao L, Zhang J, Yi C, Huang Y. The role of the renin-angiotensin system inhibitors in malignancy: a review. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:884-897. [PMID: 33791161 PMCID: PMC7994166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypertension is one of the most prevalent diseases in cardiology. The angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)/angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) are widely used drugs to stabilize the blood pressure via inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Studies have found that the exposure to RAS inhibitors (RASi) can suppress the development of cancers via multimodal mechanisms and has attracted increased attentions in the recent past. Owing the potential of RASi to inhibit tumor growth, proliferation and metastasis, they are considered as the potential and exciting candidates to enhance the effect of chemo-radiotherapy and targeted therapy efficacy. However, there are conflicting reports as to the use of ARB/ACEI in all facets of tumor growth. In this study, we comprehensively summarize and review the potential mechanisms of RASi in cancer treatment, like inhibition of tumor angiogenesis, reduction of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and extracellular matrix (ECM), regulation of immune cells and improvement of hypoxia. Additionally, based on the basic and clinical experiments, we analyze the views and results regarding the role of RASi plays in tumor from genesis to recurrence, and certainly cancer treatment (chemo-radiotherapy and targeted therapy). In the last, not only do we discuss the prospects of using RASi to enhance cancer treatment efficacy but also point out the conflicting situation with the intention to give some directions and inspiration on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Yang
- West China School of Basic Medical Science and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan UniversityChengdu 610041, China
| | - Xi Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu 610041, China
| | - Ling Gao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu 610041, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Lab of Experimental Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation CenterChengdu 610041, China
| | - Cheng Yi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengdu 610041, China
| | - Ying Huang
- West China School of Basic Medical Science and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan UniversityChengdu 610041, China
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McEvoy E, Han YL, Guo M, Shenoy VB. Gap junctions amplify spatial variations in cell volume in proliferating tumor spheroids. Nat Commun 2020; 11:6148. [PMID: 33262337 PMCID: PMC7708487 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19904-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Sustained proliferation is a significant driver of cancer progression. Cell-cycle advancement is coupled with cell size, but it remains unclear how multiple cells interact to control their volume in 3D clusters. In this study, we propose a mechano-osmotic model to investigate the evolution of volume dynamics within multicellular systems. Volume control depends on an interplay between multiple cellular constituents, including gap junctions, mechanosensitive ion channels, energy-consuming ion pumps, and the actomyosin cortex, that coordinate to manipulate cellular osmolarity. In connected cells, we show that mechanical loading leads to the emergence of osmotic pressure gradients between cells with consequent increases in cellular ion concentrations driving swelling. We identify how gap junctions can amplify spatial variations in cell volume within multicellular spheroids and, further, describe how the process depends on proliferation-induced solid stress. Our model may provide new insight into the role of gap junctions in breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eoin McEvoy
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yu Long Han
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ming Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Vivek B Shenoy
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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37
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Pratt SJP, Lee RM, Chang KT, Hernández-Ochoa EO, Annis DA, Ory EC, Thompson KN, Bailey PC, Mathias TJ, Ju JA, Vitolo MI, Schneider MF, Stains JP, Ward CW, Martin SS. Mechanoactivation of NOX2-generated ROS elicits persistent TRPM8 Ca 2+ signals that are inhibited by oncogenic KRas. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:26008-26019. [PMID: 33020304 PMCID: PMC7584994 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2009495117] [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] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Changes in the mechanical microenvironment and mechanical signals are observed during tumor progression, malignant transformation, and metastasis. In this context, understanding the molecular details of mechanotransduction signaling may provide unique therapeutic targets. Here, we report that normal breast epithelial cells are mechanically sensitive, responding to transient mechanical stimuli through a two-part calcium signaling mechanism. We observed an immediate, robust rise in intracellular calcium (within seconds) followed by a persistent extracellular calcium influx (up to 30 min). This persistent calcium was sustained via microtubule-dependent mechanoactivation of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2)-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS), which acted on transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 8 (TRPM8) channels to prolong calcium signaling. In contrast, the introduction of a constitutively active oncogenic KRas mutation inhibited the magnitude of initial calcium signaling and severely blunted persistent calcium influx. The identification that oncogenic KRas suppresses mechanically-induced calcium at the level of ROS provides a mechanism for how KRas could alter cell responses to tumor microenvironment mechanics and may reveal chemotherapeutic targets for cancer. Moreover, we find that expression changes in both NOX2 and TRPM8 mRNA predict poor clinical outcome in estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer patients, a population with limited available treatment options. The clinical and mechanistic data demonstrating disruption of this mechanically-activated calcium pathway in breast cancer patients and by KRas activation reveal signaling alterations that could influence cancer cell responses to the tumor mechanical microenvironment and impact patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J P Pratt
- Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201;
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Rachel M Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Katarina T Chang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Erick O Hernández-Ochoa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - David A Annis
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Eleanor C Ory
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Keyata N Thompson
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Patrick C Bailey
- Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Trevor J Mathias
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Julia A Ju
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Michele I Vitolo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Martin F Schneider
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Joseph P Stains
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Christopher W Ward
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- School of Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Stuart S Martin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201;
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201
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Nia HT, Datta M, Seano G, Zhang S, Ho WW, Roberge S, Huang P, Munn LL, Jain RK. In vivo compression and imaging in mouse brain to measure the effects of solid stress. Nat Protoc 2020; 15:2321-2340. [PMID: 32681151 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-020-0328-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We recently developed an in vivo compression device that simulates the solid mechanical forces exerted by a growing tumor on the surrounding brain tissue and delineates the physical versus biological effects of a tumor. This device, to our knowledge the first of its kind, can recapitulate the compressive forces on the cerebellar cortex from primary (e.g., glioblastoma) and metastatic (e.g., breast cancer) tumors, as well as on the cerebellum from tumors such as medulloblastoma and ependymoma. We adapted standard transparent cranial windows normally used for intravital imaging studies in mice to include a turnable screw for controlled compression (acute or chronic) and decompression of the cerebral cortex. The device enables longitudinal imaging of the compressed brain tissue over several weeks or months as the screw is progressively extended against the brain tissue to recapitulate tumor growth-induced solid stress. The cranial window can be simply installed on the mouse skull according to previously established methods, and the screw mechanism can be readily manufactured in-house. The total time for construction and implantation of the in vivo compressive cranial window is <1 h (per mouse). This technique can also be used to study a variety of other diseases or disorders that present with abnormal solid masses in the brain, including cysts and benign growths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadi T Nia
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Meenal Datta
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Giorgio Seano
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Tumor Microenvironment Laboratory, Institut Curie Research Center, Paris-Saclay University, PSL Research University, Inserm U1021, CNRS UMR3347, Orsay, France
| | - Sue Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - William W Ho
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sylvie Roberge
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peigen Huang
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lance L Munn
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rakesh K Jain
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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39
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The Mechanical Microenvironment in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061452. [PMID: 32503141 PMCID: PMC7352870 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanotransduction is the interpretation of physical cues by cells through mechanosensation mechanisms that elegantly translate mechanical stimuli into biochemical signaling pathways. While mechanical stress and their resulting cellular responses occur in normal physiologic contexts, there are a variety of cancer-associated physical cues present in the tumor microenvironment that are pathological in breast cancer. Mechanistic in vitro data and in vivo evidence currently support three mechanical stressors as mechanical modifiers in breast cancer that will be the focus of this review: stiffness, interstitial fluid pressure, and solid stress. Increases in stiffness, interstitial fluid pressure, and solid stress are thought to promote malignant phenotypes in normal breast epithelial cells, as well as exacerbate malignant phenotypes in breast cancer cells.
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40
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Sorrin AJ, Ruhi MK, Ferlic NA, Karimnia V, Polacheck WJ, Celli JP, Huang HC, Rizvi I. Photodynamic Therapy and the Biophysics of the Tumor Microenvironment. Photochem Photobiol 2020; 96:232-259. [PMID: 31895481 PMCID: PMC7138751 DOI: 10.1111/php.13209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME) provides opportunities to modulate tumor physiology, enhance the delivery of therapeutic agents, impact immune response and overcome resistance. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a photochemistry-based, nonthermal modality that produces reactive molecular species at the site of light activation and is in the clinic for nononcologic and oncologic applications. The unique mechanisms and exquisite spatiotemporal control inherent to PDT enable selective modulation or destruction of the TME and cancer cells. Mechanical stress plays an important role in tumor growth and survival, with increasing implications for therapy design and drug delivery, but remains understudied in the context of PDT and PDT-based combinations. This review describes pharmacoengineering and bioengineering approaches in PDT to target cellular and noncellular components of the TME, as well as molecular targets on tumor and tumor-associated cells. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of mechanical stress in the context of targeted PDT regimens, and combinations, for primary and metastatic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J. Sorrin
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Mustafa Kemal Ruhi
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Nathaniel A. Ferlic
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Vida Karimnia
- Department of Physics, College of Science and Mathematics, University of Massachusetts at Boston, Boston, MA, 02125, USA
| | - William J. Polacheck
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jonathan P. Celli
- Department of Physics, College of Science and Mathematics, University of Massachusetts at Boston, Boston, MA, 02125, USA
| | - Huang-Chiao Huang
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Imran Rizvi
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
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41
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A multi-scale model for determining the effects of pathophysiology and metabolic disorders on tumor growth. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3025. [PMID: 32080250 PMCID: PMC7033139 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59658-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The search for efficient chemotherapy drugs and other anti-cancer treatments would benefit from a deeper understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and its role in tumor progression. Because in vivo experimental methods are unable to isolate or control individual factors of the TME and in vitro models often do not include all the contributing factors, some questions are best addressed with systems biology mathematical models. In this work, we present a new fully-coupled, agent-based, multi-scale mathematical model of tumor growth, angiogenesis and metabolism that includes important aspects of the TME spanning subcellular-, cellular- and tissue-level scales. The mathematical model is computationally implemented for a three-dimensional TME, and a double hybrid continuous-discrete (DHCD) method is applied to solve the governing equations. The model recapitulates the distinct morphological and metabolic stages of a solid tumor, starting with an avascular tumor and progressing through angiogenesis and vascularized tumor growth. To examine the robustness of the model, we simulated normal and abnormal blood conditions, including hyperglycemia/hypoglycemia, hyperoxemia/hypoxemia, and hypercarbia/hypocarbia - conditions common in cancer patients. The results demonstrate that tumor progression is accelerated by hyperoxemia, hyperglycemia and hypercarbia but inhibited by hypoxemia and hypoglycemia; hypocarbia had no appreciable effect. Because of the importance of interstitial fluid flow in tumor physiology, we also examined the effects of hypo- or hypertension, and the impact of decreased hydraulic conductivity common in desmoplastic tumors. The simulations show that chemotherapy-increased blood pressure, or reduction of interstitial hydraulic conductivity increase tumor growth rate and contribute to tumor malignancy.
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Leal-Egaña A, Balland M, Boccaccini AR. Re-engineering Artificial Neoplastic Milieus: Taking Lessons from Mechano- and Topobiology. Trends Biotechnol 2020; 38:142-153. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2019.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Taylor E, Zhou J, Lindsay P, Foltz W, Cheung M, Siddiqui I, Hosni A, Amir AE, Kim J, Hill RP, Jaffray DA, Hedley DW. Quantifying Reoxygenation in Pancreatic Cancer During Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1638. [PMID: 32005829 PMCID: PMC6994660 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-57364-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia, the state of low oxygenation that often arises in solid tumours due to their high metabolism and irregular vasculature, is a major contributor to the resistance of tumours to radiation therapy (RT) and other treatments. Conventional RT extends treatment over several weeks or more, and nominally allows time for oxygen levels to increase ("reoxygenation") as cancer cells are killed by RT, mitigating the impact of hypoxia. Recent advances in RT have led to an increase in the use stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), which delivers high doses in five or fewer fractions. For cancers such as pancreatic adenocarcinoma for which hypoxia varies significantly between patients, SBRT might not be optimal, depending on the extent to which reoxygenation occurs during its short duration. We used fluoro-5-deoxy-α-D-arabinofuranosyl)-2-nitroimidazole positron-emission tomography (FAZA-PET) imaging to quantify hypoxia before and after 5-fraction SBRT delivered to patient-derived pancreatic cancer xenografts orthotopically implanted in mice. An imaging technique using only the pre-treatment FAZA-PET scan and repeat dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) scans throughout treatment was able to predict the change in hypoxia. Our results support the further testing of this technique for imaging of reoxygenation in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Taylor
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Jitao Zhou
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Signal Transduction and Molecular Targeting Therapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Patricia Lindsay
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Warren Foltz
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - May Cheung
- Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Iram Siddiqui
- Department of Pathology, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Ali Hosni
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Ahmed El Amir
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - John Kim
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - Richard P Hill
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada
- Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - David A Jaffray
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada
| | - David W Hedley
- Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada.
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada.
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Patteson AE, Vahabikashi A, Pogoda K, Adam SA, Mandal K, Kittisopikul M, Sivagurunathan S, Goldman A, Goldman RD, Janmey PA. Vimentin protects cells against nuclear rupture and DNA damage during migration. J Cell Biol 2019; 218:4079-4092. [PMID: 31676718 PMCID: PMC6891099 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201902046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian cells frequently migrate through tight spaces during normal embryogenesis, wound healing, diapedesis, or in pathological situations such as metastasis. Nuclear size and shape are important factors in regulating the mechanical properties of cells during their migration through such tight spaces. At the onset of migratory behavior, cells often initiate the expression of vimentin, an intermediate filament protein that polymerizes into networks extending from a juxtanuclear cage to the cell periphery. However, the role of vimentin intermediate filaments (VIFs) in regulating nuclear shape and mechanics remains unknown. Here, we use wild-type and vimentin-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts to show that VIFs regulate nuclear shape and perinuclear stiffness, cell motility in 3D, and the ability of cells to resist large deformations. These changes increase nuclear rupture and activation of DNA damage repair mechanisms, which are rescued by exogenous reexpression of vimentin. Our findings show that VIFs provide mechanical support to protect the nucleus and genome during migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison E Patteson
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.,Physics Department, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
| | - Amir Vahabikashi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL
| | - Katarzyna Pogoda
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.,Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342 Krakow, Poland
| | - Stephen A Adam
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL
| | - Kalpana Mandal
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Mark Kittisopikul
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL
| | - Suganya Sivagurunathan
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL
| | - Anne Goldman
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL
| | - Robert D Goldman
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL
| | - Paul A Janmey
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA .,Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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46
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Taubenberger AV, Girardo S, Träber N, Fischer-Friedrich E, Kräter M, Wagner K, Kurth T, Richter I, Haller B, Binner M, Hahn D, Freudenberg U, Werner C, Guck J. 3D Microenvironment Stiffness Regulates Tumor Spheroid Growth and Mechanics via p21 and ROCK. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 3:e1900128. [PMID: 32648654 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201900128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The mechanical properties of cancer cells and their microenvironment contribute to breast cancer progression. While mechanosensing has been extensively studied using 2D substrates, much less is known about it in a physiologically more relevant 3D context. Here it is demonstrated that breast cancer tumor spheroids, growing in 3D polyethylene glycol-heparin hydrogels, are sensitive to their environment stiffness. During tumor spheroid growth, compressive stresses of up to 2 kPa build up, as quantitated using elastic polymer beads as stress sensors. Atomic force microscopy reveals that tumor spheroid stiffness increases with hydrogel stiffness. Also, constituent cell stiffness increases in a Rho associated kinase (ROCK)- and F-actin-dependent manner. Increased hydrogel stiffness correlated with attenuated tumor spheroid growth, a higher proportion of cells in G0/G1 phase, and elevated levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21. Drug-mediated ROCK inhibition not only reverses cell stiffening upon culture in stiff hydrogels but also increases tumor spheroid growth. Taken together, a mechanism by which the growth of a tumor spheroid can be regulated via cytoskeleton rearrangements in response to its mechanoenvironment is revealed here. Thus, the findings contribute to a better understanding of how cancer cells react to compressive stress when growing under confinement in stiff environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna V Taubenberger
- TU Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Fetscherstr. 105, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Salvatore Girardo
- TU Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Fetscherstr. 105, 01307, Dresden, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Staudtstr. 2, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nicole Träber
- TU Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Fetscherstr. 105, 01307, Dresden, Germany.,Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Max Bergmann Center, Hohe Str. 6, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Fischer-Friedrich
- TU Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Fetscherstr. 105, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Kräter
- TU Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Fetscherstr. 105, 01307, Dresden, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Staudtstr. 2, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Katrin Wagner
- TU Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Fetscherstr. 105, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Kurth
- TU Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Fetscherstr. 105, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Isabel Richter
- TU Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Fetscherstr. 105, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Barbara Haller
- TU Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Fetscherstr. 105, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marcus Binner
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Max Bergmann Center, Hohe Str. 6, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Dominik Hahn
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Max Bergmann Center, Hohe Str. 6, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Uwe Freudenberg
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Max Bergmann Center, Hohe Str. 6, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Carsten Werner
- TU Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Fetscherstr. 105, 01307, Dresden, Germany.,Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Max Bergmann Center, Hohe Str. 6, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jochen Guck
- TU Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Fetscherstr. 105, 01307, Dresden, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Staudtstr. 2, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
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Gilkes DM, Wirtz D. Solid Stress in Brain Tumors. Trends Cancer 2019; 5:266-268. [PMID: 31174838 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2019.03.003] [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: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A solid brain tumor mass places compressive forces on adjacent normal brain tissue, and clinically presents as impaired motor performance in cancer patients, ultimately limiting their quality of life. In a recent article by Jain and colleagues (Nat. Biomed. Eng. 2019;3:230-245), the biological consequences of mechanical forces imparted by a growing tumor mass are explored in both mouse models and human brain tumors, revealing a novel opportunity for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele M Gilkes
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Physical Sciences in Oncology Center, and Institute for Nanobiotechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
| | - Denis Wirtz
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Physical Sciences in Oncology Center, and Institute for Nanobiotechnology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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48
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Levayer R. Solid stress, competition for space and cancer: The opposing roles of mechanical cell competition in tumour initiation and growth. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 63:69-80. [PMID: 31077845 PMCID: PMC7221353 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The regulation of cell growth, cell proliferation and cell death is at the basis of the homeostasis of tissues. While they can be regulated by intrinsic and genetic factors, their response to external signals emanating from the local environment is also essential for tissue homeostasis. Tumour initiation and progression is based on the misregulation of growth, proliferation and death mostly through the accumulation of genetic mutations. Yet, there is an increasing body of evidences showing that tumour microenvironment also has a strong impact on cancer initiation and progression. This includes the mechanical constrains and the compressive forces generated by the resistance of the surrounding tissue/matrix to tumour expansion. Recently, mechanical stress has been proposed to promote competitive interactions between cells through a process called mechanical cell competition. Cell population with a high proliferative rate can compact and eliminate the neighbouring cells which are more sensitive to compaction. While this emerging concept has been recently validated in vivo, the relevance of this process during tumour progression has never been discussed extensively. In this review, I will first describe the phenomenology of mechanical cell competition focusing on the main parameters and the pathways regulating cell elimination. I will then discuss the relevance of mechanical cell competition in tumour initiation and expansion while emphasizing its potential opposing contributions to tumourogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Levayer
- Institut Pasteur, Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France.
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49
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Lewis DM, Pruitt H, Jain N, Ciccaglione M, McCaffery JM, Xia Z, Weber K, Eisinger-Mathason TSK, Gerecht S. A Feedback Loop between Hypoxia and Matrix Stress Relaxation Increases Oxygen-Axis Migration and Metastasis in Sarcoma. Cancer Res 2019; 79:1981-1995. [PMID: 30777851 PMCID: PMC6727644 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-1984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Upregulation of collagen matrix crosslinking directly increases its ability to relieve stress under the constant strain imposed by solid tumor, a matrix property termed stress relaxation. However, it is unknown how rapid stress relaxation in response to increased strain impacts disease progression in a hypoxic environment. Previously, it has been demonstrated that hypoxia-induced expression of the crosslinker procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 2 (PLOD2), in sarcomas has resulted in increased lung metastasis. Here, we show that short stress relaxation times led to increased cell migration along a hypoxic gradient in 3D collagen matrices, and rapid stress relaxation upregulated PLOD2 expression via TGFβ-SMAD2 signaling, forming a feedback loop between hypoxia and the matrix. Inhibition of this pathway led to a decrease in migration along the hypoxic gradients. In vivo, sarcoma primed in a hypoxic matrix with short stress relaxation time enhanced collagen fiber size and tumor density and increased lung metastasis. High expression of PLOD2 correlated with decreased overall survival in patients with sarcoma. Using a patient-derived sarcoma cell line, we developed a predictive platform for future personalized studies and therapeutics. Overall, these data show that the interplay between hypoxia and matrix stress relaxation amplifies PLOD2, which in turn accelerates sarcoma cell motility and metastasis. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings demonstrate that mechanical (stress relaxation) and chemical (hypoxia) properties of the tumor microenvironment jointly accelerate sarcoma motility and metastasis via increased expression of collagen matrix crosslinker PLOD2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M Lewis
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Hawley Pruitt
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nupur Jain
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Mark Ciccaglione
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - J Michael McCaffery
- Department of Biology and Integrated Imaging Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Zhiyong Xia
- Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, Maryland
| | - Kristy Weber
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Sarcoma Program, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - T S Karin Eisinger-Mathason
- Sarcoma Program, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sharon Gerecht
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
- Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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50
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