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Jadav N, Velamoor S, Huang D, Cassin L, Hazelton N, Eruera AR, Burga LN, Bostina M. Beyond the surface: Investigation of tumorsphere morphology using volume electron microscopy. J Struct Biol 2023; 215:108035. [PMID: 37805154 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2023.108035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
The advent of volume electron microscopy (vEM) has provided unprecedented insights into cellular and subcellular organization, revolutionizing our understanding of cancer biology. This study presents a previously unexplored comparative analysis of the ultrastructural disparities between cancer cells cultured as monolayers and tumorspheres. By integrating a robust workflow that incorporates high-pressure freezing followed by freeze substitution (HPF/FS), serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM), manual and deep learning-based segmentation, and statistical analysis, we have successfully generated three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of monolayer and tumorsphere cells, including their subcellular organelles. Our findings reveal a significant degree of variation in cellular morphology in tumorspheres. We observed the increased prevalence of nuclear envelope invaginations in tumorsphere cells compared to monolayers. Furthermore, we detected a diverse range of mitochondrial morphologies exclusively in tumorsphere cells, as well as intricate cellular interconnectivity within the tumorsphere architecture. These remarkable ultrastructural differences emphasize the use of tumorspheres as a superior model for cancer research due to their relevance to in vivo conditions. Our results strongly advocate for the utilization of tumorsphere cells in cancer research studies, enhancing the precision and relevance of experimental outcomes, and ultimately accelerating therapeutic advancements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nickhil Jadav
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Sailakshmi Velamoor
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Daniel Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Léna Cassin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Niki Hazelton
- Otago Micro and Nano Imaging (OMNI) Electron Microscopy Suite, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Alice-Roza Eruera
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Laura N Burga
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Mihnea Bostina
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Otago Micro and Nano Imaging (OMNI) Electron Microscopy Suite, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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2
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Thurakkal B, Hari K, Marwaha R, Karki S, Jolly MK, Das T. Collective heterogeneity of mitochondrial potential in contact inhibition of proliferation. Biophys J 2023; 122:3909-3923. [PMID: 37598292 PMCID: PMC10560682 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In the epithelium, cell density and cell proliferation are closely connected to each other through contact inhibition of proliferation (CIP). Depending on cell density, CIP proceeds through three distinct stages: the free-growing stage at low density, the pre-epithelial transition stage at medium density, and the post-epithelial transition stage at high density. Previous studies have elucidated how cell morphology, motion, and mechanics vary in these stages. However, it remains unknown whether cellular metabolism also has a density-dependent behavior. By measuring the mitochondrial membrane potential at different cell densities, here we reveal a heterogeneous landscape of metabolism in the epithelium, which appears qualitatively distinct in three stages of CIP and did not follow the trend of other CIP-associated parameters, which increases or decreases monotonically with increasing cell density. Importantly, epithelial cells established a collective metabolic heterogeneity exclusively in the pre-epithelial transition stage, where the multicellular clusters of high- and low-potential cells emerged. However, in the post-epithelial transition stage, the metabolic potential field became relatively homogeneous. Next, to study the underlying dynamics, we constructed a system biology model, which predicted the role of cell proliferation in metabolic potential toward establishing collective heterogeneity. Further experiments indeed revealed that the metabolic pattern spatially correlated with the proliferation capacity of cells, as measured by the nuclear localization of a pro-proliferation protein, YAP. Finally, experiments perturbing the actomyosin contractility revealed that, while metabolic heterogeneity was maintained in the absence of actomyosin contractility, its ab initio emergence depended on the latter. Taken together, our results revealed a density-dependent collective heterogeneity in the metabolic field of a pre-epithelial transition-stage epithelial monolayer, which may have significant implications for epithelial form and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basil Thurakkal
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Hyderabad (TIFR-H), Hyderabad, India
| | - Kishore Hari
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - Rituraj Marwaha
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Hyderabad (TIFR-H), Hyderabad, India
| | - Sanjay Karki
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Hyderabad (TIFR-H), Hyderabad, India
| | - Mohit K Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India.
| | - Tamal Das
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Hyderabad (TIFR-H), Hyderabad, India.
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3
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Wen M, Sun J, Yang M, Zhang X, Wang Y, Zhou W, Shi Y, Huang Y, Li N, Chen L. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Esculetin-Furoxan-DEAC Ternary Hybrids for Anti-Triple Negative Breast Cancer. J Med Chem 2023; 66:12446-12458. [PMID: 37602711 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Twelve new hybrid compounds of Esculetin with nitric oxide (NO) donors and/or mitochondrial targeting groups were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their anti-tumor activity and mechanism in vitro and in vivo. Notably, the most potent compound A11 exhibited nanomolar antiproliferative activity on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) MDA-MB-231 cells (IC50 = 8 nM) with a strikingly selective inhibitory effect. The mechanism of A11 involves targeting MDA-MB-231 cells' mitochondria, releasing a high NO concentration, and increasing the expression of cyclophilin D (CypD), leading to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and triggering cancer cell apoptosis. Additionally, A11 could arrest the cell cycle at the G2/M phase to achieve anti-tumor effects. Moreover, A11 demonstrated a superior TNBC inhibition rate and diminished toxicity relative to doxorubicin (DOX) in vivo. In summary, A11 serves as a noteworthy contender for TNBC treatment with high potency and minimal toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingju Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Jianbo Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Miao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Xueling Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Wen Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yuning Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yujing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Na Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Li Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
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4
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Chen L, Zhou M, Li H, Liu D, Liao P, Zong Y, Zhang C, Zou W, Gao J. Mitochondrial heterogeneity in diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:311. [PMID: 37607925 PMCID: PMC10444818 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01546-w] [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: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
As key organelles involved in cellular metabolism, mitochondria frequently undergo adaptive changes in morphology, components and functions in response to various environmental stresses and cellular demands. Previous studies of mitochondria research have gradually evolved, from focusing on morphological change analysis to systematic multiomics, thereby revealing the mitochondrial variation between cells or within the mitochondrial population within a single cell. The phenomenon of mitochondrial variation features is defined as mitochondrial heterogeneity. Moreover, mitochondrial heterogeneity has been reported to influence a variety of physiological processes, including tissue homeostasis, tissue repair, immunoregulation, and tumor progression. Here, we comprehensively review the mitochondrial heterogeneity in different tissues under pathological states, involving variant features of mitochondrial DNA, RNA, protein and lipid components. Then, the mechanisms that contribute to mitochondrial heterogeneity are also summarized, such as the mutation of the mitochondrial genome and the import of mitochondrial proteins that result in the heterogeneity of mitochondrial DNA and protein components. Additionally, multiple perspectives are investigated to better comprehend the mysteries of mitochondrial heterogeneity between cells. Finally, we summarize the prospective mitochondrial heterogeneity-targeting therapies in terms of alleviating mitochondrial oxidative damage, reducing mitochondrial carbon stress and enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis to relieve various pathological conditions. The possibility of recent technological advances in targeted mitochondrial gene editing is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Mengnan Zhou
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Delin Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Peng Liao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Yao Zong
- Centre for Orthopaedic Research, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Changqing Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China.
| | - Weiguo Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
- Institute of Microsurgery on Extremities, and Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China.
| | - Junjie Gao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China.
- Institute of Microsurgery on Extremities, and Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China.
- Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Fujian, No. 16, Luoshan Section, Jinguang Road, Luoshan Street, Jinjiang City, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.
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5
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Begum HM, Shen K. Intracellular and microenvironmental regulation of mitochondrial membrane potential in cancer cells. WIREs Mech Dis 2023; 15:e1595. [PMID: 36597256 PMCID: PMC10176868 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells have an abnormally high mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm ), which is associated with enhanced invasive properties in vitro and increased metastases in vivo. The mechanisms underlying the abnormal ΔΨm in cancer cells remain unclear. Research on different cell types has shown that ΔΨm is regulated by various intracellular mechanisms such as by mitochondrial inner and outer membrane ion transporters, cytoskeletal elements, and biochemical signaling pathways. On the other hand, the role of extrinsic, tumor microenvironment (TME) derived cues in regulating ΔΨm is not well defined. In this review, we first summarize the existing literature on intercellular mechanisms of ΔΨm regulation, with a focus on cancer cells. We then offer our perspective on the different ways through which the microenvironmental cues such as hypoxia and mechanical stresses may regulate cancer cell ΔΨm . This article is categorized under: Cancer > Environmental Factors Cancer > Biomedical Engineering Cancer > Molecular and Cellular Physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hydari Masuma Begum
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Keyue Shen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
- USC Stem Cell, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033
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6
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Oh JM, Begum HM, Liu YL, Ren Y, Shen K. Recapitulating Tumor Hypoxia in a Cleanroom-Free, Liquid-Pinning-Based Microfluidic Tumor Model. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2022; 8:3107-3121. [PMID: 35678715 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c00207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In tumors, the metabolic demand of cancer cells often outpaces oxygen supply, resulting in a gradient of tumor hypoxia accompanied with heterogeneous resistance to cancer therapeutics. Models recapitulating tumor hypoxia are therefore essential for developing more effective cancer therapeutics. Existing in vitro models often fail to capture the spatial heterogeneity of tumor hypoxia or involve high-cost, complex fabrication/handling techniques. Here, we designed a highly tunable microfluidic device that induces hypoxia through natural cell metabolism and oxygen diffusion barriers. We adopted a cleanroom-free, micromilling-replica-molding strategy and a microfluidic liquid-pinning approach to streamline the fabrication and tumor model establishment. We also implemented a thin-film oxygen diffusion barrier design, which was optimized through COMSOL simulation, to support both two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) hypoxic models. We demonstrated that liquid-pinning enables an easy, injection-based micropatterning of cancer cells of a wide range of parameters, showing the high tunability of our design. Human breast cancer and prostate cancer cells were seeded and stained after 24 h of 2-D and 3-D culture to validate the natural induction of hypoxia. We further demonstrated the feasibility of the parallel microfluidic channel design to evaluate dual therapeutic conditions in the same device. Overall, our new microfluidic tumor model serves as a user-friendly, cost-effective, and highly scalable platform that provides spatiotemporal analysis of the hypoxic tumor microenvironments suitable for high-content biological studies and therapeutic discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Min Oh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Hydari Masuma Begum
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Yao Lucia Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Yuwei Ren
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Keyue Shen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States.,Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States.,USC Stem Cell, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, United States
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7
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E-Cadherin Regulates Mitochondrial Membrane Potential in Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205054. [PMID: 34680202 PMCID: PMC8534231 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial cancer cells often have unusually higher mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) than their normal counterparts, which has been associated with increased invasiveness in vitro and higher metastatic potential in vivo. However, the mechanisms by which ΔΨm in cancer cells is regulated in tumor microenvironment (TME) remain unclear. In this study, we used an in vitro micropatterning platform to recapitulate biophysical confinement cues in the TME and investigated the mechanisms by which these regulate cancer cell ΔΨm. We found that micropatterning resulted in a spatial distribution of ΔΨm, which correlated with the level of E-cadherin mediated intercellular adhesion. There was a stark contrast in the spatial distribution of ΔΨm in the micropattern of E-cadherin-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) compared to that of the high E-cadherin expressing (MCF-7) cancer cells. Disruption and knockout of E-cadherin adhesions rescued the low ΔΨm found at the center of MCF-7 micropatterns with high E-cadherin expression, while E-cadherin overexpression in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells lowered their ΔΨm at the micropattern center. These results show that E-cadherin plays an important role in regulating the ΔΨm of cancer cells in the context of biophysical cues in TME.
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8
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Ando Y, Mariano C, Shen K. Engineered in vitro tumor models for cell-based immunotherapy. Acta Biomater 2021; 132:345-359. [PMID: 33857692 PMCID: PMC8434941 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.03.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Tumor immunotherapy is rapidly evolving as one of the major pillars of cancer treatment. Cell-based immunotherapies, which utilize patient's own immune cells to eliminate cancer cells, have shown great promise in treating a range of malignancies, especially those of hematopoietic origins. However, their performance on a broader spectrum of solid tumor types still fall short of expectations in the clinical stage despite promising preclinical assessments. In this review, we briefly introduce cell-based immunotherapies and the inhibitory mechanisms in tumor microenvironments that may have contributed to this discrepancy. Specifically, a major obstacle to the clinical translation of cell-based immunotherapies is in the lack of preclinical models that can accurately assess the efficacies and mechanisms of these therapies in a (patho-)physiologically relevant manner. Lately, tissue engineering and organ-on-a-chip tools and microphysiological models have allowed for more faithful recapitulation of the tumor microenvironments, by incorporating crucial tumor tissue features such as cellular phenotypes, tissue architecture, extracellular matrix, physical parameters, and their dynamic interactions. This review summarizes the existing engineered tumor models with a focus on tumor immunology and cell-based immunotherapy. We also discuss some key considerations for the future development of engineered tumor models for immunotherapeutics. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cell-based immunotherapies have shown great promise in treating hematological malignancies and some epithelial tumors. However, their performance on a broader spectrum of solid tumor types still fall short of expectations. Major obstacles include the inhibitory mechanisms in tumor microenvironments (TME) and the lack of preclinical models that can accurately assess the efficacies and mechanisms of cellular therapies in a (patho-)physiologically relevant manner. In this review, we introduce recent progress in tissue engineering and microphysiological models for more faithful recapitulation of TME for cell-based immunotherapies, and some key considerations for the future development of engineered tumor models. This overview will provide a better understanding on the role of engineered models in accelerating immunotherapeutic discoveries and clinical translations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Ando
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
| | - Chelsea Mariano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States
| | - Keyue Shen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, United States; USC Stem Cell, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States.
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9
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Mosier JA, Schwager SC, Boyajian DA, Reinhart-King CA. Cancer cell metabolic plasticity in migration and metastasis. Clin Exp Metastasis 2021; 38:343-359. [PMID: 34076787 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-021-10102-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer metastasis in which cancer cells manipulate their metabolic profile to meet the dynamic energetic requirements of the tumor microenvironment. Though cancer cell proliferation and migration through the extracellular matrix are key steps of cancer progression, they are not necessarily fueled by the same metabolites and energy production pathways. The two main metabolic pathways cancer cells use to derive energy from glucose, glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, are preferentially and plastically utilized by cancer cells depending on both their intrinsic metabolic properties and their surrounding environment. Mechanical factors in the microenvironment, such as collagen density, pore size, and alignment, and biochemical factors, such as oxygen and glucose availability, have been shown to influence both cell migration and glucose metabolism. As cancer cells have been identified as preferentially utilizing glycolysis or oxidative phosphorylation based on heterogeneous intrinsic or extrinsic factors, the relationship between cancer cell metabolism and metastatic potential is of recent interest. Here, we review current in vitro and in vivo findings in the context of cancer cell metabolism during migration and metastasis and extrapolate potential clinical applications of this work that could aid in diagnosing and tracking cancer progression in vivo by monitoring metabolism. We also review current progress in the development of a variety of metabolically targeted anti-metastatic drugs, both in clinical trials and approved for distribution, and highlight potential routes for incorporating our recent understanding of metabolic plasticity into therapeutic directions. By further understanding cancer cell energy production pathways and metabolic plasticity, more effective and successful clinical imaging and therapeutics can be developed to diagnose, target, and inhibit metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna A Mosier
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Samantha C Schwager
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - David A Boyajian
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
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10
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Nemec S, Lam J, Zhong J, Heu C, Timpson P, Li Q, Youkhana J, Sharbeen G, Phillips PA, Kilian KA. Interfacial Curvature in Confined Coculture Directs Stromal Cell Activity with Spatial Corralling of Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2021; 5:e2000525. [PMID: 33754491 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Interfacial cues in the tumor microenvironment direct the activity and assembly of multiple cell types. Pancreatic cancer, along with breast and prostate cancers, is enriched with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) that activate to coordinate the deposition of the extracellular matrix, which can comprise over 90% of the tumor mass. While it is clear that matrix underlies the severity of the disease, the relationship between stromal-tumor cell assembly and cell-matrix dynamics remains elusive. Micropatterned hydrogels deconstruct the interplay between matrix stiffness and geometric confinement, guiding heterotypic cell populations and matrix assembly in pancreatic cancer. Interfacial cues at the perimeter of microislands guide CAF migration and direct cancer cell assembly. Computational modeling shows curvature-stress dependent cellular localization for cancer and CAFs in coculture. Regions of convex curvature enhance edge stress that activates a myofibroblast phenotype in the CAFs with migration and increased collagen I deposition, ultimately leading to a central "corralling" of cancer cells. Inhibiting mechanotransduction pathways decreases CAF activation and the associated corralling phenotype. Together, this work reveals how interfacial biophysical cues underpin aspects of stromal desmoplasia, a hallmark of disease severity and chemoresistance in the pancreatic, breast, and prostate cancers, thereby providing a tool to expand stroma-targeting therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Nemec
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Joey Lam
- School of Chemistry Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Jingxiao Zhong
- School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Celine Heu
- Biomedical Imaging Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Center, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Paul Timpson
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, 2052, Australia
| | - Qing Li
- School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Janet Youkhana
- Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - George Sharbeen
- Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Phoebe A Phillips
- Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Kristopher A Kilian
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.,School of Chemistry Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
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11
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Rovini A, Heslop K, Hunt EG, Morris ME, Fang D, Gooz M, Gerencser AA, Maldonado EN. Quantitative analysis of mitochondrial membrane potential heterogeneity in unsynchronized and synchronized cancer cells. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21148. [PMID: 33196122 PMCID: PMC7871195 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202001693r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) is a global indicator of mitochondrial function. Previous reports on heterogeneity of ΔΨm were qualitative or semiquantitative. Here, we quantified intercellular differences in ΔΨm in unsynchronized human cancer cells, cells synchronized in G1, S, and G2, and human fibroblasts. We assessed ΔΨm using a two-pronged microscopy approach to measure relative fluorescence of tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM) and absolute values of ΔΨm. We showed that ΔΨm is more heterogeneous in cancer cells compared to fibroblasts, and it is maintained throughout the cell cycle. The effect of chemical inhibition of the respiratory chain and ATP synthesis differed between basal, low and high ΔΨm cells. Overall, our results showed that intercellular heterogeneity of ΔΨm is mainly modulated by intramitochondrial factors, it is independent of the ΔΨm indicator and it is not correlated with intercellular heterogeneity of plasma membrane potential or the phases of the cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Rovini
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Kareem Heslop
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Elizabeth G. Hunt
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Morgan E. Morris
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Diana Fang
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Monika Gooz
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Akos A. Gerencser
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging and Image Analyst Software, Novato, CA, USA
| | - Eduardo N. Maldonado
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Mitochondria at Center of Exchanges between Cancer Cells and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts during Tumor Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12103017. [PMID: 33080792 PMCID: PMC7603005 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12103017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Malignant cells and their supportive associated fibroblasts (CAFs) exchange various molecules that promote energy production, biosynthesis and therapy resistance by modulating mitochondrial activity and dynamics. We herein review molecular exchanges from CAFs to malignant cells that support tumor growth and therapy resistance, and we highlight the crucial role of CAFs mitochondria in this support. This implies (1) reciprocal mitochondrial control by malignant cells and (2) fibroblast activation. Finally, we discuss therapeutic strategies that could improve current therapies by targeting mitochondrial-mediated dialogue between the two cell types. Abstract Resistance of solid cancer cells to chemotherapies and targeted therapies is not only due to the mutational status of cancer cells but also to the concurring of stromal cells of the tumor ecosystem, such as immune cells, vasculature and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). The reciprocal education of cancer cells and CAFs favors tumor growth, survival and invasion. Mitochondrial function control, including the regulation of mitochondrial metabolism, oxidative stress and apoptotic stress are crucial for these different tumor progression steps. In this review, we focus on how CAFs participate in cancer progression by modulating cancer cells metabolic functions and mitochondrial apoptosis. We emphasize that mitochondria from CAFs influence their activation status and pro-tumoral effects. We thus advocate that understanding mitochondria-mediated tumor–stroma interactions provides the possibility to consider cancer therapies that improve current treatments by targeting these interactions or mitochondria directly in tumor and/or stromal cells.
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