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Monteiro CF, Almeida CR, Custódio CA, Mano JF. Modeling 3D Tumor Invasiveness to Modulate Macrophage Phenotype in a Human-Based Hydrogel Platform. Macromol Biosci 2024:e2400227. [PMID: 38940700 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202400227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
The immune system is a pivotal player in determining tumor fate, contributing to the immunosuppressive microenvironment that supports tumor progression. Considering the emergence of biomaterials as promising platforms to mimic the tumor microenvironment, human platelet lysate (PLMA)-based hydrogel beads are proposed as 3D platforms to recapitulate the tumor milieu and recreate the synergistic tumor-macrophage communication. Having characterized the biomaterial-mediated pro-regenerative macrophage phenotype, an osteosarcoma spheroid encapsulated into a PLMA hydrogel bead is explored to study macrophage immunomodulation through paracrine signaling. The culture of PLMA-Tumor beads on the top of a 2D monolayer of macrophages reveals that tumor cells triggered morphologic and metabolic adaptations in macrophages. The cytokine profile, coupled with the upregulation of gene and protein anti-inflammatory biomarkers clearly indicates macrophage polarization toward an M2-like phenotype. Moreover, the increased gene expression of chemokines identified as pro-tumoral environmental regulators suggest a tumor-associated macrophage phenotype, exclusively stimulated by tumor cells. This pro-tumoral microenvironment is also found to enhance tumor invasiveness ability and proliferation. Besides providing a robust in vitro immunomodulatory tumor model that faithfully recreates the tumor-macrophage interplay, this human-based platform has the potential to provide fundamental insights into immunosuppressive signaling and predict immune-targeted response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cátia F Monteiro
- CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Catarina R Almeida
- Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED) and Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Catarina A Custódio
- CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - João F Mano
- CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
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2
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Su P, Li O, Ke K, Jiang Z, Wu J, Wang Y, Mou Y, Jin W. Targeting tumor‑associated macrophages: Critical players in tumor progression and therapeutic strategies (Review). Int J Oncol 2024; 64:60. [PMID: 38695252 PMCID: PMC11087038 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2024.5648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor‑associated macrophages (TAMs) are essential components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and display phenotypic heterogeneity and plasticity associated with the stimulation of bioactive molecules within the TME. TAMs predominantly exhibit tumor‑promoting phenotypes involved in tumor progression, such as tumor angiogenesis, metastasis, immunosuppression and resistance to therapies. In addition, TAMs have the potential to regulate the cytotoxic elimination and phagocytosis of cancer cells and interact with other immune cells to engage in the innate and adaptive immune systems. In this context, targeting TAMs has been a popular area of research in cancer therapy, and a comprehensive understanding of the complex role of TAMs in tumor progression and exploration of macrophage‑based therapeutic approaches are essential for future therapeutics against cancers. The present review provided a comprehensive and updated overview of the function of TAMs in tumor progression, summarized recent advances in TAM‑targeting therapeutic strategies and discussed the obstacles and perspectives of TAM‑targeting therapies for cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Su
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
| | - Ou Li
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
| | - Kun Ke
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
| | - Zhichen Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
| | - Jianzhang Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
| | - Yuanyu Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
| | - Yiping Mou
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
| | - Weiwei Jin
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
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Zhang B, Zhao J, Kang D, Wang Z, Xu L, Zheng R, Liu A. Flubendazole suppresses VEGF-induced angiogenesis in HUVECs and exerts antitumor effects in PC-3 cells. Chem Biol Drug Des 2024; 103:e14503. [PMID: 38480495 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14503] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Flubendazole, an FDA-approved anthelmintic, has been predicted to show strong VEGFR2 inhibitory activity in silico screening combined with in vitro experimental validation, and it has shown anti-cancer effects on some human cancer cell lines, but little is known about the anti-angiogenesis effects and anti-prostate cancer effects. In this study, we analyzed the binding modes and kinetic analysis of flubendazole with VEGFR2 and first demonstrated that flubendazole suppressed VEGF-stimulated cell proliferation, wound-healing migration, cell invasion and tube formation of HUVEC cells, and decreased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and serine/threonine kinase Akt, which are the downstream proteins of VEGFR2 that are important for cell growth. What's more, our results showed that flubendazole decreased PC-3 cell viability and proliferation ability, and suppressed PC-3 cell wound healing migration and invasion across a Matrigel-coated Transwell membrane in a concentration-dependent manner. The antiproliferative effects of flubendazole were due to induction of G2-M phase cell cycle arrest in PC-3 cells with decreasing expression of the Cyclin D1 and induction of cell apoptosis with the number of apoptotic cells increased after flubendazole treatment. These results indicated that flubendazole could exert anti-angiogenic and anticancer effects by inhibiting cell cycle and inducing cell apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Jun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - De Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lvjie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - RuiFang Zheng
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Uighur Medicines, Xinjiang Institute of Materia Medica, Urumchi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Ailin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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van de Weijer LL, Ercolano E, Zhang T, Shah M, Banton MC, Na J, Adams CL, Hilton D, Kurian KM, Hanemann CO. A novel patient-derived meningioma spheroid model as a tool to study and treat epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in meningiomas. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:198. [PMID: 38102708 PMCID: PMC10725030 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01677-9] [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: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Meningiomas are the most common intracranial brain tumours. These tumours are heterogeneous and encompass a wide spectrum of clinical aggressivity. Treatment options are limited to surgery and radiotherapy and have a risk of post-operative morbidities and radiation neurotoxicity, reflecting the need for new therapies. Three-dimensional (3D) patient-derived cell culture models have been shown to closely recapitulate in vivo tumour biology, including microenvironmental interactions and have emerged as a robust tool for drug development. Here, we established a novel easy-to-use 3D patient-derived meningioma spheroid model using a scaffold-free approach. Patient-derived meningioma spheroids were characterised and compared to patient tissues and traditional monolayer cultures by histology, genomics, and transcriptomics studies. Patient-derived meningioma spheroids closely recapitulated morphological and molecular features of matched patient tissues, including patient histology, genomic alterations, and components of the immune microenvironment, such as a CD68 + and CD163 + positive macrophage cell population. Comprehensive transcriptomic profiling revealed an increase in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in meningioma spheroids compared to traditional monolayer cultures, confirming this model as a tool to elucidate EMT in meningioma. Therefore, as proof of concept study, we developed a treatment strategy to target EMT in meningioma. We found that combination therapy using the MER tyrosine kinase (MERTK) inhibitor UNC2025 and the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor Trichostatin A (TSA) effectively decreased meningioma spheroid viability and proliferation. Furthermore, we demonstrated this combination therapy significantly increased the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin and had a repressive effect on WHO grade 2-derived spheroid invasion, which is suggestive of a partial reversal of EMT in meningioma spheroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurien L van de Weijer
- Faculty of Health: Medicine, Dentistry and Human Sciences, Derriford Research Facility, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL6 8BU, Devon, UK
| | - Emanuela Ercolano
- Faculty of Health: Medicine, Dentistry and Human Sciences, Derriford Research Facility, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL6 8BU, Devon, UK
| | - Ting Zhang
- Faculty of Health: Medicine, Dentistry and Human Sciences, Derriford Research Facility, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL6 8BU, Devon, UK
| | - Maryam Shah
- Faculty of Health: Medicine, Dentistry and Human Sciences, Derriford Research Facility, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL6 8BU, Devon, UK
| | - Matthew C Banton
- Faculty of Health: School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, Devon, UK
| | - Juri Na
- Faculty of Health: Medicine, Dentistry and Human Sciences, Derriford Research Facility, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL6 8BU, Devon, UK
| | - Claire L Adams
- Faculty of Health: Medicine, Dentistry and Human Sciences, Derriford Research Facility, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL6 8BU, Devon, UK
| | - David Hilton
- Department of Cellular and Anatomical Pathology, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Derriford, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, Devon, UK
| | - Kathreena M Kurian
- University of Bristol Medical School & North Bristol Trust, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS1 0NB, UK
| | - C Oliver Hanemann
- Faculty of Health: Medicine, Dentistry and Human Sciences, Derriford Research Facility, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL6 8BU, Devon, UK.
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Kim JT, Cho SM, Youn DH, Hong EP, Park CH, Lee Y, Jung H, Jeon JP. Therapeutic Effect of a Hydrogel-based Neural Stem Cell Delivery Sheet for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Acta Biomater 2023:S1742-7061(23)00351-3. [PMID: 37356785 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There are no effective clinically applicable treatments for neuronal dysfunction after mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). Here, we evaluated the therapeutic effect of a new delivery method of mouse neural stem cell (mNSC) spheroids using a hydrogel, in terms of improvement in damaged cortical lesions and cognitive impairment after mild TBI. METHODS mNSCs were isolated from the subventricular zone and subgranular zone by a hydrogel-based culture system. GFP-transduced mNSCs were generated into spheroids and wrapped into a sheet for transplantation. Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups: sham operation, TBI, TBI with mNSC spheroids, and TBI with mNSC spheroid sheet transplantation covering the damaged cortex. Histopathological and immunohistochemical features and cognitive function were evaluated 7, 14, and 28 days after transplantation following TBI. RESULTS Hydrogel-based culture systems and mNSC isolation were successfully established from the adult mice. Essential transcription factors for NSCs, such as SOX2, PAX6, Olig2, nestin, and doublecortin (DCX), were highly expressed in the mNSCs. A transplanted hydrogel-based mNSC spheroid sheet showed good engraftment and survival ability, differentiated into TUJ1-positive neurons, promoted angiogenesis, and reduced neuronal degeneration. Also, TBI mice treated with mNSC spheroid sheet transplantation exhibited a significantly increased preference for a new object, suggesting improved cognitive function compared to the mNSC spheroids or no treatment groups. CONCLUSION Transplantation with a hydrogel-based mNSC spheroid sheet showed engraftment, migration, and stability of delivered cells in a hostile microenvironment after TBI, resulting in improved cognitive function via reconstruction of the damaged cortex. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE This study presents the therapeutic effect of a new delivery method of mouse neural stem cells spheroids using a hydrogel, in terms of improvement in damaged cortical lesions and cognitive impairment after traumatic brain injury. Collagen/fibrin hydrogel allowed long-term survival and migratory ability of NSCs spheroids. Furthermore, transplanted hydrogel-based mNSCs spheroids sheet showed good engraftment, migration, and stability of delivered cells in a hostile microenvironment, resulting in reconstruction of the damaged cortex and improved cognitive function after TBI. Therefore, we suggest that a hydrogel-based mNSCs spheroids sheet could help to improve cognitive impairment after TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Tae Kim
- Institute of New Frontier Research, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Sung Min Cho
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
| | - Dong Hyuk Youn
- Institute of New Frontier Research, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Eun Pyo Hong
- Institute of New Frontier Research, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Chan Hum Park
- Institute of New Frontier Research, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Younghyurk Lee
- Institute of New Frontier Research, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Harry Jung
- Institute of New Frontier Research, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Jin Pyeong Jeon
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.
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Yan B, Liu L, Zhao L, Hinz U, Luo Y, An X, Gladkich J, de la Torre C, Huang Z, Schrapel D, Gross W, Fortunato F, Schaefer M, Gaida MM, Herr I. Tumor and stroma COL8A1 secretion induces autocrine and paracrine progression signaling in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Matrix Biol 2022; 114:84-107. [PMID: 36375776 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2022.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Several collagen subtypes are involved in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) desmoplasia, which constrains therapeutic efficacy. We evaluated collagen type VIII alpha 1 chain (COL8A1), whose function in PDAC is currently unknown. We identified COL8A1 expression in 7 examined PDAC cell lines by microarray analysis, western blotting, and RT‒qPCR. Higher COL8A1 expression occurred in 2 gemcitabine-resistant PDAC cell lines; pancreas tissue (n=15) from LSL-KrasG12D/+; p48-Cre mice with advanced PDAC predisposition; and PDAC parenchyma and stroma of a patient tissue microarray (n=82). Bioinformatic analysis confirmed higher COL8A1 expression in PDAC patient tissue available from TCGA (n=183), GTEx (n=167), and GEO (n=261) databases. siRNA or lentiviral sh-mediated COL8A1 inhibition in PDAC cells reduced migration, invasion and gemcitabine resistance and resulted in lower cytidine deaminase and thymidine kinase 2 expression and was rescued by COL8A1-secreting cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). The activation of COL8A1 expression involved cJun/AP-1, as demonstrated by CHIP assay and siRNA inhibition. Downstream of COL8A1, activation of ITGB1 and DDR1 receptors and PI3K/AKT and NF-κB signaling occurred, as detected by expression, adhesion and EMSA binding studies. Orthotopic transplantation of PDAC cells with downregulated COL8A1 expression resulted in reduced tumor xenograft growth and lower gemcitabine resistance but was prevented by cotransplantation of COL8A1-secreting CAFs. Most importantly, COL8A1 expression in PDAC patient tissues from our clinic (n=84) correlated with clinicopathological data, and we confirmed these findings by the use of patient data (n=177) from the TCGA database. These findings highlight COL8A1 expression in tumor and stromal cells as a new biomarker for PDAC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Yan
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Section Surgical Research, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 365, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Li Liu
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Section Surgical Research, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 365, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Lian Zhao
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Section Surgical Research, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 365, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Ulf Hinz
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yiqiao Luo
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Section Surgical Research, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 365, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Xuefeng An
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Section Surgical Research, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 365, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Jury Gladkich
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Section Surgical Research, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 365, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Carolina de la Torre
- NGS Core Facility, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Zhenhua Huang
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Section Surgical Research, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 365, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Daniel Schrapel
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Section Surgical Research, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 365, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Gross
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Section Surgical Research, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 365, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Franco Fortunato
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Section Surgical Research, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 365, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Michael Schaefer
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Section Surgical Research, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 365, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Matthias M Gaida
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; TRON-Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ingrid Herr
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Section Surgical Research, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 365, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.
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Norris SCP, Kawecki NS, Davis AR, Chen KK, Rowat AC. Emulsion-templated microparticles with tunable stiffness and topology: Applications as edible microcarriers for cultured meat. Biomaterials 2022; 287:121669. [PMID: 35853359 PMCID: PMC9834440 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Cultured meat has potential to diversify methods for protein production, but innovations in production efficiency will be required to make cultured meat a feasible protein alternative. Microcarriers provide a strategy to culture sufficient volumes of adherent cells in a bioreactor that are required for meat products. However, cell culture on inedible microcarriers involves extra downstream processing to dissociate cells prior to consumption. Here, we present edible microcarriers that can support the expansion and differentiation of myogenic cells in a single bioreactor system. To fabricate edible microcarriers with a scalable process, we used water-in-oil emulsions as templates for gelatin microparticles. We also developed a novel embossing technique to imprint edible microcarriers with grooved topology in order to test if microcarriers with striated surface texture can promote myoblast proliferation and differentiation in suspension culture. In this proof-of-concept demonstration, we showed that edible microcarriers with both smooth and grooved surface topologies supported the proliferation and differentiation of mouse myogenic C2C12 cells in a suspension culture. The grooved edible microcarriers showed a modest increase in the proliferation and alignment of myogenic cells compared to cells cultured on smooth, spherical microcarriers. During the expansion phase, we also observed the formation of cell-microcarrier aggregates or 'microtissues' for cells cultured on both smooth and grooved microcarriers. Myogenic microtissues cultured with smooth and grooved microcarriers showed similar characteristics in terms of myotube length, myotube volume fraction, and expression of myogenic markers. To establish feasibility of edible microcarriers for cultured meat, we showed that edible microcarriers supported the production of myogenic microtissue from C2C12 or bovine satellite muscle cells, which we harvested by centrifugation into a cookable meat patty that maintained its shape and exhibited browning during cooking. These findings demonstrate the potential of edible microcarriers for the scalable production of cultured meat in a single bioreactor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam C P Norris
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - N Stephanie Kawecki
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ashton R Davis
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Kathleen K Chen
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Amy C Rowat
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Broad Stem Cell Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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8
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Li M, He L, Zhu J, Zhang P, Liang S. Targeting tumor-associated macrophages for cancer treatment. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:85. [PMID: 35672862 PMCID: PMC9172100 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00823-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are abundant, nearly accounting for 30–50% of stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment. TAMs exhibit an immunosuppressive M2-like phenotype in advanced cancer, which plays a crucial role in tumor growth, invasion and migration, angiogenesis and immunosuppression. Consequently, the TAM-targeting therapies are particularly of significance in anti-cancer strategies. The application of TAMs as anti-cancer targets is expected to break through traditional tumor-associated therapies and achieves favorable clinical effect. However, the heterogeneity of TAMs makes the strategy of targeting TAMs variable and uncertain. Discovering the subset specificity of TAMs might be a future option for targeting TAMs therapy. Herein, the review focuses on highlighting the different modalities to modulate TAM’s functions, including promoting the phagocytosis of TAMs, TAMs depletion, blocking TAMs recruitment, TAMs reprogramming and suppressing immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. We also discuss about several ways to improve the efficacy of TAM-targeting therapy from the perspective of combination therapy and specificity of TAMs subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.17, 3rd Section of People's South Road, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Linye He
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.17, 3rd Section of People's South Road, 610041, Chengdu, China.,Department of Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jing Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.17, 3rd Section of People's South Road, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Urinary Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Shufang Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.17, 3rd Section of People's South Road, 610041, Chengdu, China.
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9
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Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are abundant, nearly accounting for 30-50% of stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment. TAMs exhibit an immunosuppressive M2-like phenotype in advanced cancer, which plays a crucial role in tumor growth, invasion and migration, angiogenesis and immunosuppression. Consequently, the TAM-targeting therapies are particularly of significance in anti-cancer strategies. The application of TAMs as anti-cancer targets is expected to break through traditional tumor-associated therapies and achieves favorable clinical effect. However, the heterogeneity of TAMs makes the strategy of targeting TAMs variable and uncertain. Discovering the subset specificity of TAMs might be a future option for targeting TAMs therapy. Herein, the review focuses on highlighting the different modalities to modulate TAM's functions, including promoting the phagocytosis of TAMs, TAMs depletion, blocking TAMs recruitment, TAMs reprogramming and suppressing immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. We also discuss about several ways to improve the efficacy of TAM-targeting therapy from the perspective of combination therapy and specificity of TAMs subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.17, 3rd Section of People's South Road, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Linye He
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.17, 3rd Section of People's South Road, 610041, Chengdu, China
- Department of Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jing Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.17, 3rd Section of People's South Road, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Urinary Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Shufang Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No.17, 3rd Section of People's South Road, 610041, Chengdu, China.
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10
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Cytoskeletal dynamics regulates stromal invasion behavior of distinct liver cancer subtypes. Commun Biol 2022; 5:202. [PMID: 35241781 PMCID: PMC8894393 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03121-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug treatment against liver cancer has limited efficacy due to heterogeneous response among liver cancer subtypes. In addition, the functional biophysical phenotypes which arise from this heterogeneity and contribute to aggressive invasive behavior remain poorly understood. This study interrogated how heterogeneity in liver cancer subtypes contributes to differences in invasive phenotypes and drug response. Utilizing histological analysis, quantitative 2D invasion metrics, reconstituted 3D hydrogels, and bioinformatics, our study linked cytoskeletal dynamics to differential invasion profiles and drug resistance in liver cancer subtypes. We investigated cytoskeletal regulation in 2D and 3D culture environments using two liver cancer cell lines, SNU-475 and HepG2, chosen for their distinct cytoskeletal features and invasion profiles. For SNU-475 cells, a model for aggressive liver cancer, many cytoskeletal inhibitors abrogated 2D migration but only some suppressed 3D migration. For HepG2 cells, cytoskeletal inhibition did not significantly affect 3D migration but did affect proliferative capabilities and spheroid core growth. This study highlights cytoskeleton driven phenotypic variation, their consequences and coexistence within the same tumor, as well as efficacy of targeting biophysical phenotypes that may be masked in traditional screens against tumor growth. Treatment for liver cancer is complicated by its various subtypes, which show different responses to anticancer drugs. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of targeting biophysical phenotypes related to cytoskeleton properties that are usually masked in traditional drug screens.
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11
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Şen Ö, Marino A, Pucci C, Ciofani G. Modulation of anti-angiogenic activity using ultrasound-activated nutlin-loaded piezoelectric nanovectors. Mater Today Bio 2022; 13:100196. [PMID: 35005600 PMCID: PMC8717239 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2021.100196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis plays a fundamental role in tumor development, as it is crucial for tumor progression, metastasis development, and invasion. In this view, anti-angiogenic therapy has received considerable attention in several cancer types in order to inhibit tumor vascularization, and the progress of nanotechnology offers opportunities to target and release anti-angiogenic agents in specific diseased areas. In this work, we showed that the angiogenic behavior of human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells can be inhibited by using nutlin-3a-loaded ApoE-functionalized polymeric piezoelectric nanoparticles, which can remotely respond to ultrasound stimulation. The anti-angiogenic effect, derived from the use of chemotherapy and chronic piezoelectric stimulation, leads to disruption of tubular vessel formation, decreased cell migration and invasion, and inhibition of angiogenic growth factors in the presence of migratory cues released by the tumor cells. Overall, the proposed use of remotely activated piezoelectric nanoparticles could provide a promising approach to hinder tumor-induced angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özlem Şen
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Smart Bio-Interfaces, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Italy
| | - Attilio Marino
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Smart Bio-Interfaces, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Italy
| | - Carlotta Pucci
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Smart Bio-Interfaces, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Italy
| | - Gianni Ciofani
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Smart Bio-Interfaces, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025, Pontedera, Italy
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12
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Pozzi S, Scomparin A, Israeli Dangoor S, Rodriguez Ajamil D, Ofek P, Neufeld L, Krivitsky A, Vaskovich-Koubi D, Kleiner R, Dey P, Koshrovski-Michael S, Reisman N, Satchi-Fainaro R. Meet me halfway: Are in vitro 3D cancer models on the way to replace in vivo models for nanomedicine development? Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 175:113760. [PMID: 33838208 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The complexity and diversity of the biochemical processes that occur during tumorigenesis and metastasis are frequently over-simplified in the traditional in vitro cell cultures. Two-dimensional cultures limit researchers' experimental observations and frequently give rise to misleading and contradictory results. Therefore, in order to overcome the limitations of in vitro studies and bridge the translational gap to in vivo applications, 3D models of cancer were developed in the last decades. The three dimensions of the tumor, including its cellular and extracellular microenvironment, are recreated by combining co-cultures of cancer and stromal cells in 3D hydrogel-based growth factors-inclusive scaffolds. More complex 3D cultures, containing functional blood vasculature, can integrate in the system external stimuli (e.g. oxygen and nutrient deprivation, cytokines, growth factors) along with drugs, or other therapeutic compounds. In this scenario, cell signaling pathways, metastatic cascade steps, cell differentiation and self-renewal, tumor-microenvironment interactions, and precision and personalized medicine, are among the wide range of biological applications that can be studied. Here, we discuss a broad variety of strategies exploited by scientists to create in vitro 3D cancer models that resemble as much as possible the biology and patho-physiology of in vivo tumors and predict faithfully the treatment outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina Pozzi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Anna Scomparin
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Sahar Israeli Dangoor
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Daniel Rodriguez Ajamil
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Paula Ofek
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Lena Neufeld
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Adva Krivitsky
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Daniella Vaskovich-Koubi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Ron Kleiner
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Pradip Dey
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Shani Koshrovski-Michael
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Noa Reisman
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Ronit Satchi-Fainaro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
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13
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Exploiting the potential of commercial digital holographic microscopy by combining it with 3D matrix cell culture assays. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14680. [PMID: 32895419 PMCID: PMC7477226 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71538-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
3D cell culture assays are becoming increasingly popular due to their higher resemblance to tissue environment. These provide an increased complexity compared to the growth on 2D surface and therefore allow studies of advanced cellular properties such as invasion. We report here on the use of 3D Matrigel cell preparations combined with a particular gentle and informative type of live-cell microscopy: quantitative digital holographic microscopy (DHM), here performed by a commercial software-integrated system, currently mostly used for 2D cell culture preparations. By demonstrating this compatibility, we highlight the possible time-efficient quantitative analysis obtained by using a commercial software-integrated DHM system, also for cells in a more advanced 3D culture environment. Further, we demonstrate two very different examples making use of this advantage by performing quantitative DHM analysis of: (1) wound closure cell monolayer Matrigel invasion assay and (2) Matrigel-trapped single and clumps of suspension cells. For both these, we benefited from the autofocus functionality of digital phase holographic imaging to obtain 3D information for cells migrating in a 3D environment. For the latter, we demonstrate that it is possible to quantitatively measure tumourigenic properties like growth of cell clump (or spheroid) over time, as well as single-cell invasion out of cell clump and into the surrounding extracellular matrix. Overall, our findings highlight several possibilities for 3D digital holographic microscopy applications combined with 3D cell preparations, therein studies of drug response or genetic alterations on invasion capacity as well as on tumour growth and metastasis.
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