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Bittman-Soto XS, Thomas ES, Ganshert ME, Mendez-Santacruz LL, Harrell JC. The Transformative Role of 3D Culture Models in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Research. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1859. [PMID: 38791938 PMCID: PMC11119918 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16101859] [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: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Advancements in cell culturing techniques have allowed the development of three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models sourced directly from patients' tissues and tumors, faithfully replicating the native tissue environment. These models provide a more clinically relevant platform for studying disease progression and treatment responses compared to traditional two-dimensional (2D) models. Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) and patient-derived xenograft organoids (PDXOs) emerge as innovative 3D cancer models capable of accurately mimicking the tumor's unique features, enhancing our understanding of tumor complexities, and predicting clinical outcomes. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) poses significant clinical challenges due to its aggressive nature, propensity for early metastasis, and limited treatment options. TNBC PDOs and PDXOs have significantly contributed to the comprehension of TNBC, providing novel insights into its underlying mechanism and identifying potential therapeutic targets. This review explores the transformative role of various 3D cancer models in elucidating TNBC pathogenesis and guiding novel therapeutic strategies. It also provides an overview of diverse 3D cell culture models, derived from cell lines and tumors, highlighting their advantages and culturing challenges. Finally, it delves into live-cell imaging techniques, endpoint assays, and alternative cell culture media and methodologies, such as scaffold-free and scaffold-based systems, essential for advancing 3D cancer model research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier S. Bittman-Soto
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA; (E.S.T.)
- Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
- Division of Cancer Biology, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Juan, PR 00921, USA
| | - Evelyn S. Thomas
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA; (E.S.T.)
| | | | | | - J. Chuck Harrell
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA; (E.S.T.)
- Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
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Abbas M, Moradi F, Hu W, Regudo KL, Osborne M, Pettipas J, Atallah DS, Hachem R, Ott-Peron N, Stuart JA. Vertebrate cell culture as an experimental approach – limitations and solutions. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 254:110570. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2021.110570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Wang M, Nai MH, Huang RYJ, Leo HL, Lim CT, Chen CH. High-throughput functional profiling of single adherent cells via hydrogel drop-screen. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:764-774. [PMID: 33506832 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc01294g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Single-adherent-cell phenotyping on an extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential to determine cellular biological functions, such as morphological adaptations and biomolecule secretions, correlated to medical treatments and metastasis, yet there is no available platform for such high-throughput screening. Here, a novel hydrogel drop-screen device was developed to rapidly measure large-scale single-cell morphologies and multiple secretions on substrates for phenotype profiling. Single cells were first anchored to microfluidically fabricated gelatin particles providing mechanical stimulations similar to those from ECM in vivo. The cellular morphologies were then examined by quantifying the amount of cytoskeleton expressed on the particles. With droplet encapsulation, adherent single-cell multiplexed secretion analysis of a disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) was conducted at a throughput of ∼102 cells per second, revealing distinct functional heterogeneities associated with extracellular mechanical stimulations. The level of cell heterogeneity increased with increasing substrate stuffiness. Moreover, because of the promising screening capability, a database related to both nontumorigenic and tumorigenic breast cells (MCF10A, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231) was constructed. The respective cell distributions and heterogeneities based on the morphologies and secreted bioindicators, such as MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, and ADAM-8, were measured and found to correspond to the progress of tumor metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Wang
- NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences & Engineering, National University of Singapore, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Road, 119077 Singapore and Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, 117583 Singapore and Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), MD6, 14 Medical Drive 14-01, 117599 Singapore
| | - Mui Hoon Nai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, 117583 Singapore
| | - Ruby Yun-Ju Huang
- College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No.1 Jen-Ai Road, Taipei, 10051, Taiwan and Graduate Institute of Oncology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt road, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan and Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, No.1, Sec.1, Jen-Ai Road, Taipei, 10051, Taiwan
| | - Hwa Liang Leo
- NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences & Engineering, National University of Singapore, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Road, 119077 Singapore and Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, 117583 Singapore
| | - Chwee Teck Lim
- NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences & Engineering, National University of Singapore, 21 Lower Kent Ridge Road, 119077 Singapore and Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, 117583 Singapore and Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), MD6, 14 Medical Drive 14-01, 117599 Singapore and Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 117411 Singapore
| | - Chia-Hung Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Y6700, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Chhetri A, Rispoli JV, Lelièvre SA. 3D Cell Culture for the Study of Microenvironment-Mediated Mechanostimuli to the Cell Nucleus: An Important Step for Cancer Research. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:628386. [PMID: 33644116 PMCID: PMC7902798 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.628386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery that the stiffness of the tumor microenvironment (TME) changes during cancer progression motivated the development of cell culture involving extracellular mechanostimuli, with the intent of identifying mechanotransduction mechanisms that influence cell phenotypes. Collagen I is a main extracellular matrix (ECM) component used to study mechanotransduction in three-dimensional (3D) cell culture. There are also models with interstitial fluid stress that have been mostly focusing on the migration of invasive cells. We argue that a major step for the culture of tumors is to integrate increased ECM stiffness and fluid movement characteristic of the TME. Mechanotransduction is based on the principles of tensegrity and dynamic reciprocity, which requires measuring not only biochemical changes, but also physical changes in cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments. Most techniques available for cellular rheology were developed for a 2D, flat cell culture world, hence hampering studies requiring proper cellular architecture that, itself, depends on 3D tissue organization. New and adapted measuring techniques for 3D cell culture will be worthwhile to study the apparent increase in physical plasticity of cancer cells with disease progression. Finally, evidence of the physical heterogeneity of the TME, in terms of ECM composition and stiffness and of fluid flow, calls for the investigation of its impact on the cellular heterogeneity proposed to control tumor phenotypes. Reproducing, measuring and controlling TME heterogeneity should stimulate collaborative efforts between biologists and engineers. Studying cancers in well-tuned 3D cell culture platforms is paramount to bring mechanomedicine into the realm of oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apekshya Chhetri
- Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Joseph V Rispoli
- Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Sophie A Lelièvre
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.,Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
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