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Debnath B, Narasimhan BN, Fraley SI, Rangamani P. Modeling collagen fibril degradation as a function of matrix microarchitecture. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.10.607470. [PMID: 39185199 PMCID: PMC11343160 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.10.607470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Collagenolytic degradation is a process fundamental to tissue remodeling. The microarchitecture of collagen fibril networks changes during development, aging, and disease. Such changes to microarchitecture are often accompanied by changes in matrix degradability. In vitro , collagen matrices of the same concentration but different microarchitectures also vary in degradation rate. How do different microarchitectures affect matrix degradation? To answer this question, we developed a computational model of collagen degradation. We first developed a lattice model that describes collagen degradation at the scale of a single fibril. We then extended this model to investigate the role of microarchitecture using Brownian dynamics simulation of enzymes in a multi-fibril three dimensional matrix to predict its degradability. Our simulations predict that the distribution of enzymes around the fibrils is non-uniform and depends on the microarchitecture of the matrix. This non-uniformity in enzyme distribution can lead to different extents of degradability for matrices of different microarchitectures. Our model predictions were tested using in vitro experiments with synthesized collagen gels of different microarchitectures. Experiments showed that indeed degradation of collagen depends on the matrix architecture and fibril thickness. In summary, our study shows that the microarchitecture of the collagen matrix is an important determinant of its degradability.
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Vitale S, Calapà F, Colonna F, Luongo F, Biffoni M, De Maria R, Fiori ME. Advancements in 3D In Vitro Models for Colorectal Cancer. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2405084. [PMID: 38962943 PMCID: PMC11348154 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202405084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
The process of drug discovery and pre-clinical testing is currently inefficient, expensive, and time-consuming. Most importantly, the success rate is unsatisfactory, as only a small percentage of tested drugs are made available to oncological patients. This is largely due to the lack of reliable models that accurately predict drug efficacy and safety. Even animal models often fail to replicate human-specific pathologies and human body's complexity. These factors, along with ethical concerns regarding animal use, urge the development of suitable human-relevant, translational in vitro models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Vitale
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine (OMM)Istituto Superiore di SanitàViale Regina Elena 299Rome00161Italy
| | - Federica Calapà
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia traslazionaleUniversità Cattolica del Sacro CuoreLargo F. Vito 1RomeItaly
| | - Francesca Colonna
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine (OMM)Istituto Superiore di SanitàViale Regina Elena 299Rome00161Italy
| | - Francesca Luongo
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia traslazionaleUniversità Cattolica del Sacro CuoreLargo F. Vito 1RomeItaly
| | - Mauro Biffoni
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine (OMM)Istituto Superiore di SanitàViale Regina Elena 299Rome00161Italy
| | - Ruggero De Maria
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia traslazionaleUniversità Cattolica del Sacro CuoreLargo F. Vito 1RomeItaly
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” – IRCCSLargo F. Vito 1RomeItaly
| | - Micol E. Fiori
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine (OMM)Istituto Superiore di SanitàViale Regina Elena 299Rome00161Italy
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3
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Venegoni C, Pederzoli F, Locatelli I, Alchera E, Martinez-Vidal L, Di Coste A, Bandini M, Necchi A, Montorsi F, Salonia A, Moschini M, Jose J, Scarfò F, Lucianò R, Alfano M. Topographic modification of the extracellular matrix precedes the onset of bladder cancer. Matrix Biol Plus 2024; 23:100154. [PMID: 38882394 PMCID: PMC11179621 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2024.100154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients are affected by a high risk of recurrence. The topography of collagen fibers represents a hallmark of the neoplastic extracellular microenvironment. Objective Assess the topographic change associated with different stages of bladder cancer (from neoplastic lesions to bona fide tumor) and whether those changes favour the development of NMIBC. Design Setting and Participants Seventy-one clinical samples of urothelial carcinoma at different stages were used. Topographic changes preceding tumor onset and progression were evaluated in the rat bladder cancer model induced by nitrosamine (BBN), a bladder-specific carcinogen. The preclinical model of actinic cystitis was also used in combination with BBN. Validated hematoxylin-eosin sections were used to assess the topography of collagen fibrils associated with pre-tumoral steps, NMIBC, and MIBC. Findings Linearization of collagen fibers was higher in Cis and Ta vs. dysplastic urothelium, further increased in T1 and greatest in T2 tumors. In the BBN preclinical model, an increase in the linearization of collagen fibers was established since the beginning of inflammation, such as the onset of atypia of a non-univocal nature and dysplasia, and further increased in the presence of the tumor. Linearization of collagen fibers in the model of actinic cystitis was associated with earlier onset of BBN-induced tumor. Conclusions The topographic modification of the extracellular microenvironment occurs during the inflammatory processes preceding and favoring the onset of bladder cancer. The topographic reconfiguration of the stroma could represent a marker for identifying and treating the non-neoplastic tissue susceptible to tumor recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Venegoni
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Pederzoli
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Irene Locatelli
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Alchera
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Martinez-Vidal
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Di Coste
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Bandini
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Necchi
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Montorsi
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Salonia
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Moschini
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Jithin Jose
- FUJIFILM Visualsonics Inc., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Massimo Alfano
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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Marquette CA, Petiot E, Spindler A, Ebel C, Nzepa M, Moreau B, Erbs P, Balloul JM, Quemeneur E, Zaupa C. 3D bioprinted CRC model brings to light the replication necessity of an oncolytic vaccinia virus encoding FCU1 gene to exert an efficient anti-tumoral activity. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1384499. [PMID: 39091906 PMCID: PMC11292208 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1384499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The oncolytic virus represents a promising therapeutic strategy involving the targeted replication of viruses to eliminate cancer cells, while preserving healthy ones. Despite ongoing clinical trials, this approach encounters significant challenges. This study delves into the interaction between an oncolytic virus and extracellular matrix mimics (ECM mimics). A three-dimensional colorectal cancer model, enriched with ECM mimics through bioprinting, was subjected to infection by an oncolytic virus derived from the vaccinia virus (oVV). The investigation revealed prolonged expression and sustained oVV production. However, the absence of a significant antitumor effect suggested that the virus's progression toward non-infected tumoral clusters was hindered by the ECM mimics. Effective elimination of tumoral cells was achieved by introducing an oVV expressing FCU1 (an enzyme converting the prodrug 5-FC into the chemotherapeutic compound 5-FU) alongside 5-FC. Notably, this efficacy was absent when using a non-replicative vaccinia virus expressing FCU1. Our findings underscore then the crucial role of oVV proliferation in a complex ECM mimics. Its proliferation facilitates payload expression and generates a bystander effect to eradicate tumors. Additionally, this study emphasizes the utility of 3D bioprinting for assessing ECM mimics impact on oVV and demonstrates how enhancing oVV capabilities allows overcoming these barriers. This showcases the potential of 3D bioprinting technology in designing purpose-fit models for such investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe A. Marquette
- 3d.FAB, CNRS, INSA, Univ Lyon, CPE-Lyon, UMR5246, ICBMS, Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Emma Petiot
- 3d.FAB, CNRS, INSA, Univ Lyon, CPE-Lyon, UMR5246, ICBMS, Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | | | | | - Mael Nzepa
- Transgene SA, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
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Devarasou S, Kang M, Shin JH. Biophysical perspectives to understanding cancer-associated fibroblasts. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:021507. [PMID: 38855445 PMCID: PMC11161195 DOI: 10.1063/5.0199024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The understanding of cancer has evolved significantly, with the tumor microenvironment (TME) now recognized as a critical factor influencing the onset and progression of the disease. This broader perspective challenges the traditional view that cancer is primarily caused by mutations, instead emphasizing the dynamic interaction between different cell types and physicochemical factors within the TME. Among these factors, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) command attention for their profound influence on tumor behavior and patient prognoses. Despite their recognized importance, the biophysical and mechanical interactions of CAFs within the TME remain elusive. This review examines the distinctive physical characteristics of CAFs, their morphological attributes, and mechanical interactions within the TME. We discuss the impact of mechanotransduction on CAF function and highlight how these cells communicate mechanically with neighboring cancer cells, thereby shaping the path of tumor development and progression. By concentrating on the biomechanical regulation of CAFs, this review aims to deepen our understanding of their role in the TME and to illuminate new biomechanical-based therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayadineshraj Devarasou
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Minwoo Kang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jennifer H. Shin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
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Buckenmeyer MJ, Brooks EA, Taylor MS, Yang L, Holewinski RJ, Meyer TJ, Galloux M, Garmendia-Cedillos M, Pohida TJ, Andresson T, Croix B, Wolf MT. Engineering Tumor Stroma Morphogenesis Using Dynamic Cell-Matrix Spheroid Assembly. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.19.585805. [PMID: 38903106 PMCID: PMC11188064 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.19.585805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment consists of resident tumor cells organized within a compositionally diverse, three-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrix (ECM) network that cannot be replicated in vitro using bottom-up synthesis. We report a new self-assembly system to engineer ECM-rich 3D MatriSpheres wherein tumor cells actively organize and concentrate microgram quantities of decellularized ECM dispersions which modulate cell phenotype. 3D colorectal cancer (CRC) MatriSpheres were created using decellularized small intestine submucosa (SIS) as an orthotopic ECM source that had greater proteomic homology to CRC tumor ECM than traditional ECM formulations such as Matrigel. SIS ECM was rapidly concentrated from its environment and assembled into ECM-rich 3D stroma-like regions by mouse and human CRC cell lines within 4-5 days via a mechanism that was rheologically distinct from bulk hydrogel formation. Both ECM organization and transcriptional regulation by 3D ECM cues affected programs of malignancy, lipid metabolism, and immunoregulation that corresponded with an in vivo MC38 tumor cell subpopulation identified via single cell RNA sequencing. This 3D modeling approach stimulates tumor specific tissue morphogenesis that incorporates the complexities of both cancer cell and ECM compartments in a scalable, spontaneous assembly process that may further facilitate precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Buckenmeyer
- Cancer Biomaterials Engineering Laboratory, Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Brooks
- Cancer Biomaterials Engineering Laboratory, Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Madison S. Taylor
- Cancer Biomaterials Engineering Laboratory, Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Liping Yang
- Tumor Angiogenesis Unit, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Ronald J. Holewinski
- Protein Characterization Laboratory, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Thomas J. Meyer
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Mélissa Galloux
- Independent Bioinformatician, Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France
| | - Marcial Garmendia-Cedillos
- Instrumentation Development and Engineering Application Solutions, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Thomas J. Pohida
- Instrumentation Development and Engineering Application Solutions, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Thorkell Andresson
- Protein Characterization Laboratory, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, 21701, USA
| | - Brad Croix
- Tumor Angiogenesis Unit, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Matthew T. Wolf
- Cancer Biomaterials Engineering Laboratory, Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
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Pamplona R, González-Lana S, Ochoa I, Martín-Rapún R, Sánchez-Somolinos C. Evaluation of gelatin-based hydrogels for colon and pancreas studies using 3D in vitro cell culture. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:3144-3160. [PMID: 38456751 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb02640j] [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: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Biomimetic 3D models emerged some decades ago to address 2D cell culture limitations in the field of replicating biological phenomena, structures or functions found in nature. The fabrication of hydrogels for cancer disease research enables the study of cell processes including growth, proliferation and migration and their 3D design is based on the encapsulation of tumoral cells within a tunable matrix. In this work, a platform of gelatin methacrylamide (GelMA)-based photocrosslinked scaffolds with embedded colorectal (HCT-116) or pancreatic (MIA PaCa-2) cancer cells is presented. Prior to cell culture, the mechanical characterization of hydrogels was assessed in terms of stiffness and swelling behavior. Modifications of the UV curing time enabled a fine tuning of the mechanical properties, which at the same time, showed susceptibility to the chemical composition and crosslinking mechanism. All scaffolds displayed excellent cytocompatibility with both tumoral cells while eliciting various cell responses depending on the microenvironment features. Individual and collective cell migration were observed for HCT-116 and MIA PaCa-2 cell lines, highlighting the ability of the colorectal cancer cells to cluster into aggregates of different sizes governed by the surrounding matrix. Additionally, metabolic activity results pointed out to the development of a more proliferative phenotype within stiffer networks. These findings confirm the suitability of the presented platform of GelMA-based hydrogels to conduct 3D cell culture experiments and explore biological processes associated with colorectal and pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Pamplona
- Aragón Institute of Nanoscience and Materials (INMA), CSIC-University of Zaragoza, Department of Organic Chemistry, C/Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Sandra González-Lana
- BEONCHIP S.L., CEMINEM, Campus Río Ebro. C/Mariano Esquillor Gómez s/n, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Tissue Microenvironment (TME) Lab. Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, C/Mariano Esquillor s/n, 500018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ochoa
- Tissue Microenvironment (TME) Lab. Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, C/Mariano Esquillor s/n, 500018 Zaragoza, Spain
- CIBER in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
- Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Paseo de Isabel La Católica 1-3, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Rafael Martín-Rapún
- Aragón Institute of Nanoscience and Materials (INMA), CSIC-University of Zaragoza, Department of Organic Chemistry, C/Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain.
- CIBER in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
- Universidad de Zaragoza, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Química Orgánica, C/Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Carlos Sánchez-Somolinos
- CIBER in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
- Aragón Institute of Nanoscience and Materials (INMA), CSIC-University of Zaragoza, Department of Condensed Matter Physics (Faculty of Science), C/Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain.
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8
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Wendong Y, Jiali J, Qiaomei F, Yayun W, Xianze X, Zheng S, Wei H. Biomechanical forces and force-triggered drug delivery in tumor neovascularization. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 171:116117. [PMID: 38171243 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor angiogenesis is one of the typical hallmarks of tumor occurrence and development, and tumor neovascularization also exhibits distinct characteristics from normal blood vessels. As the number of cells and matrix inside the tumor increases, the biomechanical force is enhanced, specifically manifested as solid stress, fluid stress, stiffness, and topology. This mechanical microenvironment also provides shelter for tumors and intensifies angiogenesis, providing oxygen and nutritional support for tumor progression. During tumor development, the biomechanical microenvironment also emerges, which in turn feeds back to regulate the tumor progression, including tumor angiogenesis, and biochemical and biomechanical signals can regulate tumor angiogenesis. Blood vessels possess inherent sensitivity to mechanical stimuli, but compared to the extensive research on biochemical signal regulation, the study of the regulation of tumor neovascularization by biomechanical signals remains relatively scarce. Biomechanical forces can affect the phenotypic characteristics and mechanical signaling pathways of tumor blood vessels, directly regulating angiogenesis. Meanwhile, they can indirectly regulate tumor angiogenesis by causing an imbalance in angiogenesis signals and affecting stromal cell function. Understanding the regulatory mechanism of biomechanical forces in tumor angiogenesis is beneficial for better identifying and even taming the mechanical forces involved in angiogenesis, providing new therapeutic targets for tumor vascular normalization. Therefore, we summarized the composition of biomechanical forces and their direct or indirect regulation of tumor neovascularization. In addition, this review discussed the use of biomechanical forces in combination with anti-angiogenic therapies for the treatment of tumors, and biomechanical forces triggered delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wendong
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310005, China
| | - Jiang Jiali
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310005, China
| | - Fan Qiaomei
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310005, China
| | - Weng Yayun
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310005, China
| | - Xie Xianze
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310005, China
| | - Shi Zheng
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310005, China.
| | - Huang Wei
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310005, China.
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9
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Lorenc E, Varinelli L, Chighizola M, Brich S, Pisati F, Guaglio M, Baratti D, Deraco M, Gariboldi M, Podestà A. Correlation between biological and mechanical properties of extracellular matrix from colorectal peritoneal metastases in human tissues. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12175. [PMID: 37500685 PMCID: PMC10374531 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38763-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Peritoneal metastases (PM) are common routes of dissemination for colorectal cancer (CRC) and remain a lethal disease with a poor prognosis. The properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are important in cancer development; studying their changes is crucial to understand CRC-PM development. We studied the elastic properties of ECMs derived from human samples of normal and neoplastic PM by atomic force microscopy (AFM); results were correlated with patient clinical data and expression of ECM components related to metastatic spread. We show that PM progression is accompanied by stiffening of the ECM, increased cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF) activity and increased deposition and crosslinking in neoplastic matrices; on the other hand, softer regions are also found in neoplastic ECMs on the same scales. Our results support the hypothesis that local changes in the normal ECM can create the ground for growth and spread from the tumour of invading metastatic cells. We have found correlations between the mechanical properties (relative stiffening between normal and neoplastic ECM) of the ECM and patients' clinical data, like age, sex, presence of protein activating mutations in BRAF and KRAS genes and tumour grade. Our findings suggest that the mechanical phenotyping of PM-ECM has the potential to predict tumour development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Lorenc
- Dipartimento di Fisica "Aldo Pontremoli" and CIMaINa, Università degli Studi di Milano, via G. Celoria 16, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Varinelli
- Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, via G. Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Chighizola
- Dipartimento di Fisica "Aldo Pontremoli" and CIMaINa, Università degli Studi di Milano, via G. Celoria 16, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Brich
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, via G. Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Pisati
- Histopathology Unit, Cogentech Ltd. Benefit Corporation with a Sole Shareholder, via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Marcello Guaglio
- Peritoneal Surface Malignancies Unit, Colon and Rectal Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, via G. Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Dario Baratti
- Peritoneal Surface Malignancies Unit, Colon and Rectal Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, via G. Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Marcello Deraco
- Peritoneal Surface Malignancies Unit, Colon and Rectal Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, via G. Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Gariboldi
- Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, via G. Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Podestà
- Dipartimento di Fisica "Aldo Pontremoli" and CIMaINa, Università degli Studi di Milano, via G. Celoria 16, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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10
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Martinez-Vidal L, Chighizola M, Berardi M, Alchera E, Locatelli I, Pederzoli F, Venegoni C, Lucianò R, Milani P, Bielawski K, Salonia A, Podestà A, Alfano M. Micro-mechanical fingerprints of the rat bladder change in actinic cystitis and tumor presence. Commun Biol 2023; 6:217. [PMID: 36823431 PMCID: PMC9950451 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04572-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue mechanics determines tissue homeostasis, disease development and progression. Bladder strongly relies on its mechanical properties to perform its physiological function, but these are poorly unveiled under normal and pathological conditions. Here we characterize the mechanical fingerprints at the micro-scale level of the three tissue layers which compose the healthy bladder wall, and identify modifications associated with the onset and progression of pathological conditions (i.e., actinic cystitis and bladder cancer). We use two indentation-based instruments (an Atomic Force Microscope and a nanoindenter) and compare the micromechanical maps with a comprehensive histological analysis. We find that the healthy bladder wall is a mechanically inhomogeneous tissue, with a gradient of increasing stiffness from the urothelium to the lamina propria, which gradually decreases when reaching the muscle outer layer. Stiffening in fibrotic tissues correlate with increased deposition of dense extracellular matrix in the lamina propria. An increase in tissue compliance is observed before the onset and invasion of the tumor. By providing high resolution micromechanical investigation of each tissue layer of the bladder, we depict the intrinsic mechanical heterogeneity of the layers of a healthy bladder as compared with the mechanical properties alterations associated with either actinic cystitis or bladder tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Martinez-Vidal
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, 20132, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Via Olgettina, 60, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - M Chighizola
- C.I.Ma.I.Na and Dipartimento di Fisica "Aldo Pontremoli", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - M Berardi
- Optics11, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- LaserLab, Department of Physics and Astronomy, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - E Alchera
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - I Locatelli
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - F Pederzoli
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, 20132, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Via Olgettina, 60, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - C Venegoni
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - R Lucianò
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - P Milani
- C.I.Ma.I.Na and Dipartimento di Fisica "Aldo Pontremoli", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | | | - A Salonia
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, 20132, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Via Olgettina, 60, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - A Podestà
- C.I.Ma.I.Na and Dipartimento di Fisica "Aldo Pontremoli", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, 20133, Italy.
| | - M Alfano
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, 20132, Italy.
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11
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Pamplona R, González-Lana S, Romero P, Ochoa I, Martín-Rapún R, Sánchez-Somolinos C. Tuning of Mechanical Properties in Photopolymerizable Gelatin-Based Hydrogels for In Vitro Cell Culture Systems. ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS 2023; 5:1487-1498. [PMID: 36817339 PMCID: PMC9926877 DOI: 10.1021/acsapm.2c01980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The mechanical microenvironment plays a crucial role in the evolution of colorectal cancer, a complex disease characterized by heterogeneous tumors with varying elasticity. Toward setting up distinct scenarios, herein, we describe the preparation and characterization of gelatin methacrylamide (GelMA)-based hydrogels via two different mechanisms: free-radical photopolymerization and photo-induced thiol-ene reaction. A precise stiffness modulation of covalently crosslinked scaffolds was achieved through the application of well-defined irradiation times while keeping the intensity constant. Besides, the incorporation of thiol chemistry strongly increased stiffness with low to moderate curing times. This wide range of finely tuned mechanical properties successfully covered from healthy tissue to colorectal cancer stages. Hydrogels prepared in phosphate-buffered saline or Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium resulted in different mechanical and swelling properties, although a similar trend was observed for both conditions: thiol-ene systems exhibited higher stiffness and, at the same time, higher swelling capacity than free-radical photopolymerized networks. In terms of biological behavior, three of the substrates showed good cell proliferation rates according to the formation of a confluent monolayer of Caco-2 cells after 14 days of cell culture. Likewise, a characteristic apical-basal polarization of cells was observed for these three hydrogels. These results demonstrate the versatility of the presented platform of biomimetic materials as in vitro cell culture scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Pamplona
- Aragón
Institute of Nanoscience and Materials (INMA), Department of Organic
Chemistry, CSIC-University of Zaragoza, C/ Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sandra González-Lana
- BEONCHIP
S.L., CEMINEM, Campus
Río Ebro. C/ Mariano Esquillor Gómez s/n, 50018Zaragoza, Spain
- Tissue
Microenvironment (TME) Laboratory, Aragón Institute of Engineering
Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, C/ Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Pilar Romero
- Aragón
Institute of Nanoscience and Materials (INMA), Department of Organic
Chemistry, CSIC-University of Zaragoza, C/ Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ochoa
- Tissue
Microenvironment (TME) Laboratory, Aragón Institute of Engineering
Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, C/ Mariano Esquillor s/n, 50018Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro
de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería,
Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Instituto
de Salud Carlos III, 50018Zaragoza, Spain
- Institute
for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Paseo de Isabel La Católica
1-3, 50009Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Rafael Martín-Rapún
- Aragón
Institute of Nanoscience and Materials (INMA), Department of Organic
Chemistry, CSIC-University of Zaragoza, C/ Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro
de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería,
Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Instituto
de Salud Carlos III, 50018Zaragoza, Spain
- Departamento
de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/ Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Carlos Sánchez-Somolinos
- Centro
de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería,
Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Instituto
de Salud Carlos III, 50018Zaragoza, Spain
- Aragón
Institute of Nanoscience and Materials (INMA), Department of Condensed
Matter Physics (Faculty of Science), CSIC-University
of Zaragoza, C/ Pedro
Cerbuna 12, 50009Zaragoza, Spain
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12
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Ngalim SH, Yusoff N, Johnson RR, Abdul Razak SR, Chen X, Hobbs JK, Lee YY. A review on mechanobiology of cell adhesion networks in different stages of sporadic colorectal cancer to explain its tumorigenesis. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 175:63-72. [PMID: 36116549 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2022.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) is strongly linked to extraneous factors, like poor diet and lifestyle, but not to inherent factors like familial genetics. The changes at the epigenomics and signalling pathways are known across the sporadic CRC stages. The catch is that temporal information of the onset, the feedback loop, and the crosstalk of signalling and noise are still unclear. This makes it challenging to diagnose and treat colon cancer effectively with no relapse. Various microbial cells and native cells of the colon, contribute to sporadic CRC development. These cells secrete autocrine and paracrine for their bioenergetics and communications with other cell types. Imbalances of the biochemicals affect the epithelial lining of colon. One side of this epithelial lining is interfacing the dense colon tissue, while the other side is exposed to microbiota and excrement from the lumen. Hence, the epithelial lining is prone to tumorigenesis due to the influence of both biochemical and mechanical cues from its complex surrounding. The role of physical transformations in tumorigenesis have been limitedly discussed. In this context, cellular and tissue structures, and force transductions are heavily regulated by cell adhesion networks. These networks include cell anchoring mechanism to the surrounding, cell structural integrity mechanism, and cell effector molecules. This review will focus on the progression of the sporadic CRC stages that are governed by the underlaying cell adhesion networks within the epithelial cells. Additionally, current and potential technologies and therapeutics that target cell adhesion networks for treatments of sporadic CRC will be incorporated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siti Hawa Ngalim
- Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia.
| | - Norwahida Yusoff
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Engineering Campus, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Rayzel Renitha Johnson
- Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Siti Razila Abdul Razak
- Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Xinyue Chen
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie K Hobbs
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH, United Kingdom
| | - Yeong Yeh Lee
- School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Kubang Kerian, 16150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
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13
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Chighizola M, Dini T, Marcotti S, D'Urso M, Piazzoni C, Borghi F, Previdi A, Ceriani L, Folliero C, Stramer B, Lenardi C, Milani P, Podestà A, Schulte C. The glycocalyx affects the mechanotransductive perception of the topographical microenvironment. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:418. [PMID: 36123687 PMCID: PMC9484177 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01585-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell/microenvironment interface is the starting point of integrin-mediated mechanotransduction, but many details of mechanotransductive signal integration remain elusive due to the complexity of the involved (extra)cellular structures, such as the glycocalyx. We used nano-bio-interfaces reproducing the complex nanotopographical features of the extracellular matrix to analyse the glycocalyx impact on PC12 cell mechanosensing at the nanoscale (e.g., by force spectroscopy with functionalised probes). Our data demonstrates that the glycocalyx configuration affects spatio-temporal nanotopography-sensitive mechanotransductive events at the cell/microenvironment interface. Opposing effects of major glycocalyx removal were observed, when comparing flat and specific nanotopographical conditions. The excessive retrograde actin flow speed and force loading are strongly reduced on certain nanotopographies upon strong reduction of the native glycocalyx, while on the flat substrate we observe the opposite trend. Our results highlight the importance of the glycocalyx configuration in a molecular clutch force loading-dependent cellular mechanism for mechanosensing of microenvironmental nanotopographical features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Chighizola
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces (C.I.Ma.I.Na.) and Department of Physics "Aldo Pontremoli", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Tania Dini
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces (C.I.Ma.I.Na.) and Department of Physics "Aldo Pontremoli", University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology (IFOM), Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Marcotti
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Mirko D'Urso
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces (C.I.Ma.I.Na.) and Department of Physics "Aldo Pontremoli", University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Claudio Piazzoni
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces (C.I.Ma.I.Na.) and Department of Physics "Aldo Pontremoli", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Borghi
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces (C.I.Ma.I.Na.) and Department of Physics "Aldo Pontremoli", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Anita Previdi
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces (C.I.Ma.I.Na.) and Department of Physics "Aldo Pontremoli", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Ceriani
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces (C.I.Ma.I.Na.) and Department of Physics "Aldo Pontremoli", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Folliero
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces (C.I.Ma.I.Na.) and Department of Physics "Aldo Pontremoli", University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology (IFOM), Milan, Italy
| | - Brian Stramer
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Cristina Lenardi
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces (C.I.Ma.I.Na.) and Department of Physics "Aldo Pontremoli", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Milani
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces (C.I.Ma.I.Na.) and Department of Physics "Aldo Pontremoli", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Podestà
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces (C.I.Ma.I.Na.) and Department of Physics "Aldo Pontremoli", University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Carsten Schulte
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces (C.I.Ma.I.Na.) and Department of Physics "Aldo Pontremoli", University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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14
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Han H, Jang J. Recent advances in biofabricated gut models to understand the gut-brain axis in neurological diseases. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2022; 4:931411. [PMID: 36188186 PMCID: PMC9515506 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2022.931411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence has accumulated that gut microbiome dysbiosis could be linked to neurological diseases, including both neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. With the high prevalence of neurological diseases, there is an urgent need to elucidate the underlying mechanisms between the microbiome, gut, and brain. However, the standardized aniikmal models for these studies have critical disadvantages for their translation into clinical application, such as limited physiological relevance due to interspecies differences and difficulty interpreting causality from complex systemic interactions. Therefore, alternative in vitro gut–brain axis models are highly required to understand their related pathophysiology and set novel therapeutic strategies. In this review, we outline state-of-the-art biofabrication technologies for modeling in vitro human intestines. Existing 3D gut models are categorized according to their topographical and anatomical similarities to the native gut. In addition, we deliberate future research directions to develop more functional in vitro intestinal models to study the gut–brain axis in neurological diseases rather than simply recreating the morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hohyeon Han
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, South Korea
| | - Jinah Jang
- School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, South Korea
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, South Korea
- Department of Convergence IT Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, South Korea
- Institute of Convergence Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
- Correspondence: Jinah Jang
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15
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Flavonoids regulate tumor-associated macrophages - From structure-activity relationship to clinical potential (Review). Pharmacol Res 2022; 184:106419. [PMID: 36041653 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the strategy for tumor therapy has changed from focusing on the direct killing effect of different types of therapeutic agents on cancer cells to the new mainstream of multi-mode and -pathway combined interventions in the microenvironment of the developing tumor. Flavonoids, with unique tricyclic structures, have diverse and extensive immunomodulatory and anti-cancer activities in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most abundant immunosuppressive cells in the TME. The regulation of macrophages to fight cancer is a promising immunotherapeutic strategy. This study covers the most comprehensive cognition of flavonoids in regulating TAMs so far. Far more than a simple list of studies, we try to dig out evidence of crosstalk at the molecular level between flavonoids and TAMs from literature, in order to discuss the most relevant chemical structure and its possible relationship with the multimodal pharmacological activity, as well as systematically build a structure-activity relationship between flavonoids and TAMs. Additionally, we point out the advantages of the macro-control of flavonoids in the TME and discuss the potential clinical implications as well as areas for future research of flavonoids in regulating TAMs. These results will provide hopeful directions for the research of antitumor drugs, while providing new ideas for the pharmaceutical industry to develop more effective forms of flavonoids.
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16
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Abstract
Recent years have seen substantial efforts aimed at constructing artificial cells from various molecular components with the aim of mimicking the processes, behaviours and architectures found in biological systems. Artificial cell development ultimately aims to produce model constructs that progress our understanding of biology, as well as forming the basis for functional bio-inspired devices that can be used in fields such as therapeutic delivery, biosensing, cell therapy and bioremediation. Typically, artificial cells rely on a bilayer membrane chassis and have fluid aqueous interiors to mimic biological cells. However, a desire to more accurately replicate the gel-like properties of intracellular and extracellular biological environments has driven increasing efforts to build cell mimics based on hydrogels. This has enabled researchers to exploit some of the unique functional properties of hydrogels that have seen them deployed in fields such as tissue engineering, biomaterials and drug delivery. In this Review, we explore how hydrogels can be leveraged in the context of artificial cell development. We also discuss how hydrogels can potentially be incorporated within the next generation of artificial cells to engineer improved biological mimics and functional microsystems.
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17
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Mechanical forces directing intestinal form and function. Curr Biol 2022; 32:R791-R805. [PMID: 35882203 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.05.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The vertebrate intestine experiences a range of intrinsically generated and external forces during both development and adult homeostasis. It is increasingly understood how the coordination of these forces shapes the intestine through organ-scale folding and epithelial organization into crypt-villus compartments. Moreover, accumulating evidence shows that several cell types in the adult intestine can sense and respond to forces to regulate key cellular processes underlying adult intestinal functions and self-renewal. In this way, transduction of forces may direct both intestinal homeostasis as well as adaptation to external stimuli, such as food ingestion or injury. In this review, we will discuss recent insights from complementary model systems into the force-dependent mechanisms that establish and maintain the unique architecture of the intestine, as well as its homeostatic regulation and function throughout adult life.
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18
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Mechanical signatures of human colon cancers. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12475. [PMID: 35864200 PMCID: PMC9304395 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16669-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Besides the standard parameters used for colorectal cancer (CRC) management, new features are needed in clinical practice to improve progression-free and overall survival. In some cancers, the microenvironment mechanical properties can contribute to cancer progression and metastasis formation, or constitute a physical barrier for drug penetration or immune cell infiltration. These mechanical properties remain poorly known for colon tissues. Using a multidisciplinary approach including clinical data, physics and geostatistics, we characterized the stiffness of healthy and malignant colon specimens. For this purpose, we analyzed a prospective cohort of 18 patients with untreated colon adenocarcinoma using atomic force microscopy to generate micrometer-scale mechanical maps. We characterized the stiffness of normal epithelium samples taken far away or close to the tumor area and selected tumor tissue areas. These data showed that normal epithelium was softer than tumors. In tumors, stroma areas were stiffer than malignant epithelial cell areas. Among the clinical parameters, tumor left location, higher stage, and RAS mutations were associated with increased tissue stiffness. Thus, in patients with CRC, measuring tumor tissue rigidity may have a translational value and an impact on patient care.
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19
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Sneider A, Kiemen A, Kim JH, Wu PH, Habibi M, White M, Phillip JM, Gu L, Wirtz D. Deep learning identification of stiffness markers in breast cancer. Biomaterials 2022; 285:121540. [PMID: 35537336 PMCID: PMC9873266 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
While essential to our understanding of solid tumor progression, the study of cell and tissue mechanics has yet to find traction in the clinic. Determining tissue stiffness, a mechanical property known to promote a malignant phenotype in vitro and in vivo, is not part of the standard algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Instead, clinicians routinely use mammograms to identify malignant lesions and radiographically dense breast tissue is associated with an increased risk of developing cancer. Whether breast density is related to tumor tissue stiffness, and what cellular and non-cellular components of the tumor contribute the most to its stiffness are not well understood. Through training of a deep learning network and mechanical measurements of fresh patient tissue, we create a bridge in understanding between clinical and mechanical markers. The automatic identification of cellular and extracellular features from hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained slides reveals that global and local breast tissue stiffness best correlate with the percentage of straight collagen. Importantly, the percentage of dense breast tissue does not directly correlate with tissue stiffness or straight collagen content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Sneider
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Ashley Kiemen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Joo Ho Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Pei-Hsun Wu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Mehran Habibi
- Johns Hopkins Breast Center, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, 4940 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Marissa White
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 401 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Jude M. Phillip
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Luo Gu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Denis Wirtz
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA,Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 401 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA,Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA,Corresponding author. Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, and Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA., (D. Wirtz)
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20
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Palumbo S, Benvenuti E, Fraldi M. Actomyosin contractility and buckling of microtubules in nucleation, growth and disassembling of focal adhesions. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2022; 21:1187-1200. [PMID: 35614374 PMCID: PMC9283365 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-022-01584-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Building up and maintenance of cytoskeletal structure in living cells are force-dependent processes involving a dynamic chain of polymerization and depolymerization events, which are also at the basis of cells’ remodelling and locomotion. All these phenomena develop by establishing cell–matrix interfaces made of protein complexes, known as focal adhesions, which govern mechanosensing and mechanotransduction mechanisms mediated by stress transmission between cell interior and external environment. Within this framework, by starting from a work by Cao et al. (Biophys J 109:1807–1817, 2015), we here investigate the role played by actomyosin contractility of stress fibres in nucleation, growth and disassembling of focal adhesions. In particular, we propose a tensegrity model of an adherent cell incorporating nonlinear elasticity and unstable behaviours, which provides a new kinematical interpretation of cellular contractile forces and describes how stress fibres, microtubules and adhesion plaques interact mechanobiologically. The results confirm some experimental evidences and suggest how the actomyosin contraction level could be exploited by cells to actively control their adhesion, eventually triggering cytoskeleton reconfigurations and migration processes observed in both physiological conditions and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Palumbo
- Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - E Benvenuti
- Department of Engineering, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - M Fraldi
- Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Napoli "Federico II", Napoli, Italy.
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21
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Xiao L, Li Q, Huang Y, Fan Z, Qin W, Liu B, Yuan X. Integrative Analysis Constructs an Extracellular Matrix-Associated Gene Signature for the Prediction of Survival and Tumor Immunity in Lung Adenocarcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:835043. [PMID: 35557945 PMCID: PMC9086365 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.835043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) accounts for the majority of lung cancers, and the survival of patients with advanced LUAD is poor. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a fundamental component of the tumor microenvironment (TME) that determines the oncogenesis and antitumor immunity of solid tumors. However, the prognostic value of extracellular matrix-related genes (ERGs) in LUAD remains unexplored. Therefore, this study is aimed to explore the prognostic value of ERGs in LUAD and establish a classification system to predict the survival of patients with LUAD.Methods: LUAD samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GSE37745 were used as discovery and validation cohorts, respectively. Prognostic ERGs were identified by univariate Cox analysis and used to construct a prognostic signature by Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression analysis. The extracellular matrix-related score (ECMRS) of each patient was calculated according to the prognostic signature and used to classify patients into high- and low-risk groups. The prognostic performance of the signature was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier curves, Cox regression analyses, and ROC curves. The relationship between ECMRS and tumor immunity was determined using stepwise analyses. A nomogram based on the signature was established for the convenience of use in the clinical practice. The prognostic genes were validated in multiple databases and clinical specimens by qRT-PCR.Results: A prognostic signature based on eight ERGs (FERMT1, CTSV, CPS1, ENTPD2, SERPINB5, ITGA8, ADAMTS8, and LYPD3) was constructed. Patients with higher ECMRS had poorer survival, lower immune scores, and higher tumor purity in both the discovery and validation cohorts. The predictive power of the signature was independent of the clinicopathological parameters, and the nomogram could also predict survival precisely.Conclusions: We constructed an ECM-related gene signature which can be used to predict survival and tumor immunity in patients with LUAD. This signature can serve as a novel prognostic indicator and therapeutic target in LUAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyan Xiao
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yongbiao Huang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhijie Fan
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wan Qin
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Bo Liu, ; Xianglin Yuan,
| | - Xianglin Yuan
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Bo Liu, ; Xianglin Yuan,
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22
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Brás MM, Sousa SR, Carneiro F, Radmacher M, Granja PL. Mechanobiology of Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1945. [PMID: 35454852 PMCID: PMC9028036 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, the mechanobiology of colorectal cancer (CRC) are discussed. Mechanotransduction of CRC is addressed considering the relationship of several biophysical cues and biochemical pathways. Mechanobiology is focused on considering how it may influence epithelial cells in terms of motility, morphometric changes, intravasation, circulation, extravasation, and metastization in CRC development. The roles of the tumor microenvironment, ECM, and stroma are also discussed, taking into account the influence of alterations and surface modifications on mechanical properties and their impact on epithelial cells and CRC progression. The role of cancer-associated fibroblasts and the impact of flow shear stress is addressed in terms of how it affects CRC metastization. Finally, some insights concerning how the knowledge of biophysical mechanisms may contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies and targeting molecules and how mechanical changes of the microenvironment play a role in CRC disease are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Manuela Brás
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.M.B.); (S.R.S.); (F.C.); (P.L.G.)
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto (FEUP), 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Susana R. Sousa
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.M.B.); (S.R.S.); (F.C.); (P.L.G.)
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (ISEP), Instituto Politécnico do Porto (IPP), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Fátima Carneiro
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.M.B.); (S.R.S.); (F.C.); (P.L.G.)
- Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto (IPATIMUP), 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- Serviço de Patologia, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João (CHUSJ), 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto (FMUP), 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Manfred Radmacher
- Institute for Biophysics, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany
| | - Pedro L. Granja
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.M.B.); (S.R.S.); (F.C.); (P.L.G.)
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
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23
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Holuigue H, Lorenc E, Chighizola M, Schulte C, Varinelli L, Deraco M, Guaglio M, Gariboldi M, Podestà A. Force Sensing on Cells and Tissues by Atomic Force Microscopy. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:2197. [PMID: 35336366 PMCID: PMC8955449 DOI: 10.3390/s22062197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Biosensors are aimed at detecting tiny physical and chemical stimuli in biological systems. Physical forces are ubiquitous, being implied in all cellular processes, including cell adhesion, migration, and differentiation. Given the strong interplay between cells and their microenvironment, the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the structural and mechanical properties of the ECM play an important role in the transmission of external stimuli to single cells within the tissue. Vice versa, cells themselves also use self-generated forces to probe the biophysical properties of the ECM. ECM mechanics influence cell fate, regulate tissue development, and show peculiar features in health and disease conditions of living organisms. Force sensing in biological systems is therefore crucial to dissecting and understanding complex biological processes, such as mechanotransduction. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), which can both sense and apply forces at the nanoscale, with sub-nanonewton sensitivity, represents an enabling technology and a crucial experimental tool in biophysics and mechanobiology. In this work, we report on the application of AFM to the study of biomechanical fingerprints of different components of biological systems, such as the ECM, the whole cell, and cellular components, such as the nucleus, lamellipodia and the glycocalyx. We show that physical observables such as the (spatially resolved) Young's Modulus (YM) of elasticity of ECMs or cells, and the effective thickness and stiffness of the glycocalyx, can be quantitatively characterized by AFM. Their modification can be correlated to changes in the microenvironment, physio-pathological conditions, or gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hatice Holuigue
- CIMAINA and Dipartimento di Fisica “Aldo Pontremoli”, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milan, Italy; (H.H.); (E.L.); (M.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Ewelina Lorenc
- CIMAINA and Dipartimento di Fisica “Aldo Pontremoli”, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milan, Italy; (H.H.); (E.L.); (M.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Matteo Chighizola
- CIMAINA and Dipartimento di Fisica “Aldo Pontremoli”, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milan, Italy; (H.H.); (E.L.); (M.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Carsten Schulte
- CIMAINA and Dipartimento di Fisica “Aldo Pontremoli”, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milan, Italy; (H.H.); (E.L.); (M.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Luca Varinelli
- Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Via G. Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.V.); (M.G.)
| | - Marcello Deraco
- Peritoneal Surface Malignancies Unit, Colorectal Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Via G. Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.D.); (M.G.)
| | - Marcello Guaglio
- Peritoneal Surface Malignancies Unit, Colorectal Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Via G. Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.D.); (M.G.)
| | - Manuela Gariboldi
- Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Via G. Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy; (L.V.); (M.G.)
| | - Alessandro Podestà
- CIMAINA and Dipartimento di Fisica “Aldo Pontremoli”, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 16, 20133 Milan, Italy; (H.H.); (E.L.); (M.C.); (C.S.)
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24
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Marques-Magalhães Â, Cruz T, Costa ÂM, Estêvão D, Rios E, Canão PA, Velho S, Carneiro F, Oliveira MJ, Cardoso AP. Decellularized Colorectal Cancer Matrices as Bioactive Scaffolds for Studying Tumor-Stroma Interactions. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14020359. [PMID: 35053521 PMCID: PMC8773780 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14020359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
More than a physical structure providing support to tissues, the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex and dynamic network of macromolecules that modulates the behavior of both cancer cells and associated stromal cells of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Over the last few years, several efforts have been made to develop new models that accurately mimic the interconnections within the TME and specifically the biomechanical and biomolecular complexity of the tumor ECM. Particularly in colorectal cancer, the ECM is highly remodeled and disorganized and constitutes a key component that affects cancer hallmarks, such as cell differentiation, proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. Therefore, several scaffolds produced from natural and/or synthetic polymers and ceramics have been used in 3D biomimetic strategies for colorectal cancer research. Nevertheless, decellularized ECM from colorectal tumors is a unique model that offers the maintenance of native ECM architecture and molecular composition. This review will focus on innovative and advanced 3D-based models of decellularized ECM as high-throughput strategies in colorectal cancer research that potentially fill some of the gaps between in vitro 2D and in vivo models. Our aim is to highlight the need for strategies that accurately mimic the TME for precision medicine and for studying the pathophysiology of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ângela Marques-Magalhães
- i3S-Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (Â.M.-M.); (T.C.); (Â.M.C.); (D.E.); (E.R.); (S.V.); (F.C.); (M.J.O.)
- INEB-Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Tânia Cruz
- i3S-Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (Â.M.-M.); (T.C.); (Â.M.C.); (D.E.); (E.R.); (S.V.); (F.C.); (M.J.O.)
- INEB-Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ângela Margarida Costa
- i3S-Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (Â.M.-M.); (T.C.); (Â.M.C.); (D.E.); (E.R.); (S.V.); (F.C.); (M.J.O.)
- INEB-Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Diogo Estêvão
- i3S-Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (Â.M.-M.); (T.C.); (Â.M.C.); (D.E.); (E.R.); (S.V.); (F.C.); (M.J.O.)
- INEB-Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Elisabete Rios
- i3S-Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (Â.M.-M.); (T.C.); (Â.M.C.); (D.E.); (E.R.); (S.V.); (F.C.); (M.J.O.)
- IPATIMUP-Institute of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Pathology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Amoroso Canão
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Pathology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sérgia Velho
- i3S-Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (Â.M.-M.); (T.C.); (Â.M.C.); (D.E.); (E.R.); (S.V.); (F.C.); (M.J.O.)
- IPATIMUP-Institute of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Fátima Carneiro
- i3S-Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (Â.M.-M.); (T.C.); (Â.M.C.); (D.E.); (E.R.); (S.V.); (F.C.); (M.J.O.)
- IPATIMUP-Institute of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Pathology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria José Oliveira
- i3S-Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (Â.M.-M.); (T.C.); (Â.M.C.); (D.E.); (E.R.); (S.V.); (F.C.); (M.J.O.)
- INEB-Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Ana Patrícia Cardoso
- i3S-Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (Â.M.-M.); (T.C.); (Â.M.C.); (D.E.); (E.R.); (S.V.); (F.C.); (M.J.O.)
- INEB-Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-22-607-4900
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25
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Lysyl-Oxidase Dependent Extracellular Matrix Stiffness in Hodgkin Lymphomas: Mechanical and Topographical Evidence. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14010259. [PMID: 35008423 PMCID: PMC8750937 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Alterations of the composition and architecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM), leading to increased stiffness, is known to condition development, invasiveness and severity of neoplasms. In this study, we report increased lymph node (LN) stiffness in human lymphomas, measured by LN elastometry or by computerized imaging of bioptic specimens. Stiffness matched to lymphoma histotype and grading. The enzyme lysyl oxidase (LOX) is involved in the rise of collagen cross-linking in Hodgkin lymphomas, while altered architecture, shown by scanning electron microscopy and polarized light microscopy is involved in advanced follicular lymphomas. Based on these data, digital pathology may help in the staging of lymphomas, and lysyl oxidase may represent a target for therapy in Hodgkin lymphomas. Abstract Purpose: The biochemical composition and architecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is known to condition development and invasiveness of neoplasms. To clarify this point, we analyzed ECM stiffness, collagen cross-linking and anisotropy in lymph nodes (LN) of Hodgkin lymphomas (HL), follicular lymphomas (FL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL), compared with non-neoplastic LN (LDN). Methods and Results: We found increased elastic (Young’s) modulus in HL and advanced FL (grade 3A) over LDN, FL grade 1–2 and DLBCL. Digital imaging evidenced larger stromal areas in HL, where increased collagen cross-linking was found; in turn, architectural modifications were documented in FL3A by scanning electron microscopy and enhanced anisotropy by polarized light microscopy. Interestingly, HL expressed high levels of lysyl oxidase (LOX), an enzyme responsible for collagen cross-linking. Using gelatin scaffolds fabricated with a low elastic modulus, comparable to that of non-neoplastic tissues, we demonstrated that HL LN-derived mesenchymal stromal cells and HL cells increased the Young’s modulus of the extracellular microenvironment through the expression of LOX. Indeed, LOX inhibition by β-aminopropionitrile prevented the gelatin stiffness increase. Conclusions: These data indicate that different mechanical, topographical and/or architectural modifications of ECM are detectable in human lymphomas and are related to their histotype and grading.
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26
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Morello G, Quarta A, Gaballo A, Moroni L, Gigli G, Polini A, Gervaso F. A thermo-sensitive chitosan/pectin hydrogel for long-term tumor spheroid culture. Carbohydr Polym 2021; 274:118633. [PMID: 34702456 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogels represent a key element in the development of in vitro tumor models, by mimicking the typical 3D tumor architecture in a physicochemical manner and allowing the study of tumor mechanisms. Here we developed a thermo-sensitive, natural polymer-based hydrogel, where chitosan and pectin were mixed and, after a weak base-induced chitosan gelation, a stable semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Network formed. This resulted thermo-responsive at 37 °C, injectable at room temperature, stable up to 6 weeks in vitro, permeable to small/medium-sized molecules (3 to 70 kDa) and suitable for cell-encapsulation. Tunable mechanical and permeability properties were obtained by varying the polymer content. Optimized formulations successfully supported the formation and growth of human colorectal cancer spheroids up to 44 days of culture. The spheroid dimension and density were influenced by the semi-IPN stiffness and permeability. These encouraging results would allow the implementation of faithful tumor models for the study and development of personalized oncological treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Morello
- Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR, Lecce 73100, Italy; Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica E. de Giorgi, Università Del Salento, Lecce 73100, Italy
| | | | | | - Lorenzo Moroni
- Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR, Lecce 73100, Italy; Department of Complex Tissue Regeneration, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6229ER, the Netherlands
| | - Giuseppe Gigli
- Institute of Nanotechnology, CNR, Lecce 73100, Italy; Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica E. de Giorgi, Università Del Salento, Lecce 73100, Italy
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Liu W, Sun Q, Zheng ZL, Gao YT, Zhu GY, Wei Q, Xu JZ, Li ZM, Zhao CS. Topographic Cues Guiding Cell Polarization via Distinct Cellular Mechanosensing Pathways. SMALL 2021; 18:e2104328. [PMID: 34738726 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202104328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Cell polarization exists in a variety of tissues to regulate cell behaviors and functions. Space constraint (spatially limiting cell extension) and adhesion induction (guiding adhesome growth) are two main ways to induce cell polarization according to the microenvironment topographies. However, the mechanism of cell polarization induced by these two ways and the downstream effects on cell functions are yet to be understood. Here, space constraint and adhesion induction guiding cell polarization are achieved by substrate groove arrays in micro and nano size, respectively. Although the morphology of polarized cells is similar on both structures, the signaling pathways to induce the cell polarization and the downstream functions are distinctly different. The adhesion induction (nano-groove) leads to the formation of focal adhesions and activates the RhoA/ROCK pathway to enhance the myosin-based intracellular force, while the space constraint (micro-groove) only activates the formation of pseudopodia. The enhanced intracellular force caused by adhesion induction inhibits the chromatin condensation, which promotes the osteogenic differentiation of stem cells. This study presents an overview of cell polarization and mechanosensing at biointerface to aid in the design of novel biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials and Engineering, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Qian Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials and Engineering, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Zi-Li Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials and Engineering, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Ya-Ting Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials and Engineering, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Guan-Yin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Qiang Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials and Engineering, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.,College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Jia-Zhuang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials and Engineering, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Zhong-Ming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials and Engineering, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Chang-Sheng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials and Engineering, College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.,College of Biomedical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
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28
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Qin JC, Yu WT, Li HX, Liang YQ, Nong FF, Wen B. Cold exposure and capsaicin promote 1,2-dimethylhyrazine-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats correlates with extracellular matrix remodeling. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:6615-6630. [PMID: 34754156 PMCID: PMC8554402 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i39.6615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and stiffening, which are correlated with tumor malignancy, drives tumor development. However, the relationship between ECM remodeling and rat experimental model of 1,2-dimethylhyrazine (DMH)-induced colorectal cancer (CRC) imposed by cold and capsaicin exposure remains unclear.
AIM To explore the effects of cold exposure and capsaicin on ECM remodeling and ECM enzymes in DMH-induced CRC.
METHODS For histopathological analysis, the sections of colon tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson’s trichrome, Picrosirius red, and Weigert’s Resorcin-Fuchsin to observe the remodeling of collagen and elastin. Additionally, the protein expression level of type I collagen (COL I), type 3 collagen (COL III0, elastin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 1, MMP2, MMP9, and tissue-specific matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of COL I, COL III, elastin, and lysyl oxidase-like-2 (LOXL2) in the colon tissues of rats was measured by reverse-transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS Although no differences were observed in the proportion of adenomas, a trend towards the increase of invasive tumors was observed in the cold and capsaicin group. The cold exposure group had a metastasis rate compared with the other groups. Additionally, abnormal accumulation of both collagen and elastin was observed in the cold exposure and capsaicin group. Specifically, collagen quantitative analysis showed increased length, width, angle, and straightness compared with the DMH group. Collagen deposition and straightness were significantly increased in the cold exposure group compared with the capsaicin group. Cold exposure and capsaicin significantly increased the protein levels of COL I, elastin, and LOXL2 along with increases in their mRNA levels in the colon tissues compared with the DMH group, while COL III did not show a significant difference. Furthermore, in immunohistochemical evaluations, MMP1, MMP2, MMP9, and TIMP1 staining increased in the cold exposure and capsaicin group compared with the DMH group.
CONCLUSION These results suggest that chronic cold and capsaicin exposure further increased the deposition of collagen and elastin in the colonic tissue. Increased COL I and elastin mRNA and protein levels expression may account for the enhanced ECM remodel and stiffness variations of colon tissue. The upregulated expression of the LOXL2 and physiological imbalance between MMP/TIMP activation and deactivation could contribute to the progression of the CRC resulting from cold and capsaicin exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Chun Qin
- Institute of Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong 530001, Guangdong Province, China
- Liuzhou People’s Hospital, Guangxi, 545006, Guangxi Province China
| | - Wei-Tao Yu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, The Second People’s Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang 222000, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hui-Xuan Li
- National Center for Respiratory Medicine, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease and National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangdong 510000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yu-Qi Liang
- Institute of Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong 530001, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Fei-Fei Nong
- Institute of Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong 530001, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Bin Wen
- Institute of Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong 530001, Guangdong Province, China
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Fujita M, Suzuki H, Fukai F. Involvement of integrin-activating peptides derived from tenascin-C in colon cancer progression. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2021; 13:980-994. [PMID: 34616507 PMCID: PMC8465449 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v13.i9.980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tenascin-C (TNC) is an adhesion modulatory protein present in the extracellular matrix that is highly expressed in several malignancies, including colon cancer. Although TNC is considered a negative prognostic factor for cancer patients, the substantial role of the TNC molecule in colorectal carcinogenesis and its malignant progression is poorly understood. We previously found that TNC has a cryptic functional site and that a TNC peptide containing this site, termed TNIIIA2, can potently and persistently activate beta1-integrins. In contrast, the peptide FNIII14, which contains a cryptic bioactive site within the fibronectin molecule, can inactivate beta1-integrins. This review presents the role of TNC in the development of colitis-associated colorectal cancer and in the malignant progression of colon cancer, particularly the major involvement of its cryptic functional site TNIIIA2. We propose new possible prophylactic and therapeutic strategies based on inhibition of the TNIIIA2-induced beta1-integrin activation by peptide FNIII14.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motomichi Fujita
- Department of Molecular Patho-Physiology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda 278-8510, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hideo Suzuki
- Department of Gastroenterology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Fumio Fukai
- Department of Molecular Patho-Physiology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda 278-8510, Chiba, Japan
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30
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Aging, inflammation and DNA damage in the somatic testicular niche with idiopathic germ cell aplasia. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5205. [PMID: 34471128 PMCID: PMC8410861 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25544-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular mechanisms associated with human germ cell aplasia in infertile men remain undefined. Here we perform single-cell transcriptome profiling to highlight differentially expressed genes and pathways in each somatic cell type in testes of men with idiopathic germ cell aplasia. We identify immaturity of Leydig cells, chronic tissue inflammation, fibrosis, and senescence phenotype of the somatic cells, as well markers of chronic inflammation in the blood. We find that deregulated expression of parentally imprinted genes in myoid and immature Leydig cells, with relevant changes in the ratio of Lamin A/C transcripts and an active DNA damage response in Leydig and peritubular myoid cells are also indicative of senescence of the testicular niche. This study offers molecular insights into the pathogenesis of idiopathic germ cell aplasia. Molecular mechanisms associated with human germ cell aplasia in infertile men remain undefined. Here the authors perform single-cell transcriptome profiling to highlight differentially expressed genes and pathways in each somatic cell type in testes of men with idiopathic germ cell aplasia.
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Pellegrino F, Coghi A, Lavorgna G, Cazzaniga W, Guazzoni E, Locatelli I, Villa I, Bolamperti S, Finocchio N, Alfano M, Lucianò R, Briganti A, Montorsi F, Salonia A, Cavarretta I. A mechanistic insight into the anti-metastatic role of the prostate specific antigen. Transl Oncol 2021; 14:101211. [PMID: 34455373 PMCID: PMC8403584 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate specific antigen is the standard circulating biomarker for prostate cancer. We provide novel evidence that collagen 1 is an additional substrate for PSA. PSA hampers first steps of cancer invasion. Tissue-related PSA content/activity is inversely correlated to tumor progression. Tissue-related PSA levels improve prediction of prostate cancer specific mortality.
Aim Since its discovery Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), also referred to as kallikrein-3 (KLK3), has been used as standard circulating biomarker for prostate cancer (PCa). However, its specificity remains not adequate and its mechanism of action still elusive. Therefore, deciphering PSA role throughout PCa-pathobiology would be relevant in improving both cancer diagnosis and outcome prediction. We investigated the possible role played by PSA on/in the tumor microenvironment and over the first steps of cancer invasion. Methods Fresh PCa-specimens and cell lines were used for ex-vivo/in-vitro invasion assays and assessment of prostate tissue-PSA (tPSA), type 1 collagen (COL1A1) and ß1-integrin expression. Tissue Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Decipher® datasets were considered to estimate tPSA clinical relevance. Results A more precise, inverse, correspondence between tPSA and clinical/pathological parameters was found than for circulating PSA. KLK3 combined with Gleason grade and pathologic stage, better predicted cancer-related mortality. Consistently, we demonstrated that PSA inhibits prostate extracellular-matrix (ECM) invasion by PCa cells. As for the mechanism of action, we provided novel information that PSA is able to cleave COL1A1, a main component of the ECM. Finally, ß1-integrin, a crucial COL1A1 transducing-receptor involved in tumor adhesion/invasion, resulted to be downregulated in PCa specimens with higher levels of tPSA. Conclusions By interfering with type 1 collagen and its downstream targets, PSA may hamper adhesion and path of the cancer cells through ECM and their migration ability, thus explaining the inverse correlation highlighted between prostate tPSA levels and clinically significant disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Pellegrino
- Department of Urology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy; Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Urological Research Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Arianna Coghi
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Urological Research Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Giovanni Lavorgna
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Urological Research Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Walter Cazzaniga
- Department of Urology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Edoardo Guazzoni
- Operative Unit of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Department of Clinical-Surgical Sciences, Diagnostics and Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Irene Locatelli
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Urological Research Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Isabella Villa
- Bone Metabolism Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Bolamperti
- Bone Metabolism Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Finocchio
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Urological Research Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Massimo Alfano
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Urological Research Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, Milan 20132, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Briganti
- Department of Urology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Montorsi
- Department of Urology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Salonia
- Department of Urology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Cavarretta
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Urological Research Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, Milan 20132, Italy.
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Martinez-Vidal L, Murdica V, Venegoni C, Pederzoli F, Bandini M, Necchi A, Salonia A, Alfano M. Causal contributors to tissue stiffness and clinical relevance in urology. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1011. [PMID: 34446834 PMCID: PMC8390675 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02539-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanomedicine is an emerging field focused on characterizing mechanical changes in cells and tissues coupled with a specific disease. Understanding the mechanical cues that drive disease progression, and whether tissue stiffening can precede disease development, is crucial in order to define new mechanical biomarkers to improve and develop diagnostic and prognostic tools. Classically known stromal regulators, such as fibroblasts, and more recently acknowledged factors such as the microbiome and extracellular vesicles, play a crucial role in modifications to the stroma and extracellular matrix (ECM). These modifications ultimately lead to an alteration of the mechanical properties (stiffness) of the tissue, contributing to disease onset and progression. We describe here classic and emerging mediators of ECM remodeling, and discuss state-of-the-art studies characterizing mechanical fingerprints of urological diseases, showing a general trend between increased tissue stiffness and severity of disease. Finally, we point to the clinical potential of tissue stiffness as a diagnostic and prognostic factor in the urological field, as well as a possible target for new innovative drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Martinez-Vidal
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.
| | - Valentina Murdica
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Venegoni
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Pederzoli
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Bandini
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Salonia
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Alfano
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
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Hu J, Guo J, Pei Y, Hu P, Li M, Sack I, Li W. Rectal Tumor Stiffness Quantified by In Vivo Tomoelastography and Collagen Content Estimated by Histopathology Predict Tumor Aggressiveness. Front Oncol 2021; 11:701336. [PMID: 34485136 PMCID: PMC8415020 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.701336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the significance of collagen in predicting the aggressiveness of rectal tumors in patients, examined in vivo based on tomoelastography quantified stiffness and ex vivo by histologically measured collagen volume fraction (CVF). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN 170 patients with suspected rectal cancer were prospectively enrolled and underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and rectal tomoelastography, a technique based on multifrequency magnetic resonance elastography. Histopathologic analysis identified eighty patients with rectal cancer who were divided into subgroups by tumor-node (TN) stage, prognostic stage, and risk level. Rectal tumor stiffness was correlated with histopathologic CVF. Area-under-the-curve (AUC) and contingency analysis were used to evaluate the performance of rectal stiffness in distinguishing tumor stages which was compared to standard clinical MRI. RESULTS In vivo tomoelastography revealed that rectal tumor stiffened significantly with increased TN stage (p<0.05). Tumors with poorly differentiated status, perineural and lymphovascular invasion also displayed higher stiffness than well-to-moderately differentiated, noninvasive tumors (all p<0.05). Similar to in vivo stiffness, CVF indicated an abnormally high collagen content in tumors with perineural invasion and poor differentiation status. CVF was also positively correlated with stiffness (p<0.05). Most importantly, both stiffness (AUROC: 0.82) and CVF (AUROC: 0.89) demonstrated very good diagnostic accuracy in detecting rectal tumors that have high risk for progressing to an aggressive state with poorer prognosis. CONCLUSION In human rectal carcinomas, overexpression of collagen is correlated with increased tissue stiffness and high risk for tumor advancing more aggressively. In vivo tomoelastography quantifies rectal tumor stiffness which improves the diagnostic performance of standard MRI in the assessment of lymph nodes metastasis. Therefore, in vivo stiffness mapping by tomoelastography can predict rectal tumor aggressiveness and add diagnostic value to MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxi Hu
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Guo
- Department of Radiology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yigang Pei
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ping Hu
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mengsi Li
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ingolf Sack
- Department of Radiology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wenzheng Li
- Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Morello G, Polini A, Scalera F, Rizzo R, Gigli G, Gervaso F. Preparation and Characterization of Salt-Mediated Injectable Thermosensitive Chitosan/Pectin Hydrogels for Cell Embedding and Culturing. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:2674. [PMID: 34451215 PMCID: PMC8398595 DOI: 10.3390/polym13162674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, growing attention has been directed to the development of 3D in vitro tissue models for the study of the physiopathological mechanisms behind organ functioning and diseases. Hydrogels, acting as 3D supporting architectures, allow cells to organize spatially more closely to what they physiologically experience in vivo. In this scenario, natural polymer hybrid hydrogels display marked biocompatibility and versatility, representing valid biomaterials for 3D in vitro studies. Here, thermosensitive injectable hydrogels constituted by chitosan and pectin were designed. We exploited the feature of chitosan to thermally undergo sol-gel transition upon the addition of salts, forming a compound that incorporates pectin into a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN). Three salt solutions were tested, namely, beta-glycerophosphate (βGP), phosphate buffer (PB) and sodium hydrogen carbonate (SHC). The hydrogel formulations (i) were injectable at room temperature, (ii) gelled at 37 °C and (iii) presented a physiological pH, suitable for cell encapsulation. Hydrogels were stable in culture conditions, were able to retain a high water amount and displayed an open and highly interconnected porosity and suitable mechanical properties, with Young's modulus values in the range of soft biological tissues. The developed chitosan/pectin system can be successfully used as a 3D in vitro platform for studying tissue physiopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Morello
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica E. De Giorgi, University of Salento, Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (G.M.); (G.G.)
- CNR NANOTEC—Institute of Nanotechnology c/o Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (F.S.); (R.R.)
| | - Alessandro Polini
- CNR NANOTEC—Institute of Nanotechnology c/o Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (F.S.); (R.R.)
| | - Francesca Scalera
- CNR NANOTEC—Institute of Nanotechnology c/o Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (F.S.); (R.R.)
| | - Riccardo Rizzo
- CNR NANOTEC—Institute of Nanotechnology c/o Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (F.S.); (R.R.)
| | - Giuseppe Gigli
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica E. De Giorgi, University of Salento, Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (G.M.); (G.G.)
- CNR NANOTEC—Institute of Nanotechnology c/o Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (F.S.); (R.R.)
| | - Francesca Gervaso
- CNR NANOTEC—Institute of Nanotechnology c/o Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (F.S.); (R.R.)
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Fraldi M, Cutolo A, Carotenuto AR, Palumbo S, Pugno N. A lesson from earthquake engineering for selectively damaging cancer cell structures. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2021; 119:104533. [PMID: 33895664 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The progressive falling of barriers among disciplines is opening unforeseen scenarios in diagnosis and treatment of cancer diseases. By sharing models and mature knowledge in physics, engineering, computer sciences and molecular biology, synergistic efforts have in fact contributed in the last years to re-think still unsolved problems, shedding light on key roles of mechanobiology in tumors and envisaging new effective strategies for a precise medicine. The use of ultrasounds for altering cancer cells' program is one of the most attracting grounds to be explored in oncophysics, although how to administer mechanical energy to impair selected cell structures and functions simultaneously overcoming the critical trade-off between the impact of the cure and the patient risk still remains an open issue. Within this framework, by starting from the theoretical possibility of selectively attacking malignant cells by exploiting the stiffness discrepancies between tumor and healthy single cells, first proposed by Fraldi et al. (2015), we here investigate the in-frequency response of an overall spherical close-packing of geometrically equal polyhedral cells to gain insights into how mechanical resonance and vibration-induced failure phenomena can be oriented to destroy specific target units when both the cell populations coexist, as it happens for in vivo cases. Inspired by the dynamic action of earthquakes - which fracture only selected elements among adjacent ones in the same structure or damage individual constructions in contiguous buildings - we study the harmonic response of hierarchically architectured cell agglomerates, inhabited by both tumor and healthy cells that interact mutually throughout the extra-cellular matrix and whose cytoskeleton is modeled as a nonlinear soft-tensegrity structure. Numerical Finite Element results show that, at frequencies compatible with low intensity therapeutic ultrasounds, mechanical resonance and possible fatigue cycles of the pre-stressed actin filaments and microtubules can be selectively induced in cancer cells as a function of the global volume fraction of the cell species, paving the way for future engineered treatment protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Fraldi
- Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Napoli Federico II, Italy.
| | - Arsenio Cutolo
- Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Napoli Federico II, Italy
| | | | - Stefania Palumbo
- Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Napoli Federico II, Italy
| | - Nicola Pugno
- Laboratory of Bio-inspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials and Mechanics, Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Italy; School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, UK.
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Joshi RS, Kanugula SS, Sudhir S, Pereira MP, Jain S, Aghi MK. The Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061399. [PMID: 33808627 PMCID: PMC8003545 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In the era of genomic medicine, cancer treatment has become more personalized as novel therapeutic targets and pathways are identified. Research over the past decade has shown the increasing importance of how the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is a major structural component of the TME, regulate oncogenic functions including tumor progression, metastasis, angiogenesis, therapy resistance, and immune cell modulation, amongst others. Within the TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been identified in several systemic cancers as critical regulators of the malignant cancer phenotype. This review of the literature comprehensively profiles the roles of CAFs implicated in gastrointestinal, endocrine, head and neck, skin, genitourinary, lung, and breast cancers. The ubiquitous presence of CAFs highlights their significance as modulators of cancer progression and has led to the subsequent characterization of potential therapeutic targets, which may help advance the cancer treatment paradigm to determine the next generation of cancer therapy. The aim of this review is to provide a detailed overview of the key roles that CAFs play in the scope of systemic disease, the mechanisms by which they enhance protumoral effects, and the primary CAF-related markers that may offer potential targets for novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rushikesh S. Joshi
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92092, USA;
| | | | - Sweta Sudhir
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
| | - Matheus P. Pereira
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA;
| | - Saket Jain
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA;
| | - Manish K. Aghi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-415-514-9820
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Chighizola M, Puricelli L, Bellon L, Podestà A. Large colloidal probes for atomic force microscopy: Fabrication and calibration issues. J Mol Recognit 2020; 34:e2879. [PMID: 33098182 DOI: 10.1002/jmr.2879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a powerful tool to investigate interaction forces at the micro and nanoscale. Cantilever stiffness, dimensions and geometry of the tip can be chosen according to the requirements of the specific application, in terms of spatial resolution and force sensitivity. Colloidal probes (CPs), obtained by attaching a spherical particle to a tipless (TL) cantilever, offer several advantages for accurate force measurements: tunable and well-characterisable radius; higher averaging capabilities (at the expense of spatial resolution) and sensitivity to weak interactions; a well-defined interaction geometry (sphere on flat), which allows accurate and reliable data fitting by means of analytical models. The dynamics of standard AFM probes has been widely investigated, and protocols have been developed for the calibration of the cantilever spring constant. Nevertheless, the dynamics of CPs, and in particular of large CPs, with radius well above 10 μm and mass comparable, or larger, than the cantilever mass, is at present still poorly characterized. Here we describe the fabrication and calibration of (large) CPs. We describe and discuss the peculiar dynamical behaviour of CPs, and present an alternative protocol for the accurate calibration of the spring constant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Chighizola
- C.I.Ma.I.Na. and Dipartimento di Fisica "Aldo Pontremoli", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Puricelli
- C.I.Ma.I.Na. and Dipartimento di Fisica "Aldo Pontremoli", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Ludovic Bellon
- Laboratoire de Physique, Univ. Lyon, ENS de Lyon, Univ. Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, Lyon, France
| | - Alessandro Podestà
- C.I.Ma.I.Na. and Dipartimento di Fisica "Aldo Pontremoli", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Chighizola M, Previdi A, Dini T, Piazzoni C, Lenardi C, Milani P, Schulte C, Podestà A. Adhesion force spectroscopy with nanostructured colloidal probes reveals nanotopography-dependent early mechanotransductive interactions at the cell membrane level. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:14708-14723. [PMID: 32618323 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr01991g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mechanosensing, the ability of cells to perceive and interpret the microenvironmental biophysical cues (such as the nanotopography), impacts strongly cellular behaviour through mechanotransductive processes and signalling. These events are predominantly mediated by integrins, the principal cellular adhesion receptors located at the cell/extracellular matrix (ECM) interface. Because of the typical piconewton force range and nanometre length scale of mechanotransductive interactions, achieving a detailed understanding of the spatiotemporal dynamics occurring at the cell/microenvironment interface is challenging; sophisticated interdisciplinary methodologies are required. Moreover, an accurate control over the nanotopographical features of the microenvironment is essential, in order to systematically investigate and precisely assess the influence of the different nanotopographical motifs on the mechanotransductive process. In this framework, we were able to study and quantify the impact of microenvironmental nanotopography on early cellular adhesion events by means of adhesion force spectroscopy based on innovative colloidal probes mimicking the nanotopography of natural ECMs. These probes provided the opportunity to detect nanotopography-specific modulations of the molecular clutch force loading dynamics and integrin clustering at the level of single binding events, in the critical time window of nascent adhesion formation. Following this approach, we found that the nanotopographical features are responsible for an excessive force loading in single adhesion sites after 20-60 s of interaction, causing a drop in the number of adhesion sites. However, by manganese treatment we demonstrated that the availability of activated integrins is a critical regulatory factor for these nanotopography-dependent dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Chighizola
- C.I.Ma.I.Na. and Dipartimento di Fisica "Aldo Pontremoli", Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 16, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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Patient-Derived Scaffolds of Colorectal Cancer Metastases as an Organotypic 3D Model of the Liver Metastatic Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12020364. [PMID: 32033473 PMCID: PMC7072130 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is the most common site for colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis and there is an urgent need for new tissue culture models to study colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) as current models do not mimic the biological, biochemical, and structural characteristics of the metastatic microenvironment. Decellularization provides a novel approach for the study of the cancer extracellular matrix (ECM) as decellularized scaffolds retain tissue-specific features and biological properties. In the present study, we created a 3D model of CRC and matched CRLM using patient-derived decellularized ECM scaffolds seeded with the HT-29 CRC cell line. Here, we show an increased HT-29 cell proliferation and migration capability when cultured in cancer-derived scaffolds compared to same-patient healthy colon and liver tissues. HT-29 cells cultured in CRLM scaffolds also displayed an indication of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), with a loss of E-cadherin and increased Vimentin expression. EMT was confirmed by gene expression profiling, with the most represented biological processes in CRLM-seeded scaffolds involving demethylation, deacetylation, a cellular response to stress metabolic processes, and a response to the oxygen level and starvation. HT-29 cells cultured in cancer-specific 3D microenvironments showed a reduced response to treatment with 5-fluorouracil and 5-fluorouracil combined with Irinotecan when used at a standard IC50 (as determined in the 2D culture). Our 3D culture system with patient-derived tissue-specific decellularized ECM better recapitulates the metastatic microenvironment compared to conventional 2D culture conditions and represents a relevant approach for the study of CRLM progression and assessing the response to chemotherapy agents.
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Verboket RD, Anbar B, Söhling N, Kontradowitz K, Marzi I, Ghanaati S, Henrich D. Changes in platelet-rich fibrin composition after trauma and surgical intervention. Platelets 2020; 31:1069-1079. [DOI: 10.1080/09537104.2020.1714575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- René D. Verboket
- Department of Trauma-, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Bechir Anbar
- Department of Trauma-, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nicolas Söhling
- Department of Trauma-, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Kerstin Kontradowitz
- Department of Trauma-, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ingo Marzi
- Department of Trauma-, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Shahram Ghanaati
- Clinic for Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, FORM, Frankfurt Oral Regenerative Medicine, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Dirk Henrich
- Department of Trauma-, Hand- and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Kemi NA, Eskuri M, Pohjanen V, Karttunen TJ, Kauppila JH. Histological assessment of stromal maturity as a prognostic factor in surgically treated gastric adenocarcinoma. Histopathology 2019; 75:882-889. [DOI: 10.1111/his.13934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Niko A Kemi
- Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, Medical Research Center University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital Oulu Finland
| | - Maarit Eskuri
- Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, Medical Research Center University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital Oulu Finland
| | - Vesa‐Matti Pohjanen
- Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, Medical Research Center University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital Oulu Finland
| | - Tuomo J Karttunen
- Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, Medical Research Center University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital Oulu Finland
| | - Joonas H Kauppila
- Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, Medical Research Center University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital Oulu Finland
- Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
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Ng S, Tan WJ, Pek MMX, Tan MH, Kurisawa M. Mechanically and chemically defined hydrogel matrices for patient-derived colorectal tumor organoid culture. Biomaterials 2019; 219:119400. [PMID: 31398570 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.119400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Patient-derived tumor organoids offer potentially useful models of cancer tissue physiology. Yet, conventional organoid cultures utilize generic matrices that are difficult to tailor for various unique tumor microenvironments. Here, we employ synthetic, enzymatically crosslinked hydrogels to define mechanical and biochemical properties hypothesized to be relevant for maintaining these organoids. We show that a single extracellular matrix component, gelatin, suffices to support colorectal cancer patient-derived xenograft (CRC-PDX) organoid survival, and that high matrix stiffness synergizes with hypoxia to increase organoid growth and metabolism in a majority of CRC-PDX lines tested. Moreover, we demonstrate that defined gelatin-based hydrogels support CRC-PDX tumor growth in vivo and organoid sensitivity to various CRC therapeutic drugs in vitro in a largely comparable fashion to a conventional reconstituted basement membrane matrix. Based on our findings, we propose that enzymatically crosslinked hydrogels potentially provide a platform for designing mechanically and biochemically defined matrices for various types of patient-derived tumor organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengyong Ng
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wai Jin Tan
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Michelle Mi Xue Pek
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Min-Han Tan
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Motoichi Kurisawa
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, Singapore, Singapore.
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43
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Zanotelli MR, Reinhart-King CA. Mechanical Forces in Tumor Angiogenesis. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1092:91-112. [PMID: 30368750 PMCID: PMC6986816 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-95294-9_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A defining hallmark of cancer and cancer development is upregulated angiogenesis. The vasculature formed in tumors is structurally abnormal, not organized in the conventional hierarchical arrangement, and more permeable than normal vasculature. These features contribute to leaky, tortuous, and dilated blood vessels, which act to create heterogeneous blood flow, compression of vessels, and elevated interstitial fluid pressure. As such, abnormalities in the tumor vasculature not only affect the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the tumor, but also contribute to creating an abnormal tumor microenvironment that further promotes tumorigenesis. The role of chemical signaling events in mediating tumor angiogenesis has been well researched; however, the relative contribution of physical cues and mechanical regulation of tumor angiogenesis is less understood. Growing research indicates that the physical microenvironment plays a significant role in tumor progression and promoting abnormal tumor vasculature. Here, we review how mechanical cues found in the tumor microenvironment promote aberrant tumor angiogenesis. Specifically, we discuss the influence of matrix stiffness and mechanical stresses in tumor tissue on tumor vasculature, as well as the mechanosensory pathways utilized by endothelial cells to respond to the physical cues found in the tumor microenvironment. We also discuss the impact of the resulting aberrant tumor vasculature on tumor progression and therapeutic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Zanotelli
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Cynthia A Reinhart-King
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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44
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Pham TT, Stait-Gardner T, Lee CS, Barton M, Graham PL, Liney G, Wong K, Price WS. Correlation of ultra-high field MRI with histopathology for evaluation of rectal cancer heterogeneity. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9311. [PMID: 31249325 PMCID: PMC6597556 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45450-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Current clinical MRI techniques in rectal cancer have limited ability to examine cancer stroma. The differentiation of tumour from desmoplasia or fibrous tissue remains a challenge. Standard MRI cannot differentiate stage T1 from T2 (invasion of muscularis propria) tumours. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can probe tissue structure and organisation (anisotropy). The purpose of this study was to examine DTI-MRI derived imaging markers of rectal cancer stromal heterogeneity and tumour extent ex vivo. DTI-MRI at ultra-high magnetic field (11.7 tesla) was used to examine the stromal microstructure of malignant and normal rectal tissue ex vivo, and the findings were correlated with histopathology. Images obtained from DTI-MRI (A0, apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy (FA)) were used to probe rectal cancer stromal heterogeneity. FA provided the best discrimination between cancer and desmoplasia, fibrous tissue and muscularis propria. Cancer had relatively isotropic diffusion (mean FA 0.14), whereas desmoplasia (FA 0.31) and fibrous tissue (FA 0.34) had anisotropic diffusion with significantly higher FA than cancer (p < 0.001). Tumour was distinguished from muscularis propria (FA 0.61) which was highly anisotropic with higher FA than cancer (p < 0.001). This study showed that DTI-MRI can assist in more accurately defining tumour extent in rectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trang T Pham
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia. .,South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. .,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Timothy Stait-Gardner
- Nanoscale Organisation and Dynamics Group, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Cheok Soon Lee
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia.,School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia.,Department of Anatomical Pathology, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael Barton
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia.,South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Petra L Graham
- Centre for Economic Impacts of Genomic Medicine (GenIMPACT), Macquarie Business School, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gary Liney
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia.,South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Karen Wong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia.,South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - William S Price
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia.,Nanoscale Organisation and Dynamics Group, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia.,School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
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45
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Zoetemelk M, Rausch M, Colin DJ, Dormond O, Nowak-Sliwinska P. Short-term 3D culture systems of various complexity for treatment optimization of colorectal carcinoma. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7103. [PMID: 31068603 PMCID: PMC6506470 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42836-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) cultures have the potential to increase the predictive value of pre-clinical drug research and bridge the gap towards anticipating clinical outcome of proposed treatments. However, their implementation in more advanced drug-discovery programs is still in its infancy due to the lack of reproducibility and low time- and cost effectiveness. HCT116, SW620 and DLD1 cells, cell lines with distinct mutations, grade and origin, were co-cultured with fibroblasts and endothelial cells (EC) in 3D spheroids. Clinically relevant drugs, i.e. 5-fluorouracil (5−FU), regorafenib and erlotinib, were administered individually to in CRC cell cultures. In this study, we established a robust, low-cost and reproducible short-term 3D culture system addressing the various complexities of the colorectal carcinoma (CRC) microenvironment. We observed a dose-dependent increase of erlotinib sensitivity in 3D (co-)cultures compared to 2D cultures. Furthermore, we compared the drug combination efficacy and drug-drug interactions administered in 2D, 3D and 3D co-cultures. We observed that synergistic/additive drug-drug interactions for drug combinations administered at low doses shifted towards additive and antagonistic when applied at higher doses in metastatic CRC cells. The addition of fibroblasts at various ratios and EC increased the resistance to some drug combinations in SW620 and DLD1 cells, but not in HCT116. Retreatment of SW620 3D co-cultures with a low-dose 3-drug combination was as active (88% inhibition, relative to control) as 5-FU treatment at high dose (100 μM). Moreover, 3D and 3D co-cultures responded variably to the drug combination treatments, and also signalling pathways were differently regulated, probably due to the influence of fibroblasts and ECs on cancer cells. The short-term 3D co-culture system developed here is a powerful platform for screening (combination) therapies. Understanding of signalling in 3D co-cultures versus 3D cultures and the responses in the 3D models upon drug treatment might be beneficial for designing anti-cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marloes Zoetemelk
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland.,Translational Research Center in Oncohaematology, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Magdalena Rausch
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland.,Translational Research Center in Oncohaematology, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Didier J Colin
- Centre for BioMedical Imaging (CIBM), University Hospitals and University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Dormond
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Patrycja Nowak-Sliwinska
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, University of Lausanne, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland. .,Translational Research Center in Oncohaematology, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland.
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46
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Alfano M, Pederzoli F, Locatelli I, Ippolito S, Longhi E, Zerbi P, Ferrari M, Brendolan A, Montorsi F, Drago D, Andolfo A, Nebuloni M, Salonia A. Impaired testicular signaling of vitamin A and vitamin K contributes to the aberrant composition of the extracellular matrix in idiopathic germ cell aplasia. Fertil Steril 2019; 111:687-698. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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47
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Deal J, McFarland SJ, Robinson A, Alford A, Weber DS, Rich TC, Leavesley SJ. Hyperspectral imaging fluorescence excitation scanning spectral characteristics of remodeled mouse arteries. PROCEEDINGS OF SPIE--THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR OPTICAL ENGINEERING 2019; 10890:108902M. [PMID: 34045786 PMCID: PMC8151224 DOI: 10.1117/12.2510770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Coronary artery disease (CAD), or atherosclerosis, is responsible for nearly a third of all American deaths annually. Detection of plaques and differentiation of plaque stage remains a complicating factor for treatment. Classification of plaque before significant blockage or rupture could inform clinical decisions and prevent mortality. Current detection methods are either nonspecific, slow, or require the use of potentially harmful contrast agents. Recent advances in hyperspectral imaging could be used to detect changes in the autofluorescence of arteries associated with vessel remodeling and subsequent plaque formation and could detect and classify existing lesions. Here, we present data comparing spectral image characteristics of a mouse model designed to undergo vessel remodeling. C57Bl/6 mice underwent ligation of three of four caudal branches of the left common carotid artery (left external carotid, internal carotid, and occipital artery) with the superior thyroid artery left intact under IACUC approved protocol. Vessels were harvested at a variety of timepoints to compare degrees of remodeling, including 4 weeks and 5 months post-surgery. Immediately following harvest, vessels were prepared by longitudinal opening to expose the luminal surface to a 20X objective. A custom inverted microscope (TE-2000, Nikon Instruments) with a Xe arc lamp and thin film tunable filter arrary (Versachrome, Semrock, Inc.) were used to achieve spectral imaging. Excitation scans utilized wavelengths between 340 nm and 550 nm in 5 nm increments. Hyperspectral data were generated and analyzed with custom Matlab scripts and visualized in ENVI. Preliminary data suggest consistent spectral features associated with control and remodeled vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Deal
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of South Alabama
- Center for Lung Biology, University of South Alabama
- Department of Pharmacology, University of South Alabama
| | | | | | - Anna Alford
- Department of Physics and Mathematics, Furman University
| | - David S Weber
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, University of South Alabama
| | - Thomas C Rich
- Center for Lung Biology, University of South Alabama
- Department of Pharmacology, University of South Alabama
| | - Silas J Leavesley
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of South Alabama
- Center for Lung Biology, University of South Alabama
- Department of Pharmacology, University of South Alabama
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48
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Tan F, Huang Y, Pei Q, Liu H, Pei H, Zhu H. Matrix stiffness mediates stemness characteristics via activating the Yes-associated protein in colorectal cancer cells. J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:2213-2225. [PMID: 30218452 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Matrix stiffness is an essential physical microenvironment in solid cancer. However, its influence on cancer stemness still remains elusive. Colorectal cancer (CRC) cell line HCT-116 was cultured in the matrix with various stiffness. The siYAP was applied to detect the changes of stemness markers. The cancer stemness markers, Yes-associated protein (YAP), Lamin A/C and downstream protein molecules, and their activation were measured after the treatment with anti-β1-integrin and FAK inhibitors. In CRC tissue samples, collagen deposition and the expression of α-SMA and CD133 were detected. The study found that the expression level of stemness markers and Lamin A/C increased as the matrix stiffness raised and was regulated by YAP activation in CRC stem cells. Inhibition of β1-integrin and FAK activation in a high stiffness cell culture medium significantly decreased the activation of YAP, PI3K, and AKT. Collagen was highly deposited in the CRC invasive tumor front (ITF), and the expression of CD133 was higher in ITF compared with normal tissue and the tumor cells. Moreover, the expression level of α-SMA was positively correlated with CD133 expression level. Together, our results suggest that activation of YAP in CRC plays an important role in the promotion of cancer stem cell properties by extracellular matrix stiffness in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengbo Tan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Qian Pei
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Heli Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Haiping Pei
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hong Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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49
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Deal J, Mayes S, Browning C, Hill S, Rider P, Boudreaux C, Rich TC, Leavesley SJ. Identifying molecular contributors to autofluorescence of neoplastic and normal colon sections using excitation-scanning hyperspectral imaging. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2018; 24:1-11. [PMID: 30592190 PMCID: PMC6307688 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.24.2.021207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Autofluorescence, the endogenous fluorescence present in cells and tissues, has historically been considered a nuisance in biomedical imaging. Many endogenous fluorophores, specifically, collagen, elastin, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), are found throughout the human body. In fluorescence imaging scenarios, these signals can be prohibitive as they can outcompete signals introduced for diagnostic purposes. However, autofluorescence also contains information that has diagnostic value. Recent advances in hyperspectral imaging have allowed the acquisition of significantly more data in a shorter time period by scanning the excitation spectra of fluorophores. The reduced acquisition time and increased signal-to-noise ratio allow for separation of significantly more fluorophores than previously possible. We propose to utilize excitation-scanning hyperspectral imaging of autofluorescence to differentiate neoplastic lesions from surrounding non-neoplastic "normal" tissue. The spectra of isolated autofluorescent molecules are obtained using a custom inverted microscope (TE-2000, Nikon Instruments) with an Xe arc lamp and thin-film tunable filter array (VersaChrome, Semrock, Inc.). Scans utilize excitation wavelengths from 360 to 550 nm in 5-nm increments. The resultant molecule-specific spectra are used to analyze hyperspectral image stacks from normal and neoplastic colorectal tissues. Due to a limited number of samples, neoplastic tissues examined here are a pool of both colorectal adenocarcinoma and adenomatous polyps. The hyperspectral images are analyzed with ENVI software and custom MATLAB scripts, including linear spectral unmixing. Initial results indicate the ability to separate signals of endogenous fluorophores and measure the relative concentrations of fluorophores among healthy and diseased states, in this case, normal colon versus neoplastic colon. These results suggest pathology-specific changes to endogenous fluorophores can be detected using excitation-scanning hyperspectral imaging. Future work will focus on expanding the library of pure molecules, exploring histogram distance metrics as a means for identifying deviations in spectral signatures, and examining more defined disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Deal
- University of South Alabama, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Mobile, Alabama, United States
- University of South Alabama, Department of Pharmacology, Mobile, Alabama, United States
- University of South Alabama, Center for Lung Biology, Mobile, Alabama, United States
| | - Sam Mayes
- University of South Alabama, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Mobile, Alabama, United States
- University of South Alabama, Department of Systems Engineering, Mobile, Alabama, United States
| | - Craig Browning
- University of South Alabama, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Mobile, Alabama, United States
- University of South Alabama, Department of Systems Engineering, Mobile, Alabama, United States
| | - Shante Hill
- University of South Alabama, Department of Pathology, Mobile, Alabama, United States
| | - Paul Rider
- University of South Alabama, Department of Surgery, Mobile, Alabama, United States
| | - Carole Boudreaux
- University of South Alabama, Department of Pathology, Mobile, Alabama, United States
| | - Thomas C. Rich
- University of South Alabama, Department of Pharmacology, Mobile, Alabama, United States
- University of South Alabama, Center for Lung Biology, Mobile, Alabama, United States
| | - Silas J. Leavesley
- University of South Alabama, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Mobile, Alabama, United States
- University of South Alabama, Department of Pharmacology, Mobile, Alabama, United States
- University of South Alabama, Center for Lung Biology, Mobile, Alabama, United States
- University of South Alabama, Department of Systems Engineering, Mobile, Alabama, United States
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50
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Thankam FG, Dilisio MF, Gross RM, Agrawal DK. Collagen I: a kingpin for rotator cuff tendon pathology. Am J Transl Res 2018; 10:3291-3309. [PMID: 30662587 PMCID: PMC6291732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Derangements in tendon matrisome are pathognomonic for musculoskeletal disorders including rotator cuff tendinopathies (RCT). Collagen type-1 accounts for more than 85% of the dry weight of tendon extracellular matrix (ECM). The understanding of basic tendon physiology, organization of ECM, structure and function of component biomolecules of matrisome and the underlying regulatory mechanisms reveal the pathological events associated with RCT. Histomorphological evidence from RCT patients and animal models illustrate that ECM disorganization is the major hallmark in tendinopathy where a significant decrease in type-1 collagen is prevalent. However, the molecular events and regulatory signals associated with the regulation of collagen organization and its composition switch in response to pathological stimuli are largely unknown. The elucidation of various regulatory signalling pathways associated with collagen type-1 gene expression could benefit to develop novel promising therapeutic approaches to restore the tendon ECM. The major focus of the article is to critically evaluate tendon architecture regarding type-1 collagen, the molecular events associated with gene expression, secretion and maturation, the possible mechanisms of type-1 collagen regulation and its translational significance in RCT management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Finosh G Thankam
- Department of Clinical and Translational Science and Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Creighton University Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Matthew F Dilisio
- Department of Clinical and Translational Science and Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Creighton University Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Richard M Gross
- Department of Clinical and Translational Science and Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Creighton University Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Devendra K Agrawal
- Department of Clinical and Translational Science and Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Creighton University Omaha, NE 68178, USA
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