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Miwa H, Dimatteo R, de Rutte J, Ghosh R, Di Carlo D. Single-cell sorting based on secreted products for functionally defined cell therapies. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2022; 8:84. [PMID: 35874174 PMCID: PMC9303846 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-022-00422-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Cell therapies have emerged as a promising new class of "living" therapeutics over the last decade and have been particularly successful for treating hematological malignancies. Increasingly, cellular therapeutics are being developed with the aim of treating almost any disease, from solid tumors and autoimmune disorders to fibrosis, neurodegenerative disorders and even aging itself. However, their therapeutic potential has remained limited due to the fundamental differences in how molecular and cellular therapies function. While the structure of a molecular therapeutic is directly linked to biological function, cells with the same genetic blueprint can have vastly different functional properties (e.g., secretion, proliferation, cell killing, migration). Although there exists a vast array of analytical and preparative separation approaches for molecules, the functional differences among cells are exacerbated by a lack of functional potency-based sorting approaches. In this context, we describe the need for next-generation single-cell profiling microtechnologies that allow the direct evaluation and sorting of single cells based on functional properties, with a focus on secreted molecules, which are critical for the in vivo efficacy of current cell therapies. We first define three critical processes for single-cell secretion-based profiling technology: (1) partitioning individual cells into uniform compartments; (2) accumulating secretions and labeling via reporter molecules; and (3) measuring the signal associated with the reporter and, if sorting, triggering a sorting event based on these reporter signals. We summarize recent academic and commercial technologies for functional single-cell analysis in addition to sorting and industrial applications of these technologies. These approaches fall into three categories: microchamber, microfluidic droplet, and lab-on-a-particle technologies. Finally, we outline a number of unmet needs in terms of the discovery, design and manufacturing of cellular therapeutics and how the next generation of single-cell functional screening technologies could allow the realization of robust cellular therapeutics for all patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromi Miwa
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Robert Dimatteo
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Joseph de Rutte
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
- Partillion Bioscience, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Rajesh Ghosh
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Dino Di Carlo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
- California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
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Lei Z, Jian M, Li X, Wei J, Meng X, Wang Z. Biosensors and bioassays for determination of matrix metalloproteinases: state of the art and recent advances. J Mater Chem B 2021; 8:3261-3291. [PMID: 31750853 DOI: 10.1039/c9tb02189b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are closely associated with various physiological and pathological processes, and have been regarded as potential biomarkers for severe diseases including cancer. Accurate determination of MMPs would advance our understanding of their roles in disease progression, and is of great significance for disease diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the developed bioassays/biosensors for detection of MMPs, and highlight the recent advancement in nanomaterial-based immunoassays for MMP abundance measurements and nanomaterial-based biosensors for MMP activity determination. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based immunoassays provide information about total levels of MMPs with high specificity and sensitivity, while target-based biosensors measure the amounts of active MMPs, and allow imaging of MMP activities in vivo. For multiplex and high-throughput analysis of MMPs, microfluidics and microarray-based assays are described. Additionally, we put forward the existing challenges and future prospects from our perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Lei
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan, 430205, P. R. China
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Wu W, Zhang S, Zhang T, Mu Y. Immobilized Droplet Arrays in Thermosetting Oil for Dynamic Proteolytic Assays of Single Cells. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:6081-6090. [PMID: 33504155 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c21696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in tumor progression. The study of dynamic MMPs activity at the single-cell level can dissect tumor heterogeneity in the time domain and facilitate finding out more efficient clinical solutions for tumor treatment. Due to the fluidity of the carrier oil, the existing droplet-based methods for single-cell MMP analysis rarely have the capability to track proteolytic assays in droplets continuously. Therefore, we describe a thermosetting oil for real-time monitoring of MMP assays in droplets, which can immobilize droplets by transforming into solid after droplet generation. The solidification of this oil can be accomplished in 33 min at 37 °C, basing on the hydrosilation of vinyl silicone oil and hydrosilicone oil without other inducers (e.g. UV, Ca2+). Through monitoring the MMP assays of single cells, the reaction rates can be calculated according to real-time fluorescent curves, showing significant cell heterogeneity in MMP activity. Moreover, the dynamic MMP activity reveals that some of the A549 cells transiently secrete MMP. In conclusion, the thermosetting oil enables immobilize droplets to achieve real-time monitoring of single-cell proteolytic activity without impairing the flexibility of droplet microfluidics and has a potential in other cell-based assays for providing dynamic information at high resolutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenshuai Wu
- Research Center for Analytical Instrumentation, Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control, State Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Shan Zhang
- Research Center for Analytical Instrumentation, Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control, State Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, P. R. China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Research Center for Analytical Instrumentation, Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control, State Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
| | - Ying Mu
- Research Center for Analytical Instrumentation, Institute of Cyber-Systems and Control, State Key Laboratory of Industrial Control Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P. R. China
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Lee H, Kim SJ, Shin H, Kim YP. Collagen-Immobilized Extracellular FRET Reporter for Visualizing Protease Activity Secreted by Living Cells. ACS Sens 2020; 5:655-664. [PMID: 32036648 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.9b01456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Despite the diverse roles of cell-secreted proteases in the extracellular matrix (ECM), classical methods to analyze protease activity have not been explored at the cell culture site. Here, we report a stable, matrix-sticky, and protease-sensitive extracellular reporter that comprises a collagen-binding protein and a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) coupler of an enhanced green fluorescent protein and a small dye molecule. The extracellular FRET reporter via split intein-mediated protein trans-splicing is able to adhere to collagen matrices, leading to fluorescence changes by matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) activity during living cell culture without impeding cell viability. When a proMMP2 mutant (Y581A) with altered protease secretion and activity was transfected into cancer cells, the reporter revealed a dramatic reduction in MMP2 activity in both two- and three-dimensional culture systems, compared with cells transfected with wild-type proMMP2. Our reporter is immediately amenable to monitor protease activity in diverse ECM-resident cells as well as to study protease-related extracellular signaling and tissue remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hawon Lee
- Department of Life Science, BK21 Plus Bio-Defense Research Team, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-jeong Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, BK21 Plus Future Biopharmaceutical Human Resources Training and Research Team, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Heungsoo Shin
- Department of Bioengineering, BK21 Plus Future Biopharmaceutical Human Resources Training and Research Team, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Pil Kim
- Department of Life Science, BK21 Plus Bio-Defense Research Team, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Natural Sciences and Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
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Brodaczewska KK, Bielecka ZF, Maliszewska-Olejniczak K, Szczylik C, Porta C, Bartnik E, Czarnecka AM. Metastatic renal cell carcinoma cells growing in 3D on poly‑D‑lysine or laminin present a stem‑like phenotype and drug resistance. Oncol Rep 2019; 42:1878-1892. [PMID: 31545459 PMCID: PMC6788014 DOI: 10.3892/or.2019.7321] [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: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
3D spheroids are built by heterogeneous cell types in different proliferative and metabolic states and are enriched in cancer stem cells. The main aim of the study was to investigate the usefulness of a novel metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) 3D spheroid culture for in vitro cancer stem cell physiology research and drug toxicity screening. RCC cell lines, Caki-1 (skin metastasis derived) and ACHN (pleural effusion derived), were efficiently cultured in growth-factor/serum deprived, defined, StemXvivo and Nutristem medium on laminin-coated or poly-D-lysine-coated plates. In optimal 3D culture conditions, ACHN cells (StemXVivo/poly-D-lysine) formed small spheroids with remaining adherent cells of an epithelial phenotype, while Caki-1 cells (StemXVivo/laminin) formed large dark spheroids with significantly reduced cell viability in the center. In the 3D structures, expression levels of genes encoding stem transcription factors (OCT4, SOX2, NES) and RCC stem cell markers (CD105, CD133) were deregulated in comparison to these expression levels in traditional 2D culture. Sunitinib, epirubicin and doxycycline were more toxic to cells cultured in monolayers than for cells in 3D spheroids. High numbers of cells arrested in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle were found in spheroids under sunitinib treatment. We showed that metastatic RCC 3D spheroids supported with ECM are a useful model to determine the cancer cell growth characteristics that are not found in adherent 2D cultures. Due to the more complex architecture, spheroids may mimic in vivo micrometastases and may be more appropriate to investigate novel drug candidate responses, including the direct effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitor activity against RCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaudia K Brodaczewska
- Department of Oncology with Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Military Institute of Medicine, 04‑141 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Zofia F Bielecka
- Department of Oncology with Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Military Institute of Medicine, 04‑141 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Cezary Szczylik
- Department of Oncology with Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Military Institute of Medicine, 04‑141 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Camillo Porta
- Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, I‑27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Ewa Bartnik
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna M Czarnecka
- Department of Oncology with Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Military Institute of Medicine, 04‑141 Warsaw, Poland
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Chen YC, Won Baac H, Lee KT, Fouladdel S, Teichert K, Ok JG, Cheng YH, Ingram PN, Hart AJ, Azizi E, Guo LJ, Wicha MS, Yoon E. Selective Photomechanical Detachment and Retrieval of Divided Sister Cells from Enclosed Microfluidics for Downstream Analyses. ACS NANO 2017; 11:4660-4668. [PMID: 28480715 PMCID: PMC9558424 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b00413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Considerable evidence suggests that self-renewal and differentiation of cancer stem-like cells, a key cell population in tumorgenesis, can determine the outcome of disease. Though the development of microfluidics has enhanced the study of cellular lineage, it remains challenging to retrieve sister cells separately inside enclosed microfluidics for further analyses. In this work, we developed a photomechanical method to selectively detach and reliably retrieve target cells from enclosed microfluidic chambers. Cells cultured on carbon nanotube-polydimethylsiloxane composite surfaces can be detached using shear force induced through irradiation of a nanosecond-pulsed laser. This retrieval process has been verified to preserve cell viability, membrane proteins, and mRNA expression levels. Using the presented method, we have successfully performed 96-plex single-cell transcriptome analysis on sister cells in order to identify the genes altered during self-renewal and differentiation, demonstrating phenomenal resolution in the study of cellular lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chih Chen
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, 1301 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2122, USA
- University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Hyoung Won Baac
- School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 440-746, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 440-746, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu-Tae Lee
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, 1301 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2122, USA
| | - Shamileh Fouladdel
- University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kendall Teichert
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2350 Hayward, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jong G. Ok
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, 1301 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2122, USA
- Department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, 232 Gongneung-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu-Heng Cheng
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, 1301 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2122, USA
| | - Patrick N. Ingram
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel, Blvd. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2099, USA
| | - A. John Hart
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2350 Hayward, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Ebrahim Azizi
- University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - L. Jay Guo
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, 1301 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2122, USA
| | - Max S. Wicha
- University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Euisik Yoon
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, 1301 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2122, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel, Blvd. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2099, USA
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Jing T, Lai Z, Wu L, Han J, Lim CT, Chen CH. Single Cell Analysis of Leukocyte Protease Activity Using Integrated Continuous-Flow Microfluidics. Anal Chem 2016; 88:11750-11757. [PMID: 27797505 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b03370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Leukocytes are the essential cells of the immune system that protect the human body against bacteria, viruses, and other foreign invaders. Secretory products of individual leukocytes, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAMs), are critical for regulating the inflammatory response and mediating host defense. Conventional single cell analytical methods, such as flow cytometry for cellular surface biomarker studies, are insufficient for performing functional assays of the protease activity of individual leukocytes. Here, an integrated continuous-flow microfluidic assay is developed to effectively detect secretory protease activity of individual viable leukocytes. Leukocytes in blood are first washed on-chip with defined buffer to remove background activity, followed by encapsulating individual leukocytes with protease sensors in water-in-oil droplets and incubating for 1 h to measure protease secretion. With this design, single leukocyte protease profiles under naive and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated conditions are reliably measured. It is found that PMA treatment not only elevates the average protease activity level but also reduces the cellular heterogeneity in protease secretion, which is important in understanding immune capability and the disease condition of individual patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengyang Jing
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore , Singapore 119077.,Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology , Singapore 138602
| | - Zhangxing Lai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore , Singapore 119077
| | | | - Jongyoon Han
- Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology , Singapore 138602
| | - Chwee Teck Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore , Singapore 119077.,Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology , Singapore 138602.,Mechanobiology Institute , Singapore 117411
| | - Chia-Hung Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore , Singapore 119077.,Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology , Singapore 138602.,Singapore Institute for Neurotechnology (SINAPSE) , Singapore 117456
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