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Mukherjee J, Chaturvedi D, Mishra S, Jain R, Dandekar P. Microfluidic technology for cell biology-related applications: a review. J Biol Phys 2024; 50:1-27. [PMID: 38055086 PMCID: PMC10864244 DOI: 10.1007/s10867-023-09646-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fluid flow at the microscale level exhibits a unique phenomenon that can be explored to fabricate microfluidic devices integrated with components that can perform various biological functions. In this manuscript, the importance of physics for microscale fluid dynamics using microfluidic devices has been reviewed. Microfluidic devices provide new opportunities with regard to spatial and temporal control over cell growth. Furthermore, the manuscript presents an overview of cellular stimuli observed by combining surfaces that mimic the complex biochemistries and different geometries of the extracellular matrix, with microfluidic channels regulating the transport of fluids, soluble factors, etc. We have also explained the concept of mechanotransduction, which defines the relation between mechanical force and biological response. Furthermore, the manipulation of cellular microenvironments by the use of microfluidic systems has been highlighted as a useful device for basic cell biology research activities. Finally, the article focuses on highly integrated microfluidic platforms that exhibit immense potential for biomedical and pharmaceutical research as robust and portable point-of-care diagnostic devices for the assessment of clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joydeb Mukherjee
- Department of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, 400019, India
| | - Deepa Chaturvedi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, 400019, India
| | - Shlok Mishra
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, 400019, India
| | - Ratnesh Jain
- Department of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, 400019, India
| | - Prajakta Dandekar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, 400019, India.
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2
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Kirchner Z, Geohagan A, Truszkowska A. A Vicsek-type model of confined cancer cells with variable clustering affinities. Integr Biol (Camb) 2024; 16:zyae005. [PMID: 38402577 DOI: 10.1093/intbio/zyae005] [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: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Clustering of cells is an essential component of many biological processes from tissue formation to cancer metastasis. We develop a minimal, Vicsek-based model of cellular interactions that robustly and accurately captures the variable propensity of different cells to form groups when confined. We calibrate and validate the model with experimental data on clustering affinities of four lines of tumor cells. We then show that cell clustering or separation tendencies are retained in environments with higher cell number densities and in cell mixtures. Finally, we calibrate our model with experimental measurements on the separation of cells treated with anti-clustering agents and find that treated cells maintain their distances in denser suspensions. We show that the model reconstructs several cell interaction mechanisms, which makes it suitable for exploring the dynamics of cell cluster formation as well as cell separation. Insight: We developed a model of cellular interactions that captures the clustering and separation of cells in an enclosure. Our model is particularly relevant for microfluidic systems with confined cells and we centered our work around one such emerging assay for the detection and research on clustering breast cancer cells. We calibrated our model using the existing experimental data and used it to explore the functionality of the assay under a broader set of conditions than originally considered. Future usages of our model can include purely theoretical and computational considerations, exploring experimental devices, and supporting research on small to medium-sized cell clusters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Kirchner
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA
| | - Anna Geohagan
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA
| | - Agnieszka Truszkowska
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA
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3
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Mosier JA, Fabiano ED, Ludolph CM, White AE, Reinhart-King CA. Confinement primes cells for faster migration by polarizing active mitochondria. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2023; 6:209-220. [PMID: 38125598 PMCID: PMC10729874 DOI: 10.1039/d3na00478c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical cues in the tumor microenvironment interplay with internal cellular processes to control cancer cell migration. Microscale pores present in tumor tissue confer varying degrees of confinement on migrating cells, increasing matrix contact and inducing cytoskeletal rearrangement. Previously, we observed that increased collagen matrix contact significantly increased cell migration speed and cell-induced strains within the matrix. However, the effects of this confinement on future cell migration are not fully understood. Here, we use a collagen microtrack platform to determine the effect of confinement on priming MDA-MB-231 cancer cells for fast migration. We show that migration through a confined track results in increased speed and accumulation of migratory machinery, including actin and active mitochondria, in the front of migrating breast cancer cells. By designing microtracks that allow cells to first navigate a region of high confinement, then a region of low confinement, we assessed whether migration in high confinement changes future migratory behavior. Indeed, cells maintain their speed attained in high confinement even after exiting to a region of low confinement, indicating that cells maintain memory of previous matrix cues to fuel fast migration. Active mitochondria maintain their location at the front of the cell even after cells leave high confinement. Furthermore, knocking out vinculin to disrupt focal adhesions disrupts active mitochondrial localization and disrupts the fast migration seen upon release from confinement. Together, these data suggest that active mitochondrial localization in confinement may facilitate fast migration post-confinement. By better understanding how confinement contributes to future cancer cell migration, we can identify potential therapeutic targets to inhibit breast cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna A Mosier
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University Nashville TN USA
| | - Emily D Fabiano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University Nashville TN USA
| | - Catherine M Ludolph
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin Austin TX USA
| | - Addison E White
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University Nashville TN USA
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4
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Slika H, Karimov Z, Alimonti P, Abou-Mrad T, De Fazio E, Alomari S, Tyler B. Preclinical Models and Technologies in Glioblastoma Research: Evolution, Current State, and Future Avenues. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16316. [PMID: 38003507 PMCID: PMC10671665 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216316] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common malignant primary central nervous system tumor and one of the most debilitating cancers. The prognosis of patients with glioblastoma remains poor, and the management of this tumor, both in its primary and recurrent forms, remains suboptimal. Despite the tremendous efforts that are being put forward by the research community to discover novel efficacious therapeutic agents and modalities, no major paradigm shifts have been established in the field in the last decade. However, this does not mirror the abundance of relevant findings and discoveries made in preclinical glioblastoma research. Hence, developing and utilizing appropriate preclinical models that faithfully recapitulate the characteristics and behavior of human glioblastoma is of utmost importance. Herein, we offer a holistic picture of the evolution of preclinical models of glioblastoma. We further elaborate on the commonly used in vitro and vivo models, delving into their development, favorable characteristics, shortcomings, and areas of potential improvement, which aids researchers in designing future experiments and utilizing the most suitable models. Additionally, this review explores progress in the fields of humanized and immunotolerant mouse models, genetically engineered animal models, 3D in vitro models, and microfluidics and highlights promising avenues for the future of preclinical glioblastoma research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Slika
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (H.S.); (Z.K.); (S.A.)
| | - Ziya Karimov
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (H.S.); (Z.K.); (S.A.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Paolo Alimonti
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; (P.A.); (E.D.F.)
| | - Tatiana Abou-Mrad
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon;
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Emerson De Fazio
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy; (P.A.); (E.D.F.)
| | - Safwan Alomari
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (H.S.); (Z.K.); (S.A.)
| | - Betty Tyler
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; (H.S.); (Z.K.); (S.A.)
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5
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Zhou M, Ma Y, Rock EC, Chiang CC, Luker KE, Luker GD, Chen YC. Microfluidic single-cell migration chip reveals insights into the impact of extracellular matrices on cell movement. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:4619-4635. [PMID: 37750357 PMCID: PMC10615797 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00651d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Cell migration is a complex process that plays a crucial role in normal physiology and pathologies such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, and mental disorders. Conventional cell migration assays face limitations in tracking a large number of individual migrating cells. To address this challenge, we have developed a high-throughput microfluidic cell migration chip, which seamlessly integrates robotic liquid handling and computer vision to swiftly monitor the movement of 3200 individual cells, providing unparalleled single-cell resolution for discerning distinct behaviors of the fast-moving cell population. This study focuses on the ECM's role in regulating cellular migration, utilizing this cutting-edge microfluidic technology to investigate the impact of ten different ECMs on triple-negative breast cancer cell lines. We found that collagen IV, collagen III, and collagen I coatings were the top enhancers of cell movement. Combining these ECMs increased cell motility, but the effect was sub-additive. Furthermore, we examined 87 compounds and found that while some compounds inhibited migration on all substrates, significantly distinct effects on differently coated substrates were observed, underscoring the importance of considering ECM coating. We also utilized cells expressing a fluorescent actin reporter and observed distinct actin structures in ECM-interacting cells. ScRNA-Seq analysis revealed that ECM coatings induced EMT and enhanced cell migration. Finally, we identified genes that were particularly up-regulated by collagen IV and the selective inhibitors successfully blocked cell migration on collagen IV. Overall, the study provides insights into the impact of various ECMs on cell migration and dynamics of cell movement with implications for developing therapeutic strategies to combat diseases related to cell motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengli Zhou
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, 5115 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA.
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, 3420 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Yushu Ma
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, 5115 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA.
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, 3420 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Edwin C Rock
- Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3700 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Chun-Cheng Chiang
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, 5115 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA.
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, 3420 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Kathryn E Luker
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA
| | - Gary D Luker
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel, Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2099, USA
| | - Yu-Chih Chen
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, 5115 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA.
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, 3420 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3700 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- CMU-Pitt Ph.D. Program in Computational Biology, University of Pittsburgh, 3420 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
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6
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Kurma K, Alix-Panabières C. Mechanobiology and survival strategies of circulating tumor cells: a process towards the invasive and metastatic phenotype. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1188499. [PMID: 37215087 PMCID: PMC10196185 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1188499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic progression is the deadliest feature of cancer. Cancer cell growth, invasion, intravasation, circulation, arrest/adhesion and extravasation require specific mechanical properties to allow cell survival and the completion of the metastatic cascade. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) come into contact with the capillary bed during extravasation/intravasation at the beginning of the metastatic cascade. However, CTC mechanobiology and survival strategies in the bloodstream, and specifically in the microcirculation, are not well known. A fraction of CTCs can extravasate and colonize distant areas despite the biomechanical constriction forces that are exerted by the microcirculation and that strongly decrease tumor cell survival. Furthermore, accumulating evidence shows that several CTC adaptations, via molecular factors and interactions with blood components (e.g., immune cells and platelets inside capillaries), may promote metastasis formation. To better understand CTC journey in the microcirculation as part of the metastatic cascade, we reviewed how CTC mechanobiology and interaction with other cell types in the bloodstream help them to survive the harsh conditions in the circulatory system and to metastasize in distant organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keerthi Kurma
- Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells (LCCRH), University Medical Centre of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES), University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
- European Liquid Biopsy Society (E LBS), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Catherine Alix-Panabières
- Laboratory of Rare Human Circulating Cells (LCCRH), University Medical Centre of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- CREEC/CANECEV, MIVEGEC (CREES), University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
- European Liquid Biopsy Society (E LBS), Hamburg, Germany
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7
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Gural N, Irimia D. Microfluidic Devices for Precise Measurements of Cell Directionality Reveal a Role for Glutamine during Cell Migration. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2799430. [PMID: 37205536 PMCID: PMC10187405 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2799430/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells that migrate from tumors into surrounding tissues are responsible for cancer dissemination through the body. Microfluidic devices have been instrumental in discovering unexpected features of cancer cell migration, including the migration in self-generated gradients and the contributions of cell-cell contact during collective migration. Here, we design microfluidic channels with five successive bifurcations to characterize the directionality of cancer cell migration with high precision. We find that the directional decisions of cancer cells moving through bifurcating channels in response to self-generated epidermal growth factor (EGF) gradients require the presence of glutamine in the culture media. A biophysical model helps quantify the contribution of glucose and glutamine to cancer cell orientation during migration in self-generated gradients. Our study uncovers an unexpected interplay between cancer cell metabolism and cancer cell migration studies and may eventually lead to new ways to delay cancer cell invasion.
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Zhou M, Ma Y, Chiang CC, Rock EC, Luker KE, Luker GD, Chen YC. High-Throughput Cellular Heterogeneity Analysis in Cell Migration at the Single-Cell Level. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2206754. [PMID: 36449634 PMCID: PMC9908848 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202206754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cell migration represents an essential step toward metastasis and cancer deaths. However, conventional drug discovery focuses on cytotoxic and growth-inhibiting compounds rather than inhibitors of migration. Drug screening assays generally measure the average response of many cells, masking distinct cell populations that drive metastasis and resist treatments. Here, this work presents a high-throughput microfluidic cell migration platform that coordinates robotic liquid handling and computer vision for rapidly quantifying individual cellular motility. Using this innovative technology, 172 compounds were tested and a surprisingly low correlation between migration and growth inhibition was found. Notably, many compounds were found to inhibit migration of most cells while leaving fast-moving subpopulations unaffected. This work further pinpoints synergistic drug combinations, including Bortezomib and Danirixin, to stop fast-moving cells. To explain the observed cell behaviors, single-cell morphological and molecular analysis were performed. These studies establish a novel technology to identify promising migration inhibitors for cancer treatment and relevant applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengli Zhou
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, 5115 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, 3420 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Yushu Ma
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, 5115 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, 3420 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Chun-Cheng Chiang
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, 5115 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, 3420 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Edwin C. Rock
- Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3700 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Kathryn E. Luker
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA
| | - Gary D. Luker
- Center for Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel, Blvd. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2099, USA
| | - Yu-Chih Chen
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, 5115 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, 3420 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3700 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- CMU-Pitt Ph.D. Program in Computational Biology, University of Pittsburgh, 3420 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
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Mousavi SM, Amin Mahdian SM, Ebrahimi MS, Taghizadieh M, Vosough M, Sadri Nahand J, Hosseindoost S, Vousooghi N, Javar HA, Larijani B, Hadjighassem MR, Rahimian N, Hamblin MR, Mirzaei H. Microfluidics for detection of exosomes and microRNAs in cancer: State of the art. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 28:758-791. [PMID: 35664698 PMCID: PMC9130092 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles with sizes ranging from 30-150 nanometers that contain proteins, lipids, mRNAs, microRNAs, and double-stranded DNA derived from the cells of origin. Exosomes can be taken up by target cells, acting as a means of cell-to-cell communication. The discovery of these vesicles in body fluids and their participation in cell communication has led to major breakthroughs in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of several conditions (e.g., cancer). However, conventional isolation and evaluation of exosomes and their microRNA content suffers from high cost, lengthy processes, difficult standardization, low purity, and poor yield. The emergence of microfluidics devices with increased efficiency in sieving, trapping, and immunological separation of small volumes could provide improved detection and monitoring of exosomes involved in cancer. Microfluidics techniques hold promise for advances in development of diagnostic and prognostic devices. This review covers ongoing research on microfluidics devices for detection of microRNAs and exosomes as biomarkers and their translation to point-of-care and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Mojtaba Mousavi
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Amin Mahdian
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Saeid Ebrahimi
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taghizadieh
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Center for Women’s Health Research Zahra, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Massoud Vosough
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran 1665659911, Iran
| | - Javid Sadri Nahand
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Saereh Hosseindoost
- Pain Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nasim Vousooghi
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Research Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Akbari Javar
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bagher Larijani
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Reza Hadjighassem
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Brain and Spinal Cord Research Center, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Neda Rahimian
- Endocrine Research Center, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Michael R. Hamblin
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa
| | - Hamed Mirzaei
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
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10
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Hosseinabadi HG, Dogan E, Miri AK, Ionov L. Digital Light Processing Bioprinting Advances for Microtissue Models. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2022; 8:1381-1395. [PMID: 35357144 PMCID: PMC10700125 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c01509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Digital light processing (DLP) bioprinting has been widely introduced as a fast and robust biofabrication method in tissue engineering. The technique holds a great promise for creating tissue models because it can replicate the resolution and complexity of natural tissues and constructs. A DLP system projects 2D images onto layers of bioink using a digital photomask. The resolution of DLP bioprinting strongly depends on the characteristics of the projected light and the photo-cross-linking response of the bioink microenvironment. In this review, we present a summary of DLP fundamentals with a focus on bioink properties, photoinitiator selection, and light characteristics in resolution of bioprinted constructs. A simple guideline is provided for bioengineers interested in using DLP platforms and customizing technical specifications for its design. The literature review reveals the promising future of DLP bioprinting for disease modeling and biofabrication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Goodarzi Hosseinabadi
- Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Department of Biofabrication, University of Bayreuth, Ludwig Thoma Str. 36A, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Elvan Dogan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
| | - Amir K. Miri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
| | - Leonid Ionov
- Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Department of Biofabrication, University of Bayreuth, Ludwig Thoma Str. 36A, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
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11
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Kundu B, Caballero D, Abreu CM, Reis RL, Kundu SC. The Tumor Microenvironment: An Introduction to the Development of Microfluidic Devices. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1379:115-138. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-04039-9_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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12
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DePalma TJ, Sivakumar H, Skardal A. Strategies for developing complex multi-component in vitro tumor models: Highlights in glioblastoma. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 180:114067. [PMID: 34822927 PMCID: PMC10560581 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, many research groups have begun to utilize bioengineered in vitro models of cancer to study mechanisms of disease progression, test drug candidates, and develop platforms to advance personalized drug treatment options. Due to advances in cell and tissue engineering over the last few decades, there are now a myriad of tools that can be used to create such in vitro systems. In this review, we describe the considerations one must take when developing model systems that accurately mimic the in vivo tumor microenvironment (TME) and can be used to answer specific scientific questions. We will summarize the importance of cell sourcing in models with one or multiple cell types and outline the importance of choosing biomaterials that accurately mimic the native extracellular matrix (ECM) of the tumor or tissue that is being modeled. We then provide examples of how these two components can be used in concert in a variety of model form factors and conclude by discussing how biofabrication techniques such as bioprinting and organ-on-a-chip fabrication can be used to create highly reproducible complex in vitro models. Since this topic has a broad range of applications, we use the final section of the review to dive deeper into one type of cancer, glioblastoma, to illustrate how these components come together to further our knowledge of cancer biology and move us closer to developing novel drugs and systems that improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J DePalma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Hemamylammal Sivakumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Aleksander Skardal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; The Ohio State University and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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Fiandaca G, Bernardi S, Scianna M, Delitala ME. A phenotype-structured model to reproduce the avascular growth of a tumor and its interaction with the surrounding environment. J Theor Biol 2021; 535:110980. [PMID: 34915043 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2021.110980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We here propose a one-dimensional spatially explicit phenotype-structured model to analyze selected aspects of avascular tumor progression. In particular, our approach distinguishes viable and necrotic cell fractions. The metabolically active part of the disease is, in turn, differentiated according to a continuous trait, that identifies cell variants with different degrees of motility and proliferation potential. A parabolic partial differential equation (PDE) then governs the spatio-temporal evolution of the phenotypic distribution of active cells within the host tissue. In this respect, active tumor agents are allowed to duplicate, move upon haptotactic and pressure stimuli, and eventually undergo necrosis. The mutual influence between the emerging malignancy and its environment (in terms of molecular landscape) is implemented by coupling the evolution law of the viable tumor mass with a parabolic PDE for oxygen kinetics and a differential equation that accounts for local consumption of extracellular matrix (ECM) elements. The resulting numerical realizations reproduce tumor growth and invasion in a number scenarios that differ for cell properties (i.e., individual migratory behavior, duplication and mutation potential) and environmental conditions (i.e., level of tissue oxygenation and homogeneity in the initial matrix profile). In particular, our simulations show that, in all cases, more mobile cell variants occupy the front edge of the tumor, whereas more proliferative clones are selected at the more internal regions. A necrotic core constantly occupies the bulk of the mass due to nutrient deprivation. This work may eventually suggest some biomedical strategies to partially reduce tumor aggressiveness, i.e., to enhance necrosis of malignant tissue and to promote the presence of more proliferative cell phenotypes over more invasive ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Fiandaca
- Department of Mathematical Sciences "G. L. Lagrange", Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy.
| | - Sara Bernardi
- Department of Mathematical Sciences "G. L. Lagrange", Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy.
| | - Marco Scianna
- Department of Mathematical Sciences "G. L. Lagrange", Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy.
| | - Marcello Edoardo Delitala
- Department of Mathematical Sciences "G. L. Lagrange", Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy.
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14
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Dogan E, Kisim A, Bati-Ayaz G, Kubicek GJ, Pesen-Okvur D, Miri AK. Cancer Stem Cells in Tumor Modeling: Challenges and Future Directions. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2021; 1:2100017. [PMID: 34927168 PMCID: PMC8680587 DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202100017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microfluidic tumors-on-chips models have revolutionized anticancer therapeutic research by creating an ideal microenvironment for cancer cells. The tumor microenvironment (TME) includes various cell types and cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are postulated to regulate the growth, invasion, and migratory behavior of tumor cells. In this review, the biological niches of the TME and cancer cell behavior focusing on the behavior of CSCs are summarized. Conventional cancer models such as three-dimensional cultures and organoid models are reviewed. Opportunities for the incorporation of CSCs with tumors-on-chips are then discussed for creating tumor invasion models. Such models will represent a paradigm shift in the cancer community by allowing oncologists and clinicians to predict better which cancer patients will benefit from chemotherapy treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvan Dogan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028
| | - Asli Kisim
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Izmir Institute of Technology, Gulbahce Kampusu, Urla, Izmir, 35430, Turkey
| | - Gizem Bati-Ayaz
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Izmir Institute of Technology, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gregory J. Kubicek
- Department of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, 2 Cooper Plaza, Camden, NJ 08103
| | - Devrim Pesen-Okvur
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Izmir Institute of Technology, Gulbahce Kampusu, Urla, Izmir, 35430, Turkey; Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Izmir Institute of Technology, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Amir K. Miri
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028; School of Medical Engineering, Science, and Health, Rowan University, Camden, NJ 08103
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15
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Prasad NK, Shome R, Biswas G, Ghosh SS, Dalal A. Discerning the self-healing, shear-thinning characteristics and therapeutic efficacy of hydrogel drug carriers migrating through constricted microchannel resembling blood microcapillary. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2021.127070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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16
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Ugrin M, Dinic J, Jeremic S, Dragicevic S, Banovic Djeri B, Nikolic A. Bacterial Nanocellulose as a Scaffold for In Vitro Cell Migration Assay. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11092322. [PMID: 34578638 PMCID: PMC8468300 DOI: 10.3390/nano11092322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) stands out among polymers as a promising biomaterial due to its mechanical strength, hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity and renewability. The use of scaffolds based on BNC for 3D cell culture has been previously demonstrated. The study exploited excellent properties of the BNC to develop an efficient and low-cost in vitro cell migration assay. The BNC scaffold was introduced into a cell culture 24 h after the SW480 cells were seeded, and cells were allowed to enter the scaffold within the next 24–48 h. The cells were stained with different fluorophores either before or after the introduction of the scaffold in the culture. Untreated cells were observed to enter the BNC scaffold in significant numbers, form clusters and retain a high viability after 48 h. To validate the assay’s usability for drug development, the treatments of SW480 cells were performed using aspirin, an agent known to reduce the migratory potential of this cell line in culture. This study demonstrates the application of BNC as a scaffold for cell migration testing as a low-cost alternative to commercial assays based on the Boyden chamber principle. The assay could be further developed for routine use in cancer research and anticancer drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Ugrin
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444A, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.U.); (S.J.); (S.D.); (B.B.D.)
| | - Jelena Dinic
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute for Biological Research “Sinisa Stankovic”—National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Sanja Jeremic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444A, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.U.); (S.J.); (S.D.); (B.B.D.)
| | - Sandra Dragicevic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444A, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.U.); (S.J.); (S.D.); (B.B.D.)
| | - Bojana Banovic Djeri
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444A, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.U.); (S.J.); (S.D.); (B.B.D.)
| | - Aleksandra Nikolic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444A, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.U.); (S.J.); (S.D.); (B.B.D.)
- Correspondence:
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17
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Organ-Chip Models: Opportunities for Precision Medicine in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13174487. [PMID: 34503294 PMCID: PMC8430573 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13174487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Among all types of cancer, Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has one of the lowest survival rates, partly due to the failure of current chemotherapeutics. This treatment failure can be attributed to the complicated nature of the tumor microenvironment, where the rich fibro-inflammatory responses can hinder drug delivery and efficacy at the tumor site. Moreover, the high molecular variations in PDAC create a large heterogeneity in the tumor microenvironment among patients. Current in vivo and in vitro options for drug testing are mostly ineffective in recapitulating the complex cellular interactions and individual variations in the PDAC tumor microenvironment, and as a result, they fail to provide appropriate models for individualized drug screening. Organ-on-a-chip technology combined with patient-derived organoids may provide the opportunity for developing personalized treatment options in PDAC. Abstract Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an expeditiously fatal malignancy with a five-year survival rate of 6–8%. Conventional chemotherapeutics fail in many cases due to inadequate primary response and rapidly developing resistance. This treatment failure is particularly challenging in pancreatic cancer because of the high molecular heterogeneity across tumors. Additionally, a rich fibro-inflammatory component within the tumor microenvironment (TME) limits the delivery and effectiveness of anticancer drugs, further contributing to the lack of response or developing resistance to conventional approaches in this cancer. As a result, there is an urgent need to model pancreatic cancer ex vivo to discover effective drug regimens, including those targeting the components of the TME on an individualized basis. Patient-derived three-dimensional (3D) organoid technology has provided a unique opportunity to study patient-specific cancerous epithelium. Patient-derived organoids cultured with the TME components can more accurately reflect the in vivo tumor environment. Here we present the advances in organoid technology and multicellular platforms that could allow for the development of “organ-on-a-chip” approaches to recapitulate the complex cellular interactions in PDAC tumors. We highlight the current advances of the organ-on-a-chip-based cancer models and discuss their potential for the preclinical selection of individualized treatment in PDAC.
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18
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Gupta S, Patteson AE, Schwarz JM. The role of vimentin-nuclear interactions in persistent cell motility through confined spaces. NEW JOURNAL OF PHYSICS 2021; 23:093042. [PMID: 35530563 PMCID: PMC9075336 DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/ac2550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The ability of cells to move through small spaces depends on the mechanical properties of the cellular cytoskeleton and on nuclear deformability. In mammalian cells, the cytoskeleton is composed of three interacting, semi-flexible polymer networks: actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments (IF). Recent experiments of mouse embryonic fibroblasts with and without vimentin have shown that the IF vimentin plays a role in confined cell motility. Here, we develop a minimal model of a cell moving through a microchannel that incorporates explicit effects of actin and vimentin and implicit effects of microtubules. Specifically, the model consists of a cell with an actomyosin cortex and a deformable cell nucleus and mechanical linkages between the two. By decreasing the amount of vimentin, we find that the cell speed increases for vimentin-null cells compared to cells with vimentin. The loss of vimentin increases nuclear deformation and alters nuclear positioning in the cell. Assuming nuclear positioning is a read-out for cell polarity, we propose a new polarity mechanism which couples cell directional motion with cytoskeletal strength and nuclear positioning and captures the abnormally persistent motion of vimentin-null cells, as observed in experiments. The enhanced persistence indicates that the vimentin-null cells are more controlled by the confinement and so less autonomous, relying more heavily on external cues than their wild-type counterparts. Our modeling results present a quantitative interpretation for recent experiments and have implications for understanding the role of vimentin in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarthak Gupta
- Physics Department and BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY USA
| | - Alison E Patteson
- Physics Department and BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY USA
| | - J M Schwarz
- Physics Department and BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY USA
- Indian Creek Farm, Ithaca, NY USA
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19
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Roncato F, Regev O, Yadav SK, Alon R. Microtubule destabilization is a critical checkpoint of chemotaxis and transendothelial migration in melanoma cells but not in T cells. Cell Adh Migr 2021; 15:166-179. [PMID: 34152257 PMCID: PMC8218694 DOI: 10.1080/19336918.2021.1934958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubules (MTs) control cell shape and intracellular cargo transport. The role of MT turnover in the migration of slow-moving cells through endothelial barriers remains unclear. To irreversibly interfere with MT disassembly, we have used the MT-stabilizing agent zampanolide (ZMP) in Β16F10 melanoma as amodel of slow-moving cells. ZMP-treated B16 cells failed to follow chemotactic gradients across rigid confinements and could not generate stable sub-endothelial pseudopodia under endothelial monolayers. In vivo, ZMP-treated Β16 cells failed to extravasate though lung capillaries. In contrast to melanoma cells, the chemotaxis and transendothelial migration of ZMP-treated Tcells were largely conserved. This is afirst demonstration that MT disassembly is akey checkpoint in the directional migration of cancer cells but not of lymphocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Roncato
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ofer Regev
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Ronen Alon
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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20
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Calculation of the force field required for nucleus deformation during cell migration through constrictions. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1008592. [PMID: 34029312 PMCID: PMC8177636 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
During cell migration in confinement, the nucleus has to deform for a cell to pass through small constrictions. Such nuclear deformations require significant forces. A direct experimental measure of the deformation force field is extremely challenging. However, experimental images of nuclear shape are relatively easy to obtain. Therefore, here we present a method to calculate predictions of the deformation force field based purely on analysis of experimental images of nuclei before and after deformation. Such an inverse calculation is technically non-trivial and relies on a mechanical model for the nucleus. Here we compare two simple continuum elastic models of a cell nucleus undergoing deformation. In the first, we treat the nucleus as a homogeneous elastic solid and, in the second, as an elastic shell. For each of these models we calculate the force field required to produce the deformation given by experimental images of nuclei in dendritic cells migrating in microchannels with constrictions of controlled dimensions. These microfabricated channels provide a simplified confined environment mimicking that experienced by cells in tissues. Our calculations predict the forces felt by a deforming nucleus as a migrating cell encounters a constriction. Since a direct experimental measure of the deformation force field is very challenging and has not yet been achieved, our numerical approaches can make important predictions motivating further experiments, even though all the parameters are not yet available. We demonstrate the power of our method by showing how it predicts lateral forces corresponding to actin polymerisation around the nucleus, providing evidence for actin generated forces squeezing the sides of the nucleus as it enters a constriction. In addition, the algorithm we have developed could be adapted to analyse experimental images of deformation in other situations. Many cell types are able to migrate and squeeze through constrictions that are narrower than the cell’s resting radius. For example, both immune cells and metastatic cancer cells change their shape to migrate through small holes in the complex tissue media they move in. During migration the cell nucleus is more difficult to deform than the cell cytoplasm and therefore significant forces are required for a cell to pass through spaces that are smaller than the resting size of the nucleus. Experimental measurements of these forces are extremely challenging but experimental images of nuclear deformation are regularly obtained in many labs. Therefore we present a computational method to analyse experimental images of nuclear deformation to deduce the forces required to produce such deformations. A mechanical model of the nucleus is necessary for this analysis and here we present two different models. Our computational tool enables us to obtain detailed information about forces causing deformation from microscopy images and consequently provide evidence for actin generated forces squeezing the sides of the nucleus as it enters a constriction.
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21
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A Cellular Potts Model for Analyzing Cell Migration across Constraining Pillar Arrays. AXIOMS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/axioms10010032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Cell migration in highly constrained environments is fundamental in a wide variety of physiological and pathological phenomena. In particular, it has been experimentally shown that the migratory capacity of most cell lines depends on their ability to transmigrate through narrow constrictions, which in turn relies on their deformation capacity. In this respect, the nucleus, which occupies a large fraction of the cell volume and is substantially stiffer than the surrounding cytoplasm, imposes a major obstacle. This aspect has also been investigated with the use of microfluidic devices formed by dozens of arrays of aligned polymeric pillars that limit the available space for cell movement. Such experimental systems, in particular, in the designs developed by the groups of Denais and of Davidson, were here reproduced with a tailored version of the Cellular Potts model, a grid-based stochastic approach where cell dynamics are established by a Metropolis algorithm for energy minimization. The proposed model allowed quantitatively analyzing selected cell migratory determinants (e.g., the cell and nuclear speed and deformation, and forces acting at the nuclear membrane) in the case of different experimental setups. Most of the numerical results show a remarkable agreement with the corresponding empirical data.
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22
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FastTrack: An open-source software for tracking varying numbers of deformable objects. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1008697. [PMID: 33571205 PMCID: PMC7904165 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Analyzing the dynamical properties of mobile objects requires to extract trajectories from recordings, which is often done by tracking movies. We compiled a database of two-dimensional movies for very different biological and physical systems spanning a wide range of length scales and developed a general-purpose, optimized, open-source, cross-platform, easy to install and use, self-updating software called FastTrack. It can handle a changing number of deformable objects in a region of interest, and is particularly suitable for animal and cell tracking in two-dimensions. Furthermore, we introduce the probability of incursions as a new measure of a movie’s trackability that doesn’t require the knowledge of ground truth trajectories, since it is resilient to small amounts of errors and can be computed on the basis of an ad hoc tracking. We also leveraged the versatility and speed of FastTrack to implement an iterative algorithm determining a set of nearly-optimized tracking parameters—yet further reducing the amount of human intervention—and demonstrate that FastTrack can be used to explore the space of tracking parameters to optimize the number of swaps for a batch of similar movies. A benchmark shows that FastTrack is orders of magnitude faster than state-of-the-art tracking algorithms, with a comparable tracking accuracy. The source code is available under the GNU GPLv3 at https://github.com/FastTrackOrg/FastTrack and pre-compiled binaries for Windows, Mac and Linux are available at http://www.fasttrack.sh. Many researchers and engineers face the challenge of tracking objects from very different systems across several fields of research. We observed that despite this diversity the core of the tracking task is very general and can be formalized. We thus introduce the notion of incursions—i.e. to what extent an object can enter a neighbor’s space—which can be defined on a statistical basis and captures the interplay between the acquisition rate, the objects’ dynamics and the geometrical characteristics of the scene, including density. To validate this approach, we compiled a dataset from various fields of Physics, Biology and human activities to serve as a benchmark for general-purpose tracking softwares. This dataset is open and accepts new submissions. We also developped a software called FastTrack that is able to track most of the movies in the dataset by proposing standard image processing tools and state-of-the-art implementation of the matching algorithm, which is at the core of the tracking task. Besides, it is open-source, simple to install and use and has an ergonomic interface to obtain fast and reliable results. FastTrack is particularly convenient for small-scale research projects, typically when the development of a dedicated software is overkill.
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Khan I, Bui L, Bachoo R, Kim YT, Chuong CJ. Differences in creep response of GBM cells migrating in confinement. Int Biomech 2020; 7:44-57. [PMID: 33998389 PMCID: PMC8130729 DOI: 10.1080/23335432.2020.1757509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Using a microfluidic platform to apply negative aspiration pressure (–20, –25, –30, –35 and –40 cm H2O), we compared the differences in creep responses of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) cells while migrating in confinement and at a stationary state on a 2D substrate. Cells were either migrating in a channel of 5 x 5 μm cross-section or stationary at the entrance to the channel. In response to aspiration pressure, we found actively migrating GBM cells exhibited a higher stiffness than stationary cells. Additionally, migrating cells absorbed more energy elastically with a relatively small dissipative energy loss. At elevated negative pressure loads up to – 30 cm H2O, we observed a linear increase in elastic deformation and a higher distribution in elastic storage than energy loss, and the response plateaued at further increasing negative pressure loads. To explore the underlying cause, we carried out immuno-cytochemical studies of these cells and found a polarized actin and myosin distribution at the front and posterior ends of the migrating cells, whereas the distribution of the stationary group demonstrated no specific regional differences. These differences in creep response and cytoskeletal protein distribution demonstrate the importance of a migrating cell’s kinematic state to the mechanism of cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishan Khan
- Joint Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
| | - Loan Bui
- Joint Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
| | - Robert Bachoo
- Department of Neurology & Neurotherapeutics University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas , Dallas, Texas.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington , Texas
| | - Young-Tae Kim
- Joint Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
| | - Cheng-Jen Chuong
- Joint Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
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Chemotaxing neutrophils enter alternate branches at capillary bifurcations. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2385. [PMID: 32404937 PMCID: PMC7220926 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15476-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Upon tissue injury or microbial invasion, a large number of neutrophils converge from blood to the sites of injury or infection in a short time. The migration through a limited number of paths through tissues and capillary networks seems efficient and 'traffic jams' are generally avoided. However, the mechanisms that guide efficient trafficking of large numbers of neutrophils through capillary networks are not well understood. Here we show that pairs of neutrophils arriving closely one after another at capillary bifurcations migrate to alternating branches in vivo and in vitro. Perturbation of chemoattractant gradients and the increased hydraulic resistance induced by the first neutrophil in one branch biases the migration of the following neutrophil towards the other branch. These mechanisms guide neutrophils to efficiently navigate through capillary networks and outline the effect of inter-neutrophil interactions during migration on overall lymphocyte trafficking patterns in confined environments.
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25
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Luo Y, Xu T, Xie HQ, Guo Z, Zhang W, Chen Y, Sha R, Liu Y, Ma Y, Xu L, Zhao B. Effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on spontaneous movement of human neuroblastoma cells. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 715:136805. [PMID: 32041038 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays important roles in the interferences of dioxin exposure with the occurrence and development of tumors. Neuroblastoma is a kind of malignant tumor with high mortality and its occurrence is getting higher in dioxin exposed populations. However, there is still a lack of direct evidence of influences of dioxin on neuroblastoma cell migration. SK-N-SH is a human neuroblastoma cell line which has been used to reveal 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced dysregulation of certain promigratory gene. Thus, in this study, we employed SK-N-SH cells to investigate the effects of TCDD on the spontaneous movement of neuroblastoma cells, which is a short-range cell migratory behavior related to clone formation and tumor metastasis in vitro. Using unlabeled live cell imaging and high content analysis, we characterized the spontaneous movement under a full-nutrient condition in SK-N-SH cells. We found that the spontaneous movement of SK-N-SH cells was inhibited after 36- or 48-h treatment with TCDD at relative low concentrations (10-10 or 2 × 10-10 M). The TCDD-treated cells were unable to move as freely as that of control cells, resulting in less diffusive trajectories and a decreased displacement of the movement. In line with this cellular effect, the expression of pro-adhesive genes was significantly induced in time- and concentration-dependent manners after TCDD treatment. In addition, with the presence of AhR antagonist, CH223191, the effects of TCDD on the gene expression and the spontaneous cell movement were effectively reversed. Thus, we proposed that AhR-mediated up-regulation of pro-adhesive genes might be involved in the inhibitory effects of dioxin on the spontaneous movement of neuroblastoma cells. To our knowledge, this is the first piece of direct evidence about the influence of dioxin on neuroblastoma cell motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tuan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Heidi Qunhui Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhiling Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Wanglong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yangsheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Rui Sha
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yiyun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yongchao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Li Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Institute of Environment and Health, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China.
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Doolin MT, Moriarty RA, Stroka KM. Mechanosensing of Mechanical Confinement by Mesenchymal-Like Cells. Front Physiol 2020; 11:365. [PMID: 32390868 PMCID: PMC7193100 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and tumor cells have the unique capability to migrate out of their native environment and either home or metastasize, respectively, through extremely heterogeneous environments to a distant location. Once there, they can either aid in tissue regrowth or impart an immunomodulatory effect in the case of MSCs, or form secondary tumors in the case of tumor cells. During these journeys, cells experience physically confining forces that impinge on the cell body and the nucleus, ultimately causing a multitude of cellular changes. Most drastically, confining individual MSCs within hydrogels or confining monolayers of MSCs within agarose wells can sway MSC lineage commitment, while applying a confining compressive stress to metastatic tumor cells can increase their invasiveness. In this review, we seek to understand the signaling cascades that occur as cells sense confining forces and how that translates to behavioral changes, including elongated and multinucleated cell morphologies, novel migrational mechanisms, and altered gene expression, leading to a unique MSC secretome that could hold great promise for anti-inflammatory treatments. Through comparison of these altered behaviors, we aim to discern how MSCs alter their lineage selection, while tumor cells may become more aggressive and invasive. Synthesizing this information can be useful for employing MSCs for therapeutic approaches through systemic injections or tissue engineered grafts, and developing improved strategies for metastatic cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary T. Doolin
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Rebecca A. Moriarty
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Kimberly M. Stroka
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
- Maryland Biophysics Program, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
- Center for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Prahl LS, Stanslaski MR, Vargas P, Piel M, Odde DJ. Predicting Confined 1D Cell Migration from Parameters Calibrated to a 2D Motor-Clutch Model. Biophys J 2020; 118:1709-1720. [PMID: 32145191 PMCID: PMC7136340 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.01.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological tissues contain micrometer-scale gaps and pores, including those found within extracellular matrix fiber networks, between tightly packed cells, and between blood vessels or nerve bundles and their associated basement membranes. These spaces restrict cell motion to a single-spatial dimension (1D), a feature that is not captured in traditional in vitro cell migration assays performed on flat, unconfined two-dimensional (2D) substrates. Mechanical confinement can variably influence cell migration behaviors, and it is presently unclear whether the mechanisms used for migration in 2D unconfined environments are relevant in 1D confined environments. Here, we assessed whether a cell migration simulator and associated parameters previously measured for cells on 2D unconfined compliant hydrogels could predict 1D confined cell migration in microfluidic channels. We manufactured microfluidic devices with narrow channels (60-μm2 rectangular cross-sectional area) and tracked human glioma cells that spontaneously migrated within channels. Cell velocities (vexp = 0.51 ± 0.02 μm min-1) were comparable to brain tumor expansion rates measured in the clinic. Using motor-clutch model parameters estimated from cells on unconfined 2D planar hydrogel substrates, simulations predicted similar migration velocities (vsim = 0.37 ± 0.04 μm min-1) and also predicted the effects of drugs targeting the motor-clutch system or cytoskeletal assembly. These results are consistent with glioma cells utilizing a motor-clutch system to migrate in confined environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis S Prahl
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Maria R Stanslaski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Pablo Vargas
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 144 and Institut Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, PSL Research University, Paris, France; INSERM U932 Immunité et Cancer, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Matthieu Piel
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 144 and Institut Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - David J Odde
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Physical Sciences-Oncology Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Pham QL, Tong A, Rodrigues LN, Zhao Y, Surblyte M, Ramos D, Brito J, Rahematpura A, Voronov RS. Ranking migration cue contributions to guiding individual fibroblasts faced with a directional decision in simple microfluidic bifurcations. Integr Biol (Camb) 2020; 11:208-220. [PMID: 31251334 DOI: 10.1093/intbio/zyz018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Directed cell migration in complex micro-environments, such as in vivo pores, is important for predicting locations of artificial tissue growth and optimizing scaffold architectures. Yet, the directional decisions of cells facing multiple physiochemical cues have not been characterized. Hence, we aim to provide a ranking of the relative importance of the following cues to the decision-making of individual fibroblast cells: chemoattractant concentration gradient, channel width, mitosis, and contact-guidance. In this study, bifurcated micro-channels with branches of different widths were created. Fibroblasts were then allowed to travel across these geometries by following a gradient of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) established inside the channels. Subsequently, a combination of statistical analysis and image-based diffusion modeling was used to report how the presence of multiple complex migration cues, including cell-cell influences, affect the fibroblast decision-making. It was found that the cells prefer wider channels over a higher chemoattractant gradient when choosing between asymmetric bifurcated branches. Only when the branches were symmetric in width did the gradient become predominant in directing which path the cell will take. Furthermore, when both the gradient and the channels were symmetric, contact guidance became important for guiding the cells in making directional choices. Based on these results we were able to rank these directional cues from most influential to the least as follows: mitosis > channel width asymmetry > chemoattractant gradient difference > and contact-guidance. It is expected that these results will benefit the fields of regenerative medicine, wound healing and developmental biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quang Long Pham
- Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Anh Tong
- Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Lydia N Rodrigues
- Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Yang Zhao
- Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Migle Surblyte
- Ying Wu College of Computing Sciences, Department of Computer Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Diomar Ramos
- Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - John Brito
- Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Adwik Rahematpura
- Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Roman S Voronov
- Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
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Ros E, Encina M, González F, Contreras R, Luz-Crawford P, Khoury M, Acevedo JP. Single cell migration profiling on a microenvironmentally tunable hydrogel microstructure device that enables stem cell potency evaluation. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:958-972. [PMID: 31990283 DOI: 10.1039/c9lc00988d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cell migration is a key function in a myriad of physiological events and disease conditions. Efficient, quick and descriptive profiling of migration behaviour in response to different treatments or conditions is highly desirable in a series of applications, ranging from fundamental studies of the migration mechanism to drug discovery and cell therapy. This investigation applied the use of methacrylamide gelatin (GelMA) to microfabricate migration lanes based on GelMA hydrogel with encapsulated migration stimuli and structural stability under culture medium conditions, providing the possibility of tailoring the microenvironment during cell-based assays. The actual device provides 3D topography, cell localization and a few step protocol, allowing the quick evaluation and quantification of individual migrated distances of a cell sample by an ImageJ plugin for automated microscopy processing. The detailed profiling of migration behaviour given by the new device has demonstrated a broader assay sensitivity compared to other migration assays and higher versatility to study cell migration in different settings of applications. In this study, parametric information extracted from the migration profiling was successfully used to develop predictive models of immunosuppressive cell function that could be applied as a potency test for mesenchymal stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Ros
- Cells for Cells, Santiago, Chile and Consorcio Regenero, Chilean Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, Santiago, Chile
| | - Matías Encina
- Cells for Cells, Santiago, Chile and Consorcio Regenero, Chilean Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fabián González
- Cells for Cells, Santiago, Chile and Consorcio Regenero, Chilean Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rafael Contreras
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Celular y Molecular, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Patricia Luz-Crawford
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Celular y Molecular, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Maroun Khoury
- Cells for Cells, Santiago, Chile and Consorcio Regenero, Chilean Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, Santiago, Chile and Laboratory of Nano-Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Juan Pablo Acevedo
- Cells for Cells, Santiago, Chile and Consorcio Regenero, Chilean Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, Santiago, Chile and Laboratory of Nano-Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile.
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Fink A, Brückner DB, Schreiber C, Röttgermann PJF, Broedersz CP, Rädler JO. Area and Geometry Dependence of Cell Migration in Asymmetric Two-State Micropatterns. Biophys J 2020; 118:552-564. [PMID: 31864660 PMCID: PMC7002917 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.11.3389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Microstructured surfaces provide a unique framework to probe cell migration and cytoskeletal dynamics in a standardized manner. Here, we report on the steady-state occupancy probability of cells in asymmetric two-state microstructures that consist of two fibronectin-coated adhesion sites connected by a thin guidance cue. In these dumbbell-like structures, cells transition between the two sites in a repeated and stochastic manner, and average dwell times in the respective microenvironments are determined from the cell trajectories. We study the dynamics of human breast carcinoma cells (MDA-MB-231) in these microstructures as a function of area, shape, and orientation of the adhesion sites. On square adhesive sites with different areas, we find that the occupancy probability ratio is directly proportional to the ratio of corresponding adhesion site areas. These asymmetries are well captured by a simple model for the stochastic nonlinear dynamics of the cells, which reveals generic features of the motion. Sites of equal area but different shape lead to equal occupancy if shapes are isotropic (e.g., squared or circular). In contrast, an asymmetry in the occupancy is induced by anisotropic shapes like rhombi, triangles, or rectangles that enable motion in the direction perpendicular to the transition axis. Analysis of the two-dimensional motion of cells between two rectangles with orthogonal orientation suggests that cellular transition rates depend on the cell polarization induced by anisotropic micropatterns. Taken together, our results illustrate how two-state micropatterns provide a dynamic migration assay with distinct dwell times and relative cell occupancy as readouts, which may be useful to probe cell-microenvironment interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Fink
- Faculty of Physics and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany
| | - David B Brückner
- Faculty of Physics and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany; Arnold-Sommerfeld-Center for Theoretical Physics and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany
| | - Christoph Schreiber
- Faculty of Physics and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany
| | - Peter J F Röttgermann
- Faculty of Physics and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany
| | - Chase P Broedersz
- Faculty of Physics and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany; Arnold-Sommerfeld-Center for Theoretical Physics and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany
| | - Joachim O Rädler
- Faculty of Physics and Center for NanoScience, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany.
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31
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Konar S, Edwina P, Ramanujam V, Arunachalakasi A, Bajpai SK. Collagen-I/silk-fibroin biocomposite exhibits microscalar confinement of cells and induces anisotropic morphology and migration of embedded fibroblasts. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2020; 108:2368-2377. [PMID: 31984672 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.34570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Microstructural anisotropy of tumor-associated matrix correlates with invasion of cancer cells into the surrounding matrix during metastasis. Here, we report the fabrication and characterization of a three-dimensional (3D) silk-fibroin/collagen-I bio-composite based cell-culture model that exhibits microstructural and biochemical anisotropy. Using RGD-deficient silk-fibroin fibers to confine collagen-I gelation, we develop a silk-fibroin/collagen-I (SFC) bio-composite in a one-step process allowing control over the microstructural and biochemical anisotropy and the pore-size. Two forms of the SFC bio-composite are reported: a sandwich (Sfc ) configuration amenable to live-cell microscopy and an unsupported membrane (Mfc ) for use as a scaffold. Both microscalar and macroscalar mechanical properties of the SFC bio-composite are characterized using atomic force microscope (AFM)-based indentation and tensile-testing. We find that the modulus of stiffness of both Sfc and Mfc can be controlled and falls in the physiological range of 5-20 kPa. Furthermore, the modulus of stiffness of Mfc exhibits a ~200% increase in axial direction of microstructure, as compared to lateral direction. This implies a highly anisotropic mechanical stiffness of the microenvironment. Live-cell morphology and migration studies show that both the morphology and the migration of NIH-3 T3 fibroblasts is anisotropic and correlates with microstructural anisotropy. Our results show that SFC bio-composite permits proliferation of cells in both Sfc and Mfc configuration, promotes cell-migration along the major axis of anisotropy and together with morphological and migration data, suggest a potential application of both the composite configurations as a biomimetic scaffold for tissue engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhajit Konar
- Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology - Madras, Chennai, India.,Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Privita Edwina
- Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology - Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Vaibavi Ramanujam
- Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology - Madras, Chennai, India
| | | | - Saumendra Kumar Bajpai
- Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology - Madras, Chennai, India
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Guided migration analyses at the single-clone level uncover cellular targets of interest in tumor-associated myeloid-derived suppressor cell populations. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1189. [PMID: 31988310 PMCID: PMC6985212 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57941-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are immune cells that exert immunosuppression within the tumor, protecting cancer cells from the host’s immune system and/or exogenous immunotherapies. While current research has been mostly focused in countering MDSC-driven immunosuppression, little is known about the mechanisms by which MDSCs disseminate/infiltrate cancerous tissue. This study looks into the use of microtextured surfaces, coupled with in vitro and in vivo cellular and molecular analysis tools, to videoscopically evaluate the dissemination patterns of MDSCs under structurally guided migration, at the single-cell level. MDSCs exhibited topographically driven migration, showing significant intra- and inter-population differences in motility, with velocities reaching ~40 μm h−1. Downstream analyses coupled with single-cell migration uncovered the presence of specific MDSC subpopulations with different degrees of tumor-infiltrating and anti-inflammatory capabilities. Granulocytic MDSCs showed a ~≥3-fold increase in maximum dissemination velocities and traveled distances, and a ~10-fold difference in the expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory markers. Prolonged culture also revealed that purified subpopulations of MDSCs exhibit remarkable plasticity, with homogeneous/sorted subpopulations giving rise to heterogenous cultures that represented the entire hierarchy of MDSC phenotypes within 7 days. These studies point towards the granulocytic subtype as a potential cellular target of interest given their superior dissemination ability and enhanced anti-inflammatory activity.
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33
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Greenlee JD, King MR. Engineered fluidic systems to understand lymphatic cancer metastasis. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2020; 14:011502. [PMID: 32002106 PMCID: PMC6986954 DOI: 10.1063/1.5133970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The majority of all cancers metastasize initially through the lymphatic system. Despite this, the mechanisms of lymphogenous metastasis remain poorly understood and understudied compared to hematogenous metastasis. Over the past few decades, microfluidic devices have been used to model pathophysiological processes and drug interactions in numerous contexts. These devices carry many advantages over traditional 2D in vitro systems, allowing for better replication of in vivo microenvironments. This review highlights prominent fluidic devices used to model the stages of cancer metastasis via the lymphatic system, specifically within lymphangiogenesis, vessel permeability, tumor cell chemotaxis, transendothelial migration, lymphatic circulation, and micrometastases within the lymph nodes. In addition, we present perspectives for the future roles that microfluidics might play within these settings and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D. Greenlee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, USA
| | - Michael R. King
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, USA
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Azadi S, Tafazzoli Shadpour M. The microenvironment and cytoskeletal remodeling in tumor cell invasion. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 356:257-289. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2020.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Park JK, Hank T, Scherber CM, Lillemoe KD, Fernández-Del Castillo C, Warshaw AL, Toner M, Irimia D, Thayer SP, Liss AS. Primary and Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer Cells Exhibit Differential Migratory Potentials. Pancreas 2020; 49:128-134. [PMID: 31856088 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0000000000001459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by early metastatic spread in more than 50% of patients. In this study, we sought to understand the migratory properties of (non)metastatic PDAC cells and determine whether the migration of cancer stem cell (CSC) populations accounts for the aggressive nature of this disease. METHODS The migratory abilities of primary and metastatic PDAC cell lines were investigated using a microfluidic device and time-lapse photography. The velocity, time of delay of mobilization, and number of migratory cells were analyzed. Cancer stem cell subpopulations were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and their migratory properties compared with their non-CSC counterparts. RESULTS Primary cancer cells exhibited higher velocities, greater number of migratory cells, and a shorter time of delay of mobilization in comparison to metastatic cell lines. Characterization of CSC populations revealed primary PDAC cell lines were composed of fewer CD133 and CD24CD44 CSC subpopulations than metastatic cells. Moreover, migratory analysis of CSC subpopulations revealed lower velocities, fewer migratory cells, and a greater time of delay of mobilization than non-CSC. CONCLUSIONS Primary cancer cells demonstrate enhanced migratory abilities in comparison to metastatic PDAC cells. Those differences may result from lower CSC subpopulations in primary cells because CSC populations demonstrated impaired migratory abilities in contrast to non-CSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo Kyung Park
- From the Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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36
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Patteson AE, Pogoda K, Byfield FJ, Mandal K, Ostrowska-Podhorodecka Z, Charrier EE, Galie PA, Deptuła P, Bucki R, McCulloch CA, Janmey PA. Loss of Vimentin Enhances Cell Motility through Small Confining Spaces. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2019; 15:e1903180. [PMID: 31721440 PMCID: PMC6910987 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201903180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The migration of cells through constricting spaces or along fibrous tracks in tissues is important for many biological processes and depends on the mechanical properties of a cytoskeleton made up of three different filaments: F-actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. The signaling pathways and cytoskeletal structures that control cell motility on 2D are often very different from those that control motility in 3D. Previous studies have shown that intermediate filaments can promote actin-driven protrusions at the cell edge, but have little effect on overall motility of cells on flat surfaces. They are however important for cells to maintain resistance to repeated compressive stresses that are expected to occur in vivo. Using mouse embryonic fibroblasts derived from wild-type and vimentin-null mice, it is found that loss of vimentin increases motility in 3D microchannels even though on flat surfaces it has the opposite effect. Atomic force microscopy and traction force microscopy experiments reveal that vimentin enhances perinuclear cell stiffness while maintaining the same level of acto-myosin contractility in cells. A minimal model in which a perinuclear vimentin cage constricts along with the nucleus during motility through confining spaces, providing mechanical resistance against large strains that could damage the structural integrity of cells, is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison E. Patteson
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Physics Department, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244
| | - Katarzyna Pogoda
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342 Krakow, Poland
| | - Fitzroy J. Byfield
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Kalpana Mandal
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | | | - Elisabeth E. Charrier
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Peter A. Galie
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028
| | - Piotr Deptuła
- Department of Microbiological and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2C, Białystok, Poland
| | - Robert Bucki
- Department of Microbiological and Nanobiomedical Engineering, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2C, Białystok, Poland
| | | | - Paul A. Janmey
- Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Departments of Physiology and Physics & Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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Doolin MT, Stroka KM. Integration of Mesenchymal Stem Cells into a Novel Micropillar Confinement Assay. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2019; 25:662-676. [PMID: 31347455 PMCID: PMC6998058 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2019.0083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanical cues such as stiffness have been shown to influence cell gene expression, protein expression, and cell behaviors critical for tissue engineering. The mechanical cue of confinement is also a pervasive parameter affecting cells in vivo and in tissue-engineered constructs. Despite its prevalence, the mechanical cue of confinement lacks assays that provide precise control over the degree of confinement induced on cells, yield a large sample size, enable long-term culture, and enable easy visualization of cells over time. In this study, we developed a process to systematically confine cells using micropillar arrays. Using photolithography and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molding, we created PDMS arrays of micropillars that were 5, 10, 20, or 50 μm in spacing and between 13 and 17 μm in height. The tops of micropillars were coated with Pluronic F127 to inhibit cell adhesion, and we observed that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) robustly infiltrated into the micropillar arrays. MSC and nucleus morphology were altered by narrowing the micropillar spacing, and cytoskeletal elements within MSCs appeared to become more diffuse with increasing confinement. Specifically, MSCs exhibited a ring of actin around their periphery and punctate focal adhesions. MSC migration speed was reduced by narrowing micropillar spacing, and distinct migration behaviors of MSCs emerged in the presence of micropillars. MSCs continued to proliferate within micropillar arrays after 3 weeks in culture, displaying our assay's capability for long-term studies. Our assay also has the capacity to provide adequate cell numbers for quantitative assays to investigate the effect of confinement on gene and protein expression. Through deeper understanding of cell mechanotransduction in the context of confinement, we can modify tissue-engineered constructs to be optimal for a given purpose. Impact Statement In this study, we developed a novel process to systematically confine cells using micropillar arrays. Our assay provides insight into cell behavior in response to mechanical confinement. Through deeper understanding of how cells sense and respond to confinement, we can fine tune tissue-engineered constructs to be optimal for a given purpose. By combining confinement with other physical cues, we can harness mechanical properties to encourage or inhibit cell migration, direct cells down a particular lineage, induce cell secretion of specific cytokines or extracellular vesicles, and ultimately direct cells to behave in a way conducive to tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary T. Doolin
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Kimberly M. Stroka
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
- Biophysics Program, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
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Mosier JA, Rahman-Zaman A, Zanotelli MR, VanderBurgh JA, Bordeleau F, Hoffman BD, Reinhart-King CA. Extent of Cell Confinement in Microtracks Affects Speed and Results in Differential Matrix Strains. Biophys J 2019; 117:1692-1701. [PMID: 31623884 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
During metastasis, cancer cells navigate through a spatially heterogeneous extracellular matrix (ECM). Physical properties of ECM, including the degree of confinement, influence cell migration behavior. Here, utilizing in vitro three-dimensional collagen microtracks, we demonstrate that cell-ECM interactions, specifically the degree of spatial confinement, regulate migratory behavior. We found that cells migrate faster when they are fully confined, contacting all four walls (top, bottom, and two sides) of a collagen microtrack, compared with cells that are partially confined, contacting less than four walls. When fully confined, cells exhibit fewer but larger vinculin-containing adhesions and create greater strains in the surrounding matrix directed toward the cell body. In contrast, partially confined cells develop a more elongated morphology with smaller but significantly more vinculin-containing adhesions and displace the surrounding matrix less than fully confined cells. The resulting effect of increasing cell contractility via Rho activation is dependent on the number of walls with which the cell is in contact. Although matrix strains increase in both fully and partially confined cells, cells that are partially confined increase speed, whereas those in full confinement decrease speed. Together, these results suggest that the degree of cell-ECM contact during confined migration is a key determinant of speed, morphology, and cell-generated substrate strains during motility, and these factors may work in tandem to facilitate metastatic cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna A Mosier
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Aniqua Rahman-Zaman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Matthew R Zanotelli
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Jacob A VanderBurgh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Francois Bordeleau
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Dép. Biologie Moléculaire, Biochimie Médicale et Pathologie, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Brenton D Hoffman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Cynthia A Reinhart-King
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
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39
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Wang M, Cheng B, Yang Y, Liu H, Huang G, Han L, Li F, Xu F. Microchannel Stiffness and Confinement Jointly Induce the Mesenchymal-Amoeboid Transition of Cancer Cell Migration. NANO LETTERS 2019; 19:5949-5958. [PMID: 31414817 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b01597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The physical confinement of cell microenvironment could enhance the invasive capability and drug resistance of cancer cells. However, due to the lack of in vitro experimental platform to mimic both stiffness and confinement of the tumor microenvironment, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we developed a hydrogel-based microchannel platform with independently tunable channel stiffness and width in a physiological range. We found that the migration speed of the cancer cell is influenced by the synergistic effect of channel stiffness and width. In addition, the mesenchymal-amoeboid transition has a strong correlation with the channel stiffness. Besides, with a developed computational model, the role of nuclear stiffness on cancer migration speed and thus the mesenchymal-amoeboid transition in microchannels was also revealed. This platform is capable of mimicking the native physical microenvironment during metastasis, providing a powerful tool for high-throughput screening applications and investigating the interaction between cancer migration and biophysical microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Lichun Han
- Department of Anesthesia , Xi'an Daxing Hospital , Xi'an 710049 , P.R. China
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40
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Ge Z, Yu H, Yang W, Yang J, Liu B, Wang X, Liu Z, Liu L. Development of Multi-Dimensional Cell Co-Culture via a Novel Microfluidic Chip Fabricated by DMD-Based Optical Projection Lithography. IEEE Trans Nanobioscience 2019; 18:679-686. [PMID: 31514145 DOI: 10.1109/tnb.2019.2940258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Establishing a physiological microenvironment in vitro that is suitable for cell and tissue growth is essential for medical research. Microfluidic chips are widely used in the construction of a microenvironment and the analysis of cell behavior in vitro; however, the design and manufacture of microfluidic chips for the long-term culture of a tumor model tends to be highly complex and time-consuming. In this paper, we propose a method for the rapid fabrication of a microfluidic chip for multi-dimensional cell co-culture. A major advantage of this method is that the microfluidic chip can be divided into several sections by micro-pillar arrays to form different functional regions to grow two- and three-dimensional cell culture on the same matrix. At the micro-scale, the surface tension between the gelatin methacryloyl-encapsulated cells and micro-pillars prevents the leakage of the hydrogel, and the hydrogel provides a three-dimensional microenvironment for cell growth. Our results of long-term cell culture and preclinical drug screening showed that cells cultured in a two-dimensional monolayer differ from three-dimensional cultured cells in terms of morphology, area, survival rate, proliferation, and drug resistance. This method shows potential for use in the study of cell behavior, drug screening, and tissue engineering.
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41
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Garg AA, Jones TH, Moss SM, Mishra S, Kaul K, Ahirwar DK, Ferree J, Kumar P, Subramaniam D, Ganju RK, Subramaniam VV, Song JW. Electromagnetic fields alter the motility of metastatic breast cancer cells. Commun Biol 2019; 2:303. [PMID: 31428691 PMCID: PMC6687738 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0550-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Interactions between cells and their environment influence key physiologic processes such as their propensity to migrate. However, directed migration controlled by extrinsically applied electrical signals is poorly understood. Using a novel microfluidic platform, we found that metastatic breast cancer cells sense and respond to the net direction of weak (∼100 µV cm-1), asymmetric, non-contact induced Electric Fields (iEFs). iEFs inhibited EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) activation, prevented formation of actin-rich filopodia, and hindered the motility of EGF-treated breast cancer cells. The directional effects of iEFs were nullified by inhibition of Akt phosphorylation. Moreover, iEFs in combination with Akt inhibitor reduced EGF-promoted motility below the level of untreated controls. These results represent a step towards isolating the coupling mechanism between cell motility and iEFs, provide valuable insights into how iEFs target multiple diverging cancer cell signaling mechanisms, and demonstrate that electrical signals are a fundamental regulator of cancer cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayush Arpit Garg
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Travis H. Jones
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Sarah M. Moss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Sanjay Mishra
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Kirti Kaul
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Dinesh K. Ahirwar
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Jessica Ferree
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Prabhat Kumar
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Deepa Subramaniam
- College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Ramesh K. Ganju
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Vish V. Subramaniam
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Jonathan W. Song
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
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42
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Li N, Zhang W, Li Y, Lin JM. Analysis of cellular biomolecules and behaviors using microfluidic chip and fluorescence method. Trends Analyt Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2019.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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43
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Ren J, Li J, Li Y, Xiao P, Liu Y, Tsang CM, Tsao SW, Lau D, Chan KWY, Lam RHW. Elasticity-Modulated Microbeads for Classification of Floating Normal and Cancer Cells Using Confining Microchannels. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2019; 5:3889-3898. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.8b01273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jifeng Ren
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiyu Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
| | - Yongshu Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
| | - Peng Xiao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
| | - Chi Man Tsang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
| | - Sai Wah Tsao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
| | - Denvid Lau
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
| | - Kannie W. Y. Chan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
| | - Raymond H. W. Lam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
- City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China
- Centre for Biosystems, Neuroscience, and Nanotechnology, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
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44
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Park H, Doh J. T cell migration in microchannels densely packed with T cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7198. [PMID: 31076592 PMCID: PMC6510777 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43569-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells migrate diverse microenvironments of the body to mount antigen-specific immune responses. T cell activation, a key initial process for antigen-specific immune responses, occur in secondary lymphoid organs such as spleens and lymph nodes where high density of T cells migrates rapidly through the reticular networks formed by stromal cells. In vitro model system recapitulating key characteristics of secondary lymphoid organs, confined spaces densely packed with rapidly migrating cells, would be useful to investigate mechanisms of T cell migration. In this study, we devised a method to fabricate microchannels densely packed with T cells. Microchannel arrays with fixed height (4 μm) and length (1.5 mm) and various widths (15~80 μm) were fabricated in between trapezoid-shaped reservoirs that facilitated T cell sedimentation near microchannel entries. Microchannel surface chemistry and filling time were optimized to achieve high packing density (0.89) of T cell filling within microchannels. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) analysis method was employed to extract velocity field of microchannels densely packed with T cells. Using velocity field information, various motility parameters were further evaluated to quantitatively assess the effects of microchannel width and media tonicity on T cell motility within cell dense microenvironments.
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Affiliation(s)
- HyoungJun Park
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) San 31, Hyoja-dong, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Korea
| | - Junsang Doh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) San 31, Hyoja-dong, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Korea. .,School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering (I-Bio), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) San 31, Hyoja-dong, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Korea. .,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, South Korea.
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45
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Um E, Oh JM, Park J, Song T, Kim TE, Choi Y, Shin C, Kolygina D, Jeon JH, Grzybowski BA, Cho YK. Immature dendritic cells navigate microscopic mazes to find tumor cells. LAB ON A CHIP 2019; 19:1665-1675. [PMID: 30931468 DOI: 10.1039/c9lc00150f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells with high sentinel ability to scan their neighborhood and to initiate an adaptive immune response. Whereas chemotactic migration of mature DCs (mDCs) towards lymph nodes is relatively well documented, the migratory behavior of immature DCs (imDCs) in tumor microenvironments is still poorly understood. Here, microfluidic systems of various geometries, including mazes, are used to investigate how the physical and chemical microenvironment influences the migration pattern of imDCs. Under proper degree of confinement, the imDCs are preferentially recruited towards cancer vs. normal cells, accompanied by increased cell speed and persistence. Furthermore, a systematic screen of cytokines, reveals that Gas6 is a major chemokine responsible for the chemotactic preference. These results and the accompanying theoretical model suggest that imDC migration in complex tissue environments is tuned by a proper balance between the strength of the chemical gradients and the degree of spatial confinement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eujin Um
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
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46
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Holle A, Govindan Kutty Devi N, Clar K, Fan A, Saif T, Kemkemer R, Spatz JP. Cancer Cells Invade Confined Microchannels via a Self-Directed Mesenchymal-to-Amoeboid Transition. NANO LETTERS 2019; 19:2280-2290. [PMID: 30775927 PMCID: PMC6463244 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.8b04720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cell invasion through physical barriers in the extracellular matrix (ECM) requires a complex synergy of traction force against the ECM, mechanosensitive feedback, and subsequent cytoskeletal rearrangement. PDMS microchannels were used to investigate the transition from mesenchymal to amoeboid invasion in cancer cells. Migration was faster in narrow 3 μm-wide channels than in wider 10 μm channels, even in the absence of cell-binding ECM proteins. Cells permeating narrow channels exhibited blebbing and had smooth leading edge profiles, suggesting an ECM-induced transition from mesenchymal invasion to amoeboid invasion. Live cell labeling revealed a mechanosensing period in which the cell attempts mesenchymal-based migration, reorganizes its cytoskeleton, and proceeds using an amoeboid phenotype. Rho/ROCK (amoeboid) and Rac (mesenchymal) pathway inhibition revealed that amoeboid invasion through confined environments relies on both pathways in a time- and ECM-dependent manner. This demonstrates that cancer cells can dynamically modify their invasion programming to navigate physically confining matrix conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew
W. Holle
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute
for Medical Research, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
- Department
of Biophysical Chemistry, University of
Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69117, Germany
| | | | - Kim Clar
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute
for Medical Research, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
- Department
of Applied Chemistry, Reutlingen University, Reutlingen 72762, Germany
| | - Anthony Fan
- Department
of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University
of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Taher Saif
- Department
of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University
of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Ralf Kemkemer
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute
for Medical Research, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
- Department
of Applied Chemistry, Reutlingen University, Reutlingen 72762, Germany
| | - Joachim P. Spatz
- Department
of Cellular Biophysics, Max Planck Institute
for Medical Research, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
- Department
of Biophysical Chemistry, University of
Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69117, Germany
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47
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Roy Choudhury A, Gupta S, Chaturvedi PK, Kumar N, Pandey D. Mechanobiology of Cancer Stem Cells and Their Niche. CANCER MICROENVIRONMENT : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL CANCER MICROENVIRONMENT SOCIETY 2019; 12:17-27. [PMID: 31004332 PMCID: PMC6529500 DOI: 10.1007/s12307-019-00222-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Though the existence of cancer stem cells remained enigmatic initially, over the time their participation in tumorigenesis and tumor progression has become highly evident. Today, they are also appreciated as the causal element for tumor heterogeneity and drug-resistance. Cancer stem cells activate a set of molecular pathways some of which are triggered by the unique mechanical properties of the tumor tissue stroma. A relatively new field called mechanobiology has emerged, which aims to critically evaluate the mechanical properties associated with biological events like tissue morphogenesis, cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions, cellular migration and also the development and progression of cancer. Development of more realistic model systems and biophysical instrumentation for observation and manipulation of cell-dynamics in real-time has invoked a hope for some novel therapeutic modalities against cancer in the future. This review discusses the fundamental concepts of cancer stem cells from an intriguing viewpoint of mechanobiology and some important breakthroughs to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Roy Choudhury
- Department of Reproductive Biology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Surabhi Gupta
- Department of Reproductive Biology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Pradeep Kumar Chaturvedi
- Department of Reproductive Biology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Neeraj Kumar
- Department of Reproductive Biology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Deepak Pandey
- Department of Reproductive Biology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India.
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48
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Zañudo JGT, Guinn MT, Farquhar K, Szenk M, Steinway SN, Balázsi G, Albert R. Towards control of cellular decision-making networks in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Phys Biol 2019; 16:031002. [PMID: 30654341 PMCID: PMC6405305 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/aaffa1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
We present the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) from two perspectives: experimental/technological and theoretical. We review the state of the current understanding of the regulatory networks that underlie EMT in three physiological contexts: embryonic development, wound healing, and metastasis. We describe the existing experimental systems and manipulations used to better understand the molecular participants and factors that influence EMT and metastasis. We review the mathematical models of the regulatory networks involved in EMT, with a particular emphasis on the network motifs (such as coupled feedback loops) that can generate intermediate hybrid states between the epithelial and mesenchymal states. Ultimately, the understanding gained about these networks should be translated into methods to control phenotypic outcomes, especially in the context of cancer therapeutic strategies. We present emerging theories of how to drive the dynamics of a network toward a desired dynamical attractor (e.g. an epithelial cell state) and emerging synthetic biology technologies to monitor and control the state of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Gómez Tejeda Zañudo
- Department of Physics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Cancer Program, Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - M. Tyler Guinn
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794 USA
- Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
- Stony Brook Medical Scientist Training Program, 101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Kevin Farquhar
- Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Mariola Szenk
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794 USA
- Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Steven N. Steinway
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Gábor Balázsi
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794 USA
- Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Réka Albert
- Department of Physics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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49
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Modelling actin polymerization: the effect on confined cell migration. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2019; 18:1177-1187. [PMID: 30843134 PMCID: PMC6647863 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-019-01136-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this work is to model cell motility under conditions of mechanical confinement. This cell migration mode may occur in extravasation of tumour and neutrophil-like cells. Cell migration is the result of the complex action of different forces exerted by the interplay between myosin contractility forces and actin processes. Here, we propose and implement a finite element model of the confined migration of a single cell. In this model, we consider the effects of actin and myosin in cell motility. Both filament and globular actin are modelled. We model the cell considering cytoplasm and nucleus with different mechanical properties. The migration speed in the simulation is around 0.1 μm/min, which is in agreement with existing literature. From our simulation, we observe that the nucleus size has an important role in cell migration inside the channel. In the simulation the cell moves further when the nucleus is smaller. However, this speed is less sensitive to nucleus stiffness. The results show that the cell displacement is lower when the nucleus is stiffer. The degree of adhesion between the channel walls and the cell is also very important in confined migration. We observe an increment of cell velocity when the friction coefficient is higher.
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50
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Atmaramani R, Black BJ, Lam KH, Sheth VM, Pancrazio JJ, Schmidtke DW, Alsmadi NZ. The Effect of Microfluidic Geometry on Myoblast Migration. MICROMACHINES 2019; 10:E143. [PMID: 30795574 PMCID: PMC6412509 DOI: 10.3390/mi10020143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In vitro systems comprised of wells interconnected by microchannels have emerged as a platform for the study of cell migration or multicellular models. In the present study, we systematically evaluated the effect of microchannel width on spontaneous myoblast migration across these microchannels-from the proximal to the distal chamber. Myoblast migration was examined in microfluidic devices with varying microchannel widths of 1.5⁻20 µm, and in chips with uniform microchannel widths over time spans that are relevant for myoblast-to-myofiber differentiation in vitro. We found that the likelihood of spontaneous myoblast migration was microchannel width dependent and that a width of 3 µm was necessary to limit spontaneous migration below 5% of cells in the seeded well after 48 h. These results inform the future design of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannel-based co-culture platforms as well as future in vitro studies of myoblast migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Atmaramani
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA.
| | - Bryan J Black
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA.
| | - Kevin H Lam
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA.
| | - Vinit M Sheth
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA.
| | - Joseph J Pancrazio
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA.
| | - David W Schmidtke
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA.
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