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Chen F, Wei X, Chen K, Wang L, Xu M. Massive fabrication of functional hepatic cancer spheroids by micropatterned GelMA hydrogel chip for drug screening. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2024; 244:114171. [PMID: 39191112 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2024.114171] [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: 07/15/2024] [Revised: 08/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Since hepatic cancer incidence and mortality continue to grow worldwide, it is necessary to develop the biomimetic tumor models for drug development and tumor therapeutics. Cellular spheroids as an excellent simple 3D model can bridge the gap between 2D cell culture and live tissue. In this study, we proposed a biological methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) hydrogel-based microplatform for the massive generation of hepatocellular spheroids and downstream investigation of drug resistance. Micropatterned GelMA hydrogel microwell chip (GHM-chip) with tunable array was easily achieved in standard 24-culture well plates through the micro-molding fabrication strategy. The fabricated GHM-chip induced multicellular self-assembly behavior within the defined topography and further formed spheroidal structure. By regulating cell seeding density and designing microwell size, uniform hepatic cancer spheroids with tunable diameters were obtained in a simplicity, stability and controllable manner. In addition, the screening chemotherapy study of anti-cancer drug was completed through non-destructive recovery of spheroids from the GHM-chip. Beyond that, the recovered functional spheroids have potential application value in various biomedical fields such as tumor biology, pharmacology, and tissue microengineering. Finally, the proposed GHM-chip incorporated into standard cell culture plates with easy to manufacture and operate properties, may be an efficient culture microplatform for cancer research applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Chen
- School of Automation, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Xiaoyun Wei
- School of Automation, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China; Key Laboratory of Medical Information and 3D Bioprinting of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China.
| | - Keke Chen
- School of Automation, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Ling Wang
- School of Automation, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China; Key Laboratory of Medical Information and 3D Bioprinting of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Mingen Xu
- School of Automation, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China; Key Laboratory of Medical Information and 3D Bioprinting of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China.
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2
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Tan J, Zhu L, Shi J, Zhang J, Kuang J, Guo Q, Zhu X, Chen Y, Zhou C, Gao X. Evaluation of drug resistance for EGFR-TKIs in lung cancer via multicellular lung-on-a-chip. Eur J Pharm Sci 2024; 199:106805. [PMID: 38763450 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2024.106805] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Drug resistance to irreversible epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) is a primary factor affecting their therapeutic efficacy in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC cells can undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by many factors in the tumour microenvironment (TME), which plays a crucial role in tumour drug resistance. In this study, a multicellular lung-on-a-chip that can realise the cell co-culture of the human non-small cell lung cancer cell line HCC827, human foetal lung fibroblasts (HFL-1), and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) is prepared. The TME was simulated on the chip combined with perfusion and other factors, and the drug evaluation of osimertinib was performed to explore the drug resistance mechanism of EGFR-TKIs. In the early stages, a two-dimensional static cell co-culture was achieved by microchip, and the results showed that HFL-1 cells could be transformed into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and HCC827 cells could undergo EMT, both of which were mediated by Interleukin-6 (IL-6). Vimentin (VIM) and Alpha Skeletal Muscle Actin (a-SMA) expression of HFL-1 was upregulated, whereas E-cadherin (E-cad) expression of HCC827 was down-regulated. Further, N-cadherin (N-cad) expression of HCC827 was upregulated. In both the static cell co-culture and multicellular lung-on-a-chip, HCC827 cells with CAFs co-culture or IL-6 treatment developed resistance to osimertinib. Further use of the IL-6 antibody inhibitor tocilizumab could reverse EGFR-TKI resistance to a certain extent. Combination therapy with tocilizumab and EGFR-TKIs may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for overcoming EGFR-TKI resistance caused by EMT in NSCLC. Furthermore, the lung-on-a-chip can simulate complex TME and can be used for evaluating tumour resistance and exploring mechanisms, with the potential to become an important tool for personalised diagnosis, treatment, and biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Tan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518101, China; The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510030, China
| | - Leqing Zhu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518101, China; Shenzhen Clinical Medical College, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen,518101, China
| | - Jingyan Shi
- Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Jianhua Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518101, China
| | - Jun Kuang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518101, China
| | - Quanwei Guo
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518101, China
| | - Xiaojia Zhu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518101, China
| | - Yuliang Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518101, China
| | - Chengbin Zhou
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510030, China; Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510030, China.
| | - Xinghua Gao
- Materials Genome Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
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Andrade FRS, da Silva EL, Marinho AD, Oliveira ACX, Sánchez-Porras D, Bermejo-Casares F, Montenegro RC, Carriel V, Monteiro HSA, Jorge RJB. A new 3D model of L929 fibroblasts microtissues uncovers the effects of Bothrops erythromelas venom and its antivenom. Arch Toxicol 2024:10.1007/s00204-024-03824-0. [PMID: 39009783 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03824-0] [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: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
In Brazil, around 80% of snakebites are caused by snakes of the genus Bothrops. A three-dimensional culture model was standardized and used to perform treatments with Bothrops erythromelas venom (BeV) and its antivenom (AV). The MRC-5 and L929 cell lines were cultured at increasing cell densities. Morphometric parameters were evaluated through images obtained from an inverted microscope: solidity, circularity, and Feret diameter. L929 microtissues (MT) showed better morphometric data, and thus they were used for further analysis. MT viability was assessed using the acridine orange and ethidium bromide staining method, which showed viable cells in the MT on days 5, 7, and 10 of cultivation. Histochemical and histological analyses were performed, including hematoxylin/eosin staining, which showed a good structure of the spheroids. Alcian blue staining revealed the presence of acid proteoglycans. Immunohistochemical analysis with ki-67 showed different patterns of cell proliferation. The MT were also subjected to pharmacological tests using the BeV, in the presence or absence of its AV. The results showed that the venom was not cytotoxic, but it caused morphological changes. The MT showed cell detachment, losing their structure. The antivenom was able to partially prevent the venom activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- F R S Andrade
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Coronel Nunes de Melo St, 1127, Fortaleza, CE, 60.430-275, Brazil.
- Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Coronel Nunes de Melo St, 1000, Fortaleza, CE, 60.430-275, Brazil.
| | - E L da Silva
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Coronel Nunes de Melo St, 1127, Fortaleza, CE, 60.430-275, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Coronel Nunes de Melo St, 1000, Fortaleza, CE, 60.430-275, Brazil
| | - A D Marinho
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Coronel Nunes de Melo St, 1127, Fortaleza, CE, 60.430-275, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Coronel Nunes de Melo St, 1000, Fortaleza, CE, 60.430-275, Brazil
| | - A C X Oliveira
- Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Coronel Nunes de Melo St, 1000, Fortaleza, CE, 60.430-275, Brazil
- Department of Morphology, School of Medicine, Postgraduate Program in Morphological Science, Federal University of Ceará, Delmiro de Farias St., Fortaleza, CE, 60.430-170, Brazil
| | - D Sánchez-Porras
- Department of Histology (Tissue Engineering Group), Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, and Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, Ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - F Bermejo-Casares
- Department of Histology (Tissue Engineering Group), Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, and Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, Ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - R C Montenegro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Coronel Nunes de Melo St, 1127, Fortaleza, CE, 60.430-275, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Coronel Nunes de Melo St, 1000, Fortaleza, CE, 60.430-275, Brazil
| | - V Carriel
- Department of Histology (Tissue Engineering Group), Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, and Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, Ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - H S A Monteiro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Coronel Nunes de Melo St, 1127, Fortaleza, CE, 60.430-275, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Coronel Nunes de Melo St, 1000, Fortaleza, CE, 60.430-275, Brazil
| | - R J B Jorge
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Coronel Nunes de Melo St, 1127, Fortaleza, CE, 60.430-275, Brazil
- Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM), Federal University of Ceará, Coronel Nunes de Melo St, 1000, Fortaleza, CE, 60.430-275, Brazil
- Department of Morphology, School of Medicine, Postgraduate Program in Morphological Science, Federal University of Ceará, Delmiro de Farias St., Fortaleza, CE, 60.430-170, Brazil
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Fei X, Liang D, Zhao H, Yang Y, Yin M, He Z, Liu Z, Fan X. Preparation of chitosan-hyaluronic acid microcapsules and its dynamic release behavior analysis in a 3D-printed microchannel system: Exploration and verification. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 273:133031. [PMID: 38866283 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
This research focuses on the challenges of efficiently constructing drug carriers and evaluating their dynamic release in vitro simulation. By using pickering emulsion and layer-by-layer self-assembly methods. The microcapsules had tea tree oil as the core material, SiO2 nanoparticles as stabilizers, and chitosan and hyaluronic acid as shell materials. The microencapsulation mechanism, as well as the effects of core-shell mass ratio and stirring, were discussed. Specifically, a dynamic circulation simulation microchannel system was designed and manufactured based on 3D printing technology. In this simulation system, the release rate of microcapsules is accelerated and the trend changes, with its behavior aligning with the Boltzmann model. The study demonstrates the advantages of self-assembled inorganic-organic drug-loaded microcapsules in terms of controllable fabrication and ease of functional modification, and shows the potential of 3D printed cyclic microchannel systems in terms of operability and simulation fidelity in drug and physiological analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuening Fei
- School of Science, Tianjin Engineering Technology Center of Chemical Wastewater Source Reduction and Recycling, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China; School of Environmental Science and Safety Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Dongchi Liang
- School of Science, Tianjin Engineering Technology Center of Chemical Wastewater Source Reduction and Recycling, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Hongbin Zhao
- School of Science, Tianjin Engineering Technology Center of Chemical Wastewater Source Reduction and Recycling, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China; State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; Rianlon Corporation, Tianjin 300480, China.
| | - Yanzi Yang
- School of Science, Tianjin Engineering Technology Center of Chemical Wastewater Source Reduction and Recycling, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Mingyang Yin
- School of Science, Tianjin Engineering Technology Center of Chemical Wastewater Source Reduction and Recycling, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Zhengkuan He
- School of Science, Tianjin Engineering Technology Center of Chemical Wastewater Source Reduction and Recycling, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Zunfeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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Mehta V, Vilikkathala Sudhakaran S, Nellore V, Madduri S, Rath SN. 3D stem-like spheroids-on-a-chip for personalized combinatorial drug testing in oral cancer. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:344. [PMID: 38890730 PMCID: PMC11186147 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02625-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: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional drug testing (FDT) with patient-derived tumor cells in microfluidic devices is gaining popularity. However, the majority of previously reported microfluidic devices for FDT were limited by at least one of these factors: lengthy fabrication procedures, absence of tumor progenitor cells, lack of clinical correlation, and mono-drug therapy testing. Furthermore, personalized microfluidic models based on spheroids derived from oral cancer patients remain to be thoroughly validated. Overcoming the limitations, we develop 3D printed mold-based, dynamic, and personalized oral stem-like spheroids-on-a-chip, featuring unique serpentine loops and flat-bottom microwells arrangement. RESULTS This unique arrangement enables the screening of seven combinations of three drugs on chemoresistive cancer stem-like cells. Oral cancer patients-derived stem-like spheroids (CD 44+) remains highly viable (> 90%) for 5 days. Treatment with a well-known oral cancer chemotherapy regimen (paclitaxel, 5 fluorouracil, and cisplatin) at clinically relevant dosages results in heterogeneous drug responses in spheroids. These spheroids are derived from three oral cancer patients, each diagnosed with either well-differentiated or moderately-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Oral spheroids exhibit dissimilar morphology, size, and oral tumor-relevant oxygen levels (< 5% O2). These features correlate with the drug responses and clinical diagnosis from each patient's histopathological report. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we demonstrate the influence of tumor differentiation status on treatment responses, which has been rarely carried out in the previous reports. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating extensive work on development of microfluidic based oral cancer spheroid model for personalized combinatorial drug screening. Furthermore, the obtained clinical correlation of drug screening data represents a significant advancement over previously reported personalized spheroid-based microfluidic devices. Finally, the maintenance of patient-derived spheroids with high viability under oral cancer relevant oxygen levels of less than 5% O2 is a more realistic representation of solid tumor microenvironment in our developed device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viraj Mehta
- Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Laboratory (RMS), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Sangareddy, Kandi, 502285, Telangana, India
| | - Sukanya Vilikkathala Sudhakaran
- Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Laboratory (RMS), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Sangareddy, Kandi, 502285, Telangana, India
| | - Vijaykumar Nellore
- Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Laboratory (RMS), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Sangareddy, Kandi, 502285, Telangana, India
| | - Srinivas Madduri
- Department of Surgery, University of Geneva, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Subha Narayan Rath
- Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Laboratory (RMS), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Sangareddy, Kandi, 502285, Telangana, India.
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Kim S, Lam PY, Jayaraman A, Han A. Uniform sized cancer spheroids production using hydrogel-based droplet microfluidics: a review. Biomed Microdevices 2024; 26:26. [PMID: 38806765 PMCID: PMC11241584 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-024-00712-3] [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] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models have been extensively utilized in various mechanistic studies as well as for drug development studies as superior in vitro platforms than conventional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture models. This is especially the case in cancer biology, where 3D cancer models, such as spheroids or organoids, have been utilized extensively to understand the mechanisms of cancer development. Recently, many sophisticated 3D models such as organ-on-a-chip models are emerging as advanced in vitro models that can more accurately mimic the in vivo tissue functions. Despite such advancements, spheroids are still considered as a powerful 3D cancer model due to the relatively simple structure and compatibility with existing laboratory instruments, and also can provide orders of magnitude higher throughput than complex in vitro models, an extremely important aspects for drug development. However, creating well-defined spheroids remain challenging, both in terms of throughputs in generation as well as reproducibility in size and shape that can make it challenging for drug testing applications. In the past decades, droplet microfluidics utilizing hydrogels have been highlighted due to their potentials. Importantly, core-shell structured gel droplets can avoid spheroid-to-spheroid adhesion that can cause large variations in assays while also enabling long-term cultivation of spheroids with higher uniformity by protecting the core organoid area from external environment while the outer porous gel layer still allows nutrient exchange. Hence, core-shell gel droplet-based spheroid formation can improve the predictivity and reproducibility of drug screening assays. This review paper will focus on droplet microfluidics-based technologies for cancer spheroid production using various gel materials and structures. In addition, we will discuss emerging technologies that have the potential to advance the production of spheroids, prospects of such technologies, and remaining challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungjin Kim
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Po Yi Lam
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Arul Jayaraman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Arum Han
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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Luan Q, Pulido I, Isagirre A, Carretero J, Zhou J, Shimamura T, Papautsky I. Deciphering fibroblast-induced drug resistance in non-small cell lung carcinoma through patient-derived organoids in agarose microwells. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:2025-2038. [PMID: 38410967 PMCID: PMC11209828 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc01044a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) serve as invaluable 3D tumor models, retaining the histological complexity and genetic heterogeneity found in primary tumors. However, the limitation of small sample volumes and the lack of tailored platforms have hindered the research using PDOs. Within the tumor microenvironment, cancer-associated fibroblasts play a pivotal role in influencing drug sensitivity. In this study, we introduce an agarose microwell platform designed for PDO-based tumor and tumor microenvironment models, enabling rapid drug screening and resistance studies with small sample volumes. These microwells, constructed using 3D printing molds, feature a U-shaped bottom and 200 μm diameter. We successfully generated co-culture spheroids of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells, including NCI-H358 or A549, and NSCLC PDOs F231 or F671 with fibroblast cell line, WI-38. Our results demonstrate the production of uniformly-sized spheroids (coefficient of variation <30%), high viability (>80% after 1 week), and fibroblast-induced drug resistance. The PDOs maintained their viability (>81% after 2 weeks) and continued to proliferate. Notably, when exposed to adagrasib, a KRASG12C inhibitor, we observed reduced cytotoxicity in KRASG12C-mutant spheroids when co-cultured with fibroblasts or their supernatant. The fibroblast supernatant sustained proliferative signals in tumor models. Taking into account the physical features, viability, and drug resistance acquired through supernatants from the fibroblasts, our platform emerges as a suitable platform for in vitro tumor modeling and the evaluation of drug efficacy using patient-derived tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyue Luan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, 851 S. Morgan Street, 218 SEO, Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
| | - Ines Pulido
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Angelique Isagirre
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, 851 S. Morgan Street, 218 SEO, Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
| | - Julian Carretero
- Departament de Fisiologia, Facultat de Farmacia, Universitat de Valencia, Burjassot, 46010, Spain
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, 851 S. Morgan Street, 218 SEO, Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Takeshi Shimamura
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Ian Papautsky
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, 851 S. Morgan Street, 218 SEO, Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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Eiken MK, Childs CJ, Brastrom LK, Frum T, Plaster EM, Shachaf O, Pfeiffer S, Levine JE, Alysandratos KD, Kotton DN, Spence JR, Loebel C. Nascent matrix deposition supports alveolar organoid formation from aggregates in synthetic hydrogels. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.19.585720. [PMID: 38562781 PMCID: PMC10983987 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.19.585720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived alveolar organoids have emerged as a system to model the alveolar epithelium in homeostasis and disease. However, alveolar organoids are typically grown in Matrigel, a mouse-sarcoma derived basement membrane matrix that offers poor control over matrix properties, prompting the development of synthetic hydrogels as a Matrigel alternative. Here, we develop a two-step culture method that involves pre-aggregation of organoids in hydrogel-based microwells followed by embedding in a synthetic hydrogel that supports alveolar organoid growth, while also offering considerable control over organoid and hydrogel properties. We find that the aggregated organoids secrete their own nascent extracellular matrix (ECM) both in the microwells and upon embedding in the synthetic hydrogels. Thus, the synthetic gels described here allow us to de-couple exogenous and nascent ECM in order to interrogate the role of ECM in organoid formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline K. Eiken
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Charlie J. Childs
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Lindy K. Brastrom
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Tristan Frum
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Eleanor M. Plaster
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Orren Shachaf
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Suzanne Pfeiffer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Justin E. Levine
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Konstantinos-Dionysios Alysandratos
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- The Pulmonary Center and Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Darrell N. Kotton
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- The Pulmonary Center and Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Jason R. Spence
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Claudia Loebel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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9
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Belloni A, Pugnaloni A, Rippo MR, Di Valerio S, Giordani C, Procopio AD, Bronte G. The cell line models to study tyrosine kinase inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer with mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor: A scoping review. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 194:104246. [PMID: 38135018 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104246] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) represents ∼85% of all lung cancers and ∼15-20% of them are characterized by mutations affecting the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR). For several years now, a class of tyrosine kinase inhibitors was developed, targeting sensitive mutations affecting the EGFR (EGFR-TKIs). To date, the main burden of the TKIs employment is due to the onset of resistance mutations. This scoping review aims to resume the current situation about the cell line models employed for the in vitro evaluation of resistance mechanisms induced by EGFR-TKIs in oncogene-addicted NSCLC. Adenocarcinoma results the most studied NSCLC histotype with the H1650, H1975, HCC827 and PC9 mutated cell lines, while Gefitinib and Osimertinib the most investigated inhibitors. Overall, data collected frame the current advancement of this topic, showing a plethora of approaches pursued to overcome the TKIs resistance, from RNA-mediated strategies to the innovative combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Belloni
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences (DISCLIMO), Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Armanda Pugnaloni
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences (DISCLIMO), Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Maria Rita Rippo
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences (DISCLIMO), Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Valerio
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences (DISCLIMO), Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Chiara Giordani
- Clinic of Laboratory and Precision Medicine, National Institute of Health and Sciences on Ageing (IRCCS INRCA), Ancona, Italy
| | - Antonio Domenico Procopio
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences (DISCLIMO), Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Clinic of Laboratory and Precision Medicine, National Institute of Health and Sciences on Ageing (IRCCS INRCA), Ancona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bronte
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences (DISCLIMO), Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Clinic of Laboratory and Precision Medicine, National Institute of Health and Sciences on Ageing (IRCCS INRCA), Ancona, Italy.
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10
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Purev E, Bahmed K, Kosmider B. Alveolar Organoids in Lung Disease Modeling. Biomolecules 2024; 14:115. [PMID: 38254715 PMCID: PMC10813493 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung organoids display a tissue-specific functional phenomenon and mimic the features of the original organ. They can reflect the properties of the cells, such as morphology, polarity, proliferation rate, gene expression, and genomic profile. Alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells have a stem cell potential in the adult lung. They produce and secrete pulmonary surfactant and proliferate to restore the epithelium after damage. Therefore, AT2 cells are used to generate alveolar organoids and can recapitulate distal lung structures. Also, AT2 cells in human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived alveolospheres express surfactant proteins and other factors, indicating their application as suitable models for studying cell-cell interactions. Recently, they have been utilized to define mechanisms of disease development, such as COVID-19, lung cancer, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In this review, we show lung organoid applications in various pulmonary diseases, drug screening, and personalized medicine. In addition, stem cell-based therapeutics and approaches relevant to lung repair were highlighted. We also described the signaling pathways and epigenetic regulation of lung regeneration. It is critical to identify novel regulators of alveolar organoid generations to promote lung repair in pulmonary diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enkhee Purev
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Inflammation, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
- Center for Inflammation and Lung Research, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Karim Bahmed
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Inflammation, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
- Center for Inflammation and Lung Research, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
- Department of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Beata Kosmider
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Inflammation, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
- Center for Inflammation and Lung Research, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
- Department of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
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11
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Zhu L, Tang Q, Mao Z, Chen H, Wu L, Qin Y. Microfluidic-based platforms for cell-to-cell communication studies. Biofabrication 2023; 16:012005. [PMID: 38035370 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad1116] [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: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Intercellular communication is critical to the understanding of human health and disease progression. However, compared to traditional methods with inefficient analysis, microfluidic co-culture technologies developed for cell-cell communication research can reliably analyze crucial biological processes, such as cell signaling, and monitor dynamic intercellular interactions under reproducible physiological cell co-culture conditions. Moreover, microfluidic-based technologies can achieve precise spatial control of two cell types at the single-cell level with high throughput. Herein, this review focuses on recent advances in microfluidic-based 2D and 3D devices developed to confine two or more heterogeneous cells in the study of intercellular communication and decipher the advantages and limitations of these models in specific cellular research scenarios. This review will stimulate the development of more functionalized microfluidic platforms for biomedical research, inspiring broader interests across various disciplines to better comprehend cell-cell communication and other fields, such as tumor heterogeneity and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lvyang Zhu
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Public Health and Medical Analysis, School of Public Health, Nantong University, No. 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Qu Tang
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Public Health and Medical Analysis, School of Public Health, Nantong University, No. 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenzhen Mao
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Public Health and Medical Analysis, School of Public Health, Nantong University, No. 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Huanhuan Chen
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Public Health and Medical Analysis, School of Public Health, Nantong University, No. 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Wu
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Public Health and Medical Analysis, School of Public Health, Nantong University, No. 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuling Qin
- Nantong Key Laboratory of Public Health and Medical Analysis, School of Public Health, Nantong University, No. 9, Seyuan Road, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
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12
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Macaraniag C, Zhou J, Li J, Putzbach W, Hay N, Papautsky I. Microfluidic isolation of breast cancer circulating tumor cells from microvolumes of mouse blood. Electrophoresis 2023; 44:1859-1867. [PMID: 37528726 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202300108] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Liquid biopsy has shown significant research and clinical implications in cancer. Particularly, the isolation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in preclinical studies can provide crucial information about disease progression and therefore may guide treatment decisions. Microfluidic isolation systems have played a considerable role in CTC isolation for cancer studies, disease diagnosis, and prognosis. CTCs are often studied using preclinical animal models such as xenografts or syngeneic models. However, most isolation systems are tested on human cell lines and human blood, whereas less validation studies are done on preclinical samples such as CTCs from mouse models. Here, we demonstrate and evaluate a complete workflow of a sized-based inertial microfluidic device to isolate CTCs from blood using exclusively mouse blood and mouse cancer cell lines. We then incorporate the cytospin, a commonly used method for enumeration of small number of cells in a glass slide to quantify the total cell yield of our workflow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine Macaraniag
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - William Putzbach
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Nissim Hay
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ian Papautsky
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- University of Illinois Cancer Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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13
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Gómez-Álvarez M, Agustina-Hernández M, Francés-Herrero E, Rodríguez-Eguren A, Bueno-Fernandez C, Cervelló I. Addressing Key Questions in Organoid Models: Who, Where, How, and Why? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16014. [PMID: 37958996 PMCID: PMC10650475 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242116014] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Organoids are three-dimensional cellular structures designed to recreate the biological characteristics of the body's native tissues and organs in vitro. There has been a recent surge in studies utilizing organoids due to their distinct advantages over traditional two-dimensional in vitro approaches. However, there is no consensus on how to define organoids. This literature review aims to clarify the concept of organoids and address the four fundamental questions pertaining to organoid models: (i) What constitutes organoids?-The cellular material. (ii) Where do organoids grow?-The extracellular scaffold. (iii) How are organoids maintained in vitro?-Via the culture media. (iv) Why are organoids suitable in vitro models?-They represent reproducible, stable, and scalable models for biological applications. Finally, this review provides an update on the organoid models employed within the female reproductive tract, underscoring their relevance in both basic biology and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Gómez-Álvarez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), IVI Foundation, IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (M.G.-Á.); (M.A.-H.); (E.F.-H.); (A.R.-E.); (C.B.-F.)
| | - Marcos Agustina-Hernández
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), IVI Foundation, IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (M.G.-Á.); (M.A.-H.); (E.F.-H.); (A.R.-E.); (C.B.-F.)
| | - Emilio Francés-Herrero
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), IVI Foundation, IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (M.G.-Á.); (M.A.-H.); (E.F.-H.); (A.R.-E.); (C.B.-F.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universitat de València, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Adolfo Rodríguez-Eguren
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), IVI Foundation, IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (M.G.-Á.); (M.A.-H.); (E.F.-H.); (A.R.-E.); (C.B.-F.)
| | - Clara Bueno-Fernandez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), IVI Foundation, IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (M.G.-Á.); (M.A.-H.); (E.F.-H.); (A.R.-E.); (C.B.-F.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universitat de València, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Irene Cervelló
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), IVI Foundation, IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (M.G.-Á.); (M.A.-H.); (E.F.-H.); (A.R.-E.); (C.B.-F.)
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14
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Cardona S, Mostafazadeh N, Luan Q, Zhou J, Peng Z, Papautsky I. Numerical Modeling of Physical Cell Trapping in Microfluidic Chips. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:1665. [PMID: 37763828 PMCID: PMC10538085 DOI: 10.3390/mi14091665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Microfluidic methods have proven to be effective in separation and isolation of cells for a wide range of biomedical applications. Among these methods, physical trapping is a label-free isolation approach that relies on cell size as the selective phenotype to retain target cells on-chip for follow-up analysis and imaging. In silico models have been used to optimize the design of such hydrodynamic traps and to investigate cancer cell transmigration through narrow constrictions. While most studies focus on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of flow over cells and/or pillar traps, a quantitative analysis of mechanical interaction between cells and trapping units is missing. The existing literature centers on longitudinally extended geometries (e.g., micro-vessels) to understand the biological phenomenon rather than designing an effective cell trap. In this work, we aim to make an experimentally informed prediction of the critical pressure for a cell to pass through a trapping unit as a function of cell morphology and trapping unit geometry. Our findings show that a hyperelastic material model accurately captures the stress-related softening behavior observed in cancer cells passing through micro-constrictions. These findings are used to develop a model capable of predicting and extrapolating critical pressure values. The validity of the model is assessed with experimental data. Regression analysis is used to derive a mathematical framework for critical pressure. Coupled with CFD analysis, one can use this formulation to design efficient microfluidic devices for cell trapping and potentially perform downstream analysis of trapped cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ian Papautsky
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
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15
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Li W, Zhou Z, Zhou X, Khoo BL, Gunawan R, Chin YR, Zhang L, Yi C, Guan X, Yang M. 3D Biomimetic Models to Reconstitute Tumor Microenvironment In Vitro: Spheroids, Organoids, and Tumor-on-a-Chip. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2202609. [PMID: 36917657 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202202609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Decades of efforts in engineering in vitro cancer models have advanced drug discovery and the insight into cancer biology. However, the establishment of preclinical models that enable fully recapitulating the tumor microenvironment remains challenging owing to its intrinsic complexity. Recent progress in engineering techniques has allowed the development of a new generation of in vitro preclinical models that can recreate complex in vivo tumor microenvironments and accurately predict drug responses, including spheroids, organoids, and tumor-on-a-chip. These biomimetic 3D tumor models are of particular interest as they pave the way for better understanding of cancer biology and accelerating the development of new anticancer therapeutics with reducing animal use. Here, the recent advances in developing these in vitro platforms for cancer modeling and preclinical drug screening, focusing on incorporating hydrogels are reviewed to reconstitute physiologically relevant microenvironments. The combination of spheroids/organoids with microfluidic technologies is also highlighted to better mimic in vivo tumors and discuss the challenges and future directions in the clinical translation of such models for drug screening and personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxiu Li
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, China
| | - Zhihang Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhou
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, China
| | - Bee Luan Khoo
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Renardi Gunawan
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, China
| | - Y Rebecca Chin
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, China
| | - Changqing Yi
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering and Technology Center of Advanced and Portable Medical Devices, School of Biomedical Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 518107, China
| | - Xinyuan Guan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, China
| | - Mengsu Yang
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, China
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16
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Trinh TND, Do HDK, Nam NN, Dan TT, Trinh KTL, Lee NY. Droplet-Based Microfluidics: Applications in Pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:937. [PMID: 37513850 PMCID: PMC10385691 DOI: 10.3390/ph16070937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Droplet-based microfluidics offer great opportunities for applications in various fields, such as diagnostics, food sciences, and drug discovery. A droplet provides an isolated environment for performing a single reaction within a microscale-volume sample, allowing for a fast reaction with a high sensitivity, high throughput, and low risk of cross-contamination. Owing to several remarkable features, droplet-based microfluidic techniques have been intensively studied. In this review, we discuss the impact of droplet microfluidics, particularly focusing on drug screening and development. In addition, we surveyed various methods of device fabrication and droplet generation/manipulation. We further highlight some promising studies covering drug synthesis and delivery that were updated within the last 5 years. This review provides researchers with a quick guide that includes the most up-to-date and relevant information on the latest scientific findings on the development of droplet-based microfluidics in the pharmaceutical field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi Ngoc Diep Trinh
- Department of Materials Science, School of Applied Chemistry, Tra Vinh University, Tra Vinh City 87000, Vietnam
| | - Hoang Dang Khoa Do
- NTT Hi-Tech Institute, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ward 13, District 04, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Nhat Nam
- Biotechnology Center, School of Agriculture and Aquaculture, Tra Vinh University, Tra Vinh City 87000, Vietnam
| | - Thach Thi Dan
- Department of Materials Science, School of Applied Chemistry, Tra Vinh University, Tra Vinh City 87000, Vietnam
| | - Kieu The Loan Trinh
- BioNano Applications Research Center, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnam-daero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Nae Yoon Lee
- Department of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnam-daero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 13120, Republic of Korea
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17
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Sun M, Zhang J, Fu W, Xuanyuan T, Liu W. Facile construction of a 3D tumor model with multiple biomimetic characteristics using a micropatterned chip for large-scale chemotherapy investigation. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:2161-2174. [PMID: 36943157 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00009e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The establishment and application of biomimetic preclinical tumor models for generalizable and high-throughput antitumor screening play a promising role in drug discovery and cancer therapeutics. Herein, a facile and robust microengineering-assisted methodology for highly biomimetic three-dimensional (3D) tumor construction for dynamic and large-scale antitumor investigation is developed using micropatterned array chips. The high fidelity, simplicity, and stability of chip fabrication are guaranteed by improved polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microcontact printing. The employment of a PDMS-micropatterned chip permits microscale, simple, biocompatible, and reproducible cell localization with quantity uniformity and 3D tumor array formation with geometric homogeneity. Array-like 3D tumor models possessing complex multilayer cell arrangements, diverse phenotypic gradients, and biochemical gradients were prepared based on the use of easy-to-operate chips. The applicability of the established biomimetic models in temporal and massive investigations of tumor responses to antitumor chemotherapy is also verified experimentally. The results support the importance of the dimensional geometry and biomimetic degree of 3D tumors when conducting antitumor screening to explore drug susceptibility and resistance. This work provides a facile and reliable strategy to perform highly biomimetic tumor manipulation and analysis, which holds great potential for applications in oncology, pharmacology, precision medicine, and tissue microengineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meilin Sun
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China.
| | - Jinwei Zhang
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China.
| | - Wenzhu Fu
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China.
| | - Tingting Xuanyuan
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China.
| | - Wenming Liu
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China.
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18
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Fu W, Sun M, Zhang J, Xuanyuan T, Liu X, Zhou Y, Liu W. Combinatorial Drug Screening Based on Massive 3D Tumor Cultures Using Micropatterned Array Chips. Anal Chem 2023; 95:2504-2512. [PMID: 36651128 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c04816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The establishment and application of a generalizable three-dimensional (3D) tumor device for high-throughput screening plays an important role in drug discovery and cancer therapeutics. In this study, we introduce a facile microplatform for considerable 3D tumor generation and combinatorial drug screening evaluation. High fidelity of chip fabrication was achieved depending on the simple and well-improved microcontact printing. We demonstrated the high stability and repeatability of the established tumor-on-a-chip system for controllable and massive production of 3D tumors with high size uniformity. Importantly, we accomplished the screening-like chemotherapy investigation involving individual and combinatorial drugs and validated the high accessibility and applicability of the system in 3D tumor-based manipulation and analysis on a large scale. This achievement in tumor-on-a-chip has potential applications in plenty of biomedical fields such as tumor biology, pharmacology, and tissue microengineering. It offers an insight into the development of the popularized microplatform with easy-to-fabricate and easy-to-operate properties for cancer exploration and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhu Fu
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Meilin Sun
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Jinwei Zhang
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Tingting Xuanyuan
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Xufang Liu
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Yujie Zhou
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Wenming Liu
- Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
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19
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Comparison of EMT-Related and Multi-Drug Resistant Gene Expression, Extracellular Matrix Production, and Drug Sensitivity in NSCLC Spheroids Generated by Scaffold-Free and Scaffold-Based Methods. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113306. [PMID: 36362093 PMCID: PMC9657250 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Multicellular 3D tumor models are becoming a powerful tool for testing of novel drug products and personalized anticancer therapy. Tumor spheroids, a commonly used 3D multicellular tumor model, more closely reproduce the tumor microenvironment than conventional 2D cell cultures. It should be noted that spheroids can be produced using different techniques, which can be subdivided into scaffold-free (SF) and scaffold-based (SB) methods. However, it remains unclear, to what extent spheroid properties depend on the method of their generation. In this study, we aimed to carry out a head-to-head comparison of drug sensitivity and molecular expression profile in SF and SB spheroids along with a monolayer (2D) cell culture. Here, we produced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) spheroids based on human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549. Drug sensitivity analysis of the tested cell cultures to five different chemotherapeutics resulted in IC50 (A549-SB) > IC50 (A549-SF) > IC50 (A549-2D) trend. It was found that SF and SB A549 spheroids displayed elevated expression levels of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and proteins associated with drug resistance compared with the monolayer A549 cell culture. Enhanced drug resistance of A549-SB spheroids can be a result of larger diameters and elevated deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) that impairs drug penetration into spheroids. Thus, the choice of the spheroid production method can influence the properties of the generated 3D cell culture and their drug resistance. This fact should be considered for correct interpretation of drug testing results.
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20
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Macaraniag C, Luan Q, Zhou J, Papautsky I. Microfluidic techniques for isolation, formation, and characterization of circulating tumor cells and clusters. APL Bioeng 2022; 6:031501. [PMID: 35856010 PMCID: PMC9288269 DOI: 10.1063/5.0093806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cell (CTC) clusters that are shed from the primary tumor into the bloodstream are associated with a poor prognosis, elevated metastatic potential, higher proliferation rate, and distinct molecular features compared to single CTCs. Studying CTC clusters may give us information on the differences in the genetic profiles, somatic mutations, and epigenetic changes in circulating cells compared to the primary tumor and metastatic sites. Microfluidic systems offer the means of studying CTC clusters through the ability to efficiently isolate these rare cells from the whole blood of patients in a liquid biopsy. Microfluidics can also be used to develop in vitro models of CTC clusters and make possible their characterization and analysis. Ultimately, microfluidic systems can offer the means to gather insight on the complexities of the metastatic process, the biology of cancer, and the potential for developing novel or personalized therapies. In this review, we aim to discuss the advantages and challenges of the existing microfluidic systems for working with CTC clusters. We hope that an improved understanding of the role microfluidics can play in isolation, formation, and characterization of CTC clusters, which can lead to increased sophistication of microfluidic platforms in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine Macaraniag
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
| | - Qiyue Luan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
| | - Ian Papautsky
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA
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