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Martins AM, Brito A, Barbato MG, Felici A, Reis RL, Pires RA, Pashkuleva I, Decuzzi P. Efficacy of molecular and nano-therapies on brain tumor models in microfluidic devices. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2022; 144:213227. [PMID: 36470174 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2022.213227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The three-dimensional (3D) organization of cells affects their mobility, proliferation, and overall response to treatment. Spheroids, organoids, and microfluidic chips are used in cancer research to reproduce in vitro the complex and dynamic malignant microenvironment. Herein, single- and double-channel microfluidic devices are used to mimic the spatial organization of brain tumors and investigate the therapeutic efficacy of molecular and nano anti-cancer agents. Human glioblastoma multiforme (U87-MG) cells were cultured into a Matrigel matrix embedded within the microfluidic devices and exposed to different doses of free docetaxel (DTXL), docetaxel-loaded spherical polymeric nanoparticles (DTXL-SPN), and the aromatic N-glucoside N-(fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)-glucosamine-6-phosphate (Fmoc-Glc6P). We observed that in the single-channel microfluidic device, brain tumor cells are more susceptible to DTXL treatment as compared to conventional cell monolayers (50-fold lower IC50 values). In the double-channel device, the cytotoxicity of free DTXL and DTXL-SPN is comparable, but significantly lowered as compared to the single-channel configuration. Finally, the administration of 500 μM Fmoc-Glc6P in the double-channel microfluidic device shows a 50 % U87-MG cell survival after only 24 h, and no deleterious effect on human astrocytes over 72 h. Concluding, the proposed microfluidic chips can be used to reproduce the 3D complex spatial arrangement of solid tumors and to assess the anti-cancer efficacy of therapeutic compounds administrated in situ or systemically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Martins
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy.
| | - Alexandra Brito
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Maria Grazia Barbato
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Alessia Felici
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ricardo A Pires
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Iva Pashkuleva
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Paolo Decuzzi
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
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2
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Wu Y, Zhou Y, Paul R, Qin X, Islam K, Liu Y. Adaptable Microfluidic Vessel-on-a-Chip Platform for Investigating Tumor Metastatic Transport in Bloodstream. Anal Chem 2022; 94:12159-12166. [PMID: 35998619 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c02556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis counts for 90% of cancer fatalities, and its development process is still a mystery. The dynamic process of tumor metastatic transport in the blood vessel is not well understood, in which some biomechanical factors, such as shear stress and various flow patterns, may have significant impacts. Here, we report a microfluidic vessel-on-a-chip platform for recapitulating several key metastatic steps of tumor cells in blood vessels on the same chip, including intravasation, circulating tumor cell (CTC) vascular adhesion, and extravasation. Due to its excellent adaptability, our system can reproduce various microenvironments to investigate the specific interactions between CTCs and blood vessels. On the basis of this platform, effects of important biomechanical factors on CTC adhesion such as vascular surface properties and vessel geometry-dependent hemodynamics were specifically inspected. We demonstrated that CTC adhesion is more likely to occur under certain mechano-physiological situations, such as vessels with vascular glycocalyx (VGCX) shedding and hemodynamic disturbances. Finally, computational models of both the fluidic dynamics in vessels and CTC adhesion were established based on the confocal scanned 3D images. The modeling results are believed to provide insights into exploring tumor metastasis progression and inspire new ideas for anticancer therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wu
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Yuyuan Zhou
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Ratul Paul
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Xiaochen Qin
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Khayrul Islam
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
| | - Yaling Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States.,Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, United States
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3
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Manna PR, Ahmed AU, Molehin D, Narasimhan M, Pruitt K, Reddy PH. Hormonal and Genetic Regulatory Events in Breast Cancer and Its Therapeutics: Importance of the Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10061313. [PMID: 35740335 PMCID: PMC9220045 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogen promotes the development and survival of the majority of breast cancers (BCs). Aromatase is the rate-limiting enzyme in estrogen biosynthesis, and it is immensely expressed in both cancerous and non-cancerous breast tissues. Endocrine therapy based on estrogen blockade, by aromatase inhibitors, has been the mainstay of BC treatment in post-menopausal women; however, resistance to hormone therapy is the leading cause of cancer death. An improved understanding of the molecular underpinnings is the key to develop therapeutic strategies for countering the most prevalent hormone receptor positive BCs. Of note, cholesterol is the precursor of all steroid hormones that are synthesized in a variety of tissues and play crucial roles in diverse processes, ranging from organogenesis to homeostasis to carcinogenesis. The rate-limiting step in steroid biosynthesis is the transport of cholesterol from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane, a process that is primarily mediated by the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein. Advances in genomic and proteomic technologies have revealed a dynamic link between histone deacetylases (HDACs) and StAR, aromatase, and estrogen regulation. We were the first to report that StAR is abundantly expressed, along with large amounts of 17β-estradiol (E2), in hormone-dependent, but not hormone-independent, BCs, in which StAR was also identified as a novel acetylated protein. Our in-silico analyses of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets, for StAR and steroidogenic enzyme genes, revealed an inverse correlation between the amplification of the StAR gene and the poor survival of BC patients. Additionally, we reported that a number of HDAC inhibitors, by altering StAR acetylation patterns, repress E2 synthesis in hormone-sensitive BC cells. This review highlights the current understanding of molecular pathogenesis of BCs, especially for luminal subtypes, and their therapeutics, underlining that StAR could serve not only as a prognostic marker, but also as a therapeutic candidate, in the prevention and treatment of this life-threatening disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pulak R. Manna
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-806-743-3573; Fax: +1-806-743-3143
| | - Ahsen U. Ahmed
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
| | - Deborah Molehin
- Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (D.M.); (K.P.)
| | - Madhusudhanan Narasimhan
- Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA;
| | - Kevin Pruitt
- Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (D.M.); (K.P.)
| | - P. Hemachandra Reddy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA;
- Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA;
- Neurology, Departments of School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Public Health Department of Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, School Health Professions, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
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Mollica H, Teo YJ, Tan ASM, Tan DZM, Decuzzi P, Pavesi A, Adriani G. A 3D pancreatic tumor model to study T cell infiltration. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:7420-7431. [PMID: 34706370 DOI: 10.1039/d1bm00210d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The desmoplastic nature of the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumor microenvironment (TME) prevents the infiltration of T cells and the penetration of chemotherapeutic drugs, posing a challenge to the validation of targeted therapies, including T cell immunotherapies. We present an in vitro 3D PDAC-TME model to observe and quantify T cell infiltration across the vasculature. In a three-channel microfluidic device, PDAC cells are cultured in a collagen matrix in the central channel surrounded, on one side, by endothelial cells (ECs) to mimic a blood vessel and, on the opposite side, by pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) to simulate exocrine pancreas. The migration of T cells toward the tumor is quantified based on their activation state and TME composition. The presence of EC-lining drastically reduces T cell infiltration, confirming the essential role of the vasculature in controlling T cell trafficking. We show that activated T cells migrate ∼50% more than the not-activated ones toward the cancer cells. Correspondingly, in the absence of cancer cells, both activated and not-activated T cells present similar migration toward the PSCs. The proposed approach could help researchers in testing and optimizing immunotherapies for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilaria Mollica
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, Genova, 16163, Italy
| | - Yi Juan Teo
- Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR, 8A Biomedical Groove, 138648, Singapore.
| | - Alrina Shin Min Tan
- Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR, 8A Biomedical Groove, 138648, Singapore.
| | - Damien Zhi Ming Tan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, 138673, Singapore
| | - Paolo Decuzzi
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, Genova, 16163, Italy
| | - Andrea Pavesi
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, 138673, Singapore
| | - Giulia Adriani
- Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR, 8A Biomedical Groove, 138648, Singapore. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, 117583, Singapore
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5
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Balogh P, Gounley J, Roychowdhury S, Randles A. A data-driven approach to modeling cancer cell mechanics during microcirculatory transport. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15232. [PMID: 34315934 PMCID: PMC8316468 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94445-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to understand the effect of cellular level features on the transport of circulating cancer cells in the microcirculation, there has been an increasing reliance on high-resolution in silico models. Accurate simulation of cancer cells flowing with blood cells requires resolving cellular-scale interactions in 3D, which is a significant computational undertaking warranting a cancer cell model that is both computationally efficient yet sufficiently complex to capture relevant behavior. Given that the characteristics of metastatic spread are known to depend on cancer type, it is crucial to account for mechanistic behavior representative of a specific cancer's cells. To address this gap, in the present work we develop and validate a means by which an efficient and popular membrane model-based approach can be used to simulate deformable cancer cells and reproduce experimental data from specific cell lines. Here, cells are modeled using the immersed boundary method (IBM) within a lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) fluid solver, and the finite element method (FEM) is used to model cell membrane resistance to deformation. Through detailed comparisons with experiments, we (i) validate this model to represent cancer cells undergoing large deformation, (ii) outline a systematic approach to parameterize different cell lines to optimally fit experimental data over a range of deformations, and (iii) provide new insight into nucleated vs. non-nucleated cell models and their ability to match experiments. While many works have used the membrane-model based method employed here to model generic cancer cells, no quantitative comparisons with experiments exist in the literature for specific cell lines undergoing large deformation. Here, we describe a phenomenological, data-driven approach that can not only yield good agreement for large deformations, but explicitly detail how it can be used to represent different cancer cell lines. This model is readily incorporated into cell-resolved hemodynamic transport simulations, and thus offers significant potential to complement experiments towards providing new insights into various aspects of cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Balogh
- grid.26009.3d0000 0004 1936 7961Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC USA
| | - John Gounley
- grid.135519.a0000 0004 0446 2659Computational Sciences and Engineering, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN USA
| | - Sayan Roychowdhury
- grid.26009.3d0000 0004 1936 7961Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC USA
| | - Amanda Randles
- grid.26009.3d0000 0004 1936 7961Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC USA
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6
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Puleri DF, Balogh P, Randles A. Computational models of cancer cell transport through the microcirculation. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2021; 20:1209-1230. [PMID: 33765196 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-021-01452-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The transport of cancerous cells through the microcirculation during metastatic spread encompasses several interdependent steps that are not fully understood. Computational models which resolve the cellular-scale dynamics of complex microcirculatory flows offer considerable potential to yield needed insights into the spread of cancer as a result of the level of detail that can be captured. In recent years, in silico methods have been developed that can accurately and efficiently model the circulatory flows of cancer and other biological cells. These computational methods are capable of resolving detailed fluid flow fields which transport cells through tortuous physiological geometries, as well as the deformation and interactions between cells, cell-to-endothelium interactions, and tumor cell aggregates, all of which play important roles in metastatic spread. Such models can provide a powerful complement to experimental works, and a promising approach to recapitulating the endogenous setting while maintaining control over parameters such as shear rate, cell deformability, and the strength of adhesive binding to better understand tumor cell transport. In this review, we present an overview of computational models that have been developed for modeling cancer cells in the microcirculation, including insights they have provided into cell transport phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F Puleri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Peter Balogh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Amanda Randles
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
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7
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Priyadarshani J, Roy T, Das S, Chakraborty S. Frugal Approach toward Developing a Biomimetic, Microfluidic Network-on-a-Chip for In Vitro Analysis of Microvascular Physiology. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:1263-1277. [PMID: 33555875 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Several disease conditions, such as cancer metastasis and atherosclerosis, are deeply connected with the complex biophysical phenomena taking place in the complicated architecture of the tiny blood vessels in human circulatory systems. Traditionally, these diseases have been probed by devising various animal models, which are otherwise constrained by ethical considerations as well as limited predictive capabilities. Development of an engineered network-on-a-chip, which replicates not only the functional aspects of the blood-carrying microvessels of human bodies, but also its geometrical complexity and hierarchical microstructure, is therefore central to the evaluation of organ-assist devices and disease models for therapeutic assessment. Overcoming the constraints of reported resource-intensive fabrication techniques, here, we report a facile, simple yet niche combination of surface engineering and microfabrication strategy to devise a highly ordered hierarchical microtubular network embedded within a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) slab for dynamic cell culture on a chip, with a vision of addressing the exclusive aspects of the vascular transport processes under medically relevant paradigms. The design consists of hierarchical complexity ranging from capillaries (∼80 μm) to large arteries (∼390 μm) and a simultaneous tuning of the interfacial material chemistry. The fluid flow behavior is characterized numerically within the hierarchical network, and a confluent endothelial layer is realized on the inner wall of microfluidic device. We further explore the efficacy of the device as a vascular deposition assay of circulatory tumor cells (MG-63 osteosarcoma cells) present in whole blood. The proposed paradigm of mimicking an in vitro vascular network in a low-cost paradigm holds further potential for probing cellular dynamics as well as offering critical insights into various vascular transport processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotsana Priyadarshani
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - Trina Roy
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - Soumen Das
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India
| | - Suman Chakraborty
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India
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8
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Coclite A. Vascular journey and adhesion mechanics of micro-sized carriers in narrow capillaries. Microvasc Res 2020; 132:104069. [PMID: 32888941 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2020.104069] [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: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In this work a Lattice Boltzmann-Immersed Boundary method is used for predicting the dynamics of rigid and deformable adhesive micro-carriers (1 μm) navigating a capillary by the size of 10 μm with 20% hematocrit. Red cells and particles are modeled as a collection of mass-spring elements responding to a bending potential, an elastic potential and total enclosed area conservation constraint. Furthermore, particle surfaces are uniformly decorated with adhesive molecules (ligands) interacting with receptors disposed on the walls. Particle adhesion is modeled as a short-range ligad-receptor interaction and in term of formation and destruction probability functions that discriminate whether a chemical bond can be formed or destroyed. If a bond is established an attractive elastic force is activated. Particle transport and adhesion are characterized in terms of their ability to reach the capillary peripheries (margination rate) and firmly adhere the vasculature. This analysis is carried out systematically by varying particles' and cells' releasing positions and stiffness (Ca = 0 and 10-2). Moreover, three rigid and soft representative particles are transported on a finer mesh (Δx = 15 nm) and the chemical strength of their adhesive coating is varied (σ = 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0) to precisely analyze the resulting adhesion mechanics. Stiffness is found to weakly influence the margination rate while significantly affect the ability of such constructs to efficiently interact with the endothelium by forming stable chemical bonds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Coclite
- Scuola di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano, 85100 Potenza, Italy.
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Pradhan S, Banda OA, Farino CJ, Sperduto JL, Keller KA, Taitano R, Slater JH. Biofabrication Strategies and Engineered In Vitro Systems for Vascular Mechanobiology. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e1901255. [PMID: 32100473 PMCID: PMC8579513 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201901255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The vascular system is integral for maintaining organ-specific functions and homeostasis. Dysregulation in vascular architecture and function can lead to various chronic or acute disorders. Investigation of the role of the vascular system in health and disease has been accelerated through the development of tissue-engineered constructs and microphysiological on-chip platforms. These in vitro systems permit studies of biochemical regulation of vascular networks and parenchymal tissue and provide mechanistic insights into the biophysical and hemodynamic forces acting in organ-specific niches. Detailed understanding of these forces and the mechanotransductory pathways involved is necessary to develop preventative and therapeutic strategies targeting the vascular system. This review describes vascular structure and function, the role of hemodynamic forces in maintaining vascular homeostasis, and measurement approaches for cell and tissue level mechanical properties influencing vascular phenomena. State-of-the-art techniques for fabricating in vitro microvascular systems, with varying degrees of biological and engineering complexity, are summarized. Finally, the role of vascular mechanobiology in organ-specific niches and pathophysiological states, and efforts to recapitulate these events using in vitro microphysiological systems, are explored. It is hoped that this review will help readers appreciate the important, but understudied, role of vascular-parenchymal mechanotransduction in health and disease toward developing mechanotherapeutics for treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shantanu Pradhan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Omar A. Banda
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Cindy J. Farino
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - John L. Sperduto
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Keely A. Keller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Ryan Taitano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - John H. Slater
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, 201 DuPont Hall, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- Delaware Biotechnology Institute, 15 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711, USA
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10
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Palazzolo G, Mollica H, Lusi V, Rutigliani M, Di Francesco M, Pereira RC, Filauro M, Paleari L, DeCensi A, Decuzzi P. Modulating the Distant Spreading of Patient-Derived Colorectal Cancer Cells via Aspirin and Metformin. Transl Oncol 2020; 13:100760. [PMID: 32247264 PMCID: PMC7118176 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2020.100760] [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: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although screening has reduced mortality rates for colorectal cancer (CRC), about 20% of patients still carry metastases at diagnosis. Postsurgery chemotherapy is toxic and induces drug resistance. Promising alternative strategies rely on repurposing drugs such as aspirin (ASA) and metformin (MET). Here, tumor spheroids were generated in suspension by primary CRCs and metastatic lymph nodes from 11 patients. These spheroids presented a heterogeneous cell population including a small core of CD133+/ESA+ cancer stem cells surrounded by a thick corona of CDX2+/CK20+ CRC cells, thus maintaining the molecular hallmarks of the tumor source. Spheroids were exposed to ASA and/or MET at different doses for up to 7 days to assess cell growth, migration, and adhesion in three-dimensional assays. While ASA at 5 mM was always sufficient to mitigate cell migration, the response to MET was patient specific. Only in MET-sensitive spheroids, the 5 mM ASA/MET combination showed an effect. Interestingly, CRCs from diabetic patients daily pretreated with MET gave a very low spheroid yield due to reduced cancer cell survival. This study highlights the potential of ASA/MET treatments to modulate CRC spreading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Palazzolo
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy.
| | - Hilaria Mollica
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Valeria Lusi
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Mariangela Rutigliani
- Department of Laboratory and Service, Histological and Anatomical Pathology Unit, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Martina Di Francesco
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Rui Cruz Pereira
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Filauro
- Department of Surgery, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Andrea DeCensi
- Department of Medicine Area, Medical Oncology Unit, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paolo Decuzzi
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
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Miali ME, Colasuonno M, Surdo S, Palomba R, Pereira R, Rondanina E, Diaspro A, Pascazio G, Decuzzi P. Leaf-Inspired Authentically Complex Microvascular Networks for Deciphering Biological Transport Process. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:31627-31637. [PMID: 31412200 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b09453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The vascular transport of molecules, cells, and nanoconstructs is a fundamental biophysical process impacting tissue regeneration, delivery of nutrients and therapeutic agents, and the response of the immune system to external pathogens. This process is often studied in single-channel microfluidic devices lacking the complex tridimensional organization of vascular networks. Here, soft lithography is employed to replicate the vein system of a Hedera elix leaf on a polydimethilsiloxane (PDMS) template. The replica is then sealed and connected to an external pumping system to realize an authentically complex microvascular network. This satisfies energy minimization criteria by Murray's law and comprises a network of channels ranging in size from capillaries (∼50 μm) to large arterioles and venules (∼400 μm). Micro-PIV (micro-particle image velocimetry) analysis is employed to characterize flow conditions in terms of streamlines, fluid velocity, and flow rates. To demonstrate the ability to reproduce physiologically relevant transport processes, two different applications are demonstrated: vascular deposition of tumor cells and lysis of blood clots. To this end, conditions are identified to culture cells within the microvasculature and realize a confluent endothelial monolayer. Then, the vascular deposition of circulating breast (MDA-MB 231) cancer cells is documented throughout the network under physiologically relevant flow conditions. Firm cell adhesion mostly occurs in channels with low mean blood velocity. As a second application, blood clots are formed within the chip by mixing whole blood with a thrombin solution. After demonstrating the blood clot stability, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and tPA-carrying nanoconstructs (tPA-DPNs) are employed as thrombolytics. In agreement with previous data, clot dissolution is equally induced by tPA and tPA-DPNs. The proposed leaf-inspired chip can be efficiently used to study a variety of vascular transport processes in complex microvascular networks, where geometry and flow conditions can be modulated and monitored throughout the experimental campaign.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco E Miali
- Dipartimento di Meccanica, Matematica e Management, DMMM , Politecnico di Bari , Via Re David , 200-70125 Bari , Italy
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine , Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30 , 16163 Genoa , Italy
| | - Marianna Colasuonno
- Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies , Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33 , 56127 Pisa , Italy
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine , Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30 , 16163 Genoa , Italy
| | - Salvatore Surdo
- Nanophysics Department , Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30 , 16163 Genoa , Italy
| | - Roberto Palomba
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine , Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30 , 16163 Genoa , Italy
| | - Rui Pereira
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine , Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30 , 16163 Genoa , Italy
| | - Eliana Rondanina
- Nanostructures , Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30 , 16163 Genoa , Italy
| | - Alberto Diaspro
- Nanophysics Department , Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30 , 16163 Genoa , Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pascazio
- Dipartimento di Meccanica, Matematica e Management, DMMM , Politecnico di Bari , Via Re David , 200-70125 Bari , Italy
| | - Paolo Decuzzi
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine , Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30 , 16163 Genoa , Italy
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Unraveling the Vascular Fate of Deformable Circulating Tumor Cells Via a Hierarchical Computational Model. Cell Mol Bioeng 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s12195-019-00587-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
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13
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Mollica H, Palomba R, Primavera R, Decuzzi P. Two-Channel Compartmentalized Microfluidic Chip for Real-Time Monitoring of the Metastatic Cascade. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2019; 5:4834-4843. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b00697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hilaria Mollica
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
- DIBRIS, University of Genova, Via Opera Pia 13, Genoa 16145, Italy
| | - Roberto Palomba
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Rosita Primavera
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Paolo Decuzzi
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
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14
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Korin N, Sznitman J. Preface to Special Topic: Bio-Transport Processes and Drug Delivery in Physiological Micro-Devices. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2018; 12:042101. [PMID: 30147816 PMCID: PMC6082667 DOI: 10.1063/1.5050428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
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