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Jian HY, Liang ZC, Wen H, Zhang Z, Zeng PH. Shi-pi-xiao-ji formula suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma by reducing cellular stiffness through upregulation of acetyl-coA acetyltransferase 1. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:2727-2741. [PMID: 38994152 PMCID: PMC11236261 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i6.2727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that the Shi-pi-xiao-ji (SPXJ) herbal decoction formula is effective in suppressing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the underlying mechanisms are not known. Therefore, this study investigated whether the antitumor effects of the SPXJ formula in treating HCC were mediated by acetyl-coA acetyltransferase 1 (ACAT1)-regulated cellular stiffness. Through a series of experiments, we concluded that SPXJ inhibits the progression of HCC by upregulating the expression level of ACAT1, lowering the level of cholesterol in the cell membrane, and altering the cellular stiffness, which provides a new idea for the research of traditional Chinese medicine against HCC. AIM To investigate the anti-tumor effects of the SPXJ formula on the malignant progression of HCC. METHODS HCC cells were cultured in vitro with SPXJ-containing serum prepared by injecting SPXJ formula into wild-type mice. The apoptotic rate and proliferative, invasive, and migratory abilities of control and SPXJ-treated HCC cells were compared. Atomic force microscopy was used to determine the cell surface morphology and the Young's modulus values of the control and SPXJ-treated HCC cells. Plasma membrane cholesterol levels in HCC cells were detected using the Amplex Red cholesterol detection kit. ACAT1 protein levels were estimated using western blotting. RESULTS Compared with the vehicle group, SPXJ serum considerably reduced proliferation of HCC cells, increased stiffness and apoptosis of HCC cells, inhibited migration and invasion of HCC cells, decreased plasma membrane cholesterol levels, and upregulated ACAT1 protein levels. However, treatment of HCC cells with the water-soluble cholesterol promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells as well as decreased cell stiffness and plasma membrane cholesterol levels, but did not alter the apoptotic rate and ACAT1 protein expression levels compared with the vehicle control. CONCLUSION SPXJ formula inhibited proliferation, invasion, and migration of HCC cells by decreasing plasma membrane cholesterol levels and altering cellular stiffness through upregulation of ACAT1 protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Ying Jian
- Graduate School, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zi-Cheng Liang
- Graduate School, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Huan Wen
- Hunan Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western, Cancer Research Institute of Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410006, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Hunan Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western, Cancer Research Institute of Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410006, Hunan Province, China
| | - Pu-Hua Zeng
- Hunan Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western, Cancer Research Institute of Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410006, Hunan Province, China
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Jian HY, Liang ZC, Wen H, Zhang Z, Zeng PH. Shi-pi-xiao-ji formula suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma by reducing cellular stiffness through upregulation of acetyl-coA acetyltransferase 1. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:2715-2729. [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i6.2715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that the Shi-pi-xiao-ji (SPXJ) herbal decoction formula is effective in suppressing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the underlying mechanisms are not known. Therefore, this study investigated whether the antitumor effects of the SPXJ formula in treating HCC were mediated by acetyl-coA acetyltransferase 1 (ACAT1)-regulated cellular stiffness. Through a series of experiments, we concluded that SPXJ inhibits the progression of HCC by upregulating the expression level of ACAT1, lowering the level of cholesterol in the cell membrane, and altering the cellular stiffness, which provides a new idea for the research of traditional Chinese medicine against HCC.
AIM To investigate the anti-tumor effects of the SPXJ formula on the malignant progression of HCC.
METHODS HCC cells were cultured in vitro with SPXJ-containing serum prepared by injecting SPXJ formula into wild-type mice. The apoptotic rate and proliferative, invasive, and migratory abilities of control and SPXJ-treated HCC cells were compared. Atomic force microscopy was used to determine the cell surface morphology and the Young’s modulus values of the control and SPXJ-treated HCC cells. Plasma membrane cholesterol levels in HCC cells were detected using the Amplex Red cholesterol detection kit. ACAT1 protein levels were estimated using western blotting.
RESULTS Compared with the vehicle group, SPXJ serum considerably reduced proliferation of HCC cells, increased stiffness and apoptosis of HCC cells, inhibited migration and invasion of HCC cells, decreased plasma membrane cholesterol levels, and upregulated ACAT1 protein levels. However, treatment of HCC cells with the water-soluble cholesterol promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells as well as decreased cell stiffness and plasma membrane cholesterol levels, but did not alter the apoptotic rate and ACAT1 protein expression levels compared with the vehicle control.
CONCLUSION SPXJ formula inhibited proliferation, invasion, and migration of HCC cells by decreasing plasma membrane cholesterol levels and altering cellular stiffness through upregulation of ACAT1 protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Ying Jian
- Graduate School, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zi-Cheng Liang
- Graduate School, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan Province, China
| | - Huan Wen
- Hunan Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western, Cancer Research Institute of Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410006, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Hunan Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western, Cancer Research Institute of Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410006, Hunan Province, China
| | - Pu-Hua Zeng
- Hunan Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western, Cancer Research Institute of Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410006, Hunan Province, China
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Apa L, Martire MV, Carraro S, Cosentino M, Del Prete Z, Peruzzi B, Rizzuto E. Development of an Optical System for Strain Drop Measurement of Osteosarcoma Cells on Substrates with Different Stiffness. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:3383. [PMID: 38894171 PMCID: PMC11175146 DOI: 10.3390/s24113383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Adherent cells perceive mechanical feedback from the underlying matrix and convert it into biochemical signals through a process known as mechanotransduction. The response to changes in the microenvironment relies on the cell's mechanical properties, including elasticity, which was recently identified as a biomarker for various diseases. Here, we propose the design, development, and characterization of a new system for the measurement of adherent cells' strain drop, a parameter correlated with cells' elasticity. To consider the interplay between adherent cells and the host extracellular matrix, cell stretching was combined with adhesion on substrates with different stiffnesses. The technique is based on the linear stretching of silicone chambers, high-speed image acquisition, and feedback for image centering. The system was characterized in terms of the strain homogeneity, impact of collagen coating, centering capability, and sensitivity. Subsequently, it was employed to measure the strain drop of two osteosarcoma cell lines, low-aggressive osteoblast-like SaOS-2 and high-aggressive 143B, cultured on two different substrates to recall the stiffness of the bone and lung extracellular matrices. Results demonstrated good substrate homogeneity, a negligible effect of the collagen coating, and an accurate image centering. Finally, the experimental results showed an average strain drop that was lower in the 143B cells in comparison with the SaOS-2 cells in all the tested conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Apa
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy; (L.A.); (M.V.M.); (S.C.); (Z.D.P.)
| | - Maria Vittoria Martire
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy; (L.A.); (M.V.M.); (S.C.); (Z.D.P.)
| | - Serena Carraro
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy; (L.A.); (M.V.M.); (S.C.); (Z.D.P.)
| | - Marianna Cosentino
- DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Zaccaria Del Prete
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy; (L.A.); (M.V.M.); (S.C.); (Z.D.P.)
| | - Barbara Peruzzi
- Bone Physiopathology Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy;
| | - Emanuele Rizzuto
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy; (L.A.); (M.V.M.); (S.C.); (Z.D.P.)
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Menshikh K, Banicevic I, Obradovic B, Rimondini L. Biomechanical Aspects in Bone Tumor Engineering. TISSUE ENGINEERING. PART B, REVIEWS 2024; 30:217-229. [PMID: 37830183 PMCID: PMC11001506 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2023.0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
In the past decades, anticancer drug development brought the field of tumor engineering to a new level by the need of robust test systems. Simulating tumor microenvironment in vitro remains a challenge, and osteosarcoma-the most common primary bone cancer-is no exception. The growing evidence points to the inevitable connection between biomechanical stimuli and tumor chemosensitivity and aggressiveness, thus making this component of the microenvironment a mandatory requirement to the developed models. In this review, we addressed the question: is the "in vivo - in vitro" gap in osteosarcoma engineering bridged from the perspective of biomechanical stimuli? The most notable biomechanical cues in the tumor cell microenvironment are observed and compared in the contexts of in vivo conditions and engineered three-dimensional in vitro models. Impact statement The importance of biomechanical stimuli in three-dimensional in vitro models for drug testing is becoming more pronounced nowadays. This review might assist in understanding the key players of the biophysical environment of primary bone cancer and the current state of bone tumor engineering from this perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ksenia Menshikh
- Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Ivana Banicevic
- Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Bojana Obradovic
- Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Lia Rimondini
- Center for Translational Research on Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
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Wang J, Zhang B, Chen X, Xin Y, Li K, Zhang C, Tang K, Tan Y. Cell mechanics regulate the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via JNK signaling. Acta Biomater 2024; 176:321-333. [PMID: 38272199 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.01.024] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, especially those with metastatic competence, show reduced stiffness compared to the non-malignant counterparts. However, it is still unclear whether and how the mechanics of HCC cells influence their migration and invasion. This study reports that HCC cells with enhanced motility show reduced mechanical stiffness and cytoskeleton, suggesting the inverse correlation between cellular stiffness and motility. Through pharmacologic and genetic approaches, inhibiting actomyosin activity reduces HCC cellular stiffness but promotes their migration and invasion, while activating it increases cell stiffness but impairs cell motility. Actomyosin regulates cell motility through the influence on cellular stiffness. Mechanistically, weakening/strengthening cells inhibits/promotes c-Jun N terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation, activation/inhibition of which rescues the effects of cell mechanics on their migration and invasion. Further, HCC cancer stem cells (CSCs) exhibit higher motility but lower stiffness than control cells. Increasing CSC stiffness weakens migration and invasion through the activation of JNK signaling. In conclusion, our findings unveil a new regulatory role of actomyosin-mediated cellular mechanics in tumor cell motility and present new evidence to support that tumor cell softening may be one driving force for HCC metastasis. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Tumor cells progressively become softened during metastasis and low cell stiffness is associated with high metastatic potential. However, it remains unclear whether tumor cell softening is a by-product of or a driving force for tumor progression. This work reports that the stiffness of hepatocellular carcinoma cells is linked to their migration and invasion. Importantly, tumor cell softening promotes migration and invasion, while cell stiffening impairs the mobility. Weakening/strengthening cells inhibits/promotes JNK phosphorylation, activation/inhibition of which rescues the effects of cell mechanics on their migration and invasion ability. Further, stiffening liver cancer stem cells attenuates their motility through activating JNK signaling. In summary, our study uncovers a previously unappreciated role of tumor cell mechanics in migration and invasion and implicates the therapeutic potential of cell mechanics in the mechanotargeting of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfan Wang
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Bai Zhang
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Xi Chen
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Ying Xin
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Keming Li
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Cunyu Zhang
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Kai Tang
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Youhua Tan
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China.
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Chen CC, Benavente CA. Exploring the Impact of Exosomal Cargos on Osteosarcoma Progression: Insights into Therapeutic Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:568. [PMID: 38203737 PMCID: PMC10779183 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010568] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary malignant bone tumor with high metastasis. Poor prognosis highlights a clinical need for novel therapeutic strategies. Exosomes, also known as extracellular vesicles, have been identified as essential players in the modulation of cancer. Recent studies have suggested that OS-derived exosomes can drive pro-tumorigenic or anti-tumorigenic phenotypes by transferring specific cargos, including proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites, to neighboring cells, significantly impacting the regulation of cellular processes. This review discusses the advancement of exosomes and their cargos in OS. We examine how these exosomes contribute to the modulation of cellular phenotypes associated with tumor progression and metastasis. Furthermore, we explore the potential of exosomes as valuable biomarkers for diagnostics and prognostic purposes and their role in shaping innovative therapeutic strategies in OS treatment development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire C. Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA;
| | - Claudia A. Benavente
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA;
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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Harshbarger CL. Harnessing the power of Microscale AcoustoFluidics: A perspective based on BAW cancer diagnostics. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2024; 18:011304. [PMID: 38434238 PMCID: PMC10907075 DOI: 10.1063/5.0180158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Cancer directly affects one in every three people, and mortality rates strongly correlate with the stage at which diagnosis occurs. Each of the multitude of methods used in cancer diagnostics has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Two common drawbacks are a limited information value of image based diagnostic methods and high invasiveness when opting for methods that provide greater insight. Microfluidics offers a promising avenue for isolating circulating tumor cells from blood samples, offering high informational value at predetermined time intervals while being minimally invasive. Microscale AcoustoFluidics, an active method capable of manipulating objects within a fluid, has shown its potential use for the isolation and measurement of circulating tumor cells, but its full potential has yet to be harnessed. Extensive research has focused on isolating single cells, although the significance of clusters should not be overlooked and requires attention within the field. Moreover, there is room for improvement by designing smaller and automated devices to enhance user-friendliness and efficiency as illustrated by the use of bulk acoustic wave devices in cancer diagnostics. This next generation of setups and devices could minimize streaming forces and thereby enable the manipulation of smaller objects, thus aiding in the implementation of personalized oncology for the next generation of cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. L. Harshbarger
- Department of Orthopedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Institute for Biomechanics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; and Institute for Mechanical Systems, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Nan J, Roychowdhury S, Randles A. Investigating the Influence of Heterogeneity Within Cell Types on Microvessel Network Transport. Cell Mol Bioeng 2023; 16:497-507. [PMID: 38099216 PMCID: PMC10716099 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-023-00790-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Current research on the biophysics of circulating tumor cells often overlooks the heterogeneity of cell populations, focusing instead on average cellular properties. This study aims to address the gap by considering the diversity of cell biophysical characteristics and their implications on cancer spread. Methods We utilized computer simulations to assess the influence of variations in cell size and membrane elasticity on the behavior of cells within fluid environments. The study controlled cell and fluid properties to systematically investigate the transport of tumor cells through a simulated network of branching channels. Results The simulations revealed that even minor differences in cellular properties, such as slight changes in cell radius or shear elastic modulus, lead to significant changes in the fluid conditions that cells experience, including velocity and wall shear stress (p < 0.001). Conclusion The findings underscore the importance of considering cell heterogeneity in biophysical studies and suggest that small variations in cellular characteristics can profoundly impact the dynamics of tumor cell circulation. This has potential implications for understanding the mechanisms of cancer metastasis and the development of therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Nan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, USA
| | | | - Amanda Randles
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, USA
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López-Guajardo A, Zafar A, Al Hennawi K, Rossi V, Alrwaili A, Medcalf JD, Dunning M, Nordgren N, Pettersson T, Estabrook ID, Hawkins RJ, Gad AKB. Regulation of cellular contractile force, shape and migration of fibroblasts by oncogenes and Histone deacetylase 6. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1197814. [PMID: 37564130 PMCID: PMC10411354 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1197814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The capacity of cells to adhere to, exert forces upon and migrate through their surrounding environment governs tissue regeneration and cancer metastasis. The role of the physical contractile forces that cells exert in this process, and the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. We, therefore, aimed to clarify if the extracellular forces that cells exert on their environment and/or the intracellular forces that deform the cell nucleus, and the link between these forces, are defective in transformed and invasive fibroblasts, and to indicate the underlying molecular mechanism of control. Confocal, Epifluorescence and Traction force microscopy, followed by computational analysis, showed an increased maximum contractile force that cells apply on their environment and a decreased intracellular force on the cell nucleus in the invasive fibroblasts, as compared to normal control cells. Loss of HDAC6 activity by tubacin-treatment and siRNA-mediated HDAC6 knockdown also reversed the reduced size and more circular shape and defective migration of the transformed and invasive cells to normal. However, only tubacin-mediated, and not siRNA knockdown reversed the increased force of the invasive cells on their surrounding environment to normal, with no effects on nuclear forces. We observed that the forces on the environment and the nucleus were weakly positively correlated, with the exception of HDAC6 siRNA-treated cells, in which the correlation was weakly negative. The transformed and invasive fibroblasts showed an increased number and smaller cell-matrix adhesions than control, and neither tubacin-treatment, nor HDAC6 knockdown reversed this phenotype to normal, but instead increased it further. This highlights the possibility that the control of contractile force requires separate functions of HDAC6, than the control of cell adhesions, spreading and shape. These data are consistent with the possibility that defective force-transduction from the extracellular environment to the nucleus contributes to metastasis, via a mechanism that depends upon HDAC6. To our knowledge, our findings present the first correlation between the cellular forces that deforms the surrounding environment and the nucleus in fibroblasts, and it expands our understanding of how cells generate contractile forces that contribute to cell invasion and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana López-Guajardo
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Azeer Zafar
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Khairat Al Hennawi
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Valentina Rossi
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Diagnostics, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Abdulaziz Alrwaili
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica D. Medcalf
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Dunning
- Bioinformatics Core, The Medical School, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Niklas Nordgren
- Division Bioeconomy and Health, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Torbjörn Pettersson
- Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ian D. Estabrook
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Rhoda J. Hawkins
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Accra, Ghana
| | - Annica K. B. Gad
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Madeira Chemistry Research Centre, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Kita K, Asanuma K, Okamoto T, Kawamoto E, Nakamura K, Hagi T, Nakamura T, Shimaoka M, Sudo A. A Novel Approach to Reducing Lung Metastasis in Osteosarcoma: Increasing Cell Stiffness with Carbenoxolone. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:4375-4388. [PMID: 37232747 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45050278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Primary malignant bone tumor osteosarcoma can metastasize to the lung. Diminishing lung metastasis would positively affect the prognosis of patients. Our previous studies demonstrated that highly metastatic osteosarcoma cell lines are significantly softer than low-metastasis cell lines. We therefore hypothesized that increasing cell stiffness would suppress metastasis by reducing cell motility. In this study, we tested whether carbenoxolone (CBX) increases the stiffness of LM8 osteosarcoma cells and prevents lung metastasis in vivo. METHODS We evaluated the actin cytoskeletal structure and polymerization of CBX-treated LM8 cells using actin staining. Cell stiffness was measured using atomic force microscopy. Metastasis-related cell functions were analyzed using cell proliferation, wound healing, invasion, and cell adhesion assays. Furthermore, lung metastasis was examined in LM8-bearing mice administered with CBX. RESULTS Treatment with CBX significantly increased actin staining intensity and stiffness of LM8 cells compared with vehicle-treated LM8 cells (p < 0.01). In Young's modulus images, compared with the control group, rigid fibrillate structures were observed in the CBX treatment group. CBX suppressed cell migration, invasion, and adhesion but not cell proliferation. The number of LM8 lung metastases were significantly reduced in the CBX administration group compared with the control group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION In this study, we demonstrated that CBX increases tumor cell stiffness and significantly reduces lung metastasis. Our study is the first to provide evidence that reducing cell motility by increasing cell stiffness might be effective as a novel anti-metastasis approach in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kouji Kita
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu 514-8507, Mie, Japan
| | - Kunihiro Asanuma
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu 514-8507, Mie, Japan
| | - Takayuki Okamoto
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, 89-1 Enya-cho, Izumo-shi 693-8501, Shimane, Japan
| | - Eiji Kawamoto
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology and Cell Adhesion Biology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu 514-8507, Mie, Japan
| | - Koichi Nakamura
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu 514-8507, Mie, Japan
| | - Tomohito Hagi
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu 514-8507, Mie, Japan
| | - Tomoki Nakamura
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu 514-8507, Mie, Japan
| | - Motomu Shimaoka
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology and Cell Adhesion Biology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu 514-8507, Mie, Japan
| | - Akihiro Sudo
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu 514-8507, Mie, Japan
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11
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Alloisio G, Rodriguez DB, Luce M, Ciaccio C, Marini S, Cricenti A, Gioia M. Cyclic Stretch-Induced Mechanical Stress Applied at 1 Hz Frequency Can Alter the Metastatic Potential Properties of SAOS-2 Osteosarcoma Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097686. [PMID: 37175397 PMCID: PMC10178551 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, there has been an increasing focus on cellular morphology and mechanical behavior in order to gain a better understanding of the modulation of cell malignancy. This study used uniaxial-stretching technology to select a mechanical regimen able to elevate SAOS-2 cell migration, which is crucial in osteosarcoma cell pathology. Using confocal and atomic force microscopy, we demonstrated that a 24 h 0.5% cyclic elongation applied at 1 Hz induces morphological changes in cells. Following mechanical stimulation, the cell area enlarged, developing a more elongated shape, which disrupted the initial nuclear-to-cytoplasm ratio. The peripheral cell surface also increased its roughness. Cell-based biochemical assays and real-time PCR quantification showed that these morphologically induced changes are unrelated to the osteoblastic differentiative grade. Interestingly, two essential cell-motility properties in the modulation of the metastatic process changed following the 24 h 1 Hz mechanical stimulation. These were cell adhesion and cell migration, which, in fact, were dampened and enhanced, respectively. Notably, our results showed that the stretch-induced up-regulation of cell motility occurs through a mechanism that does not depend on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, while the inhibition of ion-stretch channels could counteract it. Overall, our results suggest that further research on mechanobiology could represent an alternative approach for the identification of novel molecular targets of osteosarcoma cell malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Alloisio
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Via Montpellier 1, I-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - David Becerril Rodriguez
- Institute of Structure Matter del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche ISM-CNR, Via del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, I-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Luce
- Institute of Structure Matter del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche ISM-CNR, Via del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, I-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Ciaccio
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Via Montpellier 1, I-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Marini
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Via Montpellier 1, I-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Cricenti
- Institute of Structure Matter del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche ISM-CNR, Via del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, I-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Magda Gioia
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Via Montpellier 1, I-00133 Rome, Italy
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12
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Nevarez AJ, Hao N. Quantitative cell imaging approaches to metastatic state profiling. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1048630. [PMID: 36393865 PMCID: PMC9640958 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1048630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic heterogeneity of metastatic dissemination has proven challenging to identify exploitable markers of metastasis; this bottom-up approach has caused a stalemate between advances in metastasis and the late stage of the disease. Advancements in quantitative cellular imaging have allowed the detection of morphological phenotype changes specific to metastasis, the morphological changes connected to the underlying complex signaling pathways, and a robust readout of metastatic cell state. This review focuses on the recent machine and deep learning developments to gain detailed information about the metastatic cell state using light microscopy. We describe the latest studies using quantitative cell imaging approaches to identify cell appearance-based metastatic patterns. We discuss how quantitative cancer biologists can use these frameworks to work backward toward exploitable hidden drivers in the metastatic cascade and pioneering new Frontier drug discoveries specific for metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nan Hao
- *Correspondence: Andres J. Nevarez, ; Nan Hao,
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13
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Sivagurunathan S, Vahabikashi A, Yang H, Zhang J, Vazquez K, Rajasundaram D, Politanska Y, Abdala-Valencia H, Notbohm J, Guo M, Adam SA, Goldman RD. Expression of vimentin alters cell mechanics, cell-cell adhesion, and gene expression profiles suggesting the induction of a hybrid EMT in human mammary epithelial cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:929495. [PMID: 36200046 PMCID: PMC9527304 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.929495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vimentin is a Type III intermediate filament (VIF) cytoskeletal protein that regulates the mechanical and migratory behavior of cells. Its expression is considered to be a marker for the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) that takes place in tumor metastasis. However, the molecular mechanisms regulated by the expression of vimentin in the EMT remain largely unexplored. We created MCF7 epithelial cell lines expressing vimentin from a cumate-inducible promoter to address this question. When vimentin expression was induced in these cells, extensive cytoplasmic VIF networks were assembled accompanied by changes in the organization of the endogenous keratin intermediate filament networks and disruption of desmosomes. Significant reductions in intercellular forces by the cells expressing VIFs were measured by quantitative monolayer traction force and stress microscopy. In contrast, laser trapping micro-rheology revealed that the cytoplasm of MCF7 cells expressing VIFs was stiffer than the uninduced cells. Vimentin expression activated transcription of genes involved in pathways responsible for cell migration and locomotion. Importantly, the EMT related transcription factor TWIST1 was upregulated only in wild type vimentin expressing cells and not in cells expressing a mutant non-polymerized form of vimentin, which only formed unit length filaments (ULF). Taken together, our results suggest that vimentin expression induces a hybrid EMT correlated with the upregulation of genes involved in cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suganya Sivagurunathan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Amir Vahabikashi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Haiqian Yang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , MA, United States
| | - Jun Zhang
- Biophysics Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Engineering Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Kelly Vazquez
- Department of Engineering Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Dhivyaa Rajasundaram
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Yuliya Politanska
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Hiam Abdala-Valencia
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jacob Notbohm
- Biophysics Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Engineering Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Ming Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , MA, United States
| | - Stephen A Adam
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Robert D Goldman
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
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14
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Sohrabi Kashani A, Larocque K, Piekny A, Packirisamy M. Gold Nano-Bio-Interaction to Modulate Mechanobiological Responses for Cancer Therapy Applications. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2022; 5:3741-3752. [PMID: 35839330 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.2c00230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we investigate the mechanobiological responses of human lung cancer that may occur through their interactions with two different types of gold nanoparticles: nanostars and nanospheres. Hyperspectral images of nanoparticle-treated cells revealed different spatial distributions of nanoparticles in cells depending on their morphology, with nanospheres being more uniformly distributed in cells than nanostars. Gold nanospheres were also found to be more effective in mechanobiological modulations. They significantly suppressed the migratory ability of cells under different incubation times while lowering the bulk stiffness and adhesion of cells. This in vitro study suggests the potential applications of gold nanoparticles to manage cell migration. Nano-bio-interactions appeared to impact the cytoskeletal organization of cells and consequently alter the mechanical properties of cells, which could influence the cellular functions of cells. According to the results and migratory index model, it is thought that nanoparticle-treated cells experience mechanical changes in their body, which largely reduces their migratory potentials. These findings provide a better understanding of nano-bio-interaction in terms of cell mechanics and highlight the importance of mechanobiological responses in designing gold nanoparticles for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Sohrabi Kashani
- Optical Bio-Microsystem Lab, Micro-Nano-Bio-Integration Centre, Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Aerospace Engineering of Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W., Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3G 1M8
| | - Kevin Larocque
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street W., Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H4B 1R6
| | - Alisa Piekny
- Department of Biology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street W., Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H4B 1R6
| | - Muthukumaran Packirisamy
- Optical Bio-Microsystem Lab, Micro-Nano-Bio-Integration Centre, Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Aerospace Engineering of Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W., Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3G 1M8
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15
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Rix J, Uckermann O, Kirsche K, Schackert G, Koch E, Kirsch M, Galli R. Correlation of biomechanics and cancer cell phenotype by combined Brillouin and Raman spectroscopy of U87-MG glioblastoma cells. JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY, INTERFACE 2022; 19:20220209. [PMID: 35857926 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2022.0209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The elucidation of biomechanics furthers our understanding of brain tumour biology. Brillouin spectroscopy is a new optical method that addresses viscoelastic properties down to subcellular resolution in a contact-free manner. Moreover, it can be combined with Raman spectroscopy to obtain co-localized biochemical information. Here, we applied co-registered Brillouin and Raman spectroscopy to U87-MG human glioblastoma cells in vitro. Using two-dimensional and three-dimensional cultures, we related biomechanical properties to local biochemical composition at the subcellular level, as well as the cell phenotype. Brillouin and Raman mapping of adherent cells showed that the nucleus and nucleoli are stiffer than the perinuclear region and the cytoplasm. The biomechanics of the cell cytoplasm is affected by culturing conditions, i.e. cells grown as spheroids are stiffer than adherent cells. Inside the spheroids, the presence of lipid droplets as assessed by Raman spectroscopy revealed higher Brillouin shifts that are not related to a local increase in stiffness, but are due to a higher refractive index combined with a lower mass density. This highlights the importance of locally defined biochemical reference data for a correct interpretation of the Brillouin shift of cells and tissues in future studies investigating the biomechanics of brain tumour models by Brillouin spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Rix
- Clinical Sensoring and Monitoring, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Ortrud Uckermann
- Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany.,Division of Medical Biology, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Katrin Kirsche
- Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Gabriele Schackert
- Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Edmund Koch
- Clinical Sensoring and Monitoring, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Matthias Kirsch
- Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany.,Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Asklepios Kliniken Schildautal, Karl-Herold-Strasse 1, D-38723 Seesen, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Roberta Galli
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
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16
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Micropillar-based phenotypic screening platform uncovers involvement of HDAC2 in nuclear deformability. Biomaterials 2022; 286:121564. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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17
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Tang H, Zeng R, He E, Zhang I, Ding C, Zhang A. Piezo-Type Mechanosensitive Ion Channel Component 1 (Piezo1): A Promising Therapeutic Target and Its Modulators. J Med Chem 2022; 65:6441-6453. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hairong Tang
- Pharm-X Center, Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology & Frontiers on Drug Discovery (RLMCBFDD), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Ruoqing Zeng
- Pharm-X Center, Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology & Frontiers on Drug Discovery (RLMCBFDD), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Ende He
- Pharm-X Center, Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology & Frontiers on Drug Discovery (RLMCBFDD), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | | | - Chunyong Ding
- Pharm-X Center, Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology & Frontiers on Drug Discovery (RLMCBFDD), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Ao Zhang
- Pharm-X Center, Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology & Frontiers on Drug Discovery (RLMCBFDD), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
- Shanghai Lingang National Laboratory, Shanghai 200210,China
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18
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Angstadt S, Zhu Q, Jaffee EM, Robinson DN, Anders RA. Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cortical Mechanics and Clinical Implications. Front Oncol 2022; 12:809179. [PMID: 35174086 PMCID: PMC8843014 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.809179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the deadliest cancers due to low therapeutic response rates and poor prognoses. Majority of patients present with symptoms post metastatic spread, which contributes to its overall lethality as the 4th leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Therapeutic approaches thus far target only one or two of the cancer specific hallmarks, such as high proliferation rate, apoptotic evasion, or immune evasion. Recent genomic discoveries reveal that genetic heterogeneity, early micrometastases, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment contribute to the inefficacy of current standard treatments and specific molecular-targeted therapies. To effectively combat cancers like PDAC, we need an innovative approach that can simultaneously impact the multiple hallmarks driving cancer progression. Here, we present the mechanical properties generated by the cell’s cortical cytoskeleton, with a spotlight on PDAC, as an ideal therapeutic target that can concurrently attack multiple systems driving cancer. We start with an introduction to cancer cell mechanics and PDAC followed by a compilation of studies connecting the cortical cytoskeleton and mechanical properties to proliferation, metastasis, immune cell interactions, cancer cell stemness, and/or metabolism. We further elaborate on the implications of these findings in disease progression, therapeutic resistance, and clinical relapse. Manipulation of the cancer cell’s mechanical system has already been shown to prevent metastasis in preclinical models, but it has greater potential for target exploration since it is a foundational property of the cell that regulates various oncogenic behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shantel Angstadt
- Department of Pathology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Qingfeng Zhu
- Department of Pathology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Elizabeth M. Jaffee
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Douglas N. Robinson
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Douglas N. Robinson, ; Robert A. Anders,
| | - Robert A. Anders
- Department of Pathology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Douglas N. Robinson, ; Robert A. Anders,
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19
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Liquid Biopsies: Flowing Biomarkers. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1379:341-368. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-04039-9_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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20
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Cytoskeletal Actin Structure in Osteosarcoma Cells Determines Metastatic Phenotype via Regulating Cell Stiffness, Migration, and Transmigration. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2021; 43:1255-1266. [PMID: 34698103 PMCID: PMC8928956 DOI: 10.3390/cimb43030089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor. The cause of death due to osteosarcoma is typically a consequence of metastasis to the lung. Controlling metastasis leads to improved prognosis for osteosarcoma patients. The cell stiffness of several tumor types is involved in metastatic potential; however, it is unclear whether the metastatic potential of osteosarcoma depends on cell stiffness. In this study, we analyzed the cell stiffness of the low metastatic Dunn cell line and its highly metastatic LM8 subline, and compared actin organization, cell proliferation, and metastasis. Actin cytoskeleton, polymerization, stiffness, and other cellular properties were analyzed. The organization of the actin cytoskeleton was evaluated by staining F-actin with Alexa Fluor 488 phalloidin. Cell stiffness was measured using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and adhesion were also evaluated. All experiments were performed using mouse osteosarcoma cell lines cultured in the absence and presence of cytochalasin. In LM8 cells, actin polymerization was strongly suppressed and actin levels were significantly lower than in Dunn cells. Stiffness evaluation revealed that LM8 cells were significantly softer than Dunn. Young’s modulus images showed more rigid fibrillar structures were present in Dunn cells than in LM8 cells. LM8 cells also exhibited a significantly higher proliferation. The migration and invasion potential were also higher in LM8 cells, whereas the adhesion potential was higher in Dunn cells. The administration of cytochalasin resulted in actin filament fragmentation and decreased actin staining intensity and cell stiffness in both LM8 and Dunn cells. Cells with high metastatic potential exhibited lower actin levels and cell stiffness than cells with low metastatic potential. The metastatic phenotype is highly correlated to actin status and cell stiffness in osteosarcoma cells. These results suggest that evaluation of actin dynamics and cell stiffness is an important quantitative diagnostic parameter for predicting metastatic potential. We believe that these parameters represent new reliable quantitative indicators that can facilitate the development of new drugs against metastasis.
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21
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Adhesion and Stiffness of Detached Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro: Co-Treatment with Metformin and 2-Deoxy-d-glucose Induces Changes Related to Increased Metastatic Potential. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10090873. [PMID: 34571750 PMCID: PMC8465291 DOI: 10.3390/biology10090873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The process of metastasis is one of the most destructive characteristics of cancer, yet it is still poorly understood. Formation of metastasis comprises several distinct steps: cancer cells first detach from the primary tumor and then enter the bloodstream where they circulate freely in the body and eventually adhere to vessel walls in distant organs where they can form secondary tumors. A recent study discovered that a co-treatment of two common drugs that interfere with cellular metabolism, metformin and 2-deoxy-D-glucose, induced cellular changes resembling those observed in metastasis: the drugs induced detachment of certain breast cancer cells and their proliferation in the floating state. In this study, we investigated if this treatment also induces other changes that are related to metastasis, i.e., if the detached cells are softer and if they are more prone to adhesion than control cells. The results of our in vitro experiments showed that this was indeed the case and thus indicate possible relations between metabolism and metastatic potential. While the results of this study cannot be directly projected to cancers in vivo, they present new observations that can be important for the analysis of cancer cell detachment and anchorage-independent growth. Abstract Metastatic cancer cells can overcome detachment-induced cell death and can proliferate in anchorage-independent conditions. A recent study revealed that a co-treatment with two drugs that interfere with cell metabolism, metformin and 2-deoxy-D-glucose, promotes detachment of viable MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. In the present study, we analyzed if these detached viable MDA-MB-231 cells also exhibit other features related to cancer metastatic potential, i.e., if they are softer and more prone to adhere to epithelial cells. The cell mechanics of attached cells and floating cells were analyzed by optical tweezers and cell deformability cytometry, respectively. The adhesion was assessed on a confluent monolayer of HUVEC cells, with MDA-MB-231 cells either in static conditions or in a microfluidic flow. Additionally, to test if adhesion was affected by the state of the epithelial glycocalyx, HUVEC cells were treated with neuraminidase and tunicamycin. It was found that the treated MDA-MB-231 cells were more prone to adhere to HUVEC cells and that they were softer than the control, both in the floating state and after re-seeding to a substrate. The changes in the HUVEC glycocalyx, however, did not increase the adhesion potential of MDA-MB-231.
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22
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Abstract
Cancer is a multi-step process where normal cells become transformed, grow, and may disseminate to establish new lesions within the body. In recent years, the physical properties of individual cells and the tissue microenvironment have been shown to be potent determinants of cancer progression. Biophysical tools have long been used to examine cell and tissue mechanics, morphology, and migration. However, exciting developments have linked these physical traits to gene expression changes that drive metastatic seeding, organ selectivity, and tumor growth. Here, we present some vignettes to address recent studies to show progress in harnessing biophysical tools and concepts to gain insights into metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woong Young So
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kandice Tanner
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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23
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Poologasundarampillai G, Haweet A, Jayash SN, Morgan G, Moore JE, Candeo A. Real-time imaging and analysis of cell-hydrogel interplay within an extrusion-bioprinting capillary. BIOPRINTING 2021; 23:e00144. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bprint.2021.e00144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
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24
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Wu Y, Stewart AG, Lee PVS. High-throughput microfluidic compressibility cytometry using multi-tilted-angle surface acoustic wave. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:2812-2824. [PMID: 34109338 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc00186h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cellular mechanical properties (e.g. compressibility) are important biophysical markers in relation to cellular processes and functionality. Among the methods for cell mechanical measurement, acoustofluidic methods appear to be advantageous due to tunability, biocompatibility and acousto-mechanical nature. However, the previous acoustofluidic methods were limited in throughput and number of measurements. In this study, we developed a high-throughput microfluidic compressibility cytometry approach using multi-tilted-angle surface acoustic wave, which can provide thousands of single-cell compressibility measurements within minutes. The compressibility cytometer was constructed to drag microparticles or cells towards the microfluidic channel sidewall at different segments based on their biophysical properties (such as size and compressibility), as a result of the varied balance between acoustics and flow. Mathematical analysis and computational simulation revealed that the compressibility of a cell could be estimated from the position of collision with the sidewall. Microbeads of different materials and sizes were experimentally tested to validate the simulation and to demonstrate the capability to characterise size and compressibility. MDA MB231 cells, of the triple negative breast cancer subtype, were treated with the microtubule disrupting agent colchicine which increased compressibility and treated with the actin disrupting agent cytochalasin B which increased cell size but did not change compressibility. Moreover, the highly metastatic variant MDA MB231 LNm5 cell line showed increased compressibility compared to the parent MDA MB231 cells, indicating the potential utility of high-throughput mechanophenotyping for tumour cell characterisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqi Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
| | - Alastair G Stewart
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia and ARC Centre for Personalised Therapeutics Technologies, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Peter V S Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
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25
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Alibert C, Pereira D, Lardier N, Etienne-Manneville S, Goud B, Asnacios A, Manneville JB. Multiscale rheology of glioma cells. Biomaterials 2021; 275:120903. [PMID: 34102526 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120903] [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] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cells tend to soften during cancer progression, suggesting that mechanical phenotyping could be used as a diagnostic or prognostic method. Here we investigate the cell mechanics of gliomas, brain tumors that originate from glial cells or glial progenitors. Using two microrheology techniques, a single-cell parallel plates rheometer to probe whole-cell mechanics and optical tweezers to probe intracellular rheology, we show that cell mechanics discriminates human glioma cells of different grades. When probed globally, grade IV glioblastoma cells are softer than grade III astrocytoma cells, while they are surprisingly stiffer at the intracellular level. We explain this difference between global and local intracellular behaviours by changes in the composition and spatial organization of the cytoskeleton, and by changes in nuclear mechanics. Our study highlights the need to combine rheology techniques for potential diagnostic or prognostic methods based on cancer cell mechanophenotyping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Alibert
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR 144, 26 Rue D'Ulm, F-75005, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06, CNRS, UMR 144, 26 Rue D'Ulm, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - David Pereira
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR 144, 26 Rue D'Ulm, F-75005, Paris, France; Laboratoire Matières et Systèmes Complexes, Université de Paris, CNRS, UMR7057, Université Paris-Diderot, 10 Rue Alice Domon et Léonie Duquet, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Nathan Lardier
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR 144, 26 Rue D'Ulm, F-75005, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06, CNRS, UMR 144, 26 Rue D'Ulm, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Etienne-Manneville
- Cell Polarity, Migration and Cancer Unit, Institut Pasteur, UMR3691 CNRS, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Bruno Goud
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR 144, 26 Rue D'Ulm, F-75005, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06, CNRS, UMR 144, 26 Rue D'Ulm, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Atef Asnacios
- Laboratoire Matières et Systèmes Complexes, Université de Paris, CNRS, UMR7057, Université Paris-Diderot, 10 Rue Alice Domon et Léonie Duquet, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Manneville
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR 144, 26 Rue D'Ulm, F-75005, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University Paris 06, CNRS, UMR 144, 26 Rue D'Ulm, F-75005, Paris, France.
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26
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Ghagre A, Amini A, Srivastava LK, Tirgar P, Khavari A, Koushki N, Ehrlicher A. Pattern-Based Contractility Screening, a Reference-Free Alternative to Traction Force Microscopy Methodology. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:19726-19735. [PMID: 33884863 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c02987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The sensing and generation of cellular forces are essential aspects of life. Traction force microscopy (TFM) has emerged as a standard broadly applicable methodology to measure cell contractility and its role in cell behavior. While TFM platforms have enabled diverse discoveries, their implementation remains limited in part due to various constraints, such as time-consuming substrate fabrication techniques, the need to detach cells to measure null force images, followed by complex imaging and analysis, and the unavailability of cells for postprocessing. Here we introduce a reference-free technique to measure cell contractile work in real time, with commonly available substrate fabrication methodologies, simple imaging, and analysis with the availability of the cells for postprocessing. In this technique, we confine the cells on fluorescent adhesive protein micropatterns of a known area on compliant silicone substrates and use the cell deformed pattern area to calculate cell contractile work. We validated this approach by comparing this pattern-based contractility screening (PaCS) with conventional bead-displacement TFM and show quantitative agreement between the methodologies. Using this platform, we measure the contractile work of highly metastatic MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells that is significantly higher than the contractile work of noninvasive MCF-7 cells. PaCS enables the broader implementation of contractile work measurements in diverse quantitative biology and biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajinkya Ghagre
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0E9, Canada
| | - Ali Amini
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0C3, Canada
| | | | - Pouria Tirgar
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0E9, Canada
| | - Adele Khavari
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0E9, Canada
| | - Newsha Koushki
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0E9, Canada
| | - Allen Ehrlicher
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0E9, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0C7, Canada
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0C3, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Quebec, Canada
- Centre for Structural Biology, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0G4, Quebec, Canada
- Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal H3A 1A3, Quebec, Canada
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27
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Runel G, Lopez-Ramirez N, Chlasta J, Masse I. Biomechanical Properties of Cancer Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040887. [PMID: 33924659 PMCID: PMC8069788 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the crucial role of the microenvironment has been highlighted, many studies have been focused on the role of biomechanics in cancer cell growth and the invasion of the surrounding environment. Despite the search in recent years for molecular biomarkers to try to classify and stratify cancers, much effort needs to be made to take account of morphological and nanomechanical parameters that could provide supplementary information concerning tissue complexity adaptation during cancer development. The biomechanical properties of cancer cells and their surrounding extracellular matrix have actually been proposed as promising biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. The present review first describes the main methods used to study the mechanical properties of cancer cells. Then, we address the nanomechanical description of cultured cancer cells and the crucial role of the cytoskeleton for biomechanics linked with cell morphology. Finally, we depict how studying interaction of tumor cells with their surrounding microenvironment is crucial to integrating biomechanical properties in our understanding of tumor growth and local invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaël Runel
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, CNRS-UMR5286, INSREM U1052, Université de Lyon, F-69008 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
- BioMeca, F-69008 Lyon, France;
| | - Noémie Lopez-Ramirez
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, CNRS-UMR5286, INSREM U1052, Université de Lyon, F-69008 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
| | | | - Ingrid Masse
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, CNRS-UMR5286, INSREM U1052, Université de Lyon, F-69008 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
- Correspondence:
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28
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Gîrd CE, Costea T, Mitran V. Evaluation of cytotoxic activity and anticancer potential of indigenous Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) dry extracts on MG-63 bone osteosarcoma human cell line. ROMANIAN JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY AND EMBRYOLOGY = REVUE ROUMAINE DE MORPHOLOGIE ET EMBRYOLOGIE 2021; 62:525-535. [PMID: 35024741 PMCID: PMC8848263 DOI: 10.47162/rjme.62.2.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
We aimed to investigate the cytotoxic activity of indigenous Rosemary and Oregano freeze-dried extracts upon MG-63 osteosarcoma human cell line. We have determined the influence of analyzed dry extracts on cell morphology, cell survival and cell proliferation. The evaluation of dry extracts effect upon cell proliferation and viability was assessed by means of 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. For cytotoxicity evaluation, Live & Dead and lactate dehydrogenase assays have been used. To further investigate the potential anticancer effect, we have studied the influence of dry extracts upon cells, by means of caspase-3/7 assay and proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression. Cells were incubated with extracts in the following concentration range (100–700 μg/mL) for 24 hours. According to our results, both dry extracts have shown cytotoxic effects by means of all used methods. Bone osteosarcoma cells viability significantly decreased with increasing concentration of analyzed extracts (beyond 300 μg/mL for Rosemary dry extract and only at 700 μg/mL for Oregano dry extract). According to our results, apoptosis is one of the main mechanisms involved in the cytotoxic properties of analyzed extracts. Moreover, Rosemary extract has also shown decreased expression of PCNA, when compared to control (untreated cells). Both extracts were standardized in phenolic compounds (being a rich source of flavones and phenolcarboxylic acids), so we assume that these are the main constituents involved in the cytotoxic effect. Still, further preclinical studies are needed to confirm the antitumor properties and to go deeply in the molecular mechanisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cerasela Elena Gîrd
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry and Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania;
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29
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Amos SE, Choi YS. The Cancer Microenvironment: Mechanical Challenges of the Metastatic Cascade. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:625859. [PMID: 33644019 PMCID: PMC7907606 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.625859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The metastatic cascade presents a significant challenge to patient survival in the fight against cancer. As metastatic cells disseminate and colonize a secondary site, stepwise exposure to microenvironment-specific mechanical stimuli influences and protects successful metastasis. Following cancerous transformation and associated cell recruitment, the tumor microenvironment (TME) becomes a mechanically complex niche, owing to changes in extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness and architecture. The ECM mechanically reprograms the cancer cell phenotype, priming cells for invasion. 2D and 3D hydrogel-based culture platforms approximate these environmental variables and permit investigations into tumor-dependent shifts in malignancy. Following TME modification, malignant cells must invade the local ECM, driven toward blood, and lymph vessels by sensing biochemical and biophysical gradients. Microfluidic chips recreate cancer-modified ECM tracks, empowering studies into modes of confined motility. Intravasation and extravasation consist of complex cancer-endothelial interactions that modify an otherwise submicron-scale migration. Perfused microfluidic platforms facilitate the physiological culture of endothelial cells and thus enhance the translatability of basic research into metastatic transendothelial migration. These platforms also shed light on the poorly understood circulating tumor cell, which defies adherent cell norms by surviving the shear stress of blood flow and avoiding anoikis. Metastatic cancers possess the plasticity to adapt to new mechanical conditions, permitting their invasiveness, and ensuring their survival against anomalous stimuli. Here, we review the cellular mechanics of metastasis in the context of current in vitro approaches. Advances that further expose the mechanisms underpinning the phenotypic fluidity of metastatic cancers remain central to the development of novel interventions targeting cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yu Suk Choi
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
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30
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Bakhshandeh S, Taïeb HM, Schlüßler R, Kim K, Beck T, Taubenberger A, Guck J, Cipitria A. Optical quantification of intracellular mass density and cell mechanics in 3D mechanical confinement. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:853-862. [PMID: 33232425 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01556c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Biophysical properties of cells such as intracellular mass density and cell mechanics are known to be involved in a wide range of homeostatic functions and pathological alterations. An optical readout that can be used to quantify such properties is the refractive index (RI) distribution. It has been recently reported that the nucleus, initially presumed to be the organelle with the highest dry mass density (ρ) within the cell, has in fact a lower RI and ρ than its surrounding cytoplasm. These studies have either been conducted in suspended cells, or cells adhered on 2D substrates, neither of which reflects the situation in vivo where cells are surrounded by the extracellular matrix (ECM). To better approximate the 3D situation, we encapsulated cells in 3D covalently-crosslinked alginate hydrogels with varying stiffness, and imaged the 3D RI distribution of cells, using a combined optical diffraction tomography (ODT)-epifluorescence microscope. Unexpectedly, the nuclei of cells in 3D displayed a higher ρ than the cytoplasm, in contrast to 2D cultures. Using a Brillouin-epifluorescence microscope we subsequently showed that in addition to higher ρ, the nuclei also had a higher longitudinal modulus (M) and viscosity (η) compared to the cytoplasm. Furthermore, increasing the stiffness of the hydrogel resulted in higher M for both the nuclei and cytoplasm of cells in stiff 3D alginate compared to cells in compliant 3D alginate. The ability to quantify intracellular biophysical properties with non-invasive techniques will improve our understanding of biological processes such as dormancy, apoptosis, cell growth or stem cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadra Bakhshandeh
- Department of Biomaterials, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany.
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31
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Gensbittel V, Kräter M, Harlepp S, Busnelli I, Guck J, Goetz JG. Mechanical Adaptability of Tumor Cells in Metastasis. Dev Cell 2020; 56:164-179. [PMID: 33238151 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The most dangerous aspect of cancer lies in metastatic progression. Tumor cells will successfully form life-threatening metastases when they undergo sequential steps along a journey from the primary tumor to distant organs. From a biomechanics standpoint, growth, invasion, intravasation, circulation, arrest/adhesion, and extravasation of tumor cells demand particular cell-mechanical properties in order to survive and complete the metastatic cascade. With metastatic cells usually being softer than their non-malignant counterparts, high deformability for both the cell and its nucleus is thought to offer a significant advantage for metastatic potential. However, it is still unclear whether there is a finely tuned but fixed mechanical state that accommodates all mechanical features required for survival throughout the cascade or whether tumor cells need to dynamically refine their properties and intracellular components at each new step encountered. Here, we review the various mechanical requirements successful cancer cells might need to fulfill along their journey and speculate on the possibility that they dynamically adapt their properties accordingly. The mechanical signature of a successful cancer cell might actually be its ability to adapt to the successive microenvironmental constraints along the different steps of the journey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Gensbittel
- INSERM UMR_S1109, Tumor Biomechanics, Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France; Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg, France
| | - Martin Kräter
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light & Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sébastien Harlepp
- INSERM UMR_S1109, Tumor Biomechanics, Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France; Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg, France
| | - Ignacio Busnelli
- INSERM UMR_S1109, Tumor Biomechanics, Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France; Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg, France
| | - Jochen Guck
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light & Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Jacky G Goetz
- INSERM UMR_S1109, Tumor Biomechanics, Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France; Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg, France.
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32
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Targeting Mechanotransduction in Osteosarcoma: A Comparative Oncology Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207595. [PMID: 33066583 PMCID: PMC7589883 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanotransduction is the process in which cells can convert extracellular mechanical stimuli into biochemical changes within a cell. While this a normal process for physiological development and function in many organ systems, tumour cells can exploit this process to promote tumour progression. Here we summarise the current state of knowledge of mechanotransduction in osteosarcoma (OSA), the most common primary bone tumour, referencing both human and canine models and other similar mesenchymal malignancies (e.g., Ewing sarcoma). Specifically, we discuss the mechanical properties of OSA cells, the pathways that these cells utilise to respond to external mechanical cues, and mechanotransduction-targeting strategies tested in OSA so far. We point out gaps in the literature and propose avenues to address them. Understanding how the physical microenvironment influences cell signalling and behaviour will lead to the improved design of strategies to target the mechanical vulnerabilities of OSA cells.
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33
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Li S, Bai H, Chen X, Gong S, Xiao J, Li D, Li L, Jiang Y, Li T, Qin X, Yang H, Wu C, You F, Liu Y. Soft Substrate Promotes Osteosarcoma Cell Self-Renewal, Differentiation, and Drug Resistance Through miR-29b and Its Target Protein Spin 1. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:5588-5598. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c00816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shun Li
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Hongxia Bai
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Xiangyan Chen
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Shengnan Gong
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Jinman Xiao
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Ying Jiang
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Tingting Li
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Xiang Qin
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Hong Yang
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Chunhui Wu
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Fengming You
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 39 Shi-er-qiao Road, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Yiyao Liu
- Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, Sichuan, P. R. China
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 39 Shi-er-qiao Road, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan, P. R. China
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34
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Sinjari S, Freitag JS, Herold C, Otto O, Smith DM, Stöver HDH. Tunable polymer microgel particles and their study using microscopy and
real‐time
deformability cytometry. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pol.20200274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sheilan Sinjari
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology McMaster University Hamilton Ontario Canada
| | | | | | - Oliver Otto
- ZellMechanik Dresden Dresden Germany
- Centre for Innovation Competence—Humoral Immune Reactions in Cardiovascular Disorders University of Greifswald Greifswald Germany
| | - David M. Smith
- Fraunhofer Institut für Zelltherapie und Immunologie Leipzig Germany
- University of Leipzig, Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics Leipzig Germany
- University of Leipzig Medical Faculty, Institute of Clinical Immunology Leipzig Germany
| | - Harald D. H. Stöver
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology McMaster University Hamilton Ontario Canada
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35
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De Felice D, Alaimo A. Mechanosensitive Piezo Channels in Cancer: Focus on altered Calcium Signaling in Cancer Cells and in Tumor Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12071780. [PMID: 32635333 PMCID: PMC7407875 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanotransduction, the translation of mechanical stimuli into biological signals, is a crucial mechanism involved in the function of fundamentally all cell types. In many solid tumors, the malignant transformation is often associated with drastic changes in cell mechanical features. Extracellular matrix stiffness, invasive growth, and cell mobility are just a few hallmarks present in cancer cells that, by inducing mechanical stimuli, create positive feedbacks promoting cancer development. Among the molecular players involved in these pathophysiological processes, the mechanosensitive Ca2+-permeable Piezo channels have emerged as major transducers of mechanical stress into Ca2+ dependent signals. Piezo channels are overexpressed in several cancers, such as in breast, gastric, and bladder, whereas their downregulation has been described in other cancers. Still, the roles of mechanosensitive Piezos in cancer are somewhat puzzling. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the pathophysiological roles of these Ca2+-permeable channels, with special emphasis on their functional involvement in different cancer types progression.
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36
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Deng X, Yi X, Deng J, Zou Y, Wang S, Shan W, Liu P, Zhang Z, Chen L, Hao L. ROCK2 promotes osteosarcoma growth and metastasis by modifying PFKFB3 ubiquitination and degradation. Exp Cell Res 2019; 385:111689. [PMID: 31678169 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2019.111689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase 2 (ROCK2) and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3) are widely involved in cell biological activities and play a key role in controlling various cell phenomena. However, the underlying mechanisms connecting ROCK2 and PFKFB3 in osteosarcoma growth and metastasis are poorly understood. In this study, we explored and analysed the role and molecular mechanism of ROCK2 and PFKFB3 in osteosarcoma. We analysed ROCK2 and PFKFB3 protein expression in 51 surgical specimens from osteosarcoma patients and determined the correlation between ROCK2 and PFKFB3. In addition, we used Transwell and wound-healing assays to detect cell invasion and migration and CCK8 and EdU assays to assess cell proliferation. Herein, we confirmed that ROCK2 and PFKFB3 proteins were significantly upregulated in osteosarcoma compared with adjacent normal tissues. Further studies revealed that knockdown of ROCK2 significantly decreased the expression levels of PFKFB3; moreover, growth and metastasis were decreased in shROCK2 osteosarcoma cells. Additionally, upregulation of PFKFB3 rescued the decreased proliferation and metastasis induced by ROCK2 knockdown, whereas knockdown of PFKFB3 decreased ROCK2-enhanced osteosarcoma proliferation and metastasis. These results suggest that PFKFB3 is essential for ROCK2-mediated proliferation and metastasis of osteosarcoma cells. Mechanistically, ROCK2 stabilizes PFKFB3 expression by modifying its ubiquitination and degradation. Taken together, our results link two drivers of proliferation and metastasis in osteosarcoma and identify a novel pathway for PFKFB3 regulation. Thus, we provide new evidence of the biological and clinical significance of PFKFB3 as a potential biomarker for osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqiang Deng
- Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xuan Yi
- Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jianyong Deng
- Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yeqin Zou
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wenhao Shan
- Department of Orthopedics, Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhibin Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Leifeng Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
| | - Liang Hao
- Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
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