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Leschiera E, Al-Hity G, Flint MS, Venkataraman C, Lorenzi T, Almeida L, Audebert C. An individual-based model to explore the impact of psychological stress on immune infiltration into tumour spheroids. Phys Biol 2024; 21:026003. [PMID: 38266283 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/ad221a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
In recentin vitroexperiments on co-culture between breast tumour spheroids and activated immune cells, it was observed that the introduction of the stress hormone cortisol resulted in a decreased immune cell infiltration into the spheroids. Moreover, the presence of cortisol deregulated the normal levels of the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γand IL-10. We present an individual-based model to explore the interaction dynamics between tumour and immune cells under psychological stress conditions. With our model, we explore the processes underlying the emergence of different levels of immune infiltration, with particular focus on the biological mechanisms regulated by IFN-γand IL-10. The set-up of numerical simulations is defined to mimic the scenarios considered in the experimental study. Similarly to the experimental quantitative analysis, we compute a score that quantifies the level of immune cell infiltration into the tumour. The results of numerical simulations indicate that the motility of immune cells, their capability to infiltrate through tumour cells, their growth rate and the interplay between these cell parameters can affect the level of immune cell infiltration in different ways. Ultimately, numerical simulations of this model support a deeper understanding of the impact of biological stress-induced mechanisms on immune infiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Leschiera
- Léonard de Vinci Pôle Universitaire, Research Center, 92 916 Paris, La Défense, France
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, INRIA, Bordeaux INP, IMB, UMR 5251, F-33400 Talence, France
| | - Gheed Al-Hity
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, Centre for Stress and Age-related Diseases, Moulsecoomb, Brighton BN2 4GJ, United Kingdom
| | - Melanie S Flint
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, Centre for Stress and Age-related Diseases, Moulsecoomb, Brighton BN2 4GJ, United Kingdom
| | - Chandrasekhar Venkataraman
- School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Sussex, Department of Mathematics, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QH, United Kingdom
| | - Tommaso Lorenzi
- Department of Mathematical Sciences 'G. L. Lagrange', Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
| | - Luis Almeida
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Université de Paris, Laboratoire Jacques-Louis Lions UMR 7598, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Chloe Audebert
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Université de Paris, Laboratoire Jacques-Louis Lions UMR 7598, 75005 Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS), Laboratoire de Biologie Computationnelle et Quantitative UMR 7238, 75005 Paris, France
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A Hybrid Discrete–Continuum Modelling Approach to Explore the Impact of T-Cell Infiltration on Anti-tumour Immune Response. Bull Math Biol 2022; 84:141. [DOI: 10.1007/s11538-022-01095-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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A mathematical model to study the impact of intra-tumour heterogeneity on anti-tumour CD8+ T cell immune response. J Theor Biol 2022; 538:111028. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2022.111028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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4
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Improving cancer treatments via dynamical biophysical models. Phys Life Rev 2021; 39:1-48. [PMID: 34688561 DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2021.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Despite significant advances in oncological research, cancer nowadays remains one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. New treatment techniques, as a rule, have limited efficacy, target only a narrow range of oncological diseases, and have limited availability to the general public due their high cost. An important goal in oncology is thus the modification of the types of antitumor therapy and their combinations, that are already introduced into clinical practice, with the goal of increasing the overall treatment efficacy. One option to achieve this goal is optimization of the schedules of drugs administration or performing other medical actions. Several factors complicate such tasks: the adverse effects of treatments on healthy cell populations, which must be kept tolerable; the emergence of drug resistance due to the intrinsic plasticity of heterogeneous cancer cell populations; the interplay between different types of therapies administered simultaneously. Mathematical modeling, in which a tumor and its microenvironment are considered as a single complex system, can address this complexity and can indicate potentially effective protocols, that would require experimental verification. In this review, we consider classical methods, current trends and future prospects in the field of mathematical modeling of tumor growth and treatment. In particular, methods of treatment optimization are discussed with several examples of specific problems related to different types of treatment.
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Nayak SP, Roy S. Immune phase transition under steroid treatment. Phys Rev E 2021; 103:062401. [PMID: 34271610 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.103.062401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The steroid hormone glucocorticoid (GC) is a well-known immunosuppressant that controls T-cell-mediated adaptive immune response. In this work, we have developed a minimal kinetic network model of T-cell regulation connecting relevant experimental and clinical studies to quantitatively understand the long-term effects of GC on pro-inflammatory T-cell (T_{pro}) and anti-inflammatory T-cell (T_{anti}) dynamics. Due to the antagonistic relation between these two types of T cells, their long-term steady-state population ratio helps us to characterize three classified immune regulations: (i) weak ([T_{pro}]>[T_{anti}]), (ii) strong ([T_{pro}]<[T_{anti}]), and (iii) moderate ([T_{pro}]∼[T_{anti}]), holding the characteristic bistability. In addition to the differences in their long-term steady-state outcome, each immune regulation shows distinct dynamical phases. In the presteady state, a characteristic intermediate stationary phase is observed to develop only in the moderate regulation regime. In the medicinal field, the resting time in this stationary phase is distinguished as a clinical latent period. GC dose-dependent steady-state analysis shows an optimal level of GC to drive a phase transition from the weak or autoimmune prone to the moderate regulation regime. Subsequently, the presteady state clinical latent period tends to diverge near that optimal GC level where [T_{pro}]:[T_{anti}] is highly balanced. The GC-optimized elongated stationary phase explains the rationale behind the requirement of long-term immune diagnostics, especially when long-term GC-based chemotherapeutics and other immunosuppressive drugs are administrated. Moreover, our study reveals GC sensitivity of clinical latent period, which might serve as an early warning signal in diagnosing different immune phases and determining immune phasewise steroid treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Susmita Roy
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Campus Road, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India
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Ardaševa A, Gatenby RA, Anderson ARA, Byrne HM, Maini PK, Lorenzi T. Evolutionary dynamics of competing phenotype-structured populations in periodically fluctuating environments. J Math Biol 2020; 80:775-807. [PMID: 31641842 PMCID: PMC7028828 DOI: 10.1007/s00285-019-01441-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Living species, ranging from bacteria to animals, exist in environmental conditions that exhibit spatial and temporal heterogeneity which requires them to adapt. Risk-spreading through spontaneous phenotypic variations is a known concept in ecology, which is used to explain how species may survive when faced with the evolutionary risks associated with temporally varying environments. In order to support a deeper understanding of the adaptive role of spontaneous phenotypic variations in fluctuating environments, we consider a system of non-local partial differential equations modelling the evolutionary dynamics of two competing phenotype-structured populations in the presence of periodically oscillating nutrient levels. The two populations undergo heritable, spontaneous phenotypic variations at different rates. The phenotypic state of each individual is represented by a continuous variable, and the phenotypic landscape of the populations evolves in time due to variations in the nutrient level. Exploiting the analytical tractability of our model, we study the long-time behaviour of the solutions to obtain a detailed mathematical depiction of the evolutionary dynamics. The results suggest that when nutrient levels undergo small and slow oscillations, it is evolutionarily more convenient to rarely undergo spontaneous phenotypic variations. Conversely, under relatively large and fast periodic oscillations in the nutrient levels, which bring about alternating cycles of starvation and nutrient abundance, higher rates of spontaneous phenotypic variations confer a competitive advantage. We discuss the implications of our results in the context of cancer metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Ardaševa
- Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Andrew Wiles Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG UK
| | - Robert A. Gatenby
- Department of Integrated Mathematical Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL USA
| | | | - Helen M. Byrne
- Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Andrew Wiles Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG UK
| | - Philip K. Maini
- Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Andrew Wiles Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG UK
| | - Tommaso Lorenzi
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9SS UK
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Macfarlane FR, Chaplain M, Lorenzi T. A stochastic individual-based model to explore the role of spatial interactions and antigen recognition in the immune response against solid tumours. J Theor Biol 2019; 480:43-55. [PMID: 31374282 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2019.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Spatial interactions between cancer and immune cells, as well as the recognition of tumour antigens by cells of the immune system, play a key role in the immune response against solid tumours. The existing mathematical models generally focus only on one of these key aspects. We present here a spatial stochastic individual-based model that explicitly captures antigen expression and recognition. In our model, each cancer cell is characterised by an antigen profile which can change over time due to either epimutations or mutations. The immune response against the cancer cells is initiated by the dendritic cells that recognise the tumour antigens and present them to the cytotoxic T cells. Consequently, T cells become activated against the tumour cells expressing such antigens. Moreover, the differences in movement between inactive and active immune cells are explicitly taken into account by the model. Computational simulations of our model clarify the conditions for the emergence of tumour clearance, dormancy or escape, and allow us to assess the impact of antigenic heterogeneity of cancer cells on the efficacy of immune action. Ultimately, our results highlight the complex interplay between spatial interactions and adaptive mechanisms that underpins the immune response against solid tumours, and suggest how this may be exploited to further develop cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- F R Macfarlane
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9SS, United Kingdom.
| | - Maj Chaplain
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9SS, United Kingdom
| | - T Lorenzi
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9SS, United Kingdom
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Ward JP, Franks SJ, Tindall MJ, King JR, Curtis A, Evans GS. Mathematical modelling of contact dermatitis from nickel and chromium. J Math Biol 2019; 79:595-630. [PMID: 31197444 PMCID: PMC6647287 DOI: 10.1007/s00285-019-01371-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Dermal exposure to metal allergens can lead to irritant and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). In this paper we present a mathematical model of the absorption of metal ions, hexavalent chromium and nickel, into the viable epidermis and compare the localised irritant and T-lymphocyte (T-cell) mediated immune responses. The model accounts for the spatial-temporal variation of skin health, extra and intracellular allergen concentrations, innate immune cells, T-cells, cytokine signalling and lymph node activity up to about 6 days after contact with these metals; repair processes associated with withdrawal of exposure to both metals is not considered in the current model, being assumed secondary during the initial phases of exposure. Simulations of the resulting system of PDEs are studied in one-dimension, i.e. across skin depth, and three-dimensional scenarios with the aim of comparing the responses to the two ions in the cases of first contact (no T-cells initially present) and second contact (T-cells initially present). The results show that on continuous contact, chromium ions elicit stronger skin inflammation, but for nickel, subsequent re-exposure stimulates stronger responses due to an accumulation of cytotoxic T-cell mediated responses which characterise ACD. Furthermore, the surface area of contact to these metals has little effect on the speed of response, whilst sensitivity is predicted to increase with the thickness of skin. The modelling approach is generic and should be applicable to describe contact dermatitis from a wide range of allergens.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Ward
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK.
| | - S J Franks
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - M J Tindall
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AX, UK
- Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AA, UK
| | - J R King
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - A Curtis
- Health and Safety Laboratory, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 9JN, UK
| | - G S Evans
- Health and Safety Laboratory, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 9JN, UK
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Modelling the Immune Response to Cancer: An Individual-Based Approach Accounting for the Difference in Movement Between Inactive and Activated T Cells. Bull Math Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11538-018-0412-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Czakai K, Dittrich M, Kaltdorf M, Müller T, Krappmann S, Schedler A, Bonin M, Dühring S, Schuster S, Speth C, Rambach G, Einsele H, Dandekar T, Löffler J. Influence of Platelet-rich Plasma on the immune response of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells and macrophages stimulated with Aspergillus fumigatus. Int J Med Microbiol 2016; 307:95-107. [PMID: 27965080 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2016.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages (MΦ) are critical for protection against pathogenic fungi including Aspergillus fumigatus. To analyze the role of platelets in the innate immune response, human DCs and MΦs were challenged with A. fumigatus in presence or absence of human platelet rich plasma (PRP). Gene expression analyses and functional investigations were performed. A systems biological approach was used for initial modelling of the DC - A. fumigatus interaction. DCs in a quiescent state together with different corresponding activation states were validated using gene expression data from DCs and MΦ stimulated with A. fumigatus. To characterize the influence of platelets on the immune response of DCs and MΦ to A. fumigatus, we experimentally quantified their cytokine secretion, phagocytic capacity, maturation, and metabolic activity with or without platelets. PRP in combination with A. fumigatus treatment resulted in the highest expression of the maturation markers CD80, CD83 and CD86 in DCs. Furthermore, PRP enhanced the capacity of macrophages and DCs to phagocytose A. fumigatus conidia. In parallel, PRP in combination with the innate immune cells significantly reduced the metabolic activity of the fungus. Interestingly, A. fumigatus and PRP stimulated MΦ showed a significantly reduced gene expression and secretion of IL6 while PRP only reduced the IL-6 secretion of A. fumigatus stimulated DCs. The in silico systems biological model correlated well with these experimental data. Different modules centrally involved in DC function became clearly apparent, including DC maturation, cytokine response and apoptosis pathways. Taken together, the ability of PRP to suppress IL-6 release of human DCs might prevent local excessive inflammatory hemorrhage, tissue infarction and necrosis in the human lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Czakai
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Dittrich
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Martin Kaltdorf
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Müller
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sven Krappmann
- Microbiology Institute-Clinical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anette Schedler
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Sybille Dühring
- Deparment of Bioinformatics, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Stefan Schuster
- Deparment of Bioinformatics, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Cornelia Speth
- Hygiene und Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Günter Rambach
- Hygiene und Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hermann Einsele
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Dandekar
- Department of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Löffler
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
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