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Zheng Y, Wang D, Beeghly G, Fischbach C, Shattuck MD, O'Hern CS. Computational modeling of the physical features that influence breast cancer invasion into adipose tissue. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:036104. [PMID: 38966325 PMCID: PMC11223776 DOI: 10.1063/5.0209019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer invasion into adipose tissue strongly influences disease progression and metastasis. The degree of cancer cell invasion into adipose tissue depends on both biochemical signaling and the mechanical properties of cancer cells, adipocytes, and other key components of adipose tissue. We model breast cancer invasion into adipose tissue using discrete element method simulations of active, cohesive spherical particles (cancer cells) invading into confluent packings of deformable polyhedra (adipocytes). We quantify the degree of invasion by calculating the interfacial area At between cancer cells and adipocytes. We determine the long-time value of At vs the activity and strength of the cohesion between cancer cells, as well as the mechanical properties of the adipocytes and extracellular matrix in which adipocytes are embedded. We show that the degree of invasion collapses onto a master curve as a function of the dimensionless energy scale Ec , which grows linearly with the cancer cell velocity persistence time and fluctuations, is inversely proportional to the system pressure, and is offset by the cancer cell cohesive energy. WhenE c > 1 , cancer cells will invade the adipose tissue, whereas forE c < 1 , cancer cells and adipocytes remain de-mixed. We also show that At decreases when the adipocytes are constrained by the ECM by an amount that depends on the spatial heterogeneity of the adipose tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dong Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
| | - Garrett Beeghly
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - Claudia Fischbach
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
| | - Mark D. Shattuck
- Benjamin Levich Institute and Physics Department, City College of New York, New York, New York 10031, USA
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2
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Xu C, Nedergaard M, Fowell DJ, Friedl P, Ji N. Multiphoton fluorescence microscopy for in vivo imaging. Cell 2024; 187:4458-4487. [PMID: 39178829 PMCID: PMC11373887 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
Multiphoton fluorescence microscopy (MPFM) has been a game-changer for optical imaging, particularly for studying biological tissues deep within living organisms. MPFM overcomes the strong scattering of light in heterogeneous tissue by utilizing nonlinear excitation that confines fluorescence emission mostly to the microscope focal volume. This enables high-resolution imaging deep within intact tissue and has opened new avenues for structural and functional studies. MPFM has found widespread applications and has led to numerous scientific discoveries and insights into complex biological processes. Today, MPFM is an indispensable tool in many research communities. Its versatility and effectiveness make it a go-to technique for researchers investigating biological phenomena at the cellular and subcellular levels in their native environments. In this Review, the principles, implementations, capabilities, and limitations of MPFM are presented. Three application areas of MPFM, neuroscience, cancer biology, and immunology, are reviewed in detail and serve as examples for applying MPFM to biological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Xu
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Maiken Nedergaard
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Nørre Alle 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; University of Rochester Medical School, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Deborah J Fowell
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Peter Friedl
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein 26-28, Nijmegen HB 6500, the Netherlands
| | - Na Ji
- Department of Neuroscience, Department of Physics, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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3
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Coelho LL, Vianna MM, da Silva DM, Gonzaga BMDS, Ferreira RR, Monteiro AC, Bonomo AC, Manso PPDA, de Carvalho MA, Vargas FR, Garzoni LR. Spheroid Model of Mammary Tumor Cells: Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Doxorubicin Response. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:463. [PMID: 39056658 PMCID: PMC11273983 DOI: 10.3390/biology13070463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide. Therapeutic strategies to control tumors and metastasis are still challenging. Three-dimensional (3D) spheroid-type systems more accurately replicate the features of tumors in vivo, working as a better platform for performing therapeutic response analysis. This work aimed to characterize the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and doxorubicin (dox) response in a mammary tumor spheroid (MTS) model. We evaluated the doxorubicin treatment effect on MCF-7 spheroid diameter, cell viability, death, migration and proteins involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Spheroids were also produced from tumors formed from 4T1 and 67NR cell lines. MTSs mimicked avascular tumor characteristics, exhibited adherens junction proteins and independently produced their own extracellular matrix. Our spheroid model supports the 3D culturing of cells isolated from mice mammary tumors. Through the migration assay, we verified a reduction in E-cadherin expression and an increase in vimentin expression as the cells became more distant from spheroids. Dox promoted cytotoxicity in MTSs and inhibited cell migration and the EMT process. These results suggest, for the first time, that this model reproduces aspects of the EMT process and describes the potential of dox in inhibiting the metastatic process, which can be further explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lacerda Coelho
- Laboratory of Innovations in Therapies, Education and Bioproducts, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.L.C.); (M.M.V.); (D.M.d.S.); (B.M.d.S.G.); (R.R.F.)
| | - Matheus Menezes Vianna
- Laboratory of Innovations in Therapies, Education and Bioproducts, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.L.C.); (M.M.V.); (D.M.d.S.); (B.M.d.S.G.); (R.R.F.)
| | - Debora Moraes da Silva
- Laboratory of Innovations in Therapies, Education and Bioproducts, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.L.C.); (M.M.V.); (D.M.d.S.); (B.M.d.S.G.); (R.R.F.)
| | - Beatriz Matheus de Souza Gonzaga
- Laboratory of Innovations in Therapies, Education and Bioproducts, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.L.C.); (M.M.V.); (D.M.d.S.); (B.M.d.S.G.); (R.R.F.)
| | - Roberto Rodrigues Ferreira
- Laboratory of Innovations in Therapies, Education and Bioproducts, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.L.C.); (M.M.V.); (D.M.d.S.); (B.M.d.S.G.); (R.R.F.)
| | - Ana Carolina Monteiro
- Laboratory of Osteo and Tumor Immunology, Department of Immunobiology, Fluminense Federal University (UFF), Rio de Janeiro 24020-150, Brazil;
- Thymus Research Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil;
| | - Adriana Cesar Bonomo
- Thymus Research Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil;
| | - Pedro Paulo de Abreu Manso
- Laboratory of Pathology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil;
| | | | - Fernando Regla Vargas
- Laboratory of Epidemiology of Congenital Malformations, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil;
| | - Luciana Ribeiro Garzoni
- Laboratory of Innovations in Therapies, Education and Bioproducts, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro 21040-900, Brazil; (L.L.C.); (M.M.V.); (D.M.d.S.); (B.M.d.S.G.); (R.R.F.)
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Yoon SB, Chen L, Robinson IE, Khatib TO, Arthur RA, Claussen H, Zohbi NM, Wu H, Mouw JK, Marcus AI. Subpopulation commensalism promotes Rac1-dependent invasion of single cells via laminin-332. J Cell Biol 2024; 223:e202308080. [PMID: 38551497 PMCID: PMC10982113 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202308080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic heterogeneity poses a significant hurdle for cancer treatment but is under-characterized in the context of tumor invasion. Amidst the range of phenotypic heterogeneity across solid tumor types, collectively invading cells and single cells have been extensively characterized as independent modes of invasion, but their intercellular interactions have rarely been explored. Here, we isolated collectively invading cells and single cells from the heterogeneous 4T1 cell line and observed extensive transcriptional and epigenetic diversity across these subpopulations. By integrating these datasets, we identified laminin-332 as a protein complex exclusively secreted by collectively invading cells. Live-cell imaging revealed that laminin-332 derived from collectively invading cells increased the velocity and directionality of single cells. Despite collectively invading and single cells having similar expression of the integrin α6β4 dimer, single cells demonstrated higher Rac1 activation upon laminin-332 binding to integrin α6β4. This mechanism suggests a novel commensal relationship between collectively invading and single cells, wherein collectively invading cells promote the invasive potential of single cells through a laminin-332/Rac1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Bo Yoon
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Luxiao Chen
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Isaac E. Robinson
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tala O. Khatib
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Robert A. Arthur
- Emory Integrated Computational Core, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Henry Claussen
- Emory Integrated Computational Core, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Najdat M. Zohbi
- Graduate Medical Education, Piedmont Macon Medical, Macon, GA, USA
| | - Hao Wu
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Janna K. Mouw
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Adam I. Marcus
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Kumar A, Lunawat AK, Kumar A, Sharma T, Islam MM, Kahlon MS, Mukherjee D, Narang RK, Raikwar S. Recent Trends in Nanocarrier-Based Drug Delivery System for Prostate Cancer. AAPS PharmSciTech 2024; 25:55. [PMID: 38448649 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-024-02765-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer remains a significant global health concern, requiring innovative approaches for improved therapeutic outcomes. In recent years, nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have emerged as promising strategies to address the limitations of conventional cancer chemotherapy. The key trends include utilizing nanoparticles for enhancing drug delivery to prostate cancer cells. Nanoparticles have some advantages such as improved drug solubility, prolonged circulation time, and targeted delivery of drugs. Encapsulation of chemotherapeutic agents within nanoparticles allows for controlled release kinetics, reducing systemic toxicity while maintaining therapeutic efficacy. Additionally, site-specific accumulation within the prostate tumor microenvironment is made possible by the functionalization of nanocarrier with targeted ligands, improving therapeutic effectiveness. This article highlights the basics of prostate cancer, statistics of prostate cancer, mechanism of multidrug resistance, targeting approach, and different types of nanocarrier used for the treatment of prostate cancer. It also includes the applications of nanocarriers for the treatment of prostate cancer and clinical trial studies to validate the safety and efficacy of the innovative drug delivery systems. The article focused on developing nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems, with the goal of translating these advancements into clinical applications in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India
| | - Akshay Kumar Lunawat
- Department of Pharmaceutics, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India
| | - Ashutosh Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India
| | - Tarun Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India
| | - Md Moidul Islam
- Department of Pharmaceutics, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India
| | - Milan Singh Kahlon
- Department of Pharmaceutics, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India
| | - Debanjan Mukherjee
- Department of Quality Assurance, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India
| | - Raj Kumar Narang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India
| | - Sarjana Raikwar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, 142001, Punjab, India.
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6
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Leggett SE, Brennan MC, Martinez S, Tien J, Nelson CM. Relatively Rare Populations of Invasive Cells Drive Progression of Heterogeneous Tumors. Cell Mol Bioeng 2024; 17:7-24. [PMID: 38435793 PMCID: PMC10902221 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-023-00792-w] [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: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Breast tumors often display an astonishing degree of spatial and temporal heterogeneity, which are associated with cancer progression, drug resistance, and relapse. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particularly aggressive and heterogeneous subtype for which targeted therapies are scarce. Consequently, patients with TNBC have a poorer overall prognosis compared to other breast cancer patients. Within heterogeneous tumors, individual clonal subpopulations may exhibit differences in their rates of growth and degrees of invasiveness. We hypothesized that such phenotypic heterogeneity at the single-cell level may accelerate tumor progression by enhancing the overall growth and invasion of the entire tumor. Methods To test this hypothesis, we isolated and characterized clonal subpopulations with distinct morphologies and biomarker expression from the inherently heterogeneous 4T1 mouse mammary carcinoma cell line. We then leveraged a 3D microfluidic tumor model to reverse-engineer intratumoral heterogeneity and thus investigate how interactions between phenotypically distinct subpopulations affect tumor growth and invasion. Results We found that the growth and invasion of multiclonal tumors were largely dictated by the presence of cells with epithelial and mesenchymal traits, respectively. The latter accelerated overall tumor invasion, even when these cells comprised less than 1% of the initial population. Consistently, tumor progression was delayed by selectively targeting the mesenchymal subpopulation. Discussion This work reveals that highly invasive cells can dominate tumor phenotype and that specifically targeting these cells can slow the progression of heterogeneous tumors, which may help inform therapeutic approaches. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12195-023-00792-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E. Leggett
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Princeton University, 303 Hoyt Laboratory, 25 William Street, Princeton, NJ 08544 USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801 USA
| | - Molly C. Brennan
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Princeton University, 303 Hoyt Laboratory, 25 William Street, Princeton, NJ 08544 USA
| | - Sophia Martinez
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Princeton University, 303 Hoyt Laboratory, 25 William Street, Princeton, NJ 08544 USA
| | - Joe Tien
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Celeste M. Nelson
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Princeton University, 303 Hoyt Laboratory, 25 William Street, Princeton, NJ 08544 USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544 USA
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7
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Almagro J, Messal HA. Volume imaging to interrogate cancer cell-tumor microenvironment interactions in space and time. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1176594. [PMID: 37261345 PMCID: PMC10228654 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1176594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Volume imaging visualizes the three-dimensional (3D) complexity of tumors to unravel the dynamic crosstalk between cancer cells and the heterogeneous landscape of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Tissue clearing and intravital microscopy (IVM) constitute rapidly progressing technologies to study the architectural context of such interactions. Tissue clearing enables high-resolution imaging of large samples, allowing for the characterization of entire tumors and even organs and organisms with tumors. With IVM, the dynamic engagement between cancer cells and the TME can be visualized in 3D over time, allowing for acquisition of 4D data. Together, tissue clearing and IVM have been critical in the examination of cancer-TME interactions and have drastically advanced our knowledge in fundamental cancer research and clinical oncology. This review provides an overview of the current technical repertoire of fluorescence volume imaging technologies to study cancer and the TME, and discusses how their recent applications have been utilized to advance our fundamental understanding of tumor architecture, stromal and immune infiltration, vascularization and innervation, and to explore avenues for immunotherapy and optimized chemotherapy delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Almagro
- Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Hendrik A. Messal
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Martinez-Vidal L, Chighizola M, Berardi M, Alchera E, Locatelli I, Pederzoli F, Venegoni C, Lucianò R, Milani P, Bielawski K, Salonia A, Podestà A, Alfano M. Micro-mechanical fingerprints of the rat bladder change in actinic cystitis and tumor presence. Commun Biol 2023; 6:217. [PMID: 36823431 PMCID: PMC9950451 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04572-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue mechanics determines tissue homeostasis, disease development and progression. Bladder strongly relies on its mechanical properties to perform its physiological function, but these are poorly unveiled under normal and pathological conditions. Here we characterize the mechanical fingerprints at the micro-scale level of the three tissue layers which compose the healthy bladder wall, and identify modifications associated with the onset and progression of pathological conditions (i.e., actinic cystitis and bladder cancer). We use two indentation-based instruments (an Atomic Force Microscope and a nanoindenter) and compare the micromechanical maps with a comprehensive histological analysis. We find that the healthy bladder wall is a mechanically inhomogeneous tissue, with a gradient of increasing stiffness from the urothelium to the lamina propria, which gradually decreases when reaching the muscle outer layer. Stiffening in fibrotic tissues correlate with increased deposition of dense extracellular matrix in the lamina propria. An increase in tissue compliance is observed before the onset and invasion of the tumor. By providing high resolution micromechanical investigation of each tissue layer of the bladder, we depict the intrinsic mechanical heterogeneity of the layers of a healthy bladder as compared with the mechanical properties alterations associated with either actinic cystitis or bladder tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Martinez-Vidal
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, 20132, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Via Olgettina, 60, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - M Chighizola
- C.I.Ma.I.Na and Dipartimento di Fisica "Aldo Pontremoli", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - M Berardi
- Optics11, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- LaserLab, Department of Physics and Astronomy, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - E Alchera
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - I Locatelli
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - F Pederzoli
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, 20132, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Via Olgettina, 60, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - C Venegoni
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - R Lucianò
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - P Milani
- C.I.Ma.I.Na and Dipartimento di Fisica "Aldo Pontremoli", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | | | - A Salonia
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, 20132, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Via Olgettina, 60, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - A Podestà
- C.I.Ma.I.Na and Dipartimento di Fisica "Aldo Pontremoli", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, 20133, Italy.
| | - M Alfano
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, 20132, Italy.
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9
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Dos Santos A, Lamego ÉC, Eisenhardt LM, de Vargas I, Flores MM, Fighera RA, Kommers GD. Prevalence and anatomopathological characterization of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas with regional and distant metastases in dogs and cats: 20 cases (1985-2020). Vet Comp Oncol 2023; 21:291-301. [PMID: 36806427 DOI: 10.1111/vco.12887] [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: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of regional and distant metastases from cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in dogs (n = 11) and cats (n = 9) in a retrospective case series over 36 years (1985-2020), as well as to characterize its macroscopic aspects (location and size), degree of differentiation (well, moderately and poorly differentiated [WD, MD and PD, respectively]) and the rate of cell proliferation, by counting the AgNORs. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to identify patterns of tumour migration and invasion (islands, ribbons, cords, small aggregates, individual cells [fusiform and amoeboid]) and to evaluate the intensity of desmoplasia and the amount of myofibroblasts. The prevalence of metastatic SCCs was 4.39% (21/478), being 3.8% in dog (12/309) and 5.3% in cat (9/169). Metastases affected lymph nodes in all dogs and 66% (6/9) of cats, and less frequently distant organs. Primary tumours predominantly affected the abdominal skin in dogs and the nasal planum in cats. Among the 20 cases, 52% were MDs, 34% were WDs, and 14% were PDs. Histological lesions suggestive of exposure to chronic solar radiation were present in 57% (8/14). The main patterns of tumour migration and invasion were islands for WD SCCs and individual cells for PD SCCs. MD SCCs had a mix of patterns. In cats, individual spindle cells were restricted to PDs. A marked desmoplastic reaction was more associated with PD SCCs and often with MDs. This study highlights that the prevalence of SCC metastases in dogs and cats is predominantly regional. The IHC was essential in the identification of individual fusiform keratinocytes, whose presence in surgical margins may represent a greater risk of recurrence. Although the presence of myofibroblasts was observed in all infiltrative and metastatic tumours, further studies evaluating these cells may be important to better understand their role in the tumour microenvironment of cutaneous SCCs with metastasis in dogs and cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Dos Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Éryca Ceolin Lamego
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Luíza Müller Eisenhardt
- Curso de Medicina Veterinária, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Indianara de Vargas
- Curso de Medicina Veterinária, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Mariana Martins Flores
- Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária, Departamento de Patologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Rafael Almeida Fighera
- Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária, Departamento de Patologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Glaucia D Kommers
- Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária, Departamento de Patologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
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10
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Entenberg D, Oktay MH, Condeelis JS. Intravital imaging to study cancer progression and metastasis. Nat Rev Cancer 2023; 23:25-42. [PMID: 36385560 PMCID: PMC9912378 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-022-00527-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Navigation through the bulk tumour, entry into the blood vasculature, survival in the circulation, exit at distant sites and resumption of proliferation are all steps necessary for tumour cells to successfully metastasize. The ability of tumour cells to complete these steps is highly dependent on the timing and sequence of the interactions that these cells have with the tumour microenvironment (TME), including stromal cells, the extracellular matrix and soluble factors. The TME thus plays a major role in determining the overall metastatic phenotype of tumours. The complexity and cause-and-effect dynamics of the TME cannot currently be recapitulated in vitro or inferred from studies of fixed tissue, and are best studied in vivo, in real time and at single-cell resolution. Intravital imaging (IVI) offers these capabilities, and recent years have been a time of immense growth and innovation in the field. Here we review some of the recent advances in IVI of mammalian models of cancer and describe how IVI is being used to understand cancer progression and metastasis, and to develop novel treatments and therapies. We describe new techniques that allow access to a range of tissue and cancer types, novel fluorescent reporters and biosensors that allow fate mapping and the probing of functional and phenotypic states, and the clinical applications that have arisen from applying these techniques, reporters and biosensors to study cancer. We finish by presenting some of the challenges that remain in the field, how to address them and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Entenberg
- Gruss Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Integrated Imaging Program, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
| | - Maja H Oktay
- Gruss Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Integrated Imaging Program, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
| | - John S Condeelis
- Gruss Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Integrated Imaging Program, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
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11
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Perrin L, Belova E, Bayarmagnai B, Tüzel E, Gligorijevic B. Invadopodia enable cooperative invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells. Commun Biol 2022; 5:758. [PMID: 35915226 PMCID: PMC9343607 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03642-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive and non-invasive cancer cells can invade together during cooperative invasion. However, the events leading to it, role of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the consequences this may have on metastasis are unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that the isogenic 4T1 and 67NR breast cancer cells sort from each other in 3D spheroids, followed by cooperative invasion. By time-lapse microscopy, we show that the invasive 4T1 cells move more persistently compared to non-invasive 67NR, sorting and accumulating at the spheroid-matrix interface, a process dependent on cell-matrix adhesions and independent from E-cadherin cell-cell adhesions. Elimination of invadopodia in 4T1 cells blocks invasion, demonstrating that invadopodia requirement is limited to leader cells. Importantly, we demonstrate that cells with and without invadopodia can also engage in cooperative metastasis in preclinical mouse models. Altogether, our results suggest that a small number of cells with invadopodia can drive the metastasis of heterogeneous cell clusters. Cooperative invasion requires the formation of invadopodia in the leader cells, and a small number of leader cells may be enough to facilitate cooperative invasion and metastasis, including non-invadopodia forming cancer cells.
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12
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Scheele CLGJ, Herrmann D, Yamashita E, Celso CL, Jenne CN, Oktay MH, Entenberg D, Friedl P, Weigert R, Meijboom FLB, Ishii M, Timpson P, van Rheenen J. Multiphoton intravital microscopy of rodents. NATURE REVIEWS. METHODS PRIMERS 2022; 2:89. [PMID: 37621948 PMCID: PMC10449057 DOI: 10.1038/s43586-022-00168-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Tissues are heterogeneous with respect to cellular and non-cellular components and in the dynamic interactions between these elements. To study the behaviour and fate of individual cells in these complex tissues, intravital microscopy (IVM) techniques such as multiphoton microscopy have been developed to visualize intact and live tissues at cellular and subcellular resolution. IVM experiments have revealed unique insights into the dynamic interplay between different cell types and their local environment, and how this drives morphogenesis and homeostasis of tissues, inflammation and immune responses, and the development of various diseases. This Primer introduces researchers to IVM technologies, with a focus on multiphoton microscopy of rodents, and discusses challenges, solutions and practical tips on how to perform IVM. To illustrate the unique potential of IVM, several examples of results are highlighted. Finally, we discuss data reproducibility and how to handle big imaging data sets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colinda L. G. J. Scheele
- Laboratory for Intravital Imaging and Dynamics of Tumor Progression, VIB Center for Cancer Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - David Herrmann
- Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Cancer Department, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St. Vincent’s Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Erika Yamashita
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- WPI-Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Drug Discovery, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Cristina Lo Celso
- Department of Life Sciences and Centre for Hematology, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Sir Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Craig N. Jenne
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Maja H. Oktay
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Integrated Imaging Program, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - David Entenberg
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Integrated Imaging Program, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Peter Friedl
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- David H. Koch Center for Applied Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Roberto Weigert
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Franck L. B. Meijboom
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Sustainable Animal Stewardship, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Faculty of Humanities, Ethics Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Masaru Ishii
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- WPI-Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Drug Discovery, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Paul Timpson
- Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Cancer Department, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St. Vincent’s Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jacco van Rheenen
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Division of Molecular Pathology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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13
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Zitnay RG, Herron MR, Carney KR, Potter S, Emerson LL, Weiss JA, Mendoza MC. Mechanics of lung cancer: A finite element model shows strain amplification during early tumorigenesis. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1010153. [PMID: 36279309 PMCID: PMC9632844 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Early lung cancer lesions develop within a unique microenvironment that undergoes constant cyclic stretch from respiration. While tumor stiffening is an established driver of tumor progression, the contribution of stress and strain to lung cancer is unknown. We developed tissue scale finite element models of lung tissue to test how early lesions alter respiration-induced strain. We found that an early tumor, represented as alveolar filling, amplified the strain experienced in the adjacent alveolar walls. Tumor stiffening further increased the amplitude of the strain in the adjacent alveolar walls and extended the strain amplification deeper into the normal lung. In contrast, the strain experienced in the tumor proper was less than the applied strain, although regions of amplification appeared at the tumor edge. Measurements of the alveolar wall thickness in clinical and mouse model samples of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) showed wall thickening adjacent to the tumors, consistent with cellular response to strain. Modeling alveolar wall thickening by encircling the tumor with thickened walls moved the strain amplification radially outward, to the next adjacent alveolus. Simulating iterative thickening in response to amplified strain produced tracks of thickened walls. We observed such tracks in early-stage clinical samples. The tracks were populated with invading tumor cells, suggesting that strain amplification in very early lung lesions could guide pro-invasive remodeling of the tumor microenvironment. The simulation results and tumor measurements suggest that cells at the edge of a lung tumor and in surrounding alveolar walls experience increased strain during respiration that could promote tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca G. Zitnay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Michael R. Herron
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Keith R. Carney
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Scott Potter
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Lyska L. Emerson
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey A. Weiss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Michelle C. Mendoza
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
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14
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Hakim M, Kermanshah L, Abouali H, Hashemi HM, Yari A, Khorasheh F, Alemzadeh I, Vossoughi M. Unraveling Cancer Metastatic Cascade Using Microfluidics-based Technologies. Biophys Rev 2022; 14:517-543. [PMID: 35528034 PMCID: PMC9043145 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-022-00944-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer has long been a leading cause of death. The primary tumor, however, is not the main cause of death in more than 90% of cases. It is the complex process of metastasis that makes cancer deadly. The invasion metastasis cascade is the multi-step biological process of cancer cell dissemination to distant organ sites and adaptation to the new microenvironment site. Unraveling the metastasis process can provide great insight into cancer death prevention or even treatment. Microfluidics is a promising platform, that provides a wide range of applications in metastasis-related investigations. Cell culture microfluidic technologies for in vitro modeling of cancer tissues with fluid flow and the presence of mechanical factors have led to the organ-on-a-chip platforms. Moreover, microfluidic systems have also been exploited for capturing and characterization of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) that provide crucial information on the metastatic behavior of a tumor. We present a comprehensive review of the recent developments in the application of microfluidics-based systems for analysis and understanding of the metastasis cascade from a wider perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maziar Hakim
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leyla Kermanshah
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hesam Abouali
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hanieh Mohammad Hashemi
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Yari
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farhad Khorasheh
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Iran Alemzadeh
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Manouchehr Vossoughi
- Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
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15
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Kotian N, Troike KM, Curran KN, Lathia JD, McDonald JA. A Drosophila RNAi screen reveals conserved glioblastoma-related adhesion genes that regulate collective cell migration. G3 GENES|GENOMES|GENETICS 2022; 12:6388037. [PMID: 34849760 PMCID: PMC8728034 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Migrating cell collectives are key to embryonic development but also contribute to invasion and metastasis of a variety of cancers. Cell collectives can invade deep into tissues, leading to tumor progression and resistance to therapies. Collective cell invasion is also observed in the lethal brain tumor glioblastoma (GBM), which infiltrates the surrounding brain parenchyma leading to tumor growth and poor patient outcomes. Drosophila border cells, which migrate as a small cell cluster in the developing ovary, are a well-studied and genetically accessible model used to identify general mechanisms that control collective cell migration within native tissue environments. Most cell collectives remain cohesive through a variety of cell–cell adhesion proteins during their migration through tissues and organs. In this study, we first identified cell adhesion, cell matrix, cell junction, and associated regulatory genes that are expressed in human brain tumors. We performed RNAi knockdown of the Drosophila orthologs in border cells to evaluate if migration and/or cohesion of the cluster was impaired. From this screen, we identified eight adhesion-related genes that disrupted border cell collective migration upon RNAi knockdown. Bioinformatics analyses further demonstrated that subsets of the orthologous genes were elevated in the margin and invasive edge of human GBM patient tumors. These data together show that conserved cell adhesion and adhesion regulatory proteins with potential roles in tumor invasion also modulate collective cell migration. This dual screening approach for adhesion genes linked to GBM and border cell migration thus may reveal conserved mechanisms that drive collective tumor cell invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirupama Kotian
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Katie M Troike
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Kristen N Curran
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Justin D Lathia
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
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16
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Abstract
E-cadherin is the main component of epithelial adherens junctions (AJs), which play a crucial role in the maintenance of stable cell-cell adhesion and overall tissue integrity. Down-regulation of E-cadherin expression has been found in many carcinomas, and loss of E-cadherin is generally associated with poor prognosis in patients. During the last decade, however, numerous studies have shown that E-cadherin is essential for several aspects of cancer cell biology that contribute to cancer progression, most importantly, active cell migration. In this review, we summarize the available data about the input of E-cadherin in cancer progression, focusing on the latest advances in the research of the various roles E-cadherin-based AJs play in cancer cell dissemination. The review also touches upon the "cadherin switching" in cancer cells where N- or P-cadherin replace or are co-expressed with E-cadherin and its influence on the migratory properties of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana N Rubtsova
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Institute of Carcinogenesis, Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina Y Zhitnyak
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Institute of Carcinogenesis, Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalya A Gloushankova
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Institute of Carcinogenesis, Moscow, Russia
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17
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Hook KA, Yang Q, Campanello L, Losert W, Fisher HS. The social shape of sperm: using an integrative machine-learning approach to examine sperm ultrastructure and collective motility. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20211553. [PMID: 34547913 PMCID: PMC8456146 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm is one of the most morphologically diverse cell types in nature, yet they also exhibit remarkable behavioural variation, including the formation of collective groups of cells that swim together for motility or transport through the female reproductive tract. Here, we take advantage of natural variation in sperm traits observed across Peromyscus mice to test the hypothesis that the morphology of the sperm head influences their sperm aggregation behaviour. Using both manual and automated morphometric approaches to quantify their complex shapes, and then statistical modelling and machine learning to analyse their features, we show that the aspect ratio of the sperm head is the most distinguishing morphological trait and statistically associates with collective sperm movements obtained from in vitro observations. We then successfully use neural network analysis to predict the size of sperm aggregates from sperm head morphology and show that species with relatively wider sperm heads form larger aggregates, which is consistent with the theoretical prediction that an adhesive region around the equatorial region of the sperm head mediates these unique gametic interactions. Together these findings advance our understanding of how even subtle variation in sperm design can drive differences in sperm function and performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin A. Hook
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, 1200 Biology-Psychology Building, 4094 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Qixin Yang
- Department of Physics, University of Maryland, 1147 Physical Sciences Complex, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Institute of Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, 4254 Stadium Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Leonard Campanello
- Department of Physics, University of Maryland, 1147 Physical Sciences Complex, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Institute of Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, 4254 Stadium Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Wolfgang Losert
- Department of Physics, University of Maryland, 1147 Physical Sciences Complex, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Institute of Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, 4254 Stadium Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Heidi S. Fisher
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, 1200 Biology-Psychology Building, 4094 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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18
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Jain R, Tikoo S, On K, Martinez B, Dervish S, Cavanagh LL, Weninger W. Visualizing murine breast and melanoma tumor microenvironment using intravital multiphoton microscopy. STAR Protoc 2021; 2:100722. [PMID: 34458865 PMCID: PMC8379651 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Intravital multiphoton imaging of the tumor milieu allows for the dissection of intricate and dynamic biological processes in situ. Herein, we present a step-by-step protocol for setting up an experimental cancer imaging model that has been optimized for solid tumors such as breast cancer and melanoma implanted in the flanks of mice. This protocol can be utilized for dissecting tumor-immune cell dynamics in vivo or other tumor-specific biological questions. For complete details on the use of this protocol for intravital imaging of breast cancer, please refer to Tikoo et al. (2021a), and for intravital imaging of melanoma, please refer to Tikoo et al. (2021b). Detailed protocol for setting up high-resolution intravital imaging of murine tumors 3D printing of custom stage inserts for tumor stabilization Procedures for cannulation of blood vessels Surgical preparation and tissue stabilization for imaging tumor milieu in vivo
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Jain
- Centenary Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Shweta Tikoo
- Centenary Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Kathy On
- Centenary Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Brendon Martinez
- Centenary Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Suat Dervish
- Centenary Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Lois L Cavanagh
- Centenary Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Wolfgang Weninger
- Centenary Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.,Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
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19
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Martinez-Vidal L, Murdica V, Venegoni C, Pederzoli F, Bandini M, Necchi A, Salonia A, Alfano M. Causal contributors to tissue stiffness and clinical relevance in urology. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1011. [PMID: 34446834 PMCID: PMC8390675 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02539-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanomedicine is an emerging field focused on characterizing mechanical changes in cells and tissues coupled with a specific disease. Understanding the mechanical cues that drive disease progression, and whether tissue stiffening can precede disease development, is crucial in order to define new mechanical biomarkers to improve and develop diagnostic and prognostic tools. Classically known stromal regulators, such as fibroblasts, and more recently acknowledged factors such as the microbiome and extracellular vesicles, play a crucial role in modifications to the stroma and extracellular matrix (ECM). These modifications ultimately lead to an alteration of the mechanical properties (stiffness) of the tissue, contributing to disease onset and progression. We describe here classic and emerging mediators of ECM remodeling, and discuss state-of-the-art studies characterizing mechanical fingerprints of urological diseases, showing a general trend between increased tissue stiffness and severity of disease. Finally, we point to the clinical potential of tissue stiffness as a diagnostic and prognostic factor in the urological field, as well as a possible target for new innovative drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Martinez-Vidal
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.
| | - Valentina Murdica
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Venegoni
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Pederzoli
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Bandini
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Salonia
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Alfano
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
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20
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Directional cues in the tumor microenvironment due to cell contraction against aligned collagen fibers. Acta Biomater 2021; 129:96-109. [PMID: 33965625 PMCID: PMC8848478 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.04.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
It is well established that collagen alignment in the breast tumor microenvironment provides biophysical cues to drive disease progression. Numerous mechanistic studies have demonstrated that tumor cell behavior is driven by the architecture and stiffness of the collagen matrix. However, the mechanical properties within a 3D collagen microenvironment, particularly at the scale of the cell, remain poorly defined. To investigate cell-scale mechanical cues with respect to local collagen architecture, we employed a combination of intravital imaging of the mammary tumor microenvironment and a 3D collagen gel system with both acellular pNIPAAm microspheres and MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cells. Within the in vivo tumor microenvironment, the displacement of collagen fiber was identified in response to tumor cells migrating through the stromal matrix. To further investigate cell-scale stiffness in aligned fiber architectures and the propagation of cell-induced fiber deformations, precise control of collagen architecture was coupled with innovative methodology to measure mechanical properties of the collagen fiber network. This method revealed up to a 35-fold difference in directional cell-scale stiffness resulting from contraction against aligned fibers. Furthermore, the local anisotropy of the matrix dramatically altered the rate at which contractility-induced fiber displacements decayed over distance. Together, our results reveal mechanical properties in aligned matrices that provide dramatically different cues to the cell in perpendicular directions. These findings are supported by the mechanosensing behavior of tumor cells and have important implications for cell-cell communication within the tissue microenvironment. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: It is widely appreciated that the architecture of the extracellular matrix impacts cellular behavior in normal and disease states. Numerous studies have determined the fundamental role of collagen matrix architecture on cellular mechanosensing, but effectively quantifying anisotropic mechanical properties of the collagen matrix at the cell-scale remains challenging. Here, we developed innovative methodology to discover that collagen alignment results in a 35-fold difference in cell-scale stiffness and alters contractile force transmission through the fiber network. Furthermore, we identified bias in cell response along the axis of alignment, where local stiffness is highest. Overall, our results define cell-scale stiffness and fiber deformations due to collagen architecture that may instruct cell communication within a broad range of tissue microenvironments.
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21
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Garde A, Sherwood DR. Fueling Cell Invasion through Extracellular Matrix. Trends Cell Biol 2021; 31:445-456. [PMID: 33549396 PMCID: PMC8122022 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2021.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Cell invasion through extracellular matrix (ECM) has pivotal roles in cell dispersal during development, immune cell trafficking, and cancer metastasis. Many elegant studies have revealed the specialized cellular protrusions, proteases, and distinct modes of migration invasive cells use to overcome ECM barriers. Less clear, however, is how invasive cells provide energy, specifically ATP, to power the energetically demanding membrane trafficking, F-actin polymerization, and actomyosin machinery that mediate break down, remodeling, and movement through ECMs. Here, we provide an overview of the challenges of examining ATP generation and delivery within invading cells and how recent studies using diverse invasion models, experimental approaches, and energy biosensors are revealing that energy metabolism is an integral component of cell invasive behavior that is dynamically tuned to overcome the ECM environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aastha Garde
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Box 3709, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - David R Sherwood
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Box 90338, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Regeneration Next, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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22
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Intravital microscopy to illuminate cell state plasticity during metastasis. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2021; 72:28-35. [PMID: 34020117 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Microenvironmental cues in tumors induce in a wide variety of cellular states that subsequently lead to cancer cells with distinct cellular identity, behavior, and fate. Recent literature suggests that the ability to change cellular states, a process defined as cell state plasticity, enable cells to rapidly adapt to their changing environment during tumor progression and metastasis. In this review, we will discuss how recent high-resolution intravital microscopy studies have been instrumental to reveal the real-time dynamics of tumor cell state plasticity during the different steps of the metastatic cascade. In addition, we will highlight the role of tumor plasticity during anticancer treatment response, and how plasticity can be used as a potential druggable target.
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23
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Lee RM, Vitolo MI, Losert W, Martin SS. Distinct roles of tumor associated mutations in collective cell migration. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10291. [PMID: 33986306 PMCID: PMC8119502 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89130-6] [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: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that groups of cells are more likely to form clinically dangerous metastatic tumors, emphasizing the importance of understanding mechanisms underlying collective behavior. The emergent collective behavior of migrating cell sheets in vitro has been shown to be disrupted in tumorigenic cells but the connection between this behavior and in vivo tumorigenicity remains unclear. We use particle image velocimetry to measure a multidimensional migration phenotype for genetically defined human breast epithelial cell lines that range in their in vivo behavior from non-tumorigenic to aggressively metastatic. By using cells with controlled mutations, we show that PTEN deletion enhances collective migration, while Ras activation suppresses it, even when combined with PTEN deletion. These opposing effects on collective migration of two mutations that are frequently found in patient tumors could be exploited in the development of novel treatments for metastatic disease. Our methods are based on label-free phase contrast imaging, and thus could easily be applied to patient tumor cells. The short time scales of our approach do not require potentially selective growth, and thus in combination with label-free imaging would allow multidimensional collective migration phenotypes to be utilized in clinical assessments of metastatic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M. Lee
- grid.411024.20000 0001 2175 4264Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA ,grid.164295.d0000 0001 0941 7177Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
| | - Michele I. Vitolo
- grid.411024.20000 0001 2175 4264Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA ,grid.411024.20000 0001 2175 4264Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
| | - Wolfgang Losert
- grid.411024.20000 0001 2175 4264Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA ,grid.164295.d0000 0001 0941 7177Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA
| | - Stuart S. Martin
- grid.411024.20000 0001 2175 4264Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA ,grid.411024.20000 0001 2175 4264Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201 USA
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24
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Pramanik D, Jolly MK, Bhat R. Matrix adhesion and remodeling diversifies modes of cancer invasion across spatial scales. J Theor Biol 2021; 524:110733. [PMID: 33933478 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2021.110733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The metastasis of malignant epithelial tumors begins with the egress of transformed cells from the confines of their basement membrane (BM) to their surrounding collagen-rich stroma. Invasion can be morphologically diverse: when breast cancer cells are separately cultured within BM-like matrix, collagen I (Coll I), or a combination of both, they exhibit collective-, dispersed mesenchymal-, and a mixed collective-dispersed (multimodal)- invasion, respectively. In this paper, we asked how distinct these invasive modes are with respect to the cellular and microenvironmental cues that drive them. A rigorous computational exploration of invasion was performed within an experimentally motivated Cellular Potts-based modeling environment. The model comprised of adhesive interactions between cancer cells, BM- and Coll I-like extracellular matrix (ECM), and reaction-diffusion-based remodeling of ECM. The model outputs were parameters cognate to dispersed- and collective- invasion. A clustering analysis of the output distribution curated through a careful examination of subsumed phenotypes suggested at least four distinct invasive states: dispersed, papillary-collective, bulk-collective, and multimodal, in addition to an indolent/non-invasive state. Mapping input values to specific output clusters suggested that each of these invasive states are specified by distinct input signatures of proliferation, adhesion and ECM remodeling. In addition, specific input perturbations allowed transitions between the clusters and revealed the variation in the robustness between the invasive states. Our systems-level approach proffers quantitative insights into how the diversity in ECM microenvironments may steer invasion into diverse phenotypic modes during early dissemination of breast cancer and contributes to tumor heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Pramanik
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India; Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
| | - M K Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
| | - R Bhat
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
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25
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Leggett SE, Hruska AM, Guo M, Wong IY. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the cytoskeleton in bioengineered systems. Cell Commun Signal 2021; 19:32. [PMID: 33691719 PMCID: PMC7945251 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-021-00713-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is intrinsically linked to alterations of the intracellular cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. After EMT, cells acquire an elongated morphology with front/back polarity, which can be attributed to actin-driven protrusion formation as well as the gain of vimentin expression. Consequently, cells can deform and remodel the surrounding matrix in order to facilitate local invasion. In this review, we highlight recent bioengineering approaches to elucidate EMT and functional changes in the cytoskeleton. First, we review transitions between multicellular clusters and dispersed individuals on planar surfaces, which often exhibit coordinated behaviors driven by leader cells and EMT. Second, we consider the functional role of vimentin, which can be probed at subcellular length scales and within confined spaces. Third, we discuss the role of topographical patterning and EMT via a contact guidance like mechanism. Finally, we address how multicellular clusters disorganize and disseminate in 3D matrix. These new technologies enable controlled physical microenvironments and higher-resolution spatiotemporal measurements of EMT at the single cell level. In closing, we consider future directions for the field and outstanding questions regarding EMT and the cytoskeleton for human cancer progression. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Leggett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, William St, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Alex M Hruska
- School of Engineering, Center for Biomedical Engineering, and Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Brown University, 184 Hope St Box D, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Ming Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Ian Y Wong
- School of Engineering, Center for Biomedical Engineering, and Joint Program in Cancer Biology, Brown University, 184 Hope St Box D, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
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26
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Messal HA, van Rheenen J, Scheele CLGJ. An Intravital Microscopy Toolbox to Study Mammary Gland Dynamics from Cellular Level to Organ Scale. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2021; 26:9-27. [PMID: 33945058 PMCID: PMC8217050 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-021-09487-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The architecture of the mouse mammary gland is highly dynamic and constantly remodeled during pubertal development and estrous cycle-driven sprouting and regression of alveolar side branches. During each of these developmental stages, turnover is driven by distinct subsets of mammary epithelial cells. Extensive previous research has shed light on the unique morphological and cell biological characteristics of each stage. However, technological shortcomings failed to capture the dynamics and single-cell contributions to mammary remodeling. Here, we developed in vivo imaging strategies to follow the same mammary ducts over time and quantify the dynamics of mammary gland growth and remodeling from single-cell level to organ scale. Using a combination of intravital microscopy and genetic reporter systems we show how proliferative heterogeneity drives ductal morphogenesis during different developmental stages. To visualize pubertal growth at the cellular level, we performed long-term time-lapse imaging of extending terminal end buds through a mammary imaging window. We show that single-cells within the terminal end buds are extremely motile and continuously exchange position whilst the duct is elongating. To visualize short-term remodeling in the adult mammary gland at the single cell level, we performed multi-day intravital imaging in photoconvertible Kikume Green-Red mice and fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator mice. We demonstrate that the contribution of single-cells to estrous-driven remodeling is highly variable between cells in the same micro-environment. To assess the effects of this dynamic proliferative contribution on the long-term stability of tissue architecture, we developed a repeated skin flap method to assess mammary gland morphology by intravital microscopy over extended time spans for up to six months. Interestingly, in contrast to the short-term dynamic remodeling, the long-term morphology of the mammary gland remains remarkably stable. Together, our tool box of imaging strategies allows to identify and map transient and continuing dynamics of single cells to the architecture of the mammary gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik A. Messal
- grid.430814.aDivision of Molecular Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Oncode Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jacco van Rheenen
- grid.430814.aDivision of Molecular Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Oncode Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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27
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Offeddu GS, Hajal C, Foley CR, Wan Z, Ibrahim L, Coughlin MF, Kamm RD. The cancer glycocalyx mediates intravascular adhesion and extravasation during metastatic dissemination. Commun Biol 2021; 4:255. [PMID: 33637851 PMCID: PMC7910477 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01774-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The glycocalyx on tumor cells has been recently identified as an important driver for cancer progression, possibly providing critical opportunities for treatment. Metastasis, in particular, is often the limiting step in the survival to cancer, yet our understanding of how tumor cells escape the vascular system to initiate metastatic sites remains limited. Using an in vitro model of the human microvasculature, we assess here the importance of the tumor and vascular glycocalyces during tumor cell extravasation. Through selective manipulation of individual components of the glycocalyx, we reveal a mechanism whereby tumor cells prepare an adhesive vascular niche by depositing components of the glycocalyx along the endothelium. Accumulated hyaluronic acid shed by tumor cells subsequently mediates adhesion to the endothelium via the glycoprotein CD44. Trans-endothelial migration and invasion into the stroma occurs through binding of the isoform CD44v to components of the sub-endothelial extra-cellular matrix. Targeting of the hyaluronic acid-CD44 glycocalyx complex results in significant reduction in the extravasation of tumor cells. These studies provide evidence of tumor cells repurposing the glycocalyx to promote adhesive interactions leading to cancer progression. Such glycocalyx-mediated mechanisms may be therapeutically targeted to hinder metastasis and improve patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni S. Offeddu
- grid.116068.80000 0001 2341 2786Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Cynthia Hajal
- grid.116068.80000 0001 2341 2786Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Colleen R. Foley
- grid.116068.80000 0001 2341 2786Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Zhengpeng Wan
- grid.116068.80000 0001 2341 2786Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Lina Ibrahim
- grid.116068.80000 0001 2341 2786Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Mark F. Coughlin
- grid.116068.80000 0001 2341 2786Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Roger D. Kamm
- grid.116068.80000 0001 2341 2786Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA ,grid.116068.80000 0001 2341 2786Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA USA
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28
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Beyer S, Blocki A, Cheung MCY, Wan ZHY, Mehrjou B, Kamm RD. Lectin Staining of Microvascular Glycocalyx in Microfluidic Cancer Cell Extravasation Assays. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11030179. [PMID: 33668945 PMCID: PMC7996592 DOI: 10.3390/life11030179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The endothelial glycocalyx forms the inner-most lining of human microvasculature. It ensures the physiological function of blood vessels and plays a crucial role in the occurrence and progression of microvascular diseases. The present communication aims to highlight the usefulness of high-resolution imaging of lectin (Bandeiraea Simplicifolia) stained endothelial glycocalyx in 3-dimensional microfluidic cell cultures. The microfluidic system allowed visualizing cancer cell extravasation, which is a key event in metastasis formation in cancer pathologies. In brief, microvascular networks were created through spontaneous vasculogenesis. This occurred from 3 dimensional (3D) suspensions of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in hydrogels confined within microfluidic devices. Extravasation of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells from perfusable endothelial lumens was observed with confocal imaging of lectin-stained microvascular networks. The present work provides guidance towards optimizing the methodology used to elucidate the role of the endothelial glycocalyx during cancer cell extravasation. In particular, a high-resolution view of the endothelial glycocalyx at the site of extravasation is presented. The occurrence of glycocalyx defects is well aligned with the contemporary notion in the field that glycocalyx shedding precedes cancer cell extravasation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Beyer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China; (M.C.Y.C.); (B.M.)
- Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China; (A.B.); (Z.H.Y.W.)
- Correspondence: (S.B.); (R.D.K.)
| | - Anna Blocki
- Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China; (A.B.); (Z.H.Y.W.)
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Matthew Chung Yin Cheung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China; (M.C.Y.C.); (B.M.)
| | - Zoe Ho Ying Wan
- Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China; (A.B.); (Z.H.Y.W.)
| | - Babak Mehrjou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China; (M.C.Y.C.); (B.M.)
- Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China; (A.B.); (Z.H.Y.W.)
| | - Roger Dale Kamm
- Departments of Biological Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Technology Square, MIT Building, Room NE47-321, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Correspondence: (S.B.); (R.D.K.)
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29
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Gavin C, Geerts N, Cavanagh B, Haynes M, Reynolds CP, Loessner D, Ewald AJ, Piskareva O. Neuroblastoma Invasion Strategies Are Regulated by the Extracellular Matrix. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:736. [PMID: 33578855 PMCID: PMC7916632 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a paediatric malignancy of the developing sympathetic nervous system. About half of the patients have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis and a survival rate of less than 50%. Our understanding of the cellular processes promoting neuroblastoma metastases will be facilitated by the development of appropriate experimental models. In this study, we aimed to explore the invasion of neuroblastoma cells and organoids from patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) grown embedded in 3D extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogels by time-lapse microscopy and quantitative image analysis. We found that the ECM composition influenced the growth, viability and local invasion of organoids. The ECM compositions induced distinct cell behaviours, with Matrigel being the preferred substratum for local organoid invasion. Organoid invasion was cell line- and PDX-dependent. We identified six distinct phenotypes in PDX-derived organoids. In contrast, NB cell lines were more phenotypically restricted in their invasion strategies, as organoids isolated from cell line-derived xenografts displayed a broader range of phenotypes compared to clonal cell line clusters. The addition of FBS and bFGF induced more aggressive cell behaviour and a broader range of phenotypes. In contrast, the repression of the prognostic neuroblastoma marker, MYCN, resulted in less aggressive cell behaviour. The combination of PDX organoids, real-time imaging and the novel 3D culture assays developed herein will enable rapid progress in elucidating the molecular mechanisms that control neuroblastoma invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cian Gavin
- Cancer Bio-Engineering Group, Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland; (C.G.); (N.G.)
| | - Nele Geerts
- Cancer Bio-Engineering Group, Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland; (C.G.); (N.G.)
| | - Brenton Cavanagh
- Cellular and Molecular Imaging Core, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland;
| | - Meagan Haynes
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (M.H.); (A.J.E.)
| | - C. Patrick Reynolds
- Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79416, USA;
- Departments of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79416, USA
| | - Daniela Loessner
- Departments of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia;
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Andrew J. Ewald
- Center for Cell Dynamics, Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (M.H.); (A.J.E.)
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Program, Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Olga Piskareva
- Cancer Bio-Engineering Group, Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland; (C.G.); (N.G.)
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin D02 YN77, Ireland
- National Children’s Research Centre, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin, Dublin D12 8MGH, Ireland
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30
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Coban B, Bergonzini C, Zweemer AJM, Danen EHJ. Metastasis: crosstalk between tissue mechanics and tumour cell plasticity. Br J Cancer 2021; 124:49-57. [PMID: 33204023 PMCID: PMC7782541 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-020-01150-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the fact that different genetic programmes drive metastasis of solid tumours, the ultimate outcome is the same: tumour cells are empowered to pass a series of physical hurdles to escape the primary tumour and disseminate to other organs. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been proposed to drive the detachment of individual cells from primary tumour masses and facilitate the subsequent establishment of metastases in distant organs. However, this concept has been challenged by observations from pathologists and from studies in animal models, in which partial and transient acquisition of mesenchymal traits is seen but tumour cells travel collectively rather than as individuals. In this review, we discuss how crosstalk between a hybrid E/M state and variations in the mechanical aspects of the tumour microenvironment can provide tumour cells with the plasticity required for strategies to navigate surrounding tissues en route to dissemination. Targeting such plasticity provides therapeutic opportunities to combat metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bircan Coban
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cecilia Bergonzini
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Annelien J M Zweemer
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Erik H J Danen
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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31
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Saxena K, Jolly MK, Balamurugan K. Hypoxia, partial EMT and collective migration: Emerging culprits in metastasis. Transl Oncol 2020; 13:100845. [PMID: 32781367 PMCID: PMC7419667 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2020.100845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular biological process involved in migration of primary cancer cells to secondary sites facilitating metastasis. Besides, EMT also confers properties such as stemness, drug resistance and immune evasion which can aid a successful colonization at the distant site. EMT is not a binary process; recent evidence suggests that cells in partial EMT or hybrid E/M phenotype(s) can have enhanced stemness and drug resistance as compared to those undergoing a complete EMT. Moreover, partial EMT enables collective migration of cells as clusters of circulating tumor cells or emboli, further endorsing that cells in hybrid E/M phenotypes may be the 'fittest' for metastasis. Here, we review mechanisms and implications of hybrid E/M phenotypes, including their reported association with hypoxia. Hypoxia-driven activation of HIF-1α can drive EMT. In addition, cyclic hypoxia, as compared to acute or chronic hypoxia, shows the highest levels of active HIF-1α and can augment cancer aggressiveness to a greater extent, including enriching for a partial EMT phenotype. We also discuss how metastasis is influenced by hypoxia, partial EMT and collective cell migration, and call for a better understanding of interconnections among these mechanisms. We discuss the known regulators of hypoxia, hybrid EMT and collective cell migration and highlight the gaps which needs to be filled for connecting these three axes which will increase our understanding of dynamics of metastasis and help control it more effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritika Saxena
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
| | - Kuppusamy Balamurugan
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
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32
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Wu JS, Jiang J, Chen BJ, Wang K, Tang YL, Liang XH. Plasticity of cancer cell invasion: Patterns and mechanisms. Transl Oncol 2020; 14:100899. [PMID: 33080522 PMCID: PMC7573380 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2020.100899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cell migration and invasion are integral components of metastatic disease, which is the major cause of death in cancer patients. Cancer cells can disseminate and migrate via several alternative mechanisms including amoeboid cell migration, mesenchymal cell migration, and collective cell migration. These diverse movement strategies display certain specific and distinct hallmarks in cell-cell junctions, actin cytoskeleton, matrix adhesion, and protease activity. During tumor progression, cells pass through complex microenvironments and adapt their migration strategies by reversible mesenchymal-amoeboid and individual-collective transitions. This plasticity in motility patterns enables cancer cells disseminate further and thus limit the efficiency of anti-metastasis therapies. In this review, we discuss the modes and mechanisms of cancer cell migration and focus on the plasticity of tumor cell movement as well as potential emerging therapeutic options for reducing cancer cell invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Shun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jian Jiang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bing-Jun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ke Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ya-Ling Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Xin-Hua Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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33
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Khalil AA, Ilina O, Vasaturo A, Venhuizen JH, Vullings M, Venhuizen V, Bilos A, Figdor CG, Span PN, Friedl P. Collective invasion induced by an autocrine purinergic loop through connexin-43 hemichannels. J Cell Biol 2020; 219:e201911120. [PMID: 32777015 PMCID: PMC7659730 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201911120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Progression of epithelial cancers predominantly proceeds by collective invasion of cell groups with coordinated cell-cell junctions and multicellular cytoskeletal activity. Collectively invading breast cancer cells express the gap junction protein connexin-43 (Cx43), yet whether Cx43 regulates collective invasion remains unclear. We here show that Cx43 mediates gap-junctional coupling between collectively invading breast cancer cells and, via hemichannels, adenosine nucleotide/nucleoside release into the extracellular space. Using molecular interference and rescue strategies, we identify that Cx43 hemichannel function, but not intercellular communication, induces leader cell activity and collective migration through the engagement of the adenosine receptor 1 (ADORA1) and AKT signaling. Accordingly, pharmacological inhibition of ADORA1 or AKT signaling caused leader cell collapse and halted collective invasion. ADORA1 inhibition further reduced local invasion of orthotopic mammary tumors in vivo, and joint up-regulation of Cx43 and ADORA1 in breast cancer patients correlated with decreased relapse-free survival. This identifies autocrine purinergic signaling, through Cx43 hemichannels, as a critical pathway in leader cell function and collective invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine A. Khalil
- Department of Dermatology and Graduate School of Life Science, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Olga Ilina
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Angela Vasaturo
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Jan-Hendrik Venhuizen
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Manon Vullings
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Victor Venhuizen
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Ab Bilos
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Carl G. Figdor
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Paul N. Span
- Radiotherapy and OncoImmunology Laboratory, Department of Radiation Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Peter Friedl
- Department of Dermatology and Graduate School of Life Science, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- David H. Koch Center for Genitourinary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
- Cancer Genomics Center, Utrecht, Netherlands
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34
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Bakir B, Chiarella AM, Pitarresi JR, Rustgi AK. EMT, MET, Plasticity, and Tumor Metastasis. Trends Cell Biol 2020; 30:764-776. [PMID: 32800658 PMCID: PMC7647095 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2020.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 519] [Impact Index Per Article: 129.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cell identity and plasticity are required in transition states, such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), in primary tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. The functional roles of EMT, MET, and the partial state (referred to as pEMT) may vary based on the type of tumor, the state of dissemination, and the degree of metastatic colonization. Herein, we review EMT, MET, pEMT, and plasticity in the context of tumor metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basil Bakir
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Anna M Chiarella
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jason R Pitarresi
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Anil K Rustgi
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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35
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Ilina O, Gritsenko PG, Syga S, Lippoldt J, La Porta CAM, Chepizhko O, Grosser S, Vullings M, Bakker GJ, Starruß J, Bult P, Zapperi S, Käs JA, Deutsch A, Friedl P. Cell-cell adhesion and 3D matrix confinement determine jamming transitions in breast cancer invasion. Nat Cell Biol 2020; 22:1103-1115. [PMID: 32839548 PMCID: PMC7502685 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-020-0552-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Plasticity of cancer invasion and metastasis depends on the ability of cancer cells to switch between collective and single-cell dissemination, controlled by cadherin-mediated cell-cell junctions. In clinical samples, E-cadherin-expressing and -deficient tumours both invade collectively and metastasize equally, implicating additional mechanisms controlling cell-cell cooperation and individualization. Here, using spatially defined organotypic culture, intravital microscopy of mammary tumours in mice and in silico modelling, we identify cell density regulation by three-dimensional tissue boundaries to physically control collective movement irrespective of the composition and stability of cell-cell junctions. Deregulation of adherens junctions by downregulation of E-cadherin and p120-catenin resulted in a transition from coordinated to uncoordinated collective movement along extracellular boundaries, whereas single-cell escape depended on locally free tissue space. These results indicate that cadherins and extracellular matrix confinement cooperate to determine unjamming transitions and stepwise epithelial fluidization towards, ultimately, cell individualization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Ilina
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Pavlo G Gritsenko
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Simon Syga
- Department of Innovative Computing, Centre for Information Services and High Performance Computing, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jürgen Lippoldt
- Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Caterina A M La Porta
- Center for Complexity and Biosystems, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Biofisica, Milan, Italy
| | - Oleksandr Chepizhko
- Institut für Theoretische Physik, Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Steffen Grosser
- Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Manon Vullings
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Gert-Jan Bakker
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jörn Starruß
- Department of Innovative Computing, Centre for Information Services and High Performance Computing, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Peter Bult
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Stefano Zapperi
- Center for Complexity and Biosystems, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Chimica della Materia Condensata e di Tecnologie per l'Energia, Milan, Italy
| | - Josef A Käs
- Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andreas Deutsch
- Department of Innovative Computing, Centre for Information Services and High Performance Computing, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Peter Friedl
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
- David H. Koch Center for Applied Genitourinary Cancers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Cancer Genomics Centre, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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36
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Plygawko AT, Kan S, Campbell K. Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity: emerging parallels between tissue morphogenesis and cancer metastasis. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20200087. [PMID: 32829692 PMCID: PMC7482222 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Many cells possess epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity (EMP), which allows them to shift reversibly between adherent, static and more detached, migratory states. These changes in cell behaviour are driven by the programmes of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal–epithelial transition (MET), both of which play vital roles during normal development and tissue homeostasis. However, the aberrant activation of these processes can also drive distinct stages of cancer progression, including tumour invasiveness, cell dissemination and metastatic colonization and outgrowth. This review examines emerging common themes underlying EMP during tissue morphogenesis and malignant progression, such as the context dependence of EMT transcription factors, a central role for partial EMTs and the nonlinear relationship between EMT and MET. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Contemporary morphogenesis'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T Plygawko
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Shohei Kan
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Kyra Campbell
- Department of Biomedical Science and Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
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37
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Shelah O, Wertheimer S, Haj-Ali R, Lesman A. Coral-Derived Collagen Fibers for Engineering Aligned Tissues. Tissue Eng Part A 2020; 27:187-200. [PMID: 32524890 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2020.0116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a growing need for biomaterial scaffolds that support engineering of soft tissue substitutes featuring structure and mechanical properties similar to those of the native tissue. This work introduces a new biomaterial system that is based on centimeter-long collagen fibers extracted from Sarcophyton soft corals, wrapped around frames to create aligned fiber arrays. The collagen arrays displayed hyperelastic and viscoelastic mechanical properties that resembled those of collagenous-rich tissues. Cytotoxicity tests demonstrated that the collagen arrays were nontoxic to fibroblast cells. In addition, fibroblast cells seeded on the collagen arrays demonstrated spreading and increased growth for up to 40 days, and their orientation followed that of the aligned fibers. The possibility to combine the collagen cellular arrays with poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG-DA) hydrogel, to create integrated biocomposites, was also demonstrated. This study showed that coral collagen fibers in combination with a hydrogel can support biological tissue-like growth, with predefined orientation over a long period of time in culture. As such, it is an attractive scaffold for the construction of various engineered tissues to match their native oriented morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ortal Shelah
- School of Mechanical Engineering, The Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
| | - Shir Wertheimer
- School of Mechanical Engineering, The Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
| | - Rami Haj-Ali
- School of Mechanical Engineering, The Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
| | - Ayelet Lesman
- School of Mechanical Engineering, The Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
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38
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Westcott JM, Camacho S, Nasir A, Huysman ME, Rahhal R, Dang TT, Riegel AT, Brekken RA, Pearson GW. ΔNp63-Regulated Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition State Heterogeneity Confers a Leader-Follower Relationship That Drives Collective Invasion. Cancer Res 2020; 80:3933-3944. [PMID: 32661136 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Defining how interactions between tumor subpopulations contribute to invasion is essential for understanding how tumors metastasize. Here, we find that the heterogeneous expression of the transcription factor ΔNp63 confers distinct proliferative and invasive epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) states in subpopulations that establish a leader-follower relationship to collectively invade. A ΔNp63-high EMT program coupled the ability to proliferate with an IL1α- and miR-205-dependent suppression of cellular protrusions that are required to initiate collective invasion. An alternative ΔNp63-low EMT program conferred cells with the ability to initiate and lead collective invasion. However, this ΔNp63-low EMT state triggered a collateral loss of fitness. Importantly, rare growth-suppressed ΔNp63-low EMT cells influenced tumor progression by leading the invasion of proliferative ΔNp63-high EMT cells in heterogeneous primary tumors. Thus, heterogeneous activation of distinct EMT programs promotes a mode of collective invasion that overcomes cell intrinsic phenotypic deficiencies to induce the dissemination of proliferative tumor cells. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings reveal how an interaction between cells in different EMT states confers properties that are not induced by either EMT program alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill M Westcott
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Sharon Camacho
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | - Apsra Nasir
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | - Molly E Huysman
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | - Raneen Rahhal
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | - Tuyen T Dang
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Anna T Riegel
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | - Rolf A Brekken
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.,Department of Surgery, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Gray W Pearson
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC.
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39
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Kim SK, Jang SD, Kim H, Chung S, Park JK, Kuh HJ. Phenotypic Heterogeneity and Plasticity of Cancer Cell Migration in a Pancreatic Tumor Three-Dimensional Culture Model. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12051305. [PMID: 32455681 PMCID: PMC7281339 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Invasive cancer cell migration is a key feature of metastatic human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated modes of cancer cell invasion using two pancreatic cancer cell lines with differential epithelial–mesenchymal status, PANC-1 and BxPC-3, under 3D culture conditions. Multicellular tumor spheroids (TSs) were grown in a collagen matrix co-cultured with pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) using microchannel chips. PANC-1 cells showed individual migration from TSs via invadopodium formation. BxPC-3 cells showed plasticity between collective and individual migration in either mesenchymal mode, with filopodium-like protrusions, or blebby amoeboid mode. These two cell lines showed significantly different patterns of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, with MMP-dependent degradation in a limited area of ECM around invadopodia for PANC-1 cells, or MMP-independent extensive deformation of ECM for BxPC-3 cells. Cancer cell migration out of the collagen channel significantly increased by PSCs and directional cancer cell migration was mediated by fibronectin deposited by PSCs. Our results highlight the phenotypic heterogeneity and plasticity of PDAC cell migration and ECM remodeling under 3D culture conditions. This 3D co-culture model of pancreatic cancer cells and PSCs offers a useful tool for studying cancer cell migration and ECM remodeling to identify and develop potential molecular targets and anti-cancer agents against human PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seul-Ki Kim
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, Graduate School, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea; (S.-K.K.); (S.D.J.)
| | - So Dam Jang
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, Graduate School, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea; (S.-K.K.); (S.D.J.)
| | - Hyunho Kim
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; (H.K.); (S.C.)
| | - Seok Chung
- School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; (H.K.); (S.C.)
| | - Jong Kook Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, Research Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do 24252, Korea;
| | - Hyo-Jeong Kuh
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, Graduate School, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea; (S.-K.K.); (S.D.J.)
- Cancer Evolution Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea
- Department of Medical Life Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea
- Correspondence:
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40
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Cell matrix adhesion in cell migration. Essays Biochem 2020; 63:535-551. [PMID: 31444228 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20190012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The ability of cells to migrate is a fundamental physiological process involved in embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, immune surveillance and wound healing. In order for cells to migrate, they must interact with their environment using adhesion receptors, such as integrins, and form specialized adhesion complexes that mediate responses to different extracellular cues. In this review, we discuss the role of integrin adhesion complexes (IACs) in cell migration, highlighting the layers of regulation that are involved, including intracellular signalling cascades, mechanosensing and reciprocal feedback to the extracellular environment. We also discuss the role of IACs in extracellular matrix remodeling and how they impact upon cell migration.
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41
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Doolin MT, Moriarty RA, Stroka KM. Mechanosensing of Mechanical Confinement by Mesenchymal-Like Cells. Front Physiol 2020; 11:365. [PMID: 32390868 PMCID: PMC7193100 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and tumor cells have the unique capability to migrate out of their native environment and either home or metastasize, respectively, through extremely heterogeneous environments to a distant location. Once there, they can either aid in tissue regrowth or impart an immunomodulatory effect in the case of MSCs, or form secondary tumors in the case of tumor cells. During these journeys, cells experience physically confining forces that impinge on the cell body and the nucleus, ultimately causing a multitude of cellular changes. Most drastically, confining individual MSCs within hydrogels or confining monolayers of MSCs within agarose wells can sway MSC lineage commitment, while applying a confining compressive stress to metastatic tumor cells can increase their invasiveness. In this review, we seek to understand the signaling cascades that occur as cells sense confining forces and how that translates to behavioral changes, including elongated and multinucleated cell morphologies, novel migrational mechanisms, and altered gene expression, leading to a unique MSC secretome that could hold great promise for anti-inflammatory treatments. Through comparison of these altered behaviors, we aim to discern how MSCs alter their lineage selection, while tumor cells may become more aggressive and invasive. Synthesizing this information can be useful for employing MSCs for therapeutic approaches through systemic injections or tissue engineered grafts, and developing improved strategies for metastatic cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary T. Doolin
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Rebecca A. Moriarty
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Kimberly M. Stroka
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
- Maryland Biophysics Program, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
- Center for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
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42
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Identifying conserved molecular targets required for cell migration of glioblastoma cancer stem cells. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:152. [PMID: 32102991 PMCID: PMC7044427 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-2342-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent primary malignant brain tumor and is associated with extensive tumor cell infiltration into the adjacent brain parenchyma. However, there are limited targeted therapies that address this disease hallmark. While the invasive capacity of self-renewing cancer stem cells (CSCs) and their non-CSC progeny has been investigated, the mode(s) of migration used by CSCs during invasion is currently unknown. Here we used time-lapse microscopy to evaluate the migratory behavior of CSCs, with a focus on identifying key regulators of migration. A head-to-head migration assay demonstrated that CSCs are more invasive than non-CSCs. Time-lapse live cell imaging further revealed that GBM patient-derived CSC models either migrate in a collective manner or in a single cell fashion. To uncover conserved molecular regulators responsible for collective cell invasion, we utilized the genetically tractable Drosophila border cell collective migration model. Candidates for functional studies were generated using results from a targeted Drosophila genetic screen followed by gene expression analysis of the human homologs in GBM tumors and associated GBM patient prognosis. This strategy identified the highly conserved small GTPase, Rap1a, as a potential regulator of cell invasion. Alteration of Rap1a activity impaired the forward progress of Drosophila border cells during development. Rap1a expression was elevated in GBM and associated with higher tumor grade. Functionally, the levels of activated Rap1a impacted CSC migration speed out of spheres onto extracellular matrix. The data presented here demonstrate that CSCs are more invasive than non-CSCs, are capable of both collective and single cell migration, and express conserved genes that are required for migration and invasion. Using this integrated approach, we identified a new role for Rap1a in the migration of GBM CSCs.
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43
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Kapsokalyvas D, van Zandvoort MAMJ. Molecular Imaging in Oncology: Advanced Microscopy Techniques. Recent Results Cancer Res 2020; 216:533-561. [PMID: 32594398 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-42618-7_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Preclinical studies usually require high levels of morphological, functional, and biochemical information at subcellular resolution. This type of information cannot be obtained from clinical imaging techniques, such as MRI, PET/CT, or US. Luckily, many microscopy techniques exist that can offer this information, also for malignant tissues and therapeutic approaches. In this overview, we discuss the various advanced optical microscopy techniques and their applications in oncological research. After a short introduction in Sect. 16.1, we continue in Sect. 16.2 with a discussion on fluorescent labelling strategies, followed in Sect. 16.3 by an in-depth description of confocal, light-sheet, two-photon, and super-resolution microscopy. We end in Sect. 16.4 with a focus on the applications, specifically in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Kapsokalyvas
- School for Oncology and Developmental Biology GROW and School for Cardiovascular Diseases CARIM, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Institut für Molekulare Kreislaufforschung, Universitätsklinikum Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Marc A M J van Zandvoort
- School for Oncology and Developmental Biology GROW and School for Cardiovascular Diseases CARIM, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- Institut für Molekulare Kreislaufforschung, Universitätsklinikum Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
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44
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Di Martino JS, Mondal C, Bravo-Cordero JJ. Textures of the tumour microenvironment. Essays Biochem 2019; 63:619-629. [PMID: 31654075 PMCID: PMC6839695 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20190019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In this review, we present recent findings on the dynamic nature of the tumour microenvironment (TME) and how intravital microscopy studies have defined TME components in a spatiotemporal manner. Intravital microscopy has shed light into the nature of the TME, revealing structural details of both tumour cells and other TME co-habitants in vivo, how these cells communicate with each other, and how they are organized in three-dimensional space to orchestrate tumour growth, invasion, dissemination and metastasis. We will review different imaging tools, imaging reporters and fate-mapping strategies that have begun to uncover the complexity of the TME in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie S Di Martino
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at
Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Chandrani Mondal
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at
Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jose Javier Bravo-Cordero
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at
Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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45
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Teeuwssen M, Fodde R. Cell Heterogeneity and Phenotypic Plasticity in Metastasis Formation: The Case of Colon Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11091368. [PMID: 31540068 PMCID: PMC6770401 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11091368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The adenoma-to-carcinoma progression in colon cancer is driven by a sequential accumulation of genetic alterations at specific tumor suppressors and oncogenes. In contrast, the multistage route from the primary site to metastasis formation is underlined by phenotypic plasticity, i.e., the capacity of disseminated tumor cells to undergo transiently and reversible transformations in order to adapt to the ever-changing environmental contexts. Notwithstanding the considerable body of evidence in support of the role played by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)/mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) in metastasis, its rate-limiting function, the detailed underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms, and the extension of the necessary morphologic and epigenetic changes are still a matter of debate. Rather than leading to a complete epithelial or mesenchymal state, the EMT/MET-program generates migrating cancer cells displaying intermediate phenotypes featuring both epithelial and mesenchymal characteristics. In this review, we will address the role of colon cancer heterogeneity and phenotypic plasticity in metastasis formation and the contribution of EMT to these processes. The alleged role of hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) in collective and/or single-cell migration during local dissemination at the primary site and more systemic spreading will also be highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Teeuwssen
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Riccardo Fodde
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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46
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Bray LJ, Hutmacher DW, Bock N. Addressing Patient Specificity in the Engineering of Tumor Models. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2019; 7:217. [PMID: 31572718 PMCID: PMC6751285 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer treatment is challenged by the heterogeneous nature of cancer, where prognosis depends on tumor type and disease stage, as well as previous treatments. Optimal patient stratification is critical for the development and validation of effective treatments, yet pre-clinical model systems are lacking in the delivery of effective individualized platforms that reflect distinct patient-specific clinical situations. Advances in cancer cell biology, biofabrication, and microengineering technologies have led to the development of more complex in vitro three-dimensional (3D) models to act as drug testing platforms and to elucidate novel cancer mechanisms. Mostly, these strategies have enabled researchers to account for the tumor microenvironment context including tumor-stroma interactions, a key factor of heterogeneity that affects both progression and therapeutic resistance. This is aided by state-of-the-art biomaterials and tissue engineering technologies, coupled with reproducible and high-throughput platforms that enable modeling of relevant physical and chemical factors. Yet, the translation of these models and technologies has been impaired by neglecting to incorporate patient-derived cells or tissues, and largely focusing on immortalized cell lines instead, contributing to drug failure rates. While this is a necessary step to establish and validate new models, a paradigm shift is needed to enable the systematic inclusion of patient-derived materials in the design and use of such models. In this review, we first present an overview of the components responsible for heterogeneity in different tumor microenvironments. Next, we introduce the state-of-the-art of current in vitro 3D cancer models employing patient-derived materials in traditional scaffold-free approaches, followed by novel bioengineered scaffold-based approaches, and further supported by dynamic systems such as bioreactors, microfluidics, and tumor-on-a-chip devices. We critically discuss the challenges and clinical prospects of models that have succeeded in providing clinical relevance and impact, and present emerging concepts of novel cancer model systems that are addressing patient specificity, the next frontier to be tackled by the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J. Bray
- School of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanical Engineering, Science and Engineering Faculty, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Centre in Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Dietmar W. Hutmacher
- School of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanical Engineering, Science and Engineering Faculty, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Centre in Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre (APCRC-Q), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Training Centre in Additive Biomanufacturing, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia
| | - Nathalie Bock
- Centre in Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre (APCRC-Q), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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47
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Suhail Y, Cain MP, Vanaja K, Kurywchak PA, Levchenko A, Kalluri R, Kshitiz. Systems Biology of Cancer Metastasis. Cell Syst 2019; 9:109-127. [PMID: 31465728 PMCID: PMC6716621 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2019.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is no longer viewed as a linear cascade of events but rather as a series of concurrent, partially overlapping processes, as successfully metastasizing cells assume new phenotypes while jettisoning older behaviors. The lack of a systemic understanding of this complex phenomenon has limited progress in developing treatments for metastatic disease. Because metastasis has traditionally been investigated in distinct physiological compartments, the integration of these complex and interlinked aspects remains a challenge for both systems-level experimental and computational modeling of metastasis. Here, we present some of the current perspectives on the complexity of cancer metastasis, the multiscale nature of its progression, and a systems-level view of the processes underlying the invasive spread of cancer cells. We also highlight the gaps in our current understanding of cancer metastasis as well as insights emerging from interdisciplinary systems biology approaches to understand this complex phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasir Suhail
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA; Cancer Systems Biology @ Yale (CaSB@Yale), Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Margo P Cain
- Department of Cancer Biology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kiran Vanaja
- Cancer Systems Biology @ Yale (CaSB@Yale), Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Paul A Kurywchak
- Department of Cancer Biology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andre Levchenko
- Cancer Systems Biology @ Yale (CaSB@Yale), Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Raghu Kalluri
- Department of Cancer Biology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kshitiz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA; Cancer Systems Biology @ Yale (CaSB@Yale), Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.
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48
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Nevozhay D, Weiger M, Friedl P, Sokolov KV. Spatiotemporally controlled nano-sized third harmonic generation agents. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2019; 10:3301-3316. [PMID: 31360600 PMCID: PMC6640828 DOI: 10.1364/boe.10.003301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Here, we present a new class of third harmonic generation (THG) imaging probes that can be activated with precise spatiotemporal control using non-linear excitation. These probes consist of lipid-coated perfluorocarbon nanodroplets with embedded visible chromophores. The droplets undergo phase transition from liquid to gas upon heating mediated by two-photon absorption of NIR light by the embedded dyes. Resulting microbubbles provide a sharp, local refractive index mismatch, which makes an excellent source of THG signal. Potential applications of these probes include activatable THG agents for biological imaging and "on-demand" delivery of various compounds under THG monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Nevozhay
- Department of Imaging Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- School of Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University, 8 Sukhanova Street, Vladivostok, 690950, Russia
- Equal contribution
| | - Michael Weiger
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Equal contribution
| | - Peter Friedl
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Cancer Genomics Centre, (CGC.nl), 3584 Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Konstantin V. Sokolov
- Department of Imaging Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6100 Main St, Houston, TX 77005, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 107 W Dean Keeton Street, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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Control of Invasion by Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Programs during Metastasis. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8050646. [PMID: 31083398 PMCID: PMC6572027 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8050646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) programs contribute to the acquisition of invasive properties that are essential for metastasis. It is well established that EMT programs alter cell state and promote invasive behavior. This review discusses how rather than following one specific program, EMT states are diverse in their regulation and invasive properties. Analysis across a spectrum of models using a combination of approaches has revealed how unique features of distinct EMT programs dictate whether tumor cells invade as single cells or collectively as cohesive groups of cells. It has also been shown that the mode of collective invasion is determined by the nature of the EMT, with cells in a trailblazer-type EMT state being capable of initiating collective invasion, whereas cells that have undergone an opportunist-type EMT are dependent on extrinsic factors to invade. In addition to altering cell intrinsic properties, EMT programs can influence invasion through non-cell autonomous mechanisms. Analysis of tumor subpopulations has demonstrated how EMT-induced cells can drive the invasion of sibling epithelial populations through paracrine signaling and remodeling of the microenvironment. Importantly, the variation in invasive properties controlled by EMT programs influences the kinetics and location of metastasis.
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