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Das A, Adhikary S, Chowdhury AR, Barui A. Chirality-induced Lineage Enforcement of Mechanosensitive Mesenchymal Stem Cells Across Germ Layer Boundaries. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2024; 20:755-768. [PMID: 37971671 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10656-5] [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] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) is instrumental in embryogenesis, tissue repair, and wound healing while the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays role in carcinogenesis. Alteration in microenvironment can modulate cellular signaling and induce EMT and MET. However, modulation of microenvironment to induce MET has been relatively less explored. In this work, effect of matrix stiffness in mediating MET in umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSC) is investigated. Differential segregation of cell fate determinant proteins is one of the key factors in mediating altered stem cell fates through MET even though the genesis of apicobasal polarity remains ambiguous. Herein, it is also attempted to decipher if microenvironment-induced asymmetric cell division has a role to play in driving the cells toward MET. UCMSC cultured on stiffer PDMS matrices resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) higher expression of mechanotransduction proteins. It was also observed that stiffer matrices mediated significant (p < 0.05) upregulation of the polarity proteins and cell fate determinant protein, and epithelial marker proteins over lesser stiff substrates. On the contrary, expression of inflammatory and mesenchymal markers was reduced significantly (p < 0.05) on the stiffer matrices. Cell cycle analysis showed a significant increase in the G1 phase among the cells seeded on stiffer matrices. Transcriptomic studies validated higher expression of epithelial markers genes and lower expression of EMT markers. The transition from mesenchymal to epithelial phenotype depending on the gradation in matrix stiffness is successfully demonstrated. A computational machine learning model was developed to validate stiffness-MET correlation with 94% accuracy. The cross-boundary trans-lineage differentiation capability of MSC on bioengineered substrates can be used as a potential tool in tissue regeneration, organogenesis, and wound healing applications. In our present study, we deciphered the correlation between YAP/TAZ mechanotransduction pathway, EMT signaling pathway, and asymmetric cell division in mediating MET in MSC in a substrate stiffness-dependent manner. It is inferred that the stiffer PDMS matrices facilitate the transition from mesenchymal to epithelial state of MSC. Further, our study also proposed a scoring system to sort MSC from an intermediate hybrid E/M population while undergoing graded MET on matrices of different stiffnesses using a machine learning technique. This proposed scoring system can provide information regarding the E/M state of MSC on different bioengineered constructs based on their biophysical properties which may help in the proper choice of biomaterials in complex tissue-engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Das
- Centre for Healthcare Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, India
| | - Shreya Adhikary
- Centre for Healthcare Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, India
| | - Amit Roy Chowdhury
- Centre for Healthcare Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, India
- Department of Aerospace and Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, India
| | - Ananya Barui
- Centre for Healthcare Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, India.
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2
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Sarkar M, Burkel BM, Ponik SM, Notbohm J. Unexpected softening of a fibrous matrix by contracting inclusions. Acta Biomater 2024; 177:253-264. [PMID: 38272198 PMCID: PMC10948310 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Cells respond to the stiffness of their surrounding environment, but quantifying the stiffness of a fibrous matrix at the scale of a cell is complicated, due to the effects of nonlinearity and complex force transmission pathways resulting from randomness in fiber density and connections. While it is known that forces produced by individual contractile cells can stiffen the matrix, it remains unclear how simultaneous contraction of multiple cells in a fibrous matrix alters the stiffness at the scale of a cell. Here, we used computational modeling and experiments to quantify the stiffness of a random fibrous matrix embedded with multiple contracting inclusions, which mimicked the contractile forces of a cell. The results showed that when the matrix was free to contract as a result of the forces produced by the inclusions, the matrix softened rather than stiffened, which was surprising given that the contracting inclusions applied tensile forces to the matrix. Using the computational model, we identified that the underlying cause of the softening was that the majority of the fibers were under a local state of axial compression, causing buckling. We verified that this buckling-induced matrix softening was sufficient for cells to sense and respond by altering their morphology and force generation. Our findings reveal that the localized forces induced by cells do not always stiffen the matrix; rather, softening can occur in instances wherein the matrix can contract in response to the cell-generated forces. This study opens up new possibilities to investigate whether cell-induced softening contributes to maintenance of homeostatic conditions or progression of disease. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Mechanical interactions between cells and the surrounding matrix strongly influence cellular functions. Cell-induced forces can alter matrix properties, and much prior literature in this area focused on the influence of individual contracting cells. Cells in tissues are rarely solitary; rather, they are interspersed with neighboring cells throughout the matrix. As a result, the mechanics are complicated, leaving it unclear how the multiple contracting cells affect matrix stiffness. Here, we show that multiple contracting inclusions within a fibrous matrix can cause softening that in turn affects cell sensing and response. Our findings provide new directions to determine impacts of cell-induced softening on maintenance of tissue or progression of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mainak Sarkar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Brian M Burkel
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Suzanne M Ponik
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jacob Notbohm
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA.
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Xu R, Yin P, Wei J, Ding Q. The role of matrix stiffness in breast cancer progression: a review. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1284926. [PMID: 37916166 PMCID: PMC10616305 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1284926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The significance of matrix stiffness in cancer development has been investigated in recent years. The gradual elastic force the extracellular matrix imparts to cells, known as matrix stiffness, is one of the most important types of mechanical stimulation. Increased matrix stiffness alters the biological activity of cells, which promotes the growth of numerous malignancies, including breast cancer. Comprehensive studies have demonstrated that increasing matrix stiffness activates molecular signaling pathways that are closely linked to breast cancer progression. There are many articles exploring the relationship between mechanism hardness and breast cancer, so we wanted to provide a systematic summary of recent research advances. In this review, we briefly introduce the mechanism of matrix stiffness in breast cancer, elaborate on the effect of extracellular matrix stiffness on breast cancer biological behavior and signaling pathways, and finally, we will talk about breast cancer treatment that focuses on matrix stiffness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoxi Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Breast Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Peng Yin
- Jiangsu Breast Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jifu Wei
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiang Ding
- Jiangsu Breast Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Fitzpatrick X, Fayzullin A, Wang G, Parker L, Dokos S, Guller A. Cells-in-Touch: 3D Printing in Reconstruction and Modelling of Microscopic Biological Geometries for Education and Future Research Applications. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:687. [PMID: 37370618 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10060687] [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: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Additive manufacturing (3D printing) and computer-aided design (CAD) still have limited uptake in biomedical and bioengineering research and education, despite the significant potential of these technologies. The utility of organ-scale 3D-printed models of living structures is widely appreciated, while the workflows for microscopy data translation into tactile accessible replicas are not well developed yet. Here, we demonstrate an accessible and reproducible CAD-based methodology for generating 3D-printed scalable models of human cells cultured in vitro and imaged using conventional scanning confocal microscopy with fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing. We termed this technology CiTo-3DP (Cells-in-Touch for 3D Printing). As a proof-of-concept, we created dismountable CiTo-3DP models of human epithelial, mesenchymal, and neural cells by using selectively stained nuclei and cytoskeletal components. We also provide educational and research context for the presented cellular models. In the future, the CiTo-3DP approach can be adapted to different imaging and 3D printing modalities and comprehensively present various cell types, subcellular structures, and extracellular matrices. The resulting CAD and 3D printed models could be used for a broad spectrum of education and research applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Fitzpatrick
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale Biophotonics, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- The Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Alexey Fayzullin
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia
- World-Class Research Center "Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare", Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Gonglei Wang
- The Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Lindsay Parker
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale Biophotonics, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Socrates Dokos
- The Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Anna Guller
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale Biophotonics, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- The Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
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Collagen-Based Biomimetic Systems to Study the Biophysical Tumour Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235939. [PMID: 36497421 PMCID: PMC9739814 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a pericellular network of proteins and other molecules that provides mechanical support to organs and tissues. ECM biophysical properties such as topography, elasticity and porosity strongly influence cell proliferation, differentiation and migration. The cell's perception of the biophysical microenvironment (mechanosensing) leads to altered gene expression or contractility status (mechanotransduction). Mechanosensing and mechanotransduction have profound implications in both tissue homeostasis and cancer. Many solid tumours are surrounded by a dense and aberrant ECM that disturbs normal cell functions and makes certain areas of the tumour inaccessible to therapeutic drugs. Understanding the cell-ECM interplay may therefore lead to novel and more effective therapies. Controllable and reproducible cell culturing systems mimicking the ECM enable detailed investigation of mechanosensing and mechanotransduction pathways. Here, we discuss ECM biomimetic systems. Mainly focusing on collagen, we compare and contrast structural and molecular complexity as well as biophysical properties of simple 2D substrates, 3D fibrillar collagen gels, cell-derived matrices and complex decellularized organs. Finally, we emphasize how the integration of advanced methodologies and computational methods with collagen-based biomimetics will improve the design of novel therapies aimed at targeting the biophysical and mechanical features of the tumour ECM to increase therapy efficacy.
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Mechanical signatures of human colon cancers. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12475. [PMID: 35864200 PMCID: PMC9304395 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16669-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Besides the standard parameters used for colorectal cancer (CRC) management, new features are needed in clinical practice to improve progression-free and overall survival. In some cancers, the microenvironment mechanical properties can contribute to cancer progression and metastasis formation, or constitute a physical barrier for drug penetration or immune cell infiltration. These mechanical properties remain poorly known for colon tissues. Using a multidisciplinary approach including clinical data, physics and geostatistics, we characterized the stiffness of healthy and malignant colon specimens. For this purpose, we analyzed a prospective cohort of 18 patients with untreated colon adenocarcinoma using atomic force microscopy to generate micrometer-scale mechanical maps. We characterized the stiffness of normal epithelium samples taken far away or close to the tumor area and selected tumor tissue areas. These data showed that normal epithelium was softer than tumors. In tumors, stroma areas were stiffer than malignant epithelial cell areas. Among the clinical parameters, tumor left location, higher stage, and RAS mutations were associated with increased tissue stiffness. Thus, in patients with CRC, measuring tumor tissue rigidity may have a translational value and an impact on patient care.
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Shen C, Han L, Liu B, Zhang G, Cai Z, Yin X, Yin Y, Chen Z, Zhang B. The KDM6A-SPARCL1 axis blocks metastasis and regulates the tumour microenvironment of gastrointestinal stromal tumours by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of p65. Br J Cancer 2022; 126:1457-1469. [PMID: 35136209 PMCID: PMC9090789 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01728-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is urgent to explore the pathogenic mechanism of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs). KDM6A, a histone demethylase, can activate gene transcription and has not been reported in GISTs. SPARCL1 may serve as a metastasis marker in GIST, but the molecular mechanism remains to be further explored. This study aimed to explore the biological function and molecular mechanism of KDM6A and SPARCL1 in GIST. METHODS CCK-8, live cell count, colony formation, wound-healing and Transwell migration and invasion assays were employed to detect the cell proliferation, migration and invasion. A xenograft model and hepatic metastasis model were used to assess the role of KDM6A and SPARCL1 in vivo. RESULTS KDM6A inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of GIST cells. Mechanistically, KDM6A promotes the transcription of SPARCL1 by demethylating histone H3 lysine trimethylation and consequently leads to the inactivation of p65. SPARCL1 affected the metastasis of GIST cells in a mesenchymal-epithelial transition- and matrix-metalloproteinase-dependent manner. SPARCL1 knockdown promoted angiogenesis, M2 polarisation and macrophage recruitment by inhibiting the phosphorylation of p65. Moreover, KDM6A and SPARCL1 inhibited hepatic metastasis and macrophage infiltration in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Our findings establish the critical role of the KDM6A-SPARCL1-p65 axis in restraining the malignancy of GIST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoyong Shen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Luyin Han
- Intensive care unit, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Baike Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Guixiang Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhaolun Cai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaonan Yin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuan Yin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhixin Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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Muhammad A, Forcados GE, Katsayal BS, Bako RS, Aminu S, Sadiq IZ, Abubakar MB, Yusuf AP, Malami I, Faruk M, Ibrahim S, Pase PA, Ahmed S, Abubakar IB, Abubakar M, Yates C. Potential epigenetic modifications implicated in triple- to quadruple-negative breast cancer transition: a review. Epigenomics 2022; 14:711-726. [PMID: 35473304 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Current research on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has resulted in delineation into the quadruple-negative breast cancer (QNBC) subgroup. Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, histone posttranslational modifications and associated changes in chromatin architecture have been implicated in breast cancer pathogenesis. Herein, the authors highlight genes with observed epigenetic modifications that are associated with more aggressive TNBC/QNBC pathogenesis and possible interventions. Advanced literature searches were done on PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Google Scholar. The results suggest that nine epigenetically altered genes/differentially expressed proteins in addition to the downregulated androgen receptor are associated with TNBC aggressiveness and could be implicated in the TNBC to QNBC transition. Thus, restoring the normal expression of these genes via epigenetic reprogramming could be therapeutically beneficial to TNBC and QNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliyu Muhammad
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.,Center for Cancer Research, Department of Biology, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088, USA
| | | | - Babangida Sanusi Katsayal
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Rabiatu Suleiman Bako
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Suleiman Aminu
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Idris Zubairu Sadiq
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Murtala Bello Abubakar
- Department of Physiology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B 2254, Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria.,Centre for Advanced Medical Research & Training (CAMRET), Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B 2254, Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria
| | | | - Ibrahim Malami
- Department of Pharmacognosy & Ethnopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B 2254, Sokoto, Nigeria.,Centre for Advanced Medical Research & Training (CAMRET), Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B 2254, Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria
| | - Mohammed Faruk
- Department of Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Sani Ibrahim
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Peter Abur Pase
- Department of Surgery, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Saad Ahmed
- Department of Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Ibrahim Babangida Abubakar
- Deparment of Biochemistry, Kebbi State University of Science & Technology, PMB 1144, Aliero, Kebbi State, Nigeria
| | - Murtala Abubakar
- Department of Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University, P.M.B. 1044, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
| | - Clayton Yates
- Center for Cancer Research, Department of Biology, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088, USA
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Hirway SU, Weinberg SH. A review of computational modeling, machine learning and image analysis in cancer metastasis dynamics. COMPUTATIONAL AND SYSTEMS ONCOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/cso2.1044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shreyas U. Hirway
- Department of Biomedical Engineering The Ohio State University Columbus Ohio USA
| | - Seth H. Weinberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering The Ohio State University Columbus Ohio USA
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Chick Embryo Experimental Platform for Micrometastases Research in a 3D Tissue Engineering Model: Cancer Biology, Drug Development, and Nanotechnology Applications. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9111578. [PMID: 34829808 PMCID: PMC8615510 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111578] [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] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Colonization of distant organs by tumor cells is a critical step of cancer progression. The initial avascular stage of this process (micrometastasis) remains almost inaccessible to study due to the lack of relevant experimental approaches. Herein, we introduce an in vitro/in vivo model of organ-specific micrometastases of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) that is fully implemented in a cost-efficient chick embryo (CE) experimental platform. The model was built as three-dimensional (3D) tissue engineering constructs (TECs) combining human MDA-MB-231 cells and decellularized CE organ-specific scaffolds. TNBC cells colonized CE organ-specific scaffolds in 2–3 weeks, forming tissue-like structures. The feasibility of this methodology for basic cancer research, drug development, and nanomedicine was demonstrated on a model of hepatic micrometastasis of TNBC. We revealed that MDA-MB-231 differentially colonize parenchymal and stromal compartments of the liver-specific extracellular matrix (LS-ECM) and become more resistant to the treatment with molecular doxorubicin (Dox) and Dox-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles than in monolayer cultures. When grafted on CE chorioallantoic membrane, LS-ECM-based TECs induced angiogenic switch. These findings may have important implications for the diagnosis and treatment of TNBC. The methodology established here is scalable and adaptable for pharmacological testing and cancer biology research of various metastatic and primary tumors.
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