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Abbasi-Malati Z, Khanicheragh P, Narmi MT, Mardi N, Khosrowshahi ND, Hiradfar A, Rezabakhsh A, Sadeghsoltani F, Rashidi S, Chegeni SA, Roozbahani G, Rahbarghazi R. Tumoroids, a valid preclinical screening platform for monitoring cancer angiogenesis. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:267. [PMID: 39183337 PMCID: PMC11346257 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03880-4] [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: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, biologists and clinicians have witnessed prominent advances in in vitro 3D culture techniques related to biomimetic human/animal tissue analogs. Numerous data have confirmed that unicellular and multicellular (tumoroids) tumor spheroids with dense native cells in certain matrices are sensitive and valid analytical tools for drug screening, cancer cell dynamic growth, behavior, etc. in laboratory settings. Angiogenesis/vascularization is a very critical biological phenomenon to support oxygen and nutrients to tumor cells within the deep layer of solid masses. It has been shown that endothelial cell (EC)-incorporated or -free spheroid/tumoroid systems provide a relatively reliable biological platform for monitoring the formation of nascent blood vessels in micron/micrometer scales. Besides, the paracrine angiogenic activity of cells within the spheroid/tumoroid systems can be monitored after being treated with different therapeutic approaches. Here, we aimed to collect recent advances and findings related to the monitoring of cancer angiogenesis using unicellular and multicellular tumor spheroids. Vascularized spheroids/tumoroids can help us in the elucidation of mechanisms related to cancer formation, development, and metastasis by monitoring the main influencing factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Abbasi-Malati
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Parisa Khanicheragh
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Narges Mardi
- Biotechnology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nafiseh Didar Khosrowshahi
- Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Research Laboratory, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, 51335-1996, Iran
| | - Amirataollah Hiradfar
- Pediatric Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Aysa Rezabakhsh
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Somayyeh Rashidi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | | | - Golbarg Roozbahani
- Department of Plant, Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Reza Rahbarghazi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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2
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Ho Thanh MT, Poudel A, Ameen S, Carroll B, Wu M, Soman P, Zhang T, Schwarz JM, Patteson AE. Vimentin promotes collective cell migration through collagen networks via increased matrix remodeling and spheroid fluidity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.17.599259. [PMID: 38948855 PMCID: PMC11212918 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.17.599259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
The intermediate filament (IF) protein vimentin is associated with many diseases with phenotypes of enhanced cellular migration and aggressive invasion through the extracellular matrix (ECM) of tissues, but vimentin's role in in-vivo cell migration is still largely unclear. Vimentin is important for proper cellular adhesion and force generation, which are critical to cell migration; yet the vimentin cytoskeleton also hinders the ability of cells to squeeze through small pores in ECM, resisting migration. To identify the role of vimentin in collective cell migration, we generate spheroids of wide-type and vimentin-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts (mEFs) and embed them in a 3D collagen matrix. We find that loss of vimentin significantly impairs the ability of the spheroid to collectively expand through collagen networks and remodel the collagen network. Traction force analysis reveals that vimentin null spheroids exert less contractile force than their wild-type counterparts. In addition, spheroids made of mEFs with only vimentin unit length filaments (ULFs) exhibit similar behavior as vimentin-null spheroids, suggesting filamentous vimentin is required to promote 3D collective cell migration. We find the vimentin-mediated collective cell expansion is dependent on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) degradation of the collagen matrix. Further, 3D vertex model simulation of spheroid and embedded ECM indicates that wild-type spheroids behave more fluid-like, enabling more active pulling and reconstructing the surrounding collagen network. Altogether, these results signify that VIF plays a critical role in enhancing migratory persistence in 3D matrix environments through MMP transportation and tissue fluidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh Tri Ho Thanh
- Physics Department, Syracuse University; Syracuse, New York, USA
- BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University; Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Arun Poudel
- BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University; Syracuse, New York, USA
- Biomedical and Chemical Engineering Department, Syracuse University; Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Shabeeb Ameen
- Physics Department, Syracuse University; Syracuse, New York, USA
- BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University; Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Bobby Carroll
- Physics Department, Syracuse University; Syracuse, New York, USA
- BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University; Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - M Wu
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University; Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Pranav Soman
- BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University; Syracuse, New York, USA
- Biomedical and Chemical Engineering Department, Syracuse University; Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - J M Schwarz
- Physics Department, Syracuse University; Syracuse, New York, USA
- BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University; Syracuse, New York, USA
- Indian Creek Farm, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Alison E Patteson
- Physics Department, Syracuse University; Syracuse, New York, USA
- BioInspired Institute, Syracuse University; Syracuse, New York, USA
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3
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Ngo TKN, Yang SJ, Mao BH, Nguyen TKM, Ng QD, Kuo YL, Tsai JH, Saw SN, Tu TY. A deep learning-based pipeline for analyzing the influences of interfacial mechanochemical microenvironments on spheroid invasion using differential interference contrast microscopic images. Mater Today Bio 2023; 23:100820. [PMID: 37810748 PMCID: PMC10558776 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. During this process, cancer cells are likely to navigate discrete tissue-tissue interfaces, enabling them to infiltrate and spread throughout the body. Three-dimensional (3D) spheroid modeling is receiving more attention due to its strengths in studying the invasive behavior of metastatic cancer cells. While microscopy is a conventional approach for investigating 3D invasion, post-invasion image analysis, which is a time-consuming process, remains a significant challenge for researchers. In this study, we presented an image processing pipeline that utilized a deep learning (DL) solution, with an encoder-decoder architecture, to assess and characterize the invasion dynamics of tumor spheroids. The developed models, equipped with feature extraction and measurement capabilities, could be successfully utilized for the automated segmentation of the invasive protrusions as well as the core region of spheroids situated within interfacial microenvironments with distinct mechanochemical factors. Our findings suggest that a combination of the spheroid culture and DL-based image analysis enable identification of time-lapse migratory patterns for tumor spheroids above matrix-substrate interfaces, thus paving the foundation for delineating the mechanism of local invasion during cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi Kim Ngan Ngo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Sze Jue Yang
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Bin-Hsu Mao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Thi Kim Mai Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Qi Ding Ng
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yao-Lung Kuo
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Hung Tsai
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Shier Nee Saw
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ting-Yuan Tu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
- Medical Device Innovation Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
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4
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Molino BZ, O'Connell C, Kageyama T, Yan L, Wu Y, Kawamura I, Maruo S, Fukuda J. Gelatin acrylamide with improved UV crosslinking and mechanical properties for 3D biofabrication. J Biosci Bioeng 2023:S1389-1723(23)00109-3. [PMID: 37121831 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2023.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Photocrosslinkable gelatin has attracted increasing interest in the field of biofabrication, with the most studied and widely used photocrosslinkable gelatin being gelatin methacrylate (GelMa). However, the 3D fabrication of GelMa has presented several limitations and challenges, primarily due to its slow crosslinking speed. It is generally known that acryl-based functional groups have faster reaction kinetics than methacryl-base groups. However, gelatin acrylamide (GelAc) has not been widely investigated, largely due to its increased complexity of synthesis relative to GelMA. In this study, we developed a novel synthesis method for GelAc. By varying the reaction ratio of reagents, GelAc with a degree of substitution from 20% to 95% was produced. The UV crosslinking properties of GelAc was studied, demonstrating significantly faster crosslinking kinetics than GelMa, especially at lower concentrations and low photoinitiator concentrations. The swelling ratio and mechanical properties of the crosslinked GelAc hydrogel were also characterized, and biocompatibility experiments conducted via both surface seeding and hydrogel encapsulation of cells, with good cell viability observed. The application of GelAc for 3D biofabrication was demonstrated by 3D printing. GelAc can be a useful material for the fabrication of 3D conduits for tissue engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Zhang Molino
- Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 240-8501, Japan; Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, 3-2-1 Sakado Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 213-0012, Japan
| | - Cathal O'Connell
- School of Engineering, Discipline of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, RMIT University, 124 La Trobe St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia; BioFab3D, Aikenhead Center for Medical Discovery, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, 29 Regent St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Tatsuto Kageyama
- Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 240-8501, Japan; Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, 3-2-1 Sakado Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 213-0012, Japan
| | - Lei Yan
- Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 240-8501, Japan
| | - Yumeng Wu
- Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 240-8501, Japan
| | - Izuru Kawamura
- Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 240-8501, Japan
| | - Shoji Maruo
- Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 240-8501, Japan
| | - Junji Fukuda
- Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 240-8501, Japan; Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, 3-2-1 Sakado Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 213-0012, Japan.
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5
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Suarez AC, Hammel JH, Munson JM. Modeling lymphangiogenesis: Pairing in vitro and in vivo metrics. Microcirculation 2023; 30:e12802. [PMID: 36760223 PMCID: PMC10121924 DOI: 10.1111/micc.12802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Lymphangiogenesis is the mechanism by which the lymphatic system develops and expands new vessels facilitating fluid drainage and immune cell trafficking. Models to study lymphangiogenesis are necessary for a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms and to identify or test new therapeutic agents that target lymphangiogenesis. Across the lymphatic literature, multiple models have been developed to study lymphangiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, lymphangiogenesis can be modeled with varying complexity, from monolayers to hydrogels to explants, with common metrics for characterizing proliferation, migration, and sprouting of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and vessels. In comparison, in vivo models of lymphangiogenesis often use genetically modified zebrafish and mice, with in situ mouse models in the ear, cornea, hind leg, and tail. In vivo metrics, such as activation of LECs, number of new lymphatic vessels, and sprouting, mirror those most used in vitro, with the addition of lymphatic vessel hyperplasia and drainage. The impacts of lymphangiogenesis vary by context of tissue and pathology. Therapeutic targeting of lymphangiogenesis can have paradoxical effects depending on the pathology including lymphedema, cancer, organ transplant, and inflammation. In this review, we describe and compare lymphangiogenic outcomes and metrics between in vitro and in vivo studies, specifically reviewing only those publications in which both testing formats are used. We find that in vitro studies correlate well with in vivo in wound healing and development, but not in the reproductive tract or the complex tumor microenvironment. Considerations for improving in vitro models are to increase complexity with perfusable microfluidic devices, co-cultures with tissue-specific support cells, the inclusion of fluid flow, and pairing in vitro models of differing complexities. We believe that these changes would strengthen the correlation between in vitro and in vivo outcomes, giving more insight into lymphangiogenesis in healthy and pathological states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aileen C. Suarez
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA
- Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering & Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Jennifer H. Hammel
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA
- Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering & Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Jennifer M. Munson
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA
- Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering & Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
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6
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Ruliffson BNK, Whittington CF. Regulating Lymphatic Vasculature in Fibrosis: Understanding the Biology to Improve the Modeling. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2023; 7:e2200158. [PMID: 36792967 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis occurs in many chronic diseases with lymphatic vascular insufficiency (e.g., kidney disease, tumors, and lymphedema). New lymphatic capillary growth can be triggered by fibrosis-related tissue stiffening and soluble factors, but questions remain for how related biomechanical, biophysical, and biochemical cues affect lymphatic vascular growth and function. The current preclinical standard for studying lymphatics is animal modeling, but in vitro and in vivo outcomes often do not align. In vitro models can also be limited in their ability to separate vascular growth and function as individual outcomes, and fibrosis is not traditionally included in model design. Tissue engineering provides an opportunity to address in vitro limitations and mimic microenvironmental features that impact lymphatic vasculature. This review discusses fibrosis-related lymphatic vascular growth and function in disease and the current state of in vitro lymphatic vascular models while highlighting relevant knowledge gaps. Additional insights into the future of in vitro lymphatic vascular models demonstrate how prioritizing fibrosis alongside lymphatics will help capture the complexity and dynamics of lymphatics in disease. Overall, this review aims to emphasize that an advanced understanding of lymphatics within a fibrotic disease-enabled through more accurate preclinical modeling-will significantly impact therapeutic development toward restoring lymphatic vessel growth and function in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian N K Ruliffson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Rd., Worcester, MA, 01609, USA
| | - Catherine F Whittington
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Rd., Worcester, MA, 01609, USA
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7
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Kenney RM, Lee MC, Boyce MW, Sitte ZR, Lockett MR. Cellular Invasion Assay for the Real-Time Tracking of Individual Cells in Spheroid or Tumor-like Mimics. Anal Chem 2023; 95:3054-3061. [PMID: 36701161 PMCID: PMC10007898 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Cellular invasion is the gateway to metastasis, with cells moving from a primary tumor into neighboring regions of healthy tissue. Invasion assays provide a tractable experimental platform to quantitatively assess cellular movement in the presence of potential chemokines or inhibitors. Many such assays involve cellular movement from high cell densities to cell-free regions. To improve the physiological relevance of such assays, we developed an assay format to track cellular movement throughout a uniform density of cells. This assay format imparts diffusion-dominated environments along the channel, resulting in oxygen and nutrient gradients found in spheroids or poorly vascularized tumors. By incorporating oxygen- and pH-sensing films, we quantified spatial and temporal changes in the extracellular environment while simultaneously tracking the movement of a subset of cells engineered to express fluorescent proteins constitutively. Our results show the successful invasion into neighboring tissues likely arises from a small population with a highly invasive phenotype. These highly invasive cells continued to move throughout the 48 h experiment, suggesting they have stem-like or persister properties. Surprisingly, the distance these persister cells invaded was unaffected by the density of cells in the channel or the presence or absence of an oxygen gradient. While these datasets cannot determine if the invasive cells are inherent to the population or if diffusion-dominated environments promote them, they highlight the need for further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael M. Kenney
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 125 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290
| | - Maggie C. Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 125 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290
| | - Matthew W. Boyce
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 125 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290
| | - Zachary R. Sitte
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 125 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290
| | - Matthew R. Lockett
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 125 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 450 West Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7295
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8
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Crnkovic S, Rittchen S, Jandl K, Gindlhuber J, Zabini D, Mutgan AC, Valzano F, Boehm PM, Hoetzenecker K, Toller W, Veith C, Heinemann A, Schermuly RT, Olschewski A, Marsh LM, Kwapiszewska G. Divergent Roles of Ephrin-B2/EphB4 Guidance System in Pulmonary Hypertension. Hypertension 2023; 80:e17-e28. [PMID: 36519465 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.122.19479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Smooth muscle cell (SMC) expansion is one key morphological hallmark of pathologically altered vasculature and a characteristic feature of pulmonary vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension. Normal embryonal vessel maturation requires successful coverage of endothelial tubes with SMC, which is dependent on ephrin-B2 and EphB4 ligand-receptor guidance system. In this study, we investigated the potential role of ephrin-B2 and EphB4 on neomuscularization in adult pulmonary vascular disease. METHODS AND RESULTS Ephrin-B2 and EphB4 expression is preserved in smooth muscle and endothelial cells of remodeled pulmonary arteries. Chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension was not ameliorated in mice with SMC-specific conditional ephrin-B2 knockout. In mice with global inducible ephrin-B2 knockout, pulmonary vascular remodeling and right ventricular hypertrophy upon chronic hypoxia exposure were significantly diminished compared to hypoxic controls, while right ventricular systolic pressure was unaffected. In contrast, EphB4 receptor kinase activity inhibition reduced right ventricular systolic pressure in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension without affecting pulmonary vascular remodeling. Genetic deletion of ephrin-B2 in murine pulmonary artery SMC, and pharmacological inhibition of EphB4 in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, blunted mitogen-induced cell proliferation. Loss of EphB4 signaling additionally reduced RhoA expression and weakened the interaction between human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells in a three-dimensional coculture model. CONCLUSIONS In sum, pulmonary vascular remodeling was dependent on ephrin-B2-induced Eph receptor (erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor) forward signaling in SMC, while EphB4 receptor activity was necessary for RhoA expression in SMC, interaction with endothelial cells and vasoconstrictive components of pulmonary hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slaven Crnkovic
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Physiology, Medical University of Graz, Austria (S.C., D.Z., A.C.M., L.M.M., G.K.).,Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria (S.C., S.R., K.J., J.G., D.Z., A.C.M., F.V., A.O., L.M.M., G.K.)
| | - Sonja Rittchen
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, Austria (S.R., K.J., A.H.).,Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Immunology, Medical University of Graz, Austria (S.R.).,Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria (S.C., S.R., K.J., J.G., D.Z., A.C.M., F.V., A.O., L.M.M., G.K.)
| | - Katharina Jandl
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, Austria (S.R., K.J., A.H.).,Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria (S.C., S.R., K.J., J.G., D.Z., A.C.M., F.V., A.O., L.M.M., G.K.)
| | - Juergen Gindlhuber
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria (S.C., S.R., K.J., J.G., D.Z., A.C.M., F.V., A.O., L.M.M., G.K.).,Department of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Austria (J.G.)
| | - Diana Zabini
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Physiology, Medical University of Graz, Austria (S.C., D.Z., A.C.M., L.M.M., G.K.).,Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria (S.C., S.R., K.J., J.G., D.Z., A.C.M., F.V., A.O., L.M.M., G.K.)
| | - Ayse Ceren Mutgan
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Physiology, Medical University of Graz, Austria (S.C., D.Z., A.C.M., L.M.M., G.K.).,Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria (S.C., S.R., K.J., J.G., D.Z., A.C.M., F.V., A.O., L.M.M., G.K.)
| | - Francesco Valzano
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria (S.C., S.R., K.J., J.G., D.Z., A.C.M., F.V., A.O., L.M.M., G.K.)
| | - Panja M Boehm
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (P.M.B., K.H.)
| | - Konrad Hoetzenecker
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (P.M.B., K.H.)
| | - Wolfgang Toller
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria (W.T., A.O.)
| | - Christine Veith
- Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), University of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus-Liebig-University, Germany (C.V.).,Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Member of the German Lung Center (DZL), Germany (C.V., R.T.S.)
| | - Akos Heinemann
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, Austria (S.R., K.J., A.H.)
| | - Ralph T Schermuly
- Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Member of the German Lung Center (DZL), Germany (C.V., R.T.S.)
| | - Andrea Olschewski
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria (S.C., S.R., K.J., J.G., D.Z., A.C.M., F.V., A.O., L.M.M., G.K.).,Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria (W.T., A.O.)
| | - Leigh M Marsh
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Physiology, Medical University of Graz, Austria (S.C., D.Z., A.C.M., L.M.M., G.K.).,Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria (S.C., S.R., K.J., J.G., D.Z., A.C.M., F.V., A.O., L.M.M., G.K.)
| | - Grazyna Kwapiszewska
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Physiology, Medical University of Graz, Austria (S.C., D.Z., A.C.M., L.M.M., G.K.).,Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria (S.C., S.R., K.J., J.G., D.Z., A.C.M., F.V., A.O., L.M.M., G.K.).,Institute for Lung Health, Member of the German Lung Center (DZL), Giessen, Germany (G.K.)
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9
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Kim EM, Lee GM, Lee S, Kim SJ, Lee D, Yoon DS, Joo J, Kong H, Park HH, Shin H. Effects of mechanical properties of gelatin methacryloyl hydrogels on encapsulated stem cell spheroids for 3D tissue engineering. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 194:903-913. [PMID: 34838857 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.11.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Cell spheroids are three-dimensional cell aggregates that have been widely employed in tissue engineering. Spheroid encapsulation has been explored as a method to enhance cell-cell interactions. However, the effect of hydrogel mechanical properties on spheroids, specifically soft hydrogels (<1 kPa), has not yet been studied. In this study, we determined the effect of encapsulation of stem cell spheroids by hydrogels crosslinked with different concentrations of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) on the functions of the stem cells. To this end, human adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) spheroids with a defined size were prepared, and spheroid-laden hydrogels with various concentrations (5, 10, 15%) were fabricated. The apoptotic index of cells from spheroids encapsulated in the 15% hydrogel was high. The migration distance was five-fold higher in cells encapsulated in the 5% hydrogel than the 10% hydrogel. After 14 days of culture, cells from spheroids in the 5% hydrogel were observed to have spread and proliferated. Osteogenic factor and pro-angiogenic factor production in the 15% hydrogel was high. Collectively, our results indicate that the functionality of spheroids can be regulated by the mechanical properties of hydrogel, even under 1 kPa. These results indicate that spheroid-laden hydrogels are suitable for use in 3D tissue construction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Mi Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyeong Min Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea; BK21 FOUR Education and Research Group for Biopharmaceutical Innovation Leader, Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangmin Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea; BK21 FOUR Education and Research Group for Biopharmaceutical Innovation Leader, Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Jeong Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea; BK21 FOUR Education and Research Group for Biopharmaceutical Innovation Leader, Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongtak Lee
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 20841, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Sung Yoon
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 20841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinmyoung Joo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunjoon Kong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
| | - Hee Ho Park
- Department of Bioengineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea.
| | - Heungsoo Shin
- Department of Bioengineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea; BK21 FOUR Education and Research Group for Biopharmaceutical Innovation Leader, Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, Republic of Korea; Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimri-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea.
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10
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Shafiee S, Shariatzadeh S, Zafari A, Majd A, Niknejad H. Recent Advances on Cell-Based Co-Culture Strategies for Prevascularization in Tissue Engineering. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:745314. [PMID: 34900955 PMCID: PMC8655789 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.745314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, the fabrication of a functional vascular network to maintain the viability of engineered tissues is a major bottleneck in the way of developing a more advanced engineered construct. Inspired by vasculogenesis during the embryonic period, the in vitro prevascularization strategies have focused on optimizing communications and interactions of cells, biomaterial and culture conditions to develop a capillary-like network to tackle the aforementioned issue. Many of these studies employ a combination of endothelial lineage cells and supporting cells such as mesenchymal stem cells, fibroblasts, and perivascular cells to create a lumenized endothelial network. These supporting cells are necessary for the stabilization of the newly developed endothelial network. Moreover, to optimize endothelial network development without impairing biomechanical properties of scaffolds or differentiation of target tissue cells, several other factors, including target tissue, endothelial cell origins, the choice of supporting cell, culture condition, incorporated pro-angiogenic factors, and choice of biomaterial must be taken into account. The prevascularization method can also influence the endothelial lineage cell/supporting cell co-culture system to vascularize the bioengineered constructs. This review aims to investigate the recent advances on standard cells used in in vitro prevascularization methods, their co-culture systems, and conditions in which they form an organized and functional vascular network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepehr Shafiee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Siavash Shariatzadeh
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Zafari
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Majd
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hassan Niknejad
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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11
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Pozzi S, Scomparin A, Israeli Dangoor S, Rodriguez Ajamil D, Ofek P, Neufeld L, Krivitsky A, Vaskovich-Koubi D, Kleiner R, Dey P, Koshrovski-Michael S, Reisman N, Satchi-Fainaro R. Meet me halfway: Are in vitro 3D cancer models on the way to replace in vivo models for nanomedicine development? Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 175:113760. [PMID: 33838208 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The complexity and diversity of the biochemical processes that occur during tumorigenesis and metastasis are frequently over-simplified in the traditional in vitro cell cultures. Two-dimensional cultures limit researchers' experimental observations and frequently give rise to misleading and contradictory results. Therefore, in order to overcome the limitations of in vitro studies and bridge the translational gap to in vivo applications, 3D models of cancer were developed in the last decades. The three dimensions of the tumor, including its cellular and extracellular microenvironment, are recreated by combining co-cultures of cancer and stromal cells in 3D hydrogel-based growth factors-inclusive scaffolds. More complex 3D cultures, containing functional blood vasculature, can integrate in the system external stimuli (e.g. oxygen and nutrient deprivation, cytokines, growth factors) along with drugs, or other therapeutic compounds. In this scenario, cell signaling pathways, metastatic cascade steps, cell differentiation and self-renewal, tumor-microenvironment interactions, and precision and personalized medicine, are among the wide range of biological applications that can be studied. Here, we discuss a broad variety of strategies exploited by scientists to create in vitro 3D cancer models that resemble as much as possible the biology and patho-physiology of in vivo tumors and predict faithfully the treatment outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina Pozzi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Anna Scomparin
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Sahar Israeli Dangoor
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Daniel Rodriguez Ajamil
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Paula Ofek
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Lena Neufeld
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Adva Krivitsky
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Daniella Vaskovich-Koubi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Ron Kleiner
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Pradip Dey
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Shani Koshrovski-Michael
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Noa Reisman
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Ronit Satchi-Fainaro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
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12
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Down syndrome iPSC model: endothelial perspective on tumor development. Oncotarget 2020; 11:3387-3404. [PMID: 32934781 PMCID: PMC7486695 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Trisomy 21 (T21), known as Down syndrome (DS), is a widely studied chromosomal abnormality. Previous studies have shown that DS individuals have a unique cancer profile. While exhibiting low solid tumor prevalence, DS patients are at risk for hematologic cancers, such as acute megakaryocytic leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We speculated that endothelial cells are active players in this clinical background. To this end, we hypothesized that impaired DS endothelial development and functionality, impacted by genome-wide T21 alterations, potentially results in a suboptimal endothelial microenvironment with the capability to prevent solid tumor growth. To test this hypothesis, we assessed molecular and phenotypic differences of endothelial cells differentiated from Down syndrome and euploid iPS cells. Microarray, RNA-Seq, and bioinformatic analyses revealed that most significantly expressed genes belong to angiogenic, cytoskeletal rearrangement, extracellular matrix remodeling, and inflammatory pathways. Interestingly, the majority of these genes are not located on Chromosome 21. To substantiate these findings, we carried out functional assays. The obtained phenotypic results correlated with the molecular data and showed that Down syndrome endothelial cells exhibit decreased proliferation, reduced migration, and a weak TNF-α inflammatory response. Based on this data, we provide a set of genes potentially associated with Down syndrome’s elevated leukemic incidence and its unfavorable solid tumor microenvironment—highlighting the potential use of these genes as therapeutic targets in translational cancer research.
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13
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Lim GJ, Kang SJ, Lee JY. Novel invasion indices quantify the feed-forward facilitation of tumor invasion by macrophages. Sci Rep 2020; 10:718. [PMID: 31959808 PMCID: PMC6971071 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57517-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantitative and reliable measurement of cellular invasion is important to understand a range of biological processes such as cancer metastasis and angiogenesis. Spheroid invasion assays are an attractive in vitro platform because they effectively mimic the tumor cell invasion of solid tissues. Here, we developed an image analysis–based method to quantify the invasiveness of HT1080 human fibrosarcoma tumor cell spheroids. We segmented a cell-covered area into three subareas using objectively set threshold pixel intensities and calculated invasion indices using these subareas. Comparison with conventional parameters for spheroid invasion assays, such as area, length, and detached cells, showed that our indices present the invasion event at an early time and without being convoluted by proliferation. As an application, we then examined paracrine interactions between LLC1 mouse lung carcinoma cells and Raw264.7 mouse macrophage cells with our developed analysis method. We found that the invasion of tumor spheroids was increased by a macrophage-conditioned medium, concomitantly with a decrease in tumor cell proliferation. Importantly, invasion was further enhanced by a conditioned medium from activated macrophages by co-culture with tumor cells. Thus, our indices reveal that tumor cell invasion is facilitated in a feed-forward manner by communication between tumor cells and macrophages in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gippeum J Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk-Jo Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ji Youn Lee
- Center for Bioanalysis, Division of Chemical and Medical Metrology, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, 267 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea.
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14
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Kim EM, Lee YB, Kim SJ, Park J, Lee J, Kim SW, Park H, Shin H. Fabrication of core-shell spheroids as building blocks for engineering 3D complex vascularized tissue. Acta Biomater 2019; 100:158-172. [PMID: 31542503 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2019.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cell spheroids as building blocks for engineering micro-tissue should be able to mimic the complex structure of natural tissue. However, control of the distribution of multiple cell populations within cell spheroids is difficult to achieve with current spheroid-harvest methods such as hanging-drop and with the use of microwell plates. In this study, we report the fabrication of core-shell spheroids with the ultimate goal to form 3D complex micro-tissue. We used endothelial cells and two types of stem cells (human turbinate mesenchymal stem cells (hTMSCs)/adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs)). The stem cells and endothelial cells formed layered micro-sized cell sheets (µCSs) on polydopamine micro-patterned temperature-responsive hydrogel surfaces by a sequential seeding method, and these layered µCSs self-assembled to form core-shell spheroids by expansion of the hydrogels. The co-cultured spheroids formed a core-shell structure irrespective of stem cell type. In addition, the size of the core-shell spheroids was controlled from 90 ± 1 to 144 ± 3 µm by changing pattern sizes (200, 300, and 400 µm). The shell thickness gradually increased from 12 ± 3 to 30 ± 6 µm by adjusting the endothelial cell seeding density. Finally, we fabricated the micro-tissue by fusion of the co-cultured spheroids, and the spheroids with the core-shell structure rapidly induced in vitro vessel-like network in 3 days. Thus, the position of endothelial cells in co-cultured spheroids may be an important factor for the modulation of the vascularization process, which can be useful for the production of 3D complex micro-tissues using spheroids as building blocks. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This manuscript describes our work on the fabrication of core-shell spheroids as building blocks to form 3D complex vascularized micro-tissue. Stem cells (human turbinate mesenchymal stem cells (hTMSCs) or adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs)) and endothelial cells formed layered micro-sized cell sheets (µCSs) on micro-patterned temperature-responsive hydrogel surfaces by a sequential seeding method, and these layered µCSs self-assembled to form core-shell spheroids (core - stem cells, shell - endothelial cells), irrespective of stem cell type. In addition, the size and shell thickness of the core-shell spheroids were controlled by modifying pattern size and endothelial cell seeding density. We fabricated the vascularized micro-tissue by fusion of the spheroids and demonstrated that the spheroids with a core-shell structure rapidly induced vessel-like network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Mi Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea; BK21 Plus Future Biopharmaceutical Human Resources Training and Research Team, Hanyang University
| | - Yu Bin Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea; BK21 Plus Future Biopharmaceutical Human Resources Training and Research Team, Hanyang University
| | - Se-Jeong Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea; BK21 Plus Future Biopharmaceutical Human Resources Training and Research Team, Hanyang University
| | - Jaesung Park
- Department of Bioengineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea; BK21 Plus Future Biopharmaceutical Human Resources Training and Research Team, Hanyang University
| | - Jinkyu Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea; BK21 Plus Future Biopharmaceutical Human Resources Training and Research Team, Hanyang University
| | - Sung Won Kim
- Department of Pathology, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hansoo Park
- School of Integrative Engineering, College of Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea.
| | - Heungsoo Shin
- Department of Bioengineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea; BK21 Plus Future Biopharmaceutical Human Resources Training and Research Team, Hanyang University.
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15
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Morphological quantification of proliferation-to-invasion transition in tumor spheroids. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2019; 1864:129460. [PMID: 31672655 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2019.129460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metastasis determines the lethality of cancer. In most clinical cases, patients are able to live with tumor proliferation before metastasis. Thus, the transition from tumor proliferation to metastasis/invasion is essential. However, the mechanism is still unclear and especially, the proliferation-to-metastasis/invasion transition point has not been well defined. Therefore, quantitative characterization of this transition is urgently needed. METHODS We have successfully developed a home-built living-cell incubation system combined with an inverted optical microscope, and a systematic, quantitative approach to describing the major characteristic morphological parameters for the identification of the critical transition points for tumor-cell spheroids in a collagen fiber scaffold. RESULTS The system focuses on in vitro tumor modeling, e.g. the development of tumor-cell spheroids in a collagen fiber scaffold and the monitoring of cell transition from proliferation to invasion. By applying this approach to multiple tumor spheroid models, such as U87 (glioma tumor), H1299 (lung cancer), and MDA-MB-231 (breast cancer) cells, we have obtained quantitative morphological references to evaluate the proliferation-to-invasion transition time, as well as differentiating the invasion potential of tumor cells upon environmental changes, i.e. drug application. CONCLUSIONS Our quantitative approach provides a feasible clarification for the proliferation-to-invasion transition of in vitro tumor models (spheroids). Moreover, the transition time is a useful reference for the invasive potential of tumor cells. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE This quantitative approach is potentially applicable to primary tumor cells, and thus has potential applications in the fields of cancer metastasis investigations and clinical diagnostics.
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16
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Erusappan P, Alam J, Lu N, Zeltz C, Gullberg D. Integrin α11 cytoplasmic tail is required for FAK activation to initiate 3D cell invasion and ERK-mediated cell proliferation. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15283. [PMID: 31653900 PMCID: PMC6814791 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51689-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Integrin α11β1 is a collagen-binding integrin, which is receiving increasing attention in the context of wound healing and fibrosis. Although α11β1 integrin displays similar collagen specificity to α2β1 integrin, both integrins have distinct in vivo functions. In this context, the contribution of α11 subunit cytoplasmic tail interactions to diverse molecular signals and biological functions is largely unknown. In the current study, we have deleted the α11 cytoplasmic tail and studied the effect of this deletion on α11 integrin function. Compared to wild-type cells, C2C12 cells expressing tail-less α11 attached normally to collagen I, but formed fewer focal contacts. α11-tail-less cells furthermore displayed a reduced capacity to invade and reorganize a 3D collagen matrix and to proliferate. Analysis of cell signaling showed that FAK and ERK phosphorylation was reduced in cells expressing tail-less α11. Inhibition of ERK and FAK activation decreased α11-mediated cell proliferation, whereas α11-mediated cell invasion was FAK-dependent and occurred independently of ERK signaling. In summary, our data demonstrate that the integrin α11 cytoplasmic tail plays a central role in α11 integrin-specific functions, including FAK-dependent ERK activation to promote cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pugazendhi Erusappan
- Department of Biomedicine and Center of Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, N-5009, Bergen, Norway.,Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, 0450, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jahedul Alam
- Department of Biomedicine and Center of Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, N-5009, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ning Lu
- Department of Biomedicine and Center of Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, N-5009, Bergen, Norway
| | - Cédric Zeltz
- Department of Biomedicine and Center of Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, N-5009, Bergen, Norway.,Princess Margaret Cancer Center, University Health Network, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Donald Gullberg
- Department of Biomedicine and Center of Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, N-5009, Bergen, Norway.
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17
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Primac I, Maquoi E, Blacher S, Heljasvaara R, Van Deun J, Smeland HY, Canale A, Louis T, Stuhr L, Sounni NE, Cataldo D, Pihlajaniemi T, Pequeux C, De Wever O, Gullberg D, Noel A. Stromal integrin α11 regulates PDGFR-β signaling and promotes breast cancer progression. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:4609-4628. [PMID: 31287804 DOI: 10.1172/jci125890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key actors in modulating the progression of many solid tumors such as breast cancer (BC). Herein, we identify an integrin α11/PDGFRβ+ CAF subset displaying tumor-promoting features in BC. In the preclinical MMTV-PyMT mouse model, integrin α11-deficiency led to a drastic reduction of tumor progression and metastasis. A clear association between integrin α11 and PDGFRβ was found at both transcriptional and histological levels in BC specimens. High stromal integrin α11/PDGFRβ expression was associated with high grades and poorer clinical outcome in human BC patients. Functional assays using five CAF subpopulations (one murine, four human) revealed that integrin α11 promotes CAF invasion and CAF-induced tumor cell invasion upon PDGF-BB stimulation. Mechanistically, integrin α11 pro-invasive activity relies on its ability to interact with PDGFRβ in a ligand-dependent manner and to promote its downstream JNK activation, leading to the production of tenascin C, a pro-invasive matricellular protein. Pharmacological inhibition of PDGFRβ and JNK impaired tumor cell invasion induced by integrin α11-positive CAFs. Collectively, our study uncovers an integrin α11-positive subset of pro-tumoral CAFs that exploits PDGFRβ/JNK signalling axis to promote tumor invasiveness in BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Primac
- Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Erik Maquoi
- Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Silvia Blacher
- Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Ritva Heljasvaara
- Oulu Centre for Cell-Extracellular Matrix Research and Biocenter Oulu, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Department of Biomedicine and Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), Norwegian Centre of Excellence, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jan Van Deun
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hilde Yh Smeland
- Department of Biomedicine and Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), Norwegian Centre of Excellence, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Annalisa Canale
- Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Thomas Louis
- Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Linda Stuhr
- Department of Biomedicine and Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), Norwegian Centre of Excellence, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Nor Eddine Sounni
- Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Didier Cataldo
- Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Taina Pihlajaniemi
- Oulu Centre for Cell-Extracellular Matrix Research and Biocenter Oulu, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Christel Pequeux
- Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Olivier De Wever
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Donald Gullberg
- Department of Biomedicine and Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), Norwegian Centre of Excellence, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Agnès Noel
- Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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Abstract
The past decades have witnessed significant efforts toward the development of three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures as systems that better mimic in vivo physiology. Today, 3D cell cultures are emerging, not only as a new tool in early drug discovery but also as potential therapeutics to treat disease. In this review, we assess leading 3D cell culture technologies and their impact on drug discovery, including spheroids, organoids, scaffolds, hydrogels, organs-on-chips, and 3D bioprinting. We also discuss the implementation of these technologies in compound identification, screening, and development, ranging from disease modeling to assessment of efficacy and safety profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Fang
- 1 Biochemical Technologies, Corning Research and Development Corporation, Corning Incorporated, Corning, NY, USA
| | - Richard M Eglen
- 2 Corning Life Sciences, Corning Incorporated, Tewksbury, MA, USA
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19
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Dubich T, Lieske A, Santag S, Beauclair G, Rückert J, Herrmann J, Gorges J, Büsche G, Kazmaier U, Hauser H, Stadler M, Schulz TF, Wirth D. An endothelial cell line infected by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV) allows the investigation of Kaposi's sarcoma and the validation of novel viral inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. J Mol Med (Berl) 2019; 97:311-324. [PMID: 30610257 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-018-01733-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the etiological agent of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), a tumor of endothelial origin predominantly affecting immunosuppressed individuals. Up to date, vaccines and targeted therapies are not available. Screening and identification of anti-viral compounds are compromised by the lack of scalable cell culture systems reflecting properties of virus-transformed cells in patients. Further, the strict specificity of the virus for humans limits the development of in vivo models. In this study, we exploited a conditionally immortalized human endothelial cell line for establishment of in vitro 2D and 3D KSHV latency models and the generation of KS-like xenograft tumors in mice. Importantly, the invasive properties and tumor formation could be completely reverted by purging KSHV from the cells, confirming that tumor formation is dependent on the continued presence of KSHV, rather than being a consequence of irreversible transformation of the infected cells. Upon testing a library of 260 natural metabolites, we selected the compounds that induced viral loss or reduced the invasiveness of infected cells in 2D and 3D endothelial cell culture systems. The efficacy of selected compounds against KSHV-induced tumor formation was verified in the xenograft model. Together, this study shows that the combined use of anti-viral and anti-tumor assays based on the same cell line is predictive for tumor reduction in vivo and therefore allows faithful selection of novel drug candidates against Kaposi's sarcoma. KEY MESSAGES: Novel 2D, 3D, and xenograft mouse models mimic the consequences of KSHV infection. KSHV-induced tumorigenesis can be reverted upon purging the cells from the virus. A 3D invasiveness assay is predictive for tumor reduction in vivo. Chondramid B, epothilone B, and pretubulysin D diminish KS-like lesions in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana Dubich
- Model Systems for Infection and Immunity, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Anna Lieske
- Model Systems for Infection and Immunity, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Susann Santag
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Guillaume Beauclair
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jessica Rückert
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jennifer Herrmann
- German Centre for Infection Research, Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany.,Microbial Natural Products, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Jan Gorges
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Guntram Büsche
- Institute of Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Uli Kazmaier
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Hansjörg Hauser
- Model Systems for Infection and Immunity, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Marc Stadler
- German Centre for Infection Research, Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany.,Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Thomas F Schulz
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dagmar Wirth
- Model Systems for Infection and Immunity, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany. .,Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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20
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Paupert J, Espinosa E, Cenac N, Robert V, Laharrague P, Evrard SM, Casteilla L, Lorsignol A, Cousin B. Rapid and Efficient Production of Human Functional Mast Cells through a Three-Dimensional Culture of Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal Vascular Cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 201:3815-3821. [PMID: 30446570 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1701751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Mast cells (MC) are innate immune cells involved in many physiological and pathological processes. However, studies of MC function and biology are hampered by the difficulties to obtain human primary MC. To solve this problem, we established a new method to produce easily and rapidly high numbers of MC for in vitro studies using human adipose tissue, which is an abundant and easy access tissue. Stromal vascular fraction of adipose tissue, obtained from human abdominal dermolipectomy, was cultured as spheroids in serum free medium supplemented in stem cell factor. Using this method, we generated, within 3 wk, a highly pure population of connective tissue-type MC expressing MC typical peptidases (tryptase, chymase, and carboxypeptidase-A3) with a yield increasing over time. Stem cell factor was required for this culture, but unlike MC derived from CD34+ cells, this culture did not depend on IL-3 and -6. MC obtained with this method degranulated following FcεRI cross-linking or stimulation by C5a, compound 48/80, and substance P. Interestingly, activation by anti-IgE of both white adipose tissue-MC and MC obtained from peripheral blood-derived CD34+ pluripotent progenitor cells induced the production of PGs as well as proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, Il-6, and GM-CSF). In conclusion, we developed a new time saving and reproducible method to produce highly pure and functional human MC in 3 wk from human adipose tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Paupert
- STROMALab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS 11 Équipe de Recherche Labellisée 5311, Établissement Français du Sang, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, INSERM U1031, Université Paul Sabatier, 31100 Toulouse, France.,Université Toulouse III-Université Paul Sabatier, F-31062 Toulouse
| | - Eric Espinosa
- Université Toulouse III-Université Paul Sabatier, F-31062 Toulouse.,INSERM, U1037, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Toulouse, F-31037 Toulouse, France
| | - Nicolas Cenac
- Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Virginie Robert
- STROMALab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS 11 Équipe de Recherche Labellisée 5311, Établissement Français du Sang, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, INSERM U1031, Université Paul Sabatier, 31100 Toulouse, France.,Université Toulouse III-Université Paul Sabatier, F-31062 Toulouse
| | - Patrick Laharrague
- STROMALab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS 11 Équipe de Recherche Labellisée 5311, Établissement Français du Sang, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, INSERM U1031, Université Paul Sabatier, 31100 Toulouse, France.,Université Toulouse III-Université Paul Sabatier, F-31062 Toulouse
| | - Solène M Evrard
- Département d'Histologie et d'Embryologie, École de Médecine de Rangueil, Université Toulouse III-Université Paul Sabatier, 31059 Toulouse Cedex 9, France; and.,Département de Pathologie et Cytologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Toulouse, l'Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse Oncopole, 31100 Toulouse Cedex 9, France
| | - Louis Casteilla
- STROMALab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS 11 Équipe de Recherche Labellisée 5311, Établissement Français du Sang, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, INSERM U1031, Université Paul Sabatier, 31100 Toulouse, France.,Université Toulouse III-Université Paul Sabatier, F-31062 Toulouse
| | - Anne Lorsignol
- STROMALab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS 11 Équipe de Recherche Labellisée 5311, Établissement Français du Sang, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, INSERM U1031, Université Paul Sabatier, 31100 Toulouse, France.,Université Toulouse III-Université Paul Sabatier, F-31062 Toulouse
| | - Béatrice Cousin
- STROMALab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS 11 Équipe de Recherche Labellisée 5311, Établissement Français du Sang, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, INSERM U1031, Université Paul Sabatier, 31100 Toulouse, France; .,Université Toulouse III-Université Paul Sabatier, F-31062 Toulouse
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21
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Benkheil M, Van Haele M, Roskams T, Laporte M, Noppen S, Abbasi K, Delang L, Neyts J, Liekens S. CCL20, a direct-acting pro-angiogenic chemokine induced by hepatitis C virus (HCV): Potential role in HCV-related liver cancer. Exp Cell Res 2018; 372:168-177. [PMID: 30287142 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2018.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The CCL20/CCR6 chemokine/receptor axis has previously been shown to contribute to the initiation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through the recruitment of CCR6-positive leukocytes to the tumor microenvironment. In particular, high serum levels of CCL20 are reported in patients with HCC induced by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). A potential non-immune role for the CCL20/CCR6 axis in HCC development has not yet been investigated. Microarray analysis (Benkheil et al., paper submitted for publication), revealed that CCL20 is highly upregulated in hepatoma cells infected with HCV compared with non-infected hepatoma cells. To determine the role of the CCL20/CCR6 axis in HCV-related HCC, we first explored which cell populations express CCR6 in human liver tissue with chronic disease or HCC. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis revealed that CCR6 is present on endothelial cells (ECs) of portal blood vessels in livers with chronic HCV infection and in HCV- and alcoholic-HCC tissue. In addition, we found CCR6 to be expressed on primary macrovascular (HUVECs) and microvascular ECs (HMVEC-ds) where it co-expressed with the endothelial marker CD31. In vitro angiogenesis experiments revealed that CCL20 is a direct pro-angiogenic molecule that induces EC invasion, sprouting and migration through CCR6. Moreover, using the angiogenesis matrigel plug assay in immunodeficient NMRI-nu mice, we clearly showed that CCL20 induces blood vessel formation, by attracting CCR6-positive ECs. Finally, we demonstrated that HCV-induced CCL20 protein expression and secretion in hepatoma cells could be abolished by antiviral treatment, indicating that CCL20 expression is dependent on HCV replication. In contrast to HCV, HBV-infection resulted in a decreased expression of CCL20, implying a virus-specific effect. Taken together, we identified HCV-induced CCL20 as a direct pro-angiogenic factor that acts on endothelial CCR6. These results suggest that the CCL20/CCR6 axis contributes to hepatic angiogenesis, promoting the hypervascular state of HCV-HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Benkheil
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium.
| | - Matthias Van Haele
- Translational Cell & Tissue Research, Department of Imaging & Pathology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium
| | - Tania Roskams
- Translational Cell & Tissue Research, Department of Imaging & Pathology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium
| | - Manon Laporte
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium
| | - Sam Noppen
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium
| | - Kayvan Abbasi
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium
| | - Leen Delang
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium
| | - Johan Neyts
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium
| | - Sandra Liekens
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium
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22
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Kim H, Cho CH, Park JK. High-throughput culture and embedment of spheroid array using droplet contact-based spheroid transfer. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2018; 12:044109. [PMID: 30867862 PMCID: PMC6404923 DOI: 10.1063/1.5039965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2018] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Spheroids are one of the most representative models of 3D cell culture, which can be easily formed using conventional hanging drop method. However, medium change and spheroid transferring process are the bottlenecks that reduce the throughput of the entire process in the hanging drop culture. In addition, the embedment of spheroid into hydrogel still depends on the individual pipetting process. To overcome these issues, we present poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-based simple devices which can exploit droplet contact-based spheroid transfer using a drop array chip (DAC) having an array of well structures and peripheral rims. When the upper spheroid-containing drops were in contact with the lower liquid drops, the air-liquid interface disappeared at the merged surface and the spheroids settled down due to gravitational force. This method was applied to repetitive medium change and live/dead staining of spheroids cultured with the hanging drop method. To simultaneously embed the spheroids into the corresponding collagen hydrogel drops, a PDMS-based pillar array chip (PAC) was contacted in advance with the spheroid-containing DAC. The contacted PAC then contained the spheroids trapped in small drops of liquid reduced in volume to around 0.5 μl. Consequently, the spheroids were embedded into the collagen drops at once by contacting the spheroid-containing PAC with the collagen-loaded DAC. The embedded spheroids using the DAC-PAC contacting method showed a reliable invasion behavior compared to the embedded spheroids using conventional manual pipetting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwisoo Kim
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Hyun Cho
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Je-Kyun Park
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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23
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TASI: A software tool for spatial-temporal quantification of tumor spheroid dynamics. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7248. [PMID: 29739990 PMCID: PMC5940855 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25337-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spheroid cultures derived from explanted cancer specimens are an increasingly utilized resource for studying complex biological processes like tumor cell invasion and metastasis, representing an important bridge between the simplicity and practicality of 2-dimensional monolayer cultures and the complexity and realism of in vivo animal models. Temporal imaging of spheroids can capture the dynamics of cell behaviors and microenvironments, and when combined with quantitative image analysis methods, enables deep interrogation of biological mechanisms. This paper presents a comprehensive open-source software framework for Temporal Analysis of Spheroid Imaging (TASI) that allows investigators to objectively characterize spheroid growth and invasion dynamics. TASI performs spatiotemporal segmentation of spheroid cultures, extraction of features describing spheroid morpho-phenotypes, mathematical modeling of spheroid dynamics, and statistical comparisons of experimental conditions. We demonstrate the utility of this tool in an analysis of non-small cell lung cancer spheroids that exhibit variability in metastatic and proliferative behaviors.
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24
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Frye M, Taddei A, Dierkes C, Martinez-Corral I, Fielden M, Ortsäter H, Kazenwadel J, Calado DP, Ostergaard P, Salminen M, He L, Harvey NL, Kiefer F, Mäkinen T. Matrix stiffness controls lymphatic vessel formation through regulation of a GATA2-dependent transcriptional program. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1511. [PMID: 29666442 PMCID: PMC5904183 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03959-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue and vessel wall stiffening alters endothelial cell properties and contributes to vascular dysfunction. However, whether extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness impacts vascular development is not known. Here we show that matrix stiffness controls lymphatic vascular morphogenesis. Atomic force microscopy measurements in mouse embryos reveal that venous lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) progenitors experience a decrease in substrate stiffness upon migration out of the cardinal vein, which induces a GATA2-dependent transcriptional program required to form the first lymphatic vessels. Transcriptome analysis shows that LECs grown on a soft matrix exhibit increased GATA2 expression and a GATA2-dependent upregulation of genes involved in cell migration and lymphangiogenesis, including VEGFR3. Analyses of mouse models demonstrate a cell-autonomous function of GATA2 in regulating LEC responsiveness to VEGF-C and in controlling LEC migration and sprouting in vivo. Our study thus uncovers a mechanism by which ECM stiffness dictates the migratory behavior of LECs during early lymphatic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike Frye
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 20, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Andrea Taddei
- Immunity and Cancer Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, NW11AT, London, UK
| | - Cathrin Dierkes
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Ines Martinez-Corral
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 20, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Matthew Fielden
- Department of Applied Physics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Albanova University Center, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Henrik Ortsäter
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 20, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Kazenwadel
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, SA5000, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Dinis P Calado
- Immunity and Cancer Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, NW11AT, London, UK
| | - Pia Ostergaard
- Lymphovascular Research Unit, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Institute, St George's University of London, SW170RE, London, UK
| | - Marjo Salminen
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Liqun He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuroinjury Neuro-Repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Natasha L Harvey
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, SA5000, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Friedemann Kiefer
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, 48149, Münster, Germany
- European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI), University of Münster, Waldeyerstr. 15, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Taija Mäkinen
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 20, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden.
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25
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Wang Y, Chen D, Chen M, Ji K, Ma D, Zhou L. A Comprehensive Procedure to Evaluate the In Vitro Performance of the Putative Hemangioblastoma Neovascularization Using the Spheroid Sprouting Assay. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 29708531 DOI: 10.3791/57183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene plays a crucial role in the development of hemangioblastomas (HBs) within the human central nervous system (CNS). However, both the cytological origin and the evolutionary process of HBs (including neovascularization) remain controversial, and anti-angiogenesis for VHL-HBs, based on classic HB angiogenesis, have produced disappointing results in clinical trials. One major obstacle to the successful clinical translation of anti-vascular treatment is the lack of a thorough understanding of neovascularization in this vascular tumor. In this article, we present a comprehensive procedure to evaluate in vitro whether classic tumor angiogenesis exists in HBs, as well as its role in HBs. With this procedure, researchers can accurately understand the complexity of HB neovascularization and identify the function of this common form of angiogenesis in HBs. These protocols can be used to evaluate the most promising anti-vascular therapy for tumors, which has high translational potential either for tumors treatment or for aiding in the optimization of the anti-angiogenic treatment for HBs in future translations. The results highlight the complexity of HB neovascularization and suggest that this common form angiogenesis is only a complementary mechanism in HB neovascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University
| | - DanQi Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University
| | - MingYu Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University
| | - KaiYuan Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University
| | - DeXuan Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University;
| | - LiangFu Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University;
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26
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Kenney RM, Lloyd CC, Whitman NA, Lockett MR. 3D cellular invasion platforms: how do paper-based cultures stack up? Chem Commun (Camb) 2018. [PMID: 28621775 DOI: 10.1039/c7cc02357j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Cellular invasion is the gateway to metastasis, which is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Invasion is driven by a number of chemical and mechanical stresses that arise in the tumor microenvironment. In vitro assays are needed for the systematic study of cancer progress. To be truly predictive, these assays must generate tissue-like environments that can be experimentally controlled and manipulated. While two-dimensional (2D) monolayer cultures are easily assembled and evaluated, they lack the extracellular components needed to assess invasion. Three-dimensional (3D) cultures are better suited for invasion studies because they generate cellular phenotypes that are more representative of those found in vivo. This feature article provides an overview of four invasion platforms. We focus on paper-based cultures, an emerging 3D culture platform capable of generating tissue-like structures and quantifying cellular invasion. Paper-based cultures are as easily assembled and analyzed as monolayers, but provide an experimentally powerful platform capable of supporting: co-cultures and representative extracellular environments; experimentally controlled gradients; readouts capable of quantifying, discerning, and separating cells based on their invasiveness. With a series of examples we highlight the potential of paper-based cultures, and discuss how they stack up against other invasion platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael M Kenney
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan and Caudill Laboratories, 125 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290, USA.
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27
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Ray A, Morford RK, Ghaderi N, Odde DJ, Provenzano PP. Dynamics of 3D carcinoma cell invasion into aligned collagen. Integr Biol (Camb) 2018; 10:100-112. [PMID: 29340409 PMCID: PMC6004317 DOI: 10.1039/c7ib00152e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Carcinoma cells frequently expand and invade from a confined lesion, or multicellular clusters, into and through the stroma on the path to metastasis, often with an efficiency dictated by the architecture and composition of the microenvironment. Specifically, in desmoplastic carcinomas such as those of the breast, aligned collagen tracks provide contact guidance cues for directed cancer cell invasion. Yet, the evolving dynamics of this process of invasion remains poorly understood, in part due to difficulties in continuously capturing both spatial and temporal heterogeneity and progression to invasion in experimental systems. Therefore, to study the local invasion process from cell dense clusters into aligned collagen architectures found in solid tumors, we developed a novel engineered 3D invasion platform that integrates an aligned collagen matrix with a cell dense tumor-like plug. Using multiphoton microscopy and quantitative analysis of cell motility, we track the invasion of cancer cells from cell-dense bulk clusters into the pre-aligned 3D matrix, and define the temporal evolution of the advancing invasion fronts over several days. This enables us to identify and probe cell dynamics in key regions of interest: behind, at, and beyond the edge of the invading lesion at distinct time points. Analysis of single cell migration identifies significant spatial heterogeneity in migration behavior between cells in the highly cell-dense region behind the leading edge of the invasion front and cells at and beyond the leading edge. Moreover, temporal variations in motility and directionality are also observed between cells within the cell-dense tumor-like plug and the leading invasive edge as its boundary extends into the anisotropic collagen over time. Furthermore, experimental results combined with mathematical modeling demonstrate that in addition to contact guidance, physical crowding of cells is a key regulating factor orchestrating variability in single cell migration during invasion into anisotropic ECM. Thus, our novel platform enables us to capture spatio-temporal dynamics of cell behavior behind, at, and beyond the invasive front and reveals heterogeneous, local interactions that lead to the emergence and maintenance of the advancing front.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arja Ray
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 7-120 NHH, 312 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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28
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Abstract
In vitro tests of cancer cell invasion are the "first line" tools of preclinical researchers for screening the multitude of chemical compounds or cell perturbations that may aid in halting or treating cancer malignancy. In order to have predictive value or to contribute to designing personalized treatment regimes, these tests need to take into account the cancer cell environment and measure effects on invasion in sufficient detail. The in vitro invasion assays presented here are a trade-off between feasibility in a multisample format and mimicking the complexity of the tumor microenvironment. They allow testing multiple samples and conditions in parallel using 3D-matrix-embedded cells and deal with the heterogeneous behavior of an invading cell population in time. We describe the steps to take, the technical problems to tackle and useful software tools for the entire workflow: from the experimental setup to the quantification of the invasive capacity of the cells. The protocol is intended to guide researchers to standardize experimental set-ups and to annotate their invasion experiments in sufficient detail. In addition, it provides options for image processing and a solution for storage, visualization, quantitative analysis, and multisample comparison of acquired cell invasion data.
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29
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Fedele C, De Gregorio M, Netti PA, Cavalli S, Attanasio C. Azopolymer photopatterning for directional control of angiogenesis. Acta Biomater 2017; 63:317-325. [PMID: 28927933 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Understanding cellular behavior in response to microenvironmental stimuli is central to tissue engineering. An increasing number of reports emphasize the high sensitivity of cells to the physical characteristics of the surrounding milieu and in particular, topographical cues. In this work, we investigated the influence of dynamic topographic signal presentation on sprout formation and the possibility to obtain a space-time control over sprouting directionality without growth factors, in order to investigate the contribution of just topography in the angiogenic process. To test our hypothesis, we employed a 3D angiogenesis assay based on the use of spheroids derived from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We then modulated the in situ presentation of topographical cues during early-stage angiogenesis through real-time photopatterning of an azobenzene-containing polymer, poly (Disperse Red 1 methacrylate) (pDR1m). Pattern inscription on the polymer surface was made using the focused laser of a confocal microscope. We demonstrate that during early-stage angiogenesis, sprouts followed the pattern direction, while spheroid cores acquired a polarized shape. These findings confirmed that sprout directionality was influenced by the photo-inscribed pattern, probably through contact guidance of leader cells, thus validating the proposed platform as a valuable tool for understanding complex processes involved in cell-topography interactions in multicellular systems. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The complex relationship between endothelial cells and the surrounding environment that leads to formation of a newly formed vascular network during tissue repair is currently unknown. We have developed an innovative in vitro platform to study these mechanisms in a space and time controlled fashion simulating what happens during regeneration. In particular, we combine a "smart" surface, namely a polymer film, with a three-dimensional living cell aggregate. The polymer is activated by light through which we can design a path to guide cells toward the formation of a new vessel. Our work lies at the intersection of stimuli-responsive biointerfaces and cell biology and may be particularly inspiring for those interested in designing biomaterial surface related to angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Fedele
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare, IIT@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Napoli, Italy; Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, DICMAPI, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Maria De Gregorio
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare, IIT@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Napoli, Italy; Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzione Animale, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Paolo A Netti
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare, IIT@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Napoli, Italy; Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, DICMAPI, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy.
| | - Silvia Cavalli
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare, IIT@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Napoli, Italy.
| | - Chiara Attanasio
- Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare, IIT@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Napoli, Italy.
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30
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Tridimensional configurations of human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells to enhance cell paracrine potential towards wound healing processes. J Biotechnol 2017; 262:28-39. [PMID: 28965974 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2017.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This study proposes to use alginate encapsulation as a strategy to assess the paracrine activity of 3D- and 2D-cultured human bone marrow mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (BM MSC) in the setting of wound repair and regeneration processes. A side-by-side comparison of MSC culture in three different 3D configurations (spheroids, encapsulated spheroids and encapsulated single cells) versus 2D monolayer cell culture is presented. The results reveal enhanced resistance to oxidative stress and paracrine potential of 3D spheroid-organized BM MSC. MSC spheroids (148±2μm diameter) encapsulated in alginate microbeads evidence increased angiogenic and chemotactic potential relatively to encapsulated single cells, as supported by higher secreted levels of angiogenic factors and by functional assays showing the capability of encapsulated MSC to promote formation of tubelike structures and migration of fibroblasts into a wounded area. In addition, a higher expression of the anti-inflammatory factor tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 6 (TSG-6) was demonstrated by RT-PCR for encapsulated and non-encapsulated spheroids. Culture of spheroids within an alginate matrix maintains low aggregation levels below 5% and favors resistance to oxidative stress. These are important factors towards the establishment of more standardized and controlled systems, crucial to explore the paracrine effects of 3D-cultured MSC in therapeutic settings.
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31
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Moriconi C, Palmieri V, Di Santo R, Tornillo G, Papi M, Pilkington G, De Spirito M, Gumbleton M. INSIDIA: A FIJI Macro Delivering High-Throughput and High-Content Spheroid Invasion Analysis. Biotechnol J 2017; 12. [PMID: 28786556 DOI: 10.1002/biot.201700140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Time-series image capture of in vitro 3D spheroidal cancer models embedded within an extracellular matrix affords examination of spheroid growth and cancer cell invasion. However, a customizable, comprehensive and open source solution for the quantitative analysis of such spheroid images is lacking. Here, the authors describe INSIDIA (INvasion SpheroID ImageJ Analysis), an open-source macro implemented as a customizable software algorithm running on the FIJI platform, that enables high-throughput high-content quantitative analysis of spheroid images (both bright-field gray and fluorescent images) with the output of a range of parameters defining the spheroid "tumor" core and its invasive characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Moriconi
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Valentina Palmieri
- Physics Institute, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy.,Institute for Complex Systems, National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Di Santo
- Physics Institute, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Giusy Tornillo
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Massimiliano Papi
- Physics Institute, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy.,Institute for Complex Systems, National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Geoff Pilkington
- Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Science, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - Marco De Spirito
- Physics Institute, Catholic University of Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Mark Gumbleton
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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32
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Yan H, Zhang C, Wang Z, Tu T, Duan H, Luo Y, Feng J, Liu F, Yan X. CD146 is required for VEGF-C-induced lymphatic sprouting during lymphangiogenesis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7442. [PMID: 28785085 PMCID: PMC5547131 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06637-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
VEGF-C is essential for lymphangiogenesis during development and tumor progression. VEGFR-3 is the well-known cognate receptor of VEGF-C to regulate lymphatic migration and proliferation, but the receptor of VEGF-C in regulating lymphatic sprouting, the initiating step of lymphangiogenesis, still remains elusive. Here we use both in vitro and in vivo methods to demonstrate CD146 as a receptor of VEGF-C to regulate lymphangiogenesis, especially at the sprouting step. Mechanistically, CD146 selectively activates the downstream p38 kinase, upon VEGF-C stimulation, to regulate lymphatic sprouting. Moreover, CD146 can also activate ERK to mediate VEGF-C regulation of the subsequent proliferation and migration of lymphatic endothelial cells. In zebrafish embryos, knockdown or dysfunction of CD146 results in similar developmental defects in lymphatic sprouting, capillary network, parachordal lymphangioblast (PL), and thoracic duct (TD) similar to down-regulation of VEGF-C. Altogether, our data reveals a critical role of CD146 to mediate VEGF-C signaling pathway in lymphangiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiwen Yan
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chunxia Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhaoqing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Tao Tu
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Hongxia Duan
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yongting Luo
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jing Feng
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Feng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Xiyun Yan
- Key Laboratory of Protein and Peptide Pharmaceuticals, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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33
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García-Caballero M, Paupert J, Blacher S, Van de Velde M, Quesada AR, Medina MA, Noël A. Targeting VEGFR-3/-2 signaling pathways with AD0157: a potential strategy against tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastases. J Hematol Oncol 2017. [PMID: 28629427 PMCID: PMC5477162 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-017-0484-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Lymphatic metastasis is one of the leading causes of death in patients with different types of cancer and is the main prognostic factor for the disease survival. The formation of new lymphatic vessels (lymphangiogenesis) in primary tumors facilitates tumor cell dissemination to regional lymph nodes and correlates with distant metastases. Lymphangiogenesis has thus emerged as a suitable therapeutic target to block metastases, but no anti-lymphangiogenic compounds have been approved for clinical use to date. Therefore, new or improved therapies blocking lymphatic metastases are urgently required. Methods We established murine breast tumors to assess the effect of AD0157 on tumor growth, lymphangiogenesis, and lymphatic dissemination. Then, a battery of in vivo (mouse corneal neovascularization and ear sponges), ex vivo (mouse lymphatic rings and rat mesentery explants), and in vitro (proliferation, tubulogenesis, wound-healing, Boyden chambers, and spheroids) assays was used to give insight into the lymphangiogenic steps affected by AD0157. Finally, we investigated the molecular pathways controlled by this drug. Results AD0157 was found to inhibit the growth of human breast cancer xenografts in mice, to strongly reduce tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis and to block metastatic dissemination to both lymph nodes and distant organs. The high anti-lymphangiogenic potency of AD0157 was further supported by its inhibitory activity at low micromolar range in two in vivo pathological models and in two ex vivo assays. In addition, AD0157 inhibited lymphatic endothelial cell proliferation, migration and invasion, cellular sprouting, and tube formation. Mechanistically, this compound induced apoptosis in lymphatic endothelial cells and decreased VEGFR-3/-2, ERK1/2, and Akt phosphorylations. Conclusions These findings demonstrate the suitability of AD0157 to suppress tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis. Beyond discovering a new potent anti-lymphangiogenic drug that is worth considering in future clinical settings, our study supports the interest of designing anti-lymphangiogenic therapies to avoid distant metastatic processes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13045-017-0484-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa García-Caballero
- Laboratory of Tumor and Developmental Biology, Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliqué-Cancer (GIGA-Cancer), Tower of Pathology, University of Liège, B23, +4, Avenue de l'hopital, 1, Sart Tilman, B-4000, Liège, Belgium.
| | - Jenny Paupert
- Laboratory of Tumor and Developmental Biology, Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliqué-Cancer (GIGA-Cancer), Tower of Pathology, University of Liège, B23, +4, Avenue de l'hopital, 1, Sart Tilman, B-4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Silvia Blacher
- Laboratory of Tumor and Developmental Biology, Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliqué-Cancer (GIGA-Cancer), Tower of Pathology, University of Liège, B23, +4, Avenue de l'hopital, 1, Sart Tilman, B-4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Maureen Van de Velde
- Laboratory of Tumor and Developmental Biology, Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliqué-Cancer (GIGA-Cancer), Tower of Pathology, University of Liège, B23, +4, Avenue de l'hopital, 1, Sart Tilman, B-4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Ana Rodríguez Quesada
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, and IBIMA (Biomedical Research Institute of Málaga), Universidad de Málaga, Andalucía Tech, Málaga, Spain.,Unidad 741 de CIBER "de Enfermedades Raras", E-29071, Málaga, Spain
| | - Miguel Angel Medina
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, and IBIMA (Biomedical Research Institute of Málaga), Universidad de Málaga, Andalucía Tech, Málaga, Spain.,Unidad 741 de CIBER "de Enfermedades Raras", E-29071, Málaga, Spain
| | - Agnès Noël
- Laboratory of Tumor and Developmental Biology, Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliqué-Cancer (GIGA-Cancer), Tower of Pathology, University of Liège, B23, +4, Avenue de l'hopital, 1, Sart Tilman, B-4000, Liège, Belgium
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34
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Fang Y, Eglen RM. Three-Dimensional Cell Cultures in Drug Discovery and Development. SLAS DISCOVERY 2017. [DOI: 10.1177/2472555217696795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ye Fang
- Biochemical Technologies, Corning Research and Development Corporation, Corning Incorporated, Corning, NY, USA
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35
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Resonant Waveguide Grating Imager for Single Cell Monitoring of the Invasion of 3D Speheroid Cancer Cells Through Matrigel. Methods Mol Biol 2017. [PMID: 28281255 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6848-0_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
The invasion of cancer cells through their surrounding extracellular matrices is the first critical step to metastasis, a devastating event to cancer patients. However, in vitro cancer cell invasion is mostly studied using two-dimensional (2D) models. Three-dimensional (3D) multicellular spheroids may offer an advantageous cell model for cancer research and oncology drug discovery. This chapter describes a label-free, real-time, and single-cell approach to quantify the invasion of 3D spheroid colon cancer cells through Matrigel using a spatially resolved resonant waveguide grating imager.
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36
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Marcello M, Richards R, Mason D, Sée V. Live Imaging of Cell Invasion Using a Multicellular Spheroid Model and Light-Sheet Microscopy. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 1035:155-161. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-67358-5_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
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37
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De Vlieghere E, Wagemans G, De Backer S, Drebert Z, Tommelein J, Rousseau Q, Weyn B, Van Troys M, Bracke M, De Wever O. Quantitative evaluation of single cell spread on collagen matrices. Exp Cell Res 2016; 349:168-178. [PMID: 27751839 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2016.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cells change their morphology as a response to environmental cues. The quantitative evaluation of single cell spread on extracellular matrices, such as type I collagen, is a key tool in cancer research. Inherent to the manual scoring of cellular spread is inter-observer but also intra-observer variation. To overcome these problems, we have developed the Morphology Analysis Software (MAS). MAS scores phase-contrast images of cells on native type I collagen gels and identifies whether a cell has a spread or round morphology using a combination of four unique parameters: the presence of a cellular extension, the cell area, the cell eccentricity and cell circularity. The MAS software scores are equivalent to the average score of five independent observers but MAS is faster, more objective and standardized. A functional screening assay using six cytokines identified TGFα as a stimulator of HCT8/E11 and SK-BR-3 single cell spreading on top of type I collagen gels. This change in morphology correlates with increased migration potential as evidenced by xCELLigence migration assays and are counteracted by EGFR signaling pathway inhibitors. This underscores the use of morphology classification on a population of unlabeled cells as read-out of an important cancer cell property and the potential for the MAS software in drug screening strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- E De Vlieghere
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Belgium
| | - G Wagemans
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Belgium
| | | | - Z Drebert
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Belgium
| | - J Tommelein
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Q Rousseau
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Belgium
| | - B Weyn
- DCILabs, Keerbergen, Belgium
| | - M Van Troys
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry, Fac. Medicine, Gent University, Belgium
| | - M Bracke
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Belgium
| | - O De Wever
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Belgium.
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38
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Dini S, Binder BJ, Fischer SC, Mattheyer C, Schmitz A, Stelzer EHK, Bean NG, Green JEF. Identifying the necrotic zone boundary in tumour spheroids with pair-correlation functions. J R Soc Interface 2016; 13:20160649. [PMID: 27733696 PMCID: PMC5095222 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2016.0649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Automatic identification of the necrotic zone boundary is important in the assessment of treatments on in vitro tumour spheroids. This has been difficult especially when the difference in cell density between the necrotic and viable zones of a tumour spheroid is small. To help overcome this problem, we developed novel one-dimensional pair-correlation functions (PCFs) to provide quantitative estimates of the radial distance of the necrotic zone boundary from the centre of a tumour spheroid. We validate our approach on synthetic tumour spheroids in which the position of the necrotic zone boundary is known a priori It is then applied to nine real tumour spheroids imaged with light sheet-based fluorescence microscopy. PCF estimates of the necrotic zone boundary are compared with those of a human expert and an existing standard computational method.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Dini
- School of Mathematical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - B J Binder
- School of Mathematical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - S C Fischer
- Department of Biological Sciences (IZN, FB 15), Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - C Mattheyer
- Department of Biological Sciences (IZN, FB 15), Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - A Schmitz
- Department of Biological Sciences (IZN, FB 15), Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - E H K Stelzer
- Department of Biological Sciences (IZN, FB 15), Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - N G Bean
- School of Mathematical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - J E F Green
- School of Mathematical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
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39
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Malheiro A, Wieringa P, Mota C, Baker M, Moroni L. Patterning Vasculature: The Role of Biofabrication to Achieve an Integrated Multicellular Ecosystem. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2016; 2:1694-1709. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.6b00269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Afonso Malheiro
- Department
of Complex Tissue
Regeneration, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative
Medicine, Maastricht University, 6211 LK Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Wieringa
- Department
of Complex Tissue
Regeneration, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative
Medicine, Maastricht University, 6211 LK Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Carlos Mota
- Department
of Complex Tissue
Regeneration, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative
Medicine, Maastricht University, 6211 LK Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Matthew Baker
- Department
of Complex Tissue
Regeneration, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative
Medicine, Maastricht University, 6211 LK Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Lorenzo Moroni
- Department
of Complex Tissue
Regeneration, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative
Medicine, Maastricht University, 6211 LK Maastricht, The Netherlands
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40
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García-Caballero M, Blacher S, Paupert J, Quesada AR, Medina MA, Noël A. Novel application assigned to toluquinol: inhibition of lymphangiogenesis by interfering with VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 signalling pathway. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 173:1966-87. [PMID: 27018653 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2015] [Revised: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Lymphangiogenesis is an important biological process associated with the pathogenesis of several diseases, including metastatic dissemination, graft rejection, lymphoedema and other inflammatory disorders. The development of new drugs that block lymphangiogenesis has become a promising therapeutic strategy. In this study, we investigated the ability of toluquinol, a 2-methyl-hydroquinone isolated from the culture broth of the marine fungus Penicillium sp. HL-85-ALS5-R004, to inhibit lymphangiogenesis in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We used human lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) to analyse the effect of toluquinol in 2D and 3D in vitro cultures and in the ex vivo mouse lymphatic ring assay. For in vivo approaches, the transgenic Fli1:eGFPy1 zebrafish, mouse ear sponges and cornea models were used. Western blotting and apoptosis analyses were carried out to search for drug targets. KEY RESULTS Toluquinol inhibited LEC proliferation, migration, tubulogenesis and sprouting of new lymphatic vessels. Furthermore, toluquinol induced apoptosis of LECs after 14 h of treatment in vitro, blocked the development of the thoracic duct in zebrafish and reduced the VEGF-C-induced lymphatic vessel formation and corneal neovascularization in mice. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that this drug attenuates VEGF-C-induced VEGFR-3 phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner and suppresses the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Based on these findings, we propose toluquinol as a new candidate with pharmacological potential for the treatment of lymphangiogenesis-related pathologies. Notably, its ability to suppress corneal neovascularization paves the way for applications in vascular ocular pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M García-Caballero
- Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliqué-Cancer (GIGA-Cancer), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - S Blacher
- Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliqué-Cancer (GIGA-Cancer), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - J Paupert
- Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliqué-Cancer (GIGA-Cancer), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - A R Quesada
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, and IBIMA (Biomedical Research Institute of Málaga), Universidad de Málaga, Andalucía Tech, Málaga, Spain.,Unidad 741 de CIBER "de Enfermedades Raras", Málaga, Spain
| | - M A Medina
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, and IBIMA (Biomedical Research Institute of Málaga), Universidad de Málaga, Andalucía Tech, Málaga, Spain.,Unidad 741 de CIBER "de Enfermedades Raras", Málaga, Spain
| | - A Noël
- Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliqué-Cancer (GIGA-Cancer), University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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41
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Bender BF, Aijian AP, Garrell RL. Digital microfluidics for spheroid-based invasion assays. LAB ON A CHIP 2016; 16:1505-1513. [PMID: 27020962 DOI: 10.1039/c5lc01569c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Cell invasion is a key process in tissue growth, wound healing, and tumor progression. Most invasion assays examine cells cultured in adherent monolayers, which fail to recapitulate the three-dimensional nuances of the tissue microenvironment. Multicellular cell spheroids have a three-dimensional (3D) morphology and mimic the intercellular interactions found in tissues in vivo, thus providing a more physiologically relevant model for studying the tissue microenvironment and processes such as cell invasion. Spheroid-based invasion assays often require tedious, manually intensive handling protocols or the use of robotic liquid handling systems, which can be expensive to acquire, operate, and maintain. Here we describe a digital microfluidic (DμF) platform that enables formation of spheroids by the hanging drop method, encapsulation of the spheroids in collagen, and the exposure of spheroids to migration-modulating agents. Collagen sol-gel solutions up to 4 mg mL(-1), which form gels with elastic moduli up to ∼50 kPa, can be manipulated on the device. In situ spheroid migration assays show that cells from human fibroblast spheroids exhibit invasion into collagen gels, which can be either enhanced or inhibited by the delivery of exogenous migration modulating agents. Exposing fibroblast spheroids to spheroid secretions from colon cancer spheroids resulted in a >100% increase in fibroblast invasion into the collagen gel, consistent with the cancer-associated fibroblast phenotype. These data show that DμF can be used to automate the liquid handling protocols for spheroid-based invasion assays and create a cell invasion model that mimics the tissue microenvironment more closely than two-dimensional culturing techniques do. A DμF platform that facilitates the creation and assaying of 3D in vitro tissue models has the potential to make automated 3D cell-based assays more accessible to researchers in the life sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian F Bender
- Bioengineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1600, USA.
| | - Andrew P Aijian
- Bioengineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1600, USA.
| | - Robin L Garrell
- Bioengineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1600, USA. and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1569, USA and California NanoSystems Institute, UCLA Box 722710, Los Angeles, CA, USA 90095
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Blacher S, Gérard C, Gallez A, Foidart JM, Noël A, Péqueux C. Quantitative Assessment of Mouse Mammary Gland Morphology Using Automated Digital Image Processing and TEB Detection. Endocrinology 2016; 157:1709-16. [PMID: 26910307 DOI: 10.1210/en.2015-1601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The assessment of rodent mammary gland morphology is largely used to study the molecular mechanisms driving breast development and to analyze the impact of various endocrine disruptors with putative pathological implications. In this work, we propose a methodology relying on fully automated digital image analysis methods including image processing and quantification of the whole ductal tree and of the terminal end buds as well. It allows to accurately and objectively measure both growth parameters and fine morphological glandular structures. Mammary gland elongation was characterized by 2 parameters: the length and the epithelial area of the ductal tree. Ductal tree fine structures were characterized by: 1) branch end-point density, 2) branching density, and 3) branch length distribution. The proposed methodology was compared with quantification methods classically used in the literature. This procedure can be transposed to several software and thus largely used by scientists studying rodent mammary gland morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Blacher
- Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliquée (GIGA-cancer), University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Céline Gérard
- Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliquée (GIGA-cancer), University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Anne Gallez
- Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliquée (GIGA-cancer), University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Jean-Michel Foidart
- Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliquée (GIGA-cancer), University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Agnès Noël
- Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliquée (GIGA-cancer), University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Christel Péqueux
- Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliquée (GIGA-cancer), University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
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Eccles SA, Court W, Patterson L. In Vitro Assays for Endothelial Cell Functions Required for Angiogenesis: Proliferation, Motility, Tubular Differentiation, and Matrix Proteolysis. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1430:121-147. [PMID: 27172950 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3628-1_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This chapter deconstructs the process of angiogenesis into its component parts in order to provide simple assays to measure discrete endothelial cell functions. The techniques described will be suitable for studying stimulators and/or inhibitors of angiogenesis and determining which aspect of the process is modulated. The assays are designed to be robust and straightforward, using human umbilical vein endothelial cells, but with an option to use other sources such as microvascular endothelial cells from various tissues or lymphatic endothelial cells. It must be appreciated that such reductionist approaches cannot cover the complexity of the angiogenic process as a whole, incorporating as it does a myriad of positive and negative signals, three-dimensional interactions with host tissues and many accessory cells including fibroblasts, macrophages, pericytes and platelets. The extent to which in vitro assays predict physiological or pathological processes in vivo (e.g., wound healing, tumor angiogenesis) or surrogate techniques such as the use of Matrigel™ plugs, sponge implants, corneal assays etc remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne A Eccles
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Centre for Cancer Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, Cotswold Rd., Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5NG, UK.
| | - William Court
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Centre for Cancer Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, Cotswold Rd., Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5NG, UK
| | - Lisa Patterson
- Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, Centre for Cancer Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, Cotswold Rd., Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5NG, UK
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Stem Cell Spheroid-Based Sprout Assay in Three-Dimensional Fibrin Scaffold: A Novel In Vitro Model for the Study of Angiogenesis. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1430:179-89. [PMID: 27172954 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3628-1_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a complex process of critical importance during development and in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. There is considerable research interest in studying the angiogenesis cascade and consequently a need for a physiologically valid, quantitative, and cost-effective assay. In this chapter, we describe the stem cell spheroid-based sprout assay in three-dimensional fibrin scaffold which allows fast and easy screening of pro- and anti-angiogenic effects of substances with a high degree of reproducibility.
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Mężyk-Kopeć R, Wyroba B, Stalińska K, Próchnicki T, Wiatrowska K, Kilarski WW, Swartz MA, Bereta J. ADAM17 Promotes Motility, Invasion, and Sprouting of Lymphatic Endothelial Cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132661. [PMID: 26176220 PMCID: PMC4503755 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated lymphatic vessels actively participate in tumor progression and dissemination. ADAM17, a sheddase for numerous growth factors, cytokines, receptors, and cell adhesion molecules, is believed to promote tumor development, facilitating both tumor cell proliferation and migration, as well as tumor angiogenesis. In this work we addressed the issue of whether ADAM17 may also promote tumor lymphangiogenesis. First, we found that ADAM17 is important for the migratory potential of immortalized human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC). When ADAM17 was stably silenced in LEC, their proliferation was not affected, but: (i) single-cell motility, (ii) cell migration through a 3D Matrigel/collagen type I matrix, and (iii) their ability to form sprouts in a 3D matrix were significantly diminished. The differences in the cell motility between ADAM17-proficient and ADAM17-silenced cells were eliminated by inhibitors of EGFR and HER2, indicating that ADAM17-mediated shedding of growth factors accounts for LEC migratory potential. Interestingly, ADAM17 depletion affected the integrin surface expression/functionality in LEC. ADAM17-silenced cells adhered to plastic, type I collagen, and fibronectin faster than their ADAM17-proficient counterparts. The difference in adhesion to fibronectin was abolished by a cyclic RGD peptide, emphasizing the involvement of integrins in the process. Using a soluble receptor array, we identified BIG-H3 among several candidate proteins involved in the phenotypic and behavioral changes of LEC upon ADAM17 silencing. In additional assays, we confirmed the increased expression of BIG-H3, as well as TGFβ2 in ADAM17-silenced LEC. The antilymphangiogenic effects of ADAM17 silencing in lymphatic endothelial cells suggest further relevance of ADAM17 as a potential target in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Mężyk-Kopeć
- Department of Cell Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Kraków, Poland
- Institute of Bioengineering and Swiss Institute for Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute for Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Barbara Wyroba
- Department of Cell Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Kraków, Poland
| | - Krystyna Stalińska
- Department of Cell Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Kraków, Poland
| | - Tomasz Próchnicki
- Department of Cell Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Kraków, Poland
| | - Karolina Wiatrowska
- Department of Cell Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Kraków, Poland
| | - Witold W. Kilarski
- Institute of Bioengineering and Swiss Institute for Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute for Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Melody A. Swartz
- Institute of Bioengineering and Swiss Institute for Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute for Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Joanna Bereta
- Department of Cell Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Kraków, Poland
- * E-mail:
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Wang S, Mundada L, Johnson S, Wong J, Witt R, Ohye RG, Si MS. Characterization and angiogenic potential of human neonatal and infant thymus mesenchymal stromal cells. Stem Cells Transl Med 2015; 4:339-50. [PMID: 25713463 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2014-0240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Resident mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are involved in angiogenesis during thymus regeneration. We have previously shown that MSCs can be isolated from enzymatically digested human neonatal and infant thymus tissue that is normally discarded during pediatric cardiac surgical procedures. In this paper, we demonstrate that thymus MSCs can also be isolated by explant culture of discarded thymus tissue and that these cells share many of the characteristics of bone marrow MSCs. Human neonatal thymus MSCs are clonogenic, demonstrate exponential growth in nearly 30 population doublings, have a characteristic surface marker profile, and express pluripotency genes. Furthermore, thymus MSCs have potent proangiogenic behavior in vitro with sprout formation and angiogenic growth factor production. Thymus MSCs promote neoangiogenesis and cooperate with endothelial cells to form functional human blood vessels in vivo. These characteristics make thymus MSCs a potential candidate for use as an angiogenic cell therapeutic agent and for vascularizing engineered tissues in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyun Wang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Section of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery and Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Department of General Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lakshmi Mundada
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Section of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery and Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Department of General Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sean Johnson
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Section of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery and Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Department of General Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joshua Wong
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Section of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery and Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Department of General Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Russell Witt
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Section of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery and Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Department of General Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Richard G Ohye
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Section of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery and Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Department of General Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ming-Sing Si
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Section of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery and Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Department of General Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Chandrasekaran S, Deng H, Fang Y. PTEN deletion potentiates invasion of colorectal cancer spheroidal cells through 3D Matrigel. Integr Biol (Camb) 2015; 7:324-34. [PMID: 25625883 DOI: 10.1039/c4ib00298a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog), a tumour suppressor negatively regulating the PI3K signalling pathway, is the second most frequently mutated gene in human cancers. Decreased PTEN expression is correlated with colorectal cancer metastases and poor patient survival. Three dimensional (3D) multicellular spheroid models have been postulated to bridge the gap between 2D cell models and animal models for cancer research and drug discovery. However, little is known about the impact of PTEN deletion on the invasion of colon cancer spheroidal cells through a 3D extracellular matrix, and current techniques are limited in their ability to study in vitro 3D cell models in real-time. Here, we investigated the migration and invasion behaviours of the colon cancer cell line HCT116 and its PTEN-/- isogenic cell line using three different in vitro assays, wound healing, transwell invasion, and label-free single cell 3D(2) invasion assays enabled by a resonant waveguide grating (RWG) biosensor. Light microscopic and RWG imaging showed that PTEN deletion influences the spheroid formation of HCT116 cells at high seeding density, and accelerates the spontaneous transfer from the spheroid to substrate surfaces. In vitro migration and invasion assays showed that PTEN knockout increases the 2D migration speed of HCT116 cells, and the invasion rate of individual cells through Matrigel or cells in the spheroid through 3D Matrigel; moreover, the PI3K inhibitor treatment drastically reduces the invasiveness of both cell lines. This study suggests that PTEN knockout potentiates the invasiveness of colorectal cancer spheroidal cells through a 3D extracellular matrix, and the label-free single cell assay is a powerful tool for investigating cancer cell invasion, in particular using 3D cell models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddarth Chandrasekaran
- Biochemical Technologies, Science and Technology Division, Corning Incorporated, Corning, NY 14831, USA.
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