1
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Luker GD, Yang J, Richmond A, Scala S, Festuccia C, Schottelius M, Wester HJ, Zimmermann J. At the Bench: Pre-clinical evidence for multiple functions of CXCR4 in cancer. J Leukoc Biol 2021; 109:969-989. [PMID: 33104270 PMCID: PMC8254203 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.2bt1018-715rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Signaling through chemokine receptor, C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) regulates essential processes in normal physiology, including embryogenesis, tissue repair, angiogenesis, and trafficking of immune cells. Tumors co-opt many of these fundamental processes to directly stimulate proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of cancer cells. CXCR4 signaling contributes to critical functions of stromal cells in cancer, including angiogenesis and multiple cell types in the tumor immune environment. Studies in animal models of several different types of cancers consistently demonstrate essential functions of CXCR4 in tumor initiation, local invasion, and metastasis to lymph nodes and distant organs. Data from animal models support clinical observations showing that integrated effects of CXCR4 on cancer and stromal cells correlate with metastasis and overall poor prognosis in >20 different human malignancies. Small molecules, Abs, and peptidic agents have shown anticancer efficacy in animal models, sparking ongoing efforts at clinical translation for cancer therapy. Investigators also are developing companion CXCR4-targeted imaging agents with potential to stratify patients for CXCR4-targeted therapy and monitor treatment efficacy. Here, pre-clinical studies demonstrating functions of CXCR4 in cancer are reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gary D Luker
- Departments of Radiology, Biomedical Engineering, and Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jinming Yang
- School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ann Richmond
- School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Stefania Scala
- Research Department, Microenvironment Molecular Targets, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale", Napoli, Italy
| | - Claudio Festuccia
- Department of Applied Clinical Science and Biotechnologies, Laboratory of Radiobiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Margret Schottelius
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, and Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Hans-Jürgen Wester
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cecati M, Giulietti M, Righetti A, Sabanovic B, Piva F. Effects of CXCL12 isoforms in a pancreatic pre-tumour cellular model: Microarray analysis. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:1616-1629. [PMID: 33958847 PMCID: PMC8058651 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i15.1616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth leading cause of death among cancers, it is characterized by poor prognosis and strong chemoresistance. In the PDAC microenvironment, stromal cells release different extracellular components, including CXCL12. The CXCL12 is a chemokine promoting the communication between tumour and stromal cells. Six different splicing isoforms of CXCL12 are known (α, β, γ, δ, ε, θ) but their role in PDAC has not yet been characterized.
AIM To investigate the specific role of α, β, and γ CXCL12 isoforms in PDAC onset.
METHODS We used hTERT-HPNE E6/E7/KRasG12D (Human Pancreatic Nestin-Expressing) cell line as a pancreatic pre-tumour model and exposed it to the α, β, and γ CXCL12 isoforms. The altered expression profiles were assessed by microarray analyses and confirmed by Real-Time polymerase chain reaction. The functional enrichment analyses have been performed by Enrichr tool to highlight Gene Ontology enriched terms. In addition, wound healing assays have been carried out to assess the phenotypic changes, in terms of migration ability, induced by the α, β, and γ CXCL12 isoforms.
RESULTS Microarray analysis of hTERT-HPNE cells treated with the three different CXCL12 isoforms highlighted that the expression of only a few genes was altered. Moreover, the α and β isoforms showed an alteration in expression of different genes, whereas γ isoform affected the expression of genes also common with α and β isoforms. The β isoform altered the expression of genes mainly involved in cell cycle regulation. In addition, all isoforms affected the expression of genes associated to cell migration, adhesion and cytoskeleton. In vitro cell migration assay confirmed that CXCL12 enhanced the migration ability of hTERT-HPNE cells. Among the CXCL12 splicing isoforms, the γ isoform showed higher induction of migration than α and β isoforms.
CONCLUSION Our data suggests an involvement and different roles of CXCL12 isoforms in PDAC onset. However, more investigations are needed to confirm these preliminary observations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monia Cecati
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona 60126, Italy
| | - Matteo Giulietti
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona 60126, Italy
| | - Alessandra Righetti
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona 60126, Italy
| | - Berina Sabanovic
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona 60126, Italy
| | - Francesco Piva
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona 60126, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Spinosa PC, Kinnunen PC, Humphries BA, Luker GD, Luker KE, Linderman JJ. Pre-existing Cell States Control Heterogeneity of Both EGFR and CXCR4 Signaling. Cell Mol Bioeng 2021; 14:49-64. [PMID: 33643466 PMCID: PMC7878609 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-020-00640-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION CXCR4 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) represent two major families of receptors, G-protein coupled receptors and receptor tyrosine kinases, with central functions in cancer. While utilizing different upstream signaling molecules, both CXCR4 and EGFR activate kinases ERK and Akt, although single-cell activation of these kinases is markedly heterogeneous. One hypothesis regarding the origin of signaling heterogeneity proposes that intercellular variations arise from differences in pre-existing intracellular states set by extrinsic noise. While pre-existing cell states vary among cells, each pre-existing state defines deterministic signaling outputs to downstream effectors. Understanding causes of signaling heterogeneity will inform treatment of cancers with drugs targeting drivers of oncogenic signaling. METHODS We built a single-cell computational model to predict Akt and ERK responses to CXCR4- and EGFR-mediated stimulation. We investigated signaling heterogeneity through these receptors and tested model predictions using quantitative, live-cell time-lapse imaging. RESULTS We show that the pre-existing cell state predicts single-cell signaling through both CXCR4 and EGFR. Computational modeling reveals that the same set of pre-existing cell states explains signaling heterogeneity through both EGFR and CXCR4 at multiple doses of ligands and in two different breast cancer cell lines. The model also predicts how phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) targeted therapies potentiate ERK signaling in certain breast cancer cells and that low level, combined inhibition of MEK and PI3K ablates potentiated ERK signaling. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that a conserved motif exists for EGFR and CXCR4 signaling and suggest potential clinical utility of the computational model to optimize therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phillip C. Spinosa
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2800 USA
| | - Patrick C. Kinnunen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2800 USA
| | - Brock A. Humphries
- Department of Radiology Center for Molecular Imaging, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Gary D. Luker
- Department of Radiology Center for Molecular Imaging, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI USA 48109
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI USA 48109
| | - Kathryn E. Luker
- Department of Radiology Center for Molecular Imaging, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
- Department of Radiology, Center for Molecular Imaging, University of Michigan, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, A526 BSRB, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200 USA
| | - Jennifer J. Linderman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2800 USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI USA 48109
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Grebennikov DS, Donets DO, Orlova OG, Argilaguet J, Meyerhans A, Bocharov GA. Mathematical Modeling of the Intracellular Regulation of Immune Processes. Mol Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s002689331905008x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
6
|
Spinosa PC, Humphries BA, Lewin Mejia D, Buschhaus JM, Linderman JJ, Luker GD, Luker KE. Short-term cellular memory tunes the signaling responses of the chemokine receptor CXCR4. Sci Signal 2019; 12:eaaw4204. [PMID: 31289212 PMCID: PMC7059217 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aaw4204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The chemokine receptor CXCR4 regulates fundamental processes in development, normal physiology, and diseases, including cancer. Small subpopulations of CXCR4-positive cells drive the local invasion and dissemination of malignant cells during metastasis, emphasizing the need to understand the mechanisms controlling responses at the single-cell level to receptor activation by the chemokine ligand CXCL12. Using single-cell imaging, we discovered that short-term cellular memory of changes in environmental conditions tuned CXCR4 signaling to Akt and ERK, two kinases activated by this receptor. Conditioning cells with growth stimuli before CXCL12 exposure increased the number of cells that initiated CXCR4 signaling and the amplitude of Akt and ERK activation. Data-driven, single-cell computational modeling revealed that growth factor conditioning modulated CXCR4-dependent activation of Akt and ERK by decreasing extrinsic noise (preexisting cell-to-cell differences in kinase activity) in PI3K and mTORC1. Modeling established mTORC1 as critical for tuning single-cell responses to CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling. Our single-cell model predicted how combinations of extrinsic noise in PI3K, Ras, and mTORC1 superimposed on different driver mutations in the ERK and/or Akt pathways to bias CXCR4 signaling. Computational experiments correctly predicted that selected kinase inhibitors used for cancer therapy shifted subsets of cells to states that were more permissive to CXCR4 activation, suggesting that such drugs may inadvertently potentiate pro-metastatic CXCR4 signaling. Our work establishes how changing environmental inputs modulate CXCR4 signaling in single cells and provides a framework to optimize the development and use of drugs targeting this signaling pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phillip C Spinosa
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Brock A Humphries
- Department of Radiology Center for Molecular Imaging, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Daniela Lewin Mejia
- Department of Radiology Center for Molecular Imaging, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Johanna M Buschhaus
- Department of Radiology Center for Molecular Imaging, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jennifer J Linderman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Gary D Luker
- Department of Radiology Center for Molecular Imaging, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kathryn E Luker
- Department of Radiology Center for Molecular Imaging, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
In their native environment, cells are immersed in a complex milieu of biochemical and biophysical cues. These cues may include growth factors, the extracellular matrix, cell-cell contacts, stiffness, and topography, and they are responsible for regulating cellular behaviors such as adhesion, proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and differentiation. The decision-making process used to convert these extracellular inputs into actions is highly complex and sensitive to changes both in the type of individual cue (e.g., growth factor dose/level, timing) and in how these individual cues are combined (e.g., homotypic/heterotypic combinations). In this review, we highlight recent advances in the development of engineering-based approaches to study the cellular decision-making process. Specifically, we discuss the use of biomaterial platforms that enable controlled and tailored delivery of individual and combined cues, as well as the application of computational modeling to analyses of the complex cellular decision-making networks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pamela K Kreeger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA; , .,Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health , Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA.,Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53792, USA
| | - Laura E Strong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA; ,
| | - Kristyn S Masters
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA; , .,Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53792, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53792, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Spinosa PC, Luker KE, Luker GD, Linderman JJ. The CXCL12/CXCR7 signaling axis, isoforms, circadian rhythms, and tumor cellular composition dictate gradients in tissue. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187357. [PMID: 29117251 PMCID: PMC5678865 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokine CXCL12 gradients drive chemotaxis in a CXCR4-dependent mechanism and have been implicated in cancer metastasis. While CXCL12 gradients are typically studied in organized, defined environments, the tumor microenvironment is disorganized. In vivo, CXCL12 gradients depend on many factors: the number and arrangement of cells secreting and degrading CXCL12, isoform-dependent binding to the extracellular matrix, diffusion, and circadian fluctuations. We developed a computational model of the tumor microenvironment to simulate CXCL12 gradient dynamics in disorganized tissue. There are four major findings from the model. First, CXCL12-β and -γ form higher magnitude (steeper) gradients compared to CXCL12-α. Second, endothelial CXCR7+ cells regulate CXCL12 gradient direction by controlling concentrations near but not far from the vasculature. Third, the magnitude and direction of CXCL12 gradients are dependent on the local composition of secreting and scavenging cells within the tumor. We theorize that "micro-regions" of cellular heterogeneity within the tumor are responsible for forming strong gradients directed into the blood. Fourth, CXCL12 circadian fluctuations influence gradient magnitude but not direction. Our simulations provide predictions for future experiments in animal models. Understanding the generation of CXCL12 gradients is crucial to inhibiting cancer metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phillip C. Spinosa
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Kathryn E. Luker
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Gary D. Luker
- Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Jennifer J. Linderman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Glycosaminoglycan Interactions with Chemokines Add Complexity to a Complex System. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2017; 10:ph10030070. [PMID: 28792472 PMCID: PMC5620614 DOI: 10.3390/ph10030070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokines have two types of interactions that function cooperatively to control cell migration. Chemokine receptors on migrating cells integrate signals initiated upon chemokine binding to promote cell movement. Interactions with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) localize chemokines on and near cell surfaces and the extracellular matrix to provide direction to the cell movement. The matrix of interacting chemokine–receptor partners has been known for some time, precise signaling and trafficking properties of many chemokine–receptor pairs have been characterized, and recent structural information has revealed atomic level detail on chemokine–receptor recognition and activation. However, precise knowledge of the interactions of chemokines with GAGs has lagged far behind such that a single paradigm of GAG presentation on surfaces is generally applied to all chemokines. This review summarizes accumulating evidence which suggests that there is a great deal of diversity and specificity in these interactions, that GAG interactions help fine-tune the function of chemokines, and that GAGs have other roles in chemokine biology beyond localization and surface presentation. This suggests that chemokine–GAG interactions add complexity to the already complex functions of the receptors and ligands.
Collapse
|
10
|
Warsinske HC, DiFazio RM, Linderman JJ, Flynn JL, Kirschner DE. Identifying mechanisms driving formation of granuloma-associated fibrosis during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. J Theor Biol 2017. [PMID: 28642013 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2017.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), is a pulmonary pathogen of major global concern. A key feature of Mtb infection in primates is the formation of granulomas, dense cellular structures surrounding infected lung tissue. These structures serve as the main site of host-pathogen interaction in TB, and thus to effectively treat TB we must clarify mechanisms of granuloma formation and their function in disease. Fibrotic granulomas are associated with both good and bad disease outcomes. Fibrosis can serve to isolate infected tissue from healthy tissue, but it can also cause difficulty breathing as it leaves scars. Little is known about fibrosis in TB, and data from non-human primates is just beginning to clarify the picture. This work focuses on constructing a hybrid multi-scale model of fibrotic granuloma formation, in order to identify mechanisms driving development of fibrosis in Mtb infected lungs. We combine dynamics of molecular, cellular, and tissue scale models from previously published studies to characterize the formation of two common sub-types of fibrotic granulomas: peripherally fibrotic, with a cuff of collagen surrounding granulomas, and centrally fibrotic, with collagen throughout granulomas. Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis, along with large simulation sets, enable us to identify mechanisms differentiating centrally versus peripherally fibrotic granulomas. These findings suggest that heterogeneous cytokine environments exist within granulomas and may be responsible for driving tissue scale morphologies. Using this model we are primed to better understand the complex structure of granulomas, a necessity for developing successful treatments for TB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hayley C Warsinske
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
| | - Robert M DiFazio
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States of America
| | - Jennifer J Linderman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
| | - JoAnne L Flynn
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States of America
| | - Denise E Kirschner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Xue L, Mao X, Ren L, Chu X. Inhibition of CXCL12/CXCR4 axis as a potential targeted therapy of advanced gastric carcinoma. Cancer Med 2017; 6:1424-1436. [PMID: 28544785 PMCID: PMC5463074 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The whole outcome for patients with gastric carcinoma (GC) is very poor because most of them remain metastatic disease during survival even at diagnosis or after surgery. Despite many improvements in multiple strategies of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, exploration of novel alternative therapeutic targets is still warranted. Chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and its chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) have been identified with significantly elevated levels in various malignancies including GC, which correlates with the survival, proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis of tumor cells. Increasing experimental evidence suggests an implication of inhibition of CXCL12/CXCR4 axis as a promising targeted therapy, although there are rare trials focused on the therapeutic efficacy of CXCR4 inhibitors in GC until recently. Therefore, it is reasonable to infer that specific antagonists or antibodies targeting CXCL12/CXCR4 axis alone or combined with chemotherapy will be effective and worthy of further translational studies as a potential treatment strategy in advanced GC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li‐Jun Xue
- Department of Medical OncologyJinling HospitalNanjing University Clinical School of MedicineNanjing210002China
| | - Xiao‐Bei Mao
- Department of Medical OncologyJinling HospitalNanjing University Clinical School of MedicineNanjing210002China
| | - Li‐Li Ren
- Department of Medical OncologyJinling HospitalNanjing University Clinical School of MedicineNanjing210002China
| | - Xiao‐Yuan Chu
- Department of Medical OncologyJinling HospitalNanjing University Clinical School of MedicineNanjing210002China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Chang SL, Cavnar SP, Luker KE, Takayama S, Luker GD, Linderman JJ. Correction: Cell, Isoform, and Environment Factors Shape Gradients and Modulate Chemotaxis. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174189. [PMID: 28291822 PMCID: PMC5349686 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
|
13
|
Munoz AI, Tello JI. On a mathematical model of bone marrow metastatic niche. MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING : MBE 2017; 14:289-304. [PMID: 27879134 DOI: 10.3934/mbe.2017019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We propose a mathematical model to describe tumor cells movement towards a metastasis location into the bone marrow considering the influence of chemotaxis inhibition due to the action of a drug. The model considers the evolution of the signaling molecules CXCL-12 secreted by osteoblasts (bone cells responsible of the mineralization of the bone) and PTHrP (secreted by tumor cells) which activates osteoblast growth. The model consists of a coupled system of second order PDEs describing the evolution of CXCL-12 and PTHrP, an ODE of logistic type to model the Osteoblasts density and an extra equation for each cancer cell. We also simulate the system to illustrate the qualitative behavior of the solutions. The numerical method of resolution is also presented in detail.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Isabel Munoz
- Departamento de Matematica Aplicada, Ciencia e Ingeniera de Materiales y Tecnologia Electronica, ESCET, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, E28933, Mostoles, Madrid, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Spender LC, Inman GJ. Fatal attractions? Correlations of CXCL12-CXCR4-CXCR7 expression with disease progression in melanoma and Kaposi sarcoma. Br J Dermatol 2016; 175:1140-1141. [PMID: 27996149 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.15136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L C Spender
- Division of Cancer Research, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre, James Arrott Drive, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, DD1 9SY, U.K
| | - G J Inman
- Division of Cancer Research, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre, James Arrott Drive, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, DD1 9SY, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Warsinske HC, Wheaton AK, Kim KK, Linderman JJ, Moore BB, Kirschner DE. Computational Modeling Predicts Simultaneous Targeting of Fibroblasts and Epithelial Cells Is Necessary for Treatment of Pulmonary Fibrosis. Front Pharmacol 2016; 7:183. [PMID: 27445819 PMCID: PMC4917547 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is pathologic remodeling of lung tissue that can result in difficulty breathing, reduced quality of life, and a poor prognosis for patients. Fibrosis occurs as a result of insult to lung tissue, though mechanisms of this response are not well-characterized. The disease is driven in part by dysregulation of fibroblast proliferation and differentiation into myofibroblast cells, as well as pro-fibrotic mediator-driven epithelial cell apoptosis. The most well-characterized pro-fibrotic mediator associated with pulmonary fibrosis is TGF-β1. Excessive synthesis of, and sensitivity to, pro-fibrotic mediators as well as insufficient production of and sensitivity to anti-fibrotic mediators has been credited with enabling fibroblast accumulation. Available treatments neither halt nor reverse lung damage. In this study we have two aims: to identify molecular and cellular scale mechanisms driving fibroblast proliferation and differentiation as well as epithelial cell survival in the context of fibrosis, and to predict therapeutic targets and strategies. We combine in vitro studies with a multi-scale hybrid agent-based computational model that describes fibroblasts and epithelial cells in co-culture. Within this model TGF-β1 represents a pro-fibrotic mediator and we include detailed dynamics of TGF-β1 receptor ligand signaling in fibroblasts. PGE2 represents an anti-fibrotic mediator. Using uncertainty and sensitivity analysis we identify TGF-β1 synthesis, TGF-β1 activation, and PGE2 synthesis among the key mechanisms contributing to fibrotic outcomes. We further demonstrate that intervention strategies combining potential therapeutics targeting both fibroblast regulation and epithelial cell survival can promote healthy tissue repair better than individual strategies. Combinations of existing drugs and compounds may provide significant improvements to the current standard of care for pulmonary fibrosis. Thus, a two-hit therapeutic intervention strategy may prove necessary to halt and reverse disease dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hayley C. Warsinske
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Amanda K. Wheaton
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kevin K. Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Bethany B. Moore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Denise E. Kirschner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn Arbor, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Tatárová Z, Abbuehl JP, Maerkl S, Huelsken J. Microfluidic co-culture platform to quantify chemotaxis of primary stem cells. LAB ON A CHIP 2016; 16:1934-45. [PMID: 27137768 DOI: 10.1039/c6lc00236f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Functional analysis of primary tissue-specific stem cells is hampered by their rarity. Here we describe a greatly miniaturized microfluidic device for the multiplexed, quantitative analysis of the chemotactic properties of primary, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). The device was integrated within a fully customized platform that both increased the viability of stem cells ex vivo and simplified manipulation during multidimensional acquisition. Since primary stem cells can be isolated only in limited number, we optimized the design for efficient cell trapping from low volume and low concentration cell suspensions. Using nanoliter volumes and automated microfluidic controls for pulsed medium supply, our platform is able to create stable gradients of chemoattractant secreted from mammalian producer cells within the device, as was visualized by a secreted NeonGreen fluorescent reporter. The design was functionally validated by a CXCL/CXCR ligand/receptor combination resulting in preferential migration of primary, non-passaged MSC. Stable gradient formation prolonged assay duration and resulted in enhanced response rates for slowly migrating stem cells. Time-lapse video microscopy facilitated determining a number of migratory properties based on single cell analysis. Jackknife-resampling revealed that our assay requires only 120 cells to obtain statistically significant results, enabling new approaches in the research on rare primary stem cells. Compartmentalization of the device not only facilitated such quantitative measurements but will also permit future, high-throughput functional screens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Z Tatárová
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), ISREC (Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|