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Yu Y, Lyu C, Li X, Yang L, Wang J, Li H, Xin Z, Xu X, Ren C, Yang G. Remodeling of tumor microenvironment by extracellular matrix protein 1a differentially regulates ovarian cancer metastasis. Cancer Lett 2024; 596:217022. [PMID: 38849014 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
We previously reported that extracellular matrix protein 1 isoform a (ECM1a) promotes epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) through autocrine signaling by binding to cell surface receptors αXβ2. However, the role of ECM1a as a secretory molecule in the tumor microenvironment is rarely reported. In this study, we constructed murine Ecm1-knockout mice and human ECM1a-knockin mice and further generated orthotopic or peritoneal xenograft tumor models to mimic the different metastatic stages of EOC. We show that ECM1a induces oncogenic metastasis of orthotopic xenograft tumors, but inhibits early-metastasis of peritoneal xenograft tumors. ECM1a remodels extracellular matrices (ECM) and promotes remote metastases by recruiting and transforming bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRβ+) cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and facilitating the secretion of angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2). Competing with ECM1a, ANGPTL2 also binds to integrin αX through the P1/P2 peptides, resulting in negative effects on BMSC differentiation. Collectively, this study reveals the dual functions of ECM1a in remodeling of TME during tumor progression, emphasizing the complexity of EOC phenotypic heterogeneity and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinjue Yu
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200140, China; Department of Radiotherapy, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Cuiting Lyu
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200140, China
| | - Xiaojing Li
- Department of Pathology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200140, China
| | - Lina Yang
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200140, China
| | - Jingshu Wang
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200140, China
| | - Hui Li
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200140, China
| | - Zhaochen Xin
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200140, China
| | - Xinyi Xu
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200140, China; Department of Pathology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200140, China
| | - Chunxia Ren
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Gong Yang
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200140, China; Cancer Institute, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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2
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Sarkar H, Chitra U, Gold J, Raphael BJ. A count-based model for delineating cell-cell interactions in spatial transcriptomics data. Bioinformatics 2024; 40:i481-i489. [PMID: 38940134 PMCID: PMC11211854 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btae219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Cell-cell interactions (CCIs) consist of cells exchanging signals with themselves and neighboring cells by expressing ligand and receptor molecules and play a key role in cellular development, tissue homeostasis, and other critical biological functions. Since direct measurement of CCIs is challenging, multiple methods have been developed to infer CCIs by quantifying correlations between the gene expression of the ligands and receptors that mediate CCIs, originally from bulk RNA-sequencing data and more recently from single-cell or spatially resolved transcriptomics (SRT) data. SRT has a particular advantage over single-cell approaches, since ligand-receptor correlations can be computed between cells or spots that are physically close in the tissue. However, the transcript counts of individual ligands and receptors in SRT data are generally low, complicating the inference of CCIs from expression correlations. RESULTS We introduce Copulacci, a count-based model for inferring CCIs from SRT data. Copulacci uses a Gaussian copula to model dependencies between the expression of ligands and receptors from nearby spatial locations even when the transcript counts are low. On simulated data, Copulacci outperforms existing CCI inference methods based on the standard Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficients. Using several real SRT datasets, we show that Copulacci discovers biologically meaningful ligand-receptor interactions that are lowly expressed and undiscoverable by existing CCI inference methods. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION Copulacci is implemented in Python and available at https://github.com/raphael-group/copulacci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirak Sarkar
- Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08540, United States
- Ludwig Cancer Institute, Princeton Branch, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08540, United States
| | - Uthsav Chitra
- Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08540, United States
| | - Julian Gold
- Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08540, United States
- Center for Statistics and Machine Learning, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08540, United States
| | - Benjamin J Raphael
- Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08540, United States
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3
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Danino-Levi M, Goldberg T, Keter M, Akselrod N, Shprach-Buaron N, Safra M, Singer G, Alon S. Computational analysis of super-resolved in situ sequencing data reveals genes modified by immune-tumor contact events. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 30:749-759. [PMID: 38575346 PMCID: PMC11182005 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079801.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Cancer cells can manipulate immune cells and escape from the immune system response. Quantifying the molecular changes that occur when an immune cell touches a tumor cell can increase our understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Recently, it became possible to perform such measurements in situ-for example, using expansion sequencing, which enabled in situ sequencing of genes with super-resolution. We systematically examined whether individual immune cells from specific cell types express genes differently when in physical proximity to individual tumor cells. First, we demonstrated that a dense mapping of genes in situ can be used for the segmentation of cell bodies in 3D, thus improving our ability to detect likely touching cells. Next, we used three different computational approaches to detect the molecular changes that are triggered by proximity: differential expression analysis, tree-based machine learning classifiers, and matrix factorization analysis. This systematic analysis revealed tens of genes, in specific cell types, whose expression separates immune cells that are proximal to tumor cells from those that are not proximal, with a significant overlap between the different detection methods. Remarkably, an order of magnitude more genes are triggered by proximity to tumor cells in CD8 T cells compared to CD4 T cells, in line with the ability of CD8 T cells to directly bind major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I on tumor cells. Thus, in situ sequencing of an individual biopsy can be used to detect genes likely involved in immune-tumor cell-cell interactions. The data used in this manuscript and the code of the InSituSeg, machine learning, cNMF, and Moran's I methods are publicly available at doi:10.5281/zenodo.7497981.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Danino-Levi
- The Alexander Kofkin Faculty of Engineering, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
- Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Tal Goldberg
- The Alexander Kofkin Faculty of Engineering, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
- Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Maya Keter
- The Alexander Kofkin Faculty of Engineering, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Nikol Akselrod
- The Alexander Kofkin Faculty of Engineering, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Noa Shprach-Buaron
- The Alexander Kofkin Faculty of Engineering, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
- Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Modi Safra
- The Alexander Kofkin Faculty of Engineering, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
- Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Gonen Singer
- The Alexander Kofkin Faculty of Engineering, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Shahar Alon
- The Alexander Kofkin Faculty of Engineering, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
- Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
- Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
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4
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Olaizola-Rodrigo C, Castro-Abril H, Perisé-Badía I, Pancorbo L, Ochoa I, Monge R, Oliván S. Reducing Inert Materials for Optimal Cell-Cell and Cell-Matrix Interactions within Microphysiological Systems. Biomimetics (Basel) 2024; 9:262. [PMID: 38786472 PMCID: PMC11118140 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics9050262] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In the pursuit of achieving a more realistic in vitro simulation of human biological tissues, microfluidics has emerged as a promising technology. Organ-on-a-chip (OoC) devices, a product of this technology, contain miniature tissues within microfluidic chips, aiming to closely mimic the in vivo environment. However, a notable drawback is the presence of inert material between compartments, hindering complete contact between biological tissues. Current membranes, often made of PDMS or plastic materials, prevent full interaction between cell types and nutrients. Furthermore, their non-physiological mechanical properties and composition may induce unexpected cell responses. Therefore, it is essential to minimize the contact area between cells and the inert materials while simultaneously maximizing the direct contact between cells and matrices in different compartments. The main objective of this work is to minimize inert materials within the microfluidic chip while preserving proper cellular distribution. Two microfluidic devices were designed, each with a specific focus on maximizing direct cell-matrix or cell-cell interactions. The first chip, designed to increase direct cell-cell interactions, incorporates a nylon mesh with regular pores of 150 microns. The second chip minimizes interference from inert materials, thereby aiming to increase direct cell-matrix contact. It features an inert membrane with optimized macropores of 1 mm of diameter for collagen hydrogel deposition. Biological validation of both devices has been conducted through the implementation of cell migration and cell-to-cell interaction assays, as well as the development of epithelia, from isolated cells or spheroids. This endeavor contributes to the advancement of microfluidic technology, aimed at enhancing the precision and biological relevance of in vitro simulations in pursuit of more biomimetic models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Olaizola-Rodrigo
- Tissue Microenvironment (TME) Lab, Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (C.O.-R.); (H.C.-A.); (I.P.-B.); (S.O.)
- BEOnChip S.L., 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (L.P.); (R.M.)
| | - Héctor Castro-Abril
- Tissue Microenvironment (TME) Lab, Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (C.O.-R.); (H.C.-A.); (I.P.-B.); (S.O.)
- Laboratorio de Biomiméticos, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
| | - Ismael Perisé-Badía
- Tissue Microenvironment (TME) Lab, Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (C.O.-R.); (H.C.-A.); (I.P.-B.); (S.O.)
- Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Lara Pancorbo
- BEOnChip S.L., 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (L.P.); (R.M.)
| | - Ignacio Ochoa
- Tissue Microenvironment (TME) Lab, Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (C.O.-R.); (H.C.-A.); (I.P.-B.); (S.O.)
- Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa Monge
- BEOnChip S.L., 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (L.P.); (R.M.)
| | - Sara Oliván
- Tissue Microenvironment (TME) Lab, Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain; (C.O.-R.); (H.C.-A.); (I.P.-B.); (S.O.)
- Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
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5
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Tang Y, Liao X, Cao Y. A Proximity-Dependent Biosensor System for Visualizing Cell-Cell Interactions Induced by Therapeutic Antibodies. J Pharm Sci 2024; 113:579-586. [PMID: 38103691 PMCID: PMC10922735 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.12.008] [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: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Despite the promise of therapeutic antibodies in engaging the immune system to eliminate malignant cells, many aspects of the complex interplay between immune cells and cancer cells induced by antibody therapy remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to develop a biosensor system that can evaluate direct cell-cell physical contact and interactions between immune effector and target cells induced by therapeutic antibodies in physiologically relevant environments. The system uses two structural complementary luciferase units (SmBit and LgBit) expressed on the respective membranes of effector and target cells. Upon cell-cell contact, the two subunits form active NanoLuc, generating a luminescent signal, allowing for real-time monitoring of cell-cell interactions and quantitatively assessing the pharmacological effects of therapeutic antibodies. We optimized the system to ensure selectivity by adjusting the spacer lengths between two luciferase units to minimize interference from nonspecific intercellular contact. The system was applied to quantitatively monitor cell-cell interactions between NK and target cells induced by rituximab and between T and target cells induced by blinatumomab in a 3D cell culture system. The biosensor system has the potential to characterize antibody pharmacology through a deeper understanding of antibody-mediated cell-cell interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Tang
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. 27599, United States
| | - XiaoZhi Liao
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. 27599, United States
| | - Yanguang Cao
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. 27599, United States; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States.
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6
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Gulia S, Chandra P, Das A. The Prognosis of Cancer Depends on the Interplay of Autophagy, Apoptosis, and Anoikis within the Tumor Microenvironment. Cell Biochem Biophys 2023; 81:621-658. [PMID: 37787970 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-023-01179-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Within the tumor microenvironment, the fight between the immune system and cancer influences tumor transformation. Metastasis formation is an important stage in the progression of cancer. This process is aided by cellular detachment and resistance to anoikis, which are achieved by altering intercellular signaling. Autophagy, specifically pro-survival autophagy, aids cancer cells in developing treatment resistance. Numerous studies have shown that autophagy promotes tumor growth and resistance to anoikis. To regulate protective autophagy, cancer-related genes phosphorylate both pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins. Apoptosis, a type of controlled cell death, eliminates damaged or unwanted cells. Anoikis is a type of programmed cell death in which cells lose contact with the extracellular matrix. The dysregulation of these cellular pathways promotes tumor growth and spread. Apoptosis, anoikis, and autophagy interact meticulously and differently depending on the cellular circumstances. For instance, autophagy can protect cancer cells from apoptosis by removing cellular components that are damaged and might otherwise trigger apoptotic pathways. Similarly, anoikis dysregulation can trigger autophagy by causing cellular harm and metabolic stress. In order to prevent or treat metastatic disease, specifically, targeting these cellular mechanisms may present a promising prospect for cancer therapy. This review discourses the state of our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying tumor transformation and the establishment of metastatic tumors. To enhance the prognosis for cancer, we highlight and discuss potential therapeutic approaches that target these processes and genes involved in them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Gulia
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Main Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Prakash Chandra
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Main Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Asmita Das
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Main Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India.
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7
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Kim H, Kumar A, Lövkvist C, Palma AM, Martin P, Kim J, Bhoopathi P, Trevino J, Fisher P, Madan E, Gogna R, Won KJ. CellNeighborEX: deciphering neighbor-dependent gene expression from spatial transcriptomics data. Mol Syst Biol 2023; 19:e11670. [PMID: 37815040 PMCID: PMC10632736 DOI: 10.15252/msb.202311670] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells have evolved their communication methods to sense their microenvironments and send biological signals. In addition to communication using ligands and receptors, cells use diverse channels including gap junctions to communicate with their immediate neighbors. Current approaches, however, cannot effectively capture the influence of various microenvironments. Here, we propose a novel approach to investigate cell neighbor-dependent gene expression (CellNeighborEX) in spatial transcriptomics (ST) data. To categorize cells based on their microenvironment, CellNeighborEX uses direct cell location or the mixture of transcriptome from multiple cells depending on ST technologies. For each cell type, CellNeighborEX identifies diverse gene sets associated with partnering cell types, providing further insight. We found that cells express different genes depending on their neighboring cell types in various tissues including mouse embryos, brain, and liver cancer. Those genes are associated with critical biological processes such as development or metastases. We further validated that gene expression is induced by neighboring partners via spatial visualization. The neighbor-dependent gene expression suggests new potential genes involved in cell-cell interactions beyond what ligand-receptor co-expression can discover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyobin Kim
- Department of Computational BiomedicineCedars‐Sinai Medical CenterHollywoodCAUSA
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC)University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Amit Kumar
- Massey Cancer CenterVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
- School of Medicine, Institute of Molecular MedicineVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, School of MedicineVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
| | - Cecilia Lövkvist
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine, reNEWUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - António M Palma
- Massey Cancer CenterVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
- School of Medicine, Institute of Molecular MedicineVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
- Instituto Superior TecnicoUniversidade de LisboaLisboaPortugal
| | - Patrick Martin
- Department of Computational BiomedicineCedars‐Sinai Medical CenterHollywoodCAUSA
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC)University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Junil Kim
- School of Systems Biomedical ScienceSoongsil UniversitySeoulKorea
| | - Praveen Bhoopathi
- Massey Cancer CenterVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
- School of Medicine, Institute of Molecular MedicineVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, School of MedicineVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
| | - Jose Trevino
- Massey Cancer CenterVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
- Department of Surgery, School of MedicineVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
| | - Paul Fisher
- Massey Cancer CenterVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
- School of Medicine, Institute of Molecular MedicineVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, School of MedicineVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
| | - Esha Madan
- Massey Cancer CenterVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
- School of Medicine, Institute of Molecular MedicineVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, School of MedicineVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
- Department of Surgery, School of MedicineVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
| | - Rajan Gogna
- Massey Cancer CenterVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
- School of Medicine, Institute of Molecular MedicineVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, School of MedicineVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
- Department of Surgery, School of MedicineVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
| | - Kyoung Jae Won
- Department of Computational BiomedicineCedars‐Sinai Medical CenterHollywoodCAUSA
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC)University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
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8
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Gugulothu S, Asthana S, Homer-Vanniasinkam S, Chatterjee K. Trends in Photopolymerizable Bioinks for 3D Bioprinting of Tumor Models. JACS AU 2023; 3:2086-2106. [PMID: 37654587 PMCID: PMC10466332 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technologies involving photopolymerizable bioinks (PBs) have attracted enormous attention in recent times owing to their ability to recreate complex structures with high resolution, mechanical stability, and favorable printing conditions that are suited for encapsulating cells. 3D bioprinted tissue constructs involving PBs can offer better insights into the tumor microenvironment and offer platforms for drug screening to advance cancer research. These bioinks enable the incorporation of physiologically relevant cell densities, tissue-mimetic stiffness, and vascularized channels and biochemical gradients in the 3D tumor models, unlike conventional two-dimensional (2D) cultures or other 3D scaffold fabrication technologies. In this perspective, we present the emerging techniques of 3D bioprinting using PBs in the context of cancer research, with a specific focus on the efforts to recapitulate the complexity of the tumor microenvironment. We describe printing approaches and various PB formulations compatible with these techniques along with recent attempts to bioprint 3D tumor models for studying migration and metastasis, cell-cell interactions, cell-extracellular matrix interactions, and drug screening relevant to cancer. We discuss the limitations and identify unexplored opportunities in this field for clinical and commercial translation of these emerging technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sriram
Bharath Gugulothu
- Department
of Materials Engineering Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka 560012, India
| | - Sonal Asthana
- Department
of Materials Engineering Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka 560012, India
- Department
of Hepatobiliary and Multi-Organ Transplantation Surgery, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore 560024, India
| | - Shervanthi Homer-Vanniasinkam
- Department
of Materials Engineering Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka 560012, India
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering and Division of Surgery, University College, London WC1E 7JE, U.K.
| | - Kaushik Chatterjee
- Department
of Materials Engineering Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka 560012, India
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9
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Li Y, Han X, Lin Z, Wang C, Fu Z, Sun Q, Li C. G6PD activation in TNBC cells induces macrophage recruitment and M2 polarization to promote tumor progression. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:165. [PMID: 37237244 PMCID: PMC11073185 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04810-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is involved in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) progression. Metabolic crosstalk between cancer cells and tumor-associated macrophages mediates tumor progression in TNBC. Molecular biological methods were applied to clarify the mechanism of the crosstalk between TNBC cells and M2 macrophages. In the present study, we verified that G6PD overexpression drives M2 macrophage polarization by directly combining with phospho-STAT1 and upregulating CCL2 and TGF-β1 secretion in TNBC cells. In turn, M2-like TAMs activated TNBC cells through IL-10 secretion, providing feedback to upregulate G6PD and promote TNBC cell migration and proliferation in vitro. Furthermore, we found that 6-AN (a specific inhibitor of G6PD) not only suppressed the cancer-driven polarization of macrophages toward the M2 phenotype but also inhibited the inherent M2 polarization of macrophages. Targeting the G6PD-regulated pentose phosphate pathway restrained TNBC progression and M2-type polarization of macrophages in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, No.38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, No.38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhoujun Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, No.38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, People's Republic of China
| | - Changjun Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Zhenkun Fu
- Department of Immunology, Wu Lien-Teh Institute, Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Infection and Immunity, Harbin Medical University & Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Science, No.157 Baojian Street, Nangang District, Harbin, 150086, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qiang Sun
- Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Chenggang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, No.38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin, 300350, People's Republic of China.
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10
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Cotner M, Meng S, Jost T, Gardner A, De Santiago C, Brock A. Integration of quantitative methods and mathematical approaches for the modeling of cancer cell proliferation dynamics. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 324:C247-C262. [PMID: 36503241 PMCID: PMC9886359 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00185.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Physiological processes rely on the control of cell proliferation, and the dysregulation of these processes underlies various pathological conditions, including cancer. Mathematical modeling can provide new insights into the complex regulation of cell proliferation dynamics. In this review, we first examine quantitative experimental approaches for measuring cell proliferation dynamics in vitro and compare the various types of data that can be obtained in these settings. We then explore the toolbox of common mathematical modeling frameworks that can describe cell behavior, dynamics, and interactions of proliferation. We discuss how these wet-laboratory studies may be integrated with different mathematical modeling approaches to aid the interpretation of the results and to enable the prediction of cell behaviors, specifically in the context of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Cotner
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Sarah Meng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Tyler Jost
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Andrea Gardner
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Carolina De Santiago
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Amy Brock
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
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11
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Subtil B, Iyer KK, Poel D, Bakkerus L, Gorris MAJ, Escalona JC, van den Dries K, Cambi A, Verheul HMW, de Vries IJM, Tauriello DVF. Dendritic cell phenotype and function in a 3D co-culture model of patient-derived metastatic colorectal cancer organoids. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1105244. [PMID: 36761758 PMCID: PMC9905679 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1105244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the most aggressive and lethal cancers, with metastasis accounting for most deaths. As such, there is an unmet need for improved therapies for metastatic CRC (mCRC). Currently, the research focus is shifting towards the reciprocal interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME), which prevent tumor clearance by the immune system. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the initiation and amplification of anti-tumor immune responses and in driving the clinical success of immunotherapies. Dissecting the interactions between DCs and CRC cells may open doors to identifying key mediators in tumor progression, and possible therapeutic targets. This requires representative, robust and versatile models and tools. Currently, there is a shortage of such in vitro systems to model the CRC TME and its tumor-immune cell interactions. Here we develop and establish a dynamic organotypic 3D co-culture system to recapitulate and untangle the interactions between DCs and patient-derived mCRC tumor organoids. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating human DCs in co-culture with tumor organoids in a 3D, organotypic setting. This system reveals how mCRC organoids modulate and shape monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs) behavior, phenotype, and function, within a collagen matrix, using techniques such as brightfield and fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Our 3D co-culture model shows high viability and extensive interaction between DCs and tumor organoids, and its structure resembles patient tissue sections. Furthermore, it is possible to retrieve DCs from the co-cultures and characterize their phenotypic and functional profile. In our study, the expression of activation markers in both mature and immature DCs and their ability to activate T cells were impacted by co-culture with tumor organoids. In the future, this direct co-culture platform can be adapted and exploited to study the CRC-DC interplay in more detail, enabling novel and broader insights into CRC-driven DC (dys)function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Subtil
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands,Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Kirti K. Iyer
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands,Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Dennis Poel
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands,Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Lotte Bakkerus
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Mark A. J. Gorris
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands,Oncode Institute, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Jorge Cuenca Escalona
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Koen van den Dries
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Alessandra Cambi
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Henk M. W. Verheul
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - I. Jolanda M. de Vries
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands,*Correspondence: I. Jolanda M. de Vries,
| | - Daniele V. F. Tauriello
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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12
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An individualized causal framework for learning intercellular communication networks that define microenvironments of individual tumors. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1010761. [PMID: 36548438 PMCID: PMC9822106 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells within a tumor microenvironment (TME) dynamically communicate and influence each other's cellular states through an intercellular communication network (ICN). In cancers, intercellular communications underlie immune evasion mechanisms of individual tumors. We developed an individualized causal analysis framework for discovering tumor specific ICNs. Using head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tumors as a testbed, we first mined single-cell RNA-sequencing data to discover gene expression modules (GEMs) that reflect the states of transcriptomic processes within tumor and stromal single cells. By deconvoluting bulk transcriptomes of HNSCC tumors profiled by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we estimated the activation states of these transcriptomic processes in individual tumors. Finally, we applied individualized causal network learning to discover an ICN within each tumor. Our results show that cellular states of cells in TMEs are coordinated through ICNs that enable multi-way communications among epithelial, fibroblast, endothelial, and immune cells. Further analyses of individual ICNs revealed structural patterns that were shared across subsets of tumors, leading to the discovery of 4 different subtypes of networks that underlie disparate TMEs of HNSCC. Patients with distinct TMEs exhibited significantly different clinical outcomes. Our results show that the capability of estimating individual ICNs reveals heterogeneity of ICNs and sheds light on the importance of intercellular communication in impacting disease development and progression.
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13
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Wang R, Wang X, Yin L, Yin L, Chu GCY, Hu P, Ou Y, Zhang Y, Lewis MS, Pandol SJ. Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cells Acquire Heterogeneity during Successive Co-Culture with Hematopoietic and Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells. Cells 2022; 11:3553. [PMID: 36428982 PMCID: PMC9688235 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
During disease progression and bone metastasis, breast tumor cells interact with various types of bystander cells residing in the tumor microenvironment. Such interactions prompt tumor cell heterogeneity. We used successive co-culture as an experimental model to examine cancer-bystander cell interaction. RMCF7-2, a clone of the human breast cancer MCF-7 cells tagged with a red fluorescent protein, was tracked for morphologic, behavioral, and gene expression changes. Co-cultured with various types of hematopoietic cells, RMCF7-2 adopted stable changes to a rounded shape in suspension growth of red fluorescent cells, from which derivative clones displayed marked expressional changes of marker proteins, including reduced E-cadherin and estrogen receptor α, and loss of progesterone receptor. In a successive co-culture with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, the red fluorescent clones in suspension growth changed once more, adopting an attachment growth, but in diversified shapes. Red fluorescent clones recovered from the second-round co-culture were heterogeneous in morphology, but retained the altered marker protein expression while displaying increased proliferation, migration, and xenograft tumor formation. Interaction with bystander cells caused permanent morphologic, growth behavioral, and gene expressional changes under successive co-culture, which is a powerful model for studying cancer cell heterogeneity during breast cancer progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoxiang Wang
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Xudong Wang
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Liyuan Yin
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Lijuan Yin
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Gina Chia-Yi Chu
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Peizhen Hu
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Yan Ou
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Michael S. Lewis
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Department of Pathology, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA
| | - Stephen J. Pandol
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
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14
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Bosi E, Marselli L, Suleiman M, Tesi M, De Luca C, Del Guerra S, Cnop M, Eizirik D, Marchetti P. A single-cell human islet interactome atlas identifies disrupted autocrine and paracrine communications in type 2 diabetes. NAR Genom Bioinform 2022; 4:lqac084. [DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqac084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
A sensible control of hormone secretion from pancreatic islets requires concerted inter-cellular communications, but a comprehensive picture of the whole islet interactome is presently missing. Single-cell transcriptomics allows to overcome this and we used here a single-cell dataset from type 2 diabetic (T2D) and non-diabetic (ND) donors to leverage islet interaction networks. The single-cell dataset contains 3046 cells classified in 7 cell types. The interactions across cell types in T2D and ND were obtained and resulting networks analysed to identify high-centrality genes and altered interactions in T2D. The T2D interactome displayed a higher number of interactions (10 787) than ND (9707); 1289 interactions involved beta cells (1147 in ND). High-centrality genes included EGFR, FGFR1 and FGFR2, important for cell survival and proliferation. In conclusion, this analysis represents the first in silico model of the human islet interactome, enabling the identification of signatures potentially relevant for T2D pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Bosi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Pancreatic islets laboratory, University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
- Department of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy
| | - Lorella Marselli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Pancreatic islets laboratory, University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Mara Suleiman
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Pancreatic islets laboratory, University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Marta Tesi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Pancreatic islets laboratory, University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Carmela De Luca
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Pancreatic islets laboratory, University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Silvia Del Guerra
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Pancreatic islets laboratory, University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
| | - Miriam Cnop
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research , Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels , Belgium
- Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus Hospital , Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels , Belgium
| | - Decio L Eizirik
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research , Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels , Belgium
| | - Piero Marchetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Pancreatic islets laboratory, University of Pisa , Pisa , Italy
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15
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Sahan AZ, Baday M, Patel CB. Biomimetic Hydrogels in the Study of Cancer Mechanobiology: Overview, Biomedical Applications, and Future Perspectives. Gels 2022; 8:gels8080496. [PMID: 36005097 PMCID: PMC9407355 DOI: 10.3390/gels8080496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogels are biocompatible polymers that are tunable to the system under study, allowing them to be widely used in medicine, bioprinting, tissue engineering, and biomechanics. Hydrogels are used to mimic the three-dimensional microenvironment of tissues, which is essential to understanding cell–cell interactions and intracellular signaling pathways (e.g., proliferation, apoptosis, growth, and survival). Emerging evidence suggests that the malignant properties of cancer cells depend on mechanical cues that arise from changes in their microenvironment. These mechanobiological cues include stiffness, shear stress, and pressure, and have an impact on cancer proliferation and invasion. The hydrogels can be tuned to simulate these mechanobiological tissue properties. Although interest in and research on the biomedical applications of hydrogels has increased in the past 25 years, there is still much to learn about the development of biomimetic hydrogels and their potential applications in biomedical and clinical settings. This review highlights the application of hydrogels in developing pre-clinical cancer models and their potential for translation to human disease with a focus on reviewing the utility of such models in studying glioblastoma progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Z. Sahan
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University California at San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Murat Baday
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Precision Health and Integrated Diagnostics Center, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (C.B.P.)
| | - Chirag B. Patel
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Cancer Biology Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (C.B.P.)
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16
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Malaguti M, Portero Migueles R, Annoh J, Sadurska D, Blin G, Lowell S. SyNPL: Synthetic Notch pluripotent cell lines to monitor and manipulate cell interactions in vitro and in vivo. Development 2022; 149:275525. [PMID: 35616331 PMCID: PMC9270970 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cell-cell interactions govern differentiation and cell competition in pluripotent cells during early development, but the investigation of such processes is hindered by a lack of efficient analysis tools. Here, we introduce SyNPL: clonal pluripotent stem cell lines that employ optimised Synthetic Notch (SynNotch) technology to report cell-cell interactions between engineered ‘sender’ and ‘receiver’ cells in cultured pluripotent cells and chimaeric mouse embryos. A modular design makes it straightforward to adapt the system for programming differentiation decisions non-cell-autonomously in receiver cells in response to direct contact with sender cells. We demonstrate the utility of this system by enforcing neuronal differentiation at the boundary between two cell populations. In summary, we provide a new adaptation of SynNotch technology that could be used to identify cell interactions and to profile changes in gene or protein expression that result from direct cell-cell contact with defined cell populations in culture and in early embryos, and that can be customised to generate synthetic patterning of cell fate decisions. Summary: Optimised Synthetic Notch circuitry in mouse pluripotent stem cells provides a modular tool with which to monitor cell-cell interactions and program synthetic patterning of cell fates in culture and in embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattias Malaguti
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Rosa Portero Migueles
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Jennifer Annoh
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Daina Sadurska
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Guillaume Blin
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Sally Lowell
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
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17
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Drzał A, Jasiński K, Gonet M, Kowolik E, Bartel Ż, Elas M. MRI and US imaging reveal evolution of spatial heterogeneity of murine tumor vasculature. Magn Reson Imaging 2022; 92:33-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2022.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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18
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Precision-Cut Tumor Slices (PCTS) as an Ex Vivo Model in Immunotherapy Research. Antibodies (Basel) 2022; 11:antib11020026. [PMID: 35466279 PMCID: PMC9036232 DOI: 10.3390/antib11020026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Precision-cut tumor slices (PCTS) have recently emerged as important ex vivo human tumor models, offering the opportunity to study individual patient responses to targeted immunotherapies, including CAR-T cell therapies. In this review, an outline of different human tumor models available in laboratory settings is provided, with a focus on the unique characteristics of PCTS. Standard PCTS generation and maintenance procedures are outlined, followed by an in-depth overview of PCTS utilization in preclinical research aiming to better understand the unique functional characteristics of cytotoxic T cells within human tumors. Furthermore, recent studies using PCTS as an ex vivo model for predicting patient responses to immunotherapies and other targeted therapies against solid tumors are thoroughly presented. Finally, the advantages and limitations of the PCTS models are discussed. PCTS are expected to gain momentum and be fully utilized as a significant tool towards better patient stratification and personalized medicine.
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19
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Engineering tissue morphogenesis: taking it up a Notch. Trends Biotechnol 2022; 40:945-957. [PMID: 35181146 PMCID: PMC7613405 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Recreating functional tissues through bioengineering strategies requires steering of complex cell fate decisions. Notch, a juxtacrine signaling pathway, regulates cell fate and controls cellular organization with local precision. The engineering-friendly characteristics of the Notch pathway provide handles for engineering tissue patterning and morphogenesis. We discuss the physiological significance and mechanisms of Notch signaling with an emphasis on its potential use for engineering complex tissues. We highlight the current state of the art of Notch activation and provide a view on the design aspects, opportunities, and challenges in modulating Notch for tissue-engineering strategies. We propose that finely tuned control of Notch contributes to the generation of tissues with accurate form and functionality.
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20
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D’Aloia A, Arrigoni E, Costa B, Berruti G, Martegani E, Sacco E, Ceriani M. RalGPS2 Interacts with Akt and PDK1 Promoting Tunneling Nanotubes Formation in Bladder Cancer and Kidney Cells Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246330. [PMID: 34944949 PMCID: PMC8699646 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cell-to-cell communication in the tumor microenvironment is a crucial process to orchestrate the different components of the tumoral infrastructure. Among the mechanisms of cellular interplay in cancer cells, tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are dynamic connections that play an important role. The mechanism of the formation of TNTs among cells and the molecules involved in the process remain to be elucidated. In this study, we analyze several bladder cancer cell lines, representative of tumors at different stages and grades. We demonstrate that TNTs are formed only by mid or high-stage cell lines that show muscle-invasive properties and that they actively transport mitochondria and proteins. The formation of TNTs is triggered by stressful conditions and starts with the assembly of a specific multimolecular complex. In this study, we characterize some of the protein components of the TNTs complex, as they are potential novel molecular targets for future therapies aimed at counteracting tumor progression. Abstract RalGPS2 is a Ras-independent Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor for RalA GTPase that is involved in several cellular processes, including cytoskeletal organization. Previously, we demonstrated that RalGPS2 also plays a role in the formation of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) in bladder cancer 5637 cells. In particular, TNTs are a novel mechanism of cell–cell communication in the tumor microenvironment, playing a central role in cancer progression and metastasis formation. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in TNTs formation still need to be fully elucidated. Here we demonstrate that mid and high-stage bladder cancer cell lines have functional TNTs, which can transfer mitochondria. Moreover, using confocal fluorescence time-lapse microscopy, we show in 5637 cells that TNTs mediate the trafficking of RalA protein and transmembrane MHC class III protein leukocyte-specific transcript 1 (LST1). Furthermore, we show that RalGPS2 is essential for nanotubes generation, and stress conditions boost its expression both in 5637 and HEK293 cell lines. Finally, we prove that RalGPS2 interacts with Akt and PDK1, in addition to LST1 and RalA, leading to the formation of a complex that promotes nanotubes formation. In conclusion, our findings suggest that in the tumor microenvironment, RalGPS2 orchestrates the assembly of multimolecular complexes that drive the formation of TNTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia D’Aloia
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; (A.D.); (E.A.); (B.C.); (E.M.); (E.S.)
| | - Edoardo Arrigoni
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; (A.D.); (E.A.); (B.C.); (E.M.); (E.S.)
| | - Barbara Costa
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; (A.D.); (E.A.); (B.C.); (E.M.); (E.S.)
| | - Giovanna Berruti
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Enzo Martegani
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; (A.D.); (E.A.); (B.C.); (E.M.); (E.S.)
- SYSBIO-ISBE-IT-Candidate National Node of Italy for ISBE, Research Infrastructure for Systems Biology Europe, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Sacco
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; (A.D.); (E.A.); (B.C.); (E.M.); (E.S.)
- SYSBIO-ISBE-IT-Candidate National Node of Italy for ISBE, Research Infrastructure for Systems Biology Europe, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Ceriani
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; (A.D.); (E.A.); (B.C.); (E.M.); (E.S.)
- Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMI), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0264483544
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Arakaki AKS, Szulzewsky F, Gilbert MR, Gujral TS, Holland EC. Utilizing preclinical models to develop targeted therapies for rare central nervous system cancers. Neuro Oncol 2021; 23:S4-S15. [PMID: 34725698 PMCID: PMC8561121 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noab183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with rare central nervous system (CNS) tumors typically have a poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Historically, these cancers have been difficult to study due to small number of patients. Recent technological advances have identified molecular drivers of some of these rare cancers which we can now use to generate representative preclinical models of these diseases. In this review, we outline the advantages and disadvantages of different models, emphasizing the utility of various in vitro and ex vivo models for target discovery and mechanistic inquiry and multiple in vivo models for therapeutic validation. We also highlight recent literature on preclinical model generation and screening approaches for ependymomas, histone mutated high-grade gliomas, and atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors, all of which are rare CNS cancers that have recently established genetic or epigenetic drivers. These preclinical models are critical to advancing targeted therapeutics for these rare CNS cancers that currently rely on conventional treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleena K S Arakaki
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Frank Szulzewsky
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Mark R Gilbert
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Taranjit S Gujral
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Eric C Holland
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
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22
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Patel DA, Blay J. Seeding metastases: The role and clinical utility of circulating tumour cells. Tumour Biol 2021; 43:285-306. [PMID: 34690152 DOI: 10.3233/tub-210001] [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: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Peripheral human blood is a readily-accessible source of patient material in which circulating tumour cells (CTCs) can be found. Their isolation and characterization holds the potential to provide prognostic value for various solid cancers. Enumeration of CTCs from blood is becoming a common practice in informing prognosis and may guide therapy decisions. It is further recognized that enumeration alone does not capture perspective on the heterogeneity of tumours and varying functional abilities of the CTCs to interact with the secondary microenvironment. Characterizing the isolated CTCs further, in particular assessing their functional abilities, can track molecular changes in the disease progress. As a step towards identifying a suite of functional features of CTCs that could aid in clinical decisions, developing a CTC isolation technique based on extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions may provide a more solid foundation for isolating the cells of interest. Techniques based on size, charge, density, and single biomarkers are not sufficient as they underutilize other characteristics of cancer cells. The ability of cancer cells to interact with ECM proteins presents an opportunity to utilize their full character in capturing, and also allows assessment of the features that reveal how cells might behave at secondary sites during metastasis. This article will review some common techniques and recent advances in CTC capture technologies. It will further explore the heterogeneity of the CTC population, challenges they experience in their metastatic journey, and the advantages of utilizing an ECM-based platform for CTC capture. Lastly, we will discuss how tailored ECM approaches may present an optimal platform to capture an influential heterogeneous population of CTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deep A Patel
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Jonathan Blay
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.,Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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Zboril E, Yoo H, Chen L, Liu Z. Dynamic Interactions of Transcription Factors and Enhancer Reprogramming in Cancer Progression. Front Oncol 2021; 11:753051. [PMID: 34616687 PMCID: PMC8488287 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.753051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
While improved tumor treatment has significantly reduced the overall mortality rates, invasive progression including recurrence, therapy resistance and metastasis contributes to the majority of deaths caused by cancer. Enhancers are essential distal DNA regulatory elements that control temporal- or spatial-specific gene expression patterns during development and other biological processes. Genome-wide sequencing has revealed frequent alterations of enhancers in cancers and reprogramming of distal enhancers has emerged as one of the important features for tumors. In this review, we will discuss tumor progression-associated enhancer dynamics, its transcription factor (TF) drivers and how enhancer reprogramming modulates gene expression during cancer invasive progression. Additionally, we will explore recent advancements in contemporary technology including single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics and CUT&RUN, which have permitted integrated studies of enhancer reprogramming in vivo. Given the essential roles of enhancer dynamics and its drivers in controlling cancer progression and treatment outcome, understanding these changes will be paramount in mitigating invasive events and discovering novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Zboril
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Hannah Yoo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Lizhen Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Zhijie Liu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
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De S, Joshi A, Tripathi DM, Kaur S, Singh N. Alginate based 3D micro-scaffolds mimicking tumor architecture as in vitro cell culture platform. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2021; 128:112344. [PMID: 34474894 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.112344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
A micron scale alginate based 3D platform embedded with a carbon dot pH sensor, that enables continuous growth monitoring of encapsulated cells in real time is reported. The alginate based 3D micro-scaffold closely mimics a tumor microenvironment by providing a spatial demarcation and making it possible to encapsulate different cells in close proximity. The micro-scaffold contains carbon dot based nanosensors that enable real time monitoring of pH change in the tumor microenvironment avoiding the need for end-point assays for studying cellular growth. The micro-scaffolds have heterogeneous architecture and a hypoxic core region can be observed in as less as 96 h of culture. In this completely synthetic platform, there also exist the flexibility of artificially modifying the porosity of the micro-scaffold as per the requirement of the studies where a denser ECM mimic is required. The micro-scaffolds were conducive for cell growth as suggested by the enhanced functional profile of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and positively influence the genetic expression of the cell specific markers. Additionally, similar to a 3D tumor, non-homogeneous diffusion of molecules is also observed making this an ideal platform for cancer modelling and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreemoyee De
- Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Akshay Joshi
- Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Dinesh M Tripathi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, D1, Vasant Kunj Marg, New Delhi, Delhi 110070, India
| | - Savneet Kaur
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, D1, Vasant Kunj Marg, New Delhi, Delhi 110070, India
| | - Neetu Singh
- Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India; Biomedical Engineering Unit, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India.
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25
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Ray SK, Mukherjee S. Imitating Hypoxia and Tumor Microenvironment with Immune Evasion by Employing Three Dimensional in vitro Cellular Models: Impressive Tool in Drug Discovery. Recent Pat Anticancer Drug Discov 2021; 17:80-91. [PMID: 34323197 DOI: 10.2174/1574892816666210728115605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The heterogeneous tumor microenvironment is exceptionally perplexing and not wholly comprehended. Different multifaceted alignments lead to the generation of oxygen destitute situations within the tumor niche that modulate numerous intrinsic tumor microenvironments. Disentangling these communications is vital for scheming practical therapeutic approaches that can successfully decrease tumor allied chemotherapy resistance by utilizing the innate capability of the immune system. Several research groups have concerned with a protruding role for oxygen metabolism along with hypoxia in the immunity of healthy tissue. Hypoxia in addition to hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) in the tumor microenvironment plays an important part in tumor progression and endurance. Although numerous hypoxia-focused therapies have shown promising outcomes both in vitro and in vivo these outcomes have not effectively translated into clinical preliminaries. Distinctive cell culture techniques have utilized as an in vitro model for tumor niche along with tumor microenvironment and proficient in more precisely recreating tumor genomic profiles as well as envisaging therapeutic response. To study the dynamics of tumor immune evasion, three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures are more physiologically important to the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Recent research has revealed new information and insights into our fundamental understanding of immune systems, as well as novel results that have been established as potential therapeutic targets. There are a lot of patented 3D cell culture techniques which will be highlighted in this review. At present notable 3D cell culture procedures in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment, discourse open doors to accommodate both drug repurposing, advancement, and divulgence of new medications and will deliberate the 3D cell culture methods into standard prescription disclosure especially in the field of cancer biology which will be discussing here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Kumar Ray
- Department of Applied Sciences. Indira Gandhi Technological and Medical Sciences University, Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh-791120, India
| | - Sukhes Mukherjee
- Department of Biochemistry. All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh-462020, India
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26
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Bello T, Chan M, Golkowski M, Xue AG, Khasnavis N, Ceribelli M, Ong SE, Thomas CJ, Gujral TS. KiRNet: Kinase-centered network propagation of pharmacological screen results. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2021; 1:100007. [PMID: 34296206 PMCID: PMC8294099 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2021.100007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The ever-increasing size and scale of biological information have popularized network-based approaches as a means to interpret these data. We develop a network propagation method that integrates kinase-inhibitor-focused functional screens with known protein-protein interactions (PPIs). This method, dubbed KiRNet, uses an a priori edge-weighting strategy based on node degree to establish a pipeline from a kinase inhibitor screen to the generation of a predictive PPI subnetwork. We apply KiRNet to uncover molecular regulators of mesenchymal cancer cells driven by overexpression of Frizzled 2 (FZD2). KiRNet produces a network model consisting of 166 high-value proteins. These proteins exhibit FZD2-dependent differential phosphorylation, and genetic knockdown studies validate their role in maintaining a mesenchymal cell state. Finally, analysis of clinical data shows that mesenchymal tumors exhibit significantly higher average expression of the 166 corresponding genes than epithelial tumors for nine different cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Bello
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7275, USA
| | - Marina Chan
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Martin Golkowski
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7275, USA
| | - Andrew G. Xue
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Nithisha Khasnavis
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Michele Ceribelli
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Shao-En Ong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7275, USA
| | - Craig J. Thomas
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Taranjit S. Gujral
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7275, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7275, USA
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27
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Tumor spheroid-based microtumor models for preclinical evaluation of anticancer nanomedicines. JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL INVESTIGATION 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s40005-021-00534-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Fontana F, Marzagalli M, Sommariva M, Gagliano N, Limonta P. In Vitro 3D Cultures to Model the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13122970. [PMID: 34199324 PMCID: PMC8231786 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13122970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tumor stroma is known to significantly influence cancer initiation and progression. In the last decade, 3D cell cultures have shown potential in modeling the tumor microenvironment. This review summarizes the main features of current 3D models, shedding light on their importance in the study of cancer biology and treatment. Abstract It is now well established that the tumor microenvironment plays a key role in determining cancer growth, metastasis and drug resistance. Thus, it is fundamental to understand how cancer cells interact and communicate with their stroma and how this crosstalk regulates disease initiation and progression. In this setting, 3D cell cultures have gained a lot of interest in the last two decades, due to their ability to better recapitulate the complexity of tumor microenvironment and therefore to bridge the gap between 2D monolayers and animal models. Herein, we present an overview of the 3D systems commonly used for studying tumor–stroma interactions, with a focus on recent advances in cancer modeling and drug discovery and testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Fontana
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (P.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-02-503-18427
| | - Monica Marzagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (P.L.)
| | - Michele Sommariva
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.S.); (N.G.)
| | - Nicoletta Gagliano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.S.); (N.G.)
| | - Patrizia Limonta
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (P.L.)
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29
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Reprograming of Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Breast Tumor-Bearing Mice under Chemotherapy by Targeting Heme Oxygenase-1. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10030470. [PMID: 33809707 PMCID: PMC8002331 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10030470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) represent one of the most abundant components of the tumor microenvironment and play important roles in tumor development and progression. TAMs display plasticity and functional heterogeneity as reflected by distinct phenotypic subsets. TAMs with an M1 phenotype have proinflammatory and anti-tumoral properties whereas M2-like TAMs exert anti-inflammatory and pro-tumoral functions. Tumor cell debris generated during chemotherapy can stimulate primary tumor growth and recurrence. According to our previous study, phagocytic engulfment of breast tumor cell debris by TAMs attenuated chemotherapeutic efficacy through the upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). To verify the impact of HO-1 upregulation on the profile of macrophage polarization during cytotoxic therapy, we utilized a syngeneic murine breast cancer (4T1) model in which tumor bearing mice were treated with paclitaxel (PTX). PTX treatment markedly downregulated the surface expression of the M1 marker CD86 in infiltrated TAMs. Notably, there were significantly more cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in tumors of mice treated with PTX plus the HO-1 inhibitor, zinc protophorphyrin IX (ZnPP) than in mice treated with PTX alone. Interestingly, the tumor-inhibiting efficacy of PTX and ZnPP co-treatment was abrogated when macrophages were depleted by clodronate liposomes. Macrophage depletion also decreased the intratumoral CD8+ T cell population and downregulated the expression of Cxcl9 and Cxcl10. The expression of the M1 phenotype marker, CD86 was higher in mice injected with PTX plus ZnPP than that in mice treated with PTX alone. Conversely, the PTX-induced upregulation of the M2 marker gene, Il10 in CD11b+ myeloid cells from 4T1 tumor-bearing mice treated was dramatically reduced by the administration of the HO-1 inhibitor. Genetic ablation of HO-1 abolished the inhibitory effect of 4T1 tumor cell debris on expression of M1 marker genes, Tnf and Il12b, in LPS-stimulated BMDMs. HO-1-deficient BMDMs exposed to tumor cell debris also exhibited a diminished expression of the M2 macrophage marker, CD206. These findings, taken all together, provide strong evidence that HO-1 plays a pivotal role in the transition of tumor-inhibiting M1-like TAMs to tumor-promoting M2-like ones during chemotherapy.
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30
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Zefferino R, Piccoli C, Di Gioia S, Capitanio N, Conese M. How Cells Communicate with Each Other in the Tumor Microenvironment: Suggestions to Design Novel Therapeutic Strategies in Cancer Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052550. [PMID: 33806300 PMCID: PMC7961918 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Connexin- and pannexin (Panx)-formed hemichannels (HCs) and gap junctions (GJs) operate an interaction with the extracellular matrix and GJ intercellular communication (GJIC), and on account of this they are involved in cancer onset and progression towards invasiveness and metastatization. When we deal with cancer, it is not correct to omit the immune system, as well as neglecting its role in resisting or succumbing to formation and progression of incipient neoplasia until the formation of micrometastasis, nevertheless what really occurs in the tumor microenvironment (TME), which are the main players and which are the tumor or body allies, is still unclear. The goal of this article is to discuss how the pivotal players act, which can enhance or contrast cancer progression during two important process: "Activating Invasion and Metastasis" and the "Avoiding Immune Destruction", with a particular emphasis on the interplay among GJIC, Panx-HCs, and the purinergic system in the TME without disregarding the inflammasome and cytokines thereof derived. In particular, the complex and contrasting roles of Panx1/P2X7R signalosome in tumor facilitation and/or inhibition is discussed in regard to the early/late phases of the carcinogenesis. Finally, considering this complex interplay in the TME between cancer cells, stromal cells, immune cells, and focusing on their means of communication, we should be capable of revealing harmful messages that help the cancer growth and transform them in body allies, thus designing novel therapeutic strategies to fight cancer in a personalized manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Zefferino
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (S.D.G.); (M.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0881-884673
| | - Claudia Piccoli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (C.P.); (N.C.)
| | - Sante Di Gioia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (S.D.G.); (M.C.)
| | - Nazzareno Capitanio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (C.P.); (N.C.)
| | - Massimo Conese
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (S.D.G.); (M.C.)
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31
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Dijkgraaf FE, Toebes M, Hoogenboezem M, Mertz M, Vredevoogd DW, Matos TR, Teunissen MBM, Luiten RM, Schumacher TN. Labeling and tracking of immune cells in ex vivo human skin. Nat Protoc 2020; 16:791-811. [PMID: 33349704 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-020-00435-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Human skin harbors various immune cells that are crucial for the control of injury and infection. However, the current understanding of immune cell function within viable human skin tissue is limited. We developed an ex vivo imaging approach in which fresh skin biopsies are mounted and then labeled with nanobodies or antibodies against cell surface markers on tissue-resident memory CD8+ T cells, other immune cells of interest, or extracellular tissue components. Subsequent longitudinal imaging allows one to describe the dynamic behavior of human skin-resident cells in situ. In addition, this strategy can be used to study immune cell function in murine skin. The ability to follow the spatiotemporal behavior of CD8+ T cells and other immune cells in skin, including their response to immune stimuli, provides a platform to investigate physiological immune cell behavior and immune cell behavior in skin diseases. The mounting, staining and imaging of skin samples requires ~1.5 d, and subsequent tracking analysis requires a minimum of 1 d. The optional production of fluorescently labeled nanobodies takes ~5 d.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feline E Dijkgraaf
- Division of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mireille Toebes
- Division of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Marjolijn Mertz
- BioImaging Facility, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - David W Vredevoogd
- Division of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tiago R Matos
- Department of Dermatology and Netherlands Institute for Pigment Disorders, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marcel B M Teunissen
- Department of Dermatology and Netherlands Institute for Pigment Disorders, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rosalie M Luiten
- Department of Dermatology and Netherlands Institute for Pigment Disorders, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ton N Schumacher
- Division of Molecular Oncology and Immunology, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Sagini MN, Klika KD, Orry A, Zepp M, Mutiso J, Berger MR. Riproximin Exhibits Diversity in Sugar Binding, and Modulates some Metastasis-Related Proteins with Lectin like Properties in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:549804. [PMID: 33328982 PMCID: PMC7734336 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.549804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Riproximin (Rpx) is a type II ribosome-inactivating protein with specific anti-proliferative activity. It was purified from Ximenia americana by affinity chromatography using a resin coupled with lactosyl residues. The same technique facilitated isolation of proteins with lectin-like properties from human Suit2-007 and rat ASML pancreatic cancer cells, which were termed lactosyl-sepharose binding proteins (LSBPs). The role of these proteins in cancer progression was investigated at mRNA level using chip array data of Suit2-007 and ASML cells re-isolated from nude rats. These data compared significant mRNA expression changes when relating primary (pancreas) and metastatic (liver) sites following orthotopic and intraportal implantation of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells, respectively. The affinity of Rpx to 13 simple sugar structures was modeled by docking experiments, the ranking of which was principally confirmed by NMR-spectroscopy. In addition, Rpx and LSBPs were evaluated for anti-proliferative activity and their cellular uptake was assessed by fluorescence microscopy. From 13 monosaccharides evaluated, open-chain rhamnose, β-d-galactose, and α-l-galactopyranose showed the highest affinities for site 1 of Rpx’s B-chain. NMR evaluation yielded a similar ranking, as galactose was among the best binders. Both, Rpx and LSBPs reduced cell proliferation in vitro, but their anti-proliferative effects were decreased by 15–20% in the presence of galactose. The program “Ingenuity Pathway Analysis” identified 2,415 genes showing significantly modulated mRNA expression following exposure of Suit2-007 cells to Rpx in vitro. These genes were then matched to those 1,639 genes, which were significantly modulated in the rat model when comparing primary and metastatic growth of Suit2-007 cells. In this overlap analysis, LSBP genes were considered separately. The potential suitability of Rpx for treating metastatic Suit2-007 PDAC cells was reflected by those genes, which were modulated by Rpx in a way opposite to that observed in cancer progression. Remarkably, these were 14% of all genes modulated during cancer progression, but 71% of the respective LSBP gene subgroup. Based on these findings, we predict that Rpx has the potential to treat PDAC metastasis by modulating genes involved in metastatic progression, especially by targeting LSBPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micah N Sagini
- Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karel D Klika
- Molecular Structure Analysis, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Michael Zepp
- Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joshua Mutiso
- Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Zoological Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Martin R Berger
- Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
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33
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Seyfoori A, Barough MS, Amereh M, Jush BK, Lum JJ, Akbari M. Bioengineered tissue models for the development of dynamic immuno-associated tumor models and high-throughput immunotherapy cytotoxicity assays. Drug Discov Today 2020; 26:455-473. [PMID: 33253917 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is rapidly developing, with numerous therapies approved over the past decade and more therapies expected to gain approval in the future. However, immunotherapy of solid tumors has been less successful because immunosuppressive barriers limit immune cell trafficking and function against cancer cells. Interactions between suppressive immune cells, cytokines, and inhibitory factors are central to cancer immunotherapy approaches. In this review, we discuss recent advances in utilizing microfluidic platforms for understanding cancer-suppressive immune system interactions. Dendritic cell (DC)-mediated tumor models, infiltrated lymphocyte-mediated tumor models [e.g., natural killer (NK) cells, T cells, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, and macrophages], monocyte-mediated tumor models, and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) tumor models are among the various bioengineered immune cell-cancer cell interactions that we reviewed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Seyfoori
- Laboratory for Innovations in Micro Engineering (LiME), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | | | - Meitham Amereh
- Laboratory for Innovations in Micro Engineering (LiME), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Bardia Khun Jush
- Laboratory for Innovations in Micro Engineering (LiME), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Julian J Lum
- Trev and Joyce Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer, Victoria, BC V8R 6V5, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Mohsen Akbari
- Laboratory for Innovations in Micro Engineering (LiME), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; Center for Biomedical Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; Center for Advanced Materials and Related Technologies (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada.
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Gottlieb B, Trifiro M, Batist G. Why Tumor Genetic Heterogeneity May Require Rethinking Cancer Genesis and Treatment. Trends Cancer 2020; 7:400-409. [PMID: 33243702 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2020.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Tumor genetic heterogeneity, in which individual tumors contain both multiple variant cancer-associated and normal genes, has been widely reported, although its significance has yet to be fully understood. We propose a genetic heterogeneity-based selection-centric hypothesis in which genetic heterogeneity, caused by the temporary reduction of DNA repair efficiency, occurs very early in human development, resulting in a small minority of cells in normal tissues acquiring cancer-associated genes that remain dormant. Cancer develops when precancer cells are selected for by altered tissue microenvironments; similar scenarios occur with development of metastases and therapeutic resistance in established cancer. This suggests that a normal cell selection treatment approach based on preferentially selecting normal cells within tumors may be effective in treating cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Gottlieb
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Segal Cancer Center, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Nursing, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Mark Trifiro
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Segal Cancer Center, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Gerald Batist
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Segal Cancer Center, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; McGill Centre for Translational Research in Cancer, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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35
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Targeting IL-3Rα on tumor-derived endothelial cells blunts metastatic spread of triple-negative breast cancer via extracellular vesicle reprogramming. Oncogenesis 2020; 9:90. [PMID: 33040091 PMCID: PMC7548009 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-020-00274-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The lack of approved targeted therapies highlights the need for new treatments for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. Interleukin-3 (IL-3) acts as an autocrine factor for tumor-endothelial cells (TEC), and exerts pro-angiogenic paracrine action via extracellular vesicles (EVs). IL-3Rα blockade on TEC changes TEC-EV (anti-IL-3R-EV) microRNA (miR) content and promotes the regression of established vessels. As TEC is the doorway for "drug" entry into tumors, we aimed to assess whether IL-3R blockade on TEC impacts tumor progression via its unique EV cargo. First, the expression of IL-3Rα was evaluated in 27 human TNBC samples. It was noticed that, besides TEC and inflammatory cells, tumor cells from 55.5% of the human TNBC samples expressed IL-3Rα. Using human TNBC cell lines for in vitro studies, we found that, unlike native TEC-EVs (nEVs), anti-IL-3R-EVs increase apoptosis and reduced cell viability and migration. In vivo, anti-IL-3R-EV treatment induced vessel regression in established tumors formed of MDA-MB-231 cells, decreased Vimentin, β-catenin, and TWIST1 expression, almost abolished liver and lung metastases from primary tumors, and reduced lung metastasis generated via the intravenous injection of MDA-MB-231 cells. nEVs depleted of miR-24-3p (antago-miR-24-3p-EVs) were effective as anti-IL-3R-EVs in downregulating TWIST1 and reducing metastatic lesions in vivo. Consistent with network analyses of miR-24-3p gene targeting, anti-IL-3R-EVs and antago-miR-24-3p-EVs upregulate SPRY2 in MDA-MB-231 cells. Finally, SPRY2 silencing prevented anti-IL-3R-EV and antago-miR-24-3p-EV-mediated apoptotic cues.Overall, these data provide the first evidence that IL-3Rα is highly expressed in TNBC cells, TEC, and inflammatory cells, and that IL-3Rα blockade on TEC impacts tumor progression.
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Particulate mediators of the bystander effect linked to suicide and interferon-β transgene expression in melanoma cells. Gene Ther 2020; 28:38-55. [PMID: 32127652 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-020-0136-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Revised: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In the context of comparative oncology, melanoma cells derived from companion animal tumors are good models for optimizing and predicting their in vivo response to therapeutic strategies. Here, we report that human, canine, and feline melanoma cells driven to death by bleomycin, interferon-β gene, or herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir suicide gene (SG) treatment significantly increased their internal granularity. This fact correlated with the release of a heterogeneous collection of nano- and micro-sized granules as revealed by transmission electron microscopy. While killing lipofected cells, the expressed transgenes and their derived products were incorporated into these granules that were isolated by differential centrifugation. These particulate factors (PFs) were able to transfer, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, appreciable levels of therapeutic genes, related proteins, and drugs. Thus, when recipient cells of SG-carrying PFs were exposed to ganciclovir, this prodrug was efficiently activated, eliminating them. These PFs kept the functionality of their cargo, even after being subjected to adverse conditions, such as the presence of DNase, freezing, or heating. Since our in vitro system did not include any of the immune mechanisms that could provide additional antitumor activity, the chemo-gene treatments amplified by these delivery bags of therapeutic agents offer a great clinical potential.
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Advances in the Characterization of Circulating Tumor Cells in Metastatic Breast Cancer: Single Cell Analyses and Interactions, and Patient-Derived Models for Drug Testing. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1220:61-80. [PMID: 32304080 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-35805-1_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is the major cause of breast cancer death worldwide. In metastatic breast cancer, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) can be captured from patient blood samples sequentially over time and thereby serve as surrogates to assess the biology of surviving cancer cells that may still persist in solitary or multiple metastatic sites following treatment. CTCs may thus function as potential real-time decision-making guides for selecting appropriate therapies during the course of disease or for the development and testing of new treatments. The heterogeneous nature of CTCs warrants the use of single cell platforms to better inform our understanding of these cancer cells. Current techniques for single cell analyses and techniques for investigating interactions between cancer and immune cells are discussed. In addition, methodologies for growing patient-derived CTCs in vitro or propagating them in vivo to facilitate CTC drug testing are reviewed. We advocate the use of CTCs in appropriate microenvironments to appraise the effectiveness of cancer chemotherapies, immunotherapies, and for the development of new cancer treatments, fundamental to personalizing and improving the clinical management of metastatic breast cancer.
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Heudobler D, Lüke F, Vogelhuber M, Klobuch S, Pukrop T, Herr W, Gerner C, Pantziarka P, Ghibelli L, Reichle A. Anakoinosis: Correcting Aberrant Homeostasis of Cancer Tissue-Going Beyond Apoptosis Induction. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1408. [PMID: 31921665 PMCID: PMC6934003 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The current approach to systemic therapy for metastatic cancer is aimed predominantly at inducing apoptosis of cancer cells by blocking tumor-promoting signaling pathways or by eradicating cell compartments within the tumor. In contrast, a systems view of therapy primarily considers the communication protocols that exist at multiple levels within the tumor complex, and the role of key regulators of such systems. Such regulators may have far-reaching influence on tumor response to therapy and therefore patient survival. This implies that neoplasia may be considered as a cell non-autonomous disease. The multi-scale activity ranges from intra-tumor cell compartments, to the tumor, to the tumor-harboring organ to the organism. In contrast to molecularly targeted therapies, a systems approach that identifies the complex communications networks driving tumor growth offers the prospect of disrupting or "normalizing" such aberrant communicative behaviors and therefore attenuating tumor growth. Communicative reprogramming, a treatment strategy referred to as anakoinosis, requires novel therapeutic instruments, so-called master modifiers to deliver concerted tumor growth-attenuating action. The diversity of biological outcomes following pro-anakoinotic tumor therapy, such as differentiation, trans-differentiation, control of tumor-associated inflammation, etc. demonstrates that long-term tumor control may occur in multiple forms, inducing even continuous complete remission. Accordingly, pro-anakoinotic therapies dramatically extend the repertoire for achieving tumor control and may activate apoptosis pathways for controlling resistant metastatic tumor disease and hematologic neoplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Heudobler
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Florian Lüke
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martin Vogelhuber
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Klobuch
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Pukrop
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Herr
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christopher Gerner
- Institut for Analytical Chemistry, Faculty Chemistry, University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Pan Pantziarka
- The George Pantziarka TP53 Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Anticancer Fund, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lina Ghibelli
- Department Biology, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Albrecht Reichle
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Mihara H, Kugawa M, Sayo K, Tao F, Shinohara M, Nishikawa M, Sakai Y, Akama T, Kojima N. Improved Oxygen Supply to Multicellular Spheroids Using A Gas-permeable Plate and Embedded Hydrogel Beads. Cells 2019; 8:cells8060525. [PMID: 31159231 PMCID: PMC6627619 DOI: 10.3390/cells8060525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Culture systems for three-dimensional tissues, such as multicellular spheroids, are indispensable for high-throughput screening of primary or patient-derived xenograft (PDX)-expanded cancer tissues. Oxygen supply to the center of such spheroids is particularly critical for maintaining cellular functions as well as avoiding the development of a necrotic core. In this study, we evaluated two methods to enhance oxygen supply: (1) using a culture plate with a gas-permeable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane on the bottom, and; (2) embedding hydrogel beads in the spheroids. Culturing spheroids on PDMS increased cell growth and affected glucose/lactate metabolism and CYP3A4 mRNA expression and subsequent enzyme activity. The spheroids, comprised of 5000 Hep G2 cells and 5000 20 µm-diameter hydrogel beads, did not develop a necrotic core for nine days when cultured on a gas-permeable sheet. In contrast, central necrosis in spheroids lacking hydrogel beads was observed after day 3 of culture, even when using PDMS. These results indicate that the combination of gas-permeable culture equipment and embedded hydrogel beads improves culture 3D spheroids produced from primary or PDX-expanded tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirotaka Mihara
- Department of Life and Environmental System Science, Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, 22-2 Seto, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0027, Japan.
| | - Mai Kugawa
- Faculty of Science, International College of Arts and Science, Yokohama City University, 22-2 Seto, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0027, Japan.
| | - Kanae Sayo
- Department of Life and Environmental System Science, Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, 22-2 Seto, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0027, Japan.
| | - Fumiya Tao
- Department of Life and Environmental System Science, Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, 22-2 Seto, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0027, Japan.
| | - Marie Shinohara
- Department of Chemical Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Masaki Nishikawa
- Department of Chemical Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Yasuyuki Sakai
- Department of Chemical Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Takeshi Akama
- Department of Life and Environmental System Science, Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, 22-2 Seto, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0027, Japan.
| | - Nobuhiko Kojima
- Department of Life and Environmental System Science, Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, 22-2 Seto, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0027, Japan.
- Faculty of Science, International College of Arts and Science, Yokohama City University, 22-2 Seto, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0027, Japan.
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Duchamp M, Dahoun T, Vaillier C, Arnaud M, Bobisse S, Coukos G, Harari A, Renaud P. Microfluidic device performing on flow study of serial cell–cell interactions of two cell populations. RSC Adv 2019; 9:41066-41073. [PMID: 35540074 PMCID: PMC9076435 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra09504g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study we present a novel microfluidic hydrodynamic trapping device to probe the cell–cell interaction between all cell samples of two distinct populations. We have exploited an hydrodynamic trapping method using microfluidics to immobilize a batch of cells from the first population at specific locations, then relied on hydrodynamic filtering principles, the flowing cells from the second cell population are placed in contact with the trapped ones, through a roll-over mechanism. The rolling cells interact with the serially trapped cells one after the other. The proposed microfluidic phenomenon was characterized with beads. We have shown the validity of our method by detecting the capacity of olfactory receptors to induce adhesion of cell doublets overexpressing these receptors. We report here the first controlled on-flow single cell resolution cell–cell interaction assay in a microfluidic device for future application in cell–cell interactions-based cell library screenings. In this study we present a novel microfluidic hydrodynamic trapping device to probe the cell–cell interaction between all cell samples of two distinct populations.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaux Duchamp
- Laboratory of Microsystems LMIS4
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
- Lausanne
- Switzerland
| | - Thamani Dahoun
- Laboratory of Microsystems LMIS4
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
- Lausanne
- Switzerland
| | - Clarisse Vaillier
- Laboratory of Microsystems LMIS4
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
- Lausanne
- Switzerland
| | - Marion Arnaud
- Department of Oncology
- Lausanne University Hospital
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
- University of Lausanne
- Lausanne CH-1066
| | - Sara Bobisse
- Department of Oncology
- Lausanne University Hospital
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
- University of Lausanne
- Lausanne CH-1066
| | - George Coukos
- Department of Oncology
- Lausanne University Hospital
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
- University of Lausanne
- Lausanne CH-1066
| | - Alexandre Harari
- Department of Oncology
- Lausanne University Hospital
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
- University of Lausanne
- Lausanne CH-1066
| | - Philippe Renaud
- Laboratory of Microsystems LMIS4
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
- Lausanne
- Switzerland
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