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Liang L, Song X, Zhao H, Lim CT. Insights into the mechanobiology of cancer metastasis via microfluidic technologies. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:021506. [PMID: 38841688 PMCID: PMC11151435 DOI: 10.1063/5.0195389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
During cancer metastasis, cancer cells will encounter various microenvironments with diverse physical characteristics. Changes in these physical characteristics such as tension, stiffness, viscosity, compression, and fluid shear can generate biomechanical cues that affect cancer cells, dynamically influencing numerous pathophysiological mechanisms. For example, a dense extracellular matrix drives cancer cells to reorganize their cytoskeleton structures, facilitating confined migration, while this dense and restricted space also acts as a physical barrier that potentially results in nuclear rupture. Identifying these pathophysiological processes and understanding their underlying mechanobiological mechanisms can aid in the development of more effective therapeutics targeted to cancer metastasis. In this review, we outline the advances of engineering microfluidic devices in vitro and their role in replicating tumor microenvironment to mimic in vivo settings. We highlight the potential cellular mechanisms that mediate their ability to adapt to different microenvironments. Meanwhile, we also discuss some important mechanical cues that still remain challenging to replicate in current microfluidic devices in future direction. While much remains to be explored about cancer mechanobiology, we believe the developments of microfluidic devices will reveal how these physical cues impact the behaviors of cancer cells. It will be crucial in the understanding of cancer metastasis, and potentially contributing to better drug development and cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanfeng Liang
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiao Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Liu N, Zhang T, Chen Z, Wang Y, Yue T, Shi J, Li G, Yang C, Jiang H, Sun Y. An AFM-Based Model-Fitting-Free Viscoelasticity Characterization Method for Accurate Grading of Primary Prostate Tumor. IEEE Trans Nanobioscience 2024; 23:319-327. [PMID: 38194381 DOI: 10.1109/tnb.2024.3351768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Viscoelasticity is a crucial property of cells, which plays an important role in label-free cell characterization. This paper reports a model-fitting-free viscoelasticity calculation method, correcting the effects of frequency, surface adhesion and liquid resistance on AFM force-distance (FD) curves. As demonstrated by quantifying the viscosity and elastic modulus of PC-3 cells, this method shows high self-consistency and little dependence on experimental parameters such as loading frequency, and loading mode (Force-volume vs. PeakForce Tapping). The rapid calculating speed of less than 1ms per curve without the need for a model fitting process is another advantage. Furthermore, this method was utilized to characterize the viscoelastic properties of primary clinical prostate cells from 38 patients. The results demonstrate that the reported characterization method a comparable performance with the Gleason Score system in grading prostate cancer cells, This method achieves a high average accuracy of 97.6% in distinguishing low-risk prostate tumors (BPH and GS6) from higher-risk (GS7-GS10) prostate tumors and a high average accuracy of 93.3% in distinguishing BPH from prostate cancer.
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Massey A, Stewart J, Smith C, Parvini C, McCormick M, Do K, Cartagena-Rivera AX. Mechanical properties of human tumour tissues and their implications for cancer development. NATURE REVIEWS. PHYSICS 2024; 6:269-282. [PMID: 38706694 PMCID: PMC11066734 DOI: 10.1038/s42254-024-00707-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
The mechanical properties of cells and tissues help determine their architecture, composition and function. Alterations to these properties are associated with many diseases, including cancer. Tensional, compressive, adhesive, elastic and viscous properties of individual cells and multicellular tissues are mostly regulated by reorganization of the actomyosin and microtubule cytoskeletons and extracellular glycocalyx, which in turn drive many pathophysiological processes, including cancer progression. This Review provides an in-depth collection of quantitative data on diverse mechanical properties of living human cancer cells and tissues. Additionally, the implications of mechanical property changes for cancer development are discussed. An increased knowledge of the mechanical properties of the tumour microenvironment, as collected using biomechanical approaches capable of multi-timescale and multiparametric analyses, will provide a better understanding of the complex mechanical determinants of cancer organization and progression. This information can lead to a further understanding of resistance mechanisms to chemotherapies and immunotherapies and the metastatic cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Massey
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jamie Stewart
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- These authors contributed equally: Jamie Stewart, Chynna Smith
| | - Chynna Smith
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- These authors contributed equally: Jamie Stewart, Chynna Smith
| | - Cameron Parvini
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Moira McCormick
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kun Do
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alexander X. Cartagena-Rivera
- Section on Mechanobiology, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Djakbarova U, Madraki Y, Chan ET, Wu T, Atreaga-Muniz V, Akatay AA, Kural C. Tension-induced adhesion mode switching: the interplay between focal adhesions and clathrin-containing adhesion complexes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.07.579324. [PMID: 38370749 PMCID: PMC10871318 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.07.579324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Integrin-based adhesion complexes are crucial in various cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, and motility. While the dynamics of canonical focal adhesion complexes (FAs) have been extensively studied, the regulation and physiological implications of the recently identified clathrin-containing adhesion complexes (CCACs) are still not well understood. In this study, we investigated the spatiotemporal mechanoregulations of FAs and CCACs in a breast cancer model. Employing single-molecule force spectroscopy coupled with live-cell fluorescence microscopy, we discovered that FAs and CCACs are mutually exclusive and inversely regulated complexes. This regulation is orchestrated through the modulation of plasma membrane tension, in combination with distinct modes of actomyosin contractility that can either synergize with or counteract this modulation. Our findings indicate that increased membrane tension promotes the association of CCACs at integrin αVβ5 adhesion sites, leading to decreased cancer cell proliferation, spreading, and migration. Conversely, lower membrane tension promotes the formation of FAs, which correlates with the softer membranes observed in cancer cells, thus potentially facilitating cancer progression. Our research provides novel insights into the biomechanical regulation of CCACs and FAs, revealing their critical and contrasting roles in modulating cancer cell progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umida Djakbarova
- Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Yasaman Madraki
- Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Emily T. Chan
- Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Interdisciplinary Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Tianyao Wu
- Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Interdisciplinary Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | | | - A. Ata Akatay
- Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Comert Kural
- Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Interdisciplinary Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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5
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Mierke CT. Phenotypic Heterogeneity, Bidirectionality, Universal Cues, Plasticity, Mechanics, and the Tumor Microenvironment Drive Cancer Metastasis. Biomolecules 2024; 14:184. [PMID: 38397421 PMCID: PMC10887446 DOI: 10.3390/biom14020184] [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: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor diseases become a huge problem when they embark on a path that advances to malignancy, such as the process of metastasis. Cancer metastasis has been thoroughly investigated from a biological perspective in the past, whereas it has still been less explored from a physical perspective. Until now, the intraluminal pathway of cancer metastasis has received the most attention, while the interaction of cancer cells with macrophages has received little attention. Apart from the biochemical characteristics, tumor treatments also rely on the tumor microenvironment, which is recognized to be immunosuppressive and, as has recently been found, mechanically stimulates cancer cells and thus alters their functions. The review article highlights the interaction of cancer cells with other cells in the vascular metastatic route and discusses the impact of this intercellular interplay on the mechanical characteristics and subsequently on the functionality of cancer cells. For instance, macrophages can guide cancer cells on their intravascular route of cancer metastasis, whereby they can help to circumvent the adverse conditions within blood or lymphatic vessels. Macrophages induce microchannel tunneling that can possibly avoid mechanical forces during extra- and intravasation and reduce the forces within the vascular lumen due to vascular flow. The review article highlights the vascular route of cancer metastasis and discusses the key players in this traditional route. Moreover, the effects of flows during the process of metastasis are presented, and the effects of the microenvironment, such as mechanical influences, are characterized. Finally, the increased knowledge of cancer metastasis opens up new perspectives for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tanja Mierke
- Faculty of Physics and Earth System Science, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Biological Physics Division, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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6
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Qiu S, Qiu Y, Deng L, Nie L, Ge L, Zheng X, Jin D, Jin K, Zhou X, Su X, Cai B, Li J, Tu X, Gong L, Liu L, Liu Z, Bao Y, Ai J, Lin T, Yang L, Wei Q. Cell softness reveals tumorigenic potential via ITGB8/AKT/glycolysis signaling in a mice model of orthotopic bladder cancer. Chin Med J (Engl) 2024; 137:209-221. [PMID: 37390491 PMCID: PMC10798691 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002710] [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: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bladder cancer, characterized by a high potential of tumor recurrence, has high lifelong monitoring and treatment costs. To date, tumor cells with intrinsic softness have been identified to function as cancer stem cells in several cancer types. Nonetheless, the existence of soft tumor cells in bladder tumors remains elusive. Thus, our study aimed to develop a micro-barrier microfluidic chip to efficiently isolate deformable tumor cells from distinct types of bladder cancer cells. METHODS The stiffness of bladder cancer cells was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The modified microfluidic chip was utilized to separate soft cells, and the 3D Matrigel culture system was to maintain the softness of tumor cells. Expression patterns of integrin β8 (ITGB8), protein kinase B (AKT), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were determined by Western blotting. Double immunostaining was conducted to examine the interaction between F-actin and tripartite motif containing 59 (TRIM59). The stem-cell-like characteristics of soft cells were explored by colony formation assay and in vivo studies upon xenografted tumor models. RESULTS Using our newly designed microfluidic approach, we identified a small fraction of soft tumor cells in bladder cancer cells. More importantly, the existence of soft tumor cells was confirmed in clinical human bladder cancer specimens, in which the number of soft tumor cells was associated with tumor relapse. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the biomechanical stimuli arising from 3D Matrigel activated the F-actin/ITGB8/TRIM59/AKT/mTOR/glycolysis pathways to enhance the softness and tumorigenic capacity of tumor cells. Simultaneously, we detected a remarkable up-regulation in ITGB8, TRIM59, and phospho-AKT in clinical bladder recurrent tumors compared with their non-recurrent counterparts. CONCLUSIONS The ITGB8/TRIM59/AKT/mTOR/glycolysis axis plays a crucial role in modulating tumor softness and stemness. Meanwhile, the soft tumor cells become more sensitive to chemotherapy after stiffening, that offers new insights for hampering tumor progression and recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Qiu
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Center of Biomedical Big Data, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), Bellinzona 6500, Switzerland
| | - Yaqi Qiu
- Department of Science and Drug Technology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Linghui Deng
- National Clinical Research Center of Geriatrics, The Center of Gerontology and Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, China
| | - Ling Nie
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Liming Ge
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Bioengineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, China
| | - Xiaonan Zheng
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Center of Biomedical Big Data, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Di Jin
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Center of Biomedical Big Data, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Kun Jin
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Center of Biomedical Big Data, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Xianghong Zhou
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Center of Biomedical Big Data, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Xingyang Su
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Center of Biomedical Big Data, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Boyu Cai
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Center of Biomedical Big Data, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Jiakun Li
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Center of Biomedical Big Data, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Xiang Tu
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Center of Biomedical Big Data, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Lina Gong
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Center of Biomedical Big Data, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Liangren Liu
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Center of Biomedical Big Data, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Zhenhua Liu
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Center of Biomedical Big Data, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yige Bao
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Center of Biomedical Big Data, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Jianzhong Ai
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Center of Biomedical Big Data, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Tianhai Lin
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Center of Biomedical Big Data, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Lu Yang
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Center of Biomedical Big Data, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Qiang Wei
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Center of Biomedical Big Data, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
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7
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Tejeda-Muñoz N, Mei KC. Wnt signaling in cell adhesion, development, and colon cancer. IUBMB Life 2024. [PMID: 38230869 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2806] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Wnt signaling is essential for embryonic development, influencing processes such as axis formation, cell proliferation and differentiation, cell fate decisions, and axon guidance. It also plays a role in maintaining tissue homeostasis in adult organisms. The loss of normal cell polarity and adhesion caused by Wnt signaling activation is a fundamental step for tumor progression and metastasis. Activating the canonical Wnt pathway is a driving force in many human cancers, especially colorectal, hepatocellular, and mammary carcinomas. Wnt causes the stabilization and nuclear transport of newly synthesized transcriptional regulator β-catenin. The generally accepted view is that the canonical effects of Wnt growth factors are caused by the transcription of β-catenin target genes. Here, we review recent findings that indicate Wnt is a regulator of many other cellular physiological activities, such as macropinocytosis, endosome trafficking, protein stability, focal adhesions, and lysosomal activity. Some of these regulatory responses occur within minutes and do not require new protein synthesis, indicating that there is much more to Wnt beyond the well-established transcriptional role of β-catenin. The main conclusion that emerges from these studies is that in basal cell conditions, the activity of the key protein kinase GSK3, which is inhibited by Wnt pathway activation, normally represses the actin machinery that orchestrates macropinocytosis with implications in cancer. These contributions expand our understanding of the multifaceted roles of Wnt signaling in cellular processes, development, and cancer, providing insights into potential therapeutic targets and strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nydia Tejeda-Muñoz
- Department of Oncology Science, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
- OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Kuo-Ching Mei
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of New York at Binghamton, Johnson City, New York, USA
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8
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Deng H, Wang Y, Yin Y, Shu J, Zhang J, Shu X, Wu F, He J. Effects of matrix viscoelasticity on cell-matrix interaction, actin cytoskeleton organization, and apoptosis of osteosarcoma MG-63 cells. J Mater Chem B 2023; 12:222-232. [PMID: 38079114 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb02001k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Many recent reports have shown the effects of viscoelasticity of the extracellular matrix on the spreading, migration, proliferation, survival and cell-matrix interaction of mesenchymal stem cells and normal cells. However, the effect of matrix viscoelasticity on the behavior of tumor cells is still in the state of preliminary exploration. To this aim, we prepared a viscoelastic hydrogel matrix with a storage modulus of about 2 kPa and a loss modulus adjustable from 0 to 600 Pa, through adding linear alginate and regulating the compactness of a polyacrylamide covalent network. Overall, the addition of viscous components inhibited the apoptosis of osteosarcoma MG-63 cells, while it promoted their spreading and proliferation and in particular led to a well-developed cytoskeleton organization. However, with the increase of the viscous fraction, this trend was reversed, and the apoptosis of MG-63 cells gradually increased with gradually decreased spreading and proliferation, accompanied by a surprising manner change of the cytoskeleton from fusiform cells dominated by focal adhesion to dendritic cells dominated by pseudopodia. Besides the upregulation of MAPK, Ras, Rap1 and PI3K-Akt pathways commonly involved in mechanotransduction, the upregulation of the Wnt pathway and inhibited endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis were observed for the viscous matrix with a low loss modulus. The high viscosity matrix showed additional involvement of Hippo and NF-kappa B signaling pathways related to the cell-matrix interaction, with downregulation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway and upregulation related to mitochondrial organization. Our study would provide insight into the effect of viscosity on fundamental behaviors of tumor cells and might have important implications in designing antitumor materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Deng
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Yao Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Yue Yin
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Jun Shu
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Junwei Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Xuedong Shu
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Fang Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
| | - Jing He
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, P. R. China.
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Murugan NJ, Cariba S, Abeygunawardena S, Rouleau N, Payne SL. Biophysical control of plasticity and patterning in regeneration and cancer. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 81:9. [PMID: 38099951 PMCID: PMC10724343 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05054-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Cells and tissues display a remarkable range of plasticity and tissue-patterning activities that are emergent of complex signaling dynamics within their microenvironments. These properties, which when operating normally guide embryogenesis and regeneration, become highly disordered in diseases such as cancer. While morphogens and other molecular factors help determine the shapes of tissues and their patterned cellular organization, the parallel contributions of biophysical control mechanisms must be considered to accurately predict and model important processes such as growth, maturation, injury, repair, and senescence. We now know that mechanical, optical, electric, and electromagnetic signals are integral to cellular plasticity and tissue patterning. Because biophysical modalities underly interactions between cells and their extracellular matrices, including cell cycle, metabolism, migration, and differentiation, their applications as tuning dials for regenerative and anti-cancer therapies are being rapidly exploited. Despite this, the importance of cellular communication through biophysical signaling remains disproportionately underrepresented in the literature. Here, we provide a review of biophysical signaling modalities and known mechanisms that initiate, modulate, or inhibit plasticity and tissue patterning in models of regeneration and cancer. We also discuss current approaches in biomedical engineering that harness biophysical control mechanisms to model, characterize, diagnose, and treat disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirosha J Murugan
- Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
- Allen Discovery Center, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA.
| | - Solsa Cariba
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - Nicolas Rouleau
- Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Allen Discovery Center, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Samantha L Payne
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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10
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McCue C, Atari A, Parks S, Tseng YY, Varanasi KK. Reducing Cancer Cell Adhesion using Microtextured Surfaces. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2302401. [PMID: 37559167 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202302401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
For the past century, trypsin has been the primary method of cell dissociation, largely without any major changes to the process. Enzymatic cell detachment strategies for large-scale cell culturing processes are popular but can be labor-intensive, potentially lead to the accumulation of genetic mutations, and produce large quantities of liquid waste. Therefore, engineering surfaces to lower cell adhesion strength could enable the next generation of cell culture surfaces for delicate primary cells and automated, high-throughput workflows. In this study, a process for creating microtextured polystyrene (PS) surfaces to measure the impact of microposts on the adhesion strength of cells is developed. Cell viability and proliferation assays show comparable results in two cancer cell lines between micropost surfaces and standard cell culture vessels. However, cell image analysis on microposts reveals that cell area decreases by half, and leads to an average twofold increase in cell length per area. Using a microfluidic-based method up to a seven times greater percentage of cells are removed from micropost surfaces than the flat control surfaces. These results show that micropost surfaces enable decreased cell adhesion strength while maintaining similar cell viabilities and proliferation as compared to flat PS surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline McCue
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Adel Atari
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, 415 Main St, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Sean Parks
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Yuen-Yi Tseng
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, 415 Main St, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Kripa K Varanasi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, 415 Main St, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
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11
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Efremov YM, Shimolina L, Gulin A, Ignatova N, Gubina M, Kuimova MK, Timashev PS, Shirmanova MV. Correlation of Plasma Membrane Microviscosity and Cell Stiffness Revealed via Fluorescence-Lifetime Imaging and Atomic Force Microscopy. Cells 2023; 12:2583. [PMID: 37947661 PMCID: PMC10650173 DOI: 10.3390/cells12212583] [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: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The biophysical properties of cells described at the level of whole cells or their membranes have many consequences for their biological behavior. However, our understanding of the relationships between mechanical parameters at the level of cell (stiffness, viscoelasticity) and at the level of the plasma membrane (fluidity) remains quite limited, especially in the context of pathologies, such as cancer. Here, we investigated the correlations between cells' stiffness and viscoelastic parameters, mainly determined via the actin cortex, and plasma membrane microviscosity, mainly determined via its lipid profile, in cancer cells, as these are the keys to their migratory capacity. The mechanical properties of cells were assessed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The microviscosity of membranes was visualized using fluorescence-lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) with the viscosity-sensitive probe BODIPY 2. Measurements were performed for five human colorectal cancer cell lines that have different migratory activity (HT29, Caco-2, HCT116, SW 837, and SW 480) and their chemoresistant counterparts. The actin cytoskeleton and the membrane lipid composition were also analyzed to verify the results. The cell stiffness (Young's modulus), measured via AFM, correlated well (Pearson r = 0.93) with membrane microviscosity, measured via FLIM, and both metrics were elevated in more motile cells. The associations between stiffness and microviscosity were preserved upon acquisition of chemoresistance to one of two chemotherapeutic drugs. These data clearly indicate that mechanical parameters, determined by two different cellular structures, are interconnected in cells and play a role in their intrinsic migratory potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri M. Efremov
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Liubov Shimolina
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 603005 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (L.S.); (N.I.); (M.V.S.)
| | - Alexander Gulin
- N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.G.); (M.G.)
| | - Nadezhda Ignatova
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 603005 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (L.S.); (N.I.); (M.V.S.)
| | - Margarita Gubina
- N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (A.G.); (M.G.)
| | - Marina K. Kuimova
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, White City Campus, London W12 0BZ, UK;
| | - Peter S. Timashev
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia;
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina V. Shirmanova
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 603005 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (L.S.); (N.I.); (M.V.S.)
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12
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Xin Y, Li K, Huang M, Liang C, Siemann D, Wu L, Tan Y, Tang X. Biophysics in tumor growth and progression: from single mechano-sensitive molecules to mechanomedicine. Oncogene 2023; 42:3457-3490. [PMID: 37864030 PMCID: PMC10656290 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02844-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Evidence from physical sciences in oncology increasingly suggests that the interplay between the biophysical tumor microenvironment and genetic regulation has significant impact on tumor progression. Especially, tumor cells and the associated stromal cells not only alter their own cytoskeleton and physical properties but also remodel the microenvironment with anomalous physical properties. Together, these altered mechano-omics of tumor tissues and their constituents fundamentally shift the mechanotransduction paradigms in tumorous and stromal cells and activate oncogenic signaling within the neoplastic niche to facilitate tumor progression. However, current findings on tumor biophysics are limited, scattered, and often contradictory in multiple contexts. Systematic understanding of how biophysical cues influence tumor pathophysiology is still lacking. This review discusses recent different schools of findings in tumor biophysics that have arisen from multi-scale mechanobiology and the cutting-edge technologies. These findings range from the molecular and cellular to the whole tissue level and feature functional crosstalk between mechanotransduction and oncogenic signaling. We highlight the potential of these anomalous physical alterations as new therapeutic targets for cancer mechanomedicine. This framework reconciles opposing opinions in the field, proposes new directions for future cancer research, and conceptualizes novel mechanomedicine landscape to overcome the inherent shortcomings of conventional cancer diagnosis and therapies.
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Grants
- R35 GM150812 NIGMS NIH HHS
- This work was financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project no. 11972316, Y.T.), Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission (Project no. JCYJ20200109142001798, SGDX2020110309520303, and JCYJ20220531091002006, Y.T.), General Research Fund of Hong Kong Research Grant Council (PolyU 15214320, Y. T.), Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF18191421, Y.T.), Hong Kong Polytechnic University (1-CD75, 1-ZE2M, and 1-ZVY1, Y.T.), the Cancer Pilot Research Award from UF Health Cancer Center (X. T.), the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award number R35GM150812 (X. T.), the National Science Foundation under grant number 2308574 (X. T.), the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under award number FA9550-23-1-0393 (X. T.), the University Scholar Program (X. T.), UF Research Opportunity Seed Fund (X. T.), the Gatorade Award (X. T.), and the National Science Foundation REU Site at UF: Engineering for Healthcare (Douglas Spearot and Malisa Sarntinoranont). We are deeply grateful for the insightful discussions with and generous support from all members of Tang (UF)’s and Tan (PolyU)’s laboratories and all staff members of the MAE/BME/ECE/Health Cancer Center at UF and BME at PolyU.
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)
- Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xin
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Keming Li
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Miao Huang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Chenyu Liang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Dietmar Siemann
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lizi Wu
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Youhua Tan
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
- Research Institute of Smart Ageing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Xin Tang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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13
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Negri ML, D'Annunzio S, Vitali G, Zippo A. May the force be with you: Nuclear condensates function beyond transcription control: Potential nongenetic functions of nuclear condensates in physiological and pathological conditions. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2300075. [PMID: 37530178 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, research has revealed biomolecular condensates' relevance in diverse cellular functions. Through a phase separation process, they concentrate macromolecules in subcompartments shaping the cellular organization and physiology. In the nucleus, biomolecular condensates assemble relevant biomolecules that orchestrate gene expression. We here hypothesize that chromatin condensates can also modulate the nongenetic functions of the genome, including the nuclear mechanical properties. The importance of chromatin condensates is supported by the genetic evidence indicating that mutations in their members are causative of a group of rare Mendelian diseases named chromatinopathies (CPs). Despite a broad spectrum of clinical features and the perturbations of the epigenetic machinery characterizing the CPs, recent findings highlighted negligible changes in gene expression. These data argue in favor of possible noncanonical functions of chromatin condensates in regulating the genome's spatial organization and, consequently, the nuclear mechanics. In this review, we discuss how condensates may impact nuclear mechanical properties, thus affecting the cellular response to mechanical cues and, eventually, cell fate and identity. Chromatin condensates organize macromolecules in the nucleus orchestrating the transcription regulation and mutations in their members are responsible for rare diseases named chromatinopathies. We argue that chromatin condensates, in concert with the nuclear lamina, may also govern the nuclear mechanical properties affecting the cellular response to external cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luce Negri
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Sarah D'Annunzio
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Giulia Vitali
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Alessio Zippo
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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14
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Soto J, Song Y, Wu Y, Chen B, Park H, Akhtar N, Wang P, Hoffman T, Ly C, Sia J, Wong S, Kelkhoff DO, Chu J, Poo M, Downing TL, Rowat AC, Li S. Reduction of Intracellular Tension and Cell Adhesion Promotes Open Chromatin Structure and Enhances Cell Reprogramming. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2300152. [PMID: 37357983 PMCID: PMC10460843 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202300152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
The role of transcription factors and biomolecules in cell type conversion has been widely studied. Yet, it remains unclear whether and how intracellular mechanotransduction through focal adhesions (FAs) and the cytoskeleton regulates the epigenetic state and cell reprogramming. Here, it is shown that cytoskeletal structures and the mechanical properties of cells are modulated during the early phase of induced neuronal (iN) reprogramming, with an increase in actin cytoskeleton assembly induced by Ascl1 transgene. The reduction of actin cytoskeletal tension or cell adhesion at the early phase of reprogramming suppresses the expression of mesenchymal genes, promotes a more open chromatin structure, and significantly enhances the efficiency of iN conversion. Specifically, reduction of intracellular tension or cell adhesion not only modulates global epigenetic marks, but also decreases DNA methylation and heterochromatin marks and increases euchromatin marks at the promoter of neuronal genes, thus enhancing the accessibility for gene activation. Finally, micro- and nano-topographic surfaces that reduce cell adhesions enhance iN reprogramming. These novel findings suggest that the actin cytoskeleton and FAs play an important role in epigenetic regulation for cell fate determination, which may lead to novel engineering approaches for cell reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Soto
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | - Yang Song
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | - Yifan Wu
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | - Binru Chen
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | - Hyungju Park
- Department of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCA94720USA
| | - Navied Akhtar
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCA92617USA
| | - Peng‐Yuan Wang
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
- Oujiang LaboratoryKey Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang ProvinceInstitute of AgingWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouZhejiang325024China
| | - Tyler Hoffman
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | - Chau Ly
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
- Department of Integrative Biology and PhysiologyUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | - Junren Sia
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCA94720USA
| | - SzeYue Wong
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCA94720USA
| | | | - Julia Chu
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCA94720USA
| | - Mu‐Ming Poo
- Department of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCA94720USA
| | - Timothy L. Downing
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of CaliforniaIrvineCA92617USA
| | - Amy C. Rowat
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
- Department of Integrative Biology and PhysiologyUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | - Song Li
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
- Department of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell ResearchUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCA90095USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer CenterDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCA90095USA
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15
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Ghosh D, Hsu J, Soriano K, Peña CM, Lee AH, Dizon DS, Dawson MR. Spatial Heterogeneity in Cytoskeletal Mechanics Response to TGF-β1 and Hypoxia Mediates Partial Epithelial-to-Meshenchymal Transition in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3186. [PMID: 37370796 PMCID: PMC10296400 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic progression of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) involves the partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of cancer cells in the primary tumor and dissemination into peritoneal fluid. In part to the high degree of heterogeneity in EOC cells, the identification of EMT in highly epithelial cells in response to differences in matrix mechanics, growth factor signaling, and tissue hypoxia is very difficult. We analyzed different degrees of EMT by tracking changes in cell and nuclear morphology, along with the organization of cytoskeletal proteins. In our analysis, we see a small percentage of individual cells that show dramatic response to TGF-β1 and hypoxia treatment. We demonstrate that EOC cells are spatially aware of their surroundings, with a subpopulation of EOC cells at the periphery of a cell cluster in 2D environments exhibited a greater degree of EMT. These peripheral cancer cells underwent partial EMT, displaying a hybrid of mesenchymal and epithelial characteristics, which often included less cortical actin and more perinuclear cytokeratin expression. Collectively, these data show that tumor-promoting microenvironment conditions can mediate invasive cell behavior in a spatially regulated context in a small subpopulation of highly epithelial clustered cancer cells that maintain epithelial characteristics while also acquiring some mesenchymal traits through partial EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepraj Ghosh
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; (D.G.); (C.M.P.)
| | - Jeffrey Hsu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; (D.G.); (C.M.P.)
| | - Kylen Soriano
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; (D.G.); (C.M.P.)
| | - Carolina Mejia Peña
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; (D.G.); (C.M.P.)
| | - Amy H. Lee
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA;
| | - Don S. Dizon
- Lifespan Cancer Institute, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA;
| | - Michelle R. Dawson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA; (D.G.); (C.M.P.)
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA;
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
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16
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Weber A, Vivanco MDM, Toca-Herrera JL. Application of self-organizing maps to AFM-based viscoelastic characterization of breast cancer cell mechanics. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3087. [PMID: 36813800 PMCID: PMC9947176 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30156-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell mechanical properties have been proposed as label free markers for diagnostic purposes in diseases such as cancer. Cancer cells show altered mechanical phenotypes compared to their healthy counterparts. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is a widely utilized tool to study cell mechanics. These measurements often need skilful users, physical modelling of mechanical properties and expertise in data interpretation. Together with the need to perform many measurements for statistical significance and to probe wide enough areas in tissue structures, the application of machine learning and artificial neural network techniques to automatically classify AFM datasets has received interest recently. We propose the use of self-organizing maps (SOMs) as unsupervised artificial neural network applied to mechanical measurements performed via AFM on epithelial breast cancer cells treated with different substances that affect estrogen receptor signalling. We show changes in mechanical properties due to treatments, as estrogen softened the cells, while resveratrol led to an increase in cell stiffness and viscosity. These data were then used as input for SOMs. Our approach was able to distinguish between estrogen treated, control and resveratrol treated cells in an unsupervised manner. In addition, the maps enabled investigation of the relationship of the input variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Weber
- Institute of Biophysics, Department of Bionanosciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria dM Vivanco
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance, BRTA, Technological Park of Bizkaia, Derio, Spain
| | - José L Toca-Herrera
- Institute of Biophysics, Department of Bionanosciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria.
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17
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Caveolin-1 dolines form a distinct and rapid caveolae-independent mechanoadaptation system. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:120-133. [PMID: 36543981 PMCID: PMC9859760 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-01034-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In response to different types and intensities of mechanical force, cells modulate their physical properties and adapt their plasma membrane (PM). Caveolae are PM nano-invaginations that contribute to mechanoadaptation, buffering tension changes. However, whether core caveolar proteins contribute to PM tension accommodation independently from the caveolar assembly is unknown. Here we provide experimental and computational evidence supporting that caveolin-1 confers deformability and mechanoprotection independently from caveolae, through modulation of PM curvature. Freeze-fracture electron microscopy reveals that caveolin-1 stabilizes non-caveolar invaginations-dolines-capable of responding to low-medium mechanical forces, impacting downstream mechanotransduction and conferring mechanoprotection to cells devoid of caveolae. Upon cavin-1/PTRF binding, doline size is restricted and membrane buffering is limited to relatively high forces, capable of flattening caveolae. Thus, caveolae and dolines constitute two distinct albeit complementary components of a buffering system that allows cells to adapt efficiently to a broad range of mechanical stimuli.
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18
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Scott NR, Parekh SH. A-type lamins involvement in transport and implications in cancer? Nucleus 2022; 13:221-235. [PMID: 36109835 PMCID: PMC9481127 DOI: 10.1080/19491034.2022.2118418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear lamins and transport are intrinsically linked, but their relationship is yet to be fully unraveled. A multitude of complex, coupled interactions between lamins and nucleoporins (Nups), which mediate active transport into and out of the nucleus, combined with well documented dysregulation of lamins in many cancers, suggests that lamins and nuclear transport may play a pivotal role in carcinogenesis and the preservation of cancer. Changes of function related to lamin/Nup activity can principally lead to DNA damage, further increasing the genetic diversity within a tumor, which could lead to the reduction the effectiveness of antineoplastic treatments. This review discusses and synthesizes different connections of lamins to nuclear transport and offers a number of outlook questions, the answers to which could reveal a new perspective on the connection of lamins to molecular transport of cancer therapeutics, in addition to their established role in nuclear mechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas R. Scott
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Sapun H. Parekh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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19
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Wang EJY, Chen IH, Kuo BYT, Yu CC, Lai MT, Lin JT, Lin LYT, Chen CM, Hwang T, Sheu JJC. Alterations of Cytoskeleton Networks in Cell Fate Determination and Cancer Development. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12121862. [PMID: 36551290 PMCID: PMC9775460 DOI: 10.3390/biom12121862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytoskeleton proteins have been long recognized as structural proteins that provide the necessary mechanical architecture for cell development and tissue homeostasis. With the completion of the cancer genome project, scientists were surprised to learn that huge numbers of mutated genes are annotated as cytoskeletal or associated proteins. Although most of these mutations are considered as passenger mutations during cancer development and evolution, some genes show high mutation rates that can even determine clinical outcomes. In addition, (phospho)proteomics study confirms that many cytoskeleton-associated proteins, e.g., β-catenin, PIK3CA, and MB21D2, are important signaling mediators, further suggesting their biofunctional roles in cancer development. With emerging evidence to indicate the involvement of mechanotransduction in stemness formation and cell differentiation, mutations in these key cytoskeleton components may change the physical/mechanical properties of the cells and determine the cell fate during cancer development. In particular, tumor microenvironment remodeling triggered by such alterations has been known to play important roles in autophagy, metabolism, cancer dormancy, and immune evasion. In this review paper, we will highlight the current understanding of how aberrant cytoskeleton networks affect cancer behaviors and cellular functions through mechanotransduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Ja-Yang Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804201, Taiwan
| | - I-Hsuan Chen
- Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813405, Taiwan
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Health Care, Tajen University, Pingtung County 907391, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
| | - Brian Yu-Ting Kuo
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804201, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Cheng Yu
- Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813405, Taiwan
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Health Care, Tajen University, Pingtung County 907391, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114202, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tsung Lai
- Department of Pathology, Taichung Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taichung 403301, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Tai Lin
- Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813405, Taiwan
| | - Leo Yen-Ting Lin
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804201, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Mei Chen
- Human Genetic Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404327, Taiwan
| | - Tritium Hwang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804201, Taiwan
| | - Jim Jinn-Chyuan Sheu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804201, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807378, Taiwan
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804201, Taiwan
- Institute of Precision Medicine, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804201, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-7-5252000 (ext. 7102)
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20
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Basu A, Paul MK, Weiss S. The actin cytoskeleton: Morphological changes in pre- and fully developed lung cancer. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2022; 3:041304. [PMID: 38505516 PMCID: PMC10903407 DOI: 10.1063/5.0096188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Actin, a primary component of the cell cytoskeleton can have multiple isoforms, each of which can have specific properties uniquely suited for their purpose. These monomers are then bound together to form polymeric filaments utilizing adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis as a source of energy. Proteins, such as Arp2/3, VASP, formin, profilin, and cofilin, serve important roles in the polymerization process. These filaments can further be linked to form stress fibers by proteins called actin-binding proteins, such as α-actinin, myosin, fascin, filamin, zyxin, and epsin. These stress fibers are responsible for mechanotransduction, maintaining cell shape, cell motility, and intracellular cargo transport. Cancer metastasis, specifically epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is one of the key steps of the process, is accompanied by the formation of thick stress fibers through the Rho-associated protein kinase, MAPK/ERK, and Wnt pathways. Recently, with the advent of "field cancerization," pre-malignant cells have also been demonstrated to possess stress fibers and related cytoskeletal features. Analytical methods ranging from western blot and RNA-sequencing to cryo-EM and fluorescent imaging have been employed to understand the structure and dynamics of actin and related proteins including polymerization/depolymerization. More recent methods involve quantifying properties of the actin cytoskeleton from fluorescent images and utilizing them to study biological processes, such as EMT. These image analysis approaches exploit the fact that filaments have a unique structure (curvilinear) compared to the noise or other artifacts to separate them. Line segments are extracted from these filament images that have assigned lengths and orientations. Coupling such methods with statistical analysis has resulted in development of a new reporter for EMT in lung cancer cells as well as their drug responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shimon Weiss
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
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21
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Han SJ, Kwon S, Kim KS. Contribution of mechanical homeostasis to epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2022; 45:1119-1136. [PMID: 36149601 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-022-00720-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metastasis refers to the spread of cancer cells from a primary tumor to other parts of the body via the lymphatic system and bloodstream. With tremendous effort over the past decades, remarkable progress has been made in understanding the molecular and cellular basis of metastatic processes. Metastasis occurs through five steps, including infiltration and migration, intravasation, survival, extravasation, and colonization. Various molecular and cellular factors involved in the metastatic process have been identified, such as epigenetic factors of the extracellular matrix (ECM), cell-cell interactions, soluble signaling, adhesion molecules, and mechanical stimuli. However, the underlying cause of cancer metastasis has not been elucidated. CONCLUSION In this review, we have focused on changes in the mechanical properties of cancer cells and their surrounding environment to understand the causes of cancer metastasis. Cancer cells have unique mechanical properties that distinguish them from healthy cells. ECM stiffness is involved in cancer cell growth, particularly in promoting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). During tumorigenesis, the mechanical properties of cancer cells change in the direction opposite to their environment, resulting in a mechanical stress imbalance between the intracellular and extracellular domains. Disruption of mechanical homeostasis may be one of the causes of EMT that triggers the metastasis of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se Jik Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sangwoo Kwon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung Sook Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
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22
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Ceragenin CSA-13 displays high antibacterial efficiency in a mouse model of urinary tract infection. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19164. [PMID: 36357517 PMCID: PMC9649698 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23281-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ceragenins (CSAs) are synthetic, lipid-based molecules that display activities of natural antimicrobial peptides. Previous studies demonstrated their high in vitro activity against pathogens causing urinary tract infections (UTIs), but their efficiency in vivo was not explored to date. In this study, we aimed to investigate the bactericidal efficiency of ceragenins against E. coli (Xen14 and clinical UPEC strains) isolates both in vitro and in vivo, as well to explore CSA-13 biodistribution and ability to modulate nanomechanical alterations of infected tissues using animal model of UTI. CSA-44, CSA-131 and particularly CSA-13 displayed potent bactericidal effect against tested E. coli strains, and this effect was mediated by induction of oxidative stress. Biodistribution studies indicated that CSA-13 accumulates in kidneys and liver and is eliminated with urine and bile acid. We also observed that ceragenin CSA-13 reverses infection-induced alterations in mechanical properties of mouse bladders tissue, which confirms the preventive role of CSA-13 against bacteria-induced tissue damage and potentially promote the restoration of microenvironment with biophysical features unfavorable for bacterial growth and spreading. These data justify the further work on employment of CSA-13 in the treatment of urinary tract infections.
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23
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Marchant CL, Malmi-Kakkada AN, Espina JA, Barriga EH. Cell clusters softening triggers collective cell migration in vivo. NATURE MATERIALS 2022; 21:1314-1323. [PMID: 35970965 PMCID: PMC9622418 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-022-01323-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Embryogenesis, tissue repair and cancer metastasis rely on collective cell migration. In vitro studies propose that cells are stiffer while migrating in stiff substrates, but softer when plated in compliant surfaces which are typically considered as non-permissive for migration. Here we show that cells within clusters from embryonic tissue dynamically decrease their stiffness in response to the temporal stiffening of their native substrate to initiate collective cell migration. Molecular and mechanical perturbations of embryonic tissues reveal that this unexpected mechanical response involves a mechanosensitive pathway relying on Piezo1-mediated microtubule deacetylation. We further show that decreasing microtubule acetylation and consequently cluster stiffness is sufficient to trigger collective cell migration in soft non-permissive substrates. This suggests that reaching an optimal cluster-to-substrate stiffness ratio is essential to trigger the onset of this collective process. Overall, these in vivo findings challenge the current understanding of collective cell migration and its physiological and pathological roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian L Marchant
- Mechanisms of Morphogenesis Laboratory, Gulbenkian Institute of Science (IGC), Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Abdul N Malmi-Kakkada
- Computational Biological Physics Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and Physics, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Jaime A Espina
- Mechanisms of Morphogenesis Laboratory, Gulbenkian Institute of Science (IGC), Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Elias H Barriga
- Mechanisms of Morphogenesis Laboratory, Gulbenkian Institute of Science (IGC), Oeiras, Portugal.
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24
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Lolo FN, Pavón DM, Grande-García A, Elosegui-Artola A, Segatori VI, Sánchez S, Trepat X, Roca-Cusachs P, del Pozo MA. Caveolae couple mechanical stress to integrin recycling and activation. eLife 2022; 11:e82348. [PMID: 36264062 PMCID: PMC9747151 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells are subjected to multiple mechanical inputs throughout their lives. Their ability to detect these environmental cues is called mechanosensing, a process in which integrins play an important role. During cellular mechanosensing, plasma membrane (PM) tension is adjusted to mechanical stress through the buffering action of caveolae; however, little is known about the role of caveolae in early integrin mechanosensing regulation. Here, we show that Cav1KO fibroblasts increase adhesion to FN-coated beads when pulled with magnetic tweezers, as compared to wild type fibroblasts. This phenotype is Rho-independent and mainly derived from increased active β1-integrin content on the surface of Cav1KO fibroblasts. Florescence recovery after photobleaching analysis and endocytosis/recycling assays revealed that active β1-integrin is mostly endocytosed through the clathrin independent carrier/glycosylphosphatidyl inositol (GPI)-enriched endocytic compartment pathway and is more rapidly recycled to the PM in Cav1KO fibroblasts, in a Rab4 and PM tension-dependent manner. Moreover, the threshold for PM tension-driven β1-integrin activation is lower in Cav1KO mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) than in wild type MEFs, through a mechanism dependent on talin activity. Our findings suggest that caveolae couple mechanical stress to integrin cycling and activation, thereby regulating the early steps of the cellular mechanosensing response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fidel-Nicolás Lolo
- Mechanoadaptation and Caveolae Biology Laboratory, Cell and developmental Biology Area, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones CardiovascularesMadridSpain
| | - Dácil María Pavón
- Mechanoadaptation and Caveolae Biology Laboratory, Cell and developmental Biology Area, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones CardiovascularesMadridSpain
| | - Araceli Grande-García
- Mechanoadaptation and Caveolae Biology Laboratory, Cell and developmental Biology Area, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones CardiovascularesMadridSpain
| | | | - Valeria Inés Segatori
- Mechanoadaptation and Caveolae Biology Laboratory, Cell and developmental Biology Area, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones CardiovascularesMadridSpain
| | - Sara Sánchez
- Mechanoadaptation and Caveolae Biology Laboratory, Cell and developmental Biology Area, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones CardiovascularesMadridSpain
| | - Xavier Trepat
- Institute for Bioengineering of CataloniaBarcelonaSpain
| | | | - Miguel A del Pozo
- Mechanoadaptation and Caveolae Biology Laboratory, Cell and developmental Biology Area, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones CardiovascularesMadridSpain
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25
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“Fingerprinting” Benign and Cancerous Skin Lesions Using Vibrational Optical Coherence Tomography: Differentiation among Cancerous Lesion Types Based on the Presence of New Cells, Blood Vessels, and Fibrosis. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12101332. [DOI: 10.3390/biom12101332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we use vibrational optical coherence tomography (VOCT) to examine the morphology and stiffness of benign and cancerous lesions. Lesion images and 3D plots of weighted displacement versus frequency and depth were used to compare the cellular, dermal collagen, new blood vessels, and fibrotic composition of normal skin, actinic keratoses (AK), nodular and superficial basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), and melanomas. The results of this study suggest that benign and cancerous lesions differ based on the addition of new cells with increased resonant frequency and stiffness (80Hz, 1.8MPa), new blood vessel peaks (130Hz, 4.10MPa) that appear to be less stiff than normal blood vessels, and new fibrous tissue peaks (260Hz, 15–17 MPa) that are present in carcinomas but not in normal skin and only partially present (80Hz and 130Hz only) in AKs. Results obtained by creating images based on the location of the 80Hz, 130Hz, and 260Hz peaks of cancerous skin lesions suggest that the fibrous tissue appears to surround the new cells and new lesion blood vessels. The results of this study suggest that the morphology and location of the fibrous tissues in relation to the new cancer-associated cells and lesion blood vessels may provide information on the invasiveness and metastatic potential of skin cancers. The invasiveness and metastatic potential of melanomas may be a result of the cancer-associated cells laying down fibrous tissue that is used as a pathway for migration. The new cancer-associated blood vessels in the vicinity of the new cancer-associated cells may promote this migration and eventual metastasis. The ratios of peak heights 50/130Hz and 80/130Hz of normal cells, new lesion cells, new lesion blood vessels, and fibrotic tissue may be used as a “fingerprint” for detecting melanoma and to differentiate it from other skin cancers non-invasively using VOCT.
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26
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How do cells stiffen? Biochem J 2022; 479:1825-1842. [PMID: 36094371 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cell stiffness is an important characteristic of cells and their response to external stimuli. In this review, we survey methods used to measure cell stiffness, summarize stimuli that alter cell stiffness, and discuss signaling pathways and mechanisms that control cell stiffness. Several pathological states are characterized by changes in cell stiffness, suggesting this property can serve as a potential diagnostic marker or therapeutic target. Therefore, we consider the effect of cell stiffness on signaling and growth processes required for homeostasis and dysfunction in healthy and pathological states. Specifically, the composition and structure of the cell membrane and cytoskeleton are major determinants of cell stiffness, and studies have identified signaling pathways that affect cytoskeletal dynamics both directly and by altered gene expression. We present the results of studies interrogating the effects of biophysical and biochemical stimuli on the cytoskeleton and other cellular components and how these factors determine the stiffness of both individual cells and multicellular structures. Overall, these studies represent an intersection of the fields of polymer physics, protein biochemistry, and mechanics, and identify specific mechanisms involved in mediating cell stiffness that can serve as therapeutic targets.
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27
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Katsuta E, Takabe K, Vujcic M, Gottlieb PA, Dai T, Mercado-Perez A, Beyder A, Wang Q, Opyrchal M. Mechano-Sensing Channel PIEZO2 Enhances Invasive Phenotype in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:9909. [PMID: 36077309 PMCID: PMC9455988 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mechanically gated PIEZO channels lead to an influx of cations, activation of additional Ca2+ channels, and cell depolarization. This study aimed to investigate PIEZO2's role in breast cancer. METHODS The clinical relevance of PIEZO2 expression in breast cancer patient was analyzed in a publicly available dataset. Utilizing PIEZO2 overexpressed breast cancer cells, and in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted. RESULTS High expression of PIEZO2 was correlated with a worse survival in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) but not in other subtypes. Increased PEIZO2 channel function was confirmed in PIEZO2 overexpressed cells after mechanical stimulation. PIEZO2 overexpressed cells showed increased motility and invasive phenotypes as well as higher expression of SNAIL and Vimentin and lower expression of E-cadherin in TNBC cells. Correspondingly, high expression of PIEZO2 was correlated with the increased expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes in a TNBC patient. Activated Akt signaling was observed in PIEZO2 overexpressed TNBC cells. PIEZO2 overexpressed MDA-MB-231 cells formed a significantly higher number of lung metastases after orthotopic implantation. CONCLUSION PIEZO2 activation led to enhanced SNAIL stabilization through Akt activation. It enhanced Vimentin and repressed E-cadherin transcription, resulting in increased metastatic potential and poor clinical outcomes in TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eriko Katsuta
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Kazuaki Takabe
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
- Department of Surgery, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
- Department of Breast Surgery and Oncology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo 160-8402, Japan
- Department of Surgery, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
- Department of Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
- Department of Breast Surgery, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Marija Vujcic
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Philip A. Gottlieb
- Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Tao Dai
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Arnaldo Mercado-Perez
- Enteric Neuroscience Program, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Arthur Beyder
- Enteric Neuroscience Program, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Qingfei Wang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Mateusz Opyrchal
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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28
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Paddillaya N, Ingale K, Gaikwad C, Saini DK, Pullarkat P, Kondaiah P, Menon GI, Gundiah N. Cell adhesion strength and tractions are mechano-diagnostic features of cellular invasiveness. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:4378-4388. [PMID: 35611829 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00015f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The adhesion of cells to substrates occurs via integrin clustering and binding to the actin cytoskeleton. Oncogenes modify anchorage-dependent mechanisms in cells during cancer progression. Fluid shear devices provide a label-free way to characterize cell-substrate interactions and heterogeneities in cell populations. We quantified the critical adhesion strengths of MCF-7, MDAMB-231, A549, HPL1D, HeLa, and NIH3T3 cells using a custom fluid shear device. The detachment response was sigmoidal for each cell type. A549 and MDAMB-231 cells had significantly lower critical adhesion strengths (τ50) than their non-invasive counterparts, HPL1D and MCF-7. Detachment dynamics inversely correlated with cell invasion potentials. A theoretical model, based on τ50 values and the distribution of cell areas on substrates, provided good fits to results from de-adhesion experiments. Quantification of cell tractions, using the Reg-FTTC method on 10 kPa polyacrylamide gels, showed highest values for invasive, MDAMB-231 and A549, cells compared to non-invasive cells. Immunofluorescence studies show differences in vinculin distributions; non-invasive cells have distinct vinculin puncta, whereas invasive cells have more dispersed distributions. The cytoskeleton in non-invasive cells was devoid of well-developed stress fibers, and had thicker cortical actin bundles in the boundary. Fluorescence intensity of actin was significantly lower in invasive cells as compared to non invasive cells. These correlations in adhesion strengths and traction stresses with cell invasiveness may be useful in cancer diagnostics and other pathologies featuring mis-regulation in adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Paddillaya
- Centre for Biosystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Kalyani Ingale
- Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.
| | - Chaitanya Gaikwad
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Deepak Kumar Saini
- Centre for Biosystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Pramod Pullarkat
- Soft Condensed Matter Group, Raman Research Institute, Bangalore, India
| | - Paturu Kondaiah
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Gautam I Menon
- The Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai, India
- Departments of Physics and Biology, Ashoka University, Sonepat, India
| | - Namrata Gundiah
- Centre for Biosystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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29
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Basu A, Paul MK, Alioscha-Perez M, Grosberg A, Sahli H, Dubinett SM, Weiss S. Statistical parametrization of cell cytoskeleton reveals lung cancer cytoskeletal phenotype with partial EMT signature. Commun Biol 2022; 5:407. [PMID: 35501466 PMCID: PMC9061773 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03358-0] [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: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial–mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a multi-step process that involves cytoskeletal rearrangement. Here, developing and using an image quantification tool, Statistical Parametrization of Cell Cytoskeleton (SPOCC), we have identified an intermediate EMT state with a specific cytoskeletal signature. We have been able to partition EMT into two steps: (1) initial formation of transverse arcs and dorsal stress fibers and (2) their subsequent conversion to ventral stress fibers with a concurrent alignment of fibers. Using the Orientational Order Parameter (OOP) as a figure of merit, we have been able to track EMT progression in live cells as well as characterize and quantify their cytoskeletal response to drugs. SPOCC has improved throughput and is non-destructive, making it a viable candidate for studying a broad range of biological processes. Further, owing to the increased stiffness (and by inference invasiveness) of the intermediate EMT phenotype compared to mesenchymal cells, our work can be instrumental in aiding the search for future treatment strategies that combat metastasis by specifically targeting the fiber alignment process. A computational method for automated quantification of actin stress fiber alignment in fluorescence images of cultured cells is presented, used to detect changes in stress fiber organization during EMT, with pathways regulating actin dynamics manipulated leading to the discovery of a cytoskeletal phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkaprabha Basu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Manash K Paul
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angles, CA, USA.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mitchel Alioscha-Perez
- Electronics and Informatics Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Anna Grosberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.,The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Hichem Sahli
- Electronics and Informatics Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Steven M Dubinett
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angles, CA, USA.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,California NanoSystems Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shimon Weiss
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,California NanoSystems Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Department of Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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30
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Vakhrusheva A, Murashko A, Trifonova E, Efremov Y, Timashev P, Sokolova O. Role of Actin-binding Proteins in the Regulation of Cellular Mechanics. Eur J Cell Biol 2022; 101:151241. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2022.151241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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31
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Ha-RasV12-Induced Multilayer Cellular Aggregates Is Mediated by Rac1 Activation Rather Than YAP Activation. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10050977. [PMID: 35625714 PMCID: PMC9138672 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10050977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We demonstrate that Ha-RasV12 overexpression induces the nuclear translocation of Hippo effector Yes-associated protein (YAP) in MDCK cells via the hippo-independent pathway at the confluent stage. Ha-RasV12 overexpression leads to the downregulation of Caveolin-1 (Cav1) and the disruption of junction integrity. It has been shown that the disruption of actin belt integrity causes YAP nuclear translocation in epithelial cells at high density. Therefore, we hypothesized that Ha-RasV12-decreased Cav1 leads to the disruption of cell junction integrity, which subsequently facilitates YAP nuclear retention. We revealed that Ha-RasV12 downregulated Cav1 through the ERK pathway. Furthermore, the distribution and expression of Cav1 mediated the cell junction integrity and YAP nuclear localization. This suggests that the downregulation of Cav1 induced by Ha-RasV12 disrupted the cell junction integrity and promoted YAP nuclear translocation. We further indicated the consequence of Ha-RasV12-induced YAP activation. Surprisingly, the activation of YAP is not required for Ha-RasV12-induced multilayer cellular aggregates. Instead, Ha-RasV12 triggered the ERK-Rac pathway to promote cellular aggregate formation. Moreover, the overexpression of constitutively active Rac is sufficient to trigger cellular aggregation in MDCK cells at the confluent stage. This highlights that Rac activity is essential for cellular aggregates.
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32
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Panzetta V, Musella I, Fusco S, Netti PA. ECM Mechanoregulation in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:797900. [PMID: 35237573 PMCID: PMC8883334 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.797900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a relatively rare, but devastating tumor, because of the difficulties in providing early diagnosis and effective treatments with conventional chemo- and radiotherapies. Patients usually present pleural effusions that can be used for diagnostic purposes by cytological analysis. This effusion cytology may take weeks or months to establish and has a limited sensitivity (30%-60%). Then, it is becoming increasingly urgent to develop alternative investigative methods to support the diagnosis of mesothelioma at an early stage when this cancer can be treated successfully. To this purpose, mechanobiology provides novel perspectives into the study of tumor onset and progression and new diagnostic tools for the mechanical characterization of tumor tissues. Here, we report a mechanical and biophysical characterization of malignant pleural mesothelioma cells as additional support to the diagnosis of pleural effusions. In particular, we examined a normal mesothelial cell line (Met5A) and two epithelioid mesothelioma cell lines (REN and MPP89), investigating how malignant transformation can influence cellular function like proliferation, cell migration, and cell spreading area with respect to the normal ones. These alterations also correlated with variations in cytoskeletal mechanical properties that, in turn, were measured on substrates mimicking the stiffness of patho-physiological ECM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Panzetta
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Centro di Ricerca Interdipartimentale sui Biomateriali CRIB, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, IIT@CRIB, Naples, Italy
| | - Ida Musella
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, IIT@CRIB, Naples, Italy
| | - Sabato Fusco
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Paolo A Netti
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Centro di Ricerca Interdipartimentale sui Biomateriali CRIB, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, IIT@CRIB, Naples, Italy
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33
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Abstract
Cell manipulation in droplets has emerged as one of the great successes of microfluidic technologies, with the development of single-cell screening. However, the droplet format has also served to go beyond single-cell studies, namely by considering the interactions between different cells or between cells and their physical or chemical environment. These studies pose specific challenges linked to the need for long-term culture of adherent cells or the diverse types of measurements associated with complex biological phenomena. Here we review the emergence of droplet microfluidic methods for culturing cells and studying their interactions. We begin by characterizing the quantitative aspects that determine the ability to encapsulate cells, transport molecules, and provide sufficient nutrients within the droplets. This is followed by an evaluation of the biological constraints such as the control of the biochemical environment and promoting the anchorage of adherent cells. This first part ends with a description of measurement methods that have been developed. The second part of the manuscript focuses on applications of these technologies for cancer studies, immunology, and stem cells while paying special attention to the biological relevance of the cellular assays and providing guidelines on improving this relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Sart
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France.,Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Gustave Ronteix
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France.,Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Shreyansh Jain
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France.,Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Gabriel Amselem
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France.,Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Charles N Baroud
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France.,Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75015 Paris, France
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34
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Nel J, Siniscalco D, Hognon C, Bouché M, Touche N, Brunner É, Gros PC, Monari A, Grandemange S, Francius G. Structural and morphological changes of breast cancer cells induced by iron(II) complexes. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:2735-2749. [PMID: 35112689 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr08301e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Metal-based complexes are well-established cancer chemotherapeutic drug candidates. Although our knowledge regarding their exact activity vs. toxicity profile is incomplete, changes in cell membrane biophysical properties and cytoskeletal structures have been implicated as part of the mechanism of action. Thus, in this work, we characterised the effects of iron(II)-based complexes on the structural and morphological properties of epithelial non-tumorigenic (MCF 10A) and tumorigenic (MDA-MB-231) breast cell lines using atomic force microscopy (AFM), flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy. At 24 h of exposure, both the MCF 10A and MDA-MB-231 cells experienced a cell softening, and an increase in size followed by a re-stiffening at 96 h. In addition, the triple negative breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, sustained a notable cytoskeletal and mitochondrial reorganization with increased actin stress fibers and cell-to-cell communication structures. An extensive all-atom molecular dynamic simulation suggests a possible direct and unassisted internalization of the metallodrug candidate, and confirmed that the cellular effects could not be ascribed to the simple physical interaction of the iron-based complexes with the biological membrane. These observations provide an insight into a link between the mechanisms of action of such iron-based complexes as anti-cancer treatment and cytoskeletal architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janske Nel
- Université de Lorraine, LIBio, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - David Siniscalco
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, LPCME UMR 7564, F-54000 Nancy, France.
| | - Cécilia Hognon
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, LPCT UMR 7019, F-54000 Nancy, France.
| | - Mathilde Bouché
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, L2CM UMR 7053, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Nadége Touche
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, CRAN UMR 7039, F-54000 Nancy, France.
| | - Émilie Brunner
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, CRAN UMR 7039, F-54000 Nancy, France.
| | - Philippe C Gros
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, L2CM UMR 7053, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Antonio Monari
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, LPCT UMR 7019, F-54000 Nancy, France.
- Université de Paris, ITODYS, CNRS, F-75006, Paris, France
| | | | - Grégory Francius
- Université de Lorraine and CNRS, LPCME UMR 7564, F-54000 Nancy, France.
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35
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Redding A, Aplin AE, Grabocka E. RAS-mediated tumor stress adaptation and the targeting opportunities it presents. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:274360. [PMID: 35147163 PMCID: PMC8844456 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Cellular stress is known to function in synergistic cooperation with oncogenic mutations during tumorigenesis to drive cancer progression. Oncogenic RAS is a strong inducer of a variety of pro-tumorigenic cellular stresses, and also enhances the ability of cells to tolerate these stresses through multiple mechanisms. Many of these oncogenic, RAS-driven, stress-adaptive mechanisms have also been implicated in tolerance and resistance to chemotherapy and to therapies that target the RAS pathway. Understanding how oncogenic RAS shapes cellular stress adaptation and how this functions in drug resistance is of vital importance for identifying new therapeutic targets and therapeutic combinations to treat RAS-driven cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Redding
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Andrew E. Aplin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Elda Grabocka
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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The “Virtual Biopsy” of Cancerous Lesions in 3D: Non-Invasive Differentiation between Melanoma and Other Lesions Using Vibrational Optical Coherence Tomography. Dermatopathology (Basel) 2021; 8:539-551. [PMID: 34940035 PMCID: PMC8700642 DOI: 10.3390/dermatopathology8040058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Early detection of skin cancer is of critical importance to provide five year survival rates that approach 99%. By 2050, one out of five Americans by age 70 will develop some form of skin cancer. This will result in a projected rate of 50 million skin biopsies per year given the current rate of escalation. In addition, the ability to differentiate between pigmented lesions and melanomas has proven a diagnostic challenge. While dermoscopy and visual analysis are useful in identifying many skin lesions, additional non-invasive techniques are needed to assist in the analysis of difficult to diagnose skin tumors. To augment dermoscopy data, we have developed 3D maps based on physical biomarker characteristics of benign and cancerous lesions using vibrational optical coherence tomography (VOCT). 3D images based on quantitative physical data involving changes in cellular and fibrous tissue stiffness along with changes in vascular quality are used to map and evaluate different types of cancers. 3D tumor maps constructed using quantitative VOCT data and OCT images have been used to characterize the differences between melanoma and other lesions. These characteristics can be used to plan the excision of difficult lesions where extensive surgery may be needed to remove the entire tumor in one step. In addition, it is now possible to use dermoscopy and VOCT to non-invasively differentiate between different cancerous lesion types using measurements of the resonant frequency of new cellular and vascular peaks. Quantitative VOCT information along with dermoscopic findings can be collected and analyzed remotely using artificial intelligence to improve cancerous tissue diagnosis.
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Silver FH, Kelkar N, Deshmukh T, Ritter K, Ryan N, Nadiminti H. Characterization of the Biomechanical Properties of Skin Using Vibrational Optical Coherence Tomography: Do Changes in the Biomechanical Properties of Skin Stroma Reflect Structural Changes in the Extracellular Matrix of Cancerous Lesions? Biomolecules 2021; 11:1712. [PMID: 34827711 PMCID: PMC8615800 DOI: 10.3390/biom11111712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Early detection of skin cancer is of critical importance since the five-year survival rate for early detected skin malignancies is 99% but drops to 27% for cancer that has spread to distant lymph nodes and other organs. Over 2.5 million benign skin biopsies (55% of the total) are performed each year in the US at an alarming cost of USD ~2.5 B. Therefore there is an unmet need for novel non-invasive diagnostic approaches to better differentiate between cancerous and non-cancerous lesions, especially in cases when there is a legitimate doubt that a biopsy may be required. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the differences in the extracellular matrices among normal skin, actinic keratosis (AK), basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) can be assessed non-invasively using vibrational optical coherence tomography (VOCT). VOCT is a new diagnostic technology that uses infrared light and audible sound applied transversely to tissue to measure the resonant frequencies and elastic moduli of cells, dermal collagen, blood vessels and fibrous tissue in skin and lesion stroma without physically touching the skin. Our results indicate that the cellular, vascular and fibrotic resonant frequency peaks are altered in AK, BCC and SCC compared to those peaks observed in normal skin and can serve as physical biomarkers defining the differences between benign and cancerous skin lesions. The resonant frequency is increased from a value of 50 Hz in normal skin to a value of about 80 Hz in pre- and cancerous lesions. A new vascular peak is seen at 130 Hz in cancerous lesions that may reflect the formation of new tumor blood vessels. The peak at 260 Hz is similar to that seen in the skin of a subject with Scleroderma and skin wounds that have healed. The peak at 260 Hz appears to be associated with the deposition of large amounts of stiff fibrous collagen in the stroma surrounding cancerous lesions. Based on the results of this pilot study, VOCT can be used to non-invasively identify physical biomarkers that can help differentiate between benign and cancerous skin lesions. The appearance of new stiff cellular, fragile new vessels, and stiff fibrous material based on resonant frequency peaks and changes in the extracellular matrix can be used as a fingerprint of pre- and cancerous skin lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick H. Silver
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- OptoVibronex, LLC., Allentown, PA 18104, USA; (N.K.); (T.D.)
| | - Nikita Kelkar
- OptoVibronex, LLC., Allentown, PA 18104, USA; (N.K.); (T.D.)
| | - Tanmay Deshmukh
- OptoVibronex, LLC., Allentown, PA 18104, USA; (N.K.); (T.D.)
| | - Kelly Ritter
- Dermatology, Summit Health, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922, USA; (K.R.); (N.R.); (H.N.)
| | - Nicole Ryan
- Dermatology, Summit Health, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922, USA; (K.R.); (N.R.); (H.N.)
| | - Hari Nadiminti
- Dermatology, Summit Health, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922, USA; (K.R.); (N.R.); (H.N.)
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Martinez-Vidal L, Murdica V, Venegoni C, Pederzoli F, Bandini M, Necchi A, Salonia A, Alfano M. Causal contributors to tissue stiffness and clinical relevance in urology. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1011. [PMID: 34446834 PMCID: PMC8390675 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02539-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanomedicine is an emerging field focused on characterizing mechanical changes in cells and tissues coupled with a specific disease. Understanding the mechanical cues that drive disease progression, and whether tissue stiffening can precede disease development, is crucial in order to define new mechanical biomarkers to improve and develop diagnostic and prognostic tools. Classically known stromal regulators, such as fibroblasts, and more recently acknowledged factors such as the microbiome and extracellular vesicles, play a crucial role in modifications to the stroma and extracellular matrix (ECM). These modifications ultimately lead to an alteration of the mechanical properties (stiffness) of the tissue, contributing to disease onset and progression. We describe here classic and emerging mediators of ECM remodeling, and discuss state-of-the-art studies characterizing mechanical fingerprints of urological diseases, showing a general trend between increased tissue stiffness and severity of disease. Finally, we point to the clinical potential of tissue stiffness as a diagnostic and prognostic factor in the urological field, as well as a possible target for new innovative drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Martinez-Vidal
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.
| | - Valentina Murdica
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Venegoni
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Pederzoli
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Bandini
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Salonia
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Alfano
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
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Hosseini K, Frenzel A, Fischer-Friedrich E. EMT changes actin cortex rheology in a cell-cycle-dependent manner. Biophys J 2021; 120:3516-3526. [PMID: 34022239 PMCID: PMC8391033 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The actin cortex is a key structure for cellular mechanics and cellular migration. Accordingly, cancer cells were shown to change their actin cytoskeleton and their mechanical properties in correlation with different degrees of malignancy and metastatic potential. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular transformation associated with cancer progression and malignancy. To date, a detailed study of the effects of EMT on the frequency-dependent viscoelastic mechanics of the actin cortex is still lacking. In this work, we have used an established atomic force microscope-based method of cell confinement to quantify the rheology of the actin cortex of human breast, lung, and prostate epithelial cells before and after EMT in a frequency range of 0.02-2 Hz. Interestingly, we find for all cell lines opposite EMT-induced changes in interphase and mitosis; whereas the actin cortex softens upon EMT in interphase, the cortex stiffens in mitosis. Our rheological data can be accounted for by a rheological model with a characteristic timescale of slowest relaxation. In conclusion, our study discloses a consistent rheological trend induced by EMT in human cells of diverse tissue origin, reflecting major structural changes of the actin cytoskeleton upon EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamran Hosseini
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Biotechnology Center, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Annika Frenzel
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Biotechnology Center, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Fischer-Friedrich
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Biotechnology Center, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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40
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Foglietta F, Pinnelli V, Giuntini F, Barbero N, Panzanelli P, Durando G, Terreno E, Serpe L, Canaparo R. Sonodynamic Treatment Induces Selective Killing of Cancer Cells in an In Vitro Co-Culture Model. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13153852. [PMID: 34359753 PMCID: PMC8345649 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sonodynamic Therapy (SDT) is a new anticancer strategy based on ultrasound (US) technique and is derived from photodynamic therapy (PDT); SDT is still, however, far from clinical application. In order to move this therapy forward from bench to bedside, investigations have been focused on treatment selectivity between cancer cells and normal cells. As a result, the effects of the porphyrin activation by SDT on cancer (HT-29) and normal (HDF 106-05) cells were studied in a co-culture evaluating cell cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial function and plasma membrane fluidity according to the bilayer sonophore (BLS) theory. While PDT induced similar effects on both HT-29 and HDF 106-05 cells in co-culture, SDT elicited significant cytotoxicity, ROS production and mitochondrial impairment on HT-29 cells only, whereas HDF 106-05 cells were unaffected. Notably, HT-29 and HDF 106-05 showed different cell membrane fluidity during US exposure. In conclusion, our data demonstrate a marked difference between cancer cells and normal cells in co-culture in term of responsiveness to SDT, suggesting that this different behavior can be ascribed to diversity in plasma membrane properties, such as membrane fluidity, according to the BLS theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Foglietta
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy; (F.F.); (V.P.); (R.C.)
| | - Vanessa Pinnelli
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy; (F.F.); (V.P.); (R.C.)
| | - Francesca Giuntini
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK;
| | - Nadia Barbero
- Department of Chemistry, NIS Interdepartmental Centre and INSTM Reference Centre, University of Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy;
| | - Patrizia Panzanelli
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy;
| | - Gianni Durando
- National Institute of Metrological Research (INRIM), 10135 Torino, Italy;
| | - Enzo Terreno
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy;
| | - Loredana Serpe
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy; (F.F.); (V.P.); (R.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0116706235
| | - Roberto Canaparo
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy; (F.F.); (V.P.); (R.C.)
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41
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Ansardamavandi A, Tafazzoli-Shadpour M. The functional cross talk between cancer cells and cancer associated fibroblasts from a cancer mechanics perspective. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2021; 1868:119103. [PMID: 34293346 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2021.119103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The function of biological tissues in health and disease is regulated at cellular level and is highly influenced by the physical microenvironment, through the interaction of forces between cells and ECM, which are perceived through mechanosensing pathways. In cancer, both chemical and physical signaling cascades and their interactions are involved during cell-cell and cell-ECM communications to meet requirements of tumor growth. Among stroma cells, cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play key role in tumor growth and pave the way for cancer cells to initiate metastasis and invasion to other tissues, and without recruitment of CAFs, the process of cancer invasion is dysfunctional. This is through an intense chemical and physical cross talks with tumor cells, and interactive remodeling of ECM. During such interaction CAFs apply traction forces and depending on the mechanical properties, deform ECM and in return receive physical signals from the micromechanical environment. Such interaction leads to ECM remodeling by manipulating ECM structure and its mechanical properties. The results are in form of deposition of extra fibers, stiffening, rearrangement and reorganization of fibrous structure, and degradation which are due to a complex secretion and expression of different markers triggered by mechanosensing of tumor cells, specially CAFs. Such events define cancer progress and invasion of cancer cells. A systemic knowledge of chemical and physical factors provides a holistic view of how cancer process and enhances the current treatment methods to provide more diversity among targets that involves tumor cells and ECM structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arian Ansardamavandi
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
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42
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Liu L, Yu H, Long Y, You Z, Ogawa R, Du Y, Huang C. Asporin inhibits collagen matrix-mediated intercellular mechanocommunications between fibroblasts during keloid progression. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21705. [PMID: 34105826 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100111r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Keloids are fibrotic lesions that grow unceasingly and invasively and are driven by local mechanical stimuli. Unlike other fibrotic diseases and normal wound healing, keloids exhibit little transformation of dermal fibroblasts into α-SMA+ myofibroblasts. This study showed that asporin is the most strongly expressed gene in keloids and its gene-ontology terms relate strongly to ECM metabolism/organization. Experiments with human dermal cells (HDFs) showed that asporin overexpression/treatment abrogated the HDF ability to adopt a perpendicular orientation when subjected to stretching tension. It also induced calcification of the surrounding 3D collagen matrix. Asporin overexpression/treatment also prevented the HDFs from remodeling the surrounding 3D collagen matrix, leading to a disorganized network of thick, wavy collagen fibers that resembled keloid collagen architecture. This in turn impaired the ability of the HDFs to contract the collagen matrix. Asporin treatment also made the fibroblasts impervious to the fibrous collagen contraction of α-SMA+ myofibroblasts, which normally activates fibroblasts. Thus, by calcifying collagen, asporin prevents fibroblasts from linearly rearranging the surrounding collagen; this reduces both their mechanosensitivity and mechanosignaling to each other through the collagen network. This blocks fibroblast activation and differentiation into the mature myofibroblasts that efficiently remodel the extracellular matrix. Consequently, the fibroblasts remain immature, highly proliferative, and continue laying down abundant extracellular matrix, causing keloid growth and invasion. Notably, dermal injection of asporin-overexpressing HDFs into murine wounds recapitulated keloid collagen histopathological characteristics. Thus, disrupted interfibroblast mechanocommunication may promote keloid progression. Asporin may be a new diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for keloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longwei Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongsheng Yu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Long
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhifeng You
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Rei Ogawa
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yanan Du
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Chenyu Huang
- Department of Dermatology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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43
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Srivastava LK, Ju Z, Ghagre A, Ehrlicher AJ. Spatial distribution of lamin A/C determines nuclear stiffness and stress-mediated deformation. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:268336. [PMID: 34028539 PMCID: PMC8186481 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.248559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
While diverse cellular components have been identified as mechanotransduction elements, the deformation of the nucleus itself is a critical mechanosensory mechanism, implying that nuclear stiffness is essential in determining responses to intracellular and extracellular stresses. Although the nuclear membrane protein lamin A/C is known to contribute to nuclear stiffness, bulk moduli of nuclei have not been reported for various levels of lamin A/C. Here, we measure the nuclear bulk moduli as a function of lamin A/C expression and applied osmotic stress, revealing a linear dependence within the range of 2-4 MPa. We also find that the nuclear compression is anisotropic, with the vertical axis of the nucleus being more compliant than the minor and major axes in the substrate plane. We then related the spatial distribution of lamin A/C with submicron 3D nuclear envelope deformation, revealing that local areas of the nuclear envelope with higher density of lamin A/C have correspondingly lower local deformations. These findings describe the complex dispersion of nuclear deformations as a function of lamin A/C expression and distribution, implicating a lamin A/C role in mechanotransduction. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zhaoping Ju
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Ajinkya Ghagre
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0E9
| | - Allen J Ehrlicher
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0E9.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0C7, Canada.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal H3A 2B4, Canada.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0C3.,Centre for Structural Biology, McGill University, Montreal H3G 0B1, Canada.,Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal H3A 1A3, Canada
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44
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Tijore A, Yao M, Wang YH, Hariharan A, Nematbakhsh Y, Lee Doss B, Lim CT, Sheetz M. Selective killing of transformed cells by mechanical stretch. Biomaterials 2021; 275:120866. [PMID: 34044258 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells differ from normal cells in several important features like anchorage independence, Warburg effect and mechanosensing. Further, in recent studies, they respond aberrantly to external mechanical distortion. Consistent with altered mechano-responsiveness, we find that cyclic stretching of tumor cells from many different tissues reduces growth rate and causes apoptosis on soft surfaces. Surprisingly, normal cells behave similarly when transformed by depletion of the rigidity sensor protein (Tropomyosin 2.1). Restoration of rigidity sensing in tumor cells promotes rigidity dependent mechanical behavior, i.e. cyclic stretching enhances growth and reduces apoptosis on soft surfaces. The mechanism of mechanical apoptosis (mechanoptosis) of transformed cells involves calcium influx through the mechanosensitive channel, Piezo1 that activates calpain 2 dependent apoptosis through the BAX molecule and subsequent mitochondrial activation of caspase 3 on both fibronetin and collagen matrices. Thus, it is possible to selectively kill tumor cells by mechanical perturbations, while stimulating the growth of normal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Tijore
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 117411, Singapore
| | - Mingxi Yao
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 117411, Singapore
| | - Yu-Hsiu Wang
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 117411, Singapore
| | - Anushya Hariharan
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 117411, Singapore
| | - Yasaman Nematbakhsh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117575, Singapore
| | - Bryant Lee Doss
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 117411, Singapore
| | - Chwee Teck Lim
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 117411, Singapore; Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117575, Singapore; Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Michael Sheetz
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 117411, Singapore; Molecular Mechanomedicine Program, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
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45
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Runel G, Lopez-Ramirez N, Chlasta J, Masse I. Biomechanical Properties of Cancer Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040887. [PMID: 33924659 PMCID: PMC8069788 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the crucial role of the microenvironment has been highlighted, many studies have been focused on the role of biomechanics in cancer cell growth and the invasion of the surrounding environment. Despite the search in recent years for molecular biomarkers to try to classify and stratify cancers, much effort needs to be made to take account of morphological and nanomechanical parameters that could provide supplementary information concerning tissue complexity adaptation during cancer development. The biomechanical properties of cancer cells and their surrounding extracellular matrix have actually been proposed as promising biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. The present review first describes the main methods used to study the mechanical properties of cancer cells. Then, we address the nanomechanical description of cultured cancer cells and the crucial role of the cytoskeleton for biomechanics linked with cell morphology. Finally, we depict how studying interaction of tumor cells with their surrounding microenvironment is crucial to integrating biomechanical properties in our understanding of tumor growth and local invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaël Runel
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, CNRS-UMR5286, INSREM U1052, Université de Lyon, F-69008 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
- BioMeca, F-69008 Lyon, France;
| | - Noémie Lopez-Ramirez
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, CNRS-UMR5286, INSREM U1052, Université de Lyon, F-69008 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
| | | | - Ingrid Masse
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, CNRS-UMR5286, INSREM U1052, Université de Lyon, F-69008 Lyon, France; (G.R.); (N.L.-R.)
- Correspondence:
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Acharya BR. Can mechanical forces attune heterotypic cell-cell communications? J Biomech 2021; 121:110409. [PMID: 33845355 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Heterotypic cell lineages relentlessly exchange biomechanical signals among themselves in metazoan organs. Hence, cell-cell communications are pivotal for organ physiology and pathogenesis. Every cell lineage of an organ responds differently to a specific signal due to its unique receptibility and signal interpretation capacity. These distinct cellular responses generate a system-scale signaling network that helps in generating a specific organ phenotype. Although the reciprocal biochemical signal exchange between non-identical neighboring cells is known to be an essential factor for organ functioning, if, then how, mechanical cues incite these signals is not yet quite explored. Cells within organ tissues experience multiple mechanical forces, such as stretching, bending, compression, and shear stress. Forms and magnitudes of mechanical forces influence biochemical signaling in a cell-specific manner. Additionally, the biophysical state of acellular extracellular matrix (ECM) can transmit exclusive mechanical cues to specific cells of an organ. As it scaffolds heterotypic cells and tissues in close proximities, therefore, ECM can easily be contemplated as a mechanical conduit for signal exchange among them. However, force-stimulated signal transduction is not always physiological, aberrant force sensing by tissue-resident cells can transduce anomalous signals to each other, and potentially can promote pathological phenotypes. Herein, I attempt to put forward a perspective on how mechanical forces may influence signal transductions among heterotypic cell populations and how they feedback each other to achieve a transient or perpetual alteration in metazoan organs. A mechanistic insight of organ scale mechanotransduction can emanate the possibility of finding potential biomarkers and novel therapeutic strategies to deal with pathogenesis and organ regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bipul R Acharya
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, USA.
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47
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Bhingardive V, Le Saux G, Edri A, Porgador A, Schvartzman M. Nanowire Based Guidance of the Morphology and Cytotoxic Activity of Natural Killer Cells. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2007347. [PMID: 33719212 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202007347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The cytotoxic activity of natural killer (NK) cells is regulated by many chemical and physical cues, whose integration mechanism is still obscure. Here, a multifunctional platform is engineered for NK cell stimulation, to study the effect of the signal integration and spatial heterogeneity on NK cell function. The platform is based on nanowires, whose mechanical compliance and site-selective tip functionalization with antigens produce the physical and chemical stimuli, respectively. The nanowires are confined to micron-sized islands, which induce a splitting of the NK cells into two subpopulations with distinct morphologies and immune responses: NK cells atop the nanowire islands display symmetrical spreading and enhanced activation, whereas cells lying in the straits between the islands develop elongated profiles and show lower activation levels. The demonstrated tunability of NK cell cytotoxicity provides an important insight into the mechanism of their immune function and introduces a novel technological route for the ex vivo shaping of cytotoxic lymphocytes in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viraj Bhingardive
- Department of Materials Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Guillaume Le Saux
- Department of Materials Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Avishay Edri
- Genetics Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Angel Porgador
- Genetics Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Mark Schvartzman
- Department of Materials Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva, 84105, Israel
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Lee J, Abdeen AA, Li Y, Goonetilleke S, Kilian KA. Gradient and Dynamic Hydrogel Materials to Probe Dynamics in Cancer Stem Cell Phenotypes. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c01263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Junmin Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, California 90064, United States
| | - Amr A. Abdeen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Yanfen Li
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Shamalee Goonetilleke
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Kristopher A. Kilian
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- School of Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
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In search of the correlation between nanomechanical and biomolecular properties of prostate cancer cells with different metastatic potential. Arch Biochem Biophys 2020; 697:108718. [PMID: 33296690 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2020.108718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nanomechanical properties of living cells, as measured with atomic force microscopy (AFM), are increasingly recognized as criteria that differentiate normal and pathologically altered cells. Locally measured cell elastic properties, described by the parameter known as Young's modulus, are currently proposed as a new diagnostic parameter that can be used at the early stage of cancer detection. In this study, local mechanical properties of normal human prostate (RWPE-1) cells and a range of malignant (22Rv1) and metastatic prostate cells (LNCaP, Du145 and PC3) were investigated. It was found that non-malignant prostate cells are stiffer than cancer cells while the metastatic cells are much softer than malignant cells from the primary tumor site. Next, the biochemical properties of the cells were measured using confocal Raman (RS) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopies to reveal these cells' biochemical composition as malignant transformation proceeds. Nanomechanical and biochemical profiles of five different prostate cell lines were subsequently analyzed using partial least squares regression (PLSR) in order to identify which spectral features of the RS and FT-IR spectra correlate with the cell's elastic properties. The PLSR-based model could predict Young's modulus values based on both RS and FT-IR spectral information. These outcomes show not only that AFM, RS and FT-IR techniques can be used for discrimination between normal and cancer cells, but also that a linear correlation between mechanical response and biomolecular composition of the cells that undergo malignant transformation can be found. This knowledge broadens our understanding of how prostate cancer cells evolve thorough the multistep process of tumor pathogenesis.
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Veerasubramanian PK, Trinh A, Akhtar N, Liu WF, Downing TL. Biophysical and epigenetic regulation of cancer stemness, invasiveness and immune action. CURRENT TISSUE MICROENVIRONMENT REPORTS 2020; 1:277-300. [PMID: 33817661 PMCID: PMC8015331 DOI: 10.1007/s43152-020-00021-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The tumor microenvironment (TME) is an amalgam of multiple dysregulated biophysical cues that can alter cellular behavior through mechanotransductive signaling and epigenetic modifications. Through this review, we seek to characterize the extent of biophysical and epigenetic regulation of cancer stemness and tumor-associated immune cells in order to identify ideal targets for cancer therapy. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies have identified cancer stemness and immune action as significant contributors to neoplastic disease, due to their susceptibility to microenvironmental influences. Matrix stiffening, altered vasculature, and resultant hypoxia within the TME can influence cancer stem cell (CSC) and immune cell behavior, as well as alter the epigenetic landscapes involved in cancer development. SUMMARY This review highlights the importance of aberrant biophysical cues in driving cancer progression through altered behavior of CSCs and immune cells, which in turn sustains further biophysical dysregulation. We examine current and potential therapeutic approaches that break this self-sustaining cycle of disease progression by targeting the presented biophysical and epigenetic signatures of cancer. We also summarize strategies including the normalization of the TME, targeted drug delivery, and inhibition of cancer-enabling epigenetic players.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Krishna Veerasubramanian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Annie Trinh
- The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Navied Akhtar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Wendy F. Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Timothy L. Downing
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
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