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Liu Z, Fan Y, Cui M, Wang X, Zhao P. Investigation of tumour environments through advancements in microtechnology and nanotechnology. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 178:117230. [PMID: 39116787 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117230] [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: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 07/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer has a significant negative social and economic impact on both developed and developing countries. As a result, understanding the onset and progression of cancer is critical for developing therapies that can improve the well-being and health of individuals with cancer. With time, study has revealed, the tumor microenvironment has great influence on this process. Micro and nanoscale engineering techniques can be used to study the tumor microenvironment. Nanoscale and Microscale engineering use Novel technologies and designs with small dimensions to recreate the TME. Knowing how cancer cells interact with one another can help researchers develop therapeutic approaches that anticipate and counteract cancer cells' techniques for evading detection and fighting anti-cancer treatments, such as microfabrication techniques, microfluidic devices, nanosensors, and nanodevices used to study or recreate the tumor microenvironment. Nevertheless, a complicated action just like the growth and in cancer advancement, and their intensive association along the environment around it that has to be studied in more detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Liu
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, China
| | - Yan Fan
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Mengyao Cui
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Breast Surgery, General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Breast Surgery, General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Pengfei Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, China.
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Suryavanshi P, Bodas D. Knockout cancer by nano-delivered immunotherapy using perfusion-aided scaffold-based tumor-on-a-chip. Nanotheranostics 2024; 8:380-400. [PMID: 38751938 PMCID: PMC11093718 DOI: 10.7150/ntno.87818] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a multifactorial disease produced by mutations in the oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, which result in uncontrolled cell proliferation and resistance to cell death. Cancer progresses due to the escape of altered cells from immune monitoring, which is facilitated by the tumor's mutual interaction with its microenvironment. Understanding the mechanisms involved in immune surveillance evasion and the significance of the tumor microenvironment might thus aid in developing improved therapies. Although in vivo models are commonly utilized, they could be better for time, cost, and ethical concerns. As a result, it is critical to replicate an in vivo model and recreate the cellular and tissue-level functionalities. A 3D cell culture, which gives a 3D architecture similar to that found in vivo, is an appropriate model. Furthermore, numerous cell types can be cocultured, establishing cellular interactions between TME and tumor cells. Moreover, microfluidics perfusion can provide precision flow rates, thus simulating tissue/organ function. Immunotherapy can be used with the perfused 3D cell culture technique to help develop successful therapeutics. Immunotherapy employing nano delivery can target the spot and silence the responsible genes, ensuring treatment effectiveness while minimizing adverse effects. This study focuses on the importance of 3D cell culture in understanding the pathophysiology of 3D tumors and TME, the function of TME in drug resistance, tumor progression, and the development of advanced anticancer therapies for high-throughput drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Suryavanshi
- Nanobioscience Group, Agharkar Research Institute, G.G. Agarkar Road, Pune 411 004 India
- Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune 411 007 India
| | - Dhananjay Bodas
- Nanobioscience Group, Agharkar Research Institute, G.G. Agarkar Road, Pune 411 004 India
- Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune 411 007 India
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Bouquerel C, Dubrova A, Hofer I, Phan DTT, Bernheim M, Ladaigue S, Cavaniol C, Maddalo D, Cabel L, Mechta-Grigoriou F, Wilhelm C, Zalcman G, Parrini MC, Descroix S. Bridging the gap between tumor-on-chip and clinics: a systematic review of 15 years of studies. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:3906-3935. [PMID: 37592893 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00531c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Over the past 15 years, the field of oncology research has witnessed significant progress in the development of new cell culture models, such as tumor-on-chip (ToC) systems. In this comprehensive overview, we present a multidisciplinary perspective by bringing together physicists, biologists, clinicians, and experts from pharmaceutical companies to highlight the current state of ToC research, its unique features, and the challenges it faces. To offer readers a clear and quantitative understanding of the ToC field, we conducted an extensive systematic analysis of more than 300 publications related to ToC from 2005 to 2022. ToC offer key advantages over other in vitro models by enabling precise control over various parameters. These parameters include the properties of the extracellular matrix, mechanical forces exerted on cells, the physico-chemical environment, cell composition, and the architecture of the tumor microenvironment. Such fine control allows ToC to closely replicate the complex microenvironment and interactions within tumors, facilitating the study of cancer progression and therapeutic responses in a highly representative manner. Importantly, by incorporating patient-derived cells or tumor xenografts, ToC models have demonstrated promising results in terms of clinical validation. We also examined the potential of ToC for pharmaceutical industries in which ToC adoption is expected to occur gradually. Looking ahead, given the high failure rate of clinical trials and the increasing emphasis on the 3Rs principles (replacement, reduction, refinement of animal experimentation), ToC models hold immense potential for cancer research. In the next decade, data generated from ToC models could potentially be employed for discovering new therapeutic targets, contributing to regulatory purposes, refining preclinical drug testing and reducing reliance on animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Bouquerel
- Macromolécules et Microsystèmes en Biologie et Médecine, UMR 168, Institut Curie, Institut Pierre Gilles de Gennes, 6 rue Jean Calvin, 75005, Paris, France
- Stress and Cancer Laboratory, Inserm, U830, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France
- Fluigent, 67 avenue de Fontainebleau, 94270, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Anastasiia Dubrova
- Macromolécules et Microsystèmes en Biologie et Médecine, UMR 168, Institut Curie, Institut Pierre Gilles de Gennes, 6 rue Jean Calvin, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Isabella Hofer
- Stress and Cancer Laboratory, Inserm, U830, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Duc T T Phan
- Biomedicine Design, Pfizer Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Moencopi Bernheim
- Macromolécules et Microsystèmes en Biologie et Médecine, UMR 168, Institut Curie, Institut Pierre Gilles de Gennes, 6 rue Jean Calvin, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Ségolène Ladaigue
- Stress and Cancer Laboratory, Inserm, U830, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Charles Cavaniol
- Macromolécules et Microsystèmes en Biologie et Médecine, UMR 168, Institut Curie, Institut Pierre Gilles de Gennes, 6 rue Jean Calvin, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Danilo Maddalo
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Luc Cabel
- Institut Curie, Department of Medical Oncology, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Fatima Mechta-Grigoriou
- Stress and Cancer Laboratory, Inserm, U830, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Claire Wilhelm
- Macromolécules et Microsystèmes en Biologie et Médecine, UMR 168, Institut Curie, Institut Pierre Gilles de Gennes, 6 rue Jean Calvin, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Gérard Zalcman
- Stress and Cancer Laboratory, Inserm, U830, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France
- Université Paris Cité, Thoracic Oncology Department, INSERM CIC1425, Bichat Hospital, Cancer Institute AP-HP. Nord, Paris, France.
| | - Maria Carla Parrini
- Stress and Cancer Laboratory, Inserm, U830, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Stéphanie Descroix
- Macromolécules et Microsystèmes en Biologie et Médecine, UMR 168, Institut Curie, Institut Pierre Gilles de Gennes, 6 rue Jean Calvin, 75005, Paris, France
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Johnson A, Reimer S, Childres R, Cupp G, Kohs TCL, McCarty OJT, Kang Y(A. The Applications and Challenges of the Development of In Vitro Tumor Microenvironment Chips. Cell Mol Bioeng 2023; 16:3-21. [PMID: 36660587 PMCID: PMC9842840 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-022-00755-7] [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: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical, yet mechanistically elusive role in tumor development and progression, as well as drug resistance. To better understand the pathophysiology of the complex TME, a reductionist approach has been employed to create in vitro microfluidic models called "tumor chips". Herein, we review the fabrication processes, applications, and limitations of the tumor chips currently under development for use in cancer research. Tumor chips afford capabilities for real-time observation, precise control of microenvironment factors (e.g. stromal and cellular components), and application of physiologically relevant fluid shear stresses and perturbations. Applications for tumor chips include drug screening and toxicity testing, assessment of drug delivery modalities, and studies of transport and interactions of immune cells and circulating tumor cells with primary tumor sites. The utility of tumor chips is currently limited by the ability to recapitulate the nuances of tumor physiology, including extracellular matrix composition and stiffness, heterogeneity of cellular components, hypoxic gradients, and inclusion of blood cells and the coagulome in the blood microenvironment. Overcoming these challenges and improving the physiological relevance of in vitro tumor models could provide powerful testing platforms in cancer research and decrease the need for animal and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Johnson
- Department of Mechanical, Civil, and Biomedical Engineering, George Fox University, 414 N. Meridian Street, #6088, Newberg, OR 97132 USA
| | - Samuel Reimer
- Department of Mechanical, Civil, and Biomedical Engineering, George Fox University, 414 N. Meridian Street, #6088, Newberg, OR 97132 USA
| | - Ryan Childres
- Department of Mechanical, Civil, and Biomedical Engineering, George Fox University, 414 N. Meridian Street, #6088, Newberg, OR 97132 USA
| | - Grace Cupp
- Department of Mechanical, Civil, and Biomedical Engineering, George Fox University, 414 N. Meridian Street, #6088, Newberg, OR 97132 USA
| | - Tia C. L. Kohs
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239 USA
| | - Owen J. T. McCarty
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239 USA
- Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97201 USA
| | - Youngbok (Abraham) Kang
- Department of Mechanical, Civil, and Biomedical Engineering, George Fox University, 414 N. Meridian Street, #6088, Newberg, OR 97132 USA
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Anwar S, Malik JA, Ahmed S, Kameshwar VA, Alanazi J, Alamri A, Ahemad N. Can Natural Products Targeting EMT Serve as the Future Anticancer Therapeutics? MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27227668. [PMID: 36431766 PMCID: PMC9698579 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27227668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the leading cause of death and has remained a big challenge for the scientific community. Because of the growing concerns, new therapeutic regimens are highly demanded to decrease the global burden. Despite advancements in chemotherapy, drug resistance is still a major hurdle to successful treatment. The primary challenge should be identifying and developing appropriate therapeutics for cancer patients to improve their survival. Multiple pathways are dysregulated in cancers, including disturbance in cellular metabolism, cell cycle, apoptosis, or epigenetic alterations. Over the last two decades, natural products have been a major research interest due to their therapeutic potential in various ailments. Natural compounds seem to be an alternative option for cancer management. Natural substances derived from plants and marine sources have been shown to have anti-cancer activity in preclinical settings. They might be proved as a sword to kill cancerous cells. The present review attempted to consolidate the available information on natural compounds derived from plants and marine sources and their anti-cancer potential underlying EMT mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirajudheen Anwar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Hail, Hail 81422, Saudi Arabia
- Molecular Diagnostics Unit and Personalized Treatment, University of Hail, Hail 81422, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence:
| | - Jonaid Ahmad Malik
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Guwahati 781101, Assam, India
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Rupnagar 140001, Punjab, India
| | - Sakeel Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Ahmedabad 382355, Gujarat, India
| | - Verma Abhishek Kameshwar
- Department of Pharmacology, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi 641112, Kerala, India
| | - Jowaher Alanazi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Hail, Hail 81422, Saudi Arabia
- Molecular Diagnostics Unit and Personalized Treatment, University of Hail, Hail 81422, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulwahab Alamri
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Hail, Hail 81422, Saudi Arabia
- Molecular Diagnostics Unit and Personalized Treatment, University of Hail, Hail 81422, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nafees Ahemad
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya 47500, Selangor DE, Malaysia
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In Vitro Human Cancer Models for Biomedical Applications. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092284. [PMID: 35565413 PMCID: PMC9099454 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. While numerous studies have been conducted on cancer treatment, clinical treatment options for cancers are still limited. To date, animal cancer models for cancer therapeutic studies have faced multiple challenges, including inaccuracy in the representation of human cancers, high cost and ethical concerns. Therefore, lab-grown human cancer models are being developed quickly to fulfill the increasing demand for more relevant models in order to improve knowledge of human cancers and to find novel treatments. This review summarizes the development of lab-grown human cancer models for biomedical applications, including cancer therapeutic development, assessment of human tumor biology and discovery of key cancer markers. Abstract Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and its incidence is steadily increasing. Although years of research have been conducted on cancer treatment, clinical treatment options for cancers are still limited. Animal cancer models have been widely used for studies of cancer therapeutics, but these models have been associated with many concerns, including inaccuracy in the representation of human cancers, high cost and ethical issues. Therefore, in vitro human cancer models are being developed quickly to fulfill the increasing demand for more relevant models in order to get a better knowledge of human cancers and to find novel treatments. This review summarizes the development of in vitro human cancer models for biomedical applications. We first review the latest development in the field by detailing various types of in vitro human cancer models, including transwell-based models, tumor spheroids, microfluidic tumor-microvascular systems and scaffold-based models. The advantages and limitations of each model, as well as their biomedical applications, are summarized, including therapeutic development, assessment of tumor cell migration, metastasis and invasion and discovery of key cancer markers. Finally, the existing challenges and future perspectives are briefly discussed.
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Tu TY, Shen YP, Lim SH, Wang YK. A Facile Method for Generating a Smooth and Tubular Vessel Lumen Using a Viscous Fingering Pattern in a Microfluidic Device. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:877480. [PMID: 35586553 PMCID: PMC9108369 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.877480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood vessels are ubiquitous in the human body and play essential roles not only in the delivery of vital oxygen and nutrients but also in many disease implications and drug transportation. Although fabricating in vitro blood vessels has been greatly facilitated through various microfluidic organ-on-chip systems, most platforms that are used in the laboratories suffer from a series of laborious processes ranging from chip fabrication, optimization, and control of physiologic flows in micro-channels. These issues have thus limited the implementation of the technique to broader scientific communities that are not ready to fabricate microfluidic systems in-house. Therefore, we aimed to identify a commercially available microfluidic solution that supports user custom protocol developed for microvasculature-on-a-chip (MVOC). The custom protocol was validated to reliably form a smooth and functional blood vessel using a viscous fingering (VF) technique. Using VF technique, the unpolymerized collagen gel in the media channels was extruded by less viscous fluid through VF passive flow pumping, whereby the fluid volume at the inlet and outlet ports are different. The different diameters of hollow tubes produced by VF technique were carefully investigated by varying the ambient temperature, the pressure of the passive pump, the pre-polymerization time, and the concentration of collagen type I. Subsequently, culturing human umbilical vein endothelial cells inside the hollow structure to form blood vessels validated that the VF-created structure revealed a much greater permeability reduction than the vessel formed without VF patterns, highlighting that a more functional vessel tube can be formed in the proposed methodology. We believe the current protocol is timely and will offer new opportunities in the field of in vitro MVOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Yuan Tu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Medical Device Innovation Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- International Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Ting-Yuan Tu,
| | - Yen-Ping Shen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | | | - Yang-Kao Wang
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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Ronaldson-Bouchard K, Baldassarri I, Tavakol DN, Graney PL, Samaritano M, Cimetta E, Vunjak-Novakovic G. Engineering complexity in human tissue models of cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 184:114181. [PMID: 35278521 PMCID: PMC9035134 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Major progress in the understanding and treatment of cancer have tremendously improved our knowledge of this complex disease and improved the length and quality of patients' lives. Still, major challenges remain, in particular with respect to cancer metastasis which still escapes effective treatment and remains responsible for 90% of cancer related deaths. In recent years, the advances in cancer cell biology, oncology and tissue engineering converged into the engineered human tissue models of cancer that are increasingly recapitulating many aspects of cancer progression and response to drugs, in a patient-specific context. The complexity and biological fidelity of these models, as well as the specific questions they aim to investigate, vary in a very broad range. When selecting and designing these experimental models, the fundamental question is "how simple is complex enough" to accomplish a specific goal of cancer research. Here we review the state of the art in developing and using the human tissue models in cancer research and developmental drug screening. We describe the main classes of models providing different levels of biological fidelity and complexity, discuss their advantages and limitations, and propose a framework for designing an appropriate model for a given study. We close by outlining some of the current needs, opportunities and challenges in this rapidly evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kacey Ronaldson-Bouchard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Ilaria Baldassarri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Daniel Naveed Tavakol
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Pamela L Graney
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Maria Samaritano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Elisa Cimetta
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy; Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Medicine, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA; College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC12-234, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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Barbosa MAG, Xavier CPR, Pereira RF, Petrikaitė V, Vasconcelos MH. 3D Cell Culture Models as Recapitulators of the Tumor Microenvironment for the Screening of Anti-Cancer Drugs. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:190. [PMID: 35008353 PMCID: PMC8749977 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Today, innovative three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models have been proposed as viable and biomimetic alternatives for initial drug screening, allowing the improvement of the efficiency of drug development. These models are gaining popularity, given their ability to reproduce key aspects of the tumor microenvironment, concerning the 3D tumor architecture as well as the interactions of tumor cells with the extracellular matrix and surrounding non-tumor cells. The development of accurate 3D models may become beneficial to decrease the use of laboratory animals in scientific research, in accordance with the European Union's regulation on the 3R rule (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement). This review focuses on the impact of 3D cell culture models on cancer research, discussing their advantages, limitations, and compatibility with high-throughput screenings and automated systems. An insight is also given on the adequacy of the available readouts for the interpretation of the data obtained from the 3D cell culture models. Importantly, we also emphasize the need for the incorporation of additional and complementary microenvironment elements on the design of 3D cell culture models, towards improved predictive value of drug efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie A. G. Barbosa
- Cancer Drug Resistance Group, IPATIMUP—Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.A.G.B.); (C.P.R.X.)
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Cristina P. R. Xavier
- Cancer Drug Resistance Group, IPATIMUP—Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.A.G.B.); (C.P.R.X.)
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Rúben F. Pereira
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
- Biofabrication Group, INEB—Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS—Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Vilma Petrikaitė
- Laboratory of Drug Targets Histopathology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickevičiaus g 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania;
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio al. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - M. Helena Vasconcelos
- Cancer Drug Resistance Group, IPATIMUP—Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (M.A.G.B.); (C.P.R.X.)
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Biological Sciences, FFUP—Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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Cecen B, Karavasili C, Nazir M, Bhusal A, Dogan E, Shahriyari F, Tamburaci S, Buyukoz M, Kozaci LD, Miri AK. Multi-Organs-on-Chips for Testing Small-Molecule Drugs: Challenges and Perspectives. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1657. [PMID: 34683950 PMCID: PMC8540732 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13101657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Organ-on-a-chip technology has been used in testing small-molecule drugs for screening potential therapeutics and regulatory protocols. The technology is expected to boost the development of novel therapies and accelerate the discovery of drug combinations in the coming years. This has led to the development of multi-organ-on-a-chip (MOC) for recapitulating various organs involved in the drug-body interactions. In this review, we discuss the current MOCs used in screening small-molecule drugs and then focus on the dynamic process of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. We also address appropriate materials used for MOCs at low cost and scale-up capacity suitable for high-performance analysis of drugs and commercial high-throughput screening platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berivan Cecen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA; (A.B.); (E.D.); (A.K.M.)
- Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istinye University, Istanbul 34010, Turkey
| | - Christina Karavasili
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Mubashir Nazir
- Department of Microbiology, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar 190011, India;
| | - Anant Bhusal
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA; (A.B.); (E.D.); (A.K.M.)
| | - Elvan Dogan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA; (A.B.); (E.D.); (A.K.M.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
| | - Fatemeh Shahriyari
- Institute of Health Science, Department of Translational Medicine, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Ankara 06800, Turkey;
| | - Sedef Tamburaci
- Izmir Institute of Technology, Graduate Program of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Gulbahce Campus, Izmir 35430, Turkey;
- Izmir Institute of Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Gulbahce Campus, Izmir 35430, Turkey
| | - Melda Buyukoz
- Care of Elderly Program, Vocational School of Health Services, Izmir Democracy University, Izmir 35140, Turkey;
| | - Leyla Didem Kozaci
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Ankara 06800, Turkey;
| | - Amir K. Miri
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA; (A.B.); (E.D.); (A.K.M.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
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11
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Estimation Algorithm for a Hybrid PDE–ODE Model Inspired by Immunocompetent Cancer-on-Chip Experiment. AXIOMS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/axioms10040243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The present work is motivated by the development of a mathematical model mimicking the mechanisms observed in lab-on-chip experiments, made to reproduce on microfluidic chips the in vivo reality. Here we consider the Cancer-on-Chip experiment where tumor cells are treated with chemotherapy drug and secrete chemical signals in the environment attracting multiple immune cell species. The in silico model here proposed goes towards the construction of a “digital twin” of the experimental immune cells in the chip environment to better understand the complex mechanisms of immunosurveillance. To this aim, we develop a tumor-immune microfluidic hybrid PDE–ODE model to describe the concentration of chemicals in the Cancer-on-Chip environment and immune cells migration. The development of a trustable simulation algorithm, able to reproduce the immunocompetent dynamics observed in the chip, requires an efficient tool for the calibration of the model parameters. In this respect, the present paper represents a first methodological work to test the feasibility and the soundness of the calibration technique here proposed, based on a multidimensional spline interpolation technique for the time-varying velocity field surfaces obtained from cell trajectories.
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12
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Wang B, Warden AR, Ding X. The optimization of combinatorial drug therapies: Strategies and laboratorial platforms. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26:2646-2659. [PMID: 34332097 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Designing optimal combinatorial drug therapies is challenging, because the drug interactions depend not only on the drugs involved, but also on their doses. With recent advances, combinatorial drug therapy is closer than ever to clinical application. Herein, we summarize approaches and advances over the past decade for identifying and optimizing drug combination therapies, with innovations across research fields, covering physical laboratory platforms for combination screening to computational models and algorithms designed for synergism prediction and optimization. By comparing different types of approach, we detail a three-step workflow that could maximize the overall optimization efficiency, thus enabling the application of personalized optimization of combinatorial drug therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boqian Wang
- Institute for Personalized Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, PR China
| | - Antony R Warden
- Institute for Personalized Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, PR China
| | - Xianting Ding
- Institute for Personalized Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, PR China.
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13
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Fontana F, Marzagalli M, Sommariva M, Gagliano N, Limonta P. In Vitro 3D Cultures to Model the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13122970. [PMID: 34199324 PMCID: PMC8231786 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13122970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tumor stroma is known to significantly influence cancer initiation and progression. In the last decade, 3D cell cultures have shown potential in modeling the tumor microenvironment. This review summarizes the main features of current 3D models, shedding light on their importance in the study of cancer biology and treatment. Abstract It is now well established that the tumor microenvironment plays a key role in determining cancer growth, metastasis and drug resistance. Thus, it is fundamental to understand how cancer cells interact and communicate with their stroma and how this crosstalk regulates disease initiation and progression. In this setting, 3D cell cultures have gained a lot of interest in the last two decades, due to their ability to better recapitulate the complexity of tumor microenvironment and therefore to bridge the gap between 2D monolayers and animal models. Herein, we present an overview of the 3D systems commonly used for studying tumor–stroma interactions, with a focus on recent advances in cancer modeling and drug discovery and testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Fontana
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (P.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-02-503-18427
| | - Monica Marzagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (P.L.)
| | - Michele Sommariva
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.S.); (N.G.)
| | - Nicoletta Gagliano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.S.); (N.G.)
| | - Patrizia Limonta
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (P.L.)
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14
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Strelez C, Chilakala S, Ghaffarian K, Lau R, Spiller E, Ung N, Hixon D, Yoon AY, Sun RX, Lenz HJ, Katz JE, Mumenthaler SM. Human colorectal cancer-on-chip model to study the microenvironmental influence on early metastatic spread. iScience 2021; 24:102509. [PMID: 34113836 PMCID: PMC8169959 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) progression is a complex process that is not well understood. We describe an in vitro organ-on-chip model that emulates in vivo tissue structure and the tumor microenvironment (TME) to better understand intravasation, an early step in metastasis. The CRC-on-chip incorporates fluid flow and peristalsis-like cyclic stretching and consists of endothelial and epithelial compartments, separated by a porous membrane. On-chip imaging and effluent analyses are used to interrogate CRC progression and the resulting cellular heterogeneity. Mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiles are indicative of a CRC disease state. Tumor cells intravasate from the epithelial channel to the endothelial channel, revealing differences in invasion between aggressive and non-aggressive tumor cells. Tuning the TME by peristalsis-like mechanical forces, the epithelial:endothelial interface, and the addition of fibroblasts influences the invasive capabilities of tumor cells. The CRC-on-chip is a tunable human-relevant model system and a valuable tool to study early invasive events in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly Strelez
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90064, USA
| | - Sujatha Chilakala
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90064, USA
| | - Kimya Ghaffarian
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90064, USA
| | - Roy Lau
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90064, USA
| | - Erin Spiller
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90064, USA
| | - Nolan Ung
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90064, USA
| | - Danielle Hixon
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90064, USA
| | - Ah Young Yoon
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90064, USA
| | - Ren X. Sun
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90064, USA
| | - Heinz-Josef Lenz
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Jonathan E. Katz
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90064, USA
| | - Shannon M. Mumenthaler
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90064, USA
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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15
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Bai J, Khajavi M, Sui L, Fu H, Tarakkad Krishnaji S, Birsner AE, Bazinet L, Kamm RD, D'Amato RJ. Angiogenic responses in a 3D micro-engineered environment of primary endothelial cells and pericytes. Angiogenesis 2021; 24:111-127. [PMID: 32955682 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-020-09746-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis plays a key role in the pathology of diseases such as cancer, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. Understanding the driving forces of endothelial cell migration and organization, as well as the time frame of these processes, can elucidate mechanisms of action of important pathological pathways. Herein, we have developed an organ-specific microfluidic platform recapitulating the in vivo angiogenic microenvironment by co-culturing mouse primary brain endothelial cells with brain pericytes in a three-dimensional (3D) collagen scaffold. As a proof of concept, we show that this model can be used for studying the angiogenic process and further comparing the angiogenic properties between two different common inbred mouse strains, C57BL/6J and 129S1/SvlmJ. We further show that the newly discovered angiogenesis-regulating gene Padi2 promotes angiogenesis through Dll4/Notch1 signaling by an on-chip mechanistic study. Analysis of the interplay between primary endothelial cells and pericytes in a 3D microfluidic environment assists in the elucidation of the angiogenic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Bai
- The Vascular Biology Program and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Mehrdad Khajavi
- The Vascular Biology Program and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lufei Sui
- The Vascular Biology Program and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Haojie Fu
- The Vascular Biology Program and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Amy E Birsner
- The Vascular Biology Program and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lauren Bazinet
- The Vascular Biology Program and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Roger D Kamm
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Robert J D'Amato
- The Vascular Biology Program and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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16
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Wu K, Kuo C, Tu T. A Highly Reproducible Micro U-Well Array Plate Facilitating High-Throughput Tumor Spheroid Culture and Drug Assessment. GLOBAL CHALLENGES (HOBOKEN, NJ) 2021; 5:2000056. [PMID: 33552551 PMCID: PMC7857131 DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202000056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
3D multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTSs) have recently emerged as a landmark for cancer research due to their inherent traits that are physiologically relevant to primary tumor microenvironments. A facile approach-laser-ablated micro U-wells-has been widely adopted in the past decade. However, the differentiation of microwell uniformities and the construction of arrays have all remained elusive. Herein, an improved laser-ablated microwell array technique is proposed that can not only achieve arrayed MCTSs with identical sizes but can also perform high-throughput drug assessments in situ. Three critical laser ablation parameters, including frequency, duty cycle, and pulse number, are investigated to generate microwells flexibly with a range from 170 to 400 μm. The choice of microwells is optimally arranged into an array via precise control of horizontal spacing (d x) and vertical spacing (d y) amenable of cell-loss-free culture during cell seeding. Harvested T24, A549 and Huh-7 MCTSs from the microwell array correspond to approximately 75 to 140 μm in diameter. Anticancer drug screening of cisplatin validated IC50 values in 2D and MCTS conditions are 3.5 versus 9.1 μM (T24), 11.8 versus 277.7 μM (A549) and 33.5 versus 52.8 μM (Huh-7), and the permeability is measured to range from 0.042 to 0.58 μm min-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuang‐Wei Wu
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainan70101Taiwan
| | - Ching‐Te Kuo
- Department of Mechanical and Electro‐Mechanical EngineeringNational Sun Yat‐sen UniversityKaohsiung80400Taiwan
| | - Ting‐Yuan Tu
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainan70101Taiwan
- Medical Device Innovation CenterNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainan70101Taiwan
- International Center for Wound Repair and RegenerationNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainan70101Taiwan
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17
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Moysidou CM, Barberio C, Owens RM. Advances in Engineering Human Tissue Models. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 8:620962. [PMID: 33585419 PMCID: PMC7877542 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.620962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Research in cell biology greatly relies on cell-based in vitro assays and models that facilitate the investigation and understanding of specific biological events and processes under different conditions. The quality of such experimental models and particularly the level at which they represent cell behavior in the native tissue, is of critical importance for our understanding of cell interactions within tissues and organs. Conventionally, in vitro models are based on experimental manipulation of mammalian cells, grown as monolayers on flat, two-dimensional (2D) substrates. Despite the amazing progress and discoveries achieved with flat biology models, our ability to translate biological insights has been limited, since the 2D environment does not reflect the physiological behavior of cells in real tissues. Advances in 3D cell biology and engineering have led to the development of a new generation of cell culture formats that can better recapitulate the in vivo microenvironment, allowing us to examine cells and their interactions in a more biomimetic context. Modern biomedical research has at its disposal novel technological approaches that promote development of more sophisticated and robust tissue engineering in vitro models, including scaffold- or hydrogel-based formats, organotypic cultures, and organs-on-chips. Even though such systems are necessarily simplified to capture a particular range of physiology, their ability to model specific processes of human biology is greatly valued for their potential to close the gap between conventional animal studies and human (patho-) physiology. Here, we review recent advances in 3D biomimetic cultures, focusing on the technological bricks available to develop more physiologically relevant in vitro models of human tissues. By highlighting applications and examples of several physiological and disease models, we identify the limitations and challenges which the field needs to address in order to more effectively incorporate synthetic biomimetic culture platforms into biomedical research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Róisín Meabh Owens
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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18
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Jonckheere S, Adams J, De Groote D, Campbell K, Berx G, Goossens S. Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) as a Therapeutic Target. Cells Tissues Organs 2021; 211:157-182. [PMID: 33401271 DOI: 10.1159/000512218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumour to distant sites and organs throughout the body. It is the primary cause of cancer morbidity and mortality, and is estimated to account for 90% of cancer-related deaths. During the initial steps of the metastatic cascade, epithelial cancer cells undergo an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and as a result become migratory and invasive mesenchymal-like cells while acquiring cancer stem cell properties and therapy resistance. As EMT is involved in such a broad range of processes associated with malignant transformation, it has become an increasingly interesting target for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Anti-EMT therapeutic strategies could potentially not only prevent the invasion and dissemination of cancer cells, and as such prevent the formation of metastatic lesions, but also attenuate cancer stemness and increase the effectiveness of more classical chemotherapeutics. In this review, we give an overview about the pros and cons of therapies targeting EMT and discuss some already existing candidate drug targets and high-throughput screening tools to identify novel anti-EMT compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Jonckheere
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jamie Adams
- Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Dominic De Groote
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kyra Campbell
- Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Geert Berx
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steven Goossens
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium, .,Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium,
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19
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de Oliveira ÉA, Goding CR, Maria-Engler SS. Organotypic Models in Drug Development "Tumor Models and Cancer Systems Biology for the Investigation of Anticancer Drugs and Resistance Development". Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021; 265:269-301. [PMID: 32548785 DOI: 10.1007/164_2020_369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The landscape of cancer treatment has improved over the past decades, aiming to reduce systemic toxicity and enhance compatibility with the quality of life of the patient. However, at the therapeutic level, metastatic cancer remains hugely challenging, based on the almost inevitable emergence of therapy resistance. A small subpopulation of cells able to survive drug treatment termed the minimal residual disease may either harbor resistance-associated mutations or be phenotypically resistant, allowing them to regrow and become the dominant population in the therapy-resistant tumor. Characterization of the profile of minimal residual disease represents the key to the identification of resistance drivers that underpin cancer evolution. Therapeutic regimens must, therefore, be dynamic and tailored to take into account the emergence of resistance as tumors evolve within a complex microenvironment in vivo. This requires the adoption of new technologies based on the culture of cancer cells in ways that more accurately reflect the intratumor microenvironment, and their analysis using omics and system-based technologies to enable a new era in the diagnostics, classification, and treatment of many cancer types by applying the concept "from the cell plate to the patient." In this chapter, we will present and discuss 3D model building and use, and provide comprehensive information on new genomic techniques that are increasing our understanding of drug action and the emergence of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Érica Aparecida de Oliveira
- Skin Biology and Melanoma Lab, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Colin R Goding
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Silvya Stuchi Maria-Engler
- Skin Biology and Melanoma Lab, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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20
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Chi C, Lao Y, Ahmed AHR, Benoy EC, Li C, Dereli‐Korkut Z, Fu BM, Leong KW, Wang S. High-Throughput Tumor-on-a-Chip Platform to Study Tumor-Stroma Interactions and Drug Pharmacokinetics. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e2000880. [PMID: 32965088 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202000880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Drug screening in oncology, especially for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), has high demand but remains unsatisfactory. Currently available models are either nonrepresentative of the complex tumor microenvironment or only suitable for low throughput screening, resulting in a low-yield success for drug development. To tackle these issues, the L-TumorChip system is developed in this study. It is a three-layered microfluidic tumor-on-a-chip platform integrating tumor microvasculature and tumor-stromal microenvironment with high throughput screening capability. Its layered and modular design is readily scalable through simple integration of multiple units. Here, L-TumorChip is validated with a TNBC model. The L-TumorChip system emulates certain tumor-stroma complexities and tumor-endothelium interactions, including TNBC invasion through the leaky microvasculature and angiogenesis. Additionally, with this L-TumorChip, the influence of different stromal cells, including normal fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), on cancer cell growth as well as the stromal effects on drug responses to doxorubicin treatment is investigated. The presence of CAF delays drug pharmacokinetics, while apoptotic responses indicated by caspase-3 activities are higher in coculture with normal fibroblasts. Collectively, the L-TumorChip system represents a translational high-throughput screening toolkit that enables drug screening with a scenario closer to the in vivo conditions. This potential use may therefore facilitate development of new cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun‐Wei Chi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering CUNY‐ The City College of New York New York NY 10031 USA
| | - Yeh‐Hsing Lao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Columbia University New York NY 10027 USA
| | - A. H. Rezwanuddin Ahmed
- Department of Biomedical Engineering CUNY‐ The City College of New York New York NY 10031 USA
| | - Elizabeth C. Benoy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering CUNY‐ The City College of New York New York NY 10031 USA
| | - Chenghai Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering CUNY‐ The City College of New York New York NY 10031 USA
| | - Zeynep Dereli‐Korkut
- Department of Biomedical Engineering CUNY‐ The City College of New York New York NY 10031 USA
| | - Bingmei M. Fu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering CUNY‐ The City College of New York New York NY 10031 USA
| | - Kam W. Leong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Columbia University New York NY 10027 USA
| | - Sihong Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering CUNY‐ The City College of New York New York NY 10031 USA
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21
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Lin CL, Kuo YT, Tsao CH, Shyong YJ, Shih SH, Tu TY. Development of an In Vitro 3D Model for Investigating Ligamentum Flavum Hypertrophy. Biol Proced Online 2020; 22:20. [PMID: 32884451 PMCID: PMC7460798 DOI: 10.1186/s12575-020-00132-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy (LFH) is among the most crucial factors in degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, which can cause back pain, lower extremity pain, cauda equina syndrome and neurogenic claudication. The exact pathogenesis of LFH remains elusive despite extensive research. Most in vitro studies investigating LFH have been carried out using conventional two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures, which do not resemble in vivo conditions, as they lack crucial pathophysiological factors found in three-dimensional (3D) LFH tissue, such as enhanced cell proliferation and cell cluster formation. In this study, we generated ligamentum flavum (LF) clusters using spheroid cultures derived from primary LFH tissue. Results The cultured LF spheroids exhibited good viability and growth on an ultra-low attachment 96-well plate (ULA 96-plate) platform according to live/dead staining. Our results showed that the 100-cell culture continued to grow in size, while the 1000-cell culture maintained its size, and the 5000-cell culture exhibited a decreasing trend in size as the culture time increased; long-term culture was validated for at least 28 days. The LF spheroids also maintained the extracellular matrix (ECM) phenotype, i.e., fibronectin, elastin, and collagen I and III. The 2D culture and 3D culture were further compared by cell cycle and Western blot analyses. Finally, we utilized hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining to demonstrate that the 3D spheroids resembled part of the cell arrangement in LF hypertrophic tissue. Conclusions The developed LF spheroid model has great potential, as it provides a stable culture platform in a 3D model that can further improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of LFH and has applications in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Li Lin
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan.,Skeleton Materials and Bio-compatibility Core Lab, Research Center of Clinical Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan.,Medical Device Innovation Center (MDIC), National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ting Kuo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan
| | - Che-Hao Tsao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan
| | - Yan-Jye Shyong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan.,Institute of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan
| | - Shu-Hsien Shih
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan
| | - Ting-Yuan Tu
- Medical Device Innovation Center (MDIC), National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan.,International Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 70101 Taiwan
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22
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Modelling Epithelial Ovarian Cancer in Mice: Classical and Emerging Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21134806. [PMID: 32645943 PMCID: PMC7370285 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21134806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
High-grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer (HGSC) is the most aggressive subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer. The identification of germline and somatic mutations along with genomic information unveiled by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and other studies has laid the foundation for establishing preclinical models with high fidelity to the molecular features of HGSC. Notwithstanding such progress, the field of HGSC research still lacks a model that is both robust and widely accessible. In this review, we discuss the recent advancements and utility of HGSC genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) to date. Further analysis and critique on alternative approaches to modelling HGSC considers technological advancements in somatic gene editing and modelling prototypic organs, capable of tumorigenesis, on a chip.
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23
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Luque‐González MA, Reis RL, Kundu SC, Caballero D. Human Microcirculation‐on‐Chip Models in Cancer Research: Key Integration of Lymphatic and Blood Vasculatures. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 4:e2000045. [DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Angélica Luque‐González
- 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs—Research Institute on Biomaterials Biodegradables and BiomimeticsUniversity of MinhoHeadquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative MedicineICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra 4805‐017 Barco Braga/Guimarães Portugal
| | - Rui Luis Reis
- 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs—Research Institute on Biomaterials Biodegradables and BiomimeticsUniversity of MinhoHeadquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative MedicineICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra 4805‐017 Barco Braga/Guimarães Portugal
| | - Subhas Chandra Kundu
- 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs—Research Institute on Biomaterials Biodegradables and BiomimeticsUniversity of MinhoHeadquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative MedicineICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra 4805‐017 Barco Braga/Guimarães Portugal
| | - David Caballero
- 3B’s Research Group, I3Bs—Research Institute on Biomaterials Biodegradables and BiomimeticsUniversity of MinhoHeadquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative MedicineICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra 4805‐017 Barco Braga/Guimarães Portugal
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Bai J, Fu H, Bazinet L, Birsner AE, D'Amato RJ. A Method for Developing Novel 3D Cornea-on-a-Chip Using Primary Murine Corneal Epithelial and Endothelial Cells. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:453. [PMID: 32410987 PMCID: PMC7198819 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Microfluidic-based organ-on-a-chip assays with simultaneous coculture of multi-cell types have been widely utilized for basic research and drug development. Here we describe a novel method for a primary cell-based corneal microphysiological system which aims to recapitulate the basic functions of the in vivo cornea and to study topically applied ocular drug permeation. In this study, the protocols for isolating and cultivating primary corneal epithelial cells and endothelial cells from mouse inbred strain C57BL/6J were optimized, to allow for the development of a primary-cell based microfluidic 3D micro-engineered cornea. This tissue unit, by overcoming the limitations of 2D conventional cell culture, supports new investigations on cornea function and facilitates drug delivery testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Bai
- The Vascular Biology Program and Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Haojie Fu
- The Vascular Biology Program and Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lauren Bazinet
- The Vascular Biology Program and Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Amy E Birsner
- The Vascular Biology Program and Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Robert J D'Amato
- The Vascular Biology Program and Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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25
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Fong EJ, Strelez C, Mumenthaler SM. A Perspective on Expanding Our Understanding of Cancer Treatments by Integrating Approaches from the Biological and Physical Sciences. SLAS DISCOVERY 2020; 25:672-683. [PMID: 32297829 PMCID: PMC7372587 DOI: 10.1177/2472555220915830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Multicellular systems such as cancer suffer from immense complexity. It is imperative to capture the heterogeneity of these systems across scales to achieve a deeper understanding of the underlying biology and develop effective treatment strategies. In this perspective article, we will discuss how recent technologies and approaches from the biological and physical sciences have transformed traditional ways of measuring, interpreting, and treating cancer. During the SLAS 2019 Annual Meeting, SBI2 hosted a Special Interest Group (SIG) on this topic. Academic and industry leaders engaged in discussions surrounding what biological model systems are appropriate to study cancer complexity, what assays are necessary to interrogate this complexity, and how physical sciences approaches may be useful to detangle this complexity. In particular, we examined the utility of mathematical models in predicting cancer progression and treatment response when tightly integrated with reproducible, quantitative, and dynamic biological measurements achieved using high-content imaging and analysis. The dialogue centered around the impetus for convergent biosciences, bringing new perspectives to cancer research to further understand this complex adaptive system and successfully intervene therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J Fong
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carly Strelez
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Shannon M Mumenthaler
- Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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26
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Bai J, Wang C. Organoids and Microphysiological Systems: New Tools for Ophthalmic Drug Discovery. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:407. [PMID: 32317971 PMCID: PMC7147294 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Organoids are adept at preserving the inherent complexity of a given cellular environment and when integrated with engineered micro-physiological systems (MPS) present distinct advantages for simulating a precisely controlled geometrical, physical, and biochemical micro-environment. This then allows for real-time monitoring of cell-cell interactions. As a result, the two aforementioned technologies hold significant promise and potential in studying ocular physiology and diseases by replicating specific eye tissue microstructures in vitro. This miniaturized review begins with defining the science behind organoids/MPS and subsequently introducing methods for generating organoids and engineering MPS. Furthermore, we will discuss the current state of organoids and MPS models in retina, cornea surrogates, and other ocular tissue, in regards to physiological/disease conditions. Finally, future prospective on organoid/MPS will be covered here. Organoids and MPS technologies closely recapture the in vivo microenvironment and thusly will continue to provide new understandings in organ functions and novel approaches to drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Bai
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Chunming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau
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Abstract
Cancer is a heterogeneous disease that requires a multimodal approach to diagnose, manage and treat. A better understanding of the disease biology can lead to identification of novel diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers and the discovery of the novel therapeutics with the goal of improving patient outcomes. Employing advanced technologies can facilitate this, enabling better diagnostic and treatment for cancer patients. In this regard, microfluidic technology has emerged as a promising tool in the studies of cancer, including single cancer cell analysis, modeling angiogenesis and metastasis, drug screening and liquid biopsy. Microfluidic technologies have opened new ways to study tumors in the preclinical and clinical settings. In this chapter, we highlight novel application of this technology in area of fundamental, translational and clinical cancer research.
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28
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Swayden M, Soubeyran P, Iovanna J. Upcoming Revolutionary Paths in Preclinical Modeling of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2020; 9:1443. [PMID: 32038993 PMCID: PMC6987422 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, PDAC remains the cancer having the worst prognosis with mortality rates constantly on the rise. Efficient cures are still absent, despite all attempts to understand the aggressive physiopathology underlying this disease. A major stumbling block is the outdated preclinical modeling strategies applied in assessing effectiveness of novel anticancer therapeutics. Current in vitro preclinical models have a low fidelity to mimic the exact architectural and functional complexity of PDAC tumor found in human set, due to the lack of major components such as immune system and tumor microenvironment with its associated chemical and mechanical signals. The existing PDAC preclinical platforms are still far from being reliable and trustworthy to guarantee the success of a drug in clinical trials. Therefore, there is an urgent demand to innovate novel in vitro preclinical models that mirrors with precision tumor-microenvironment interface, pressure of immune system, and molecular and morphological aspects of the PDAC normally experienced within the living organ. This review outlines the traditional preclinical models of PDAC namely 2D cell lines, genetically engineered mice, and xenografts, and describing the present famous approach of 3D organoids. We offer a detailed narration of the pros and cons of each model system. Finally, we suggest the incorporation of two off-center newly born techniques named 3D bio-printing and organs-on-chip and discuss the potentials of swine models and in silico tools, as powerful new tools able to transform PDAC preclinical modeling to a whole new level and open new gates in personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Swayden
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Soubeyran
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Juan Iovanna
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Marseille, France
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29
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Akther F, Little P, Li Z, Nguyen NT, Ta HT. Hydrogels as artificial matrices for cell seeding in microfluidic devices. RSC Adv 2020; 10:43682-43703. [PMID: 35519701 PMCID: PMC9058401 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra08566a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogel-based artificial scaffolds and its incorporation with microfluidic devices play a vital role in shifting in vitro models from two-dimensional (2D) cell culture to in vivo like three-dimensional (3D) cell culture
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahima Akther
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
- The University of Queensland
- Brisbane
- Australia
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre
| | - Peter Little
- School of Pharmacy
- The University of Queensland
- Brisbane
- Australia
| | - Zhiyong Li
- School of Mechanical Medical & Process Engineering
- Queensland University of Technology
- Brisbane
- Australia
| | - Nam-Trung Nguyen
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre
- Griffith University
- Brisbane
- Australia
| | - Hang T. Ta
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
- The University of Queensland
- Brisbane
- Australia
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre
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Chiu CY, Chen YC, Wu KW, Hsu WC, Lin HP, Chang HC, Lee YC, Wang YK, Tu TY. Simple In-House Fabrication of Microwells for Generating Uniform Hepatic Multicellular Cancer Aggregates and Discovering Novel Therapeutics. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 12:E3308. [PMID: 31614495 PMCID: PMC6829256 DOI: 10.3390/ma12203308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models have become powerful tools because they better simulate the in vivo pathophysiological microenvironment than traditional two-dimensional (2D) monolayer cultures. Tumor cells cultured in a 3D system as multicellular cancer aggregates (MCAs) recapitulate several critical in vivo characteristics that enable the study of biological functions and drug discovery. The microwell, in particular, has emerged as a revolutionary technology in the generation of MCAs as it provides geometrically defined microstructures for culturing size-controlled MCAs amenable for various downstream functional assays. This paper presents a simple and economical microwell fabrication methodology that can be conveniently incorporated into a conventional laboratory setting and used for the discovery of therapeutic interventions for liver cancer. The microwells were 400-700 µm in diameter, and hepatic MCAs (Huh-7 cells) were cultured in them for up to 5 days, over which time they grew to 250-520 µm with good viability and shape. The integrability of the microwell fabrication with a high-throughput workflow was demonstrated using a standard 96-well plate for proof-of-concept drug screening. The IC50 of doxorubicin was determined to be 9.3 µM under 2D conditions and 42.8 µM under 3D conditions. The application of photothermal treatment was demonstrated by optimizing concanavalin A-FITC conjugated silica-carbon hollow spheres (SCHSs) at a concentration of 500:200 µg/mL after a 2 h incubation to best bind with MCAs. Based on this concentration, which was appropriate for further photothermal treatment, the relative cell viability was assessed through exposure to a 3 W/cm2 near-infrared laser for 20 min. The relative fluorescence intensity showed an eight-fold reduction in cell viability, confirming the feasibility of using photothermal treatment as a potential therapeutic intervention. The proposed microwell integration is envisioned to serve as a simple in-house technique for the generation of MCAs useful for discovering therapeutic modalities for liver cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiao-Yi Chiu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan (Y.-C.C.); (K.-W.W.); (W.-C.H.)
| | - Ying-Chi Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan (Y.-C.C.); (K.-W.W.); (W.-C.H.)
| | - Kuang-Wei Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan (Y.-C.C.); (K.-W.W.); (W.-C.H.)
| | - Wen-Chien Hsu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan (Y.-C.C.); (K.-W.W.); (W.-C.H.)
| | - Hong-Ping Lin
- Department of Chemistry, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan;
| | - Hsien-Chang Chang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan (Y.-C.C.); (K.-W.W.); (W.-C.H.)
- Medical Device Innovation Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
- Center for Micro/Nano Technology Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Chun Lee
- Center for Micro/Nano Technology Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan;
| | - Yang-Kao Wang
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan;
| | - Ting-Yuan Tu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan (Y.-C.C.); (K.-W.W.); (W.-C.H.)
- Medical Device Innovation Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
- Center for Micro/Nano Technology Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
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31
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Bai J, Kwok WC, Thiery JP. Traditional Chinese Medicine and regulatory roles on epithelial-mesenchymal transitions. Chin Med 2019; 14:34. [PMID: 31558913 PMCID: PMC6755703 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-019-0257-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical biological process allowing epithelial cells to de-differentiate into mesenchymal cells. Orchestrated signaling pathways cooperatively induce EMT and effect physiological, sometimes pathological outcomes. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been clinically prescribed for thousands of years and recent studies have found that TCM therapies can participate in EMT regulation. In this review, the historical discovery of EMT will be introduced, followed by a brief overview of its major roles in development and diseases. The second section will focus on EMT in organ fibrosis and tissue regeneration. The third section discusses EMT-induced cancer metastasis, and details how EMT contribute to distant dissemination. Finally, new EMT players are described, namely microRNA, epigenetic modifications, and alternative splicing. TCM drugs that affect EMT proven through an evidence-based research approach will be presented in each section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Bai
- 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA
| | - Wee Chiew Kwok
- 2Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jean-Paul Thiery
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health, Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
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32
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Trujillo-de Santiago G, Flores-Garza BG, Tavares-Negrete JA, Lara-Mayorga IM, González-Gamboa I, Zhang YS, Rojas-Martínez A, Ortiz-López R, Álvarez MM. The Tumor-on-Chip: Recent Advances in the Development of Microfluidic Systems to Recapitulate the Physiology of Solid Tumors. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 12:E2945. [PMID: 31514390 PMCID: PMC6766252 DOI: 10.3390/ma12182945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The ideal in vitro recreation of the micro-tumor niche-although much needed for a better understanding of cancer etiology and development of better anticancer therapies-is highly challenging. Tumors are complex three-dimensional (3D) tissues that establish a dynamic cross-talk with the surrounding tissues through complex chemical signaling. An extensive body of experimental evidence has established that 3D culture systems more closely recapitulate the architecture and the physiology of human solid tumors when compared with traditional 2D systems. Moreover, conventional 3D culture systems fail to recreate the dynamics of the tumor niche. Tumor-on-chip systems, which are microfluidic devices that aim to recreate relevant features of the tumor physiology, have recently emerged as powerful tools in cancer research. In tumor-on-chip systems, the use of microfluidics adds another dimension of physiological mimicry by allowing a continuous feed of nutrients (and pharmaceutical compounds). Here, we discuss recently published literature related to the culture of solid tumor-like tissues in microfluidic systems (tumor-on-chip devices). Our aim is to provide the readers with an overview of the state of the art on this particular theme and to illustrate the toolbox available today for engineering tumor-like structures (and their environments) in microfluidic devices. The suitability of tumor-on-chip devices is increasing in many areas of cancer research, including the study of the physiology of solid tumors, the screening of novel anticancer pharmaceutical compounds before resourcing to animal models, and the development of personalized treatments. In the years to come, additive manufacturing (3D bioprinting and 3D printing), computational fluid dynamics, and medium- to high-throughput omics will become powerful enablers of a new wave of more sophisticated and effective tumor-on-chip devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grissel Trujillo-de Santiago
- Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León CP 64849, Mexico.
- Departamento de Ingeniería Mecátrónica y Eléctrica, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León CP 64849, Mexico.
| | | | | | - Itzel Montserrat Lara-Mayorga
- Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León CP 64849, Mexico
- Departamento de Ingeniería Mecátrónica y Eléctrica, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León CP 64849, Mexico
| | - Ivonne González-Gamboa
- Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León CP 64849, Mexico
| | - Yu Shrike Zhang
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Augusto Rojas-Martínez
- Centro de Investigación y Transferencia en Salud, Hospital San José, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León CP 64849, Mexico
| | - Rocío Ortiz-López
- Centro de Investigación y Transferencia en Salud, Hospital San José, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León CP 64849, Mexico
| | - Mario Moisés Álvarez
- Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León CP 64849, Mexico.
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Sakthivel K, O'Brien A, Kim K, Hoorfar M. Microfluidic analysis of heterotypic cellular interactions: A review of techniques and applications. Trends Analyt Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2019.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Abstract
One of the problems that has slowed the development and approval of new anticancer therapies is the lack of preclinical models that can be used to identify key molecular, cellular and biophysical features of human cancer progression. This is because most in vitro cancer models fail to faithfully recapitulate the local tissue and organ microenvironment in which tumours form, which substantially contributes to the complex pathophysiology of the disease. More complex in vitro cancer models have been developed, including transwell cell cultures, spheroids and organoids grown within flexible extracellular matrix gels, which better mimic normal and cancerous tissue development than cells maintained on conventional 2D substrates. But these models still lack the tissue-tissue interfaces, organ-level structures, fluid flows and mechanical cues that cells experience within living organs, and furthermore, it is difficult to collect samples from the different tissue microcompartments. In this Review, we outline how recent developments in microfluidic cell culture technology have led to the generation of human organs-on-chips (also known as organ chips) that are now being used to model cancer cell behaviour within human-relevant tissue and organ microenvironments in vitro. Organ chips enable experimentalists to vary local cellular, molecular, chemical and biophysical parameters in a controlled manner, both individually and in precise combinations, while analysing how they contribute to human cancer formation and progression and responses to therapy. We also discuss the challenges that must be overcome to ensure that organ chip models meet the needs of cancer researchers, drug developers and clinicians interested in personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Sontheimer-Phelps
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- Graduate program, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Bryan A Hassell
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Nirrin Analytics, Billerica, MA, USA
| | - Donald E Ingber
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Vascular Biology Program and Department Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Shang M, Soon RH, Lim CT, Khoo BL, Han J. Microfluidic modelling of the tumor microenvironment for anti-cancer drug development. LAB ON A CHIP 2019; 19:369-386. [PMID: 30644496 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00970h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. The complex and disorganized tumor microenvironment makes it very difficult to treat this disease. The most common in vitro drug screening method now is based on 2D culture models which poorly represent actual tumors. Therefore, many 3D tumor models which are more physiologically relevant have been developed to conduct in vitro drug screening and alleviate this situation. Among all these models, the microfluidic tumor model has the unique advantage of recapitulating the tumor microenvironment in a comparatively easier and representative fashion. While there are many review papers available on the related topic of microfluidic tumor models, in this review we aim to focus more on the possibility of generating "clinically actionable information" from these microfluidic systems, besides scientific insight. Our topics cover the tumor microenvironment, conventional 2D and 3D cultures, animal models, and microfluidic tumor models, emphasizing their link to anti-cancer drug discovery and personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menglin Shang
- BioSystems and Micromechanics (BioSyM) IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) Centre, 1, Create Way, Enterprise Wing, 138602, Singapore.
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36
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A three-dimensional engineered heterogeneous tumor model for assessing cellular environment and response. Nat Protoc 2018; 13:1917-1957. [DOI: 10.1038/s41596-018-0022-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Rodenhizer D, Dean T, D'Arcangelo E, McGuigan AP. The Current Landscape of 3D In Vitro Tumor Models: What Cancer Hallmarks Are Accessible for Drug Discovery? Adv Healthc Mater 2018; 7:e1701174. [PMID: 29350495 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201701174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Revised: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cancer prognosis remains a lottery dependent on cancer type, disease stage at diagnosis, and personal genetics. While investment in research is at an all-time high, new drugs are more likely to fail in clinical trials today than in the 1970s. In this review, a summary of current survival statistics in North America is provided, followed by an overview of the modern drug discovery process, classes of models used throughout different stages, and challenges associated with drug development efficiency are highlighted. Then, an overview of the cancer hallmarks that drive clinical progression is provided, and the range of available clinical therapies within the context of these hallmarks is categorized. Specifically, it is found that historically, the development of therapies is limited to a subset of possible targets. This provides evidence for the opportunities offered by novel disease-relevant in vitro models that enable identification of novel targets that facilitate interactions between the tumor cells and their surrounding microenvironment. Next, an overview of the models currently reported in literature is provided, and the cancer biology they have been used to explore is highlighted. Finally, four priority areas are suggested for the field to accelerate adoption of in vitro tumour models for cancer drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren Rodenhizer
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied ChemistryUniversity of Toronto 200 College Street Toronto M5S 3E5 Canada
| | - Teresa Dean
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Toronto 200 College Street Toronto M5S 3E5 Canada
| | - Elisa D'Arcangelo
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Toronto 200 College Street Toronto M5S 3E5 Canada
| | - Alison P. McGuigan
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry & Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Toronto 200 College Street Toronto M5S 3E5 Canada
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38
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Wang X, Yu Y, Li M, Alkhawaji A, Chen C, Liu X, Jiang J, Zhang J, Wang Z, Li T, Zhang W, Mei J. EPCs enhance angiogenesis in renal regeneration. Oncotarget 2018; 7:44941-44949. [PMID: 27384488 PMCID: PMC5216696 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Decellularized renal scaffolds have previously been used for renal regeneration following partial nephrectomy, in which angiogenesis played a key role. In this study, rats underwent partial nephrectomy and repaired with decellularized renal scaffolds. Subsequently, the labeled EPCs were intravenously injected into rats in EPCs group, and the control group received an equal amount of phosphate-buffer saline (PBS). We chose 1, 2 and 4 weeks post operation as time point. Average microvascular density (aMVD) analyses revealed higher angiogenesis in EPCs group compared with the control group. The expression of angiogenic growth factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and hypoxia-inducible factors 1-alpha (HIF-1α), was generally higher in the EPCs group in all weeks (1, 2 and 4), and peaked in week 2. EPCs were observed to home into renal injury site, promoting angiogenesis across the renal parenchyma-scaffold interface to be potentially used as bridges for EPCs to migrate into the implanted scaffolds. Administration of exogenous EPCs promotes angiogenesis and vasculogenesis in decellularized renal scaffolds-mediated renal regeneration, providing adequate microenvironment for kidney recovery post renal injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.,Department of Hand Surgery, Ningbo No.6 Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Yaling Yu
- Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Anatomy Department, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Miaozhong Li
- Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.,Department of Hand Surgery, Ningbo No.6 Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Ali Alkhawaji
- Department of Anatomy, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Chuan Chen
- Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Xiaolin Liu
- Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Anatomy Department, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Junqun Jiang
- Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Anatomy Department, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jianse Zhang
- Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Anatomy Department, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhibin Wang
- Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Anatomy Department, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ting Li
- Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Anatomy Department, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Weiwen Zhang
- Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.,Department of Hand Surgery, Ningbo No.6 Hospital, Ningbo, China
| | - Jin Mei
- Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Anatomy Department, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Institute of Neuroscience, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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39
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Chen YC, Chiu WT, Chang C, Wu PC, Tu TY, Lin HP, Chang HC. Chemo-photothermal effects of doxorubicin/silica–carbon hollow spheres on liver cancer. RSC Adv 2018; 8:36775-36784. [PMID: 35558959 PMCID: PMC9089277 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra08538b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemo-photothermal therapy, which exhibits synergistic effects, is more effective than either of the treatments administered alone because of its superior ability to target and destroy cancer cells. An anti-cancer compound (doxorubicin, DOX) was embedded in silica–carbon hollow spheres (SCHSs) using heat and vacuum to integrate multi-therapeutic effects onto one platform and subsequently improve the anti-cancer efficacy. SCHSs were synthesized via a surface activation method and its highly porous surface enhanced the loading content of the desired drug. SCHSs are an infrared photothermal material that can destroy targeted cells by heating under near-infrared (NIR) laser illumination at 808 nm. NIR laser illumination also enhances DOX release from SCHSs to increase the anti-cancer efficiency of DOX–loaded SCHSs (DOX–SCHSs) in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional multicellular tumor spheroid cultures. SCHSs exhibited high heat-generating ability and pH-responsive drug delivery. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that DOX–SCHSs represent a potential tool for chemo-photothermal therapy due to its photothermal effects. Thus, our findings imply that the high cancer cell killing efficiency of DOX–SCHSs induced by NIR illumination can be used for the treatment of tumors. SCHSs were applied as vectors for drug delivery and thermal production under NIR laser irradiation. DOX-loaded SCHSs conjugated with ConA were found to kill liver cancer cells efficiently.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Chi Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- National Cheng Kung University
- Taiwan
| | - Wen-Tai Chiu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- National Cheng Kung University
- Taiwan
- Medical Device Innovation Center
- National Cheng Kung University
| | - Chin Chang
- Department of Chemistry
- National Cheng Kung University
- Taiwan
| | - Ping-Ching Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- National Cheng Kung University
- Taiwan
- Medical Device Innovation Center
- National Cheng Kung University
| | - Ting-Yuan Tu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- National Cheng Kung University
- Taiwan
- Medical Device Innovation Center
- National Cheng Kung University
| | - Hong-Ping Lin
- Department of Chemistry
- National Cheng Kung University
- Taiwan
- Center for Micro/Nano Science and Technology Research
- National Cheng Kung University
| | - Hsien-Chang Chang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- National Cheng Kung University
- Taiwan
- Medical Device Innovation Center
- National Cheng Kung University
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40
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Um E, Oh JM, Granick S, Cho YK. Cell migration in microengineered tumor environments. LAB ON A CHIP 2017; 17:4171-4185. [PMID: 28971203 DOI: 10.1039/c7lc00555e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in microengineered cell migration platforms are discussed critically with a focus on how cell migration is influenced by engineered tumor microenvironments, the medical relevance being to understand how tumor microenvironments may promote or suppress the progression of cancer. We first introduce key findings in cancer cell migration under the influence of the physical environment, which is systematically controlled by microengineering technology, followed by multi-cues of physico-chemical factors, which represent the complexity of the tumor environment. Recognizing that cancer cells constantly communicate not only with each other but also with tumor-associated cells such as vascular, fibroblast, and immune cells, and also with non-cellular components, it follows that cell motility in tumor microenvironments, especially metastasis via the invasion of cancer cells into the extracellular matrix and other tissues, is closely related to the malignancy of cancer-related mortality. Medical relevance of forefront research realized in microfabricated devices, such as single cell sorting based on the analysis of cell migration behavior, may assist personalized theragnostics based on the cell migration phenotype. Furthermore, we urge development of theory and numerical understanding of single or collective cell migration in microengineered platforms to gain new insights in cancer metastasis and in therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eujin Um
- Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
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41
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Ozcelikkale A, Moon HR, Linnes M, Han B. In vitro microfluidic models of tumor microenvironment to screen transport of drugs and nanoparticles. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2017; 9:10.1002/wnan.1460. [PMID: 28198106 PMCID: PMC5555839 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Advances in nanotechnology have enabled numerous types of nanoparticles (NPs) to improve drug delivery to tumors. While many NP systems have been proposed, their clinical translation has been less than anticipated primarily due to failure of current preclinical evaluation techniques to adequately model the complex interactions between the NP and physiological barriers of tumor microenvironment. This review focuses on microfluidic tumor models for characterization of delivery efficacy and toxicity of cancer nanomedicine. Microfluidics offer significant advantages over traditional macroscale cell cultures by enabling recapitulation of tumor microenvironment through precise control of physiological cues such as hydrostatic pressure, shear stress, oxygen, and nutrient gradients. Microfluidic systems have recently started to be adapted for screening of drugs and NPs under physiologically relevant settings. So far the two primary application areas of microfluidics in this area have been high-throughput screening using traditional culture settings such as single cells or multicellular tumor spheroids, and mimicry of tumor microenvironment for study of cancer-related cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. These microfluidic technologies are also useful in modeling specific steps in NP delivery to tumor and characterize NP transport properties and outcomes by systematic variation of physiological conditions. Ultimately, it will be possible to design drug-screening platforms uniquely tailored for individual patient physiology using microfluidics. These in vitro models can contribute to development of precision medicine by enabling rapid and patient-specific evaluation of cancer nanomedicine. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2017, 9:e1460. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1460 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
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Affiliation(s)
- Altug Ozcelikkale
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Hye-ran Moon
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Michael Linnes
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Bumsoo Han
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA,
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42
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Vu TQ, de Castro RMB, Qin L. Bridging the gap: microfluidic devices for short and long distance cell-cell communication. LAB ON A CHIP 2017; 17:1009-1023. [PMID: 28205652 PMCID: PMC5473339 DOI: 10.1039/c6lc01367h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Cell-cell communication is a crucial component of many biological functions. For example, understanding how immune cells and cancer cells interact, both at the immunological synapse and through cytokine secretion, can help us understand and improve cancer immunotherapy. The study of how cells communicate and form synaptic connections is important in neuroscience, ophthalmology, and cancer research. But in order to increase our understanding of these cellular phenomena, better tools need to be developed that allow us to study cell-cell communication in a highly controlled manner. Some technical requirements for better communication studies include manipulating cells spatiotemporally, high resolution imaging, and integrating sensors. Microfluidics is a powerful platform that has the ability to address these requirements and other current limitations. In this review, we describe some new advances in microfluidic technologies that have provided researchers with novel methods to study intercellular communication. The advantages of microfluidics have allowed for new capabilities in both single cell-cell communication and population-based communication. This review highlights microfluidic communication devices categorized as "short distance", or primarily at the single cell level, and "long distance", which mostly encompasses population level studies. Future directions and translation/commercialization will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Quang Vu
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030, USA and Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Ricardo Miguel Bessa de Castro
- College of Engineering, Swansea University Singleton Park, Swansea, UK and Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Lidong Qin
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA. and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
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43
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Vasculature-On-A-Chip for In Vitro Disease Models. Bioengineering (Basel) 2017; 4:bioengineering4010008. [PMID: 28952486 PMCID: PMC5590435 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering4010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascularization, the formation of new blood vessels, is an essential biological process. As the vasculature is involved in various fundamental physiological phenomena and closely related to several human diseases, it is imperative that substantial research is conducted on characterizing the vasculature and its related diseases. A significant evolution has been made to describe the vascularization process so that in vitro recapitulation of vascularization is possible. The current microfluidic systems allow elaborative research on the effects of various cues for vascularization, and furthermore, in vitro technologies have a great potential for being applied to the vascular disease models for studying pathological events and developing drug screening platforms. Here, we review methods of fabrication for microfluidic assays and inducing factors for vascularization. We also discuss applications using engineered vasculature such as in vitro vascular disease models, vasculature in organ-on-chips and drug screening platforms.
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44
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Abstract
The significant parallels between cell plasticity during embryonic development and carcinoma progression have helped us understand the importance of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human disease. Our expanding knowledge of EMT has led to a clarification of the EMT program as a set of multiple and dynamic transitional states between the epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes, as opposed to a process involving a single binary decision. EMT and its intermediate states have recently been identified as crucial drivers of organ fibrosis and tumor progression, although there is some need for caution when interpreting its contribution to metastatic colonization. Here, we discuss the current state-of-the-art and latest findings regarding the concept of cellular plasticity and heterogeneity in EMT. We raise some of the questions pending and identify the challenges faced in this fast-moving field.
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45
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Bhadriraju K, Hong JS, Lund SP, Reyes DR. Fibronectin in Layer-by-Layer Assembled Films Switches Tumor Cells between 2D and 3D Morphology. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2017; 3. [PMID: 31093521 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.7b00608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Tumor cells showing a 3D morphology and in coculture with endothelial cells are a valuable in vitro model for studying cell-cell interactions and for the development of pharmaceuticals. Here, we found that HepG2 cells, unlike endothelial cells, show differences in adhesion to fibronectin alone, or in combination with poly(allylamine hydrochloride). This response allowed us to engineer micropatterned heterotypic cultures of the two cell types using microfluidics to pattern cell adhesion. The resulting cocultures exhibit spatially encoded and physiologically relevant cell function. Further, we found that the protrusive, migratory and 3D morphological responses of HepG2 are synergistically modulated by the constituents of the hybrid extracellular matrix. Treating the hybrid material with the cross-linking enzyme transglutaminase inhibited 3D morphogenesis of tumor cells. Our results extend previous work on the role of fibronectin in layer-by-layer assembled films, and demonstrate that cell-specific differences in adhesion to fibronectin can be used to engineer tumor cell cocultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Bhadriraju
- Engineering Physics Division, Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8120, United States
| | - Jennifer S Hong
- Engineering Physics Division, Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8120, United States
| | - Steven P Lund
- Statistical Engineering Division, Information Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8120, United States
| | - Darwin R Reyes
- Engineering Physics Division, Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8120, United States
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46
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Samatov TR, Galatenko VV, Block A, Shkurnikov MY, Tonevitsky AG, Schumacher U. Novel biomarkers in cancer: The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Semin Cancer Biol 2016; 45:50-57. [PMID: 27639751 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2016.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The major issues hampering progress in the treatment of cancer patients are distant metastases and drug resistance to chemotherapy. Metastasis formation is a very complex process, and looking at gene signatures alone is not enough to get deep insight into it. This paper reviews traditional and novel approaches to identify gene signature biomarkers and intratumoural fluid pressure both as a novel way of creating predictive markers and as an obstacle to cancer therapy. Finally recently developed in vitro systems to predict the response of individual patient derived cancer explants to chemotherapy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timur R Samatov
- SRC Bioclinicum, Ugreshskaya str 2/85, 115088, Moscow, Russia; Moscow State University of Mechanical Engineering, Bolshaya Semenovskaya str 38, 107023, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir V Galatenko
- SRC Bioclinicum, Ugreshskaya str 2/85, 115088, Moscow, Russia; Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 119991, Moscow, Russia; National Research University Higher School of Economics, Kochnovsky Pass 3, 125319 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andreas Block
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maxim Yu Shkurnikov
- P. Hertsen Moscow Oncology Research Institute, National Center of Medical Radiological Research, 3 Second Botkinsky Lane, Moscow, 125284, Russia
| | - Alexander G Tonevitsky
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 119991, Moscow, Russia; P. Hertsen Moscow Oncology Research Institute, National Center of Medical Radiological Research, 3 Second Botkinsky Lane, Moscow, 125284, Russia
| | - Udo Schumacher
- Department of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany, Germany.
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47
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Fong ELS, Harrington DA, Farach-Carson MC, Yu H. Heralding a new paradigm in 3D tumor modeling. Biomaterials 2016; 108:197-213. [PMID: 27639438 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.08.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Revised: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Numerous studies to date have contributed to a paradigm shift in modeling cancer, moving from the traditional two-dimensional culture system to three-dimensional (3D) culture systems for cancer cell culture. This led to the inception of tumor engineering, which has undergone rapid advances over the years. In line with the recognition that tumors are not merely masses of proliferating cancer cells but rather, highly complex tissues consisting of a dynamic extracellular matrix together with stromal, immune and endothelial cells, significant efforts have been made to better recapitulate the tumor microenvironment in 3D. These approaches include the development of engineered matrices and co-cultures to replicate the complexity of tumor-stroma interactions in vitro. However, the tumor engineering and cancer biology fields have traditionally relied heavily on the use of cancer cell lines as a cell source in tumor modeling. While cancer cell lines have contributed to a wealth of knowledge in cancer biology, the use of this cell source is increasingly perceived as a major contributing factor to the dismal failure rate of oncology drugs in drug development. Backing this notion is the increasing evidence that tumors possess intrinsic heterogeneity, which predominantly homogeneous cancer cell lines poorly reflect. Tumor heterogeneity contributes to therapeutic resistance in patients. To overcome this limitation, cancer cell lines are beginning to be replaced by primary tumor cell sources, in the form of patient-derived xenografts and organoids cultures. Moving forward, we propose that further advances in tumor engineering would require that tumor heterogeneity (tumor variants) be taken into consideration together with tumor complexity (tumor-stroma interactions). In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of what has been achieved in recapitulating tumor complexity, and discuss the importance of incorporating tumor heterogeneity into 3D in vitro tumor models. This work carves out the roadmap for 3D tumor engineering and highlights some of the challenges that need to be addressed as we move forward into the next chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliza L S Fong
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | | | | | - Hanry Yu
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore; Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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48
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Adriani G, Pavesi A, Tan AT, Bertoletti A, Thiery JP, Kamm RD. Microfluidic models for adoptive cell-mediated cancer immunotherapies. Drug Discov Today 2016; 21:1472-1478. [PMID: 27185084 PMCID: PMC5035566 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2016.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Revised: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Current adoptive T cell therapies have shown promising results in clinical trials but need further development as an effective cancer treatment. Here, we discuss how 3D microfluidic tumour models mimicking the tumour microenvironment could help in testing T cell immunotherapies by assessing engineered T cells and identifying combinatorial therapy to improve therapeutic efficacy. We propose that 3D microfluidic systems can be used to screen different patient-specific treatments, thereby reducing the burden of in vivo testing and facilitating the rapid translation of successful T cell cancer immunotherapies to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Adriani
- Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, BioSyM IRG, 1 Create Way, 138602, Singapore
| | - Andrea Pavesi
- Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, BioSyM IRG, 1 Create Way, 138602, Singapore
| | - Anthony T Tan
- DUKE-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore, Emerging Infectious Disease Program, 8 College Road, 169857, Singapore
| | - Antonio Bertoletti
- DUKE-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore, Emerging Infectious Disease Program, 8 College Road, 169857, Singapore
| | - Jean Paul Thiery
- National University of Singapore, Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine MD7, 8 Medical Drive, 117597, Singapore
| | - Roger D Kamm
- Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, BioSyM IRG, 1 Create Way, 138602, Singapore; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biological Engineering, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, 02139 Cambridge, MA, USA.
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49
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Targeting Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) to Overcome Drug Resistance in Cancer. Molecules 2016; 21:molecules21070965. [PMID: 27455225 PMCID: PMC6273543 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21070965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 511] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 07/16/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is known to play an important role in cancer progression, metastasis and drug resistance. Although there are controversies surrounding the causal relationship between EMT and cancer metastasis, the role of EMT in cancer drug resistance has been increasingly recognized. Numerous EMT-related signaling pathways are involved in drug resistance in cancer cells. Cells undergoing EMT show a feature similar to cancer stem cells (CSCs), such as an increase in drug efflux pumps and anti-apoptotic effects. Therefore, targeting EMT has been considered a novel opportunity to overcome cancer drug resistance. This review describes the mechanism by which EMT contributes to drug resistance in cancer cells and summarizes new advances in research in EMT-associated drug resistance.
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50
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Penny HL, Sieow JL, Adriani G, Yeap WH, See Chi Ee P, San Luis B, Lee B, Lee T, Mak SY, Ho YS, Lam KP, Ong CK, Huang RYJ, Ginhoux F, Rotzschke O, Kamm RD, Wong SC. Warburg metabolism in tumor-conditioned macrophages promotes metastasis in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Oncoimmunology 2016; 5:e1191731. [PMID: 27622062 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2016.1191731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Revised: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) face a clinically intractable disease with poor survival rates, attributed to exceptionally high levels of metastasis. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is pronounced at inflammatory foci within the tumor; however, the immunological mechanisms promoting tumor dissemination remain unclear. It is well established that tumors exhibit the Warburg effect, a preferential use of glycolysis for energy production, even in the presence of oxygen, to support rapid growth. We hypothesized that the metabolic pathways utilized by tumor-infiltrating macrophages are altered in PDAC, conferring a pro-metastatic phenotype. We generated tumor-conditioned macrophages in vitro, in which human peripheral blood monocytes were cultured with conditioned media generated from normal pancreatic or PDAC cell lines to obtain steady-state and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), respectively. Compared with steady-state macrophages, TAMs promoted vascular network formation, augmented extravasation of tumor cells out of blood vessels, and induced higher levels of EMT. TAMs exhibited a pronounced glycolytic signature in a metabolic flux assay, corresponding with elevated glycolytic gene transcript levels. Inhibiting glycolysis in TAMs with a competitive inhibitor to Hexokinase II (HK2), 2-deoxyglucose (2DG), was sufficient to disrupt this pro-metastatic phenotype, reversing the observed increases in TAM-supported angiogenesis, extravasation, and EMT. Our results indicate a key role for metabolic reprogramming of tumor-infiltrating macrophages in PDAC metastasis, and highlight the therapeutic potential of using pharmacologics to modulate these metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hweixian Leong Penny
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Biomedical Sciences Institute, ASTAR , Immunos, Singapore
| | - Je Lin Sieow
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Biomedical Sciences Institute, ASTAR , Immunos, Singapore
| | - Giulia Adriani
- BioSystems and Micromechanics IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) , Singapore
| | - Wei Hseun Yeap
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Biomedical Sciences Institute, ASTAR , Immunos, Singapore
| | - Peter See Chi Ee
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Biomedical Sciences Institute, ASTAR , Immunos, Singapore
| | - Boris San Luis
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Biomedical Sciences Institute, ASTAR , Immunos, Singapore
| | - Bernett Lee
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Biomedical Sciences Institute, ASTAR , Immunos, Singapore
| | | | - Shi Ya Mak
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute, ASTAR , Centros, Singapore
| | - Ying Swan Ho
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute, ASTAR , Centros, Singapore
| | - Kong Peng Lam
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute, ASTAR , Centros, Singapore
| | - Choon Kiat Ong
- NCCS-VARI Translational Research Laboratory, National Cancer Center , Singapore
| | - Ruby Y J Huang
- Centre for Translational Medicine NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, CSI Singapore , Singapore
| | - Florent Ginhoux
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Biomedical Sciences Institute, ASTAR , Immunos, Singapore
| | - Olaf Rotzschke
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Biomedical Sciences Institute, ASTAR , Immunos, Singapore
| | - Roger D Kamm
- BioSystems and Micromechanics IRG, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), Singapore; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Siew Cheng Wong
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Biomedical Sciences Institute, ASTAR , Immunos, Singapore
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