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Sankhe CS, Sacco JL, Lawton J, Fair RA, Soares DVR, Aldahdooh MKR, Gomez ED, Gomez EW. Breast Cancer Cells Exhibit Mesenchymal-Epithelial Plasticity Following Dynamic Modulation of Matrix Stiffness. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024:e2400087. [PMID: 38977422 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202400087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) is essential for tissue and organ development and is thought to contribute to cancer by enabling the establishment of metastatic lesions. Despite its importance in both health and disease, there is a lack of in vitro platforms to study MET and little is known about the regulation of MET by mechanical cues. Here, hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels with dynamic and tunable stiffnesses mimicking that of normal and tumorigenic mammary tissue are synthesized. The platform is then utilized to examine the response of mammary epithelial cells and breast cancer cells to dynamic modulation of matrix stiffness. Gradual softening of the hydrogels reduces proliferation and increases apoptosis of breast cancer cells. Moreover, breast cancer cells exhibit temporal changes in cell morphology, cytoskeletal organization, and gene expression that are consistent with mesenchymal-epithelial plasticity as the stiffness of the matrix is reduced. A reduction in matrix stiffness attenuates the expression of integrin-linked kinase, and inhibition of integrin-linked kinase impacts proliferation, apoptosis, and gene expression in cells cultured on stiff and dynamic hydrogels. Overall, these findings reveal intermediate epithelial/mesenchymal states as cells move along a matrix stiffness-mediated MET trajectory and suggest an important role for matrix mechanics in regulating mesenchymal-epithelial plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinmay S Sankhe
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Jessica L Sacco
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Jacob Lawton
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Ryan A Fair
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | | | - Mohammed K R Aldahdooh
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Enrique D Gomez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Esther W Gomez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
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Rodríguez-Bejarano OH, Parra-López C, Patarroyo MA. A review concerning the breast cancer-related tumour microenvironment. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 199:104389. [PMID: 38734280 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is currently the most common malignant tumour in women and one of the leading causes of their death around the world. New and increasingly personalised diagnostic and therapeutic tools have been introduced over the last few decades, along with significant advances regarding the study and knowledge related to BC. The tumour microenvironment (TME) refers to the tumour cell-associated cellular and molecular environment which can influence conditions affecting tumour development and progression. The TME is composed of immune cells, stromal cells, extracellular matrix (ECM) and signalling molecules secreted by these different cell types. Ever deeper understanding of TME composition changes during tumour development and progression will enable new and more innovative therapeutic strategies to become developed for targeting tumours during specific stages of its evolution. This review summarises the role of BC-related TME components and their influence on tumour progression and the development of resistance to therapy. In addition, an account on the modifications in BC-related TME components associated with therapy is given, and the completed or ongoing clinical trials related to this topic are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Hernán Rodríguez-Bejarano
- Health Sciences Faculty, Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales (U.D.C.A), Calle 222#55-37, Bogotá 111166, Colombia; Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Carrera 50#26-20, Bogotá 111321, Colombia; PhD Programme in Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 45#26-85, Bogotá 111321, Colombia
| | - Carlos Parra-López
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 45#26-85, Bogotá 111321, Colombia.
| | - Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo
- Molecular Biology and Immunology Department, Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC), Carrera 50#26-20, Bogotá 111321, Colombia; Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 45#26-85, Bogotá 111321, Colombia.
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3
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Jansson M, Lindberg J, Rask G, Svensson J, Billing O, Nazemroaya A, Berglund A, Wärnberg F, Sund M. Stromal Type I Collagen in Breast Cancer: Correlation to Prognostic Biomarkers and Prediction of Chemotherapy Response. Clin Breast Cancer 2024; 24:e360-e369.e4. [PMID: 38485557 DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2024.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fibrillar collagens accumulate in the breast cancer stroma and appear as poorly defined spiculated masses in mammography imaging. The prognostic value of tissue type I collagen remains elusive in treatment-naïve and chemotherapy-treated breast cancer patients. Here, type I collagen mRNA and protein expression were analysed in 2 large independent breast cancer cohorts. Levels were related to clinicopathological parameters, prognostic biomarkers, and outcome. METHOD COL1A1 mRNA expression was analysed in 2509 patients with breast cancer obtained from the cBioPortal database. Type I collagen protein expression was studied by immunohistochemistry in 1395 women diagnosed with early invasive breast cancer. RESULTS Low COL1A1 mRNA and protein levels correlated with poor prognosis features, such as hormone receptor negativity, high histological grade, triple-negative subtype, node positivity, and tumour size. In unadjusted analysis, high stromal type I collagen protein expression was associated with improved overall survival (OS) (HR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.61-0.99, p = .043) and trended towards improved breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) (HR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.42-1.01, P = 0.053), although these findings were lost after adjustment for other clinical variables. In unadjusted analysis, high expression of type I collagen was associated with better OS (HR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.55-0.90, P = .006) and BCSS (HR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.34-0.88, P = .014) among patients not receiving chemotherapy. Strikingly, the opposite was observed among patients receiving chemotherapy. There, high expression of type I collagen was instead associated with worse OS (HR = 1.83, 95% CI = 0.65-5.14, P = .25) and BCSS (HR = 1.72, 95% CI = 0.54-5.50, P = .357). CONCLUSION Low stromal type I collagen mRNA and protein expression are associated with unfavourable tumour characteristics in breast cancer. Stromal type I collagen might predict chemotherapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Jansson
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Sciences/Surgery, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Jessica Lindberg
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Sciences/Surgery, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Gunilla Rask
- Department of Medical Biosciences/Pathology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Johan Svensson
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Sciences/Surgery, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Department of Statistics, Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ola Billing
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Sciences/Surgery, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Anette Berglund
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Sciences/Surgery, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Wärnberg
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Malin Sund
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Sciences/Surgery, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Department of Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
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Jones A, Netto J, Foote T, Ruliffson B, Whittington C. Combined effects of matrix stiffness and obesity-associated signaling directs progressive phenotype in PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.11.598541. [PMID: 38915620 PMCID: PMC11195209 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.11.598541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Obesity is a leading risk factor of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) that contributes to poor disease prognosis and outcomes. Retrospective studies have identified this link, but interactions surrounding obesity and PDAC are still unclear. Research has shifted to contributions of fibrosis (desmoplasia) on malignancy, which involves increased deposition of collagens and other extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules and increased ECM crosslinking, all of which contribute to increased tissue stiffening. However, fibrotic stiffening is underrepresented as a model feature in current PDAC models. Fibrosis is shared between PDAC and obesity, and can be leveraged for in vitro model design, as current animal obesity models of PDAC are limited in their ability to isolate individual components of fibrosis to study cell behavior. In the current study, methacrylated type I collagen (PhotoCol®) was photo-crosslinked to pathological stiffness levels to recapitulate fibrotic ECM stiffening. PANC-1 cells were encapsulated within PhotoCol®, and the tumor-tissue constructs were prepared to represent normal (healthy) (~600 Pa) and pathological (~2000 Pa) tissues. Separately, human mesenchymal stem cells were differentiated into adipocytes representing lean (2D differentiation) and obese fat tissue (3D collagen matrix differentiation), and conditioned media was applied to PANC-1 tumor-tissue constructs. Conditioned media from obese adipocytes showed increased vimentin expression, a hallmark of invasiveness and progression, that was not seen after exposure to media from lean adipocytes or control media. Characterization of the obese adipocyte secretome suggested that some PANC-1 differences may arise from increased interleukin-8 and -10 compared to lean adipocytes. Additionally, high matrix stiffness associated induced an amoeboid morphology in PANC-1 cells that was not present at low stiffness. Amoeboid morphology is an accessory to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and is used to navigate complex ECM environments. This plasticity has greater implications for treatment efficacy of metastatic cancers. Overall, this work 1) highlights the importance of investigating PDAC-obesity interactions to study the effects on disease progression and persistence, 2) establishes PhotoCol® as a matrix material that can be leveraged to study amoeboid morphology and invasion in PDAC, and 3) emphasizes the importance of integrating both biophysical and biochemical interactions associated within both pathologies for in vitro PDAC models.
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Affiliation(s)
- A.E Jones
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Department of Biomedical Engineering
| | - J.F. Netto
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Department of Biomedical Engineering
| | - T.L. Foote
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Department of Biomedical Engineering
| | - B.N.K. Ruliffson
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Department of Biomedical Engineering
| | - C.F. Whittington
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Department of Biomedical Engineering
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5
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Yamada A, Kitano S, Matsusaki M. Cellular memory function from 3D to 2D: Three-dimensional high density collagen microfiber cultures induce their resistance to reactive oxygen species. Mater Today Bio 2024; 26:101097. [PMID: 38827038 PMCID: PMC11140783 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell properties generally change when the culture condition is changed. However, mesenchymal stem cells cultured on a hard material surface maintain their differentiation characteristics even after being cultured on a soft material surface. This phenomenon suggests the possibility of a cell culture material to memorize stem cell function even in changing cell culture conditions. However, there are no reports about cell memory function in three-dimensional (3D) culture. In this study, colon cancer cells were cultured with collagen microfibers (CMF) in 3D to evaluate their resistance to reactive oxygen species (ROS) in comparison with a monolayer (2D) culture condition and to understand the effect of 3D-culture on cell memory function. The ratio of ROS-negative cancer cells in 3D culture increased with increasing amounts of CMF and the highest amount of CMF was revealed to be 35-fold higher than that of the 2D condition. The ROS-negative cells ratio was maintained for 7 days after re-seeding in a 2D culture condition, suggesting a 3D-memory function of ROS resistance. The findings of this study will open up new opportunities for 3D culture to induce cell memory function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asuka Yamada
- TOPPAN HOLDINGS INC. Business Development Division, Technical Research Institute, Takanodaiminami, Sugito-machi, Saitama 345-8508, Japan
- Joint Research Laboratory (TOPPAN) for Advanced Cell Regulatory Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Shiro Kitano
- TOPPAN HOLDINGS INC. Business Development Division, Technical Research Institute, Takanodaiminami, Sugito-machi, Saitama 345-8508, Japan
- Joint Research Laboratory (TOPPAN) for Advanced Cell Regulatory Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Michiya Matsusaki
- Joint Research Laboratory (TOPPAN) for Advanced Cell Regulatory Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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6
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Dhaouadi S, Bouhaouala-Zahar B, Orend G. Tenascin-C targeting strategies in cancer. Matrix Biol 2024; 130:1-19. [PMID: 38642843 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Tenascin-C (TNC) is a matricellular and multimodular glycoprotein highly expressed under pathological conditions, especially in cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases. Since a long time TNC is considered as a promising target for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in anti-cancer treatments and was already extensively targeted in clinical trials on cancer patients. This review provides an overview of the current most advanced strategies used for TNC detection and anti-TNC theranostic approaches including some advanced clinical strategies. We also discuss novel treatment protocols, where targeting immune modulating functions of TNC could be center stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayda Dhaouadi
- Laboratoire des Venins et Biomolécules Thérapeutiques, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Balkiss Bouhaouala-Zahar
- Laboratoire des Venins et Biomolécules Thérapeutiques, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia; Faculté de Médecine de Tunis, Université Tunis el Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Gertraud Orend
- INSERM U1109, The Tumor Microenvironment laboratory, Université Strasbourg, Hôpital Civil, Institut d'Hématologie et d'Immunologie, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg, France.
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7
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Kazakova AN, Lukina MM, Anufrieva KS, Bekbaeva IV, Ivanova OM, Shnaider PV, Slonov A, Arapidi GP, Shender VO. Exploring the diversity of cancer-associated fibroblasts: insights into mechanisms of drug resistance. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1403122. [PMID: 38818409 PMCID: PMC11137237 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1403122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Among the various stromal cell types within the tumor microenvironment, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) emerge as the predominant constituent, exhibiting a diverse array of oncogenic functions not intrinsic to normal fibroblasts. Their involvement spans across all stages of tumorigenesis, encompassing initiation, progression, and metastasis. Current understanding posits the coexistence of distinct subpopulations of CAFs within the tumor microenvironment across a spectrum of solid tumors, showcasing both pro- and antitumor activities. Recent advancements in single-cell transcriptomics have revolutionized our ability to meticulously dissect the heterogeneity inherent to CAF populations. Furthermore, accumulating evidence underscores the pivotal role of CAFs in conferring therapeutic resistance to tumors against various drug modalities. Consequently, efforts are underway to develop pharmacological agents specifically targeting CAFs. Methods: This review embarks on a comprehensive analysis, consolidating data from 36 independent single-cell RNA sequencing investigations spanning 17 distinct human malignant tumor types. Results: Our exploration centers on elucidating CAF population markers, discerning their prognostic relevance, delineating their functional contributions, and elucidating the underlying mechanisms orchestrating chemoresistance. Discussion: Finally, we deliberate on the therapeutic potential of harnessing CAFs as promising targets for intervention strategies in clinical oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia N. Kazakova
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), Dolgoprudny, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria M. Lukina
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Ksenia S. Anufrieva
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina V. Bekbaeva
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Olga M. Ivanova
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Polina V. Shnaider
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey Slonov
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
| | - Georgij P. Arapidi
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), Dolgoprudny, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Victoria O. Shender
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia
- Shemyakin–Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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Major G, Ahn M, Cho WW, Santos M, Wise J, Phillips E, Wise SG, Jang J, Rnjak-Kovacina J, Woodfield T, Lim KS. Programming temporal stiffness cues within extracellular matrix hydrogels for modelling cancer niches. Mater Today Bio 2024; 25:101004. [PMID: 38420142 PMCID: PMC10900776 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffening is a common occurrence during the progression of many diseases, such as breast cancer. To accurately mimic the pathophysiological context of disease within 3D in vitro models, there is high demand for smart biomaterials which replicate the dynamic and temporal mechanical cues of diseased states. This study describes a preclinical disease model, using breast cancer as an example, which replicates the dynamic plasticity of the tumour microenvironment by incorporating temporal (3-week progression) biomechanical cues within a tissue-specific hydrogel microenvironment. The composite hydrogel formulation, integrating adipose-derived decellularised ECM (AdECM) and silk fibroin, was initially crosslinked using a visible light-mediated system, and then progressively stiffened through spontaneous secondary structure interactions inherent between the polymer chains (∼10-15 kPa increase, with a final stiffness of 25 kPa). When encapsulated and cultured in vitro, MCF-7 breast cancer cells initially formed numerous, large spheroids (>1000 μm2 in area), however, with progressive temporal stiffening, cells demonstrated growth arrest and underwent phenotypic changes resulting in intratumoral heterogeneity. Unlike widely-investigated static mechanical models, this stiffening hydrogel allowed for progressive phenotypic changes to be observed, and fostered the development of mature organoid-like spheroids, which mimicked both the organisation and acinar-structures of mature breast epithelium. The spheroids contained a central population of cells which expressed aggressive cellular programs, evidenced by increased fibronectin expression and reduction of E-cadherin. The phenotypic heterogeneity observed using this model is more reflective of physiological tumours, demonstrating the importance of establishing temporal cues within preclinical models in future work. Overall, the developed model demonstrated a novel strategy to uncouple ECM biomechanical properties from the cellular complexities of the disease microenvironment and offers the potential for wide applicability in other 3D in vitro disease models through addition of tissue-specific dECM materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gretel Major
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Centre for Bioengineering & Nanomedicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Minjun Ahn
- Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, South Korea
| | - Won-Woo Cho
- Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, South Korea
| | - Miguel Santos
- Applied Materials Group, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jessika Wise
- Mackenzie Cancer Research Group, Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Elisabeth Phillips
- Mackenzie Cancer Research Group, Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Steven G Wise
- Applied Materials Group, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jinah Jang
- Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, South Korea
| | - Jelena Rnjak-Kovacina
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Tyree Institute of Health Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Tim Woodfield
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Centre for Bioengineering & Nanomedicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Khoon S Lim
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Centre for Bioengineering & Nanomedicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Light-Activated Materials Group, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Australia
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9
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Zeng T, Chen H, Yoshitomi T, Kawazoe N, Yang Y, Chen G. Effect of Hydrogel Stiffness on Chemoresistance of Breast Cancer Cells in 3D Culture. Gels 2024; 10:202. [PMID: 38534620 DOI: 10.3390/gels10030202] [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: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy is one of the most common strategies for cancer treatment, whereas drug resistance reduces the efficiency of chemotherapy and leads to treatment failure. The mechanism of emerging chemoresistance is complex and the effect of extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding cells may contribute to drug resistance. Although it is well known that ECM plays an important role in orchestrating cell functions, it remains exclusive how ECM stiffness affects drug resistance. In this study, we prepared agarose hydrogels of different stiffnesses to investigate the effect of hydrogel stiffness on the chemoresistance of breast cancer cells to doxorubicin (DOX). Agarose hydrogels with a stiffness range of 1.5 kPa to 112.3 kPa were prepared and used to encapsulate breast cancer cells for a three-dimensional culture with different concentrations of DOX. The viability of the cells cultured in the hydrogels was dependent on both DOX concentration and hydrogel stiffness. Cell viability decreased with DOX concentration when the cells were cultured in the same stiffness hydrogels. When DOX concentration was the same, breast cancer cells showed higher viability in high-stiffness hydrogels than they did in low-stiffness hydrogels. Furthermore, the expression of P-glycoprotein mRNA in high-stiffness hydrogels was higher than that in low-stiffness hydrogels. The results suggested that hydrogel stiffness could affect the resistance of breast cancer cells to DOX by regulating the expression of chemoresistance-related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianjiao Zeng
- Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba 305-0044, Japan
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8577, Japan
| | - Huajian Chen
- Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba 305-0044, Japan
| | - Toru Yoshitomi
- Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba 305-0044, Japan
| | - Naoki Kawazoe
- Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba 305-0044, Japan
| | - Yingnan Yang
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan
| | - Guoping Chen
- Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba 305-0044, Japan
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8577, Japan
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10
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Mishra J, Chakraborty S, Niharika, Roy A, Manna S, Baral T, Nandi P, Patra SK. Mechanotransduction and epigenetic modulations of chromatin: Role of mechanical signals in gene regulation. J Cell Biochem 2024; 125:e30531. [PMID: 38345428 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Mechanical forces may be generated within a cell due to tissue stiffness, cytoskeletal reorganization, and the changes (even subtle) in the cell's physical surroundings. These changes of forces impose a mechanical tension within the intracellular protein network (both cytosolic and nuclear). Mechanical tension could be released by a series of protein-protein interactions often facilitated by membrane lipids, lectins and sugar molecules and thus generate a type of signal to drive cellular processes, including cell differentiation, polarity, growth, adhesion, movement, and survival. Recent experimental data have accentuated the molecular mechanism of this mechanical signal transduction pathway, dubbed mechanotransduction. Mechanosensitive proteins in the cell's plasma membrane discern the physical forces and channel the information to the cell interior. Cells respond to the message by altering their cytoskeletal arrangement and directly transmitting the signal to the nucleus through the connection of the cytoskeleton and nucleoskeleton before the information despatched to the nucleus by biochemical signaling pathways. Nuclear transmission of the force leads to the activation of chromatin modifiers and modulation of the epigenetic landscape, inducing chromatin reorganization and gene expression regulation; by the time chemical messengers (transcription factors) arrive into the nucleus. While significant research has been done on the role of mechanotransduction in tumor development and cancer progression/metastasis, the mechanistic basis of force-activated carcinogenesis is still enigmatic. Here, in this review, we have discussed the various cues and molecular connections to better comprehend the cellular mechanotransduction pathway, and we also explored the detailed role of some of the multiple players (proteins and macromolecular complexes) involved in mechanotransduction. Thus, we have described an avenue: how mechanical stress directs the epigenetic modifiers to modulate the epigenome of the cells and how aberrant stress leads to the cancer phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagdish Mishra
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Subhajit Chakraborty
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Niharika
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Ankan Roy
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Soumen Manna
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Tirthankar Baral
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Piyasa Nandi
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Samir K Patra
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
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11
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Jahin I, Phillips T, Marcotti S, Gorey MA, Cox S, Parsons M. Extracellular matrix stiffness activates mechanosensitive signals but limits breast cancer cell spheroid proliferation and invasion. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1292775. [PMID: 38125873 PMCID: PMC10731024 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1292775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is characterized by physical changes that occur in the tumor microenvironment throughout growth and metastasis of tumors. Extracellular matrix stiffness increases as tumors develop and spread, with stiffer environments thought to correlate with poorer disease prognosis. Changes in extracellular stiffness and other physical characteristics are sensed by integrins which integrate these extracellular cues to intracellular signaling, resulting in modulation of proliferation and invasion. However, the co-ordination of mechano-sensitive signaling with functional changes to groups of tumor cells within 3-dimensional environments remains poorly understood. Here we provide evidence that increasing the stiffness of collagen scaffolds results in increased activation of ERK1/2 and YAP in human breast cancer cell spheroids. We also show that ERK1/2 acts upstream of YAP activation in this context. We further demonstrate that YAP, matrix metalloproteinases and actomyosin contractility are required for collagen remodeling, proliferation and invasion in lower stiffness scaffolds. However, the increased activation of these proteins in higher stiffness 3-dimensional collagen gels is correlated with reduced proliferation and reduced invasion of cancer cell spheroids. Our data collectively provide evidence that higher stiffness 3-dimensional environments induce mechano-signaling but contrary to evidence from 2-dimensional studies, this is not sufficient to promote pro-tumorigenic effects in breast cancer cell spheroids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Maddy Parsons
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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12
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Buonvino S, Arciero I, Martinelli E, Seliktar D, Melino S. Modelling the disease: H 2S-sensitivity and drug-resistance of triple negative breast cancer cells can be modulated by embedding in isotropic micro-environment. Mater Today Bio 2023; 23:100862. [PMID: 38046276 PMCID: PMC10689286 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems provide more physiologically relevant information, representing more accurately the actual microenvironment where cells reside in tissues. However, the differences between the tissue culture plate (TCP) and 3D culture systems in terms of tumour cell growth, proliferation, migration, differentiation and response to the treatment have not been fully elucidated. Tumoroid microspheres containing the MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cell line were prepared using either tunable PEG-fibrinogen (PFs) or tunable PEG-silk fibroin (PSFs) hydrogels, respectively named MDAPFs and MDAPSFs. The cancer cells in the tumoroids showed changes both in globular morphology and at the protein expression level. A decrease of both Histone H3 acetylation and cyclin D1 expression in all 3D systems, compared to the 2D cell culture, was detected in parallel to changes of the matrix stiffness. The effects of a glutathionylated garlic extract (GSGa), a slow H2S-releasing donor, were investigated on both tumoroid systems. A pro-apoptotic effect of GSGa on tumour cell growth in 2D culture was observed as opposed to a pro-proliferative effect apparent in both MDAPFs and MDAPSFs. A dedicated ad hoc 3D cell migration chip was designed and optimized for studying tumour cell invasion in a gel-in-gel configuration. An anti-cell-invasion effect of the GSGa was observed in the 2D cell culture, whereas a pro-migratory effect in both MDAPFs and MDAPSFs was observed in the 3D cell migration chip assay. An increase of cyclin D1 expression after GSGa treatment was observed in agreement with an increase of the cell invasion index. Our results suggest that the "dimensionality" and the stiffness of the 3D cell culture milieu can change the response to both the gasotransmitter H2S and doxorubicin due to differences in both H2S diffusion and changes in protein expression. Moreover, we uncovered a direct relation between the cyclin D1 expression and the stiffness of the 3D cell culture milieu, suggesting the potential causal involvement of the cyclin D1 as a bio-marker for sensitivity of the tumour cells to their matrix stiffness. Therefore, our hydrogel-based tumoroids represent a valid tunable model for studying the physically induced transdifferentiation (PiT) of cancer cells and as a more reliable and predictive in vitro screening platform to investigate the effects of anti-tumour drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Buonvino
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Arciero
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenio Martinelli
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Studies on Lab-on -Chip and Organ-on-Chip Applications, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Dror Seliktar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, 3200003, Haifa, Israel
| | - Sonia Melino
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
- NAST Centre, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’, Rome, Italy
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13
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Zheng Y, Zhou R, Cai J, Yang N, Wen Z, Zhang Z, Sun H, Huang G, Guan Y, Huang N, Shi M, Liao Y, Bin J, Liao W. Matrix Stiffness Triggers Lipid Metabolic Cross-talk between Tumor and Stromal Cells to Mediate Bevacizumab Resistance in Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases. Cancer Res 2023; 83:3577-3592. [PMID: 37610655 PMCID: PMC10618741 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Bevacizumab is an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody that plays an important role in the combination treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. However, resistance remains a major hurdle limiting bevacizumab efficacy, highlighting the importance of identifying a mechanism of antiangiogenic therapy resistance. Here, we investigated biophysical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) related to metabolic processes and acquired resistance to bevacizumab. Evaluation of paired pre- and posttreatment samples of liver metastases from 20 colorectal cancer patients treated with combination bevacizumab therapy, including 10 responders and 10 nonresponders, indicated that ECM deposition in liver metastases and a highly activated fatty acid oxidation (FAO) pathway were elevated in nonresponders after antiangiogenic therapy compared with responders. In mouse models of liver metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), anti-VEGF increased ECM deposition and FAO in colorectal cancer cells, and treatment with the FAO inhibitor etomoxir enhanced the efficacy of antiangiogenic therapy. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) were essential for matrix stiffness-mediated FAO in colon cancer cells. Matrix stiffness activated lipolysis in HSCs via the focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/yes-associated protein (YAP) pathway, and free fatty acids secreted by HSCs were absorbed as metabolic substrates and activated FAO in colon cancer cells. Suppressing HSC lipolysis using FAK and YAP inhibition enhanced the efficacy of anti-VEGF therapy. Together, these results indicate that bevacizumab-induced ECM remodeling triggers lipid metabolic cross-talk between colon cancer cells and HSCs. This metabolic mechanism of bevacizumab resistance mediated by the physical tumor microenvironment represents a potential therapeutic target for reversing drug resistance. SIGNIFICANCE Extracellular matrix stiffening drives bevacizumab resistance by stimulating hepatic stellate cells to provide fuel for mCRC cells in the liver, indicating a potential metabolism-based therapeutic strategy for overcoming resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannan Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Rui Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianan Cai
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Nanyan Yang
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhaowei Wen
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhihua Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Huiying Sun
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Genjie Huang
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yijin Guan
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Na Huang
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Min Shi
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yulin Liao
- Department of Cardiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianping Bin
- Department of Cardiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wangjun Liao
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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14
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Yu TY, Zhang G, Chai XX, Ren L, Yin DC, Zhang CY. Recent progress on the effect of extracellular matrix on occurrence and progression of breast cancer. Life Sci 2023; 332:122084. [PMID: 37716504 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122084] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) metastasis is an enormous challenge targeting BC therapy. The extracellular matrix (ECM), the principal component of the BC metastasis niche, is the pivotal driver of breast tumor development, whose biochemical and biophysical characteristics have attracted widespread attention. Here, we review the biological effects of ECM constituents and the influence of ECM stiffness on BC metastasis and drug resistance. We provide an overview of the relative signal transduction mechanisms, existing metastasis models, and targeted drug strategies centered around ECM stiffness. It will shed light on exploring more underlying targets and developing specific drugs aimed at ECM utilizing biomimetic platforms, which are promising for breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong-Yao Yu
- Institute for Special Environmental Biophysics, Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Ge Zhang
- Institute for Special Environmental Biophysics, Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Xiao-Xia Chai
- Institute for Special Environmental Biophysics, Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, Shanxi, PR China
| | - Li Ren
- Institute for Special Environmental Biophysics, Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, Shanxi, PR China; Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo Institute of Northwestern Polytechnical University, Ningbo 315103, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Da-Chuan Yin
- Institute for Special Environmental Biophysics, Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, Shanxi, PR China.
| | - Chen-Yan Zhang
- Institute for Special Environmental Biophysics, Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, Shanxi, PR China.
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15
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Kalli M, Poskus MD, Stylianopoulos T, Zervantonakis IK. Beyond matrix stiffness: targeting force-induced cancer drug resistance. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:937-954. [PMID: 37558577 PMCID: PMC10592424 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
During tumor progression, mechanical abnormalities in the tumor microenvironment (TME) trigger signaling pathways in cells that activate cellular programs, resulting in tumor growth and drug resistance. In this review, we describe mechanisms of action for anti-cancer therapies and mechanotransduction programs that regulate cellular processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, survival and phenotype switching. We discuss how the therapeutic response is impacted by the three main mechanical TME abnormalities: high extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and stiffness; interstitial fluid pressure (IFP); and elevated mechanical forces. We also review drugs that normalize these abnormalities or block mechanosensors and mechanotransduction pathways. Finally, we discuss current challenges and perspectives for the development of new strategies targeting mechanically induced drug resistance in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Kalli
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Matthew D Poskus
- Department of Bioengineering and Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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16
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Xu R, Yin P, Wei J, Ding Q. The role of matrix stiffness in breast cancer progression: a review. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1284926. [PMID: 37916166 PMCID: PMC10616305 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1284926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The significance of matrix stiffness in cancer development has been investigated in recent years. The gradual elastic force the extracellular matrix imparts to cells, known as matrix stiffness, is one of the most important types of mechanical stimulation. Increased matrix stiffness alters the biological activity of cells, which promotes the growth of numerous malignancies, including breast cancer. Comprehensive studies have demonstrated that increasing matrix stiffness activates molecular signaling pathways that are closely linked to breast cancer progression. There are many articles exploring the relationship between mechanism hardness and breast cancer, so we wanted to provide a systematic summary of recent research advances. In this review, we briefly introduce the mechanism of matrix stiffness in breast cancer, elaborate on the effect of extracellular matrix stiffness on breast cancer biological behavior and signaling pathways, and finally, we will talk about breast cancer treatment that focuses on matrix stiffness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoxi Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Breast Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Peng Yin
- Jiangsu Breast Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jifu Wei
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiang Ding
- Jiangsu Breast Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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17
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Lorenc E, Varinelli L, Chighizola M, Brich S, Pisati F, Guaglio M, Baratti D, Deraco M, Gariboldi M, Podestà A. Correlation between biological and mechanical properties of extracellular matrix from colorectal peritoneal metastases in human tissues. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12175. [PMID: 37500685 PMCID: PMC10374531 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38763-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Peritoneal metastases (PM) are common routes of dissemination for colorectal cancer (CRC) and remain a lethal disease with a poor prognosis. The properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are important in cancer development; studying their changes is crucial to understand CRC-PM development. We studied the elastic properties of ECMs derived from human samples of normal and neoplastic PM by atomic force microscopy (AFM); results were correlated with patient clinical data and expression of ECM components related to metastatic spread. We show that PM progression is accompanied by stiffening of the ECM, increased cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF) activity and increased deposition and crosslinking in neoplastic matrices; on the other hand, softer regions are also found in neoplastic ECMs on the same scales. Our results support the hypothesis that local changes in the normal ECM can create the ground for growth and spread from the tumour of invading metastatic cells. We have found correlations between the mechanical properties (relative stiffening between normal and neoplastic ECM) of the ECM and patients' clinical data, like age, sex, presence of protein activating mutations in BRAF and KRAS genes and tumour grade. Our findings suggest that the mechanical phenotyping of PM-ECM has the potential to predict tumour development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Lorenc
- Dipartimento di Fisica "Aldo Pontremoli" and CIMaINa, Università degli Studi di Milano, via G. Celoria 16, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Varinelli
- Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, via G. Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Chighizola
- Dipartimento di Fisica "Aldo Pontremoli" and CIMaINa, Università degli Studi di Milano, via G. Celoria 16, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Brich
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, via G. Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Pisati
- Histopathology Unit, Cogentech Ltd. Benefit Corporation with a Sole Shareholder, via Adamello 16, 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Marcello Guaglio
- Peritoneal Surface Malignancies Unit, Colon and Rectal Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, via G. Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Dario Baratti
- Peritoneal Surface Malignancies Unit, Colon and Rectal Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, via G. Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Marcello Deraco
- Peritoneal Surface Malignancies Unit, Colon and Rectal Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, via G. Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Gariboldi
- Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, via G. Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Podestà
- Dipartimento di Fisica "Aldo Pontremoli" and CIMaINa, Università degli Studi di Milano, via G. Celoria 16, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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18
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Su CY, Wu A, Dong Z, Miller CP, Suarez A, Ewald AJ, Ahn EH, Kim DH. Tumor stromal topography promotes chemoresistance in migrating breast cancer cell clusters. Biomaterials 2023; 298:122128. [PMID: 37121102 PMCID: PMC10291492 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Multicellular clustering provides cancer cells with survival advantages and facilitates metastasis. At the tumor migration front, cancer cell clusters are surrounded by an aligned stromal topography. It remains unknown whether aligned stromal topography regulates the resistance of migrating cancer cell clusters to therapeutics. Using a hybrid nanopatterned model to characterize breast cancer cell clusters at the migration front with aligned stromal topography, we demonstrate that topography-induced migrating cancer cell clusters exhibit upregulated cytochrome P450 family 1 (CYP1) drug metabolism and downregulated glycolysis gene signatures, which correlates with unfavorable prognosis. Screening on approved oncology drugs shows that cancer cell clusters on aligned stromal topography are more resistant to diverse chemotherapeutics. Full-dose drug testings further indicate that topography induces drug resistance of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer cell clusters to doxorubicin and tamoxifen and triple-negative breast cancer cell clusters to doxorubicin by activating the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)/CYP1 pathways. Inhibiting the AhR/CYP1 pathway restores reactive oxygen species-mediated drug sensitivity to migrating cancer cell clusters, suggesting a plausible therapeutic direction for preventing metastatic recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Yi Su
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Alex Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Zhipeng Dong
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Chris P Miller
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Allister Suarez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Andrew J Ewald
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Cell Biology and Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Eun Hyun Ahn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.
| | - Deok-Ho Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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19
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Šimoliūnas E, Jasmontaitė D, Skinderskis A, Rinkūnaitė I, Alksnė M, Liudvinaitis M, Baltriukienė D. Surface Stiffness Has No Impact on MCF-7 Sensitivity to Doxorubicin. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10192. [PMID: 37373337 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Resistance to the chemotherapeutic agents in the clinical management of cancer remains a significant challenge, and the mechanical environment of cancer cells is one of the major determinants of this. Stiffening of the environment is usually associated with increased chemoresistance of cancer cells, although this process depends on the type of cancer. Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer, and more than half a million people die from it each year worldwide. In this study, we used the most frequent (70% of diagnosed cases) breast cancer phenotype, representing the MCF-7 cell line, to investigate the influence of surface stiffness on its sensitivity to one of the most commonly used anticancer drugs-doxorubicin. We showed that the mechanical environment affected MCF-7 proliferation, adhesion, and the expression and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Furthermore, the role of MAPKs in response to doxorubicin was dependent on surface stiffness; nevertheless, surface stiffness did not affect MCF-7 resistance to doxorubicin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egidijus Šimoliūnas
- Department of Biological Models, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, 10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Daiva Jasmontaitė
- Department of Biological Models, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, 10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Algimantas Skinderskis
- Department of Biological Models, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, 10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Ieva Rinkūnaitė
- Department of Biological Models, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, 10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Milda Alksnė
- Department of Biological Models, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, 10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Mantas Liudvinaitis
- Department of Biological Models, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, 10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Daiva Baltriukienė
- Department of Biological Models, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, 10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
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20
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Shakiba D, Genin GM, Zustiak SP. Mechanobiology of cancer cell responsiveness to chemotherapy and immunotherapy: Mechanistic insights and biomaterial platforms. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 196:114771. [PMID: 36889646 PMCID: PMC10133187 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical forces are central to how cancer treatments such as chemotherapeutics and immunotherapies interact with cells and tissues. At the simplest level, electrostatic forces underlie the binding events that are critical to therapeutic function. However, a growing body of literature points to mechanical factors that also affect whether a drug or an immune cell can reach a target, and to interactions between a cell and its environment affecting therapeutic efficacy. These factors affect cell processes ranging from cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix remodeling to transduction of signals by the nucleus to metastasis of cells. This review presents and critiques the state of the art of our understanding of how mechanobiology impacts drug and immunotherapy resistance and responsiveness, and of the in vitro systems that have been of value in the discovery of these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delaram Shakiba
- NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Guy M Genin
- NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Silviya P Zustiak
- NSF Science and Technology Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Science and Engineering, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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21
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Wang W, Taufalele PV, Millet M, Homsy K, Smart K, Berestesky ED, Schunk CT, Rowe MM, Bordeleau F, Reinhart-King CA. Matrix stiffness regulates tumor cell intravasation through expression and ESRP1-mediated alternative splicing of MENA. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112338. [PMID: 37027295 PMCID: PMC10551051 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
During intravasation, cancer cells cross the endothelial barrier and enter the circulation. Extracellular matrix stiffening has been correlated with tumor metastatic potential; however, little is known about the effects of matrix stiffness on intravasation. Here, we utilize in vitro systems, a mouse model, specimens from patients with breast cancer, and RNA expression profiles from The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) to investigate the molecular mechanism by which matrix stiffening promotes tumor cell intravasation. Our data show that heightened matrix stiffness increases MENA expression, which promotes contractility and intravasation through focal adhesion kinase activity. Further, matrix stiffening decreases epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1) expression, which triggers alternative splicing of MENA, decreases the expression of MENA11a, and enhances contractility and intravasation. Altogether, our data indicate that matrix stiffness regulates tumor cell intravasation through enhanced expression and ESRP1-mediated alternative splicing of MENA, providing a mechanism by which matrix stiffness regulates tumor cell intravasation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Paul V Taufalele
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Martial Millet
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Oncology Division), Québec, QC G1R 3S3, Canada; CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Oncology Division), Québec, QC G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Kevin Homsy
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Oncology Division), Québec, QC G1R 3S3, Canada; CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Oncology Division), Québec, QC G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Kyra Smart
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Emily D Berestesky
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Curtis T Schunk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Matthew M Rowe
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
| | - Francois Bordeleau
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Oncology Division), Québec, QC G1R 3S3, Canada; CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center (Oncology Division), Québec, QC G1R 3S3, Canada; Département de biologie moléculaire, de biochimie médicale et de pathologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada.
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22
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Butti R, Khaladkar A, Bhardwaj P, Prakasam G. Heterotypic signaling of cancer-associated fibroblasts in shaping the cancer cell drug resistance. CANCER DRUG RESISTANCE (ALHAMBRA, CALIF.) 2023; 6:182-204. [PMID: 37065872 PMCID: PMC10099601 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2022.72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
The context-dependent reciprocal interaction between the cancer cells and surrounding fibroblasts is imperative for regulating malignant potential, metabolic reprogramming, immunosuppression, and ECM deposition. However, recent evidence also suggests that cancer-associated fibroblasts induce chemoresistance in cancer cells to various anticancer regimens. Because of the protumorigenic function of cancer-associated fibroblasts, these stromal cell types have emerged as fascinating therapeutic targets for cancer. However, this notion was recently challenged by studies that targeted cancer-associated fibroblasts and highlighted the underlying heterogeneity by identifying a subset of these cells with tumor-restricting functions. Hence, it is imperative to understand the heterogeneity and heterotypic signaling of cancer-associated fibroblasts to target tumor-promoting signaling processes by sparing tumor-restricting ones. In this review, we discuss the heterogeneity and heterotypic signaling of cancer-associated fibroblasts in shaping drug resistance and also list the cancer-associated fibroblast-targeting therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Butti
- Kidney Cancer Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Centre, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Ashwini Khaladkar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Bombay 400076, India
- Authors contributed equally
| | - Priya Bhardwaj
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
- Authors contributed equally
| | - Gopinath Prakasam
- Kidney Cancer Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Centre, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
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23
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Suwannakot P, Nemec S, Peres NG, Du EY, Kilian KA, Gaus K, Kavallaris M, Gooding JJ. Electrostatic Assembly of Multiarm PEG-Based Hydrogels as Extracellular Matrix Mimics: Cell Response in the Presence and Absence of RGD Cell Adhesive Ligands. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:1362-1376. [PMID: 36826383 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.2c01252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic hydrogels have been used widely as extracellular matrix (ECM) mimics due to the ability to control and mimic physical and biochemical cues observed in natural ECM proteins such as collagen, laminin, and fibronectin. Most synthetic hydrogels are formed via covalent bonding resulting in slow gelation which is incompatible with drop-on-demand 3D bioprinting of cells and injectable hydrogels for therapeutic delivery. Herein, we developed an electrostatically crosslinked PEG-based hydrogel system for creating high-throughput 3D in vitro models using synthetic hydrogels to mimic the ECM cancer environment. A 3-arm PEG-based polymer backbone was first modified with either permanent cationic charged moieties (2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl trimethylammonium) or permanent anionic charged moieties (3-sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium salt). The resulting charged polymers can be conjugated further with various amounts of cell adhesive RGD motifs (0, 25, 75, and 98%) to study the influences of RGD motifs on breast cancer (MCF-7) spheroid formation. Formation, stability, and mechanical properties of hydrogels were tested with, and without, RGD to evaluate the cellular response to material parameters in a 3D environment. The hydrogels can be degraded in the presence of salts at room temperature by breaking the interaction of oppositely charged polymer chains. MCF-7 cells could be released with high viability through brief exposure to NaCl solution. Flow cytometry characterization demonstrated that embedded MCF-7 cells proliferate better in a softer (60 Pa) 3D hydrogel environment compared to those that are stiffer (1160 Pa). As the stiffness increases, the RGD motif plays a role in promoting cell proliferation in the stiffer hydrogel. Flow cytometry characterization demonstrated that embedded MCF-7 cells proliferate better in a softer (60 Pa) 3D hydrogel environment compared to those that are stiffer (1160 Pa). As the stiffness increases, the RGD motif plays a role in promoting cell proliferation in the stiffer hydrogel. Additionally, cell viability was not impacted by the tested hydrogel stiffness range between 60 to 1160 Pa. Taken together, this PEG-based tuneable hydrogel system shows great promise as a 3D ECM mimic of cancer extracellular environments with controllable biophysical and biochemical properties. The ease of gelation and dissolution through salt concentration provides a way to quickly harvest cells for further analysis at any given time of interest without compromising cell viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panthipa Suwannakot
- School of Chemistry, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Stephanie Nemec
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Newton Gil Peres
- School of Medical Sciences, EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Eric Y Du
- School of Chemistry, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Kristopher A Kilian
- School of Chemistry, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Katharina Gaus
- School of Medical Sciences, EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Maria Kavallaris
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - J Justin Gooding
- School of Chemistry, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
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24
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Shou Y, Teo XY, Li X, Zhicheng L, Liu L, Sun X, Jonhson W, Ding J, Lim CT, Tay A. Dynamic Magneto-Softening of 3D Hydrogel Reverses Malignant Transformation of Cancer Cells and Enhances Drug Efficacy. ACS NANO 2023; 17:2851-2867. [PMID: 36633150 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c11278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
High extracellular matrix stiffness is a prominent feature of malignant tumors associated with poor clinical prognosis. To elucidate mechanistic connections between increased matrix stiffness and tumor progression, a variety of hydrogel scaffolds with dynamic changes in stiffness have been developed. These approaches, however, are not biocompatible at high temperature, strong irradiation, and acidic/basic pH, often lack reversibility (can only stiffen and not soften), and do not allow study on the same cell population longitudinally. In this work, we develop a dynamic 3D magnetic hydrogel whose matrix stiffness can be wirelessly and reversibly stiffened and softened multiple times with different rates of change using an external magnet. With this platform, we found that matrix stiffness increased tumor malignancy including denser cell organization, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and hypoxia. More interestingly, these malignant transformations could be halted or reversed with matrix softening (i.e., mechanical rescue), to potentiate drug efficacy attributing to reduced solid stress from matrix and downregulation of cell mechano-transductors including YAP1. We propose that our platform can be used to deepen understanding of the impact of matrix softening on cancer biology, an important but rarely studied phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufeng Shou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation & Technology, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Xin Yong Teo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Xianlei Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation & Technology, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Le Zhicheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation & Technology, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Ling Liu
- Institute for Health Innovation & Technology, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- NUS Tissue Engineering Program, National University of Singapore, 117510, Singapore
| | - Xinhong Sun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117583, Singapore
| | - Win Jonhson
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117575, Singapore
| | - Jun Ding
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117575, Singapore
| | - Chwee Teck Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation & Technology, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 117411, Singapore
| | - Andy Tay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117583, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation & Technology, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- NUS Tissue Engineering Program, National University of Singapore, 117510, Singapore
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25
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Liu M, Xie L, Zhang Y, Chen J, Zhang X, Chen Y, Huang W, Cai M, Liang L, Lai M, Huang J, Guo Y, Lin L, Zhu K. Inhibition of CEMIP potentiates the effect of sorafenib on metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma by reducing the stiffness of lung metastases. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:25. [PMID: 36639658 PMCID: PMC9839779 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05550-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with lung metastasis is associated with poor prognosis and poor therapeutic outcomes. Studies have demonstrated that stiffened stroma can promote metastasis in various tumors. However, how the lung mechanical microenvironment favors circulating tumor cells remains unclear in metastatic HCC. Here, we found that the expression of cell migration-inducing hyaluronan-binding protein (CEMIP) was closely associated with lung metastasis and can promote pre-metastatic niche formation by increasing lung matrix stiffness. Furthermore, upregulated serum CEMIP was indicative of lung fibrotic changes severity in patients with HCC lung metastasis. By directly targeting CEMIP, pirfenidone can inhibit CEMIP/TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway and reduce lung metastases stiffening, demonstrating promising antitumor activity. Pirfenidone in combination with sorafenib can more effectively suppress the incidence of lung metastasis compared with sorafenib alone. This study is the first attempt to modulate the mechanical microenvironment for HCC therapy and highlights CEMIP as a potential target for the prevention and treatment of HCC lung metastasis. CEMIP mediating an HCC-permissive microenvironment through controlling matrix stiffness. Meanwhile, Pirfenidone could reduce metastasis stiffness and increases the anti-angiogenic effect of Sorafenib by directly targeting CEMIP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyu Liu
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, and Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lulu Xie
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, and Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuying Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Shenzhen Longhua Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, 518109, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianning Chen
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 510630, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Institute of Digestive Disease and The Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ye Chen
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, and Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wensou Huang
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, and Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Mingyue Cai
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, and Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Licong Liang
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, and Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Miaoling Lai
- Department of Pathology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingjun Huang
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, and Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yongjian Guo
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, and Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Liteng Lin
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, and Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Kangshun Zhu
- Laboratory of Interventional Radiology, Department of Minimally Invasive Interventional Radiology, and Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510260, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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26
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Lewis SM, Callaway MK, dos Santos CO. Clinical applications of 3D normal and breast cancer organoids: A review of concepts and methods. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2022; 247:2176-2183. [PMID: 36408534 PMCID: PMC9899987 DOI: 10.1177/15353702221131877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
While mouse models and two-dimensional (2D) cell culture systems have dominated as research tools for cancer biology, three-dimensional (3D) cultures have gained traction as a new approach that retains features of in vivo biology within an in vitro system. Over time, 3D culture systems have evolved from spheroids and tumorspheres to organoids, and by doing so, they have become more complex and representative of original tissue. Such technological improvements have mostly benefited the study of heterogeneous solid tumors, like those found in breast cancer (BC), by providing an attractive avenue for scalable drug testing and biobank generation. Experimentally, organoids have been used in the BC field to dissect mechanisms related to cellular invasion and metastasis-and through co-culture methods-epithelial interactions with stromal and immune cells. In addition, organoid studies of wild-type mouse models and healthy donor samples have provided insight into the basic developmental cellular and molecular biology of the mammary gland, which may inform one's understanding of the initial stages of cancer development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M Lewis
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold
Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA,Graduate Program in Genetics, Stony
Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | | | - Camila O dos Santos
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold
Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA,Camila O dos Santos.
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27
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Franchi M, Karamanos KA, Cappadone C, Calonghi N, Greco N, Franchi L, Onisto M, Masola V. Substrate Type and Concentration Differently Affect Colon Cancer Cells Ultrastructural Morphology, EMT Markers, and Matrix Degrading Enzymes. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1786. [PMID: 36551219 PMCID: PMC9775446 DOI: 10.3390/biom12121786] [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: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim of the study was to understand the behavior of colon cancer LoVo-R cells (doxorubicin-resistant) vs. LoVo-S (doxorubicin sensitive) in the initial steps of extracellular matrix (ECM) invasion. We investigated how the matrix substrates Matrigel and type I collagen-mimicking the basement membrane (BM) and the normal or desmoplastic lamina propria, respectively-could affect the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, matrix-degrading enzymes, and phenotypes. Gene expression with RT-qPCR, E-cadherin protein expression using Western blot, and phenotypes using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were analyzed. The type and different concentrations of matrix substrates differently affected colon cancer cells. In LoVo-S cells, the higher concentrated collagen, mimicking the desmoplastic lamina propria, strongly induced EMT, as also confirmed by the expression of Snail, metalloproteases (MMPs)-2, -9, -14 and heparanase (HPSE), as well as mesenchymal phenotypes. Stimulation in E-cadherin expression in LoVo-S groups suggests that these cells develop a hybrid EMT phenotype. Differently, LoVo-R cells did not increase their aggressiveness: no changes in EMT markers, matrix effectors, and phenotypes were evident. The low influence of ECM components in LoVo-R cells might be related to their intrinsic aggressiveness related to chemoresistance. These results improve understanding of the critical role of tumor microenvironment in colon cancer cell invasion, driving the development of new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Franchi
- Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | | | - Concettina Cappadone
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnologies, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Natalia Calonghi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnologies, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Nicola Greco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Leonardo Franchi
- Department of Medicine, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maurizio Onisto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Valentina Masola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
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28
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Johnson PA, Menegatti S, Chambers AC, Alibhai D, Collard TJ, Williams AC, Bayley H, Perriman AW. A rapid high throughput bioprinted colorectal cancer spheroid platform for in vitrodrug- and radiation-response. Biofabrication 2022; 15:014103. [PMID: 36321254 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ac999f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
We describe the development of a high-throughput bioprinted colorectal cancer (CRC) spheroid platform with high levels of automation, information content, and low cell number requirement. This is achieved via the formulation of a hydrogel bioink with a compressive Young's modulus that is commensurate with that of colonic tissue (1-3 kPa), which supports exponential growth of spheroids from a wide range of CRC cell lines. The resulting spheroids display tight cell-cell junctions, bioink matrix-cell interactions and necrotic hypoxic cores. By combining high content light microscopy imaging and processing with rapid multiwell plate bioprinting, dose-response profiles are generated from CRC spheroids challenged with oxaliplatin (OX) and fluorouracil (5FU), as well as radiotherapy. Bioprinted CRC spheroids are shown to exhibit high levels of chemoresistance relative to cell monolayers, and OX was found to be significantly less effective against tumour spheroids than in monolayer culture, when compared to 5FU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Menegatti
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Adam C Chambers
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Dominic Alibhai
- Wolfson Bioimaging Facility, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Tracey J Collard
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Ann C Williams
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Hagan Bayley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, United Kingdom
| | - Adam W Perriman
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
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29
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Sahan AZ, Baday M, Patel CB. Biomimetic Hydrogels in the Study of Cancer Mechanobiology: Overview, Biomedical Applications, and Future Perspectives. Gels 2022; 8:gels8080496. [PMID: 36005097 PMCID: PMC9407355 DOI: 10.3390/gels8080496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogels are biocompatible polymers that are tunable to the system under study, allowing them to be widely used in medicine, bioprinting, tissue engineering, and biomechanics. Hydrogels are used to mimic the three-dimensional microenvironment of tissues, which is essential to understanding cell–cell interactions and intracellular signaling pathways (e.g., proliferation, apoptosis, growth, and survival). Emerging evidence suggests that the malignant properties of cancer cells depend on mechanical cues that arise from changes in their microenvironment. These mechanobiological cues include stiffness, shear stress, and pressure, and have an impact on cancer proliferation and invasion. The hydrogels can be tuned to simulate these mechanobiological tissue properties. Although interest in and research on the biomedical applications of hydrogels has increased in the past 25 years, there is still much to learn about the development of biomimetic hydrogels and their potential applications in biomedical and clinical settings. This review highlights the application of hydrogels in developing pre-clinical cancer models and their potential for translation to human disease with a focus on reviewing the utility of such models in studying glioblastoma progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Z. Sahan
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University California at San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Murat Baday
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Precision Health and Integrated Diagnostics Center, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (C.B.P.)
| | - Chirag B. Patel
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Cancer Biology Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (C.B.P.)
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30
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Papanicolaou M, Parker AL, Yam M, Filipe EC, Wu SZ, Chitty JL, Wyllie K, Tran E, Mok E, Nadalini A, Skhinas JN, Lucas MC, Herrmann D, Nobis M, Pereira BA, Law AMK, Castillo L, Murphy KJ, Zaratzian A, Hastings JF, Croucher DR, Lim E, Oliver BG, Mora FV, Parker BL, Gallego-Ortega D, Swarbrick A, O'Toole S, Timpson P, Cox TR. Temporal profiling of the breast tumour microenvironment reveals collagen XII as a driver of metastasis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4587. [PMID: 35933466 PMCID: PMC9357007 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32255-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumour stroma, and in particular the extracellular matrix (ECM), is a salient feature of solid tumours that plays a crucial role in shaping their progression. Many desmoplastic tumours including breast cancer involve the significant accumulation of type I collagen. However, recently it has become clear that the precise distribution and organisation of matrix molecules such as collagen I is equally as important in the tumour as their abundance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) coexist within breast cancer tissues and play both pro- and anti-tumourigenic roles through remodelling the ECM. Here, using temporal proteomic profiling of decellularized tumours, we interrogate the evolving matrisome during breast cancer progression. We identify 4 key matrisomal clusters, and pinpoint collagen type XII as a critical component that regulates collagen type I organisation. Through combining our proteomics with single-cell transcriptomics, and genetic manipulation models, we show how CAF-secreted collagen XII alters collagen I organisation to create a pro-invasive microenvironment supporting metastatic dissemination. Finally, we show in patient cohorts that collagen XII may represent an indicator of breast cancer patients at high risk of metastatic relapse. The distribution and organisation of matrix molecules in the tumour stroma help shape solid tumour progression. Here they perform temporal proteomic profiling of the matrisome during breast cancer progression and show that collagen XII secreted from CAFs provides a pro-invasive microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Papanicolaou
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Amelia L Parker
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle Yam
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Elysse C Filipe
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sunny Z Wu
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jessica L Chitty
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kaitlin Wyllie
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Emmi Tran
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Ellie Mok
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Audrey Nadalini
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Joanna N Skhinas
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Morghan C Lucas
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David Herrmann
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Max Nobis
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Brooke A Pereira
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew M K Law
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lesley Castillo
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kendelle J Murphy
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anaiis Zaratzian
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jordan F Hastings
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David R Croucher
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Elgene Lim
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Brian G Oliver
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Respiratory Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Fatima Valdes Mora
- Cancer Epigenetic Biology and Therapeutics, Personalised Medicine, Children's Cancer Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Benjamin L Parker
- Metabolic Systems Biology Laboratory, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David Gallego-Ortega
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alexander Swarbrick
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.,School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sandra O'Toole
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Paul Timpson
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia. .,Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia. .,School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Thomas R Cox
- The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia. .,Cancer Ecosystems Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia. .,School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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31
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Substrate viscosity impairs temozolomide-mediated inhibition of glioblastoma cells' growth. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2022; 1868:166513. [PMID: 35932892 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanical state of the extracellular environment of the brain cells considerably affects their phenotype during the development of central nervous system (CNS) pathologies, and when the cells respond to drugs. The reports on the evaluation of the viscoelastic properties of different brain tumors have shown that both tissue stiffness and viscosity can be altered during cancer development. Although a compelling number of reports established the role of substrate stiffness on the proliferation, motility, and drug sensitivity of brain cancer cells, there is a lack of parallel data in terms of alterations in substrate viscosity. METHODS Based on viscoelasticity measurements of rat brain samples using strain rheometry, polyacrylamide (PAA) hydrogels mimicking elastic and viscous parameters of the tissues were prepared. Optical microscopy and flow cytometry were employed to assess the differences in glioblastoma cells morphology, proliferation, and cytotoxicity of anticancer drug temozolomide (TZM) due to increased substrate viscosity. RESULTS Our results indicate that changes in substrate viscosity affect the proliferation of untreated glioma cells to a lesser extent, but have a significant impact on the apoptosis-associated depolarization of mitochondria and level of DNA fragmentation. This suggests that viscosity sensing and stiffness sensing machinery can activate different signaling pathways in glioma cells. CONCLUSION Collected data indicate that viscosity should be considered an important parameter in in vitro polymer-based cell culture systems used for drug screening.
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A thermo-sensitive hydrogel composed of methylcellulose/hyaluronic acid/silk fibrin as a biomimetic extracellular matrix to simulate breast cancer malignancy. Eur Polym J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2022.111421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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33
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Cuellar-Vite L, Weber-Bonk KL, Abdul-Karim FW, Booth CN, Keri RA. Focal Adhesion Kinase Provides a Collateral Vulnerability That Can Be Leveraged to Improve mTORC1 Inhibitor Efficacy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:3374. [PMID: 35884439 PMCID: PMC9323520 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14143374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The PI3K/AKT/mTORC1 pathway is a major therapeutic target for many cancers, particularly breast cancer. Everolimus is an mTORC1 inhibitor used in metastatic estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer. However, mTORC1 inhibitors have limited efficacy in other breast cancer subtypes. We sought to discover collateral sensitivities to mTORC1 inhibition that could be exploited to improve therapeutic response. Using a mouse model of breast cancer that is intrinsically resistant to mTORC1 inhibition, we found that rapamycin alters the expression of numerous extracellular matrix genes, suggesting a potential role for integrins/FAK in controlling mTORC1-inhibitor efficacy. FAK activation was also inversely correlated with rapamycin response in breast cancer cell lines. Supporting its potential utility in patients, FAK activation was observed in >50% of human breast cancers. While blocking FAK in mouse models of breast cancer that are highly responsive to rapamycin had no impact on tumor growth, FAK inhibition sensitized rapamycin-resistant tumors to mTORC1 inhibition. These data reveal an innate dependency on FAK when mTORC1 signaling is lost in tumors that are resistant to mTORC1 inhibitors. They also suggest a precision medicine approach to improving mTORC1 inhibitor efficacy in resistant cancers by suppressing FAK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie Cuellar-Vite
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA;
| | - Kristen L. Weber-Bonk
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA;
| | - Fadi W. Abdul-Karim
- Anatomic Pathology, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (F.W.A.-K.); (C.N.B.)
| | - Christine N. Booth
- Anatomic Pathology, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (F.W.A.-K.); (C.N.B.)
| | - Ruth A. Keri
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA;
- Department of General Medical Sciences-Oncology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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34
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Horst EN, Novak CM, Burkhard K, Snyder CS, Verma R, Crochran DE, Geza IA, Fermanich W, Mehta P, Schlautman DC, Tran LA, Brezenger ME, Mehta G. Injectable three-dimensional tumor microenvironments to study mechanobiology in ovarian cancer. Acta Biomater 2022; 146:222-234. [PMID: 35487424 PMCID: PMC10538942 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.04.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancers are among the most aggressive forms of gynecological malignancies. Despite the advent of poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase (PARP) and checkpoint inhibitors, improvement to patient survival has been modest. Limited in part by clinical translation, beneficial therapeutic strategies remain elusive in ovarian cancers. Although elevated levels of extracellular proteins, including collagens, proteoglycans, and glycoproteins, have been linked to chemoresistance, they are often missing from the processes of drug- development and screening. Biophysical and biochemical signaling from the extracellular matrix (ECM) determine cellular phenotype and affect both tumor progression and therapeutic response. However, many state-of-the-art tumor models fail to mimic the complexities of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and omit key signaling components. In this article, two interpenetrating network (IPN) hydrogel scaffold platforms, comprising of alginate-collagen or agarose-collagen, have been characterized for use as 3D in vitro models of epithelial ovarian cancer ECM. These highly tunable, injection mold compatible, and inexpensive IPNs replicate the critical governing physical and chemical signaling present within the ovarian TME. Additionally, an effective and cell-friendly live-cell retrieval method has been established to recover cells post-encapsulation. Lastly, functional mechanotransduction in ovarian cancers was demonstrated by increasing scaffold stiffness within the 3D in vitro ECM models. With these features, the agarose-collagen and alginate-collagen hydrogels provide a robust TME for the study of mechanobiology in epithelial cancers. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic cancer afflicting women today. Here we present the development, characterization, and validation of 3D interpenetrating platforms to shift the paradigm in standard in vitro modeling. These models help elucidate the roles of biophysical and biochemical cues in ovarian cancer progression. The agarose-collagen and alginate-collagen interpenetrating network (IPN) hydrogels are simple to fabricate, inexpensive, and can be modified to create custom mechanical stiffnesses and concentrations of bio-adhesive motifs. Given that investigations into the roles of biophysical characteristics in ovarian cancers have provided incongruent results, we believe that the IPN platforms will be critically important to uncovering molecular drivers. We also expect these platforms to be broadly applicable to studies involving mechanobiology in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric N Horst
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Caymen M Novak
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Kathleen Burkhard
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Catherine S Snyder
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Rhea Verma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Darel E Crochran
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Izabella A Geza
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Wesley Fermanich
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Pooja Mehta
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Denise C Schlautman
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Linh A Tran
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Michael E Brezenger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Geeta Mehta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Macromolecular Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Precision Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States.
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35
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Progesterone receptor expression contributes to gemcitabine resistance at higher ECM stiffness in breast cancer cell lines. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268300. [PMID: 35617163 PMCID: PMC9135204 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemoresistance poses a great barrier to breast cancer treatment and is thought to correlate with increased matrix stiffness. We developed two-dimensional (2D) polyacrylamide (PAA) and three-dimensional (3D) alginate in vitro models of tissue stiffness that mimic the stiffness of normal breast and breast cancer. We then used these to compare cell viability in response to chemotherapeutic treatment. In both 2D and 3D we observed that breast cancer cell growth and size was increased at a higher stiffness corresponding to tumours compared to normal tissue. When chemotherapeutic response was measured, a specific differential response in cell viability was observed for gemcitabine in 2 of the 7 breast cancer cell lines investigated. MCF7 and T-47D cell lines showed gemcitabine resistance at 4 kPa compared to 500 Pa. These cell lines share a common phenotype of progesterone receptor (PGR) expression and, indeed, pre-treatment with the selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM) mifepristone abolished resistance to gemcitabine at high stiffness. Our data reveals that combined treatment with SPRMs may therefore help in reducing resistance to gemcitabine in stiffer breast tumours which are PGR positive.
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36
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Targeting extracellular matrix stiffness and mechanotransducers to improve cancer therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:34. [PMID: 35331296 PMCID: PMC8943941 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01252-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer microenvironment is critical for tumorigenesis and cancer progression. The extracellular matrix (ECM) interacts with tumor and stromal cells to promote cancer cells proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis and immune evasion. Both ECM itself and ECM stiffening-induced mechanical stimuli may activate cell membrane receptors and mechanosensors such as integrin, Piezo1 and TRPV4, thereby modulating the malignant phenotype of tumor and stromal cells. A better understanding of how ECM stiffness regulates tumor progression will contribute to the development of new therapeutics. The rapidly expanding evidence in this research area suggests that the regulators and effectors of ECM stiffness represent potential therapeutic targets for cancer. This review summarizes recent work on the regulation of ECM stiffness in cancer, the effects of ECM stiffness on tumor progression, cancer immunity and drug resistance. We also discuss the potential targets that may be druggable to intervene ECM stiffness and tumor progression. Based on these advances, future efforts can be made to develop more effective and safe drugs to interrupt ECM stiffness-induced oncogenic signaling, cancer progression and drug resistance.
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37
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Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts: Mechanisms of Tumor Progression and Novel Therapeutic Targets. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051231. [PMID: 35267539 PMCID: PMC8909913 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The tumor microenvironment plays an important role in determining the biological behavior of several of the more aggressive malignancies. Among the various cell types evident in the tumor “field”, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a heterogenous collection of activated fibroblasts secreting a wide repertoire of factors that regulate tumor development and progression, inflammation, drug resistance, metastasis and recurrence. Insensitivity to chemotherapeutics and metastatic spread are the major contributors to cancer patient mortality. This review discusses the complex interactions between CAFs and the various populations of normal and neoplastic cells that interact within the dynamic confines of the tumor microenvironment with a focus on the involved pathways and genes. Abstract Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a heterogenous population of stromal cells found in solid malignancies that coexist with the growing tumor mass and other immune/nonimmune cellular elements. In certain neoplasms (e.g., desmoplastic tumors), CAFs are the prominent mesenchymal cell type in the tumor microenvironment, where their presence and abundance signal a poor prognosis in multiple cancers. CAFs play a major role in the progression of various malignancies by remodeling the supporting stromal matrix into a dense, fibrotic structure while secreting factors that lead to the acquisition of cancer stem-like characteristics and promoting tumor cell survival, reduced sensitivity to chemotherapeutics, aggressive growth and metastasis. Tumors with high stromal fibrotic signatures are more likely to be associated with drug resistance and eventual relapse. Clarifying the molecular basis for such multidirectional crosstalk among the various normal and neoplastic cell types present in the tumor microenvironment may yield novel targets and new opportunities for therapeutic intervention. This review highlights the most recent concepts regarding the complexity of CAF biology including CAF heterogeneity, functionality in drug resistance, contribution to a progressively fibrotic tumor stroma, the involved signaling pathways and the participating genes.
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38
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p53 Signaling on Microenvironment and Its Contribution to Tissue Chemoresistance. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12020202. [PMID: 35207121 PMCID: PMC8877489 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12020202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chemoresistance persists as a significant, unresolved clinical challenge in many cancer types. The tumor microenvironment, in which cancer cells reside and interact with non-cancer cells and tissue structures, has a known role in promoting every aspect of tumor progression, including chemoresistance. However, the molecular determinants of microenvironment-driven chemoresistance are mainly unknown. In this review, we propose that the TP53 tumor suppressor, found mutant in over half of human cancers, is a crucial regulator of cancer cell-microenvironment crosstalk and a prime candidate for the investigation of microenvironment-specific modulators of chemoresistance. Wild-type p53 controls the secretion of factors that inhibit the tumor microenvironment, whereas altered secretion or mutant p53 interfere with p53 function to promote chemoresistance. We highlight resistance mechanisms promoted by mutant p53 and enforced by the microenvironment, such as extracellular matrix remodeling and adaptation to hypoxia. Alterations of wild-type p53 extracellular function may create a cascade of spatial amplification loops in the tumor tissue that can influence cellular behavior far from the initial oncogenic mutation. We discuss the concept of chemoresistance as a multicellular/tissue-level process rather than intrinsically cellular. Targeting p53-dependent crosstalk mechanisms between cancer cells and components of the tumor environment might disrupt the waves of chemoresistance that spread across the tumor tissue, increasing the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents.
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39
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Kuermanbayi S, Yang Y, Zhao Y, Li Y, Wang L, Yang J, Zhou Y, Xu F, Li F. In situ monitoring of functional activity of extracellular matrix stiffness-dependent multidrug resistance protein 1 using scanning electrochemical microscopy. Chem Sci 2022; 13:10349-10360. [PMID: 36277620 PMCID: PMC9473519 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc02708a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness affects the drug resistance behavior of cancer cells, while multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) on the cell membrane confers treatment resistance via actively transporting drugs out of cancer cells. However, the relationship between ECM stiffness and MRP1 functional activity in cancer cells remains elusive, mainly due to the technical challenge of in situ monitoring. Herein, we engineered in vitro cancer cell models using breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells) as the reprehensive cells on polyacrylamide (PA) gels with three stiffness, mimicking different developmental stages of cancer. We in situ characterized the functional activity of MRP1 and investigated the effect of ECM stiffness on MRP1 of cancer cells before and after vincristine treatment using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) with ferrocenecarboxylic acid (FcCOOH) as the redox mediator and endogenous glutathione (GSH) as the indicator. The SECM results show that the functional activity of MRP1 is enhanced with increasing ECM stiffness, and the MRP1-mediated vincristine efflux activity of MCF-7 cells is more affected by ECM stiffness than that of MDA-MB-231 cells. This work, for the first time, applied SECM to in situ and quantitatively monitor the functional activity of MRP1 in cancer cells in different tumor mechanical microenvironments, which could help to elucidate the mechanism of matrix stiffness-dependent drug resistance behavior in cancer cells. SECM using FcCOOH as the redox mediator and endogenous GSH as the indicator was employed to investigate the effect of extracellular matrix stiffness on the functional activity of MRP1 in cancer cells in situ.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuake Kuermanbayi
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710049, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710049, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yaowei Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710049, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710049, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuxiang Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710049, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710049, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yabei Li
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710049, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- School of Chemistry, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710049, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Le Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710049, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jin Yang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710049, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710049, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710049, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Feng Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710049, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710049, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fei Li
- The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710049, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Bioinspired Engineering and Biomechanics Center (BEBC), Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710049, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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40
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Brewer G, Fortier AM, Park M, Moraes C. The case for cancer-associated fibroblasts: essential elements in cancer drug discovery? FUTURE DRUG DISCOVERY 2022; 4:FDD71. [PMID: 35600290 PMCID: PMC9112234 DOI: 10.4155/fdd-2021-0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Although cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have gained increased attention for supporting cancer progression, current CAF-targeted therapeutic options are limited and failing in clinical trials. As the largest component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), CAFs alter the biochemical and physical structure of the TME, modulating cancer progression. Here, we review the role of CAFs in altering drug response, modifying the TME mechanics and the current models for studying CAFs. To provide new perspectives, we highlight key considerations of CAF activity and discuss emerging technologies that can better address CAFs; and therefore, increase the likelihood of therapeutic efficacy. We argue that CAFs are crucial components of the cancer drug discovery pipeline and incorporating these cells will improve drug discovery success rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Brewer
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, 1160 Avenues des Pins, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, 3649 Promenade Sir-William-Osler, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Anne-Marie Fortier
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, 1160 Avenues des Pins, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Morag Park
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, 1160 Avenues des Pins, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, 3649 Promenade Sir-William-Osler, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Oncology, McGill University, 5100 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Pathology, McGill University, 3775 rue University, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Christopher Moraes
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, 1160 Avenues des Pins, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 rue University, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, 3775 rue University, Montréal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
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41
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Prince E, Kheiri S, Wang Y, Xu F, Cruickshank J, Topolskaia V, Tao H, Young EWK, McGuigan AP, Cescon DW, Kumacheva E. Microfluidic Arrays of Breast Tumor Spheroids for Drug Screening and Personalized Cancer Therapies. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2101085. [PMID: 34636180 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202101085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
One of the obstacles limiting progress in the development of effective cancer therapies is the shortage of preclinical models that capture the dynamic nature of tumor microenvironments. Interstitial flow strongly impacts tumor response to chemotherapy; however, conventional in vitro cancer models largely disregard this key feature. Here, a proof of principle microfluidic platform for the generation of large arrays of breast tumor spheroids that are grown under close-to-physiological flow in a biomimetic hydrogel is reported. This cancer spheroids-on-a-chip model is used for time- and labor-efficient studies of the effects of drug dose and supply rate on the chemosensitivity of breast tumor spheroids. The capability to grow large arrays of tumor spheroids from patient-derived cells of different breast cancer subtypes is shown, and the correlation between in vivo drug efficacy and on-chip spheroid drug response is demonstrated. The proposed platform can serve as an in vitro preclinical model for the development of personalized cancer therapies and effective screening of new anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Prince
- Department of Chemistry University of Toronto 80 St. George St Toronto Ontario M5P 2Y2 Canada
| | - Sina Kheiri
- Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering University of Toronto 5 King's College Circle Toronto Ontario M5S 3G8 Canada
| | - Yihe Wang
- Department of Chemistry University of Toronto 80 St. George St Toronto Ontario M5P 2Y2 Canada
| | - Fei Xu
- Department of Chemistry University of Toronto 80 St. George St Toronto Ontario M5P 2Y2 Canada
| | - Jennifer Cruickshank
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre University Health Network 610 University Ave Toronto Ontario M5G 2C1 Canada
| | - Valentina Topolskaia
- Department of Chemistry University of Toronto 80 St. George St Toronto Ontario M5P 2Y2 Canada
| | - Huachen Tao
- Department of Chemistry University of Toronto 80 St. George St Toronto Ontario M5P 2Y2 Canada
| | - Edmond W. K. Young
- Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering University of Toronto 5 King's College Circle Toronto Ontario M5S 3G8 Canada
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering University of Toronto 164 College St Toronto Ontario M5S 3G9 Canada
| | - Alison. P. McGuigan
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering University of Toronto 164 College St Toronto Ontario M5S 3G9 Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry University of Toronto 200 College St Toronto Ontario M5S 3E5 Canada
| | - David W. Cescon
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre University Health Network 610 University Ave Toronto Ontario M5G 2C1 Canada
| | - Eugenia Kumacheva
- Department of Chemistry University of Toronto 80 St. George St Toronto Ontario M5P 2Y2 Canada
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering University of Toronto 164 College St Toronto Ontario M5S 3G9 Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry University of Toronto 200 College St Toronto Ontario M5S 3E5 Canada
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42
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Wang L, Wang X, Wang T, Zhuang Y, Wang G. Multi-omics analysis defines 5-fluorouracil drug resistance in 3D HeLa carcinoma cell model. BIORESOUR BIOPROCESS 2021; 8:135. [PMID: 38650282 PMCID: PMC10991626 DOI: 10.1186/s40643-021-00486-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is a serious health problem in women around the globe. However, the use of clinical drug is seriously dampened by the development of drug resistance. Efficient in vitro tumor model is essential to improve the efficiency of drug screening and the accuracy of clinical application. Multicellular tumor spheroids (MTSs) can in a way recapitulates tumor traits in vivo, thereby representing a powerful transitional model between 2D monolayer culture and xenograft. In this study, based on the liquid overlay method, a protocol for rapid generation of the MTSs with uniform size and high reproducibility in a high-throughput manner was established. As expected, the cytotoxicity results showed that there was enhanced 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance of HeLa carcinoma cells in 3D MTSs than 2D monolayer culture with a resistance index of 5.72. In order to obtain a holistic view of the molecular mechanisms that drive 5-FU resistance in 3D HeLa carcinoma cells, a multi-omics study was applied to discover hidden biological regularities. It was observed that in the 3D MTSs mitochondrial function-related proteins and the metabolites of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) were significantly decreased, and the cellular metabolism was shifted towards glycolysis. The differences in the protein synthesis, processing, and transportation between 2D monolayer cultures and 3D MTSs were significant, mainly in the heat shock protein family, with the up-regulation of protein folding function in endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which promoted the maintenance of ER homeostasis in the 3D MTSs. In addition, at the transcript and protein level, the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (e.g., laminin and collagen) were up-regulated in the 3D MTSs, which enhanced the physical barrier of drug penetration. Summarizing, this study formulates a rapid, scalable and reproducible in vitro model of 3D MTS for drug screening purposes, and the findings establish a critical role of glycolytic metabolism, ER hemostasis and ECM proteins expression profiling in tumor chemoresistance of HeLa carcinoma cells towards 5-FU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueting Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Tong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingping Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Qingdao Innovation Institute of East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Guan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- Qingdao Innovation Institute of East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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43
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Atat OE, Farzaneh Z, Pourhamzeh M, Taki F, Abi-Habib R, Vosough M, El-Sibai M. 3D modeling in cancer studies. Hum Cell 2021; 35:23-36. [PMID: 34761350 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-021-00642-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment contributes significantly to tumor initiation, progression, and resistance to chemotherapy. Much of our understanding of the tumor and its microenvironment is developed using various methods of cell culture. Throughout the last two decades, research has increasingly shown that 3D cell culture systems can remarkably recapitulate the complexity of tumor architecture and physiology compared to traditional 2D models. Unlike the flat culture system, these novel models enabled more cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. By mimicking in vivo microenvironment, 3D culture systems promise to become accurate tools ready to be used in diagnosis, drug screening, and personalized medicine. In this review, we discussed the importance of 3D culture in simulating the tumor microenvironment and focused on the effects of cancer cell-microenvironment interactions on cancer behavior, resistance, proliferation, and metastasis. Finally, we assessed the role of 3D cell culture systems in the contexts of drug screening. 2D culture system is used to study cancer cell growth, progression, behavior, and drug response. It provides contact between cells and supports paracrine crosstalk between host cells and cancer cells. However, this system fails to simulate the architecture and the physiological aspects of in vivo tumor microenvironment due to the absence of cell-cell/ cell-ECM interactions as well as unlimited access to O2 and nutrients, and the absence of tumor heterogeneity. Recently advanced research has led researchers to generate 3D culture system that can better recapitulate the in vivo environment by providing hypoxic medium, facilitating cell-cell and cell-ECM, interactions, and recapitulating heterogeneity of the tumor. Several approaches are used to maintain and expand cancer cells in 3D culture systems such as tumor spheroids (cell aggregate that mimics the in vivo growth of tumor cells), scaffold-based approaches, bioreactors, microfluidic derives, and organoids. 3D systems are currently used for disease modeling and pre-clinical drug testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oula El Atat
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Zahra Farzaneh
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Pourhamzeh
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Division of Neuroscience, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatima Taki
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ralph Abi-Habib
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Massoud Vosough
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mirvat El-Sibai
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon.
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Ting MS, Travas-Sejdic J, Malmström J. Modulation of hydrogel stiffness by external stimuli: soft materials for mechanotransduction studies. J Mater Chem B 2021; 9:7578-7596. [PMID: 34596202 DOI: 10.1039/d1tb01415c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Mechanotransduction is an important process in determining cell survival, proliferation, migration and differentiation. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is the component of natural tissue that provides structural support and biochemical signals to adhering cells. The ECM is dynamic and undergoes physical and biochemical changes in response to various stimuli and there is an interest in understanding the effect of dynamic changes in stiffness on cell behaviour and fate. Therefore, stimuli-responsive hydrogels have been developed to mimic the cells' microenvironment in a controlled fashion. Herein, we review strategies for dynamic modulation of stiffness using various stimuli, such as light, temperature and pH. Special emphasis is placed on conducting polymer (CP) hydrogels and their fabrication procedures. We believe that the redox properties of CPs and hydrogels' biological properties make CPs hydrogels a promising substrate to investigate the effect of dynamic stiffness changes and mechanical actuation on cell fate in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Ting
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. .,MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington, New Zealand.,Polymer Biointerface Centre, School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jadranka Travas-Sejdic
- MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington, New Zealand.,Polymer Biointerface Centre, School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jenny Malmström
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. .,MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington, New Zealand.,Polymer Biointerface Centre, School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Horst EN, Bregenzer ME, Mehta P, Snyder CS, Repetto T, Yang-Hartwich Y, Mehta G. Personalized models of heterogeneous 3D epithelial tumor microenvironments: Ovarian cancer as a model. Acta Biomater 2021; 132:401-420. [PMID: 33940195 PMCID: PMC8969826 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.04.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Intractable human diseases such as cancers, are context dependent, unique to both the individual patient and to the specific tumor microenvironment. However, conventional cancer treatments are often nonspecific, targeting global similarities rather than unique drivers. This limits treatment efficacy across heterogeneous patient populations and even at different tumor locations within the same patient. Ultimately, this poor efficacy can lead to adverse clinical outcomes and the development of treatment-resistant relapse. To prevent this and improve outcomes, it is necessary to be selective when choosing a patient's optimal adjuvant treatment. In this review, we posit the use of personalized, tumor-specific models (TSM) as tools to achieve this remarkable feat. First, using ovarian cancer as a model disease, we outline the heterogeneity and complexity of both the cellular and extracellular components in the tumor microenvironment. Then we examine the advantages and disadvantages of contemporary cancer models and the rationale for personalized TSM. We discuss how to generate precision 3D models through careful and detailed analysis of patient biopsies. Finally, we provide clinically relevant applications of these versatile personalized cancer models to highlight their potential impact. These models are ideal for a myriad of fundamental cancer biology and translational studies. Importantly, these approaches can be extended to other carcinomas, facilitating the discovery of new therapeutics that more effectively target the unique aspects of each individual patient's TME. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this article, we have presented the case for the application of biomaterials in developing personalized models of complex diseases such as cancers. TSM could bring about breakthroughs in the promise of precision medicine. The critical components of the diverse tumor microenvironments, that lead to treatment failures, include cellular- and extracellular matrix- heterogeneity, and biophysical signals to the cells. Therefore, we have described these dynamic components of the tumor microenvironments, and have highlighted how contemporary biomaterials can be utilized to create personalized in vitro models of cancers. We have also described the application of the TSM to predict the dynamic patterns of disease progression, and predict effective therapies that can produce durable responses, limit relapses, and treat any minimal residual disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric N Horst
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Michael E Bregenzer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Pooja Mehta
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Catherine S Snyder
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Taylor Repetto
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Yang Yang-Hartwich
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, United States
| | - Geeta Mehta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Macromolecular Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Precision Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States.
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46
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Yang JY, Qiu BS. The Advance of Magnetic Resonance Elastography in Tumor Diagnosis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:722703. [PMID: 34532290 PMCID: PMC8438294 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.722703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The change in tissue stiffness caused by pathological changes in the tissue's structure could be detected earlier, prior to the manifestation of their clinical features. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a noninvasive imaging technique that uses low-frequency vibrations to quantitatively measure the elasticity or stiffness of tissues. In tumor tissue, stiffness is directly related to tumor development, invasion, metastasis, and chemoradiotherapy resistance. It also dictates the choice of surgical method. At present, MRE is widely used in assessing different human organs, such as the liver, brain, breast, prostate, uterus, gallbladder, and colon stiffness. In the field of oncology, MRE's value lies in tumor diagnosis (especially early diagnosis), selection of treatment method, and prognosis evaluation. This article summarizes the principle of MRE and its research and application progress in tumor diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Ying Yang
- Laboratory Center for Information Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Ben-Sheng Qiu
- Hefei National Lab for Physical Sciences at the Microscale and the Centers for Biomedical Engneering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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47
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Bryniarska-Kubiak N, Kubiak A, Lekka M, Basta-Kaim A. The emerging role of mechanical and topographical factors in the development and treatment of nervous system disorders: dark and light sides of the force. Pharmacol Rep 2021; 73:1626-1641. [PMID: 34390472 PMCID: PMC8599311 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-021-00315-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Nervous system diseases are the subject of intensive research due to their association with high mortality rates and their potential to cause irreversible disability. Most studies focus on targeting the biological factors related to disease pathogenesis, e.g. use of recombinant activator of plasminogen in the treatment of stroke. Nevertheless, multiple diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease still lack successful treatment. Recently, evidence has indicated that physical factors such as the mechanical properties of cells and tissue and topography play a crucial role in homeostasis as well as disease progression. This review aims to depict these factors’ roles in the progression of nervous system diseases and consequently discusses the possibility of new therapeutic approaches. The literature is reviewed to provide a deeper understanding of the roles played by physical factors in nervous system disease development to aid in the design of promising new treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Bryniarska-Kubiak
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Andrzej Kubiak
- Department of Biophysical Microstructures, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31342, Kraków, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Lekka
- Department of Biophysical Microstructures, Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31342, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Basta-Kaim
- Laboratory of Immunoendocrinology, Department of Experimental Neuroendocrinology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland.
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Chou CL, Chen TJ, Tian YF, Chan TC, Yeh CF, Li WS, Tsai HH, Li CF, Lai HY. Upregulated MUC2 Is an Unfavorable Prognostic Indicator for Rectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Preoperative CCRT. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10143030. [PMID: 34300195 PMCID: PMC8304358 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10143030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
For locally advanced rectal cancer patients, introducing neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) before radical resection allows tumor downstaging and increases the rate of anus retention. Since accurate staging before surgery and sensitivity prediction to CCRT remain challenging, a more precise genetic biomarker is urgently needed to enhance the management of such situations. The epithelial mucous barrier can protect the gut lumen, but aberrant mucin synthesis may defend against drug penetration. In this study, we focused on genes related to maintenance of gastrointestinal epithelium (GO: 0030277) and identified mucin 2 (MUC2) as the most significantly upregulated gene correlated with CCRT resistance through a public rectal cancer transcriptome dataset (GSE35452). We retrieved 172 records of rectal cancer patients undergoing CCRT accompanied by radical resection from our biobank. We also assessed the expression level of MUC2 using immunohistochemistry. The results showed that upregulated MUC2 immunoexpression was considerably correlated with the pre-CCRT and post-CCRT positive nodal status (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001), advanced pre-CCRT and post-CCRT tumor status (p = 0.022 and p < 0.001), vascular invasion (p = 0.015), and no or little response to CCRT (p = 0.006). Upregulated MUC2 immunoexpression was adversely prognostic for all three endpoints, disease-specific survival (DSS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and metastasis-free survival (MeFS) (all p < 0.0001), at the univariate level. Moreover, upregulated MUC2 immunoexpression was an independent prognostic factor for worse DSS (p < 0.001), LRFS (p = 0.008), and MeFS (p = 0.003) at the multivariate level. Collectively, these results imply that upregulated MUC2 expression is characterized by a more advanced clinical course and treatment resistance in rectal cancer patients undergoing CCRT, revealing the potential prognostic utility of MUC2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Lin Chou
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 710, Taiwan; (C.-L.C.); (Y.-F.T.)
| | - Tzu-Ju Chen
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 710, Taiwan; (T.-J.C.); (H.-H.T.)
- Department of Medical Technology, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan 717, Taiwan;
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Feng Tian
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 710, Taiwan; (C.-L.C.); (Y.-F.T.)
| | - Ti-Chun Chan
- Department of Medical Research, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 710, Taiwan;
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 704, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Fa Yeh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 710, Taiwan;
| | - Wan-Shan Li
- Department of Medical Technology, Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan 717, Taiwan;
- Institute of Precision Medicine, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Hwa Tsai
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 710, Taiwan; (T.-J.C.); (H.-H.T.)
- Department of Medical Research, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 710, Taiwan;
| | - Chien-Feng Li
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 710, Taiwan; (T.-J.C.); (H.-H.T.)
- Department of Medical Research, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 710, Taiwan;
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan 704, Taiwan
- Institute of Precision Medicine, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (C.-F.L.); (H.-Y.L.)
| | - Hong-Yue Lai
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 710, Taiwan; (T.-J.C.); (H.-H.T.)
- Department of Medical Research, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 710, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: (C.-F.L.); (H.-Y.L.)
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Özkan A, Stolley DL, Cressman ENK, McMillin M, DeMorrow S, Yankeelov TE, Rylander MN. Tumor Microenvironment Alters Chemoresistance of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through CYP3A4 Metabolic Activity. Front Oncol 2021; 11:662135. [PMID: 34262860 PMCID: PMC8273608 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.662135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Variations in tumor biology from patient to patient combined with the low overall survival rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) present significant clinical challenges. During the progression of chronic liver diseases from inflammation to the development of HCC, microenvironmental properties, including tissue stiffness and oxygen concentration, change over time. This can potentially impact drug metabolism and subsequent therapy response to commonly utilized therapeutics, such as doxorubicin, multi-kinase inhibitors (e.g., sorafenib), and other drugs, including immunotherapies. In this study, we utilized four common HCC cell lines embedded in 3D collagen type-I gels of varying stiffnesses to mimic normal and cirrhotic livers with environmental oxygen regulation to quantify the impact of these microenvironmental factors on HCC chemoresistance. In general, we found that HCC cells with higher baseline levels of cytochrome p450-3A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme expression, HepG2 and C3Asub28, exhibited a cirrhosis-dependent increase in doxorubicin chemoresistance. Under the same conditions, HCC cell lines with lower CYP3A4 expression, HuH-7 and Hep3B2, showed a decrease in doxorubicin chemoresistance in response to an increase in microenvironmental stiffness. This differential therapeutic response was correlated with the regulation of CYP3A4 expression levels under the influence of stiffness and oxygen variation. In all tested HCC cell lines, the addition of sorafenib lowered the required doxorubicin dose to induce significant levels of cell death, demonstrating its potential to help reduce systemic doxorubicin toxicity when used in combination. These results suggest that patient-specific tumor microenvironmental factors, including tissue stiffness, hypoxia, and CYP3A4 activity levels, may need to be considered for more effective use of chemotherapeutics in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alican Özkan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Danielle L. Stolley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Erik N. K. Cressman
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Matthew McMillin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX, United States
| | - Sharon DeMorrow
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX, United States
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Thomas E. Yankeelov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
- Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
- Departments of Diagnostic Medicine, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
- Department of Oncology, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
- Livestrong Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Marissa Nichole Rylander
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
- Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, United States
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50
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Tumor spheroid-based microtumor models for preclinical evaluation of anticancer nanomedicines. JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL INVESTIGATION 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s40005-021-00534-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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