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Sahu P, Camarillo IG, Dettin M, Zamuner A, Teresa Conconi M, Barozzi M, Giri P, Sundararajan R, Sieni E. Electroporation enhances cell death in 3D scaffold-based MDA-MB-231 cells treated with metformin. Bioelectrochemistry 2024; 159:108734. [PMID: 38762949 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2024.108734] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer lacks estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors and hence, is therapeutically challenging. Towards this, we studied an alternate therapy by repurposing metformin (FDA-approved type-2 diabetic drug with anticancer properties) in a 3D-scaffold culture, with electrical pulses. 3D cell culture was used to simulate the tumor microenvironment more closely and MDA-MB-231, human TNBC cells, treated with both 5 mM metformin (Met) and 8 electrical pulses at 2500 V/cm, 10 µs (EP1) and 800 V/cm, 100 µs (EP2) at 1 Hz were studied in 3D and 2D. They were characterized using cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), glucose uptake, and lactate production assays at 24 h. Cell viability, as low as 20 % was obtained with EP1 + 5 mM Met. They exhibited 1.65-fold lower cell viability than 2D with EP1 + 5 mM Met. ROS levels indicated a 2-fold increase in oxidative stress for EP1 + 5 mM Met, while the glucose uptake was limited to only 9 %. No significant change in the lactate production indicated glycolytic arrest and a non-conducive environment for MDA-MB-231 growth. Our results indicate that 3D cell culture, with a more realistic tumor environment that enhances cell death using metformin and electrical pulses could be a promising approach for TNBC therapeutic intervention studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Sahu
- School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Ignacio G Camarillo
- Deptartment of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Monica Dettin
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova 35122, Italy
| | - Annj Zamuner
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Padova 35122, Italy; Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Conconi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Marco Barozzi
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese 21100, Italy
| | - Pragatheiswar Giri
- School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Raji Sundararajan
- School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Elisabetta Sieni
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese 21100, Italy.
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2
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Bronner-Shtrauchler O, Nativ-Roth E, Sanchez DS, Zaiden M, Vidavsky N. Multimodal characterization of the collagen hydrogel structure and properties in response to physiologically relevant pH fluctuations. Acta Biomater 2024; 178:170-180. [PMID: 38417647 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.02.031] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
pH fluctuations within the extracellular matrix (ECM) and its principal constituent collagen, particularly in solid tumors and chronic wounds, may influence its structure and function. Whereas previous research examined the impact of pH on collagen fibrillogenesis, this study focuses on determining how pH fluctuations affect collagen hydrogels that mimic the physiological ECM. Utilizing a type I collagen hydrogel, we examined the influence of pH fluctuations on its structure, properties, and function while keeping the collagen hydrated. We show that collagen's secondary structure remains unaltered during pathologically relevant microenvironmental pH changes. By employing cryo scanning electron microscopy and artificial intelligence-assisted image analysis, we show that at physiological pH, collagen hydrogel presents densely packed, aligned, and elongated fibrils, which upon a decrease to pH 6.5, are transformed into shorter, sparser, and disoriented fibrils. The collagen possesses a higher storage modulus yet a lower permeability at pH 7 and 7.8 compared with pH 6.5 and 7.4. Exposing acidified collagen to a basic buffer reinstates its native structure and viscoelastic properties. Our study offers an innovative approach to analyze and characterize perturbations in hydrated collagen-based systems with potential implications for better understanding and combating disease progression. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: As the main component of the extracellular matrix, collagen undergoes conformational changes associated with pH changes during disease. We analyze the impact of pH on pre-formed collagen fibers mimicking healthy tissues subjected to disease, and do not focus on the more studied fibrillogenesis process. Using cryogenic SEM, which allowed imaging close to the native state, we show that even minor fluctuations in the pH affect the collagen thickness, length, fiber alignment, and rheological properties. Following exposure to acidic pH, the collagen had short fibers, lacked orientation, and had low mechanical strength. This acidic collagen restored its original properties after returning to a neutral pH. These findings can help determine how pH changes can be modulated to restore healthy collagen properties.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Einat Nativ-Roth
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Daniel Sevilla Sanchez
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Michal Zaiden
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Netta Vidavsky
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel; Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
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Druzhkova I, Komarova A, Nikonova E, Baigildin V, Mozherov A, Shakirova Y, Lisitsa U, Shcheslavskiy V, Ignatova N, Shirshin E, Shirmanova M, Tunik S. Monitoring the Intracellular pH and Metabolic State of Cancer Cells in Response to Chemotherapy Using a Combination of Phosphorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:49. [PMID: 38203221 PMCID: PMC10779161 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010049] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM), in which collagen is the most abundant protein, impacts many aspects of tumor physiology, including cellular metabolism and intracellular pH (pHi), as well as the efficacy of chemotherapy. Meanwhile, the role of collagen in differential cell responses to treatment within heterogeneous tumor environments remains poorly investigated. In the present study, we simultaneously monitored the changes in pHi and metabolism in living colorectal cancer cells in vitro upon treatment with a chemotherapeutic combination, FOLFOX (5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin and leucovorin). The pHi was followed using the new pH-sensitive probe BC-Ga-Ir, working in the mode of phosphorescence lifetime imaging (PLIM), and metabolism was assessed from the autofluorescence of the metabolic cofactor NAD(P)H using fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) with a two-photon laser scanning microscope. To model the ECM, 3D collagen-based hydrogels were used, and comparisons with conventional monolayer cells were made. It was found that FOLFOX treatment caused an early temporal intracellular acidification (reduction in pHi), followed by a shift to more alkaline values, and changed cellular metabolism to a more oxidative state. The presence of unstructured collagen markedly reduced the cytotoxic effects of FOLFOX, and delayed and diminished the pHi and metabolic responses. These results support the observation that collagen is a factor in the heterogeneous response of cancer cells to chemotherapy and a powerful regulator of their metabolic behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Druzhkova
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 603005 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (A.K.); (A.M.); (U.L.); (V.S.); (N.I.); (M.S.)
| | - Anastasiya Komarova
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 603005 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (A.K.); (A.M.); (U.L.); (V.S.); (N.I.); (M.S.)
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 603950 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Elena Nikonova
- Laboratory of Clinical Biophotonics, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia; (E.N.); (E.S.)
| | - Vadim Baigildin
- Institute of Chemistry, Saint-Petersburg State University, 198504 St. Petersburg, Russia; (V.B.); (Y.S.)
| | - Artem Mozherov
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 603005 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (A.K.); (A.M.); (U.L.); (V.S.); (N.I.); (M.S.)
| | - Yuliya Shakirova
- Institute of Chemistry, Saint-Petersburg State University, 198504 St. Petersburg, Russia; (V.B.); (Y.S.)
| | - Uliana Lisitsa
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 603005 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (A.K.); (A.M.); (U.L.); (V.S.); (N.I.); (M.S.)
| | - Vladislav Shcheslavskiy
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 603005 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (A.K.); (A.M.); (U.L.); (V.S.); (N.I.); (M.S.)
| | - Nadezhda Ignatova
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 603005 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (A.K.); (A.M.); (U.L.); (V.S.); (N.I.); (M.S.)
| | - Evgeny Shirshin
- Laboratory of Clinical Biophotonics, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia; (E.N.); (E.S.)
- Faculty of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina Shirmanova
- Institute of Experimental Oncology and Biomedical Technologies, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, 603005 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (A.K.); (A.M.); (U.L.); (V.S.); (N.I.); (M.S.)
| | - Sergey Tunik
- Institute of Chemistry, Saint-Petersburg State University, 198504 St. Petersburg, Russia; (V.B.); (Y.S.)
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Lidke DS, Gillette JM, Cambi A. Application of Biophysical Techniques to Cellular and Molecular Oncology. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2919. [PMID: 37296882 PMCID: PMC10251954 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15112919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated cellular processes drive malignant transformation, tumor progression, and metastasis, and affect responses to therapies [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane S. Lidke
- Department of Pathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA;
| | - Jennifer M. Gillette
- Department of Pathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA;
| | - Alessandra Cambi
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
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Luca A, Nacu I, Tanasache S, Peptu CA, Butnaru M, Verestiuc L. New Methacrylated Biopolymer-Based Hydrogels as Localized Drug Delivery Systems in Skin Cancer Therapy. Gels 2023; 9:gels9050371. [PMID: 37232963 DOI: 10.3390/gels9050371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present work was to obtain drug-loaded hydrogels based on combinations of dextran, chitosan/gelatin/xanthan, and poly (acrylamide) as a sustained and controlled release vehicle of Doxorubicin, a drug used in skin cancer therapy that is associated with severe side effects. Hydrogels for use as 3D hydrophilic networks with good manipulation characteristics were produced using methacrylated biopolymer derivatives and the methacrylate group's polymerization with synthetic monomers in the presence of a photo-initiator, under UV light stimulation (365 nm). Transformed infrared spectroscopy analysis (FT-IR) confirmed the hydrogels' network structure (natural-synthetic composition and photocrosslinking), while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed the microporous morphology. The hydrogels are swellable in simulated biological fluids and the material's morphology regulates the swelling properties: the maximum swelling degree was obtained for dextran-chitosan-based hydrogels because of their higher porosity and pore distribution. The hydrogels are bioadhesive on a biological simulating membrane, and values for the force of detachment and work of adhesion are recommended for applications on skin tissue. The Doxorubicin was loaded into the hydrogels and the drug was released by diffusion for all the resulting hydrogels, with small contributions from the hydrogel networks' relaxation. Doxorubicin-loaded hydrogels are efficient on keratinocytes tumor cells, the sustained released drug interrupting the cells' division and inducing cell apoptosis; we recommend the obtained materials for the topical treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Luca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Bioengineering, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Isabella Nacu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Bioengineering, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 700487 Iasi, Romania
| | - Sabina Tanasache
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Bioengineering, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Cătălina Anişoara Peptu
- Cristofor Simionescu Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iaşi, 700050 Iasi, Romania
| | - Maria Butnaru
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Bioengineering, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Liliana Verestiuc
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Bioengineering, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
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