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Peng Z, Yi Y, Nie Y, Wang T, Tang J, Hong S, Liu Y, Huang W, Sun S, Tan H, Wu M. Softening the tumor matrix through cholesterol depletion breaks the physical barrier for enhanced antitumor therapy. J Control Release 2024; 371:29-42. [PMID: 38763389 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
The tumor develops defense tactics, including conversing the mechanical characteristics of tumor cells and their surrounding environment. A recent study reported that cholesterol depletion stiffens tumor cells, which could enhance adaptive T-cell immunotherapy. However, it remains unclear whether reducing the cholesterol in tumor cells contributes to re-educating the stiff tumor matrix, which serves as a physical barrier against drug penetration. Herein, we found that depleting cholesterol from tumor cells can demolish the intratumor physical barrier by disrupting the mechanical signal transduction between tumor cells and the extracellular matrix through the destruction of lipid rafts. This disruption allows nanoparticles (H/S@hNP) to penetrate deeply, resulting in improved photodynamic treatment. Our research also indicates that cholesterol depletion can inhibit the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and repolarize tumor-associated macrophages from M2 to M1, demonstrating the essential role of cholesterol in tumor progression. Overall, this study reveals that a cholesterol-depleted, softened tumor matrix reduces the difficulty of drug penetration, leading to enhanced antitumor therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangwen Peng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Yunfei Yi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Yichu Nie
- Department of Translational Medicine Research Institute, First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Tianqi Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Jia Tang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Sheng Hong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Yuanqi Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Wenxin Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Shengjie Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Hui Tan
- Center for Child Care and Mental Health (CCCMH), Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen 518038, China.
| | - Meiying Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China.
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Xiang Z, Zhang P, Jia C, Xu R, Cao D, Xu Z, Lu T, Liu J, Wang X, Qiu C, Fu W, Li W, Cheng L, Yang Q, Feng S, Wang L, Zhao Y, Liu X. Piezo1 channel exaggerates ferroptosis of nucleus pulposus cells by mediating mechanical stress-induced iron influx. Bone Res 2024; 12:20. [PMID: 38553442 PMCID: PMC10980708 DOI: 10.1038/s41413-024-00317-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
To date, several molecules have been found to facilitate iron influx, while the types of iron influx channels remain to be elucidated. Here, Piezo1 channel was identified as a key iron transporter in response to mechanical stress. Piezo1-mediated iron overload disturbed iron metabolism and exaggerated ferroptosis in nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). Importantly, Piezo1-induced iron influx was independent of the transferrin receptor (TFRC), a well-recognized iron gatekeeper. Furthermore, pharmacological inactivation of Piezo1 profoundly reduced iron accumulation, alleviated mitochondrial ROS, and suppressed ferroptotic alterations in stimulation of mechanical stress. Moreover, conditional knockout of Piezo1 (Col2a1-CreERT Piezo1flox/flox) attenuated the mechanical injury-induced intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Notably, the protective effect of Piezo1 deficiency in IVDD was dampened in Piezo1/Gpx4 conditional double knockout (cDKO) mice (Col2a1-CreERT Piezo1flox/flox/Gpx4flox/flox). These findings suggest that Piezo1 is a potential determinant of iron influx, indicating that the Piezo1-iron-ferroptosis axis might shed light on the treatment of mechanical stress-induced diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqian Xiang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, 226000, China
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Chunwang Jia
- Department of Orthopaedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Rongkun Xu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Dingren Cao
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Zhaoning Xu
- School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Tingting Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, 061011, China
| | - Jingwei Liu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Xiaoxiong Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, 226000, China
| | - Cheng Qiu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Wenyang Fu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Weiwei Li
- Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Lei Cheng
- Department of Orthopaedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Qiang Yang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 30021, China
| | - Shiqing Feng
- Department of Orthopaedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Lianlei Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
| | - Yunpeng Zhao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
| | - Xinyu Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
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Kalli M, Stylianopoulos T. Toward innovative approaches for exploring the mechanically regulated tumor-immune microenvironment. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:011501. [PMID: 38390314 PMCID: PMC10883717 DOI: 10.1063/5.0183302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Within the complex tumor microenvironment, cells experience mechanical cues-such as extracellular matrix stiffening and elevation of solid stress, interstitial fluid pressure, and fluid shear stress-that significantly impact cancer cell behavior and immune responses. Recognizing the significance of these mechanical cues not only sheds light on cancer progression but also holds promise for identifying potential biomarkers that would predict therapeutic outcomes. However, standardizing methods for studying how mechanical cues affect tumor progression is challenging. This challenge stems from the limitations of traditional in vitro cell culture systems, which fail to encompass the critical contextual cues present in vivo. To address this, 3D tumor spheroids have been established as a preferred model, more closely mimicking cancer progression, but they usually lack reproduction of the mechanical microenvironment encountered in actual solid tumors. Here, we review the role of mechanical forces in modulating tumor- and immune-cell responses and discuss how grasping the importance of these mechanical cues could revolutionize in vitro tumor tissue engineering. The creation of more physiologically relevant environments that better replicate in vivo conditions will eventually increase the efficacy of currently available treatments, including immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Kalli
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
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Mierke CT. Extracellular Matrix Cues Regulate Mechanosensing and Mechanotransduction of Cancer Cells. Cells 2024; 13:96. [PMID: 38201302 PMCID: PMC10777970 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010096] [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: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular biophysical properties have particular implications for a wide spectrum of cellular behaviors and functions, including growth, motility, differentiation, apoptosis, gene expression, cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion, and signal transduction including mechanotransduction. Cells not only react to unambiguously mechanical cues from the extracellular matrix (ECM), but can occasionally manipulate the mechanical features of the matrix in parallel with biological characteristics, thus interfering with downstream matrix-based cues in both physiological and pathological processes. Bidirectional interactions between cells and (bio)materials in vitro can alter cell phenotype and mechanotransduction, as well as ECM structure, intentionally or unintentionally. Interactions between cell and matrix mechanics in vivo are of particular importance in a variety of diseases, including primarily cancer. Stiffness values between normal and cancerous tissue can range between 500 Pa (soft) and 48 kPa (stiff), respectively. Even the shear flow can increase from 0.1-1 dyn/cm2 (normal tissue) to 1-10 dyn/cm2 (cancerous tissue). There are currently many new areas of activity in tumor research on various biological length scales, which are highlighted in this review. Moreover, the complexity of interactions between ECM and cancer cells is reduced to common features of different tumors and the characteristics are highlighted to identify the main pathways of interaction. This all contributes to the standardization of mechanotransduction models and approaches, which, ultimately, increases the understanding of the complex interaction. Finally, both the in vitro and in vivo effects of this mechanics-biology pairing have key insights and implications for clinical practice in tumor treatment and, consequently, clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tanja Mierke
- Biological Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Leipzig University, Linnéstraße 5, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Emon B, Saif MTA. A window into solid stresses within tumours. Nat Biomed Eng 2023; 7:1348-1349. [PMID: 37945753 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01121-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Bashar Emon
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - M Taher A Saif
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
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