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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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Hamel KM, Frazier TP, Williams C, Duplessis T, Rowan BG, Gimble JM, Sanchez CG. Adipose Tissue in Breast Cancer Microphysiological Models to Capture Human Diversity in Preclinical Models. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2728. [PMID: 38473978 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052728] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Female breast cancer accounts for 15.2% of all new cancer cases in the United States, with a continuing increase in incidence despite efforts to discover new targeted therapies. With an approximate failure rate of 85% for therapies in the early phases of clinical trials, there is a need for more translatable, new preclinical in vitro models that include cellular heterogeneity, extracellular matrix, and human-derived biomaterials. Specifically, adipose tissue and its resident cell populations have been identified as necessary attributes for current preclinical models. Adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) and mature adipocytes are a normal part of the breast tissue composition and not only contribute to normal breast physiology but also play a significant role in breast cancer pathophysiology. Given the recognized pro-tumorigenic role of adipocytes in tumor progression, there remains a need to enhance the complexity of current models and account for the contribution of the components that exist within the adipose stromal environment to breast tumorigenesis. This review article captures the current landscape of preclinical breast cancer models with a focus on breast cancer microphysiological system (MPS) models and their counterpart patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models to capture patient diversity as they relate to adipose tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christopher Williams
- Division of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70125, USA
| | | | - Brian G Rowan
- Department of Structural and Cellular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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Van Stiphout CM, Kelly G, Pallegar NK, Elbakry E, Vilchis-Celis AV, Christian SL, Viloria-Petit AM. Identification of lysyl oxidase as an adipocyte-secreted mediator that promotes a partial mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition in MDA-MB-231 cells. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2024; 5:1-19. [PMID: 38468823 PMCID: PMC10927314 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2024.00201] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women worldwide, where adiposity has been linked to BC morbidity. In general, obese premenopausal women diagnosed with triple-negative BC (TNBC) tend to have larger tumours with more metastases, particularly to the bone marrow, and worse prognosis. Previous work using a 3-dimensional (3D) co-culture system consisting of TNBC cells, adipocytes and the laminin-rich extracellular matrix (ECM) trademarked as Matrigel, demonstrated that adipocytes and adipocyte-derived conditioned media (CM) caused a partial mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET). Given that MET has been associated with secondary tumour formation, this study sought to identify molecular mediators responsible for this phenotypic change. Methods Adipocytes were cultured with and without Matrigel, where semi-quantitative proteomics was used to identify proteins whose presence in the CM was induced or enhanced by Matrigel, which were referred to as adipocyte-secreted ECM-induced proteins (AEPs). The AEPs identified were assessed for association with prognosis in published proteomic datasets and prior literature. Of these, 4 were evaluated by the reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), followed by a functional and MET marker analysis of 1 AEP on MDA-MB-231 cells grown on Matrigel or as monolayers. Results The 4 AEPs showed a positive correlation between protein expression and poor prognosis. RT-qPCR analysis reported no significant change in AEPs mRNA expression. However, lysyl oxidase (LOX) was increased in CM of ECM-exposed adipocytes. Recombinant LOX (rLOX) caused the mesenchymal MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells to form less branched 3D structures and reduced the expression of vimentin. Conclusions The data suggest that adipocyte-secreted LOX changes the mesenchymal phenotype of BC cells in a manner that could promote secondary tumour formation, particularly at sites high in adipocytes such as the bone marrow. Future efforts should focus on determining whether targeting LOX could reduce BC metastasis in obese individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassidy M. Van Stiphout
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Grant Kelly
- Department of Biochemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3X9, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Nikitha K. Pallegar
- Department of Biochemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - Eman Elbakry
- Department of Biochemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - Ana Valeria Vilchis-Celis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
- Department of Morphology, National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City, CDMX 07738, Mexico
| | - Sherri L. Christian
- Department of Biochemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3X9, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Alicia M. Viloria-Petit
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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Obesity: The Fat Tissue Disease Version of Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:cells11121872. [PMID: 35741001 PMCID: PMC9221301 DOI: 10.3390/cells11121872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a disease with high potential for fatality. It perfectly fits the disease definition, as cancer does. This is because it damages body structure and functions, both mechanically and biologically, and alters physical, mental, and social health. In addition, it shares many common morbid characteristics with the most feared disease, cancer. For example, it is influenced by a sophisticated interaction between a person’s genetics, the environment, and an increasing number of other backgrounds. Furthermore, it displays abnormal cell growth and proliferation events, only limited to white fat, resulting in adipose tissue taking up an increasing amount of space within the body. This occurs through fat “metastases” and via altered signaling that further aggravates the pathology of obesity by inducing ubiquitous dishomeostasis. These metastases can be made graver by angiogenesis, which might boost diseased tissue growth. More common features with cancer include its progressive escalation through different levels of severity and its possibility of re-onset after recovery. Despite all these similarities with cancer, obesity is substantially less agitating for most people. Thus, the ideas proposed herein could have utility to sensitize the public opinion about the hard reality of obesity. This is increasingly needed, as the obesity pandemic has waged a fierce war against our bodies and society in general, while there is still doubt about whether it is a real disease or not. Hence, raising public consciousness to properly face health issues is crucial to improving our health instead of gaining weight unhealthily. It is obviously illogical to fight cancer extremely seriously on the one hand and to consider dying with obesity as self-inflicted on the other. In fact, obesity merits a top position among the most lethal diseases besides cancer.
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Triulzi T. Special Issue: "Unraveling the Involvement of Adipose Tissue in Breast Cancer Progression". Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105107. [PMID: 34065952 PMCID: PMC8151020 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Triulzi
- Molecular Targeting Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy
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